CALF_News_August_September_2019

20 CALF News • August | September 2019 • www.calfnews.net CALF ANIMAL HEALTH Chuteside Manner EXPLORING THE FRONTIER OF ANIMAL HEALTH Triticale A Man-Made Marvel By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor W e live in an age where genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are rejected and roundly ridiculed by urban foodies. As a popula- tion, we need to step back and realize that genetic modification of plants and animals has been around for at least 150 years; maybe in a slightly different manner than we know, but modified, nonetheless. More on the food purists, later. What is it? Triticale, simply put, is a cross between wheat and rye. It has the hardiness of rye and the self-pollination traits of wheat. High in protein, it is fast becoming a staple in cattle diets across the world. This plant is a shining example of hybrid vigor. TOP: Triticale is a hybrid of wheat and rye. This field west of Hazard, Neb., yielded 4.5 ton/acre of non-irrigated hay. Triticale may be grazed, hayed or ensiled. It is one of the most flexible and durable forages available. Developed in 1875 in Scottish and German laboratories, its use spread quickly throughout Eastern Europe. Today, the leading world triticale pro- ducers are Poland, Germany, Belarus, France and Russia. More than 37 coun- tries harvest the crop annually, which is a testament to environmental adaptability. Nearly all this cultivar is used as live- stock feed. Back at the lab, there are many differ- ent varieties of triticale being developed. At the most basic level, wheat is always used as the female parent and rye as pollen donor. Triticale has reproductive issues that demand expert handling to overcome (think of mules). To a layman, it is most easily understood as low fertil- ity and shriveled seed. When purchasing triticale seed, always go to a certified seed dealer; never harvest and use your own seed or buy off a neighbor’s field. It is interesting to note that invitro fertilization of triticale was used as early as 1925 in labs to improve the plant’s fertility issues. The chemical colchicine was also employed as a means of increasing germination. Many prob- lems have been overcome in the practical production aspect of raising triticale – biotech labs are never complacent in improving crops. What can you expect? What do you need? This plant can likely fit the bill. Triticale makes an out- standing, grazeable cover crop. It also is an excellent stand-alone forage crop that you can hay or ensile. Short-season traits make it perfect for double cropping with beans or corn; it comes in both winter and spring varieties. An additional advantage to triticale ground cover is the weed control that benefits the following crop. In addition, live plants build activity in soil profiles, improving, protecting and producing. According to the University of Minne- sota Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, analysis of forage and diet composition of dry matter puts triticale’s crude protein at 17.5 percent, compared with alfalfa’s 22.6 percent and oat’s 14.2 percent. Of importance, triticale has higher phosphorus numbers at .56, alfalfa comes in at .43 and oats at .39. In a June 7, 2016, article in the Ohio Country Journal , cattleman Ben Parker said the nutritional value of triticale is “relatively the same” as many other forage crops.“It is the tonnage factor of the triticale” that puts it over the top as a valuable feedstuff. Spring triticale, planted in early August and harvested in November, can yield up to 6,000 pounds of dry matter per acre. Winter varieties can be inter- seeded into old-stand alfalfa at a rate of 80 pounds per acre and harvested the following spring with the first-cutting hay. Even young stands of alfalfa can benefit with no ill effect by interseed-