There’s still time to plant rye after corn silage

Kevin Shelley, NPM Program
Jim Stute, Rock County UWEX
Tim Wood, Lancaster Research Station

September 21, 2006

Corn silage harvest is delayed in parts of the state due to wet weather. Farmers considering planting winter rye following corn silage harvest for early-season forage next spring still have time, but need to act soon. Data collected from multiple rye studies at Lancaster, Arlington and Janesville in 2005-06 show equal forage yield potential for September 20 to October 10 planting dates, but forage yields decline considerably with later planting. (data summarized in Figure 1). Yields greater than 2 ton/acre are easily obtainable if planted before October 10.

Figure 1: Effect of planting date on rye forage dry matter yield, 2005-2006.

Table 1. Impact of manure application on rye forage yield at Arlington, 2005-06.

(See attached PDF, scroll to bottom)

Other Best Management Practices to consider:

Check herbicide records

All corn herbicides have a rotation interval before rye can be planted. Rye may be listed specifically, or grouped with “other crops”. Many herbicides list rye specifically and require four months or more. Check your records to see if herbicide history will be a problem.

Planting Rate

For cover and forage uses, data suggests planting rates of 90 to 112 pounds per-acre should be used. Published recommendations of 60 to 90 pounds, including those found in NRCS Standard 340 are based on grain production and may be insufficient for establishing soil cover. Seeding rate should be at the higher end for later planting.

Planting Depth

Rye should be planted 1 to 1.5” deep, regardless of tillage system. Good soil-seed contact will aid germination and hasten the development of soil cover. Rye is well suited to notill establishment.

Variety

Certified seed of varieties “Hancock” and “Spooner” are available in Wisconsin, along with uncertified common seed (vns). We’ve seen no differences in DM yield among these three in multi-year testing at Lancaster and Janesville. Seed suppliers may not commonly stock winter rye seed so availability should be checked as soon as possible.