In West Virginia trials, forage chicory pastures produced lamb gains of 820 pounds per acre. Studies in New Zealand have reported animal gains of 0.6 pounds per day for lambs and 2 pounds per day for Friesian bulls. Phosphorus and potassium levels at seeding should be in the moderate to optimum range. Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied at planting at a rate of 35 pounds per acre to stimulate chicory establishment. If chicory is seeded with a legume, the nitrogen application at seeding can be reduced.
Chicory requires a high level of fertility for maximum production.
It is also quite responsive to N fertilization. However, as N rate increases so does stem growth. Thus, the yield increase from N fertilization must be weighed against the ability to prevent chicory stems from bolting. If chicory is planted with alfalfa or another legume, annual N applications should be restricted to limit the effect the N has on reducing nitrogen fixation of the legume. Under a clipping or rotational stocking regime, it has persisted and appeared to make a substantial forage contribution in observational plots and in farm seedings in Alabama.