Trial Site: Fairview Research Farm
Research Coordinator: Dr. Akim Omokanye
From: Peace Country Beef & Forage Association 2016 Annual Report
Triticale is a cross of wheat and rye. Triticale is a cool season cover crop. Spring triticale provides an excellent high yielding alternative to barley and oat forage. Studies have shown that a silage yield advantage of around 10 percent over barley and oats under dryland conditions makes triticale an excellent choice for livestock producers. Triticale generally ranks between barley and oats for silage quality. The RSVTs help to provide in-formation with regard to the quantity and quality of annual crops cut for green-feed and silage to local producers. Triticale is later maturing than oats or barley. For greenfeed or silage, triticale should be cut at the late milk stage. Because of its aggressive root system, it promotes water penetration and erosion control during the rainy season. Use this crop to take up excess nitrogen. In addition to the findings presented here from our trial, the results from the RSVTs across the different trial sites in the province will also be reported in the Alberta Seed Guide (www.seed.ab.ca).
Methods
The study site was at the Fairview Research Farm (NW5-82-3W6) on RR #35, MD of Fairview. The site had soybeans in 2015. Soil test at 0-6” soil depth done at Exova laboratory (Edmonton) prior to seeding showed an organic matter content of 7.3%, a pH of 5.4 (acidic) and an electrical conductivity of 0.58 dS/m. The field was cultivated before seeding.
We used randomized complete block design in 4 replications. Small plots measuring 11.04 m2 (118.8 ft2) were used.
The following 5 spring triticale varieties were tested in 2016:
1. Tyndal
2. Sunray
3. Bunker
4. 94L043057
5. Taza