Rye Hybrids Research Articles

Comparison of Hybrid Rye and Wheat for Grain Yield and Other Agronomic Traits Under Less Favourable Environmental Conditions and Two Input Levels

Agriculture in the European Union is constantly the subject of public debate, particularly concerning reduced mineral fertilisation and reduced chemical plant protection. Hybrid rye could play a special role in this context, as it usually requires less fertiliser and pesticides than winter wheat and has a high yield potential. In Germany, both crops can be grown on most sites. To test whether hybrid rye is competitive with winter wheat, a trial was conducted with 10 hybrid rye and 20 wheat varieties of all quality levels. The trial was grown for three years (2021, 2022, 2023) on three conventionally managed farms with 40–64 soil points (on a scale of 1–100) in south-west Germany. It was conducted with two input levels: I1, fertilisation (100–120 kg N/ha for hybrid rye; 140–180 kg N/ha for winter wheat), and chemical plant protection including growth regulators; I2, no chemical plant protection, and 20% reduced N fertilisation, one to three harrows. In eight out of nine location × year combinations, hybrid rye was significantly (p < 0.001) superior to winter wheat in terms of grain yield under these conditions. On average, hybrid rye yielded 9.1 and 7.8 t ha−1 for I1 and I2, respectively, compared to 8.0 and 6.8 t ha−1 for wheat, respectively. A close correlation of the cultivar’s grain yield between I1 and I2 for both crops showed a missing cultivar × input level interaction. Under these conditions, hybrid rye produced higher grain yields and better baking quality than wheat in both input regimes, contributing to a more sustainable cropping system.

Effect of Genotype and Environment on Yield and Technological and Nutrition Traits on Winter Rye Grain from Organic Production

This study aimed to determine genotype and environment effects on the yield and selected quality traits of winter rye from organic production. The tested material was grain of two hybrid rye cultivars, Tur and KWS Dolaro, and five population cultivars of rye, Dańkowskie Hadron, Dańkowskie Granat, Dańkowskie Turkus, Dańkowskie Skand, and Piastowskie. Field trials were performed at two locations in Poland, Osiny and Grabów, in two growing seasons, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. The grain yield, moisture content, falling number, thousand-grain weight, and hectoliter weight were determined. The content of basic nutrients, protein, minerals, lipids, carbohydrates, and dietary fibre, as well as the viscosity of aqueous extracts of grain, were also determined. This study revealed that environmental factors, such as harvest year and growing location, as well as the genotype factor, had the greatest effect on the viscosity of aqueous extracts and protein content. The study’s hybrid cultivars, Tur and KWS Dolaro, are characterized by significantly higher yield but lower dietary fibre and protein contents in rye grain and lower viscosity of aqueous compared to all study population cultivars. Of all the studied population cultivars of rye, the grain of the cultivar Dańkowskie Skand was found to be the most beneficial in terms of nutritional value because it was characterized by the highest viscosity of aqueous extracts.

Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids in Hybrid Rye Ground to Two Particle Sizes and Fed With or Without Multienzyme Supplement to Young Growing Pigs.

A newly developed hybrid rye with enhanced ergot resistance has potential as an alternative energy source for pigs. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of particle size (PS) and multienzyme supplement (MES) on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients and the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in hybrid rye fed to growing pigs. Bono and Gatano, two hybrid rye varieties, were ground to either a coarse (1111 and 1210 μm) or a fine (594 and 717 μm) PS using a hammer mill. Eighteen ileal-cannulated barrows (initial BW = 18.2 ± 1.0 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 9 dietary treatments in a replicated 9 × 3 incomplete Latin square design to give six observations per treatment. Among the nine experimental diets, eight featured two hybrid rye varieties (Bono or Gatano), either coarsely or finely ground, as the only source of AA with or without MES, while an N-free diet was used to estimate the endogenous losses of AA at the distal ileum. All diets contained titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. Each period lasted 9 days, with the first 5 days being for adaptation followed by 2 days each for faecal and ileal digesta collection. Data were analysed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with the final model having variety, PS, MES, their two-way interactions, and a three-way interaction. No interactions were noted except that the apparent ileal digestibility and SID of crude protein (CP) and most AA in Gatano had greater effects of MES than Bono (Variety × MES; p < 0.05). The ATTD of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE) and CP were greater (p < 0.05) in Bono diets than in Gatano diets. Finely ground hybrid rye diets had higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of neutral detergent fibre assayed with a heat stable amylase and expressed inclusive of residual ash (NDF) and ether extract compared to coarsely ground hybrid rye diets. Dietary MES supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the ATTD of DM, GE, CP, NDF, acid detergent fibre expressed inclusive of residual ash, and ash in hybrid rye diets. In conclusion, the nutrients digestibility of hybrid rye can be affected by its variety. PS reduction improved the nutrient digestibility in hybrid rye, and MES supplementation improved the energy and AA digestibility in hybrid rye fed to growing pigs.

