While the winter may seem like a long way off, with the potential to yield 8-12t/ha of dry matter (DM), farmers may be looking at kale to bolster fodder reserves during this period.
Kale has a high feeding value, with a dry matter digestibility (DMD) of >80% and a UFL/kg content of 1.03-1.05. It’s the equivalent of early spring grass in terms of quality. It also has a high level of crude protein (16-18%), which helps to promote animal growth.
As it takes kale approximately 150 days to reach maturity, farmers planning on sowing the crop really need to get it in May or June to achieve the best results.
Crops sown in mid-June – permitting they are provided with the right conditions and fertiliser inputs – will generally generate high yields.
When it comes to seeding rate, kale may be precision drilled at 3kg/ha, direct drilled at 4-5kg/ha or broadcast at 5-8kg/ha.
Like grass, a fine, firm seedbed and moisture are essential for rapid emergence; the surest method of establishment is through ploughing and powered cultivation. However, in well-structure soils, direct drilling will also be successful.
Kale grows best on well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Unlike other members of the brassica family, kale is not as sensitive to boron deficiency.
Forage kale – Grampian
Slurry or farmyard manure applied pre-ploughing will normally provide enough boron for the crop. Where this is not applied, the use of a boron-enriched fertiliser should be considered.
When it comes to the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) requirements of kale, Teagasc recommends the following application rates for a crop grown in an index 3 (both P and K) soil:
- N – 130kg/ha;
- P – 30kg/ha;
- K – 170kg/ha.
Club root is the main disease threat. However, kale is not as prone to the disease as other members of the brassica family.
A one-in-five-year rotation is suggested to keep club root levels low. Grampian and Caladonian are tolerant of club root. However, these varieties do not reduce the levels of the pathogen in the soil and, as a result, subsequent brassica crops may suffer from the disease.
