Choose the right catch crop after growing corn

A turbulent spring in which we had to deal with extreme, but often local, weather conditions has meant that we are currently seeing major differences in the development of corn in various places in the country. While one person has only just got the corn in the ground, the other has already grown the crop to a height of about 2 meters.

Such large differences require a crop-specific approach with a view to the mandatory cultivation of a catch crop after maize before October 1, as established in the 7^e Nitrate Directive action program.

Corn ripe on time? Choose Fast Spring Rye as your offspring
While some farmers may have chosen to undersow Italian ryegrass in the past period, based on company-specific circumstances, the options are still open for others.

If you managed to sow on time or if you opted for ultra-early to very early varieties if you sowed a little later, there is a good chance that the maize can be harvested nicely ripe in September. In this case, sow Fast Spring Rye as a catch crop before October 1. This offers great advantages.

High yields
Fast Spring Rye is a hybrid rye that is distinguished from traditional rye by smooth germination and initial growth, resulting in the successful capture of residual nitrogen. In addition, Fast Spring Rye is characterized by more sprouting (more stems) per plant and the crop is able to develop very quickly immediately after sowing in winter and especially in early spring. This results in a clear increase in yield in dry matter and protein per hectare.

• Yield at harvest in April
  With a yield of 4.000 to 5.000 kilos of dry matter per hectare and 16% to 18% protein, Fast Spring Rye has a clearly higher dry matter yield than conventional cut rye, triticale and Italian ryegrass.
• Yield at harvest in June as Whole Plant Silage (GPS)
  The yield differences can increase even further to 8.000 to 10.000 kilos of dry matter per hectare when harvested as Whole Plant Silage in June. However, in this case the protein percentage will be somewhat lower due to dilution. This can be counteracted by spraying a growth regulator, chopping higher, using more nitrogen or sowing a short-lived hybrid winter rye.
• Yield at harvest of the grain in August
  Fast Spring Rye is also very good for harvesting grain in August, with grain yields of 8 to 9 tons possible. If you choose to thresh the crop, the advice here is also to use a growth regulator or sow a short-lived hybrid winter rye.

A fertile soil for subsequent cultivation
The cultivation of Snelle Lente Ryge also has a positive effect on subsequent cultivation. This hybrid rye is a real soil improver. The amount of biomass and rooting contributes to good soil fertility, which makes the workability after cultivation clearly better, which has a positive influence on subsequent cultivation.

Would you like more information and order Fast Spring Rye? Please contact your seed supplier or your KWS advisor.

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