FODDER KALE

Fodder kale belongs to the cruciferous family. It is one of the most productive annual forage plants cultivated in Poland.

 

The green mass of fodder kale contains 19-22% of digestible proteins in dry leaf mass, and ca. 12% in stumps, i.e. more than any non-legume forage plant. Fodder kale is mostly grown as secondary crop, and less frequently as a stubble after crop. Green mass yields of fodder kale in secondary crop vary between 300-500q of green mass, and 5-11q of raw protein per 1 ha.

 

As stubble after crop, fodder kale rarely yields more than 250q/ha. As main crop, it yields 600-800 q/ha of green mass. Fodder kale normally requires very fertile, nutrient-rich soils in good culture. However, in wet conditions it can be grown on lighter soils if adequate mineral fertilization is provided.