PSVII-29 Integrating hybrid rye into organic pig production to reduce feed and bedding costs

Abstract An obstacle to profitable organic swine production is the high cost of feed and bedding. We evaluated whether growing hybrid rye for organic feed and bedding for pigs was economically viable by replacing corn with hybrid rye and evaluating pig growth performance and feed and bedding costs. Hybrid rye was grown on certified organic land at WCROC in 2022 and 2023. Rye grain and straw were used in a feeding trial with pigs raised according to the National Organic Standards. The animal trial consisted of three replicates. Each replicate included 100 pigs in two pens (Control vs. Rye, 50 pigs/pen) in a bedded hoop barn. Control pigs were fed corn soybean meal-based diets and Rye pigs were fed diets with 50% of corn in the control diets replaced by hybrid rye. Each replicate lasted for about 12 wk until pigs reached market weight (120 kg). Pigs were weighed individually at the beginning, every 4 wk thereafter, and at the conclusion of the study. Feed disappearance was recorded on a pen basis at the time of weighing pigs. Growth performance[average daily gain(ADG), average daily daily feed intake (ADFI), and Gain: Feed] was calculated for each weigh period. Carcass weight was recorded at harvest and dressing percent was calculated for each pig. Bedding usage was recorded for each pen (Control pen = wheat straw, Rye pen = rye straw) and average usage for each pig was calculated. Growth performance and bedding usage data were analyzed using the Proc Glimmix Procedures of SAS, with dietary treatment as the fixed effect, replicate as the random effect, and pen as the experimental unit. Production costs were set at $239/ha for organic rye grain and $20/ha for rye straw baling according to the FINBIN Database, and the unit costs ($/kg) were calculated based on yield for each year. Prices for organic corn, soybean meal, base mix, wheat straw, and market pigs were based on market prices (Table 1). Yield of organic hybrid rye grain at WCROC was 1,070 and 712 kg/ha in 2022 and 2023, respectively, with corresponding rye straw yield being 661 and 367 kg/ha. The reduction in rye yield in 2023 was considered due to drought. No difference was detected in growth performance, dressing percent, or bedding usage between Control and Rye pigs (all P &amp;gt; 0.19; Table 1). Replacing 50% of corn with hybrid rye saved $9.6/pig in 2022, but cost $7.20/pig more for feed in 2023, due to changes in hybrid rye grain yield. Savings on bedding were $15.40 and $13.20/pig for 2022 and 2023, respectively. Results indicate that replacing 50% of corn with hybrid rye in feed did not negatively affect growth performance of pigs raised organically, but the economic viability of integrating hybrid rye into organic pig production may depend on crop yield.

516 Effects of increasing hybrid rye silage as a replacement for barley silage for growing beef heifers

Abstract The objective of these studies was to evaluate effects of increasing hybrid rye silage (HRS; harvested at boot stage in Study 1 and soft-dough in Study 2) inclusion as a replacement for barley silage (BS; harvested at soft-dough stage) on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal fermentation, and growth performance of growing beef cattle. In Study 1, ruminally cannulated Hereford × Simmental heifers (n = 8) with an initial body weight (BW) of 519 ± 25.8 kg were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods including 21 d of dietary adaptation and 7 d of data and sample collection to assess DMI and ruminal fermentation. Treatments included a control diet (DM basis) that contained 59.62% BS, 38.60% barley grain, and 1.78% of a vitamin and mineral supplement. Hybrid rye silage replaced 33, 67, and 100% of the BS on a DM basis. In Study 2, steers (n = 384; BW = 343 ± 20.2 kg) were stratified by BW and allocated to 32 pens in a randomized complete block design over 2 yr (4 pens/treatment/yr) to evaluate DMI, growth, and gain:feed (G:F). Steers were fed similar diets as Study 1 for 84 d in both years. In Study 1, increasing HRS linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) decreased DMI from 12.0 to 9.2 kg/d, and linearly increased (P = 0.02) water intake from 18.6 to 22.5 L/d. Increasing HRS linearly increased mean (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and minimum ruminal pH (P &amp;lt; 0.01). There was no effect of HRS inclusion on total short-chain fatty acid concentration (P = 0.46) in ruminal fluid, but the molar proportion of acetate linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) increased while propionate and butyrate linearly decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01, and &amp;lt; 0.01, respectively) with increasing HRS inclusion. Moreover, increasing HRS inclusion linearly increased the molar proportions of isobutyrate and valerate (P = 0.06, and &amp;lt; 0.01, respectively) while caproate decreased linearly (P = 0.02). The ammonia-N concentration linearly increased with increasing HRS inclusion. In Study 2, DMI was 9.23, 9.10, 8.82, 8.08 kg/d (quadratic, P = 0.02) for diets containing 0, 33, 67, and 100% HRS, respectively. Likewise, ADG decreased (1.45, 1.36, 1.30, 1.08 kg/d; quadratic P &amp;lt; 0.01) as HRS inclusion increased and G:F ratio decreased linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) from 0.158 with 0% HRS to 0.134 g/kg when diets contained 100% HRS. Final BW was 462, 456, 450, and 432 kg when HRS was included at 0, 33, 67, and 100% of the silage, respectively (quadratic, P = 0.04). In conclusion, replacing BS with increasing proportions of HRS reduced DMI resulting in greater ruminal pH, altered molar proportions of individual SCFA, and reduced growth performance and G:F during the growing phase.

