Triticale could be a better alternative grain option, ISU researchers believe. The alternative is a mix between wheat and rye and is often compared to corn productivity.

Lance Gibson, associate professor of agronomy, headed the seven member research team of agronomists, animal scientists and economists. The group has been studying triticale for four years.

A benefit of triticale, a winter crop, is that unlike corn, it absorbs nitrogen from the soil. It also reduces erosion.

Gibson said there are two ways to use triticale. It can be used as a feed grain, or it can be used as forage.

The purpose of the study was to find if it would be possible to grow triticale in Iowa and to see the performance of the grain. In addition, the study included the cost and whether it would prove to be a quality feed grain for animals, particularly pigs.

Gibson said the study produced variable results. Some years – particularly 2003 – were good. In the good years, planting triticale would produce a high-quality grain with yields around 100 bushels per acre. The grain would also have a much lower cost compared to corn. It would take 2.5 times less energy per bushel than corn. Good triticale also showed the same value as corn when fed to pigs.

There were some glitches in the study. Gibson said 2004 grain yields were less than 50 bushels per acre because it was a wet year. In addition, the feed was infested with a disease called Fusarium Head Blight.

Gibson said the presence of the disease would cause the pigs to cease eating the infested grain. The only way to use the infested grain would be to test it for mycotoxins and blend it with clean grain. Once mixed, the grain could be fed to ruminant animals.

Triticale was tested throughout the state of Iowa and the study concluded western Iowa would be the best place to grow triticale for feed grain.

It was found that southern Iowa, however, would be a better fit for growing triticale for grazing or hay producing purposes.

A new variety of triticale has recently been released. Gibson said NE426GT is the first variety available for purchase in Iowa.

Gibson said farmers should be interested in triticale because of the rising cost of agriculture. Triticale is more economical and will cause less erosion. Gibson cautioned, however, more research is needed concerning Fusarium Head Blight. Solutions for the disease will need to be found to make the grain more attractive.

“The research is still in the final stages of analysis,” said Doug Karlen, professor for soil tilth and research soil scientist with Agriculture Research Service. “This and other studies I’m involved with do support the hypothesis that crop diversification would be good for Iowa and other Midwestern locations.”