Feed forecasting is never far from farmer’s minds, and now with good moisture and feed supplies in parts of the country it is time to consider flexible options to minimise drought risk that can also provide palatable multi graze options for Summer, Autumn and Winter feed periods.
The superior production benefits of Herbivore Chicory through dry summer periods is attributed to its deep tap root which has the ability to ‘mine’ moisture and minerals much deeper than traditional forage species. This trait means that Herbivore can keep growing to provide high quality feed through dry periods when grass and other forage crops struggle to do so giving more options:
“Use the Herbivore crop to help your permanent pasture management”
Herbivore regrowth will restore the feed quantity in the crop after each subsequent grazing.
“Herbivore an alternative or companion to summer or winter brassica”
Stubble turnips can yield up to 15000kg DM per hectare and is available for a single grazing in a window between 60 – 90 days post sowing. Herbivore can produce similar yield over multiple grazings when you need the feed.
The advantages of Herbivore forage chicory
- Fast establishment
- High yielding
- Regrowth vigour meaning crop yields do not diminish with subsequent grazings.
- Deep fibrous tap root means the plant can tolerate moisture stress
- Ability to draw nutrients and trace minerals from deep within the soil reserves
A very high quality feed source ME’s of 11.5 to 13 MJ ME/kg DM at a time when non irrigated ryegrass can contain both low ME and low crude protein
For rotations where fast establishment and rapid regrowth are needed choose Herbivore
See the graph below highlighting early season grazing/cuts of New Zealand leading forage chicory varieties.
To get the best out of Herbivore chicory as a summer forage crop, it should be sown at a rate of six to eight kg/ha. Its quick establishment means it should be available for its first grazing in approximately six to eight weeks, and multiple grazings can be had off it over the spring, summer, and autumn.
