AGR-190

CHICORY: An Alternative Livestock Forage David C. Ditsch and Brandon Sears, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

History Forage chicory can provide excellent complished with either. However, drill- spring and summer forage for grazing ing is the preferred method as greater Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is livestock in Kentucky. As with other uniformity of depth can be achieved. an herbaceous perennial plant that forage species, nutritive quality declines Chicory seeds should be planted to a has historically been used in other as the plant matures and reaches the depth of 0.25 to 0.50 inch. If a broad- countries as a coffee substitute, as a reproductive growth stage in late sum- cast method of planting is used, soil leafy vegetable, and as pasture forage mer. should be prepared by rototilling or for over 300 years. Although chicory discing existing sod and cultipacking, originated in central Europe, breeding Site Selection and Establishment before and after seeding, to ensure for improved forage varieties has been adequate seed to soil contact. conducted in New Zealand for many Forage chicory can grow well in years. In the United States, use of chic- a variety of soil types, if compaction Existing Pasture Establishment ory as pasture forage is a relatively new is not a problem. Well-drained to concept. Forage chicory is a potentially moderately well-drained soils with Forage chicory may also be planted valuable pasture component because moderate to high fertility will provide into existing pastures by broadcasting it is a drought-tolerant, high- yielding suitable conditions for optimal growth. or drilling. If broadcasting is to be done, plant that can improve seasonal distri- Both spring (March 15 through May do so in late winter or early spring (Feb. bution of high-quality herbage. 15) and early fall (Aug. 15 through 15 through March 15) when the soil Sept. 15) seedings have been successful surface freezes at night and thaws in Growth Habit and Varieties under Kentucky growing conditions. the day. Plantings later in spring can Chicory should not be planted too late also be accomplished by disturbing Forage chicory is a winter-dormant, in the fall, because the shortened day existing sod (i.e., light discing) and herbaceous plant that has a rosette length and lower temperatures impede broadcast seeding. No-tillage methods growth habit and a large taproot that establishment. Weeds are a potential of establishment may also be used; allows for some tolerance to drought problem for establishment of chicory. however, suppression of existing vegeta- conditions. Forage chicory varieties, Herbicide options are not available tion is critical to successful establish- which tend to have much larger leaves, to control problem weeds during the ment of chicory. can be confused with wild chicory seedling stage or after establishment (also Cichorium intybus L.) and looks of chicory as a forage crop. Mowing or Seeding Rates very similar to dandelion in the rosette grazing at proper intervals will help growth stage. Spring growth of chicory In establishing pure stands of stimulate dense chicory regrowth, thus consists of many leaves developing from chicory, a seeding rate of 3 to 4 pounds suppressing potential weed problems. the crown of the plant, but as tempera- per acre will be adequate. However, tures warm in early summer, flower Tilled Seedbed Establishment many factors, such as seeding method, stems develop and may grow as tall as 5 seed quality and seedbed condition, to 6 feet. The most common varieties of Forage chicory may be planted alone can necessitate adjustments in rate. forage chicory available in Kentucky are or with legumes or grasses in a tilled When seeding chicory in a mixture it is Grasslands Puna, Brow Tyne, Six Point, seedbed. often a good idea to include a legume, and Oasis. Although originally devel- A finely-textured and firm seedbed because legumes have nitrogen-fixing oped in New Zealand, Grasslands Puna is required for successful establish- ability from which chicory will greatly has performed well under Pennsylvania ment. Both drilling and broadcasting of benefit. Refer to Table 1 for seeding and Kentucky growing conditions. seed are acceptable planting methods rates when planting chicory in a mix- Several other varieties exist but are not and successful establishment can be ac- ture. available for use in the United States. Fertility Table 1. Seeding rates for chicory alone or in mixtures. Seeding mixture Prior to establishment, a soil test Seeding