AC Hazlet rye

Comparing varieties

The AC Hazlet rye variety has very good resistance to both lodging and shattering, contributing to a decreased loss of grain before and during harvest. When compared to other winter and fall rye varieties produced in Canada, AC Hazlet rye produces higher or similar yields and higher kernel weights (average of 35.8 mg/kernel) over the competitors. The AC Hazlet rye variety also does very well against winter damage, has excellent winter hardiness traits with a winter survival of 89%, and can germinate in temperatures as low as -1 °C to 2 °C while vegetative growth requires a temperature of at least 4 °C

Comparing crops

Fall rye grows more quickly, matures earlier than other wheat cereals, is the hardiest and most disease resistant crop of the wheat cereals, and it is commonly grown under conditions where other cereals fail. Fall rye is very drought tolerant, more so than wheat or oats, but thrives best in a moist environment. When compared to other cover crops, rye is superior in all characteristics associated with cover crops

Purchase and production of AC Hazlet rye seeds

The AC Hazlet rye variety is produced and sold through SeCan. SeCan contracts farmers from all over Canada to sow, grow, and harvest the AC Hazlet rye crop, which will be sold back to SeCan, who will process the rye grain and send it to local certified seed distributors all over Canada, where the seed can be purchased. Horizon Seeds Canada Inc., out of Courtland Ontario is a local distributor of the AC Hazlet rye variety, where seeds can be purchased by the bag (55 lb), or through premium contracts. The AC Hazlet rye seeds cost $18 Canadian for a 55 lb bag of seed, which sows approximately 3/4s of an acre.

Cultivation

AC Hazlet rye is grown by farmers across Canada, from Southern Ontario, to the Albertan prairies. Fall rye does not require extensive amounts of labour outside of initial seeding and harvest, and possible pesticide application. It is a very hardy crop and grows well under many conditions

Seeding

AC Hazlet fall rye is to be planted in late August or early September to allow for the crop to grow 4–6 weeks before cold hardening and vernalization occurs due to the weather conditions. Fall rye should be sown on a field that has not been very recently tilled. AC Hazlet fall rye is normally seeded with a hoe drill or a minimum tillage drill, but in cases where these types of equipment may not be available, it is possible for the rye to be broadcast sown onto the field. An optimal seed depth of 1-1.5 inches is required for the best emergence results, the field should be lightly tilled after seeding to ensure the adequate seed depth and a packer wheel should be used to ensure seed-to-soil contact occurs and to enhance winter hardiness and establishment of the crop. As long as the AC Hazlet fall rye crop receives an adequate 4-6 week growth period before cold temperatures arise, the crop should survive well over the winter, as fall rye can tolerate temperatures as low as -35 °C without receiving much damage

Fertilization and pesticide application

Phosphorus should be applied to the soil during the process of seeding, while nitrogen can be broadcast in the spring. To decrease nitrogen losses, it is best to apply the nitrogen shortly before a rainfall is expected to occur Herbicide application may be required, and should be applied at 3-4 leaf stage if needed. Insecticide application may be required if there is significant crop damage due to insects, and should be applied early in the mornings when it is cooler and pests will be most prevalent

Swathing and harvest

When kernel moisture content is around 40-45% the AC Hazlet fall rye crop should be swathed, and left to air dry in the field. When kernel moisture is below 20%, the field can be combined and the grain can be further dried artificially. Fall rye is considered dry enough when kernel moisture is below 14%, the grain can be safely stored at this moisture level and it is unlikely for mold to develop

Uses

AC Hazlet Rye grain is a cheap and affordable grain that can be processed into rye flour and used to make rye bread. Rye has a substantial amount of carbohydrates and fibre, is a very good source of manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus, and is also a good source of protein and iron. There are many other uses for rye grain such as harvesting the vegetative growth for emergency forage, allowing for grazing by livestock, or processing the grain into rye whiskey or rye beer.

Environmental benefits of rye cultivation

Cover crops such as fall rye play a significant role in sustaining soil productivity and soil quality. Rye is an excellent cover crop that has many functions that are beneficial to farmers, these functions include, soil erosion prevention, weed suppression, nitrogen and nutrient scavenging, organic matter addition, and soil structure building

Erosion prevention

Rye is very effective in preventing wind and water erosion and it is commonly grown for this function. The top growth of the rye crop covers the soil surface, protecting the soil from strong winds, and the impact of rain. While the top growth covers the soil surface, the very fibrous and extensive root system of rye, that can reach depths of two metres and a radii of one metre stabilizes and binds soil particles to improve soil structure and further prevent soil erosion,

Nutrient scavenging

Rye is an outstanding scavenger of nitrogen left behind in the soil from previous manure applications or the previous planted crop. These nitrogen-scavenging abilities of rye prevent nitrogen losses due to leaching in the soil, and also prevents potential nitrate contamination in bodies of water located near pertaining fields. The extensive root system of rye may also help to increase the concentration of potassium at the soil surface

Soil nutrients and organic matter

When rye is harvested, only the grains of the crop are collected, while the remaining vegetative part of the plant remains in the field. If the residue of rye is left on the field after grain harvest, the nutrients held in the plant tissue will be restored to the soil to be used by the succeeding crop in the next season. Rye crop residue also contributes a large amount of organic matter back to the soil, which has very positive effects on the soil and for the crop grown in the subsequent season

Weed inhibition

Fall rye has an allelopathic effect against many weeds, inhibiting weed germination and weed growth, these allelopathic effects have been found to reduce total weed biomass by 60-95% in the succeeding year that rye has been grown and the crop residue has been left on the field. Little to no herbicides may be required for fall rye as fall rye is sensitive to herbicides and if the competitive growth of the rye crop establishes a vigorous canopy early in the season, weed growth will be suppressed

Crop diseases and issues

Fall rye crops are susceptible to the crop disease ergot, ergot causes the growth of purplish-black bodies, replacing some of the grains on the head of the crop. Ergot is harmful to both humans and animals, and if found in grain, should be removed by immersing infested rye grain in a water-salt solution. To prevent the incidence of ergot, fall rye should be put in a 2-3 year rotation. The allelopathic effects of fall rye may affect or inhibit the growth of other grass-like crops including corn, to determine whether this may be an issue, a farmer should grow a small test plot to determine inhibition due to the rye. Many other crops such as soybean, tobacco, and potatoes can still be grown in rotation with rye without the allelopathic effects