kale summary (1).docx

Here\'s a summary of the provided content in 15 short bullet points: Cash Crop: Grown for profit and sold in the market. Catch Crop: Fast-growing crop grown between main crops, often used for animal feed, e.g., Kale. Energy Crop: Grown for energy production, e.g., Miscanthus, processed into fuels...

Here\'s a summary of the provided content in 15 short bullet points: Cash Crop: Grown for profit and sold in the market. Catch Crop: Fast-growing crop grown between main crops, often used for animal feed, e.g., Kale. Energy Crop: Grown for energy production, e.g., Miscanthus, processed into fuels like bioethanol or biogas. Kale Soil Suitability: Prefers free-draining loam or sandy soil with a pH of 6-7. Kale Sowing Period: April to July. Kale Growing Time: Takes 5-6 months to mature. Kale Usage: Typically grazed as a fodder crop. Kale Harvesting: Usually grazed in situ by cattle or sheep using a strip grazing system. Zero Grazing: Crop cut by farmer and brought to housed animals. Strip Grazing: Popular method; land must be suitable to avoid poaching. Kale Diet: Should be 70% Kale, supplemented with 30% silage/hay. Kale Ensiling: Stored as bales of \'kaleage\'. Advantages of Kale: Reduces winter feed and housing costs, high in crude protein, prevents soil erosion, reduces nitrogen leaching, increases soil organic matter, and enhances biodiversity. Disadvantages of Kale: Susceptible to pests and diseases, risk of land poaching if grazed in situ. Kale Pests and Diseases: Club Root (soil-borne fungus) controlled by crop rotation and resistant varieties, Flea Beetle controlled by contact insecticide.