Forage Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Characteristics

• Yield based on 2 harvests/season
• Seeds/pound: 227,000
• Seeding rate: 3-4 lbs pure live seed/acre
• Seeding date: early spring
• Perennial herb, usually sown in mixture with legumes
• For grazing only, rapid stem growth must be prevented

Advantages

• good quality possible
• very good tolerance to droughty soils
• can be no-till seeded into existing pastures
• provides grazing during spring and summer periods

Concerns

• not well suited to poorly-drained soils
• very poor quality and growth if not managed intensively
• weeds may be difficult to control, no registered herbicides
• pure chicory stands will produce milk with metallic taste

More information

• Forage Chicory (PA)
• Forage Chicory (AL)
• Forage Chicory (KY)