Cultivation

Forage use of leaf kale

Brassica oleracea L. (Kale Group)

Leaf kale is used as a high-protein succulent forage with high green mass productivity, reaching 800 c/ha. The crop is valuable for its ability to maintain vegetation during frosts down to -15°C, extending the grazing or forage harvesting period.

In the reference 26 varieties crop Kale, where this is mentioned in the description.

Leaf kale is distinguished by a high content of crude protein, fiber, and a complex of mineral substances, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Unlike heading forms, the entire vegetative mass of the plant, consisting of leaves and stems, is used as forage, which allows for obtaining a significant volume of production per unit area.

High frost resistance allows the crop to be used as late green forage during a period when other plants cease vegetation. For forage purposes, specialized tall-growing forms are agrotechnically preferred, while the proportion of kale in animal rations is limited to avoid excessive accumulation of glycosides, which can cause digestive disorders.

General information about the subject — on the page Forage purpose.

Sources6

Varieties of Kale mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.