rates (lb/ac) Chicory Legume Grass should be conducted to determine the Chicory alone 4 to 5 fertility status of the desired planting Chicory in a mixture with: area. Forage chicory will grow best at Red clover 4 to 5 6 to 8 a pH of approximately 7.0, although White clover 4 to 5 3 to 4 diminished production may be real- Red clover and orchardgrass 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 6 ized at pH levels as low as 5.5. In pure White clover and orchardgrass 2 to 3 1 to 2 4 to 6 stands, apply 35 pounds of nitrogen Red clover and tall fescue 2 to 3 3 to 4 8 to 10 White clover and tall fescue 2 to 3 1 to 2 8 to 10 per acre at planting to promote good *Adapted from Penn State publication Agronomy Facts Publication No. 45, Forage establishment. If you are planning to Chicory seed a legume with chicory, do not ap- ply nitrogen. Added nitrogen stimulates chicory growth, which will increase 1.5 to 2 inches must remain after graz- Chicory also contains sesquiter- competition with any companion ing for optimal productivity. Rotational pene lactones and small quantities of legume. grazing management is the ideal way to condensed tannins. Limited research After establishment, nitrogen optimize forage chicory persistence and indicates that these compounds may should be applied at 100 to 150 pounds quality. Generally, 25 to 30 days of rest contribute to gastrointestinal parasite per acre in split applications if chicory between grazing events is recommend- control in small ruminants (e.g., goats is grown without a legume. Apply 50 ed. Care must also be taken to prevent and sheep). These compounds may also pounds of nitrogen per acre in the overgrazing and excessive hoof traffic, have a negative affect on palatability spring when chicory starts to green because exposed taproots are suscep- and digestibility. tible to freezing and frost-heaving. U.S. up, in early summer, and again in early Summary fall. Chicory studies in Kentucky have Department of Agriculture researchers shown yield responses when nitrogen in Pennsylvania have recorded Grass- Forage chicory is a deep-rooted pe- was applied at rates of up to approxi- lands Puna yields of more than 3 tons rennial plant which is drought tolerant mately 180 pounds of nitrogen per acre. per acre during the establishment year. and grows well on fertile, well-drained If chicory is planted with a legume, Similarly, one Kentucky study reported soils. Grasslands Puna, most com- restrict annual nitrogen applications to dry matter yields of approximately 3.5 monly used in Kentucky, has produced prevent reduction in nitrogen fixation tons per acre. dry matter yields of approximately 3.5 by the legume and to reduce competi- Feed Quality tons per acre in Kentucky. A rotational tion. Increases in applied nitrogen will grazing management system favors promote bolting (stem elongation). Established forage chicory stands forage chicory quantity, quality, and Because chicory stems are less digest- have quality and quantity potentials persistence. Bolting must be kept to a ible than leaves, a producer must weigh similar to many other Kentucky forage minimum for optimal forage produc- desirability of yield increases from crops. Depending on plant maturity, tion and quality. Forage chicory may nitrogen applications against the ability protein levels may range from 10 to 32 be useful as a companion forage with to graze at sufficient rates to reduce percent, and digestibility of chicory cool-season grasses or legumes and is bolting. leaves is generally between 90 and a high-yielding plant that may improve 95 percent. Not surprisingly, these seasonal distribution of high-quality Management digestibility and mineral content values herbage. In order to achieve maximum life are greater than those of alfalfa. New (five to seven years) of the chicory Zealand studies have reported animal stand, proper grazing management gains of 0.6 pound per day for lambs must be considered. Spring-seeded and 2 pounds per day for Friesian NOTE: The information included in several bulls. Chicory contains relatively high sections of this publication was obtained from chicory may be grazed after approxi- Penn State Agronomy Facts Publication No. 45 mately 90 days depending on growing levels of minerals (potassium, calcium, titled Forage Chicory, written by Marvin Hall conditions, but care must be taken to magnesium, sulfur, zinc, and sodium) and Gerald Jung. prevent overgrazing. A stubble height of which are essential for proper animal nutrition.

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