Capture nitrogen and produce protein?

Capture nitrogen and produce protein? Then sow Fast Spring Rye after the corn! With Fast Spring Rye as a catch crop, the requirement to comply with the nitrate directive is met by 'catching' residual nitrogen and thus limiting leaching on maize fields as much as possible. In addition, Fast Spring Rye is very well suited for harvesting in the spring as roughage. This provides a lot of dry matter and protein and therefore perfectly meets the need to be more self-sufficient in protein and therefore less dependent on expensive external protein sources.

These are the experiences that have been gained on a broad scale in recent years in trials and in practice. Fast Spring Rye has proven itself!

Fast Spring Rye is a unique product from the hybrid rye breeding of KWS and has been specially developed as a forage crop between two maize crops. It combines the properties of a catch crop with those of a protein producer. Watch the interesting video about the cultivation of Fast Spring Rye below.

The advantages of growing Fast Spring Rye in combination with maize that ripen on time are countless:

• Fast Spring Rye differs from traditional cut or leaf rye by more tillering (more stems) per plant and faster length growth in early spring. This results in a clear additional yield in dry matter and protein per hectare.
• For a comparable to higher yield per hectare, Fast Spring Rye requires only half the amount of seed (80 compared to 160 kg of seed when choosing to harvest) compared to traditional cut or leaf rye. That makes Fast Spring Rye very interesting from a price point of view.

• Timely ripe maize from KWS and Fast Spring Rye together achieve the highest protein yield per hectare and thus more than grass (± 2.000 kg with maize and Fast Spring Rye compared to ± 1.600-1.800 kg with grass).
• Fast Spring Rye is able to develop very quickly immediately after sowing, in winter and in early spring and achieves with 3.500 – 5.000 kg ds per ha and 15-18% protein (600-900 kg protein) when harvested in April a significantly higher ds yield than conventional cut/leaf rye, triticale and Italian ryegrass.
• Maize and Fast Spring Rye therefore together achieve the highest feed value yield per hectare.
• Fast Spring Rye acts as a catch crop for excess nitrogen by sowing between the beginning of September and the end of October and thus prevents nitrate leaching.
• Because the plot is in use all year round and remains covered, an effective CO₂-recording a fact.
• The deep rooting of Fast Spring Rye improves the soil structure.
• Deep rooting and the residual root and stubble mass left behind after harvesting have a positive influence on soil fertility.
• The nitrogen efficiency of Quick Spring Rye and timely ripe maize from KWS is much more favorable than that of grass.
• Contrary to what is sometimes claimed, the cultivation of Fast Spring Rye has no consequences for the subsequent cultivation of maize in terms of development and thus yield. This is in contrast to the cultivation of maize after the catch crop, grass or traditional rye that is not harvested. In the meantime, a lot of experience has been gained with this in practice.

The best result in combination with ripe maize in time
The highest protein yield per hectare is achieved by growing Fast Spring Rye all year round next to a maize variety that ripens on time. But then a variety that has been proven in trials and in practice that it ripens early in the cob. In this way, timely harvesting can be achieved and the maximum dry matter yield and optimum energy density are achieved.

In combination with the cultivation of Fast Spring Rye, the maize varieties MEGUSTO, JOHANINIO and GENIALIS are best suited. Fast Spring Rye is an intermediate crop that does not cost money, but yields money and biodiversity is worked in a sustainable way. Timely ripe maize in combination with Fast Spring Rye provides the cleanest ecological footprint. The combination delivers the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, the least/most efficient use of water, the lowest ammonia emissions, the least nitrate leaching and the highest binding to CO₂† This results in the fact that several thousand hectares of Fast Spring Rye have already been satisfactorily sown and harvested as a fodder crop.

Recommended seed rate
The recommended sowing rate for Fast Spring Rye is:

• as catch crop and for mowing: 2 million seeds/ha = 4 units/ha (± 80 kg)*
• as catch crop: 1 million seeds/ha = 2 units/ha (± 40 kg)

*The recommended amount for traditional rye is between 130 and 160 kg/ha

Sow immediately after the maize harvest
Rapid Spring Rye can be sown very well in one pass in combination with stubble cultivation after the maize harvest. The ideal time to sow is between 1 September and the end of October.

Sow after October 1 also possible
In the Netherlands, the legislator has determined that the catch crop must be sown before 1 October on sandy and loess soil. This applies when the maize is already harvested silo maize. When it is decided to harvest the maize as MKS or CCM, the sowing of the catch crop may be postponed until 31 October at the latest. If this is the intention, this must be communicated to RVO before 1 October. Sowing the catch crop after October 1 is no longer allowed with grass or Japanese oats, but still with Fast Spring Rye. Look here for more information.

Fast delivery from stock
The one and only Quick Spring Rye is available in the original orange KWS packaging and available from stock at your supplier! Do you have any questions about Snel Lente Rye and KWS maize varieties or about their delivery? Please feel free to contact your regional KWS advisor or visit our website.

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