Temperature ranges for Kikuyu for the geographic locations identified in HDF’s Redacted Plan and Current Plan have been confirmed through reputable sources. The temperature range reported in the redacted text (43-70f) IS accurate for each of the locations listed except Maha’ulepu. When we received the redacted text from HDF, we noted that the ideal temperature range for Kikuyu grass (43-70f) was much cooler than the average temperature range in Maha’ulepu, which has never dropped to 43 degrees.
How did HDF respond to our concerns? They simply changed the sentence in the most recent plan to read 60-104 degrees as being the ideal for Kikuyu. There is no mention of what the basis is for this change. Which statement is truthful, if either?
“The average local temperature is in the ideal 43 and 70°F range for Kikuyu. Kikuyu yield ranges between 4 mt unfertilized and 20 mt DM/acre/year depending on levels of N fertilization. Kikuyu’s response to fertilization is very good and linear combined with irrigation, anticipated growth rates in Maha’ulepu are estimated be some of the best in the world.
The current key hubs of Kikuyu-based dairy farms are Northland of New Zealand, Australia’s Hunter Valley and in the Eastern Cape of South Africa (George and Knysnal) where current farmers consistently achieve greater than 20 mt of dry matter production of Kikuyu per acre in the temperature ranges that best match those available in Hawaii all year round.”
“The average local temperature is in the ideal 60 and 104°F range for Kikuyu. Kikuyu yield ranges between 4 tons unfertilized and 20 tons of dry matter (DM)/acre/year depending on levels of N fertilization. Kikuyu’s response to fertilization is very good and linear combined with irrigation, anticipated growth rates in Maha‘ulepu are estimated be some of the best in the world.
The current key hubs of Kikuyu-based dairy farms are Northland of New Zealand, Australia’s Hunter Valley and in the Eastern Cape of South Africa (George and Knysnal) where current farmers consistently achieve greater than 20 metric tons (mt) of dry matter production of Kikuyu per acre in the temperature ranges that best match those available in Hawai‘i all year round.”