Triticale has been around for over 20 years. the wheat x rye cross was originally developed as a spring grain producer. Research has now produced a wide variety of both spring and winter types. The newest winter forage types are a perfect fit for central South Dakota, planted in the fall like winter wheat at around 70#/ac seed rate.

Fall triticale is very winter hardy and comes on aggressively in the early spring. Fall grazing and spring grazing are option. Like winter wheat, in the spring top dress fertilizer brings on forage production. For haying, tonnage production has ran from 3.5 - 4.5 tons/ac of high quality forage. Top quality protein and forage quality will be achieved by cutting in the late boot stage. Highest tonnage will occur when grain heads are in late milk to soft dough stage. If moisture follows forage harvest some regrowth may occur.

Researchers indicate triticale has none of the wheat born disease problems caused by wheat x wheat rotations. Like winter wheat northern bred varieties generally carry more winter hardiness where as southern bred varieties carry more yield potential. Seed costs range from 10 - 16 dollars /ac. Early fall planting is best.