Hybrid rye and vegetable oils in broiler chicken diets

Hybrid rye and vegetable oils in broiler chicken diets

Major chromosome rearrangements in intergeneric wheat × rye hybrids in compatible and incompatible crosses detected by GBS read coverage analysis

The presence of incompatibility alleles in primary amphidiploids constitutes a reproductive barrier in newly synthesized wheat-rye hybrids. To overcome this barrier, the genome stabilization process includes large-scale chromosome rearrangements. In incompatible crosses resulting in fertile amphidiploids, the elimination of one of the incompatible alleles Eml-A1 or Eml-R1b can occur already in the somatic tissue of the wheat × rye hybrid embryo. We observed that the interaction of incompatible loci Eml-A1 of wheat and Eml-R1b of rye after overcoming embryo lethality leads to hybrid sterility in primary triticale. During subsequent seed reproductions (R1, R2 or R3) most of the chromosomes of A, B, D and R subgenomes undergo rearrangement or eliminations to increase the fertility of the amphidiploid by natural selection. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) coverage analysis showed that improved fertility is associated with the elimination of entire and partial chromosomes carrying factors that either cause the disruption of plant development in hybrid plants or lead to the restoration of the euploid number of chromosomes (2n = 56) in the absence of one of the incompatible alleles. Highly fertile offspring obtained in compatible and incompatible crosses can be successfully adapted for the production of triticale pre-breeding stocks.

128 Effects of dietary hybrid rye on quality and consumer acceptability of pork from pigs raised under organic conditions

Abstract In organic pig production, hybrid rye grain and straw can be used as feed and bedding, respectively, to reduce production costs. However, there is a concern that replacing corn with hybrid rye in pig diets may affect pork quality. In this study, we investigated whether inclusion of hybrid rye in pig diets can affect quality and consumer acceptability of pork from organically raised pigs. Pigs [n = 200, initial body weight (BW) = 26.8±3.5 kg, 10 wk of age] were assigned to Control or Rye treatments (50 pigs/pen; 2 pens/treatment) within a hoop barn and stratified for BW and sex across pens. Control pigs received corn, soybean meal-based diets. Rye pigs were fed diets in which hybrid rye replaced 50% of the corn in control diets. Near market BW (average = 127 kg, 22 wk of age), 8 pigs per pen (4 barrows and 4 gilts) closest to the average BW of all pigs in the pen were selected for evaluation of pork quality and consumer acceptability. Carcass pH at 45 min and 24 h postmortem in the ham, and objective color scores (L*, a*, b*), shear force, and subjective color and marbling scores were collected from a loin chop. Loin chops were kept at or below -18°C until a consumer taste panel was conducted to assess overall liking, flavor liking, texture liking, toughness, juiciness, and off-flavor of pork from the cooked loin chops. Liking ratings were made on 120-point scales (0 - strongest dislike imaginable, 120 - strongest like imaginable). Toughness, juiciness, and off-flavor were ranked on 20-point scales (0 - none, 20 - extremely tough, juicy, or intense, respectively). Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure, Frequency procedure with chi-square test of SAS. Measures of pork quality (pH at 45 min and 24 h, a*, b*, shear force, and subjective marbling and color scores) were not different between treatments (Table 1). Pigs fed Control diets displayed a greater (P = 0.006) L* reading than Rye-fed pigs indicating that pork from Control pigs was lighter in color than Rye-fed pigs. Generally, the taste panel did not detect a difference in acceptability of pork from Control and Rye-fed pigs. Juiciness and off flavor were scored very similarly by panelists. However, pork from Rye-fed pigs tended (P = 0.075) to be tougher than pork from Control pigs. Liking attributes (overall liking, flavor liking, and texture liking) were scored similarly between Rye-fed and Control pigs and generally better than neutral (neutral=60/120) by panelists. These data suggest that replacing 50% of corn with hybrid rye in diets for growing-finishing pigs will not negatively impact quality or consumer acceptability of pork.

