How to Grow Australian Red Napier Grass in Kenya

One of the biggest challenges facing dairy and livestock farmers in Kenya today is the unreliable supply of quality animal feed. During dry seasons, most pastures dry up, and farmers are forced to buy expensive commercial feeds or watch their animals lose weight and reduce milk production. The high cost of feeds, combined with low productivity, continues to discourage many farmers.

However, a new solution is turning heads across the country — Australian Red Napier Grass. This fast-growing, high-protein hybrid grass is increasingly being adopted by smart Kenyan farmers who want to take control of their fodder production and improve their profits.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Australian Red Napier Grass in Kenya — what it is, its benefits, how to grow it, and why it’s being called a game changer for dairy and livestock farmers.

What is Australian Red Napier Grass?

Australian Red Napier Grass is a hybrid fodder grass developed for high productivity and resilience. It was bred in Australia by crossing high-yielding Napier varieties with deep-rooted, drought-tolerant grasses. The result is a fast-growing, leafy, and nutritious fodder crop suitable for both small-scale and commercial farms in Kenya.

Key Physical Characteristics

• Reddish stem color (hence the name “Red Napier”)
• Broad, soft leaves that are highly palatable to livestock
• Tall growth habit, reaching up to 8–10 feet when mature
• Fast regrowth after cutting — can be harvested multiple times a year
• Forms thick clumps, helping with weed control

Benefits of Growing Red Napier in Kenya

Red Napier is not your ordinary Napier grass. It brings a wide range of advantages for both dairy and livestock farmers in Kenya:

1. High Protein Content

• Contains 20–25% crude protein, especially when harvested at the right stage
• Improves animal body condition, weight gain, and milk production

2. Superior Biomass Yields

• Produces 180–200 tonnes of fresh grass per acre per year
• This is nearly double what traditional Napier varieties produce

3. Multiple Harvests Annually

• You can harvest 6–8 times a year depending on rainfall and care
• Regrows within 30–45 days after cutting

4. Boosts Milk Production

• Dairy cows fed with Red Napier show increased milk yields due to its high energy and protein
• Reduces the need for expensive dairy meals and supplements

5. Versatile for Other Livestock

• Excellent for feeding sheep, goats, rabbits, and even chickens (as processed pellets)
• Can be converted into silage or hay for dry season feeding

6. Suitable for Silage and Dry Fodder

• Red Napier makes excellent silage when chopped and preserved well
• You can also dry it to make hay, which is easier to store and transport

How to Plant Red Napier Grass

To get the best results, Red Napier must be planted correctly. Here’s a simple guide:

Ideal Climatic and Soil Conditions

• Grows well in areas with moderate to high rainfall (800–1500 mm annually)
• Prefers well-drained loamy soils rich in organic matter
• Tolerates drought better than traditional Napier, making it ideal for most parts of Kenya

Land Preparation and Spacing

1. Clear the land of weeds and debris.
2. Plough and harrow to a fine tilth.
3. Create planting lines spaced 2 feet apart (inter-row) and 2 feet within rows.
4. Add well-decomposed manure or compost into the planting holes.

Planting Materials

• Use stem cuttings with 3–4 nodes (joints)
• Lay the cutting horizontally in the furrow with at least two nodes covered in soil

Where to Buy Quality Planting Material in Kenya

• Trusted agro-dealers across Kenya
• Online platforms like Jiji.co.ke and GraduateFarmer.co.ke
• Certified agricultural input shops
• Local farmers’ cooperatives
• Agricultural shows and county extension offices

Cost Estimate Per Acre

Care and Maintenance

To achieve high yields, proper care is essential.

Watering and Irrigation

• Red Napier thrives with good moisture.
• Supplement with drip or sprinkler irrigation during dry seasons to maintain growth.

Fertilization

• Apply organic manure during planting.
• Top-dress with CAN or UREA after each harvest to promote regrowth.
• Foliar feeds can be used to enhance leafiness.

Weed and Pest Control

• Weed regularly during the early growth stages.
• Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Monitor for pests like Napier head smut, though Red Napier is generally disease-resistant.

Harvesting Tips

• First harvest is done 3 months after planting.
• Subsequent cuts can be done every 30–45 days depending on rain and regrowth.
• Cut at 3–4 feet height for best nutrition.

Feeding and Storage

Best Stage for Harvesting

• Harvest when the stems are still soft and leaves are plenty.
• Early harvest means higher crude protein and digestibility.

How to Chop and Feed

• Use a chaff cutter to chop into 2–3 inch pieces.
• Mix with other feeds like molasses, maize germ, or cottonseed cake.

How to Make Silage or Hay

• Chop the grass and compact it in airtight containers or silage bags.
• Add molasses to enhance fermentation.
• For hay, dry under shade for 2–3 days and store in dry bales.

Storage Methods

• Store silage in airtight bags away from sunlight and moisture.
• Store hay in a dry, raised structure to avoid mould and nutrient loss.

Economic Impact for Farmers

Let’s break down why investing in Red Napier is financially smart.

Cost-Benefit Analysis Per Acre

Feeding Potential

• 1 acre can feed 10–15 dairy cows throughout the year when harvested and stored well.
• For zero-grazing units, Red Napier is cost-effective and space-efficient.

Farmer Success Story

Jane, a dairy farmer from Nyeri, says:

“Since I switched to Red Napier, my milk production has doubled. I no longer buy dairy meal. I also sell extra cuttings to other farmers. It has changed my farming business!”

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Limited Planting Material Availability

• Demand for Red Napier is rising, but supply is limited.
• Solution: Buy early, or consider propagating your own from stem cuttings.

Lack of Farmer Awareness

• Many farmers still don’t know about the benefits.
• Solution: Share information at chamas, cooperatives, or field days.

Transport and Storage Issues

• Harvested grass is bulky.
• Solution: Chop and store as silage or hay to save space and ease transport.

Conclusion

Australian Red Napier Grass is transforming the way Kenyan farmers feed their livestock. With high protein, massive yields, and the ability to harvest multiple times a year, it offers a practical and affordable way to achieve fodder self-sufficiency.

Whether you are a small-scale zero-grazing farmer or a large commercial dairy investor, Red Napier is a worthwhile investment that can reduce feed costs and improve productivity.