HHD beef specialist says ‘plant rye’ for cows

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Tips on how to grow, benefits of rye, other cereal crops

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  • UNL beef systems specialist Mary Drewnoski gave a speech on the benefits of grazing and feeding cattle on fields planted with rye, noting costs, yields and gains for cattle.
    UNL beef systems specialist Mary Drewnoski gave a speech on the benefits of grazing and feeding cattle on fields planted with rye, noting costs, yields and gains for cattle.
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Most people enjoy consuming products that come from cows, but what about what cows eat? 
Besides the grass on a pasture, cattle producers can plant their own types of grains in order to get better feed, improve soil health and even earn money on the side with winter-hardy cereal crops, according to University of Nebraska-Lincoln beef systems specialist Mary Drewnoski, who spoke at Husker Harvest Days Sept. 14.
“You can have your cake and eat it too,” Drewnoski said. “So we can utilize cover crops for soil health and still utilize them for forage and get both benefits.”
Speaking from experience, Drewnoski explained that she grew her own rye, two varieties known commonly as southern and northern types, giving her first-hand knowledge in growing one of the cheapest cereal crops. 

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