KWS Serafino Hybrid Rye

Description:

KWS Serafino is a hybrid rye cultivar that is for the distilling and malt industry. It can also be used for livestock feed. With the data that has been gathered about Serafino it has shown to bring some competition to other grains.

About KWS Hybrid Rye:

KWS Group has a longstanding legacy of delivering high-quality seed products to farmers worldwide. Through advanced breeding programs and rigorous research, KWS supports global food security by supplying seed varieties that meet the demands of a growing population. A pioneer in Hybrid Rye development, KWS began its dedicated breeding efforts in the 1980s and introduced its Hybrid Rye genetics to the United States in 2016.

Hybrid rye is a highly efficient and resilient crop, offering numerous agronomic advantages. It demonstrates strong drought tolerance, high yield potential, excellent winter hardiness, improved standability, and enhanced resistance to diseases. Hybrid rye actually produces a biochemical that inhibits the germination of weed seeds. The growth vigor of Hybrid rye causes it to grow faster, elongating the stems to outpace and shade weed growth. These traits make it an excellent choice when needing to get those pesky weeds under control. Hybrid rye also has an outstanding cold tolerance. It has been shown that it can germinate in temperatures as low as 33 degrees.  In recent years, KWS has intensified its Hybrid Rye breeding program to achieve lower ergot levels, enhancing both crop safety and marketability.

Benefits of Hybrid Rye:

• Hybrid vigor- more biomass above and below the soil surface, increased root activity for better nutrient uptake and improved stress tolerance
• Best winter hardiness of all cereal grains
• Good competition with weeds
• Good source of protein and highly digestible fiber for forage options
• Increase yield potential- proving to be one of the highest yielding small grains on the market
• Drought tolerance- requires 20% less water as compared to winter wheat
• High disease resistance
• Built-in ergot protection
• Lower crop inputs needed

Planting and Establishment:

Hybrid Rye can be grown in multiple soil types but prefers medium to light soils. It should not be planted in water-logged or heavy soils that are consistently wet in the spring. Progas Hybrid Rye should be planted in the fall, usually around August or September. Because of its great cold tolerance, Hybrid Rye can germinate in temperatures as low as 33 degrees Fahrenheit in the fall and will start to grow at 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hybrid Rye establishes quickly in the field, thanks to its ability to absorb moisture efficiently during germination. Its extensive root system not only helps retain soil moisture but also improves the crop’s ability to compete with weeds. Weed control is further enhanced in two key ways: Hybrid Rye releases natural compounds that suppress weed seed germination, and its strong hybrid vigor allows it to grow rapidly—advancing through stem elongation faster than other cereals—to outpace and shade emerging weeds.

Seeding Rate:

Progas Hybrid Rye should be planted as follows:

• Seeding Depth: 0.75 inches
• Silage Seeding Rate per Acre: 0.8 unit
• Grazing Seeding Rate per Acre: 0.8-1.0 unit

** Hybrid Rye will always be packaged and sold in units. 1 unit of Hybrid Rye seed is equivalent to 1 million viable seeds.

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