Rye Agronomy & Climate Change
Rye has numerous agronomic attributes making it a great crop for cooler regions such as the Northeast and Upper Midwest
Rye is the cold-hardiest cereal and can be planted much later than many extension services recommend. We have consistent reports from farmers in the Upper Midwest (MN, WI) who have successfully planted rye in November, December, and even January for use as a cover crop and cereal crop. If you would like guidance on how and when to plant rye in your fields in the late fall and early winter, please reach out to us.
Agronomic resources for farmers:
Cover Crops for Sustainable Crop Rotations. Andy Clark. 2015.
General guide/bulletin for selecting and managing legume and non-legume cover crops.
Cereal Rye Production Guide. University of Vermont Extension. 2022.
Production guide for managing cereal rye crops in Vermont.
Cereal Rye Southern Region. Grains Research and Development Corporation (Australian Government). 2017.
Extensive guide for rye production, harvest, and storage in southern Australia.
The Organic Grain Grower. Jack Lazor. 2013.
Practical guide for growing, harvesting, and storing various grains in Vermont and New England.
The New Growers’ Guide to Producing Organic Food-Grade Grains in the Upper Midwest. Keith Williams, et. al. 2023.
University trials:
University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Small Grains Program
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Grains, Pulses, and Oilseeds
Research articles:
Impact of Genotype, Weather Conditions and Production Technology on the Quantitative Profile of Anti-Nutritive Compounds in Rye Grains. Jerzy Józef Grabiński, et. al. 2021.
Studies the concentration of anti-nutritive compounds in rye depending on variety, weather, and management practices.
A Framework for Evaluating Ecosystem Services Provided by Cover Crops in Agroecosystems. Meagan E. Schipanski, et. al.
Creates a framework for analyzing ecosystem services provided by cover crops that goes beyond measuring benefits solely to crop production.
Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effects on Soil Carbon and Physical Properties in Southeastern Indiana. J. D. Rorick and E. J. Kladivko. 2017.
Field trial on the effects of cereal rye cover crop on physical and chemical soil properties in an Indiana corn-soy rotation. Found an increase in water stable soil aggregates.
Rye Cover Crop Effects on Soil Quality in No-till Corn Silage-Soybean Cropping Systems. E. B. Moore, et. al. 2014.
Studied the effects on soil quality of a winter rye cover crop in a corn and soybean rotation in the Upper Midwest.
The Productivity, Quality, and Bread-making Properties of Organically and Conventionally Grown Winter Rye. Malle Jarvan, et. al. 2018.
Seven year trial in Estonia comparing rye grain and bread quality under both a conventional and organic system. Found differences in flour properties but no significant difference in bread quality.
The Environmental Impact of Fertilizer Embodied in a Wheat-to-Bread Supply Chain. Liam Goucher, et. al. 2017.
Presents an analysis of a complete supply chain for a loaf of bread. Found that more than half of the environmental impact of producing the loaf of bread arises directly from wheat cultivation, with the use of ammonium nitrate fertilizer alone accounting for around 40%.
The Mysterious Root Length. Peter Ryser. 2006.
A Quantitative Study of the Roots and Root Hairs of a Winter Rye Plant. John Dittmer. 1937.
Estimating length, average diameter and surface area of roots using two different Image analyses systems. M. L. Himmelbauer, et. al. 2004.
Putting Down Roots: Analyzing the economic and environmental benefits of continuous living cover for MN’s farmers, water and climate. Friends of the Mississippi River, Ecotone and Forever Green Partnership. 2024.
Video:
Out of the Box Workshop Series: The Resonance of Rye. University of Vermont Extension with Todd Hardie. 2021.
Webinar discussing current research on rye production and post-harvest handling in Vermont.
Cereal Rye Harvest Date, Falling Number, and Bake Tests. University of Vermont Extension. 2021.
Research update discussing field research trials in Vermont.
Ecological Rye Production. University of Vermont Extension. 2022.
Sandy Syburg presents about his farm in Wisconsin and how rye fits into his rotation
Exploring the Rye Revival with Gary Zimmer. National Center for Appropriate Technology. 2023.
Books:
Root Development in the Grassland Formation: A Correlation of the Root Systems of Native Vegetation and Crop Plants. John. E. Weaver. 1920.
Root Development of Field Crops. John E. Weaver. 1926.