Description
Trical 2700 Spring Triticale is an excellent spring forage crop. Trical® 2700 has a tall, erect growth habit and exhibits a dense canopy of dark green leaves. It can be planted alone or with forage peas. Trical 2700 spring triticale grows vigorously as a seedling until the third or fourth tiller and then enters a stall phase of five to eight days before resuming very rapid stem elongation and vegetative growth. Used as a nurse crop for alfalfa, the stall phase of seedling growth does not over shadow or out compete alfalfa. Trical® 2700 has superior tolerance to disease and tough growing conditions compared to other spring forages.
Seeding rates: Plant 100 – 125 lbs/acre in a firm, moist seedbed.
Seed depth: Plant 1 – 1.5″ deep
Planting window: Early spring (February to April), can also be planted in late summer (early August) for a late fall crop.
Fertility: Total fertility needs are dependent on the intended use of the crop and the environment. Generally the crop needs 110-140 units of nitrogen (plus balancing the nutrients) to take it to the late boot stage of development.
Harvest Late Boot: Late boot harvest always produces the highest quality forage product with crude protein ranging from 18%-22% and total digestibility near 85%.
Soft Dough: Soft dough harvest is possible but not recommended because of the bearded head. While TRICAL® 2700 has excellent digestibility at late boot, after heading TRICAL® 2700’s fiber increases even more than other varieties.
Silage: Ensiling triticale should occur at 65% moisture. As with other forages a quality liquid inoculant is recommended to be applied at a minimum of 100,000 CFU (colony forming units) per gram of silage. This will help prevent harmful yeasts and molds from occurring and by lowering the pH of the forage prevent heating and help preserve a quality product.
Blends: When harvesting blends containing forage peas, make sure to design the blend to harvest the crop before the peas start to develop seeds in the pod. In baled hay product the pods with seeds can retain moisture and create a white moldy spot.
