Seedhead height
Seedhead height
As seed ripen they drop to the ground in heavy winds.The seedhead ripens from the top and comes in various shapes and sizes due to the wide genetic base.
As seed ripen they drop to the ground in heavy winds.The seedhead ripens from the top and comes in various shapes and sizes due to the wide genetic base.

Russian Grass Protein Levels: 25-35%, typically double that of baled lucerne (16-18% protein), scientifically tested. When boosted with nitrogen, up to 35% protein. Best protein levels at about ankle to knee height, about 2 – 4.5 months.

What you must learn:

1. Annuals and short term perennials grow quickly, at the expense of longevity, persistence and protein levels.
2. Long term perennials such as Russian Grass establish slower due to a much bigger root system, but it has a long-term higher protein and yield pay-off, which can be manipulated to “shoot the lights out” performance wise.
3. Russian grass Breeder Seed trigger high population densities and adds 10% extra protein long term. Scammers may make long longevity, eternal persistence and high protein claims, but it is not true. See the scam section.
4. Commercial Seed from seed companies is produced for replanting after 1 lifecycle, and prevent farmer seed harvesting and replanting by low yielding seed with low germination, low plant fitness and lack of persistence beyond one generation, as a general rule of thumb.
5. During seed head production plant protein levels drop, generally about 10% for most gras species. With short term perennials it can be 16% down to 6%.
6. Without seed production annuals and short term perennials disappear in 2-4 years in nature, under grazing. With commercial class seed, they disappear after 1 lifecycle of 2-4 years as they were bred to, under grazing. The key issue, if annuals are not allowed to set seed they drop out of the genepool in 1 season. With sheep which are selective grazers, annuals with higher protein is selectively grazed out before seed set in the first year due to their higher protein levels.
7. With Russian Grass this doesn’t happen because the entire F1 stand is high protein, it sets seed every year for 10 years and if it is hard grazed one year during seed set the worst that can happen is that one seed drop opportunity is missed, it remains in the genepool for another 9 years with more time. It also tend to seed all summer given enough space.
8. Make sure you get what you pay for.
9. Penny wise, pound foolish.
10. Commercial livestock require commercial liveweight gains year round and a 12 month high nutritional plane above 8-9% protein maintenance level.
11. Amateurs plant short term solutions every year or two which just maintain their animals in winter, at best.
12. Profesionals plant long term perennial solutions such as Russian Grass once, in its optimum ecological niche, for substantial livestock weight gains, every day.
13. We will now provide protein insights.

On average Russian Grass of ankle to knee height is 25-30% protein (as a general rule of thumb), and from knee to hip height is about 20-25% protein, with a much higher nutritional density than summer C4 grass species (8-14% protein) and most other winter annuals and short term perennials (3-16% protein).
On average Russian Grass of ankle to knee height is 25-30% protein (as a general rule of thumb), and from knee to hip height is about 20-25% protein, with a much higher nutritional density than summer C4 grass species (8-14% protein) and most other winter annuals and short term perennials (3-16% protein).
12 month old big clumps of Russian Grass after seeding is about 18-20% protein as per this test.
Older bigger clumps of Russian Grass like those planted from cuttings/root division is in the 20% protein range which we do not want.
Young Russian grass ankle to knee height 6 weeks to 4.5 months is in the 25-35% range. (These tests could have been a few percentage points higher had it not been for courier delivery delays).

Rusian Grass Protein discussion for Cattle and Sheep:

