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Photo: SuperAgronom.com
Just 7-8 years ago, silage rye was a rarity in the southern Vinnytsia region, as farmers predominantly planted alfalfa. Today, the situation is changing, especially in areas with risky farming conditions: rye tolerates drought better and yields more green mass.
This was announced during the AgroExpedition Milk2026, held with the support of “KWS-UKRAINE” and Credit Agricole Bank, by Valentyn Kachala, an agroservice specialist at KWS-UKRAINE, reports SuperAgronom.com.
“This is more of a solution for more professional farm levels. It is difficult to convince smaller producers who manage up to 100 cows. It is easier for them not to change their usual crop, as switching to rye requires different equipment,” he explains.
Due to dry conditions, the region is currently lagging behind, for example, Cherkasy region, where yields are at the level of 16-19 t/ha. However, this year, thanks to light May rains, the lag is decreasing. By the way, last season, silage maize in the region was almost completely burned out due to drought.
Read also: How to get high-quality rye silage: features of harvesting rye for silage and ensiling technologies
There is also a dynamic in the choice of maize hybrids. Some farms consciously stick to grain hybrids – just in case, to use the harvest for cornage if necessary, if the year turns out to be dry.
“But whoever has tried a true silage hybrid at least once will opt for it again. Even from our versatile hybrids, which can be both for grain and silage, such a client will already refuse,” notes Valentyn Kachala.
Alla Husarova, SuperAgronom.com
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