Rye

Can establish in cool weather in a variety of soil types.

Description

The hardiest of the cereals, rye can be seeded later in the fall than any other grain or grass. It can be used as a forage or a cover crop, with decent forage quality if cut at flag leaf stage. It matures quickly, which often makes Triticale the better choice for overwintering forages and offering a wider harvest window.

Management

Can establish in cool weather in a variety of soil types. It can be killed by incorporating, spraying, or, after boot stage, by mowing or rolling with a stalk chopper. Rye can deplete soil moisture in a dry spring and overwhelm the next crop with residue. It has allelopathy effect which works to suppress weeds, but also may stunt the following corn crop.

Establishment

Drill ½ to ¾ inch deep at 60-200 lbs per acre or broadcast or aerial seed into standing corn at a higher rate.