2025 KWS Hybrid Rye Comprehensive Technical Sheets & Information by KWS.US

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More Than Seed. A Trusted Partner for Canadian Farmers.

At KWS Seeds Canada, we’re proud to offer market-leading Hybrid Rye genetics backed by decades of global research and local experience. From seed selection to field support, our team is committed to helping you get the most from every acre. With trusted genetics, regionally tested agronomy, and a focus on long-term partnerships, we’re here to support your success—season after season.

The Power of KWS Hybrid Rye

KWS Hybrid Rye is a versatile, fall-seeded crop built for resilience and flexibility — delivering high performance across grain, forage, and cover uses.

Highest yielding cereal for grain and forage

• 20% more grain yield than winter wheat & barley

• 30–40% more grain yield than spring wheat

• 10–15% more forage tonnage than other cereal crops

Lower input requirement versus wheat

• 20% less N than other cereal crops

• 25% less water than other cereal crops

Massive allelopathic root system

• Scavenges nitrogen and water from the soil

• Provides competition against weeds and reduces pesticide applications

• Provides drought resistance

• Breaks up hardpan and improves soil tilth

Diversifies crop rotation

• Improves workload management due to different planting and harvest dates

• Protects valuable farmland from erosion in late fall, winter and early spring

• Breaks up pest cycles

Provides flexible end-use market opportunities

• Can be harvested as grain for livestock feed, milling, distilling, ethanol, and cover crop markets

• Can be harvested as forage for livestock feed

• Earliest maturing cereal forage, providing an opportunity to double crop in southern geographies

• Can be grazed in the fall and/or spring if pasture is needed

KWS RyeGHT Seeding Practices

RyeGHT Rate and Time

The standard seeding rate is 1 unit/acre under good conditions for grain or forage use. To establish hybrid fall rye successfully, three weeks of good growing conditions are needed.

Seeding rate decision factors include moisture and heat units at seeding time, trash penetration, and seed row spacing. The suggested seeding rate and target shoot growth are as follows:

Suggested Seeding Rates

RyeGHT Preparation

Fall is busy, and fall seeded crops require proactive planning. Select well drained fields that are free of residual herbicides. Know where you plan to seed your hybrid rye before seeding your spring crop, seed that spring crop early, and spread the trash evenly during harvest to limit residue issues. Have your drill cleaned and ready after spring seeding is complete.

RyeGHT Seed Placement

Seed shallow at a ¾” depth with a travel speed of 5 mph or less into a firm seed bed to maintain consistent seed depth. Seeding deeper or faster will result in higher seedling mortality and a reduced stand. Maintain a ¾” seed depth even if the soil is dry and wait for rain. Narrow row spacing of 6–7.5” is optimal for hybrid fall rye. If seeding on 10–12” spacing, speed, depth, and rate are more critical to eliminate skips and gaps in the field.

RyeGHT Stand

Plant stand target is 16-18 plants/ft 2 (grain) and 16-20 plants/ft 2 (forage). Even emergence and achieving the target stand will provide the most consistent yields and the best resistance against ergot.

RyeGHT Pest Control

To protect seedlings against disease and insects, hybrid fall rye should be professionally treated with a registered seed treatment. A pre-plant or pre-emergent herbicide application is important to control weeds when the hybrid rye is the least competitive. If weed pressure is high in spring, an in crop herbicide application may be required. A well established hybrid rye stand will be competitive with most spring emerging weeds.

KWS PollenPLUS® Technology

Protect Your Yield with KWS PollenPLUS® – Advanced Defense Against Ergot in Hybrid Rye

Increased Pollen Production

• As demonstrated in the June 2024 photo above, KWS varieties exhibit a significantly increased capacity for pollen shedding during pollination.

Ergot Reduction

• Rapid and complete pollination results in a shorter period of ergot exposure.

Higher Yield

• More complete pollination reduces ergot infection, resulting in more grain kernels per head.

Improved Crop Quality

• More complete pollination reduces ergot infection, resulting in better grain quality and decreased dockage.

