Growing triticale hay for beef cattle is an excellent practice for many reasons. This versatile forage, a cross between wheat and rye, provides excellent nutrition for dairy cows and beef cattle during the boot-stage. Its high protein, digestibility and yields make it a highly desirable crop for both livestock and dairy operations. Listed below are some of the most important aspects of triticale for beef cows.
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Growing triticale hay for beef cows
Many farmers are converting to growing triticale as an alternative to cereal rye because it can extend the growing season and provides an earlier stand. The triticale plant is also easy to harvest, so farmers can choose the best time for harvesting it. In addition, triticale requires no special equipment to harvest. Typically, farmers have harvesting implements on hand, so they can pick the plants when they’re ready.
In the early August planting of triticale, the Bolender family was able to harvest 6,000 pounds of dry matter per acre and bale them before planting them. This crop will yield a neutral detergent fiber content of 38 to 50 percent, and will have a low crude protein content of twelve to fifteen percent. Triticale has been used as cattle feed on the Bolender and Parker farms since 2002, and the Bolenders have also explored expanding to other cover crops.
Yields of triticale hay
Growing triticale hay for beef cattle may provide a superior option to corn, soybeans, and grass silage in the Rolling Plains. This cross of rye and wheat is more productive, digestible, and has high protein content. As a result, it produces higher yields than other boot-stage cereal grains. These benefits make triticale a valuable option for beef producers.
It is possible to produce up to 14 tons of triticale silage per acre in dryland areas, which is higher than that of corn and oats. The triticale hay can grow to chin-high heights, and the stem is sweet and flavorful. If you’re looking for more information, contact Dr. Mark Marsalis. He has collected years of data on triticale forages, including the pounds of milk produced per acre.
By late November, early August triticale plantings will have reached their heading stage, yielding 6,000 pounds of dry matter per acre. It contains 12 to 15 percent crude protein, with a neutral detergent fiber content of 37 to 50%. Triticale has been used by the Bolender and Parker farms in the Southern Great Plains for cattle feed, and their goals are to expand the use of triticale in the future.
Water requirements
While alfalfa is the most common forage crop for beef cows, triticale has less water requirement than alfalfa. The NRC (2001) model estimates the amount of milk a cow would produce on a triticale hay diet. Regardless of how much water triticale hay contains, cows require a consistent water supply to maximize their performance and gain.
The seed supply for triticale has limited in the past, but is expected to increase significantly this year as its production has increased. To get the best results from your triticale hay, check with your local UF/IFAS County Extension office. The staff there can provide information about the nutritional value of this hay for beef cows. It is also an excellent source of energy. It can be used to extend the growing season.
A similar nutrient content as cereal rye, triticale is an excellent alternative to maize in finishing beef cows. It has also been studied as a swathed grazing crop for gestating beef cows in Canada. More research is needed to determine the agronomic benefits of triticale and its feeding requirements. The Bolender family is on the Brown County Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Quality of triticale hay
In this study, we compare the nutritional value of triticale hay for beef cow production against a comparable mixture of corn silage and alfalfa hay. The grain yields were higher with triticale at later stages of maturity, which is better for silage production. The other ingredient was purchased from a local feed mill, including steam-flaked corn grain, whole cottonseed, and concentrate ingredients.
Triticale is a cross between rye and wheat. While it is self-pollinating, it does not cross-pollinate. As a result, the most desirable varieties are primarily derived from durum-rye crosses, but some also have common wheat parentage. Triticale can be used as a forage crop and is often grown in double-cropping systems.
The study results suggest that triticale is a suitable alternative to alfalfa for high-producing dairy cows. In addition, triticale has no significant effect on lactation performance and nitrogen utilization in dairy cows raised in a semi-arid area of Mexico. It is a less water-demanding alternative to alfalfa. Moreover, the cost of producing hay from triticale is lower than alfalfa hay.
