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Siberian Kale Seed can be planted for deer food plots and livestock pasture forage. Kale is a highly preferred forage for deer food plots and can provide up to 25% protein in it's leaves. Kale is a cool season annual brassica that is nutritious for deer and grazing livestock which will heartily graze the large leaves which can grow up to
24 inches, are slightly ruffled and are over 90% digestible. Kale is one of the best forage producers in the brassica family, producing up to 8 tons of leafy forage per acre making it perfect for smaller acreage food plots and pastures.
Planting Dates: August - October - Siberian kale grows well as a fall/winter forage in southern states. In some Northern states it can be used as a summer, fall, and winter forage. Kale grows best in cooler weather with cold days and nights which will sweeten the leaves especially if subjected to a fall frost. The leaves will become bitter and tough if grown in warmer weather. Optimum soil temperatures for growing kale are 60°-65°.
Planting Rate: The recommended planting rate is 10 pounds per acre. Remember that Kale grows large leaves and may over shade other plants in your food plot.
Soil: Kale prefers a sandy loam to light clay soil with a pH of 6 to 7.5. Fertilize and lime according to soil test.
Planting Depth: Plant seeds on a well-tilled seed-bed covering seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Fertilization: Kales require less fertilization than other brassicas and will do well with moderate amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and potassium. Remember to watch for Nitrogen accumulation in the plant's leaves and stems.
Brassicas such as kale are often used for supplemental or late season livestock forage crops. Forage brassicas, such as kale, are cold tolerant, fast-growing crops that have been used extensively as a forage resource for grazing livestock in Europe, Great Britain, New Zealand and locations in the United States. Interest in brassicas have increased in recent years as a forage resource with potential to extend fall grazing for 2-3 months in the United States.
Kale is planted almost exclusively for temporary pasture, although it may also be used for silage. It frequently is seeded alone for pasture, but mixing oats or annual ryegrass with kale will provide somewhat earlier grazing. Feed quality of kale is very good, and pasture will compare favorably with alfalfa.
Kale is also sometimes chopped and hand-fed in order to reduce waste associated with trampling by livestock. Waste can also be reduced if pastures are cross-fenced and the grazing period limited to a few hours each day.
Planting Dates: Siberian kale grows well as a fall/winter forage in southern states. In Northern states it can be used as a summer, fall, and winter forage. Kale grows best in cooler weather with cold days and nights which will sweeten the leaves especially if subjected to a fall frost. The leaves will become bitter and tough if grown in warmer weather. Optimum soil temperatures for growing kale are 60°-65°.
Planting Rate For Pastures: Average seeding rate for Kale in a pasture is usually lower than that for food plot usage - - average is 3.5-4.0 lbs per acre.
Soil: Kale prefers a sandy loam to light clay soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Fertilize and lime according to soil test.
Planting Depth: Plant seeds on a well-tilled seed-bed covering seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Fertilization: Kales require less fertilization than other brassicas and will do well with moderate amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and potassium. Remember to watch for Nitrogen accumulation in the plant's leaves and stems which can cause nitrate poisoning.