Expanded Market Access

• Superior grain quality allows access to all end use markets such as food, feed, and

Testimonial

“In the past few years, we’ve been seeing a decrease in ergot not only due to more sustainable farming practices and favorable recent weather but also the uptake of KWS Hybrid Rye varieties compared to open-pollinated ones. When I first started grading, it wasn’t unusual to consistently be cleaning 0.2% or higher ergot throughout the year. As more of our producers have started using KWS hybrid varieties, we are now seeing levels closer to 0.1% on average and anything higher requires additional planning. This makes it easier on the color sorter and means fewer discounts to the producer.”

Tyler Kleinsasser General Manager at Scoular Netley

Maximizing Ergot Protection with KWS Hybrid Rye

KWS Hybrid Rye is the only hybrid on the market with advanced ergot protection, making it ideal for livestock feeding and specialty markets.

KWS PollenPlus® varieties, when combined with our recommended RyeGHT Seeding Practices, significantly reduce the risk of ergot infection when compared to other rye varieties on the market.

Field Management

• Ergot lives in soil. Proper crop rotation should be used to break the cycle.

• Follow KWS RyeGHT Seeding Practices for optimal field management.

• Field edges are more susceptible to ergot. Harvest the inside first and store separately if higher levels are seen around edges to reduce contamination.

• Highly susceptible areas on farm can be harvested as forage prior to firm dough stage.

• If your field egde is surrounded by wild grasses or excessive weeds, mow before pollination begins.

Feeding Management

• Low levels of ergot can be fed to certain groups of livestock.

• Test all grains for mycotoxins including DON and ergot before feeding.

• Dilute mycotoxin-contaminated grain with other grains based on measured levels.

• Work with your nutritionist to determine safe feeding levels for your herd. Levels will vary depending on species, stage of production.

• If necessary, ergot can be cleaned from grain before feeding to livestock.

KWS varieties with best-in-class ergot protection are well-suited in livestock feed!

• KWS Trebiano

• KWS Sandor

• KWS Receptor

• KWS Serafino

KWS RECEPTOR

The Standout Choice

Offers outstanding winter hardiness and delivers consistent, top yields year after year.

KWS RECEPTOR features PollenPLUS® technology, which effectively reduces the risk of ergot and it’s short straw supports ease of management. For growers prioritizing yield, reliability, and quality – KWS RECEPTOR is the standout choice.

Main Features

Market-leading yields:

over hybrid rye checks*

over traditional checks*

Variety Highlights

Top-in-class winter hardiness Strong ergot protection

End Use Markets

KWS TREBIANO

Versatile

Offers farmers a complete agronomic package and suitability for all end-use markets in one Hybrid Rye variety.

KWS TREBIANO provides excellent ergot protection from PollenPLUS® technology, market leading standability, and high grain yields. This versatile hybrid meets farmers’ needs for food, feed, fuel, and forage.

* Source: Fall Rye Western Cooperative Registration Trials 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19

Main Features

Excellent ergot protection and standability:

44% less ergot than hybrid checks*

21% less lodging than hybrid checks*

Variety Highlights

Market-leading standability Excellent harvestability

End Use Markets

All Grain Markets Feed

Forage

KWS SERAFINO

The Dual-Purpose Option

Known for its dual-purpose attributes of high grain, straw and forage yields across all of Canada.

KWS SERAFINO provides very high yields on all soil types across Canada. Strong ergot protection from PollenPLUS® technology makes KWS SERAFINO a great fit for all grain markets.

* Source: Fall Rye Western Cooperative Registration Trials 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19

KWS SANDOR

Top in Class for Ergot

For farmers seeking reliable yields and minimal ergot risk.

KWS SANDOR is your top choice for superior ergot protection and high grain yields. This hybrid delivers outstanding performance for food, feed, and fuel markets.

Main Features

Market-leading ergot protection: 27 % less ergot than hybrid checks*

29 % less ergot than traditional checks*

* Source: Fall Rye Western Cooperative Registration

KWS BONO

Tried & True

Consistent high yields, great standability, and ease of harvest.

KWS BONO continues to perform on farms across Canada. It is known for consistent high yields and the shortest straw, which combines to offer great standability and ease of harvest. This reliability is why farmers call about it year after year.

