Triticale, an Alternative Crop for Iowa?

Triticale is a small grain that is a cross between durum wheat and cereal rye.  Triticale feed quality is in many ways similar to that of corn.  New varieties have addressed some of the old problems with this grain, such as low yields and the grain fungus called ergot.  Is this crop ready for prime time?  PFI has been working with ISU agronomist Lance Gibson, who is evaluating how modern triticale fits in a sustainable farm.  Results of Lance's work appear below, both in the article Triticale – A Step toward Diversity and in the published results of variety yield and quality comparisons.  Does triticale have a place on the farm?  You be the judge.

Spring Triticale 2002-2004 Variety and Yield Comparisons (requires Adobe Acrobat™ Reader)

Additional Triticale information from Lance Gibson.

December, 2004 PFI On-Farm Research Report:
Triticale – A Step toward Diversity

Background

The small grain triticale may be an alternative crop livestock producers can use to provide quality feed or forage without high production costs, even though there is no established market for triticale. But does it work in Midwest cropping systems?

Objective

Test how triticale compares to oats as a spring-seeded grain crop that is compatible with an underseeding of forages or a green manure crop.

Results

Spring triticale was equivalent to oats as a nurse crop for establishing forages. Triticale grain yield tended to be less than that of oats, but considering the feed value of triticale, the crop was competitive with oats. A demonstration field of fall triticale yielded twice as much as the spring triticale.

Conclusion

When producers know how to include triticale in rations, it can be a valuable feedstock. Spring triticale is equivalent to oats in agronomic use and feed value per acre.

Link to Full On-Farm Research Report: Triticale – A Step toward Diversity (requires Adobe Acrobat™ Reader)