60 Effects of phase feeding rolled hybrid rye on feedlot performance in backgrounded beef steers

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of phase-fed rolled hybrid rye on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers. Backgrounded steers [n = 110; initial shrunk (4% of body weight; BW) = 391 ± 1.3 kg] were assigned to 1 of 14 pens at the Southeast Research Farm, Beresford, SD in a randomized complete block design. Pens were blocked by location with four blocks of dirt-surfaced, outside pens (8 pens; 10 steers/pen) and three blocks of concrete-surfaced, partially covered pens (6 pens; 5 steers/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments (7 pens/treatment): dry rolled corn (DRC) included at 66% diet dry matter (DM) or rolled hybrid rye (RRYE) included at 66% diet DM for the initial 46 d of the experiment followed by the DRC diet from d 47 to trial completion on d 144. One steer was removed from the study because of lameness. During the rye feeding period (d1 to d 46), RRYE decreased average daily gain (ADG) by 13% (P = 0.01; 1.59 and 1.83 kg, respectively) and DMI by 18% (P = 0.01; 8.45 and 10.30 kg, respectively) with no effect (P = 0.15) on gain to feed ratio (G:F) compared with DRC. Negative effects of RRYE were more pronounced during the first 20 d of the experiment with ADG reduced by 29% (P = 0.01; 1.13 and 1.60 kg, respectively), DMI by 15% (P = 0.01; 8.20 and 9.61 kg, respectively), and G:F by 17% (P = 0.01; 0.139 and 0.167, respectively). Dietary net energy values for RRYE were increased (P ≤ 0.03) from d 1 to 46. Feeding rye reduced BW on d 46 by 10 kg compared with DRC (P = 0.01; 474 and 464 kg, respectively). From d 47 to 144 when all steers were fed a common diet there were no differences (P ≥ 0.38) in any growth performance responses or measures of dietary net energy utilization. When measured over the entire experiment, DMI tended to be less (P = 0.08) for RRYE compared with DRC with no effect on ADG or G:F (P ≥ 0.19). Final BW was numerically reduced in the RRYE treatment compared with DRC (P = 0.21; 614 and 623 kg, respectively). Cumulative observed-to-expected ratios for NEm and NEg were increased (P = 0.05) for RRYE compared with DRC. Dietary treatments did not affect (P ≥ 0.29) carcass characteristics, distribution of USDA yield or quality grades, or liver abscess incidence or severity. Feeding rolled rye decreased ADG, DMI, and G:F during the first 46 DOF with similar growth performance when fed a DRC-based diet for the final 98 d.

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ И АДАПТИВНОСТЬ ГИБРИДОВ ОЗИМОЙ РЖИ КОМПАНИИ КВС В УСЛОВИЯХ ПРЕДКАМЬЯ РЕСПУБЛИКИ ТАТАРСТАН

Increasing the grain yield of winter rye, which occupies the fourth place of grain produced in the Republic of Tatarstan, remains relevant. The purpose of the study is to identify the most productive hybrid of winter rye of the KVS company in the conditions of gray forest soils of the Ancestral region of the Republic of Tatarstan. Field experiments and laboratory studies were conducted in 2022-2023 at Agrobiotechnopark LLC at the Kazan State Agrarian University. Agrochemical indicators of gray forest soils were as follows: the content of humus in the arable layer was more than 3.0 %, mobile phosphorus was very high 250-275 mg/kg (according to Kirsanov), exchangeable potassium was increased 121-170 mg/kg. The reaction of the soil medium was close to neutral (pH 6.6). The dry mass of roots and stems in the phases of tube entry and earing over the years of research in the hybrid of winter rye Tayo exceeded the indicators of the Aviator and Ravo hybrids. On average, over two years, the dry weight of the ear of the Aviator hybrid in the phase of milk ripeness was 0.77 g, in Equal to 0.74 g, in Tayo 0.81 g. Compared with other hybrids, field germination and safety of seedlings for harvesting were higher in the Tayo hybrid by 80.9 % and 86.9 %. Increased indicators for the number of productive stems per unit area of 584 pcs./m2, the number of spikelets and grains in 1 ear for the Tayo hybrid subsequently contributed to obtaining the highest biological yield. In a favorable 2022, winter rye hybrids generated high yields, in particular Aviator 8.05 t/ha, Pravo 8.06 t/ha, Tayo 8.74 t/ha. In 2023, the lowest yield according to experiments was obtained for the Ravo hybrid – 5.44 t/ha, and for the Aviator hybrid - 6.62 t/ha. A consistently high yield was formed by the Tayo hybrid – 7.03 t/ha.

Modeling and Optimization of Triticale Wort Production Using an Artificial Neural Network and a Genetic Algorithm.

