Forage Production and Grazing Management of Chicory

‘Grasslands Puna’ chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a perennial cool-season herb developed as a forage in New Zealand. The objective of this study was to evaluate forage production potential and rotational grazing strategies for chicory grown in central Oklahoma. Pastures were established on two soil types and grazed for 2 yr with 3 rotational strategies described as fast (13 d rest periods), moderate (27 d rest periods), and slow (38 d rest periods). Chicory plant density during the seeding year was higher on a silt loam (4.5 plants/sq ft) than on a silty clay loam soil (2.2 plants/sq ft; P < 0.05). By the second year, however, natural reseeding resulted in equally dense stands on both soil types (4.3 plants/sq ft). Moderate and slow rotational grazing resulted in significantly greater (P < 0.05) amounts of harvested forage (7050 lb/acre) compared with the fast rotational treatment (5890 lb/acre). Fewer chicory plants bolted under the fast rotation; however, it is likely that this treatment did not allow adequate time for substantial leaf area accumulation and regrowth. Crude protein (CP) content of chicory averaged 18.3% and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) averaged 70.9%. Chicory appears to have potential as a productive and high quality cool-season forage crop in Oklahoma. Research QuestionThe Southern Great Plains of the USA is a region where perennial cool-season forages are lacking. ‘Grasslands Puna’ chicory is a perennial cool-season herb developed as a forage in New Zealand. Information on its use in the Southern Great Plains is not available. This study evaluated forage production potential and rotational grazing strategies for chicory to aid in development of recommendations for its use. Literature SummaryGrasslands Puna chicory has been gaining acceptance as a forage crop since its release in 1986. Pure stands grown for seed production have yielded more than 20 000 lb/acre dry matter. Nutritional quality of chicory is impressive with crude protein (CP) levels near 20% and livestock gains of 2.0 lb/d for calves and 0.64 lb/d for lambs having been reported. Chicory stands have been observed to rapidly decline under season-long continuous stocking. Under rotational grazing or stocking strategies, however, chicory persistence was excellent. Study DescriptionChicory pastures were established on two soil types and grazed with three rotational grazing strategies during spring and fall. Measurements taken included: pre- and post-grazing herbage mass, amount of harvested forage, CP and digestibility, and percentage of plants bolting. Location: El Reno, OK Seeding rate: 4 lb/acre, March Soils: Site 1: Brewer silty clay loam Site 2: Norge silt loam Seedbed: Clean, prepared Treatments: Fast rotation: 13 d rest periods Moderate rotation: 27 d rest periods Slow rotation: 38 d rest periods N level: 75 lb/acre in April and August Applied QuestionsDid soil type influence chicory establishment and production? Plant density during the seeding year was 4.5 plants/sq ft at site 2 (silt loam) compared with 2.2 plants/sq ft at site 1 (silty clay loam). By the second year of the study, however, there was no difference in plant density (4.3 plants/sq A) between sites. It was observed that new seedlings became established at site 1 in the less dense canopy. Correspondingly, forage production was less at site 1 the first year, but similar at both sites during the second year. What were the effects of the rotational grazing treatments? Moderate and slow rotational grazing resulted in significantly greater amounts of harvested forage (7050 lb/acre) compared with the fast treatment (5890 lb/acre, Table 1). Fewer chicory plants bolted under the fast treatment; however, it is likely that there was not adequate time for substantial leaf area accumulation and regrowth under the fast rotation. What were the quality characteristics of chicory? Crude protein and in vitro dry matter digestibility of chicory averaged 18.3 and 70.9%, respectively, and were similar during spring and fall grazing. Grazing treatment did not affect CP except during the first year, when it was higher under the fast rotational treatment at site 1 and under the fast and moderate treatments at site 2. RecommendationsChicory has potential as a forage crop on the Southern Great Plains. In particular, its early fall (September-October) forage production is a desirable characteristic for this area. Adequate rainfall during this period is critical and can be quite variable. Rotational grazing with rest periods of at least 24 d appears to be a grazing strategy that optimizes leaf production and keeps the number of bolting plants low. Table 1Total harvested chicory forage during spring and fall grazing under fast, moderate, or slow rotational grazing treatments. Treatment†SiteYear/siteFastModerateSlowmeans--------------------lb/acre--------------------1993Site 13520434046004150A* Site 26810737082607480B 1994Site 15880821079607350Site 27340811075307660Treatment Means 5890a 7010b 7090b*Site means with unlike letters (uppercase) and treatment means with unlike letters (lowercase) significantly differ (P < 0.05). †Fast, moderate, and slow rotational grazing treatments had 13,27, and 38 d rest pencds, respectively.