The markets for rye
Rye grain has a number of potential markets but, overall, the market is currently limited, and growers should only grow the crop if they have a market secured.
As part of the recent Teagasc National Tillage Conference, Teagasc officially launched the Rye Growers’ Guide – prepared by Teagasc Research Officer, Richie Hackett – a comprehensive new resource designed to support Irish tillage farmers in optimising rye production for feed and food as well as for use in the drinks industry. Below is an excerpt on the potential markets for rye.
Potential markets include animal feed, human consumption, in the drinks industry and as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion.
Animal feed
The main market for rye grain in the near future is likely to be as animal feed. Rye can be used as a component of compound feeds for a variety of species, including ruminants, but is particularly suitable for pig diets and is used for this purpose in other European countries such as Denmark.
Recent research on using rye in pig finisher diets in Ireland, carried out by Peadar Lawlor at Teagasc, Moorepark, concluded that growth rates were excellent and that rye can be considered a safe ingredient for use in finisher pig diets.
Its value is intermediate between that of wheat and barley being closer to that of barley. Based on chemical analysis, the forecast value of rye in the diet was 94% of the value of wheat.
Modern hybrids have also significantly reduced the risk of ergot, and consequently ergot alkaloids which are detrimental to performance, compared to older varieties.
There is some evidence from abroad that rye may have lower levels of mycotoxins than other cereal grains also given similar environmental growing conditions.
There has been some progress in establishing linkages between arable units and pig units such that the arable units would supply rye grain either directly or through an intermediary to the pig unit. Such linkages could also allow transfer of pig manure to the arable unit and thereby reduce fertiliser costs.
There is limited research internationally on the feed value of rye for ruminants, but the available data would suggest that, based on its composition, it has a similar or slightly better feed value than barley but somewhat lower than maize. It can reduce palatability when included at very high inclusion levels (>50% ration).
Human consumption
Rye grain can be used for human consumption where it has a number of advantages including the lowest glycemic index of the cereal grains, high dietary fibre and positive effects on long term cardiovascular health.
It can be used in a range of products including rye bread, rye biscuits and as a component in processed foods. The market for rye for human consumption in Ireland is currently limited. Achieving the required specification for milling is usually easier for rye than for milling wheat although this will depend on the end users’ specifications.
Distilling
Rye grain is used by some distilleries in the production of whiskey. It can be used either as the exclusive grain used in the production of the whiskey or as a component of the mash bill along with other grains. This market is currently small and is likely to remain limited in the near future.
Anaerobic digestion
Rye, harvested as a wholecrop silage, is commonly used as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion plants in other jurisdictions such as the UK. Given current targets for anaerobic digestion in Ireland, this may become a significant market in the future. Its high biomass yield provides a basis for obtaining high biogas yields when used as part of a feedstock mix for the AD plant. This could also provide digestate as a fertiliser back to the grower.