Winter Cereals for Haying or Grazing

Producers should consider taking advantage of any rains we may receive in the next month to establish a winter cereal for grazing or haying next spring.

Based on the results from this study conducted at the NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center in 2020, winter rye was the superior winter cereal for grazing cattle during May and early June. Winter triticale appears to be the best option for producing good-quality hay if the planned harvest is early June. Willow Creek winter wheat would not be recommended as a spring grazing winter cereal, but it is the best option if producing hay in mid to late June.

For more information on options, see the following research report on this study at the NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center website –  CGRECAR2021Sedivecetal.WinterCerealTrial.pdf (ndsu.edu)