Forage Chicory
Cichorium intybus Perennial broadleaf. Up to 18" (flower stalks up to 6'). Tap-rooted broadleaf perennial with bright blue flowers suited to well-drained moderately acidic soils. Well-managed stands may persist 5 years or longer, but also valuable in annual stands for pasture or green chop. Chicory is established best by drilling ½" deep or broadcasting, then cultipacking, into a well-prepared seedbed; it may also be no-till drilled or frost-seeded on established pastures early in the season. Begin grazing when the plant is 8–10" high, and graze down to 1–2". Seed at 8#/acre alone, or 3#/ acre in mixes, ¼#/1000 sq ft.As annual forage: Very high digestibility and protein levels up to 50% higher than alfalfa. Digestibility is reduced if plants are allowed to bolt, but the flowers are very attractive! Research shows reduced parasite loads in animals fed or pastured on chicory.
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