When Russian Grass is grazed by weaner calves daily weight gains in the order to 800 to 1200 grams per day is achieved in real life, throughout the year, summer and winter, due to this high protein level. When the Russian Grass pasture diet is fortified with a feedlot ration this can be increased to 1.7 kg daily weight gains in optimised conditions, in a 80/20 ratio of 80% Russian Grass pasture to 20% feedlot ration. In general, if every bite of Russian Grass pasture has 2-3 times the nutrition of quick-green C3 and summer C4 grasses. When you compare directly grazed Russian grass in winter with baled summer grass the Russian Grass is up to 4 times more nutritious. It is the difference between commercial performance and maintenance only. Focus facts: if a ewe has a 9% protein maintenance requirement, and the first lamb also has 9% protein maintenance requirement and the second lamb also has 9% maintenance requirement 3 x 9% protein = 25% protein need just for maintenance. Russian Grass can make the difference between ewes having one lambs, or two, due to the protein level and availability in winter. Most commercial Russian Grass feedlot customers find it most lucrative and lowest risk to optimise their Russian grass pasture and to cut down on their feedlot ration costs by 80%, using the enhanced nutritional density of the Russian Grass to replace the nutritional density of expensive costly feedlot rations. The difference between the two is cost/risk, with long term perennial Russian Grass paying for itself in the first commercially grazed 6 months (typically from year 2 onwards, after a 6 months root establishment and seeding period). The problem with feedlot rations is you keep buying them, while Russian Grass is free when growing in a location with seeping subsoil moisture due to gravity, and with eroded toeslope nutrients in deep clay. The R1 a square meter Breeder Seed establishment cost is turned into a permanent self irrigated footslope or toeslope wetland/vlei profit enhancer, at very low risk, ideal for transitioning away from high input cost economic dynamics. Many customers convert pivot irrigation from mixed farming of maize, soy and sunflower to Russian Grass based pasture feedlotting and backgrounding, with the cost saving from low input costs from year 2 onwards translating into profits, with daily weight gains of 1 kg per head per day going straight to the bottom line. The sweet spot seems to be taking 180-250 kg weaner calves to 300-550 kg on Russian pasture feedlotting, preferably in location with free subsoil moisture.

Russian Grass protein discussion for trophy animal horn growth in wild game:

➢ Trophy horns wild wild game is basically dried protein.
➢ Our value chain is plant protein being converted into red meat protein or sometimes trophy horn protein of all grass eating wild game horned species.
➢ With double the nutritional density of baled lucerne up to double the horn growth per day can be achieved. Over time, bigger trophy horns are grows for period of time.
➢ A 50 inch Buffalo trophy horn can be grown in just 54 months worth $100 000.
➢ Up to 2 Buffalo can be kept on 1 hectare. We recommend taking Buffalo to ecological niche foothill areas rather than trying to grow Russian Grass outside of its recommende area in the hot dry Bushveld.
➢ Buffalo are swamp animals and we are swamp grass, legume and earthworm experts.
Internet

Internet photo: Typical Industry Trophy horn measurement report unrelated to Russian Grass. The bigger the horns, the higher the value and the more hunters are willing to pay. Russian Grass enables an affordable feedlot nutritional plane with which to grow trophy animals such as this, in a shorter period of time, due to higher nutritional density.
Commercial Buffalo horn measurement unrelated to Russian Grass. General rule of thumb, the higher the protein, the more the daily horn growth, and the bigger the trophy can become. The biggest animals are not turned off from 16-18% Lucerne, but potentially from 30-35% Russian swamp Grass.
Trophy horn high protein high growth rate value chain:

1. We use a approach of increasing wetland soil fertility by 500-1000% using custom earthworms, soil microbes and manure, building a humus layer. We do the same in the Macadamia Inudstry and you may want to take a look at www.bushlucerne.co.za and the mulching section.
2. We get the Russian Grass protein levels to 30-35% in a location with water seepage on a footslope and toeslope and a very thick A soil horison.
3. The Buffalo graze continuously, like a feedlot ox for 54 months.
4. We grow out a trophy horn by virtue of using the higher nutritional density per bite of food.
5. The low cost structure is the secret to such an approach, enabling a larger amount of animals to be prepared.
6. Lower quality genetics just take longer.
7. If you want us involved as a project partner, we take a 10% commission and share many of the trade secrets and custom solutions for maximised results.
8. Most grass eating antelope, Antole Cattle and Buffalo can be taken to trophy size in our value chain. If it is extra-ordinary protein levels you need, encapsulated in trophy horn sizes, we can help.
9. Cattle and sheep are not the highest return you can get with Russian Grass per hectare, trophy horn growth is, in its overlapping ecological niche.

