By Ray Hansen, content specialist, AgMRC, Iowa State University, hansenr@iastate.edu 

Updated March 2008 by Vikram Koundinya, graduate student, Iowa State University.


Overview
Triticale (trit-ih-KAY-lee) is a hybrid small grain produced by crossing wheat and rye. The name combines the scientific names of the two crop species, that is, wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale).

Although a relatively new genotype, the history of triticale goes back to the late 1800s when the first crosses were attempted. Over the next 50 years, isolated experimentation and research occurred throughout Europe and the Soviet Union. It was not until the 1960s that the first commercial releases became available for producers. Both winter and spring types were developed, with emphasis on spring types.

Value-added Uses
Interest in triticale has developed around two areas of potential use for the grain. The first area of interest is for use as a feed grain because it has proven to be a good source of protein, amino acids and B vitamins. It has shown promise as both a forage crop and as an alternative protein source in formulated rations for monogastrics, ruminants and poultry. Feeding trials with both swine and poultry have shown that triticale can replace corn in diets with little effect on animal performance.  

The second area of interest for triticale is in developing the grain as a food grain cereal that would exhibit unique baking traits. However, current triticale varieties do not possess the grain, milling and flour characteristics of the wheat used in bread and pasta products. As a food grain, triticale has also been recognized as a hardy crop capable of helping combat world hunger.

Production
Current production is concentrated in Europe with nearly 90 percent of the world production, or approximately seven million acres harvested annually. In 2005, Poland was the leading producer with an annual production of 3.8 million metric ton, followed by Germany with 2.7 million metric ton and France with 1.8 million metric ton (FAO).

Production in the United States is nearly one million acres, with the majority of the planted acres used for forage and pastures. Production trends do show steady growth over the last 20 years with a 50 percent growth in production during the last decade. Some of the hurdles slowing growth are inconsistencies, genetic composition and yield in the grain.

Outlook
The versatility that triticale offers as a grain, a forage, for straw and as a cover crop adds to the economic viability that sustains the interest in the crop. Triticale will likely continue to experience increased levels of production if it is supported with solid research in genetics, production and utilization.


Sources
Triticale, Major Food and Agricultural Commodities and Producers, FAO, United Nations, 2005.

Triticale: A Reappraisal, World Bank, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. 

Triticale: A Viable Alternative for Iowa Producers and Livestock Feeders? Iowa State University, 2002.
 

Other Links

• Alternative Wheat Cereals as Food Grains: Einkorn, Emmer, Spelt, Kamut, and Triticale, Purdue Alternative Field Crops Center, 1996 - This article gives details about origin, taxonomy, agronomic and marketing of triticale.

• Better Cover, More Feed, Angus Journal, 2005 - Bill and Joe Bennet raise triticale on their Washington state ranch. Sown as a cover crop in late fall, triticale allows the Bennets to pasture their cattle throughout the winter rather than feed hay.

• Plant Triticale. Cut Hay Bills, Boost Lamb Profits, Sheep Journal - This online magazine article gives some agronomic details and economic uses of triticale.
• Resource Seeds Inc, Gilroy, California - This company is a leading source of triticale varieties for forage, grain and cover crop use in the United States. Their website provides a list of U.S. seed supplier.
• Rye and Triticale Breeding in the South, Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2006 - This extension report gives the uses and adoptability of triticale.
• Triticale, Alternative Field Crops Manual, University of Wisconsin Extension and University of Minnesota, 1989.
• Triticale, Alberta Ag, Food and Rural Development, Canada, 2001.
• Triticale, Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Provides some information on triticale.
• Triticale Enterprise Budgets, Iowa State University, 2003. 

• Triticale for Eastern Washington Dryland Area, Ag Horizons, Washington State University Cooperative Extension. 

• Triticale in Kansas, Kansas State University, 1996. 
• Triticale Production and Management, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Canada.

• Triticale Production Manual, Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development, Canada, 2006.

• Triticale Research, Lance Gibson, Iowa State University.

• United States Standards for Triticale, 1998 - This document gives the standards used for triticale in the United States.

   

Links checked February 2008.