Iowa may see a new hybrid crop as soon as five years from now, ISU researchers said.

Triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, is making its way into the researchers’ studies as an alternative pig feed.

The crop, which was first produced in the late 1800s, has not undergone extensive testing, and researchers are unsure if it will be cost-effective in the future. What has been discovered is that the crop is highly versatile and has a high protein content. Triticale has also been shown to work well in crop rotation and erosion reduction.

Lance Gibson, assistant professor of agronomy, said it helps to have alternate crops available such as triticale to grow, because rotation reduces overproduction and disease. Gibson said increasing rotation benefits the other crops Iowans grow.

Triticale research has been done in Ames and at ISU research farms across the state. It is also grown in other areas of the country and has been successful as a grain in cereal and bread.

At this point, however, the market for triticale is small, and researchers are still experimenting with the different varieties.

“There is no cash market for triticale, and there is not a lot of information available to farmers,” Gibson said.

University researchers are working to determine if triticale could be an effective grain for pig feed.

Poland is the No. 1 producer of triticale in the world and uses it as pig feed.

Triticale has less phosphorous than corn. This alleviates water quality problems created by high amounts of phosphorous-laden pig waste.

“If properly managed, the manure [from pigs] can be good for crops,” said Mark Honeyman, professor of animal science.

Research in Iowa is focused on producing shorter triticale plants varieties for grain.

“Mostly, triticale has been grown as a forage crop and it has not been widely grown as a grain,” Honeyman said.

Gibson said university researchers are working to continue development of triticale so farmers will have an interest to grow it.

“Triticale utilizes nitrogen and helps break disease cycles,” Gibson said.

The crop is planted in the fall and lies dormant during the winter. Triticale’s cycle works well with beans and corn, because beans are harvested Sept. 1 and triticale is planted Oct. 5.

“It has promise, but it’s different,” Gibson said.