Cereal Rye, Winter Triticale or Winter Wheat: Which is Best for Early Spring Grazing?

Authors

Alyssa K. Hall, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Abigail M. Sartin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Kallie J. Calus, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Morgan T. Grabau, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Daren D. Redfearn, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Robert B. Mitchell, USDA-ARSFollow
Mary E. Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2024

Citation

2024 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine which winter-hardy small cereal grain was best suited for early spring grazing. Three species were evaluated: winter wheat, cereal rye, and winter triticale, as a double-cropped forage in a continuous soybean rotation. Within this rotation the number of grazing days is limited, but all three species provided high rates of cattle weight gain, with an average daily gain (ADG) of 3 lb/d in April. However, in a year where freezing conditions occurring after cattle started grazing, cattle grazing cereal rye had the greatest ADG, likely due to greater forage growth. Thus, cereal rye may be a better choice if early spring grazing is the goal.