Late last year, Savera Farms made a conscious decision to attempt Maize and Bajra grain cultivation. Our focus was to supplement and lower the unit cost of our current goat fodder. While our seed propagation was field dispersal, we did ensure that it is done along our drip lines for maximum germination. Since sowing, it took about 40-50 days for the flowering to start. Although our initial plan was to collect seeds for the concentrate mix, we decided against it due to heavy labor requirement.
Instead, everyday we are providing our animals a couple of bundles of fresh green Maize and Bajra fodder and the Goats seem to be happy with this succulent addition to their meal plan. Overall, the growth of maize was quite good, while the growth of Bajra was inconsistent since it was less tolerant to soil conditions.
Fresh Corn-on-the-Cob
Maize fields
Instead, everyday we are providing our animals a couple of bundles of fresh green Maize and Bajra fodder and the Goats seem to be happy with this succulent addition to their meal plan. Overall, the growth of maize was quite good, while the growth of Bajra was inconsistent since it was less tolerant to soil conditions.
Bajra
With the labour availability being inconsistent, we have debated the feasibility of continuing with this cultivation and overall benefit accrued to our operations.. We may try another season but our focus will be to grow and store. Generating silage is on our agenda for 2014 and we plan to focus on the most efficient options to source ingredients. For the existing drip infrastructure, we should be able to make good use of it for our other short term crops.
I am a bit late to get information about you....Any way at least now i came to know about techie2aggie. Read all the posts...Good tendency of sharing information.
ReplyDeleteEven though you have very good financial background, did you try crop insurance ?
A report released by the University of Michigan has highlighted the potential use of hydroponically grown grass mats as fodder for livestock.
ReplyDeleteIn hopes of reducing the industry's resource consumption, the report suggests that traditional grains such as barley, oats, wheat, and sorghum could easily be sprouted
using hydroponic systems.
For more details on Hydroponic Gardening log on to http://chennaihydroponics.blogspot.in/ &
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chennai-Hydroponics/199642800229972 .
Do not know if you have already tried this, but Subabul and/or Gliricidia leaves are supposed to be very good for fodder for ruminants (cattle, goats). See "Forage Tree Legumes in Tropical Agriculture"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Publicat/Gutt-shel/x5556e00.htm#Contents
What is the bengali meaning of bajra cobs ?
ReplyDelete