Abstract
In addition to the growing value of winter rye as a cereal grain crop, rye has historically been used as a fall cover crop that is terminated in the spring due to its ability to establish late into the fall after row crop harvest and provide ground cover to reduce soil loss. In this role it has been essential in reducing erosion, maintaining a healthy nutrient cycle, and building soil health. Recently, many livestock farmers have also started to harvest the cover crops in the spring for forage. Small grains, such as rye, can produce high quality spring forage and farmers are interested in growing varieties that will provide conservation benefits and produce high yielding and quality forage. In 2023, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated a winter rye variety trial to evaluate rye as both a cover crop and a forage.
Keywords
Vermont, University of Vermont, UVM Extension, Northwest Crops & Soils
Publication Date
11-2024
Recommended Citation
Darby, Heather and Bruce, John, "2023 Winter Rye Cover Crop and Forage Variety Trial" (2024). Northwest Crops & Soils Program. 585.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/nwcsp/585