Establishment and management of Grasslands Puna chicory used as a specialist, high quality forage herb

Abstract

Between 8000 and 10 000 ha of Grasslands Puna chicory are now sown annually in New Zealand, largely as a high quality forage herb capable of finishing a range of livestock types including deer, sheep, and cattle. This paper details the specific establishment requirements of Puna, including: weed control, renovation rotation methods, cultivation techniques and sowing methods. Management requirements are also discussed with particular emphasis on grazing management, including optimum rotation length and post-grazing residual height. Maintenance fertiliser and herbicide requirements, and stock health issues are also covered, with reference to the use of Puna in various livestock systems and its effect on profitability. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, establishment, Grasslands Puna, leaf proportion, pre-grazing height, post-grazing residual height, 'rotational block grazing', stem development, stem control