We keep small grains in stock most of the year to use in hay and forage situations, for cover crops, and in cash crop situations. With the small grain varieties now available, a grower is certain to find one that works best in his/her management practices.

Varieties available:

          Oats:  Oats can be planted in the spring or fall. Spring-planted oats can be utilized for production of forage, hay, or grain, and will provide much better forage production than late-planted winter wheat.  If moisture is adequate, oats planted during late summer (by mid-August) will be ready to graze in October. Oats will remain active till killed by cold temperatures.
           
          Winter Grain Rye: Excellent winter annual choice when all forage will be grazed. The rapid growth of rye, both in the fall and spring, makes it the most productive of the small grains for pasture. Traditionally, rye has been a poor choice for silage because of its higher fiber content compared to wheat, oat, barley, and triticale, and it declines rapidly in palatability with maturity.

          Triticale:  Triticale was developed by crossing wheat with rye. It retains the high palatability of wheat with the vigor of rye. Most triticale in the U.S. is currently grown for forage, Its major strength is its versatility for use as feed, silage, grazing, cover crops, and straw. Triticale appears to be an ideal crop for producers utilizing sustainable agriculture practices and organic farming techniques. In addition to its high feed value, strengths of triticale include: management similar to other small grains, cold tolerance, vigorous growth, and resistance to many of the diseases and insects that affect wheat. 

          Barley: Barley is gaining in popularity for forage as it tends to be high in sugar and very soft with high digestibility. Barley is very palatable. In general barley does poorly in hot, humid climates. Overall, barley is a crop that is best adapted to Cooler, Drier areas. Management of barley is similar to that of rye. For best quality feed and good regrowth potential crops should be cut or grazed at 11 to 15 inches (30-40 cm) height.

          Buckwheat: Buckwheat is an unusually fast-growing crop with a variety of uses. The crop matures in a little over two months, allowing it to be used for double cropping farther north than other crops such as soybeans. Buckwheat can also be grown as a double crop after spring crops such as oats. Buckwheat has also been used widely as a cover crop to smother weeds and improve the soil. 

          Wheat: Winter wheat is the most widely grown winter annual in the U.S. Wheat provides the most flexibility as a crop. It can serve as a forage crop and grain crop simultaneously, if managed properly. It produces well on a wide range of soils, with very sandy soils being the exception.  We carry premium Willcross Wheats that offer genetics that are second to none at a very competitve price. 

Please give us a call for more ideas about Small Grain's usage.