How to Grow Fodder for Animals

Fodder is a mixture of planted vegetation that's used to feed livestock. The benefits of fodder include faster animal growth, better animal development, and increased agricultural production. Fodder is also a cost-effective way to feed animals, and it allows animals to eat whenever they're hungry. Planting fodder prevents soil erosion caused by grazing animals. Fodder can survive in dry conditions and it's easy to plant.

Things You'll Need

  • Calliandra seeds
  • Elephant grass
  • Setaria grass seeds
  • Shovel
  • Fertilizer
  • Ash
  • Garden box with shelter
  • Polythene tubes
  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plant the calliandra seeds inside polythene tubes in the garden box. Spacing should be 30 cm by 30 cm. Cover the soil with fertilizer or manure. Water them daily and limit sun exposure. As the calliandra grows, increase daily exposure to the sun. When the plants are 20 cm to 30 cm high, you can transplant them into the grazing area.

    • 2

      Weed the entire area in which the fodder will be planted thoroughly. Plant the elephant grass in rows. The planted elephant grass should already have a maturity of 3 to 4 leaves. Place individual plants 60 m apart. Row spacing should be 1 m to 2 m apart. Fertilize the area.

    • 3

      Remove the polythene tubes from the calliandra. Leave any soil attached to the roots on the plant. Plant one line of calliandra between the rows of elephant grass. Each calliandra should be 30 cm from the next. Calliandra should go a 1/2 m above the elephant-grass line. Mix ash and decomposing manure and put 1 kg of the mixture around each planted calliandra plant.

    • 4

      Spread setaria grass seeds around the calliandra, on the property lines and in any bare areas. Water daily until the vegetation is established. Weed regularly and lay down mulch. Mulch should never go directly on the plants. Cut the elephant grass down to 2 cm to 5 cm when it reaches a height of 1-1/2 m. Pick leaves off the calliandra to stimulate new growth. Fertilize throughout the year for best results.