Triticale grain, a wheat-rye hybrid, has been reported to comply very well with the requirements for modern brewing adjuncts. In this study, two triticale varieties, in both unmalted and malted forms, were investigated at various ratios in the grist, applying different mashing regimes and concentrations of the commercial enzyme Shearzyme® 500 L with the aim of evaluating their impact on wort production. In order to capture the complex relationships between the input (triticale ratio, enzyme ratio, mashing regime, and triticale variety) and output variables (wort extract content, wort viscosity, and free amino nitrogen (FAN) content in wort), the study aimed to implement the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to model the mashing process. Also, a genetic algorithm (GA) was integrated to minimize a specified multi-objective function, optimizing the mashing process represented by the ANN model. Among the solutions on the Pareto front, one notable set of solutions was found with objective function values of 0.0949, 0.0131, and 1.6812 for the three conflicting objectives, respectively. These values represent a trade-off that optimally balances the different aspects of the optimization problem. The optimized input variables had values of 23%, 9%, 1, and 3 for the respective input variables of triticale ratio, enzyme ratio, mashing regime, and triticale variety. The results derived from the ANN model, applying the GA-optimized input values, were 8.65% w/w for wort extract content, 1.52 mPa·s for wort viscosity, and 148.32 mg/L for FAN content in wort. Comparatively, the results conducted from the real laboratory mashing were 8.63% w/w for wort extract content, 1.51 mPa·s for wort viscosity, and 148.88 mg/L for FAN content in wort applying same input values. The presented data from the optimization process using the GA and the subsequent experimental verification on the real mashing process have demonstrated the practical applicability of the proposed approach which confirms the potential to enhance the quality and efficiency of triticale wort production.

Scald resistance in hybrid rye (Secale cereale): genomic prediction and GWAS.

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is an important cereal crop used for food, beverages, and feed, especially in North-Eastern Europe. While rye is generally more tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses than other cereals, it still can be infected by several diseases, including scald caused by Rhynchosporium secalis. The aims of this study were to investigate the genetic architecture of scald resistance, to identify genetic markers associated with scald resistance, which could be used in breeding of hybrid rye and to develop a model for genomic prediction for scald resistance. Four datasets with records of scald resistance on a population of 251 hybrid winter rye lines grown in 2 years and at 3 locations were used for this study. Four genomic models were used to obtain variance components and heritabilities of scald resistance. All genomic models included additive genetic effects of the parental components of the hybrids and three of the models included additive-by-additive epistasis and/or dominance effects. All models showed moderate to high broad sense heritabilities in the range of 0.31 (SE 0.05) to 0.76 (0.02). The model without non-additive genetic effects and the model with dominance effects had moderate narrow sense heritabilities ranging from 0.24 (0.06) to 0.55 (0.08). None of the models detected significant non-additive genomic variances, likely due to a limited data size. A genome wide association study was conducted to identify markers associated with scald resistance in hybrid winter rye. In three datasets, the study identified a total of twelve markers as being significantly associated with scald resistance. Only one marker was associated with a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) influencing scald resistance. This marker explained 11-12% of the phenotypic variance in two locations. Evidence of genotype-by-environment interactions was found for scald resistance between one location and the other two locations, which suggested that scald resistance was influenced by different QTLs in different environments. Based on the results of the genomic prediction models and GWAS, scald resistance seems to be a quantitative trait controlled by many minor QTL and one major QTL, and to be influenced by genotype-by-environment interactions.

Effects of feeding hybrid rye grain as a replacement for barley grain on dry matter intake, ruminal fermentation, and the site and extent of nutrient digestion in finishing beef heifers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of increasing the inclusion of dry-rolled hybrid rye (HR) as a replacement for dry-rolled barley grain (DRB) on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, and the site and extent of nutrient digestion for finishing cattle. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated Hereford-cross heifers were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods including 15 d of dietary adaptation and 6 d of data and sample collection. Dietary treatments included a control diet with 10.00% grass hay, 85.21% DRB, 4.51% of a vitamin and mineral supplement, and 0.28% of urea on a dry matter (DM) basis. Hybrid rye grain replaced 33%, 67%, or 100% of the DRB. Feed ingredients, feed refusals, ruminal pH, ruminal fluid, duodenal digesta, and fecal samples were collected from days 18 to 21 in each period. Data were analyzed using the Proc Glimmix procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) to evaluate the linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of increasing HR inclusion. Increasing HR inclusion as a substitute for DRB linearly decreased (P < 0.01) DM intake, linearly decreased mean ruminal pH (P < 0.01), and increased the duration (P < 0.01) and area (P = 0.02) that ruminal pH was < 5.5. There were no effects of HR inclusion on total short chain fatty acid and lactic acid concentrations in ruminal fluid. Likewise, the molar proportions of acetate and butyrate were not affected by HR inclusion. Propionate was cubically affected by HR inclusion (P = 0.02). Ruminal ash-free neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) digestibility linearly increased (P = 0.03) with increasing HR, but there was no effect on ruminal starch digestibility averaging 71.1% (SEM = 3.611). Increasing HR inclusion linearly increased intestinal DM digestibility (% of flow to the duodenum; P = 0.03), tended to linearly increase intestinal digestibility of organic matter (P = 0.08), and tended to quadratically affect intestinal digestibility of aNDFom (P = 0.07). Increasing hybrid rye linearly increased apparent total tract DM, organic matter, crude protein, aNDFom, and starch digestibility (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, increasing HR inclusion linearly increased GE digestibility (P < 0.01) and the DE concentration (P < 0.01). Increasing the inclusion rate of HR grain as a substitute for DRB in finishing diets decreased DMI and increased risk for low ruminal pH, which may be influenced by greater digestible energy concentration arising from greater DM, OM, aNDFom, and starch digestibility.

