Boma Rhodes Grass Price In Kenya
- BeyondForest
- Nov 28, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Image of Three stacked hay bales each weighing 18 Kilgrams
2.)Boma Rhodes Grass Protein Content
3.)Boma Rhodes Grass Yield Per Acre
Where To Buy Boma Rhodes Seeds and Hay
5.)Boma Rhodes Grass Maturity Period
6.)Boma Rhodes Grass Production Per Acre
7.)Boma Rhodes Hay Price in Kenya
8.)Advantages of Boma Rhodes Grass
With proper management, Boma Rhodes remains productive for 5–7 years, making it a long-term investment for farmers.
Boma Rhodes grass is an improved variety of Rhodes grass, scientifically known as Chloris gayana. It is a tropical perennial grass originally native to East and Southern Africa, where it evolved naturally in semi-arid and moderate-rainfall zones.
Image of a Person Weighing 18 Kilogram Boma Rhodes grass Hay In Nakuru
Boma Rhodes is a Kenyan-developed cultivar selected for its superior leafiness, quick establishment, and strong regrowth ability. Its development aimed to provide farmers with a high-yielding, drought-tolerant fodder grass suitable for hay production and year-round livestock feeding.
Image of Boma Rhodes grass
This grass is characterized by fine stems, broad leaves, and a vigorous tillering habit that allows it to form dense stands shortly after planting. It grows best in well-drained soils, especially sandy-loam and medium-textured soils, and performs strongly in regions such as Kiambu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kericho, Nyandarua, Nyeri, and coastal midlands with moderate rainfall.
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As a warm-season grass, Boma Rhodes is highly tolerant to heat and short dry spells, making it ideal for both rain-fed and irrigated fodder systems.
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Once established, Boma Rhodes grass can be harvested every 8–12 weeks, producing soft, leafy, and highly digestible hay with 8–12% crude protein. It cures quickly, stores well, and maintains quality over long periods, making it one of the best fodder options for dairy and beef farmers. With proper management, it remains productive for 5–7 years, offering excellent economic returns and consistent feed supply.
Boma Rhodes grass is known for its high protein content, making it an excellent choice for livestock feed. The protein content varies depending on factors such as soil fertility, stage of growth, and harvesting practices. Boma Rhodes has a protein content ranging between 8% and 12%. When harvested at the flowering stage, protein levels tend to be higher.
The grass is highly digestible, providing essential nutrients for dairy cattle, beef cattle, goats, and sheep The hay retains much of its nutritional value when properly dried and stored, ensuring livestock receive quality feed throughout the year. Benefits of High Protein Content Enhances milk production in dairy animals. Promotes weight gain in beef cattle. Improves reproductive performance in breeding livestock.
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On average, farmers harvest 50–80 bales per acre per cut under normal rainfall and moderate soil fertility. With improved management such as proper seed spacing, timely weeding, adequate manure or fertilizer application, and harvesting before full flowering yields can rise to 80–120 bales per acre. In high-rainfall regions or under irrigation, Boma Rhodes can be cut 3–4 times per year, resulting in an annual production of 150–300+ bales per acre.
The second and third cuts are usually the heaviest as the stand becomes denser and tillers increase. Consistent management, including controlled grazing, pest control, and top dressing, can keep the field productive for 5–7 years. These strong yields make Boma Rhodes one of the most profitable hay grasses for dairy and beef farmers across Kenya.
Boma Rhodes Seeds | 800Ksh-1000Ksh |
Boma Rhodes Hay | 180Ksh-300Ksh |
Boma Rhodes grass seeds in Kenya typically cost between 800Ksh and 1,200Ksh per kilogram, depending on the supplier, seed purity, and certification level. Agro-vets and certified seed companies such as Kenya Seed and Simlaw Seeds often sell high-quality, tested seeds at the upper end of the price range.
Imaeg of boma rhodes seeds
While independent suppliers may offer more affordable options. Prices also vary with demand, especially during planting seasons in dairy-rich counties.
Boma Rhodes Grass Maturity Period
Image of men in a barn stacked with hay bales
Boma Rhodes grass typically reaches full maturity between 90 and 105 days after planting, depending on rainfall, soil fertility, and seed quality. During this period, the grass develops dense tillers and leafy shoots ideal for high-quality hay production. Farmers are advised to harvest Boma Rhodes grass just before flowering, when nutrient levels especially crude protein are highest.
