“TabuPlus has been a common name on the farm ever since I planted it in 2019. We had a very cold winter here in Barkley East, as we usually do. TabuPlus help kept my fodder flow reasonably stable and my extra feed cost much lower, which kept my cows and my wallet happy” – Dairy Farmer, Barkley East, Eastern Cape (Average yearly temperature, High 22,4 ⁰C, Low 5,4 ⁰C) 

 

TabuPlus is one of those Jacks of all trade’s kind of grasses. It is a perfect option to under sow within existing perennial ryegrass to boost winter production. It is also an exceptional winter fodder flow option on its own @ 25kg/ha or in a mixture with its trusty winter oats companion, Wizard (20kg TabuPlus; 40kg Wizard per hectare). TabuPlus can be used to make excellent ryegrass silage, especially when mixed with a legume like clover or Haymaker Vetch. This will add extra protein to your ryegrass silage and improve your soil with natural nitrogen. One of TabuPlus’s lessor known traits is where it is used in intercropping systems. This is when TabuPlus is planted in between maize rows in late spring. Planting is done after the maize plants has germinated and the idea is to save on pasture establishment time after the maize has been harvested.  The intercropping system will ensure that there is a beautiful paddock of lush TabuPlus and maize stubble for early autumn grazing. 

 

One of the many great characteristics of TabuPlus is its top tier cold tolerance and winter production, which allows TabuPlus to continue its growth in the heart of winter. This statement is backed by data from the Outeniqua Research farm in George where you will really see TabuPlus shine (literally) with its magnificent early spring growth.  

 

TabuPlus being a diploid, is characterised by a finer leaf and upright growth habit. This growth habit, together with its ability to produce dense tillers, means every cow, sheep or even chicken that grazes it gets more nutrients with every bite it takes. This also contributes to its resilience to heavy grazing. 

Best establishment practise for new pastures is to make sure you have a firm, flat, and weed free soil bed, as well as to roll the seed bed before and after broadcasting or planting. The rolling action is extremely important with planting any crop as it compresses seed firmly into the soil which allows the seed to start its germination process as soon as it is exposed to moisture and for the new roots be firmer. If this practise is done correctly the first graze will be sooner and less grass will be lost due to being pulled out by the grazing action.  

 

For any enquiries email me: aswart@barenbrugsa.co.za or phone: 0763683684