Forage and Grain Yield Potential of Small Grains in the Great Plains of Wyoming.

Small grains such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) are primarily used as grain crops but can also be used as annual forages.  They are well adapted throughout the USA including southern Canada.  Although wheat, rye, and triticale are primarily grown as winter pasture, they can be used as silage or hay crops.  Additionally, small grains, especially triticale and rye, are often used as cover crops or in companion seeding with legumes, particularly with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).  An experiment was initiated in fall 2008 at the University of Wyoming’s Sustainable Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Lingle with the objective to look at forage and grain yield potential of different experimental lines of wheat, rye, and triticale.  Two experimental lines along with a standard variety as check from each species were used.  The lines were seeded into two adjacent 5′ × 15′ plots.  The adjacent plots represented forage only use and dual purpose forage and grain use.  The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design with three replicates.  The first harvest before winter was made in November 2008.  Although this is an ongoing experiment, the first harvest indicated a significant difference (P < 0.05) between lines for forage yield.  For example, the range of triticale forage yield varied from 506 kg/ha (check ‘Presto’) to 1214 kg/ha (line NF96213).  More data on forage yield, grain yield, and forage quality will be taken in spring and summer 2009 and the experiment will be repeated in 2009-10.  This is too early to conclude the study however, it is expected that the study will show significant differences between species or lines.  More information will be provided with the final presentation.