Establishment

Triticale for grazing should be planted no later than late February and for spring silage with no grazings planting time can range from winter to early spring (May to September).

Ensure weeds are controlled prior to sowing and drill into cultivated seed bed or direct drill at 120 – 150 kg/ha. Drill nitrogen based fertiliser i.e. DAP with the seed, drill at 3 – 4cm.

Control weeds and pest post establishment, a range of option are available so contact your chemical representative for specialist advice.

Nitrogen is a key component of any high producing cereal crop.

The establishment application will be sufficient until grazing (if applicable), the second application should occur after grazing (if applicable) if taking solely for silage second (main) application should
occur 4 – 6 weeks post establishment, at this time consider weed control and/or fungicide.

For sole silage crops final nitrogen application and fungicide application should occur at flag leaf/booting stage. (Fungicide application if required needs to be completed with registered products and all with holding periods adhered to. Seek professional advice)

Application rates will vary depending on available soil N and conditions. If grazing ensure nitrogen isnot applied within 4 weeks of grazing.

Grazing

Bolt has the ability to be autumn sown and may provide 1 – 2 grazings before locking up for silage. Best results to enable this will be an early sowing in February, to enable yield to generate before winter.
Grazing should be light, with back fencing of the crop to avoid over doing it. Graze initially when the crop is at 20-30cm in height, leaving behind about 10cm of stubble. Shift mobs quickly across the crop to avoid damaging tillers.

Harvest

Whole Crop;

Triticale should be harvested at between 35 – 40% dry matter. The grain inside the seed head at this stage is commonly referred to as the cheesy dough stage. Ensiling at the correct stage will optimize preservation, as the natural process is more effective and the compaction of the stack is enhanced (more air removed). The chop length should be between 10-20mm and an inoculant should be used.  Keep in close contact with your contractors, as Bolt will be at the correct stage for between 7-10 days.

Green Chop;

The other option for Bolt is to harvest early, at the boot stage (just as the tips of the awns are coming out of the leaf sheaf. This can be utilized in the same manner as grass silage – a protein feed, compared to carbohydrate feed that is WCCS. The crop is usually cut, wilted to 30% dry matter before ensiling in stacks of bales.