Is para grass good for cows? Answering this curiosity needs complete data. Stating one thing as good or bad requires research. After the research finding is concluded, we can count the percentage of the good and bad things. Although a thing consists of a bad side, we also cannot claim that it is terrible, as we know that everything comes with strengths and weaknesses.
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Para Grass
This plant, known as Para grass in 3 areas, the are USA, Australia, and Africa. Meanwhile, in the other areas, it has different names: African wonder grass, Scotch grass, giant panicum, Dutch grass, buffalo grass, signal grass, Mauritius signal grass, giant couch, California grass, and Bancroft grass. In the 1880s, it was used to strengthen the waterway’s edge and avoid erosion. It can grow in various conditions, like in dry soil or semi-aquatic ones. It is known as a perennial grass where it can live for a very long time.
After the period of the grass that supported the waterway construction, it began the new journey as fodder. Beef is one of the products that is supported by Para grass growth.
Growth Management
This grass has very rapid growth. Control of its growth requires intensive and repeated treatment. However, this action must also consider the growth of other invasive species that has the potential to take para grass place. This method can be one of the options, but it will be a new problem if the rival species becomes dominant and also attack the native plants.
Another method is simply to erase the need for this grass. If one of the functions is avoiding soil erosion, so build the road, not in the risky area. This works well in a wide area because the route can be allocated here or there. In a narrow area with many buildings and other infrastructures, there are not many choices. Maintaining and strengthening the native plants seems to be an effective way.
Controlling grass plants is not only the responsibility of one institution. The planning can be a work program of various agencies. Even so, there is no guarantee that this plan will work well, given the high growth rate of this grass. One of the effective ways is the following.
Symbiosis Mutualism
Is para grass good for cows? Temporary conclusion (seen from beef production) yes, it is good for cows. On the contrary, for humans, does it give benefit? The function of strengthening the edge of the waterway later became a boomerang. The grass grows so fast and aggressively that it attacks the native plants. To overcome that problem, the grass is given to the livestock massively. By doing that, the growth can be controlled and give more benefit to the livestock. Simbiosis mutualism can be reached.
Nutrition Fact
It seems that this grass is the favorite fodder for many livestock, especially cows. The livestock enthusiastically consumes this. In the animal world, this grass is delicious. The fiber contained in the grass is approximately 23%. With this high percentage, the digestive system of the consumer will be healthy. Besides, the crude protein contained in the grass is about 10%. As the bodybuilder, protein helps the livestock to do activities strongly. It strengthens the muscle.
Many farmers use it as one of the silage and hay materials. However, it doesn’t really give a good mix of hay and silage. It is still used because of the volume. Besides that fact, as raw food, it still can be utilized because the contents are counted as nutrients.
Other Interesting Facts
The following list can strengthen the argument on answering is para grass good for cows or not.
- This grass is commonly seen in sugarcane and coconut plantation. The reason is the farmers use that as the ‘carpet’ of the ground. However, if the control is not managed well, it can be a big invasion of the main plants as the grass is difficult to eradicate.
- Back in the war era, it was used by the soldier as camouflage.
- The grass plays a role in the phytoremediation of sewage (domestic).
- In construction, it helps to prevent erosion. The areas are usually waterlogged and sloping fields.
- Regardless of the fact of the silage and hay, this grass has been used as the material of animal food.
To Sum Up
From a nutritional point of view, para grass is very good because it contains several useful substances. This will also add variety to the menu so that livestock do not get bored with the daily food. From a growth control standpoint, feeding this grass to the livestock helps to regulate the grass growth. So, is para grass good for cows? The answer is yes, with some points and entailments.