🌿 Nutritional Showdown: Hedge Lucerne vs Avisa — What We Grow at Surya LiveStocks
At Surya LiveStocks, we believe in growing smarter — not just bigger. As part of our commitment to ethical, cost-effective sheep farming, we cultivate two powerhouse legumes right on-site: Hedge Lucerne (Desmanthus virgatus) and Avisa (Sesbania grandiflora). Both offer exceptional nutritional value, but they serve different roles in our feed strategy.
Here’s how they stack up — and why we use both.
🧪 Nutritional Comparison
| Attribute | Hedge Lucerne (Desmanthus) | Avisa (Sesbania grandiflora) |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Protein (CP) | ~18–20% DM | ~22–25% DM |
| Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) | ~59% | ~60–65% |
| Dry Matter (DM) | ~25–30% | ~20–25% |
| Fiber (NDF) | High — supports rumen health | Low — soft leaves, risk of loose dung |
| Lignin | ~7% — stabilizes digestion | Minimal — less structural fiber |
| Feeding Risk | Safe for daily feeding | Must be mixed; risk of bloating if overfed |
| Yield Potential | 90–100 t/ha/year | 10–15 kg/tree/year |
| Cut Frequency | Every 45–60 days | Every 45–60 days |
🌱 Why We Grow Both
- Hedge Lucerne is our daily workhorse — rich in fiber, safe for rumen health, and ideal for mixing with TMR and silage. It helps us reduce concentrate costs while maintaining growth and immunity.
- Avisa is our protein booster — we use it strategically during lean months or when lambs need extra nutrition. It’s fast-growing and ideal for bund planting, but we always mix it with other fodder to avoid digestive issues.
🐑 How We Feed Them
We integrate both into our feed plan for 32 kg sheep:
- Hedge Lucerne: 250–300g/day, chopped and mixed with silage or TMR
- Avisa: 100–250g/day, introduced gradually and never fed alone
- Result: Balanced protein, fiber, and energy — with reduced reliance on expensive dana
💰 Cost & Sustainability
Growing these legumes on-site saves us ₹2–₹4 per sheep per day — that’s ₹1,000–₹2,000 saved daily across the flock. Plus, both are nitrogen-fixing, improving soil health and reducing fertiliser needs.
📣 Our Commitment
At Surya LiveStocks, we’re not just feeding sheep — we’re building a scalable, ethical ecosystem that empowers farmers and promotes the Nellore Brown breed. Growing Hedge Lucerne and Avisa is part of that vision.
Would you like this adapted into a Telugu version for outreach or staff training? I can also help you turn this into a printable poster or social media post for breed promotion.
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📅 Surya LiveStocks — Monthly Medication & Health Calendar.
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