Production and use of dry-rolled hybrid rye grain as a replacement for barley grain on growth performance and carcass quality of feedlot steers.

The objectives were to compare cereal grain and straw yield between barley and hybrid rye (HR) and to evaluate whether the inclusion of dry-rolled HR grain as a replacement for barley grain affected feed intake and growth for growing cattle, and feed intake, growth, and carcass characteristics for finishing cattle. Crop yield was measured by directly weighing harvested grain and straw bales (n = 3 plots/grain type). Three-hundred sixty steers with an initial body weight (BW) of 348 ± 40kg were stratified by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of the 24 pens during the growing phase (n = 8; 65 d). The control diet (BCON) included 60.22% barley grain with HR included by replacing 50 (BMID) or 100% (BHIGH) of the barley grain on a dry matter (DM) basis. Steers were re-randomized for the finishing phase (n = 6; 118 d) and treatments included a control diet containing 88.60% barley grain (FCON) with HR replacing 33 (FLOW), 67 (FMED), or 100% (FHIGH) of the barley grain (DM basis). The grain yield was greater (P = 0.04) and straw yield tended (P = 0.06) to be less for HR than barley. There were no effects of HR inclusion on DM intake (DMI) or G:F during the growing phase, but average daily gain (ADG) responded quadratically (P = 0.02) with cattle fed 50% HR having the greatest gain. During finishing, DMI decreased linearly as HR grain inclusion increased (P < 0.01). ADG initially increased from FCON to FLOW followed by a decrease with increasing HR inclusion (quadratic, P < 0.01), but G:F was not affected. Hot carcass weight was greatest for FCON with the magnitude of difference between FCON and the HR treatments increasing with increasing inclusion of HR (quadratic, P = 0.02). There was a linear increase in dressing percentage (P = 0.02) and a linear reduction in back fat thickness (P = 0.04) with increasing inclusion of HR. Increasing the inclusion of HR during finishing cubically (P < 0.01) affected the proportion of minor and severe liver abscesses with an average of 34.60% severely abscessed livers when HR was included compared to 11.11% for BCON. HR may have greater grain yield than barley, and partial replacement of barley grain with HR may improve ADG without affecting DMI or G:F during the growing phase. However, replacing barley grain in finishing diets with HR decreases DMI, and increases the risk of minor and severe liver abscesses, but does not affect feed conversion, suggesting HR should not replace more than 33% of the barley grain to maintain ADG.

Genotypic influence on crossability of wheat × himalayan rye hybrids

Genotypic influence on crossability of wheat × himalayan rye hybrids

Yield structure of highly heterosic winter rye hybrids and features of its formation

In the conditions of the Central Black Earth Region, the peculiarities of yield formation by highly heterotic hybrids of winter rye were studied for 3 years. The purpose of the research is to establish which structural elements and processes are responsible for the formation of higher yields in highly heterotic winter rye hybrids compared to the population variety. Each year 13-18 first-generation hybrids obtained using P-type CMS served as the starting material. The studied hybrids and the standard were sown in pairs on plots of 5 m2 in 6-fold repetition using the standard (dactyl) method. We studied the yield structure only of those hybrids that exceeded the standard—a high-yielding population variety—by 15 percent or more. The studied material was analyzed according to 53 indicators including in addition to the main elements of productivity, a detailed analysis of the ear and stem, as well as a number of characteristics characterizing the cenosis, the plant and its individual organs, physiological characteristics and the quality of the formed grains. As a result of the studies, it was found that highly heterotic hybrids of winter rye form a larger grain yield due to a larger yield of above-ground mass and a larger proportion of grain in it. Large proportion of grain in the above-ground mass of the crop (Kkhos.) is the result of more efficient use by hybrids of reserve plastic substances accumulated as a result of photosynthesis in the stem and ear, in particular. This is confirmed by the lower specific gravity of the stem and its parts (internodes), and higher values of micro-distribution, grain attraction and filling indices, as well as the Canadian index. Heterotic hybrids are characterized by a different type of organogenesis, which differs from that characteristic of modern population varieties. It was concluded that when breeding population varieties of winter rye to increase yield, it is necessary to select genotypes with higher values of the Canadian index and indices of micro-distribution, attraction and grain filling, as well as with a lower specific weight of the stem and its parts.

