Brassicas
Kale is one of several species referred to as Brassicas. This group of forbs includes forage rape (Brassica napus L.), kale (Brassica oleracea L.), turnips (Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa), swedes (Brassica napus L.), and hybrids like Tyfon (a hybrid between Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa Pekeninensis Group) and stubble turnip (Brassica rapa Rapifera Group).
Description and Uses
Kale is a biennial leafy forage crops grown mostly in cool northern parts of Europe, Canada, and the United States. It resembles cabbage when young but is leafier and does not form heads. Stemless types growing to 2 feet (0.6 m) with marrow-stem types to 5 feet (1.5 m) or more. It is used almost exclusively for temporary pasture or greenchop, sown alone or in combination with annual ryegrass or oats to provide somewhat earlier grazing and easier ensiling. Kale can be spring-seeded following early-maturing corn silage fields for fall grazing or seeded in late summer or early autumn in warmer areas to provide winter grazing.