By Eben & Kristi van Tonder for ReEquipFarm and Origins Global Meats, 2 November 2025
Introduction
The Netherlands-based seed and forage specialist Barenbrug Group developed the Sabiá Hybrid Brachiaria (Brachiaria hybrid AIG 330 J) as part of its global tropical forage program. Although precise commercial release dates are not widely published, agronomic studies recorded their evaluation in Brazil and Ecuador in the early 2020s. The cultivar is now being marketed in Africa through Barenbrug South Africa, with emphasis on high dry-season productivity, vigorous tillering, and grazing efficiency.
This article explores how Sabiá could be deployed in Nigeria, identifying the states where it may thrive, the breeds of cattle best suited to its growth characteristics, and the planting strategies most realistic for small farmers. It concludes with a comparison of other available forage grasses and asks the key question: is Sabiá the best choice for Nigerian farmers?
Suitability for Nigeria
Nigeria’s livestock systems are shaped by distinct climatic zones ranging from humid forests in the south to arid savannas in the north. Seasonal feed scarcity is one of the biggest constraints to animal productivity. Sabiá’s agronomic profile, particularly its ability to produce significant biomass in the dry season, makes it an intriguing candidate for closing this nutritional gap.
Climatic and Regional Adaptation
Sabiá thrives in tropical and semi-arid climates, offering increased production during dry months, dense tillering, and low canopy height for easy grazing. These features make it well-suited to regions with strong seasonal contrasts in rainfall.
Ideal states for adoption include the northern and central regions of Nigeria, where dry season shortages are most severe:
– North West: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa
– North East: Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba
– North Central (Middle Belt): Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, parts of Kogi
These states face a severe dry season feed gap from November to May, during which natural grasses dry out and cattle lose body condition. Sabiá’s ability to produce up to 47 percent more forage than Marandu in the dry season offers a direct solution to this constraint.
Cattle Breeds and Grazing Systems
The suitability of any forage also depends on the grazing behaviour and physiology of local breeds. Nigeria’s major cattle breeds include:
- White Fulani (Bunaji) – the most numerous and widely distributed, typically managed under transhumant systems
- Red Bororo (Rahaji) – hardy, mobile cattle adapted to long treks and arid conditions
- Sokoto Gudali – heavier-framed, often semi-sedentary, with potential for milk and beef production
The White Fulani and Red Bororo will benefit most from extended dry-season forage availability, improving survival, conception rates, and milk yield. Sokoto Gudali herds, often managed in semi-intensive dairies, will profit from Sabiá’s soft leaves and dense, high-protein canopy. For imported dairy breeds such as Holstein or Friesian, Sabiá offers consistency and digestibility superior to native rangeland grasses.
Establishment, Scale and Cost for Smallholders
Introducing an improved grass like Sabiá into smallholder systems requires careful planning, from planting time to pasture management. Understanding the establishment process helps farmers make realistic investment decisions.
Planting Method
Sowing should begin at the start of the rainy season to allow the root system to develop before the dry months. In the Middle Belt, this means May to June, while further north the window extends to June or early July. The land should be cleared, lightly tilled, and prepared with a fine seedbed. Coated seed is sown at a rate of 10–15 kg per hectare, followed by light soil coverage. Weed control during the first six to eight weeks is critical. Grazing should only begin once the stand is well established and tillering strongly.
Barenbrug’s Exclusive Coating Technology enhances early establishment by protecting the seed from pests and encouraging rapid root growth, resulting in more uniform emergence and faster pasture development under variable field conditions.
Recommended Area per Herd
A typical smallholder herd of 20 cattle, averaging 250 kg each, consumes roughly 125 kg of dry matter daily. Since Sabiá can yield around 12–16 tonnes of dry matter per hectare per year, one hectare can support such a herd for about three and a half months. To carry them through a five to seven-month dry season, roughly two hectares should be planted under good management and rotational grazing.
Cost and Longevity
Seed prices range between ₦7,000 and ₦18,000 per kilogram, and the seeding rate is 10–15 kg per hectare. This translates to a cost of ₦70,000–₦270,000 per hectare, or ₦140,000–₦540,000 for two hectares. Although the initial investment appears high, Sabiá is perennial. Once established, it persists for several years with proper grazing and soil fertility management, turning the one-time cost into a long-term feed security investment.
Comparison with Other Grasses in Nigeria
Nigeria already has several improved pasture options, each with its own strengths and limitations. Comparing these with Sabiá helps clarify where this hybrid fits within local forage strategies.
Common Alternatives
Brachiaria decumbens (Signal grass) is popular for its persistence on poor soils and tolerance to heavy grazing, though it performs poorly in the dry season. Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) has high biomass potential in the wet season but loses quality quickly when dry. Native rangeland species remain cheap and accessible, yet their nutritive value is low and they vanish during long dry periods.
Which Is the Best Choice?
For farmers capable of moderate investment and management, Sabiá Hybrid Brachiaria stands out as the most advanced option. It offers the strongest dry season productivity among tropical grasses, provides dense soil cover that prevents erosion, and supports superior animal growth and milk yield even without heavy fertilisation.
However, for resource-limited farmers operating in harsher soils or with minimal capital, Brachiaria decumbens remains a practical starting point until conditions allow upgrading to Sabiá or similar hybrids.
Conclusion
The arrival of Sabiá Hybrid Brachiaria in Africa through Barenbrug South Africa represents a significant advance in sustainable forage technology. In Nigeria’s feed-scarce savannas, it promises reliable dry-season nutrition, improved weight gain, and steady milk flow across herds.
While establishment requires financial and technical commitment, the long-term benefits in productivity, resilience, and soil health make Sabiá a leading candidate for modern cattle systems. Its success will depend on training, demonstration plots, and farmer cooperatives able to invest jointly in seed and land. If properly adopted, Sabiá may become the grass that finally closes Nigeria’s persistent dry-season feed gap.
References
Barenbrug. (n.d.). Sabiá | Brachiaria Hybrid. Retrieved from https://www.barenbrug.co.za/forage/products/sabia-brachiaria-hybrid
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