The first cut may be slightly lighter, but subsequent harvests become more productive as the stand strengthens. With proper management, Boma Rhodes grass can produce 3–4 harvests per year and remain productive for 5–7 years, making it a reliable fodder crop.
Recommended seeding rate is 4–6 kg per acre, depending on soil type and method of planting
Boma Rhodes Grass Production Per Acre
Boma Rhodes grass is one of Kenya’s most productive fodder grasses, yielding 50–80 bales per acre per cut under normal rainfall and average soil fertility. With proper management—such as timely weeding, application of manure or NPK fertilizer, and controlled grazing—the yield can increase to 80–120 bales per acre. Farmers in high-rainfall or irrigated areas often achieve 3–4 cuts per year, giving an annual production of 150–300+ bales per acre.
Image of Boma Rhodes Hay
Boma Rhodes hay is in high demand across Kenya due to its nutritional value and long storage life. It is particularly popular among dairy farmers and livestock keepers during the dry season. A single bale of Boma Rhodes hay costs between KES 200 and KES 400, depending on location and season. while bulk buyers can purchase hay at slightly lower prices, ranging from KES 150 to KES 300 per bale. Prices are higher during the dry season due to increased demand and reduced supply.
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Boma Rhodes grass is highly valued for its fast growth, high hay yields, and excellent regrowth capacity, allowing farmers to harvest multiple cuts per year. It produces nutritious, leafy hay with good crude protein levels that support both dairy and beef production.
The grass is drought-tolerant, establishes quickly, and performs well in a wide range of soils. It also cures easily into quality hay, stores well, and remains productive for 5–7 years, making it a reliable and profitable fodder
Disadvantages of Boma Rhodes Grass
Boma Rhodes grass has a few limitations. It requires a well-prepared seedbed for good germination, and poor establishment can greatly reduce yields. The seeds are light and easily blown away, making planting difficult in windy conditions. Boma Rhodes is also sensitive to waterlogging, performing poorly in poorly drained soils. If harvested late, the hay becomes stemmy and low in protein, reducing feed value. Additionally, it requires regular weeding and timely fertilizer application to maintain high yields over several years.
FAQ about Boma Rhodes
What is Boma Rhodes grass?
Boma Rhodes is a high-quality fodder grass developed for hay production and livestock feeding. It grows well in well-drained soils, sprouts quickly, and produces dense leafy hay with excellent nutrition and high digestibility for dairy and beef animals.
How much does Boma Rhodes grass yield per acre?
A well-managed acre of Boma Rhodes grass yields 50–80 bales per cut, depending on rainfall, soil fertility, and management. With proper fertilization and irrigation, farmers can harvest 3–4 cuts per year, giving an annual yield of 150–300+ bales per acre.
How long does Boma Rhodes grass take to mature?
Boma Rhodes grass matures in 90–105 days after planting. The first harvest usually gives slightly fewer bales, but yields increase significantly from the second and third cuts. Under good management, the grass can remain productive for 5–7 years.
Is Rhodes grass good hay?
Yes. Rhodes grass is considered one of the best hay types for dairy cows, beef cattle, goats, and sheep. It has good protein content, dries quickly, stores well,
Well-cured Boma Rhodes hay contains 8–12% crude protein, depending on maturity at harvest. Younger, leafy hay has higher protein levels, making it ideal for dairy cows and young livestock.
What is the price of Boma Rhodes hay in Kenya?
In Kenya, Boma Rhodes hay sells for 180Ksh –300Ksh per bale on average. Prices increase during dry seasons, especially in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Eldoret, where demand from dairy farmers is highest.
How do you plant Boma Rhodes grass?
Planting involves preparing a fine seedbed, broadcasting seeds evenly, lightly covering them, and ensuring early weeding. Seeds germinate in 5–10 days, and the grass establishes fast if soil moisture is adequate.
Certified Boma Rhodes seeds can be purchased from Kenya Seed Company, KALRO outlets, agro vets, and trusted independent suppliers. Always look for clean, high-purity seeds with verified germination rates.
Where can I buy Boma Rhodes hay in Kenya?
Boma Rhodes hay is widely available in dairy regions such as Kiambu, Nyeri, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kericho, and Meru. Large-scale farmers also supply hay directly to urban dairy farmers in Nairobi, Thika, and Ruiru.
What are the benefits of Boma Rhodes grass?
Boma Rhodes grass is drought-tolerant, fast-growing, nutritious, easy to cure for hay, and gives multiple harvests annually. It improves soil structure and provides consistent fodder for both dairy and beef livestock.
