Cereal rye to extend the grazing season

Abstract

Eleven cereal rye (&cafe cereale) cultivars, one triticale (Triticum secale) and one winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar were evaluated in 2 studies for their ability to extend the grazing season into the autumn and winter in southern Ohio. The cultivars, 5 in 1993 and 9 in 1994, were randomly assigned to replicated plots and planted in late summer. Plots were harvested in late autumn to determine dry matter (DM) yield and forage quality. Results from the two years indicate significant differences (P=O.O5) between cultivars for DM yield, crude protein(CP) and NDF levels. DM yields ranged from 1389 to 2470 kg/ha (1993) and 1018 to 2 124 kg/ha (1994). Crude protein levels ranged from 25.2 to 27.9% (1993) and 28.8 to 33.7% (1994). A second harvest of the 1994 plots was made in early spring 1995 for continued evaluation. Statistically significant differences again existed between the stockpiled cultivars. DM yields ranged from 1979 to 2980 kg/ha while crude protein levels ranged between 21.5 and 27.0% of DM. Results support the conclusion that selected cereal rye cultivars can produce excellent yields of high quality forage for late autumn and winter grazing in the Ohio climate. Keywords: cereal rye, extended grazing season, Secale cereale, triticale, wheat