winter rye grain vs. winter wheat

[borrowed time]

Any information out there why winter rye grain seed is unavailable? I planted both about three years ago and seed was about 7.00 50 lbs.  Now winter wheat is about 3 times higher and the rye not to be found. The rye grain lasted much better than the winter wheat. When the wheat was at the right stage the deer would eat it and not even touch an apple. Only good for about two weeks in my area and it turned yellow and seemed to lose favor with the local deer.

[gdolby]

Good Day, dont know your location but if you have any grain elevators or local farmers that raise wheat can get it much cheaper. Good Luck ...........Bill

[Empty Quiver]

All commodity prices are higher than three yrs ago. This isn't really planting season for winter rye so it would be left over from last fall if you did find it. The winter wheat is coming out of the fields about now and rye probably not much different. Let your seed dealer know you need some now and have time to get you what you want.

[bilmac]

We used to plant winter rye on an Arizona wildlife refuge for wintering Geese. Rye would grow on our very salty soil where wheat would stick it's nose out of the ground and die.

[borrowed time]

It seems the rye grain is short in the world. After some digging around, probably will not find any seed for the rye grain. We can plant about August 15 in northern Wi. I worked the site twice already, second time got the weed seeds that germinated after the first tilling. Thanks all for your help. Will let you know how this works out.

[borrowed time]

Planted 50  lbs. of winter rye I scrounged up 2 weeka ago, checked it yesterday and it is about 4-5 inches high, while the clover on all sides is just peeking out. The grain looks very good, very few weeds. Got to get some pictures if my son comes up. Black berries are huge and very good, the ones you can find ripe. Loads of green ones. Wild rasberries thick, but on the small side.

[keith44]

well, it's March now.  I am just discovering this site, any news on this topic??

[Land_Owner]

Some folks experience very good wildlife browse on winter wheat, others on rye grain, and in my area neither.  It is pretty to hunt over fields of rye grain, but without something to pass through, stop and nibble, it is just another lawn to mow.  The winter wheat comes up well, looks great too, but is not in trouble of being eaten in my locale.  The wildlife just have too much of their own "local stuff" that they don't bother with my "introduced" stuff.  Finicky deer really.  They will hammer Iron and Clay peas at 6" tall to the dirt line though.  Same with soy beans.  Ice cream and candy those last two.  They get on it and do not leave until it is GONE.  I have walked up on does feasting, but never in doe season.  Interesting how they can read a calendar...

[keith44]

I have accused the fish and wildlife dept here of supplying the deer and squirrels with free hunters guides and calanders

[bilmac]

I planted buckwheat once hoping for some seed for pheasants, but the deer ate it to the ground.

[charles p]

Give oats a try.  Plant it in late summer and watch the deer come in on a dead run every afternoon.

[squirrellluck]

I got 4 55 gal. drums of oats now. Bought it to plant last fall Work prevented me from getting it done. Hope they will work this summer.

[Land_Owner]

Wheat, oats, rye, and grains are all susceptible to the Summer heat and drought, as you probably already know.  Casting and covering under near-Fall or late-summer rainfall would be most beneficial for a successful crop, provided the deer don't mangle it first.