Chicory (Cichorium intybus) — A Deep-Rooting, Mineral-Rich Forage Herb
Chicory is one of the most striking and versatile forage herbs available to UK farmers. Its vivid cornflower-blue flowers make it easy to spot in a sward, but it’s what happens below ground that makes it truly valuable. A powerful taproot capable of penetrating deep into the soil profile, chicory breaks through compaction layers, aerates the soil, and improves drainage — all while delivering high-protein forage above ground. It’s also a known anthelmintic species, making it a useful tool for farmers looking to reduce worm burden in sheep and lambs.
What It’s Used For
Chicory is most commonly used as a constituent of a grazing ley, either in combination with grasses or alongside other forage herbs such as plantain, yarrow, burnet, and sheep’s parsley. It’s also valued as a green manure species, improving soil health and drainage over time. Its high protein content makes it particularly effective for fattening lambs.
How Long Will It Last?
Chicory reliably persists for 3–4 years and can last up to ten with good management. To get the full benefit — particularly from its soil-conditioning roots — it should be left in situ for at least two years. Avoid overgrazing to maintain plant numbers.
Key Strengths
- Protein content of 17–18%, comparable to the true clovers — excellent for fattening lambs
- Anthelmintic properties, helping to reduce worm burden in sheep and lambs
- Deep taproot breaks through compaction, aerates the soil, and aids drainage
- High yield potential of 11–13 t DM/ha
- Frost tolerant and well-suited to UK conditions
Frost Tolerance
Chicory is tolerant to frost and will overwinter reliably in UK conditions.
Expected Yield
11–13 tonnes of dry matter per hectare.
Sowing Rate
- Pure stand: 2 kg/acre (7.5 kg/ha)
- In a mixture: 0.2–0.8 kg/acre (0.5–2 kg/ha)
Chicory is a small seed and should be shallow sown at around 1 cm deep. Roll the seedbed after sowing to improve soil-to-seed contact and moisture retention. For a chicory-dominant ley, sow towards the upper end of the mixture rate; for occasional plants every 30 cm or so, the lower rate is sufficient.
When to Sow
Sow into a warm seedbed between March and early May, or in the autumn between August and early September. Chicory is relatively slow to establish in cool conditions, so avoid sowing outside these windows where possible.
Grazing Management
Annual weeds can be a challenge during establishment, but most will disappear once a regular mowing or grazing regime is in place. Top regularly at approximately three-week intervals to control growth and prevent the plant running to seed. From year two onwards, chicory will develop a woody stalk and seed head if left unmanaged — this is worth bearing in mind if the sward is intended for cutting, as woody stems may lead to rejection at the feeder. Grazed by sheep or cattle, it makes excellent forage.
Identifying the Crop
Seed: Thorn-like in shape with three distinct surfaces, wider at one end and tapering to a blunt point. Light brown to black, with a shiny to glossy surface. Less than 3 mm in length.
Seedling: Two equal-sized, rounded to oblong cotyledons. The first true leaves are longer, with wider lobes at the tips, toothed edges beginning to form, and bristle-like hairs visible along with a prominent mid-vein.
Mature plant: A leafy green plant growing from a basal rosette. In the first year it produces large, salad-like leaves — lobed or bluntly toothed at the margins, with an undivided upper portion and a prominent, often hairy midrib. The flowers are a vivid cornflower blue. Normally flowering from July to September, the seed heads are a particular favourite with Goldfinches if left over winter.
Works Well With
Chicory combines well with grass swards and other forage herbs including plantain, yarrow, burnet, and sheep’s parsley. It’s a natural fit in diverse grazing leys designed to improve both livestock performance and soil health.
Ready to Introduce Chicory to Your Ley?
We stock chicory as a standalone variety and as part of several proven Germinal mixtures designed for lamb finishing and diverse grazing systems: