Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland

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Batiki grass (Ischaemum aristatum var. indicum) was introduced to Samoa from Fiji in the early 1970s to complement other existing natural or unimproved grasses and is now the most common propagated pasture grass in Samoa. The contrast between the wet and the dry seasons has a great impact on the nutritive value of batiki grass. Aregheore (2002) observed reduced growth rate, poor body condition score and low performance in steer calves and goats offered batiki as the sole diet during the dry season. This paper reports on the sustainability of beef, dairy and goat production with batiki grass in the dry season in Samoa.

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Sustainability of Beef, Dairy and Goat Production With Batiki Grass (Ischaemum Aristatum Var. Indicum) in the Dry Season in Samoa

Batiki grass (Ischaemum aristatum var. indicum) was introduced to Samoa from Fiji in the early 1970s to complement other existing natural or unimproved grasses and is now the most common propagated pasture grass in Samoa. The contrast between the wet and the dry seasons has a great impact on the nutritive value of batiki grass. Aregheore (2002) observed reduced growth rate, poor body condition score and low performance in steer calves and goats offered batiki as the sole diet during the dry season. This paper reports on the sustainability of beef, dairy and goat production with batiki grass in the dry season in Samoa.