Case Study 3: Parys Cattle feedlot.

Breeder Seed being planted on a fine seedbed at Parys Potch Cattle feedlot. Johan has 400 cows and backgrounds 200 calves on the farm using Russian Grass as his mainstay with 60 ha under pivot and 100 ha to be planted in vlei, and his own average feedlot ration made from whatever he has available.
Breeder Seed being planted on a fine seedbed at Parys Potch Cattle feedlot. Johan has 400 cows and backgrounds 200 calves on the farm using Russian Grass as his mainstay with 60 ha under pivot and 100 ha to be planted in vlei, and his own average feedlot ration made from whatever he has available.
Russian Grass trial with Breeder Seed rows at a feedlot at Parys/Potch. The goal is to provide high protein in winter and summer at low cost for high daily liveweight gains on calves. Cows need to be kept in condition for easy calving end of winter.
Note the wide open spaces between the Breeder Plant rows in Parys about 4-6 weeks after establishment. The open spaces is where the F1 seed will drop, thus increasing plant population density and thereby triggering higher protein levels permanently. The young physiological state of high density young grass cause the higher nutritional plane.
Temperature at Parys feedlot at minus 15 degrees Celcius in mid winter with all veldt grass frost killed and at 1% protein. The Russian Grass growing well at 25-30% protein.
Temperature at Parys feedlot at minus 15 degrees Celcius in mid winter with all veldt grass frost killed and at 1% protein. The Russian Grass growing well at 25-30% protein.
Note the colour variation between male and female Breeder Seed plants in Parys.
Note the colour variation between male and female Breeder Seed plants in Parys.
Note the wide open spaces at 2 months at the Parys feedlot trial Klapspuit landjie.
Note the wide open spaces at 2 months at the Parys feedlot trial Klapspuit landjie.
Seed heads form with natural seed drop during grazing at 4 months of age at Parys feedlot. It was planted with 150 kg of Fertilizer per ha.
Seed heads form with natural seed drop during grazing at 4 months of age at Parys feedlot. It was planted with 150 kg of Fertilizer per ha.
Note that cattle tend to leave the seedheads alone during grazing enabling seed drop and thickening of the stand to continue. Parys feedlot first weaner calves at 6 months.
Note that cattle tend to leave the seedheads alone during grazing enabling seed drop and thickening of the stand to continue. Parys feedlot first weaner calves at 6 months.
Note the lack of open spaces at 8-9 month with continuous pasture at Parys feedlot. The seed drop caused a high population density and higher protein level.
Note the lack of open spaces at 8-9 month with continuous pasture at Parys feedlot. The seed drop caused a high population density and higher protein level.
Happy calves adding 0.8-1 kg per day of liveweight gain on the high protein grass of 25%-30%. These 4 calves did not manage to graze it short as the F1 regrowth was too vigorous and grazing pressure too low.
Happy calves adding 0.8-1 kg per day of liveweight gain on the high protein grass of 25%-30%. These 4 calves did not manage to graze it short as the F1 regrowth was too vigorous and grazing pressure too low.
48 weaner calves being backgrounded on Russian Grass after a heavy rain event flooded the feedlot. The 48 calves had enough grazing pressure to graze down the 0.25 ha Russian Grass camp in previous picture in 7 days. It took a week and they added 0.8 kg to 1 kg a day each.
48 weaner calves being backgrounded on Russian Grass after a heavy rain event flooded the feedlot. The 48 calves had enough grazing pressure to graze down the 0.25 ha Russian Grass camp in previous picture in 7 days. It took a week and they added 0.8 kg to 1 kg a day each.
High density pasture with high carrying capacity at a high nutrional level after seed drop caused a thickening of the stand with many F1 plants and rapid regrowth. The 4 weaner calves could not graze the grass short, and it took 48 calves worth of grazing pressure to graze it short in about 7 days, with substantial weight gains (48 x 1 kg x 7 days)
High density pasture with high carrying capacity at a high nutrional level after seed drop caused a thickening of the stand with many F1 plants and rapid regrowth. The 4 weaner calves could not graze the grass short, and it took 48 calves worth of grazing pressure to graze it short in about 7 days, with substantial weight gains (48 x 1 kg x 7 days)
The same 0.25 ha Russian Grass pasture after the 48 calves grazed it short in about 7 days after a heavy rain event, adding about 800-1000 grams each a day. All the manure dropping during grazing stimulate the grass to even quicker recovery.
The same 0.25 ha Russian Grass pasture after the 48 calves grazed it short in about 7 days after a heavy rain event, adding about 800-1000 grams each a day. All the manure dropping during grazing stimulate the grass to even quicker recovery.

