Small Grains Have Forage Production Potential and Nutritive Value in Central High Plains of Wyoming

Forage production and nutritive value of three selections each of winter rye (Secale cereale L.), and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), and four selections of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were evaluated over three growing seasons (2008-2011) in Wyoming. Average fall forage productivity was < 1.0 Mg/ha and lower (P < 0.0001) than forage production in spring and summer. Average spring dry matter (DM) yield was 3.2 Mg/ha and greater than summer yield (2.0 to 2.6 Mg/ha) except in 2010-2011. Total seasonal forage production was not different (P > 0.05) among rye and triticale selections except in 2009-2010. Total seasonal forage DM production among triticale and wheat selections was not different in two out of the three growing seasons. Forage crude protein (CP) of rye selections (127 to 196 g/kg) was consistently lower than triticale (151 to 208 g/kg) and wheat (162 to 235 g/kg). Average in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of all small grains was above 650 g/kg (679 to 863 g/kg). Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were different among small grain species (rye > triticale > wheat). Theseresults indicate that small grains can provide acceptable forage yield with superior quality for feeding livestock during winter and early spring in the central High Plains (CHP).