CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE: The basics of growing stooling rye

Besides improving the physical, chemical, hydrological and biological properties of the soil, this pasture crop can be used as animal feed.

Stooling rye (Secale cereale) is a tufted annual grass species that can grow as tall as 1,5m. Rye’s extensive, fibrous root system may go as deep as 1,5m. The plant can be used for pasture, hay or silage, and as a cover crop during winter.

Of all the cereal crops, stooling rye is the tallest and the hardiest annual species, say Dr Wayne Truter et al in their article on stooling rye for Grain SA.

Stooling rye grows best at temperatures ranging from 15°C to 20°C. It grows well in regions with 600mm to 1 000mm annual rainfall, and can tolerate dry conditions with an annual rainfall as low as 400mm. Rye prefers well-prepared, fertile, well-drained sandy or loamy soils, with a soil pH ranging from 5,6 to 6,5.

Because it is tolerant of low temperatures, and of dry and acid soils, stooling rye may be cultivated in places where wheat cannot grow.

Rye can be be sown with other cereal forages, such as oats, wheat, or even with annual legumes. Indeed, stooling rye forage is profitable when sown with companion legumes, such as white and red clover or grazing vetch.