When Russian Grass is grazed by sheep, twinning is triggered due to a rising nutritional plane in winter. Same number of ewes, but double the number of lambs with selected twin genetics, with 220-280% annual lambing rates common with Meatmasters. Russian Grass also enable sheep farmers to keep old ewes for up to 40% longer when their teeth become worn due to its high nutritional density (typically double that of baled lucerne). One bite of Russian grass which can be grazed directly when fresh in winter even at -15 degrees Celcius, has twice the nutritional density of baled lucerne (31.8% protein of fresh Russian grass vs. 16-18% protein of baled lucerne/alfalfa). This result in old ewes being able to extend their commercial life by 1-3 years raising twin lambs. Commercial sheep farmers with wetlands/vlei/foothills and springs channel 80% of their winter diesel and baling cost into Russian Grass, and create long term perennial feed in these areas at very low long term cost at low economic risk, not vulnerable to diesel and fertilizer cost increases. Russian Grass is interplanted with 20% Clover and other legume mixes for free biological nitrogen fixation, with hard legumes seeds spreading in sheep manure increasing the nitrogen component. All Kraal manure is composed and added to the Russian Grass.

The economic advantages are that the Russian Grass only need to be established once and is permanent, and that it yields a feedlot nutritional plane with high performance weight gains, without the continuous annual input costs associated with a feedlot store bought rations and annual planting and input costs. This genetic foundation is leveraged against with a 1.8m deep taproot able to extract deep subsoil leached nutrients and water reserves and to self-irrigate in selected ecological niche areas.

Russian Grass and 20% Clover at Parys feedlot the next season. Owner is a trained engineer, wanting free nitrogen, maximum regrowth, lowest cost and highest weight gains for most animals. Better establishment of Russian Grass with Clover in the row than without. Higher growth rates. Higher soil fertility earlier cheaper.
60 ha under pivot being converted from mixed farming to permanent Russian Grass. Clover in each row. Breeder Seed mother plants with space for F1 seed drop.
60 ha under pivot being converted from mixed farming to permanent Russian Grass. Clover in each row. Breeder Seed mother plants with space for F1 seed drop.
Russian Grass and Clover rows at Parys 6 weeks old. See the free nitrogen growth flush.
Russian Grass and Clover rows at Parys 6 weeks old. See the free nitrogen growth flush.
Clover and Russian Grass with some legacy stooling rye and Clover about 90 days old Parys feedlot.
Clover and Russian Grass with some legacy stooling rye and Clover about 90 days old Parys feedlot.
Commercial winter grazing of the Russian Grass and Clover with 800 gram+ daily weight gains by 62 weaner calves on 7 ha.
Commercial winter grazing of the Russian Grass and Clover with 800 gram+ daily weight gains by 62 weaner calves on 7 ha.
Electric fence livestock movement management Parys feedlot trial.
Electric fence livestock movement management Parys feedlot trial.
Russian grass and Clover after heavy grazing Parys trial. The Clover boosted Russian Grass establishment when planted in April /June and subsisted even into summer and heatwave temperatures of 38 degrees Celcius once established. Clover doesn’t establish in the summer heat when young though. The Russian Grass benefitted from the nitrogen and yielded faster regrowth.
Russian grass and Clover after heavy grazing Parys trial. The Clover boosted Russian Grass establishment when planted in April /June and subsisted even into summer and heatwave temperatures of 38 degrees Celcius once established. Clover doesn’t establish in the summer heat when young though. The Russian Grass benefitted from the nitrogen and yielded faster regrowth.

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