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ForageChicory
A GrowersGuide to
In New Zealand the better varieties can yield up to 20 tonnes of dm/ha but given our shorter season,grazing yields of 15 -16 tonnes may be more realistic. The crude protein level can reach up to a very useful25%, with D values of between 70 and 80 when rotationally grazed. Forage Chicory is naturally rich inminerals, especially zinc potassium and copper; essential for animal health.Animal growth rates have been shown to be even higher than clovers with typical lamb growth rates of300 to 400 grams per day.
orage Chicory was developed in New Zealandfor grazing by sheep and cattle. It is a deeprooted plant of moderate persistency (2 -5
years) rich in minerals and trace elements withexcellent potential for finishing beef and lambs.Forage chicory produces a broad leaved crop forgrazing and the best varieties; Grasslands Choice andChico, exhibit very rapid regrowth. It can be sown as apure stand, mixed with other herbs and clovers orincorporated into grass seed mixtures.
Why grow ForageWhy grow ForageChicory?Chicory?
Plant Yields and Animal Growth PotentialPlant Yields and Animal Growth Potential
Field Selection Choose a well-drainedfield. Drought prone fields are oftenchosen because of chicory’s excellentdrought resistance
Weed Control This should be undertakenprior to sowing
Fertiliser Requirements Similar to grassso correct any deficiencies before sowing
Sowing rate 6 kilos per hectare (2.5 kilosper acre) as a pure stand or 2 – 4 kilosper ha in mixtures
Seedbed Aim for a fine, firm tilth as you
would for grass and drill or broadcast to adepth no greater than 10mm
Sowing time Spring to mid-August whensoil temperatures exceed 10 degrees
Best sown as a pure stand in blocks or instrips through a grass ley or with thecompanion species described in themixture section of this booklet. It can bemixed in with a conventional grass ley, butat the risk of causing managementproblems if the chicory runs to flower.
EstablishmentEstablishment
• High quality grazing throughoutthe summer
• Helps fill the “mid-summergrazing gap”
• Very good tolerance ofdrought
• Does not cause bloat• Rich in minerals and trace
elements• It may help reduce the effect of
internal parasites• Proven to increase live-weight gain
FF
Best rotationally grazed when two to four leaves per
plant and crop height is at least 150mm.
Graze to maintain vegetative growth and to avoid
bolting (running to flower) except once in the autumn
as allowing this can improve persistency.
Avoid over-grazing in wet conditions as this can
damage the crown resulting in lower persistency. If
bolting occurs, graze with cattle. Topping is another
method of bringing the plants back to a vegetative
status but it is not without risk as it may allow water
to penetrate the hollow stems, damaging or even killing the plant. If feeding to dairy cows, limit to 25% of
the total dry matter intake to avoid milk taint.
Management and UtilisationManagement and Utilisation
Preferred VarietiesPreferred Varieties
Bred from Puna by AgResearch New Zealandfor improved yields, higher cool seasongrowth (making it more suitable for the UKand Ireland) and reduced concentrations ofLactucin and Lactucopricin, the lactones thatcause bitterness and can lead to milk taint.For this reason Choice is the variety that werecommend for dairy cows.
Potential for higher yields of 1 tonne overPuna 11 (source Smart Forage NZ).
Bred by Cropmark in New Zealand, Chico isa very persistent variety which produces atap root one metre long, giving it especiallygood drought tolerance.
Chico is a very high yielding, upright andleafy variety with very high metabolisableenergy and digestibility.
Like Choice, Chico not only grows stronglyduring the summer but also exhibitsimproved growth at lower temperatures.
NEW!NEW! ChicoChico
Grasslands ChoiceGrasslands Choice
For further information please contact:
Limagrain UK LtdRothwellMarket RasenLincolnshireLN7 6DT
Cheviot Chicory MixCheviot Chicory Mix35% Forage Chicory (Choice or Chico)
20% Timothy
20% Trintella Intermediate Perennial
Ryegrass (tetraploid)10% Elgon Late Perennial Ryegrass
15% Cheviot White Clover Blend
100%Sow at 14 kilos per hectare
(5.7 kilos per acre)
White clover, Timothy and TetraploidRyegrasses make excellent companion cropsfor Chicory and this mixture provides a
complete summer diet for finishing lambs.
Forage Herb MixtureForage Herb Mixture30% Forage Plantain (Tonic)
20% Forage Chicory (Chico or Choice)
20% Trintella Intermediate Perennial
Ryegrass (tetraploid)15% Timothy
15% Cheviot White Clover Blend
100%Sow at 14 kilos per hectare
(5.7 kilos per acre)
Similar attributes to Cheviot Chicory mixturebut the inclusion of forage plantain elevates the
mineral content.
NEW!NEW! Stock FinisherStock Finisher30% Forage Chicory (Choice or Chico)
40% Red Admiral Red Clover Blend
15% Cheviot White Clover Blend
15% Trintella Intermediate Perennial
100%Sow at 14 kilos per hectare
(5.7 kilos per acre)
Up to three year mixture for intensive finishing.Very high source of protein; ideal for
finishing early lambs. Full season production.
August 2012
Specialist Chicory MixturesSpecialist Chicory Mixtures
Lamb TonicLamb Tonic25% White Clover
12.5 % Forage Plantain (Tonic)
62.5% Forage Chicory (Chico or Choice
100%Sow at 10 kilos per hectare
(4 kilos per acre)
Development of a New Zealand concept forfaster finishing of beef and lambs.
Ryegrass (tetraploid)
(tetraploid)
Tel: 01472 371471Fax: 01472 371386Email: [email protected]/grass
Limagrain UK Limited Registered No. 1305690 England. Registered Office, Rothwell, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
