Kochia Forage (English)

KOCHIA

An Exceptional Forage Crop

KOCHIA

ECONOMICAL HIGH QUALITY FORAGE

Kochia is an annual plant which will germinate in the winter and through the spring and summer from February to August. It can be grazed, green chopped or baled. The nutritional value and yield can equal or surpass alfalfa but much more economically. Kochia is an excellent feed for cattle, horses, sheep, and goats.

WHERE DOES KOCHIA COME FROM?

Kochia scorparia originated in Eurasia and has been in America since the early 1900's. In recent years its value as a crop has been recognized and researched in Ag programs in many states, colleges and universities.

EARLY PLANTING, EARLY GRAZING

Since Kochia will germinate at low soil temperatures and is very resistant to cold when it is small, it can be planted as early as late winter and left to germinate with the first spring moisture. With this very early start, competition from other annuals is not a problem. While your neighbors are planting summer forage, you can already be grazing Kochia.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF KOCHIA

Kochia's chemical analysis and digestibility approximates alfalfa. It is higher in mineral content, lower in fiber and about equal in protein. The leaves run about 23% protein throughout the growing period. Cattle grazing on Kochia should gain about 1 1/2 lbs. or more per day. It is recommended to supplement cattle on Kochia pasture with a high calcium mineral, free choice.

DROUGHT RESISTANCE AND HARDINESS

Kochia is exceptionally drought resistant because of its deep root system and while it responds well to water, it is also especially good as a dry land forage crop. It is not bothered by grasshoppers or other insects or by plant diseases. Kochia will germinate at 46F and is generally not affected by late winter or early spring frosts or freezes.

BIG YIELDS FOR LESS WATER

Kochia will produce well with low rainfall making up to 5 tons dry matter per acre in West Texas dryland, and over 10 tons per acre with moderate irrigation. Kochia will produce 2 1/2 times as much forage per inch of water as alfalfa.

BALING KOCHIA

Cut for baling at an average height of 18-24 inches-at this height, the stems are thin, tender and palatable. When Kochia is baled, the leaves stay on the stems. For quick regrowth, leave a stubble with at least 5 leaf branches.

HOW TO MANAGE KOCHIA

PLANTING

Kochia should be broadcast at a rate of 3-4 lbs. per acre on a rough seed bed. For rough terrain, aerial seeding is recommended. Kochia will grow without covering the seed at all, just broadcast the seed on top of the ground. Since Kochia is an annual, it will reseed itself each year. Kochia can usually be planted anytime from December through August.

FERTILIZER

Kochia is a hardy plant that grows well without fertilizer in most areas. However, Kochia does respond well to fertilizer when applied. We do not recommend fertilizing the seed bed prior to planting. The ideal time to fertilize Kochia is a fter the plants have reached a height of at least 6".

WATER

Kochia is extremely drought tolerant. However, it does respond well to irrigation and used water efficiently to increase yield. Kochia can grow with as little as 7" of annual rainfall.

KOCHIA RESEARCH

TEXAS

Dr. Ralph Durham, formerly of Texas Tech University gave a report entitled "Kochia: It's Potential for Forage Production" in 1979 to the Center for Arid and Semi-Arid Land Studies, and said "...the significance of the Kochia forage production is apparent. Kochia forage allowed more than eight times the stocking rate provided by grass. There is added significance in the fact that the rainfall was so low that the range grass provided essentially no grazing."

NEW MEXICO

H. D. Fuehring, an agronomist at the New Mexico State University Plains Branch Station near Clovis, New Mexico, has done extensive research on Kochia. In a bulletin entitled "Kochia as a Forage Crop," published in 1979 he said, "It appears that Kochia has great potential as a dryland or limited irrigation crop in the southern Great Plains area."

KOCHIA SEED SUMMARY

Ideal for grazing cattle, greenchop or baling.

Early germination.

Early grazing.

Ideal for dryland forage or semi-arid rangeland.

Low seeding rate.

Drought resistant.

High protein.

Good cattle gains.

Seed cleaned and sacked.

Free consultation on planting, grazing and harvesting.

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