Net energy content of hybrid rye fed to growing pigs and effects of particle size on energy values

An experiment was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy (NE) contents of hybrid rye fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry and to investigate the effects of particle size on energy values. Thirty growing barrows (18.06 ± 0.83 kg initial body weight) were individually housed in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments to give six replicates per treatment. Two hybrid rye varieties (Bono and Gatano) were ground in a hammermill mounted with a 4.0-mm or 3.2-mm screen to obtain coarse and fine particle size, respectively. Dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and four additional diets containing 300 g/kg of the test ingredients in a 2 × 2 factorial based on hybrid rye variety (Bono or Gatano) and particle size (Coarse or Fine). Pigs were fed experimental diets for 15 days, including 10 days for adaptation and 5 days for total fecal and urine collection to determine the DE and ME of the experimental diets. Pigs were then moved into indirect calorimetry chambers to determine 24-h heat production and 12-h fasting heat production. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with the individual pig as the experimental unit. The geometric mean diameter (Dgw) for coarsely versus finely ground Bono and Gatano were 1111 versus 594 µm and 1210 versus 717 µm, respectively. The coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) were greater (P < 0.05) in diets containing finely than coarsely ground hybrid rye. The DE and ME of finely ground hybrid rye were greater (P < 0.05) than those of coarsely ground hybrid rye, and the NE of finely ground hybrid rye tended to be greater (P = 0.084) than that of coarsely ground hybrid rye. No differences were observed for the DE, ME, and NE contents between Bono and Gatano. The determined NE for coarsely and finely ground Bono were 11.06 and 11.77 MJ/kg DM, and the respective NE values for coarsely and finely ground Gatano were 11.09 and 11.57 MJ/kg DM. In conclusion, the energy values of different hybrid rye varieties might be comparable. Particle size reduction could significantly improve the DE and ME values of hybrid rye fed to growing pigs, while the NE value was only numerically improved.

PSXII-19 Effects of Feeding Hybrid Rye Grain as a Replacement for Barley Grain on Feed Intake, Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Beef Cattle

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of increasing hybrid rye as a replacement for barley grain on feed intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics for growing and finishing cattle. Commercial steers (n = 360) with an initial body weight (BW) of 348 ± 6.6 kg were stratified by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 24 pens (15 steers/pen) for growing (n = 8; 65 d) phase and re-randomized for the finishing (n = 6; 118 d) phase. The control diet (BCON) for the growing phase included 60.2% barley grain, 28.0% barley silage, 7.0% corn silage, 3.4% oat hulls, with the remainder as mineral, vitamins, and urea. Hybrid rye was then included by replacing 50 or 100% of the barley grain (DM basis). Treatments for the finishing phase included a control containing 10% hay, 85.2% barley grain, with the remainder coming from mineral and vitamins (FCON). Hybrid rye grain was included by replacing 33 (33R), 67 (67R), and 100% (100R) of the barley grain (DM basis). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure for each phase independently with carcass data analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS version 9.4; SAS Institute, Inc. Cary, NC). There was no effect of hybrid rye inclusion on DMI or G:F during the growing phase, but ADG increased quadratically (P = 0.04) with 50% rye having the greatest value. During finishing, DMI decreased linearly as hybrid rye inclusion increased (P = 0.03). Average daily gain was quadratically affected (P = 0.03) with an initial increase from FCON to 33% rye followed by a decrease with increasing rye grain inclusion, but G:F was not affected (0.148 kg BW/kg DMI). There was no effect of hybrid rye inclusion on hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, back-fat thickness, ribeye area, marbling score, and yield score. Increasing the inclusion of hybrid rye quadratically (P &amp;lt; 0.01) increased the proportion of severe liver abscesses with an average of 34.6% severely abscessed livers when hybrid rye grain was included compared with 11.1% for FCON. Partial replacement of barley grain with hybrid rye may improve ADG without affecting DMI or G:F during the growing phase. However, replacing barley grain in finishing diets with hybrid rye decreases DMI, increases risk for severe liver abscesses, but does not affect feed conversion suggesting hybrid rye could replace up to 33% of the barley grain.

