Catch Crop - Kale
Biennial plant
Sowing
Method
Timing
Fertiliser requirement
Sustainability
Soil Conditions
Weed Control
Seed Selection
Pests
Storage
What is a catch crop?
Seed Bed Preparation
Disease
Fungal
Bacterial Leaf Black Spot
Yield
Factors Affecting Yield
6-10t DM/ha,
High feed value = early spring grass.
Kale is a high-energy feed source (1.12UFL),
crude protein level of 16%-18%
dry matter digestibility of >80%.
high sugar content
Prevention
Symptom
Prevention
Club root
Growth Cycle
Harvesting
Grazing Method
Herbicide Resistance
Kale
Any crop that is grown between 2 main crops is called a catch crop.”
Benefit to Animals/Farmer
High crude protein content - 16%-18%
High DMD – 80%
High Energy -
Less Disease Spread
Provide additional winter feed
High yield. 6-10t DM/ha
Disadvantages
Very labour intensive (strip or zero grazing).
Low in fibre - silage/hay must be provided to prevent acidosis
Produce toxin which causes red blood cells to burst - Nutritional red water,
Low in Iron - Anemia deficiency.
Land may be poached
Sown in May and June, for feeding between November and February.
Free-draining (dries out quickly) loam or sandy soil,
pH 6-7 (ideally 6.5),
Ploughed, power harrow, roll after sowing
Firm, fine and level seedbed is required
Broadcast or sown at Seed rate of 4-5kg/ha
depth of 10mm
Soil test carried out 8 weeks before sowing,
spray glyphosate to kill previous pasture
70 plants/m2
30kg/ha of phosphorus - 170kg/ha of potassium - Nitrogen 130kg/ha,
F.Y.M in high volume
Maris Kestrel
Seedling - 5 true leaves grow.
True leaves present - Uptake of nitrogen/vegetative growth.
First harvest - Leaves have grown to stage where can be harvested/grazed.
Stem elongation
Plant decline - No longer suitable for harvesting/grazing.
Bolting - Main shoot starts to elongate.
trip grazing in situ or zero grazing to animals indoors
cattle should be offered 3% of their bodyweight in dry matter (DM) each day
70% of the animal’s dry matter intake
set up short, wide strips to prevent damage and utilisation
Access to roughage (Silage/Hay bales placed in summer or at sowing)
Hay/Silage to provide fibre/prevent acidosis
Gradually introduced to kale in order to prevent Anemia
Prevents nitrogen leaching, sustainable as land does not lie fallow.
Flea Beetle
spraying with contact insecticide
Sow Resistant Variety
Crop Rotation
Biological Control - Ladybird, Wasps
Symptom - attack at emergence - eat small holes in the leaves.
Caterpillar of Diamond Back Moth
Symptom
lay eggs on the underside of each kale leaf.
Caterpillar feeds on leaves when it hatches
Spraying with contact insecticide
Sow Resistant Variety
Crop Rotation
Biological Control- Ground Beetle (Increase FYM)
Causes root to clump and prevents nutrient uptake from soil
Reduces Yield
Leaf Discolouration
five year rotation
Sow resistant varieties
Tiny black to purplish spots appear on leaves
Yellow halos appear around the spots
click to edit
Spraying with contact bacterial
Sow Resistant Variety
Crop Rotation
Can be baled or zero grazed
Can be stored like silage in bales or pit
Mr P Reynolds