Kale

Brassica

(Brassica oleracea)

A higher energy and more winter hardy brassica than forage rape. A rewarding crop when grown to its full potential that can be fed to most livestock classes from September through to March. It is also a useful component within game cover and wild bird mixtures providing two years of cover and feed in its second year.

Uses

Grazed in situ, sheep/cattle, game cover, wild bird mixtures

Sowing Rate

2kgs (drilled) 3kgs (broadcast) per acre

Persistence

Biennial utilised in 1 season

Sowing Period

May to June

Yield Potential

8-10t DM per ha

Management

It should be sown into a fine and firm seedbed. It is a hungry crop and will achieve its full potential when properly fed. Nitrogen application should be split 65% in the seedbed with the remainder applied when the crop reaches 15cm. The crop should be strip grazed. Flea beetle and slugs can be an issue during establishment and close management is essential.

What Our Customers Say

Caledonian kale direct drilled into old pasture

“I am delighted with the vigour and very competitive stand of the kale. It got enough moisture in early June to get it growing away from any weed or pest challenges and will provide plenty of keep for store lambs. The fertility left behind will be ideal to get our new Castle Mixture reseed established in spring 2022.”

- David Leggat, Saddlebank Farm, Logiealmond, Perthshire.