Cereal rye for cover crop and straw production

Reid1650 · Nov 12, 2012

I will be planting total around 200 acres of cereal rye within the next month and about 30 acres will be square baled next spring the other will either be bushhogged or burnt down and planted into. What stages do I need to cut in for straw production as well as when do I bush hog to get an effective kill on the rye? Any other tips, tricks, pointers feel free to drop them in your reply. Thanks so much

mjbrown · Nov 12, 2012

I have not personally made rye straw but I've seen it done a lot. They cut it when the green color is fading to yellow but not there yet. They spread it after cutting and let it bleach in the sun for a few days then bale it. I've seen it baled with a bit of greenish tint to it. It makes very nice straw.

JD Seller · Nov 12, 2012

You are way too late to get a good stand unless you are in the very deep south. Election day is getting real late and you are a week later than that.

I used to grow it for the horse people.
For straw without combining it, you wait until it just starts to head out. It will still be pretty green. Then mow it. After it is mowed you will need to ted it every few days for maybe a week to ten days. It depends on the weather. You are drying it in the field.

As for mowing it off. If you let it start to set the heads it will not grow back. Anytime before that and it will regrow.

Reid1650 · Nov 13, 2012

I disagree with I am too late. I am in Central Ky and I have heard opinions all over the board for when planting would be too late. It will be in the ground within the next two weeks so we will see.

Cereal rye for cover crop and straw production

Reid1650

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mjbrown

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JD Seller

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Reid1650

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