Main Features Variety Highlights Market

* Source: Fall Rye Western Cooperative Registration Trials

KWS AVIATOR

Bred for Forages: Tall & Early

Top forage yields, winter hardiness, and early season vigor.

KWS AVIATOR provides ruminant livestock producers with an earlier harvested product, and when used in rotation with other forage crops it will extend the forage harvest season.

Variety Highlights

Top forage yields

Tall and robust structure

Earliest spring emergence

Unsurpassed winter hardiness

Source: Third Party USA Rye Trials

End-Use Market Opportunities

KWS Hybrid Rye offers diverse market opportunities due to its versatility and high nutritional value.

Here are some key End-Use markets:

• Milling, Distilling, Cover Crop, Feed Food Market

KWS Hybrid Rye grain is also gaining popularity in the food industry. It can be used in baking and milling to produce various food products such as bread, pastries, and cereals. The grain’s unique flavor and nutritional benefits make it a valuable ingredient in human nutrition.

Distilling Market

In the distilling industry KWS Hybrid Rye grain is used to produce high-quality spirits. Its unique characteristics contribute to the flavor and quality of the final product, making it a preferred choice for distillers.

Soil Protection Market

End-Use Markets

The KWS Cover+™ soil protection program offers a unique opportunity to market harvested rye from KWS hybrids to authorized licensed partners for use as a terminal cover crop. This initiative provides farmers with access to high-quality, second-generation rye seed for cover crop planting. Visit our website to find a licensed partner near you.

Feed Market

KWS Hybrid Rye grain is increasingly used in animal feed, particularly for swine and cattle. Its high digestibility and nutritional profile make it an excellent choice for livestock diets. Feeding hybrid rye to livestock improves animal health and welfare while maintaining performance.

Swine Feeding Recommendations

KWS Hybrid Rye can be incorporated into most stages of swine production. In the nursery phase, it can be introduced in phase 2 at a rate of 5–7%. Gradually increase the inclusion rate to 30% by the end of the nursery period. During the grower phase, Hybrid Rye can be increased in each phase, reaching a maximum of 70% inclusion in the finisher phases. For sows, Hybrid Rye provides an ideal fiber profile and can be fed at an inclusion rate of 25–50% to maximize feed efficiency, milk yield, and litter performance.

Beef Cattle Feeding Recommendations

KWS Hybrid Rye can be included in backgrounding diets for beef cattle at a rate of 6–15% to achieve maximum growth performance. During the finishing period, the inclusion rate can be increased to 20-40% in the ration to optimize feed efficiency.

Forage Market

KWS Hybrid Rye can be used as forage for livestock. It offers high yield and nutritional value, making it an excellent choice for silage and other forage applications.

Hybrid Rye Forage for Cattle

KWS Hybrid Rye is a fall seeded, winter-hardy crop that boasts excellent nutritional value and flexibility in forage feeding systems.

• Highest yielding cereal forage feeds more cows per acre

• Cutting early maximizes nutritional quality. Cutting late maximizes yield

Early cut (flag leaf/boot) is high in energy, nutrient dense and highly digestible, making it an ideal option for cattle requiring a nutrient packed ration.

Late cut (milk/soft dough) is higher in fibre with lower energy and nutrient density, making it a great option when reduced energy diets are needed.

• Rich in high quality soluble fibre critical to rumen health and animal performance

• Provides flexibility for cattle feed ingredients

Can be harvested for green feed or silage from flag leaf to milky dough stages.

Can be harvested as a high-quality feed grain.

Can be grazed in the fall, spring or after harvest if additional pasture is needed.

• Provides flexibility for cattle operations

Earliest maturing cereal forage, providing an opportunity to double crop in southern geographies.

Note: If double cropping after cutting at the flowering stage or earlier, ensure the rye is completely killed by tilling or applying herbicide to ensure there is no re-growth into the second crop.

Improves workload management due to different planting and harvest dates.

“Hybrid Fall Rye gives us high-quality forage early, plus a second cash or greenfed crop opportunity”

Jordan Kolk | Kolk Farms Ltd.

