Ruminant Production from Napier Grass (<i>Pennisetum purpureum</i> Schum): A Review
Mohammed Rafiqul Islam,
Sergio C. Garcia,
Md. Ashraful Islam,
Md. Khairul Bashar,
Anamika Roy,
Biplob Kumer Roy,
Nathu Ram Sarker,
Cameron Edward Fisher Clark
Affiliations
Mohammed Rafiqul Islam
Livestock Production and Welfare Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
Sergio C. Garcia
Livestock Production and Welfare Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
Md. Ashraful Islam
Department of Dairy Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Babuganj, Barishal 8210, Bangladesh
Md. Khairul Bashar
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh
Anamika Roy
Department of Livestock Services, Krishi Khamar Sarak, Farmgate, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh
Biplob Kumer Roy
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh
Nathu Ram Sarker
Krishi Gobeshona Foundation, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Complex, Farmgate, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh
Cameron Edward Fisher Clark
Livestock Production and Welfare Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) supports a significant proportion of animal production in subtropical and tropical regions, but its quality is low and when offered alone, results in low ruminant production. Shifting the management of Napier grass towards a higher-quality feed increased milk yield and liveweight gain for small, mature cattle without supplementation. This review highlights the opportunity for further increases in milk and meat production for differing classes of livestock in the tropics and subtropics by improving the nutritive value of Napier grass using new best management practice flowing on to improve food security for the millions of people in these regions.
