Rye for cows

[Andrew1983]

Very impressive looking crops of rye being grown locally for AD plants. Looking like it’s standing a foot taller than the fences. I’m guessing it must have a good energy/feed value if it’s worth the digesters growing it so my question is does anyone grow it for cattle if not what’s the reason?

 

[Al R]

Fear of it falling down most probably, needs to be treated similar to WW, 1 less N application a few less herbicides and fungicides but plenty of stiffener and PGR. Cut at the right stage it’s almost as good as any other cereal wholecrop.

 

[Andrew1983]

Fear of it falling down most probably, needs to be treated similar to WW, 1 less N application a few less herbicides and fungicides but plenty of stiffener and PGR. Cut at the right stage it’s almost as good as any other cereal wholecrop.

If it’s only almost as good why are the AD plants growing it over say WW or WB? I thought it must be better for some reason. I know they like to cut it at the right stage as they bought a 2nd forager to get through it all in what must be a short window!

 

[Al R]

If it’s only almost as good why are the AD plants growing it over say WW or WB? I thought it must be better for some reason. I know they like to cut it at the right stage as they bought a 2nd forager to get through it all in what must be a short window!

Yield, when I grew it I had 17t/acre weighed, there’s been quite a few threads in “cropping” about hybrid rye, with someone posting yesterday yields of 50t/ha over a big area...

 

[Chae1]

Very impressive looking crops of rye being grown locally for AD plants. Looking like it’s standing a foot taller than the fences. I’m guessing it must have a good energy/feed value if it’s worth the digesters growing it so my question is does anyone grow it for cattle if not what’s the reason?

Was speaking to our agronomist about it and some people are feeding it to cattle. They were going to have some seed available. Apparently it likes sand, so would suit some of our land.

Pig guys like it for feed. Think its lysine its high in iirc.

 

[Agrispeed]

I think the AD guys like rye as it can be established behind maize and harvested before the next maize crop.

 

[Chae1]

https://www.kws.com/gb/en/products/cereals/hybrid-rye/rye-in-the-feed/

Harvest date looks similar to winter barley so would be a good opportunity to get forage crop for outwintering cattle on after.

 

[Colin]

Was speaking to our agronomist about it and some people are feeding it to cattle. They were going to have some seed available. Apparently it likes sand, so would suit some of our land.

Pig guys like it for feed. Think its lysine its high in iirc.

Yes, apparently it's good for pigs, but trade don't like it as they have an easy life flogging wheat and barley. I get similar yields to wheat on heavier soils and better than wheat on light land. Costs £100/ha less than wheat to grow and 25% less N and lots of straw for carrots. But straw not brilliant for bedding seemingly as it doesn't soak up water as well. Still trying to find markets for a balance and it's hard going.maybe have to get into the pig job,[emoji26]

 

[som farmer]

great for cattle feed, silage yields in excess of 15 ton acre, good feed value, as its been developed for digesters, next year will be using it as main silage for spring calving herd

 

[Gee]

I think the AD guys like rye as it can be established behind maize and harvested before the next maize crop.

We grow rye then maize, 2 crops one field. Win, win. (It does like to fall over)