224 Effects of Feeding Hybrid Rye Grain as a Replacement for Barley Grain on Feed Intake, Ruminal Fermentation, and Site of Nutrient Digestion for Finishing Beef Cattle

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of increasing hybrid rye as a replacement for barley grain on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, and site of nutrient digestion in finishing cattle. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated Hereford-cross heifers (starting body weight = 514 ± 25.3 kg) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with 21-d periods including 15 d of dietary adaptation and 6 d of sample collection. Dietary treatments included a control diet with 10.0% hay, 85.2% barley grain, and 4.8% of a vitamin and mineral supplement on a dry matter (DM) basis. Hybrid rye grain replaced 33, 67, or 100% of the barley grain. Both cereal grains were dry rolled to 80% processing index. Feed, refusals, ruminal fluid, duodenal digesta, and fecal samples were collected. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Increasing hybrid rye inclusion tended (P = 0.052) to linearly decrease DM intake. Additionally, increasing hybrid rye grain linearly decreased mean and minimum ruminal pH (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and increased the duration (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and area (P = 0.01) that pH was less than 5.5. There was no effect of hybrid rye inclusion on total short chain fatty acid, lactic acid concentrations, or osmolality. Likewise, the molar proportion of acetate and butyrate were not affected by hybrid rye inclusion. Propionate tended to linearly increase with increasing hybrid rye inclusion (P = 0.08). Increasing hybrid rye linearly increased NH3-N concentration (P = 0.03). Ruminal organic matter (OM) digestibility tended to linearly increase (P = 0.08) and ash-free neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) digestibility linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) when increasing hybrid rye. There was no effect on ruminal starch digestibility (71.1 ± 5.12%). Intestinal digestibility of CP linearly decreased (P = 0.050), but there were no effects for other nutrients. Increasing hybrid rye linearly increased apparent total-tract DM, OM, and aNDFom digestibility (P &amp;lt; 0.05) but did not affect starch digestibility (97.4 ± 0.42%). Increasing the inclusion rate of hybrid rye grain at the expense of barley grain in finishing diets may decrease DMI and increase risk for ruminal acidosis; however, hybrid rye inclusion did not influence the site or extent of starch digestion and increased total tract digestibility of DM, OM, and aNDFom.

355 Effects of Processing Method of Hybrid Rye for Cattle Backgrounding Diets

Abstract Cereal rye is used to diversify crop rotations in the Northern Great Plains and can be harvested through grazing, processed as forage (hay or silage), or allowed to reach maturity for grain and straw. Although rye has not traditionally been used in growing and finishing cattle diets due to the occurrence of ergot. Recent hybrid germplasms have shown promise with increased yields and decreased ergot incidence. This study aimed to determine the effects of substituting dry-rolled or ground hybrid rye for dry rolled corn (DRC) on dry matter intake (DMI), growth performance and gain:feed (G:F) of growing beef steers. One-hundred-fifty crossbred steers [260 ± 22.3 kg, initial body weight (BW)] were transported to the Carrington Research Extension Center near Carrington, North Dakota, stratified by BW, and assigned to one of fifteen pens (n = 10 steers/pen) and three dietary treatments in a randomized block design. Hybrid rye was substituted on a dry matter basis for DRC as follows: a basal diet formulated 33.8% corn silage, 23.6% forage barley hay, 17.5% modified distillers grains and solubles (MDGS), and 3% supplement and limestone with either 22.1% DRC (CON), 22.1% dry rolled hybrid rye (RRYE), and 22.1% ground hybrid rye (GRYE) on a dry matter basis. Due to extreme cold windchill temperatures, steers were fed for a total of 64 days beginning October 24, 2022. Body weights were taken before feeding on Day 1, 2, 28, 63, and 64 with a 4% pencil shrink applied to the initial and final BW. Performance data including animal BW, average daily gain (ADG), DMI and G:F ratio were calculated. The monthly average of growth performance were analyzed using the repeated measures procedure of PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4 with pen serving as the experimental unit. Pre-planned contrasts (control vs rye; rolled rye vs ground rye, rolled rye vs control, and ground rye vs control) were analyzed. No differences in BW (P = 0.35), ADG (P = 0.19), DMI (P = 0.83), or G:F (P = 0.21) were detected due to the replacement of DRC with hybrid rye throughout the study (Table 1). Steers assigned to GRYE had increased G:F (P = 0.04) and tended (P = 0.05) to have greater ADG compared with RRYE throughout the study. Steers fed hybrid rye tended to have lesser BW (P = 0.06) than those fed DRC after the first 28-day weigh period. During the final 36 days, steer assigned to GRYE had increased ADG (P = 0.03) compared with RRYE and tended (P = 0.05) to have greater ADG than those assigned to CON. Results from the study suggest that steers fed processed hybrid rye grain in a high forage backgrounding diet performed similarly to calves fed DRC.