Best Fodder Crops for Livestock Farming in India – A Farmer’s Guide

Maize is an annual crop, requires well drained and fertile soil to grow. It grows throughout the year with proper irrigation facilities. It is grown as a Kharif crop as it is sown in June- July.

Sorghum is a drought resistant annual crop. This is cultivated for both grains and fodder. It grows on every soil and requires 25 °C to 35 °C temperature and an annual rainfall of 300-350 mm.

Hybrid Napier is a perennial grass fodder.  The protein content ranges from 8% to 11%. Co.CN4 is a recent hybrid Napier which is a cross between Cumbu Co.8 and Napier grass F.T.461.

Guinea grass is a fast-growing perennial grass which is usually tall. It has a short creeping rhizome. The protein content of this grass ranges between 4% and 14%. It is mostly suitable for all types of soil.

Para grass is a perennial grass cultivated in humid regions. It is grown in seasonally flooded valleys and lowlands. Waterlogged soils are best suited for this crop. 

This is a perennial grass which grows well in dry lands under rain fed conditions. It requires well drained soil with high calcium content. The seed rate of this grass is 6-8 kg/ha. 

Desmanthus is a perennial crop which is grown throughout the year under irrigation during June - October as a rainfed crop. Proper irrigation is required, and the first cut is done on 90th day after sowing at 50 cm height. 

It is a fodder tree which produces broader seeds. The most suitable sowing time for this tree is June-July. The plant can be harvested within 6 months after planting.