Triticale grain is distinguished by a high content of crude protein and lysine, making it a valuable component of compound feeds for swine and poultry. The metabolizable energy in triticale grain exceeds that of wheat by 14% and rye by 23%. The green mass contains up to 0.3 feed units per kilogram, which is significantly higher than that of winter wheat, while the crop is also richer in sugars, fats, and carotene.
An important biological characteristic of triticale is the ability of its green mass to remain succulent until the end of the milk stage, which provides flexibility in harvest timing. The plant possesses a high regrowth capacity and effectively fits into the structure of a green forage conveyor, maturing later than rye. In breeding forage varieties, priority is given to maintaining a high leaf-to-stem ratio and genetic resistance to major foliar diseases.
In feeding practice, the content of anti-nutritional factors such as trypsin inhibitors and alkylresorcinols is taken into account, the levels of which have been significantly reduced in modern varieties. To optimize rations, triticale is often combined with legumes to achieve a balanced sugar-protein ratio, which allows for a reduction in feed costs while maintaining animal productivity.
General information about the subject — on the page
Forage purpose.