HYBRID WINTER RYE

from 2023 Winter Grains & Cover Crops Seed Guide

OPEN-POLLINATED WINTER RYE

Hybrid Winter Rye is bred to produce the highest-yielding rye cereal grain and forage with low incidence of disease. Hybrid rye performs well in drought conditions and on sandy soils and even better on more productive soils.

• Excellent winter hardiness

• Superior grain quality for milling, distilling, and feed markets

• Rye can be fed in rations for dairy, beef, and swine

• All hybrid rye varieties require a signed license; grain cannot be saved for seed

• Plants are shorter, stand well, and are more uniform in height and maturity than open-pollinated rye varieties

Higher yield: Can yield up to 90 - 160 bu/acre (up to 100% more than open-pollinated varieties).

Disease resistant: All varieties have reduced risk for ergot with proper management, and have very low incidence of other diseases such as fusarium head blight and leaf and stripe rust.

Reduced CO2 emissions: Scientific studies demonstrate that hybrid rye feed mixes can decrease CO2 emissions in pork production by more than 20 percent.

Best Use

Grain, Fall/ Spring Forage

Requirements

Adaptations

All soil types & environments

Planting Date

Sept. 1 – Oct. 10 (varies with latitude & elevation)

• Higher management than open-pollinated rye

• Optimal planting date, planting depth, fertility, and in-season management is critical for maximum performance

• Provide 1.2 lbs of available N per bushel of targeted grain yield

Seeding

Plant 800,000 viable seeds/acre, 1" deep and not deeper. In southern Minnesota, optimum seeding time is September and can continue into October farther south. Uniform seed spacing enables optimum tiller development. Avoid seeding hybrid rye after October in southern Minnesota. Optimal crop residue management and down pressure in high residue situations is important for proper seeding depth and winter survival.

Hybrid Rye is sold as a 1,000,000 Seed Unit. Tote bags generally contain 25 units, and paper bags contain ½ unit (500,000 seeds)

No Saved Seed

KWS Hybrid Rye requires a signed license agreement before pickup or delivery. You can e-sign a license on our website, or we can email you a link. Visit our website for more production information.

Higher Yield

Disease Resistant

Reduced CO2 Emissions

KWS TAYO **

• Highest yielding; well suited to productive soil

• Adapted for feed use, milling, and distilling

• Excellent standability

• Position on heavier soils north of I-90

• Avoid late planting for this hybrid

Available as: Conventional Organic

KWS RECEPTOR **

• Excellent drought tolerance; best dryland variety but suited for all soil types

• Replaces KWS Bono

• Earliest heading hybrid rye (up to a week earlier than other varieties)

• Best protection for ergot in the hybrid rye lineup

• Adapted to Midwestern states

Available as: Conventional

KWS SERAFINO **

• Consistent, all-around performance

• Performs in low-input environments

• Well adapted for feed, milling, and distilling uses

• Can succeed on varied soil types; excellent East/West movement

KWS PROGAS **

• Forage type for whole-plant silage or grazing

• Tall; very high dry matter yields

• More tons and milk/acre than triticale; earlier heading

• Harvest at boot stage for best balance of quality and yield

• Late heading; consider for organic no-till roll down systems

Available as: Conventional

Kws Propower

• Forage type for whole-plant silage or grazing

• Tall; very high dry matter yields

• More tons and milk/acre than triticale; heads out at similar dates

• Harvest at boot or milk stage; holds lower leaves and forage quality better through milk stage than Progas

Available as: Conventional

Looking for a rye that's adapted for cover cropping? See page 22.

Available as: Conventional