Bombardier

Bombardier easy-graze (EG) kale means you can look after your animals, with more energy per bite and less wastage, which is better for both animals and the environment.

Winter better

Wintering systems are under the spotlight, with a focus on caring for animals well, and reducing mud in crops. Bombardier EG kale helps you do both, because it is palatable and easier to graze right to the base, providing high utilisation with high animal performance.

This can improve animal intake particularly in adverse weather, when grazing time may be limited. Less wastage also increases efficiency, which is better for the environment.

Systems fit

Bombardier EG kale suits farmers seeking higher animal intakes and performance. Examples include dairy cow grazing for increased BCS; heifer, bull and steer systems where weight gain is critical; and sheep systems for good stock performance.

Excellent yield

The total yield of Bombardier EG kale is very high.

Environmentally friendly

Bombardier's superb utilisation means more efficient use of crop nutrients. High palatability and intake rates better suit on/off grazing systems to reduce mud creation. Less residual reduces the energy required for sowing the following catch crop or pasture.

More ME/bite (right to the ground!)

Bombardier has exceptional feed quality, so animals get more ME per bite. This advantage reaches right to the ground, meaning easier utilisation than other cultivars. Bombardier has higher ME and lower fibre in the bottom third of its stem.

Kale feed quality as metabolisable energy (ME) in MJ ME/kg DM*

Rape alternative

With its very high stem quality, Bombardier can be used instead of autumn or winter-grazed rape, with several advantages.

■    No ripening needed pre-grazing

■    Fewer animal health problems

■    More flexible grazing window.

Later sowing

Manage Bombardier the same as you would other kales, except we recommend a later sowing date (late November onwards). Don't sow in areas prone to high winds and crop lodging. While Bombardier’s very soft stems are ideal for grazing they do make it more susceptible to lodging than traditional kales.

^{Bombardier EG kale is marketed by Barenbrug}