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Perennial cereal rye offers a new forage option

A perennial cereal rye (PC rye) cultivar that shows great promise as an alternative to barley silage has been developed by scientists at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lethbridge Research Centre.

"ACE-1 rye is a silage crop that is superior to barley in yield and other agronomic characteristics and has similar feed quality," says forage breeder Dr. Surya Acharya, "Another advantage is that PC rye can be used in long term hay and pasture rotations."

PC rye has generated a lot of interest from the beef cattle industry because of its economical and environmental benefits, says Acharya. Originating from a cross between an annual rye and a perennial grass, the new forage captures the best of both worlds. It can easily be integrated in most crop rotations, as it does not require special equipment or significant changes in cultural practices. Commercial seed is expected to be available in the fall of 2003.

"Due to its perennial characteristics, PC rye can take advantage of early spring moisture and is ready for silage harvesting three to four weeks earlier than barley," says Acharya. The crop regrows vigorously and under favourable conditions will sustain a second cut of silage.

If not cut a second time, the regrowth can be used to extend fall grazing, he says. Savings of over wintering costs for thirty days from this grazing resource can reduce the feed costs per calf by $7, with an additional savings from not handling manure and feed in the feedlot of $4.50 per calf.

In addition to cutting costs, PC rye also protects the soil from erosion, continues Acharya. This is due to its extensive fibrous root system that can improve soil texture and tilth, and increase soil organic matter. Field plots at AAFC have remained productive for four years so including PC rye in the crop rotation will also ease spring and fall work loads for the farmer.

A serious limitation of PC rye is that it has a tendency for floret sterility, he says. This relates to its origin as an interspecific cross. The floret sterility results in reduced seed set and affected seed heads are susceptible to infection with ergot, a fungal disease that is toxic to livestock.

"PC rye must be harvested before the ergot balls are formed to avoid the risk of poisoning," cautions Acharya. "The silage making process reduces the toxic effects, but to avoid poisoning when used as pasture, the crop must be intensively grazed before seed heads appear. Fortunately, the regrowth after silage harvest produces very few seed heads and they do not reach maturity so ergot is not a problem in fall grazing." Researchers are currently investigating several strategies to improve the fertility of PC rye.

Research is also focused on increasing the crop's grazing tolerance. "Trials have indicated that PC rye can not withstand prolonged grazing pressure," says Acharya. "Significant variability in tolerance within the PC rye population has, however, been observed and we have started a selection program for grazing tolerant plants that will continue for the next two years.

"Ultimately we want to generate a cultivar of PC rye that can grow with forage legumes to produce high quality pasture and hay for our large cattle industry," he concludes. The introduction of new crops or cultivars will increase the genetic diversity on cultivated land, which is particularly important in areas such as western Canada where a single crop or cultivar may occupy millions of hectares.

The PC rye development project was funded by the Canada Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund, the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute and the AAFC Matching Investment Initiative program.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre has a mandate to promote innovation for growth, maintain security of the food system and protect the health of the environment.

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