Frequency of defoliation had a greater affect on the
growth characteristics, DM yield, chemical components,
and IVDMD of Napier grass more than did the
cutting height in the present study. Napier grass had
higher DM, CP and IVDMD values at an intermediate
frequency of defoliation (90 d after Napier grass
establishment) than early and delayed cutting intervals.
The CP and IVDMD contents of Napier grass
were found to be between medium- to good-quality
categories. Napier grass can be a good resource for
poor farmers to support their dairy cattle above the
maintenance requirement by harvesting at 90 d. In
conclusion, Napier grass can be categorized as
medium- to high-quality forage, which can be defoliated
at 90 d after establishment in other similar
agro-ecological parts of Ethiopia, since Napier grass
adapts and grows well in a wider range of environments.
Further research on animal performance,
including feed intake and body weight gain, is
necessary to develop Napier grass-based diets for
ruminant animals under smallholder livestock producer
conditions in Ethiopia and other similar developing
countries.