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

Updated March 2009 by Diane Huntrods, AgMRC, Iowa State University.


Overview
Triticale (trit uh 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 cattle, sheep and goats as well as chickens and pigs. 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
According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, 464 farms in over 30 states raised triticale. Total production that year was 2.5 million bushel. The states producing the most triticale were (in order): Washington, Texas, California and Kansas.

The majority of the planted acres are 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.

Nearly 90 percent of the current world production, or approximately seven million acres harvested annually, is concentrated in Europe. 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).

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, Field Crops: 2007 and 2002, 2007 Census of Agriculture, NASS, USDA, 2009.

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

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

Other Links

• 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.
• Canada invests $15.5 million in triticale research, Ethanol Producer magazine, 2009 - A Canadian consortium is developing new ways to use triticale as a feedstock for ethanol production and the manufacturing of biomaterials.
• The Growth Potential of Triticale in Western Canada: Report Summary; Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, 2001 - This report outlines the characteristics and potential of triticale as a crop in western Canada.
• Plant Triticale, Cut Hay Bills, Boost Lamb Profits, Sheep! magazine - This online magazine article gives some agronomic details and economic uses of triticale.
• PureVision Presents Triticale Straw Fractionation Results, Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference, Calgary, Canada, 2007 - Research is bring performed on the conversion of triticale straw into several promising industrial applications.
• 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 suppliers.
• 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, Alberta Ag, Food and Rural Development, Canada, 2001.
  
• Triticale Enterprise Budgets, Iowa State University, 2003.
• Triticale for Eastern Washington Dryland Area, Washington State University Cooperative Extension.
• Triticale gets the best of both worlds — wheat and rye, Innovations Report, 2004.
• Triticale Grain for Other Uses, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Canada, 2006.
  
• 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 March 2009.