Achieving more than 80,000 kilos of forage per hectare could be the dream of every producer wishing to ensure food for his animals. The agricultural engineer with a master’s degree in biodynamics and soil management, Martín Cubilla, talks in this material about the advantages and characteristics of the Bolivian “giant” sorghum, as an alternative.
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March 31, 2021 – 01:00
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In Paraguay there are various species of creeping and cutting grasses, and producers are always looking for the one that gives them the greatest productivity in less space. A successful case was achieved at Estancia Lobo Cua, located in La Pastora, Caaguazú, where they bet on the cultivation of Bolivian “giant” sorghum, and in the first year average yields of 84,700 kg / ha were achieved, in a first cut, it began saying the engineer Cubilla.
Cause and effect
When asked how they have obtained these yields, the professional explained: “This has been achieved in a team with the agronomists Rodrigo and Gonzalo Giménez Riera, with intelligent planning, well-defined objectives and, above all, putting a lot of focus on the care of the property soils, incorporating the use of green manures as permanent cover crops into the production system.
The fundamental thing is to improve the quality / health of the soils in search of high yields, use of good agricultural practices (selection of materials, adequate fertilization, time and quality of planting, integrated management of pests, weeds and diseases, crop rotation, among others) thinking of high-efficiency livestock without neglecting the property’s most precious asset, the soil ”.
Direct sowing and soy
The directors of Ganadera Riera SA have understood the importance of investment, with all production being under the direct sowing system, since the 2016/17 harvest, and where high yields have been obtained, as in the case of soybeans for example , where in the 2019/2020 harvest averaged 4,063 kg / ha and this year the harvests are closing very similar and at an exceptional price, he stressed.
Of sorghum types
“It is worth remembering that there is graniferous sorghum and its height was limited to carry out mechanical harvesting, with its maximum being around 1.8 meters. The Bolivian “giant” sorghum has forage characteristics, it differs from the granifer because it has taller plants (between 1.8 and 4.5 meters) with larger diameter stems, its potential forage yield is greater than the grain type, and In addition, some hybrids have the brown midrib character that improves their nutritional quality.
These are harvested only once and are generally used for silage ”, explained the director of the consulting firm Nuestrouelo.
Bolivian “giant”
Regarding the agronomic part of this forage material, the professional commented, “Bolivian sorghum, AGRI 002E hybrid has a high capacity to structure and decompress the soil, due to its deep primary and secondary roots that can even grow up to 120 cm. . Its aerial development can exceed 4 meters in height, and the sowing is done once and harvested twice, the first cut for forage use and the regrowth can also be used for more forage, but we recommend using it as ground cover, due to its yield of 12 to 26 t / ha of dry matter in summer, and in winter, being able to contribute 4 to 10 t / ha of dry matter ”.
Sowing time
“The sowing season for silage is from October to February and for use as cover from September to March, with a sowing density of 4 to 5 kg / ha and 3 to 4 kg / ha respectively. The development cycle of this material ranges between 90 and 120 days ”, our interviewee pointed out.
Fiber volume assured
Finally, our interviewee said: “This sorghum is a very valid option, especially when it has little physical space, but a large amount of fiber volume is needed; Although its nutritional value may be lower than that of whole plant corn silage, we are convinced that the large amount of fiber obtained from this sorghum is the most important advantage compared to corn. We must add to this that nutritionally it can be corrected in mixtures, for any type of use. Very valid option in some approaches to be used instead of corn silage ”.
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