Forage yield and persistence of chicory and plantain

Graziers in the northeast often face forage shortages in midsummer. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) have been introduced in the USA as perennial herbs for pastures and have been touted as drought tolerant. We conducted two field-plot experiments at Rock Springs, PA during 1997 to 2000 to evaluate chicory and plantain for yield and persistence under clipping. 'Grasslands Puna', 'La Certa', and 'Forage Feast' chicory, and 'Ceres Tonic', and 'Grasslands Lancelot' grazing plantain were sown in field plots in May 1997 and 1999 and harvested multiple times in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Forage chicory yielded 5400 to 7400 lb/ac/yr; however, stand losses of 20 to 50% occurred. Plantain yielded 4500 to 6500 lb dry matter/ac/yr; however, it died out completely within 2 years in one experiment. Plantain does not appear to be suited for planted pastures in central Pennsylvania.