“We’ve been very happy using Hybrid Rye as a winter crop. It allows us to get high tonnage and a good source of highly digestible fibre in a short growing period. We are able to silage the rye early enough to grow a second silage crop and maximize our forage production.”

Ethan Slomp | Slomp Farms

Picture Butte, AB

Beef Cattle Testimonial

Dairy Cattle Testimonial

Nutrient Composition of Hybrid Rye Forage1

1 Data obtained from 2022 and 2023 US Forage Studies covering Northeast, South Central, Midwest and Pacific Northwest regions. 2023 KWS Hybrid Rye Trial Booklet by KWS Cereals USA

2 aNDFom is the Neutral Detergent Fibre on an organic matter basis (ash-free)

3 uNDFom is the undigested NDF fraction on an organic matter basis after the timepoint specified (hours)

4 NDFd refers to the digestibility of NDF after the specified time period (hours) Timing of Harvest for Late Cut

1 Mean harvest date of whole crop forage (35% DM at harvest) at two Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research sites in Alberta, Canada. AAFC Lacombe: 4 planting years (2018-2021) at 2 sites on dryland. AAFC Lethbridge: 1 planting year (2021) at 2 sites on irrigated land.

KWS Hybrid Rye Grain for Pigs

KWS Hybrid Rye is a fall seeded, winter-hardy crop that boasts excellent nutritional value and beneficial attributes for pigs of all ages.

Highest yielding cereal grain feeds more pigs per acre

• Average 30% more yield than conventional rye.

High in energy, nutrient dense and highly digestible

• Excellent amino acid profile, including high levels of lysine and methionine.

• Contains intrinsic phytase, improving the digestibility of phosphorus.

Rich in high quality soluble fibres that promote animal health and well-being

• Increased presence of beneficial bacteria can reduce pathogen binding in the intestine, leading to healthier pigs.

• Gut fill and soluble fibre digestion improves satiety, leading to calmer sows.

Low iodine value product (IVP), making it an ideal choice for meat quality and firmness

Can be included into all stages of swine production

• With a properly balanced ration, nursery and growing pigs have excellent feed intake, gains and feed efficiency.

“Assuming hybrid fall rye yields 40 more bu/acre than wheat grain, an additional 5 hogs (30 to 130 kg live weight) could be fed per acre at ~ 200 kg cereal grain intake per hog.”

Smit et al., Canadian Hog Journal, Summer 2018

Early pollination and KWS PollenPLUS® technology means that KWS Hybrid Rye is less susceptible to fusarium and ergot contamination compared to conventional rye and other cereal grains. It is always best practice to test your feed grains for mycotoxins before use. If mycotoxins are present work with your nutritionist or KWS to manage feeding levels, especially in your breeding herd.

KWS WeatherGuard Insurance

KWS knows there are risks in farming. We will partner in that risk with you, by providing you KWS WeatherGuard Insurance. It‘s there for you when an “Act of God” occurs, and additional insurance support is needed to help mitigate uncontrollable events.

When 50% or more of a field is lost due to environmental events such as winterkill from excessive cold temperatures, flooding, wind blowouts, or loss of establishment due to drought, this insurance will kick in.

This insurance provides all farmers who submit a valid claim by May 31st a credit of $20 per unit for each seeded unit lost. This credit will apply as a deduction off your next year’s purchase, up to a maximum of the units lost.

Contact your seed retailer to make a claim.

KWS YieldGuard Assurance

Supporting Canadian farmers with market-leading varieties is our mission at KWS. For over a decade, rye growers across the country have trusted KWS Hybrid Fall Rye genetics to deliver strong, consistent performance.

To extend that trust, we’re introducing KWS YieldGuard Assurance.

If you‘re currently growing open-pollinated rye or other approved cereal crops, we invite you to plant a side-by-side trial with KWS Hybrid Fall Rye and compare the results firsthand.

KWS guarantees that our Hybrid Rye varieties will outyield any conventional open-pollinated rye or approved cereal crop—or we’ll refund the difference in seed cost. It’s a risk-free opportunity to experience the performance of Hybrid Rye on your own farm.