Rye is a minor crop in Ireland but there has been increasing interest in it over the past number of years with the area increasing year on year.
It has a range of end uses, including animal feed, being suited for both pigs and ruminants, human consumption and in the distilling sector.
However, currently markets are limited and growers should only contemplate growing it where they have secured a market.
A significant amount of research has been carried into the agronomy of rye under Irish conditions over the last number of years as part of a DAFM-funded research project.
Rye has a number of potential advantages compared to wheat or barley. Recent work at Oak Park indicates that modern hybrid varieties have high yield potential, comparable to that of winter wheat.
Rye is less affected by take-all than either wheat or barley, and has good foliar disease resistance, although it is susceptible to mildew and brown rust which means that fungicide requirements will be less than for wheat or barley.
Rye is reputed to have good nutrient use efficiency, particularly in relation to nitrogen, which means that fertiliser costs can be reduced.
Research at Oak Park has confirmed this with similar yields to wheat being obtained with less fertiliser N input. It has been shown to be more drought tolerant than other cereals which can be advantageous in dry seasons.
High yields combined with somewhat reduced input requirement means that rye has the potential to be an economically viable crop under Irish conditions if a consistent market can be found. Observations from trials would also indicate that rye is less likely than wheat to suffer yield loss or grain quality deterioration as a result of storm events, if harvesting of a mature crop is delayed.
There are some potential challenges with growing the crop though. In the past ergot susceptibility was an issue but it is of much less importance in modern hybrids.
Rye is also particularly susceptible to slug damage which can make establishment of the crop a challenge where slug numbers are high, particularly if sowing is delayed.
Rye is also a tall crop which increases the risk of lodging. This means that careful selection of fertiliser N rate and judicious use of plant growth regulator are required. This is a focus of the current research at Oak Park where a range of N rates and PGR programmes are being evaluated.
At the open day you will see:
A comparison of different N rates on rye and wheat.Plots receiving different growth regulator programmes that can be compared in terms of height reduction.The main rye varieties being grown commercially as a well as new pipeline varieties grown side-by-side will also be on display.
Rye is a minor crop in Ireland but there has been increasing interest in it over the past number of years with the area increasing year on year.
It has a range of end uses, including animal feed, being suited for both pigs and ruminants, human consumption and in the distilling sector.
However, currently markets are limited and growers should only contemplate growing it where they have secured a market.
A significant amount of research has been carried into the agronomy of rye under Irish conditions over the last number of years as part of a DAFM-funded research project.
Rye has a number of potential advantages compared to wheat or barley. Recent work at Oak Park indicates that modern hybrid varieties have high yield potential, comparable to that of winter wheat.
Rye is less affected by take-all than either wheat or barley, and has good foliar disease resistance, although it is susceptible to mildew and brown rust which means that fungicide requirements will be less than for wheat or barley.
Rye is reputed to have good nutrient use efficiency, particularly in relation to nitrogen, which means that fertiliser costs can be reduced.
Research at Oak Park has confirmed this with similar yields to wheat being obtained with less fertiliser N input. It has been shown to be more drought tolerant than other cereals which can be advantageous in dry seasons.
High yields combined with somewhat reduced input requirement means that rye has the potential to be an economically viable crop under Irish conditions if a consistent market can be found. Observations from trials would also indicate that rye is less likely than wheat to suffer yield loss or grain quality deterioration as a result of storm events, if harvesting of a mature crop is delayed.
There are some potential challenges with growing the crop though. In the past ergot susceptibility was an issue but it is of much less importance in modern hybrids.
Rye is also particularly susceptible to slug damage which can make establishment of the crop a challenge where slug numbers are high, particularly if sowing is delayed.
Rye is also a tall crop which increases the risk of lodging. This means that careful selection of fertiliser N rate and judicious use of plant growth regulator are required. This is a focus of the current research at Oak Park where a range of N rates and PGR programmes are being evaluated.
At the open day you will see:
A comparison of different N rates on rye and wheat.Plots receiving different growth regulator programmes that can be compared in terms of height reduction.The main rye varieties being grown commercially as a well as new pipeline varieties grown side-by-side will also be on display. 
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