This study was carried out to investigate the usefulness of kenaf as a forage crop by studying dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value of four different kenaf cultivars (Tainung, Fuhong, Everglade and Dowling). They were planted in Chunchon area on May 24, 2004 and harvested on July 2, 8 and 13, 2004, respectively. The DM yields were similar in all four cultivars as about 2 ton/ha on July 2, but the DM yields were significantly higher in Tainung (5 ton/ha) and Dowling (4.9 ton/ha) on July 13. In all four cultivars, the crude protein (CP) contents decreased as the harvest was delayed. In all three harvests, the CP content was highest in Dowling (17.9, 16.0 and 14.2% on July 2, 8 and 13, respectively) and lowest in Fuhong (13.3, 12.3 and 11.2% on July 2, 8 and 13, respectively). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents of all four cultivars increased with the delayed harvest, although in Dowling and Everglade, the increase was rather slow after July 8. The CP cotent of leaf decreased with late harvest. The CP content was significantly higher in Dowling (about 24. 5%) compared to others. The NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of leaf tended to increase as the harvest was delayed, but there was no significant difference among cultivars. The CP content of stem tended to decrease and this tendency was most significant on July 13. When averaged three harvests, the CP content of stem was significantly higher in Dowling as 7.5% and lower in Fuhong as 4.9%. The NDF and ADF contents of stem increased as the harvest was delayed. The results showed that the DM yields of kenaf grown in Chunchon area were similar to those of kenaf grown in Jeju area. The nutritive values of kenaf were higher than those of other forage crops such as rye or oat. Especially, the leaf of kenaf has higher CP content than alfalfa hay. However, the DM yields of kenaf were lower than those of rye, oat and Sudan grass. Therefore, we consider the harvest to be delayed after July 13 for greater DM yield, which cause the relationships between the DM yield and nutritive value to be weighed.