cereal rye varieties

The cereal rye varieties are Aroostook, Bates, Brasetto, Elbon, FL401, Guardian, Hazlet, Maton, Maton II, Merced, Oklon, Wheeler, Wintergrazer 70, Wrens Abruzzi, and Rymin.

Are winter rye and cereal rye the same?

Winter rye, cereal rye and "rye" are all the same thing, just don't let 'em sell you ryegrass...that stuff is the devil!

How fast does cereal rye grow?

Rye grains germinate readily at constant low temperatures (5°C, for example) and some can germinate on a cycle of 16 h at −30°C and 8 h at 20°C over seven days; liquid nitrogen temperatures can also be endured by dry seeds. Photo 2: Emergence of rye cover crop 11 days after planting.

What is cereal rye used for?

As a cover crop, cereal rye can scavenge nitrogen, build soil, loosen topsoil (reduce compaction), prevent erosion, and suppress weeds. It can also be used as a livestock forage between cash crops.

Does cereal rye make good hay?

Among annuals, cereal rye and triticale have great potential. ... If grazed lightly or not at all in spring, both rye and triticale can produce very high, single cutting hay yields. Because of its early development and declining palatability, rye should be cut quite early – early heading at latest.

What is the difference between annual rye and winter rye?

The seeds of winter cereal rye are larger than annual ryegrass and can easily be broadcast. Closely related to wheat and barley, winter cereal rye will grow from three to six feet tall. The seed is much larger than annual ryegrass and can be effectively broadcast.

Can you eat cereal rye?

Rye protein levels are modest at 9-15 percent, but can range to over 20 percent. My experience has been that deer will consume all three other major cereal grains more readily, but if rye is what's there, they'll eat it.

Can you mow winter rye?

Winter rye grass does require the same maintenance as a lawn in the summer. Mowing the grass is the primary maintenance during the winter. ... Mow the rye grass often enough throughout the fall to maintain it at a height of no more than 2 1/2 inches.

Can you plant cereal rye in the spring?

It can germinate in temperatures as low as 34 degrees F in the fall and in the spring it will start to grow at 38 degreesF. Cereal rye can be established in a variety of soil types as well as quality.

How deep should you plant rye?

Rye is more sensitive to seeding depth than some other cereals, and it should not be sown more than 2 inches deep. Rye will often respond to a modest application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, but when it follows corn and other crops that have been well-fertilized with N it seldom requires additional fertilizer.

Is Rye healthier than wheat?

When compared to wheat, rye is often considered more nutritious. In fact, studies show that rye bread may lead to greater fullness and have less of an impact on blood sugar than wheat bread ( 29 , 30 ).

How Much Does cereal rye cost?

Seed costs will equal a price per pound of seed times the seeding rate per acre. For 2018, a reasonable estimate of cereal rye price is $. 29 per pound. Recommendations from the Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC) suggest seeding rates over 50 pounds per acre.

Do you have to plant rye grass every year?

You can plant annual ryegrass in fall or spring. The plant will set seed more quickly if sown in fall, so care must be taken to mow before the plant blooms. To use the plant as a winter annual, seed during fall in USDA growing zone 6 or warmer; and in zone 5 or colder, seed in midsummer to early fall.

Can cattle eat rye?

Similarly, rye can be used in cattle diets using the same considerations as wheat since the grain formation will be similar. There will usually be less energy and protein in rye compared to wheat, so the total amount available in the diet for cattle may be less.

Will mowing cereal rye kill it?

When rye reaches boot stage, it becomes difficult to kill, the residue breaks down much slower due to high C/N ratio, and there is greater potential for nutrient, especially nitrogen, tie up. If for some reason a rye cover crop gets out of control, consider mowing it to speed up tissue break down.

Is Rye Hay good for cattle?

In the upper Midwest, cereal rye is a popular cover crop that can provide forage for beef cattle. But, an important key for successfully feeding cereal rye forage is to match the nutritional content of the forage with the nutritional requirements of the animal.

Can you plant winter rye in spring?

Winter rye can also be planted in the spring as a companion crop or early forage, but will not produce grain due to the lack of vernalization.

Will cereal rye reseed itself?

My experience with grains is that wheat, rye, barley and oats will reseed as long as you don't harvest every head of grain. You have problems with reseeding when there is a long period between when the grain is harvested and replanted for the next year's crop.

Is there a difference between rye and ryegrass?

Annual ryegrass is a cool-season grass, while cereal rye is a grain that has growth characteristics much like wheat. ... Annual ryegrass seed costs slightly less than cereal rye, is much smaller and weighs 26 pounds per bushel.

Do turkeys like winter rye?

Cereal grains such as wheat, rye and oats are an excellent option for a wild turkey food plot. They are relatively easy to grow, inexpensive, and can provide food for turkeys throughout the year. ... Wheat and oats both do well mixed with clover, but oats do not overwinter well in the colder climates of the north.

What do you do with winter rye in the spring?

Cut winter rye with a lawn mower, string trimmer or scythe, depending on how tall it is. After cutting in spring, most cover crops are tilled into the soil, adding nutrients and organic matter. This is why cover crops are called green manures—because they do the same job that manure does in soil.

Will deer eat buckwheat?

Deer will eat the leaves, flowers, and often the seed of buckwheat once they discover the food source. ... The plant makes a good cover crop for idle land, and the flowers are a favorite among beekeepers. The seeds are a high quality food for doves, wild turkey, quail, pheasants, grouse, and waterfowl.