DEVON FARMER MAKES THE MOST OF KALE

There is no doubt that kale rates as one of the most dependable forage crops available to livestock farmers in the UK. There are a number of reasons why individual farmers look upon kale as the ‘cornerstone’ of their forage cropping programme and these include the crops ability to provide high yields (from minimal effort!) as well as an excellent crude protein content. In addition, kale offers a highly flexible utilisation period (summer and/or winter) and it is economical to grow.

The majority of farmers who grow kale will end up strip grazing their cattle or sheep on the crop. This is, of course, a very efficient way of handling the utilization of the crop providing that an electric fence is used to avoid wastage.

Interestingly, strip grazing is not the only way of exploiting the value of the crop. A few years ago there was considerable interest in conserving the crop as big-bale silage. This alternative approach was popularly referred to as ‘Kaleage’ and there are still farmers who make use of this option.

One of the key advantages with big bales is that if you still have some left after the winter feeding period then they can be stored for later use. For example, you can use them as a supplementary feed in mid summer or keep them back until the following autumn. Another distinct possibility is to sell the ‘Kaleage’ to a neighbour who may not be quite as flush with feed for his livestock. Ron Patey, who farms near Totnes in Devon, provides a shining example of how this can work in practice. Ron takes up the story.

“We had plans to re-seed a 5 year old grass ley so once we had taken the last silage cut we then drilled this field with the kale in June 2008. The crop was then cut and baled in March this year and the field will now be ploughed and re-seeded with a new grass ley.”

This particular kale field was grown organically and the resultant crop is being purchased by a local dairy farmer who produces organic milk.

“The crop is easy to grow,” says Ron, “and we have applied no fertiliser at all to the field. However, we always use an additive – Agros – as this ensures that we get a really good fermentation.”

Ron is no stranger to the technique of making kale into big bales – in fact he was the farmer who actually ‘pioneered’ the whole idea in conjunction with his son Malcolm. As well as hosting several big practical demonstrations on his farm Ron attended many agricultural shows to promote the idea and in addition undertook numerous speaking slots at well-attended farmer meetings up and down the country.

“There is still a place for Kaleage on many farms and I still field a regular number of telephone calls from potential growers who are keen to learn more about the benefits associated with this novel way of maximising the value of this excellent forage crop,” he concluded.

If you would like more information on Kaleage then e-mail us on: info@limagrain.co.uk and we will forward you a Technical Information Sheet on how best to grow, bale and feed the crop.

March 2009