Cover Crop Seed

Triticale 813 Hexaploide by StarSeed Seed

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A lush field of TriCal 813 hexaploid triticale forage crop with a branded sign in the foreground, with researchers standing in the background.

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What is Triticale 813 Hexaploide?

Triticale is a man-made hybrid grain created by crossing wheat (Triticum aestivum) with rye (Secale cereale). First successfully produced in the late 19th century and commercially developed through the 20th century, triticale combines the yield potential, protein content, and palatability of wheat with the cold tolerance, hardiness, and vigor of rye. The 813 designation refers to StarSeed's specific variety selection — developed to maximize the agronomic advantages of the triticale hybrid while reducing its key limitation relative to cereal rye: allelopathic chemical residue. 'Hexaploide' refers to the chromosome structure: hexaploid triticale has six sets of chromosomes (three from wheat, three from rye), which confers higher yield potential, better disease resistance, and superior agronomic performance compared to earlier octoploid triticale varieties. Modern hexaploid triticale is the commercial standard and is what most agronomists and extension services reference when discussing triticale cover crops and forage. For cover crop use, Triticale 813 is primarily valued as a high-biomass winter annual that establishes quickly after fall planting, overwinters under Zone 4–9 conditions, produces 4,000–8,000+ lbs of dry matter per acre depending on management, and terminates cleanly in spring to prepare for the following cash crop. Its residue breaks down faster than cereal rye residue, reducing the allelopathic window.

Specifications

USDA Regions 4–9
Seeding Rate 60–100 lbs/acre broadcast; 50–80 lbs/acre drilled. Reduce 30–40% when using in mixes.
Sun Requirements Full Sun (6+ hours)
Time to Germinate 5–10 days germination; 180–240 days to grain maturity as winter annual

Seeding Specs

Water Needs Moderate
Soil Preference Adaptable to wide range of soils including loam, clay loam, and sandy loam; moderate drainage required
Soil pH pH 5.5–7.5
Planting Depth 1–2 inches

Establishment Specs

Height 3–5 feet
Color Green winter; amber-gold at grain maturity
Uses Winter cover crop, high-biomass green manure, winter forage, grain production, soil building
Native/Introduced Introduced — hexaploid hybrid (Triticum × Secale)

Why Choose This Seed?

High Biomass — 4,000–8,000+ lbs Dry Matter Per Acre

Triticale 813 is a biomass powerhouse. Under good growing conditions — adequate fall establishment, favorable winter precipitation, and spring growth before termination — it produces 4,000–8,000 lbs of dry matter per acre or more. This biomass translates directly to soil organic matter when incorporated as a green manure, or to high-quality winter forage when grazed or harvested as silage. High biomass also means superior weed suppression: a dense, tall triticale canopy is one of the most effective biological weed suppression tools available to cover crop farmers.

Less Allelopathic Than Cereal Rye

Cereal rye can release allelopathic compounds (benzoxazinoids) from decomposing residue that may delay establishment of some small-seeded crops — though much of rye's effect on the following crop is actually due to nitrogen tie-up, and the field impact of allelopathy is variable. Triticale 813 is reported to have lower allelopathic activity than cereal rye, which can make it a more rotation-friendly choice ahead of sensitive small-seeded vegetables, legumes, or cover-crop mixes. (The exact magnitude of the difference is best confirmed with StarSeed.)

Superior Forage Protein

Triticale consistently outperforms cereal rye on forage quality metrics — particularly crude protein content. StarSeed's 813 variety typically tests 14–18% crude protein in the vegetative stage, 2–4 percentage points higher than comparable cereal rye at the same growth stage. It also has higher palatability (lower tannin and secondary compounds) and softer grain, making it more readily and uniformly grazed by cattle without selective avoidance. For winter annual forage programs, Triticale 813 delivers more nutritional value per acre than cereal rye across most management scenarios.

Pairs with Legumes for Complete Cover Crop System

Triticale 813 does not fix nitrogen — it must be paired with a legume for a complete cover crop system providing both carbon (biomass) and nitrogen. The ideal pairing is hairy vetch (40–50%) + Triticale 813 (60–50%) for winter cover, or crimson clover (30–40%) + Triticale 813 for milder climates. The triticale provides the structural canopy and weed suppression while the legume fixes 80–150 lbs of nitrogen per acre depending on conditions and management. This combination is one of the most agronomically and economically proven winter cover crop systems available to grain and mixed farmers.

Honest About Limitations

Triticale 813 requires high seeding rates (60–100 lbs/acre as pure stand) — seed cost per acre is higher than small-seeded cover crops even at a low per-pound price. It is not a legume and contributes no biological nitrogen fixation on its own; always pair with a legume for full nitrogen benefit. It is a winter annual and will complete its life cycle and die by summer — it is not suitable as a spring-only planting in warm climates where it will head out and die before summer forage needs arise. Large seed and high seeding rate mean freight costs can add meaningfully to total cost-per-acre for large orders.

How to Plant Triticale 813

Site Prep

Triticale 813 is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and tolerates less-than-perfect seedbed conditions better than many cover crops.

For best performance, terminate the previous crop cleanly and work the residue into the soil surface before seeding — heavy standing residue can interfere with drill seed placement.

In no-till systems, the large seed size and seedling vigor of triticale makes it one of the most suitable cover crops for direct drilling into residue without tillage. A firm seedbed is preferred in all systems.

Seeding

Drill at 50–80 lbs/acre at 1–2 inch depth. Broadcast at 60–100 lbs/acre and disk or drag lightly to incorporate.

Seed falls no deeper than 2 inches — shallower seeding (1 inch) works well in moist soils. Germination is rapid (5–10 days) under good moisture and temperature conditions (40–75°F soil).

When using in a mix, reduce rate to 40–50 lbs/acre and add the legume component. Calibrate your drill for the large seed size — triticale is significantly larger than ryegrass, vetch, or clover and requires different drill settings.

Establishment

Triticale 813 establishes rapidly. Germination in 5–10 days, seedling emergence 7–14 days under normal fall conditions.

Plants tiller aggressively after emergence, spreading vegetatively to form a dense canopy within 30–45 days under favorable conditions. By the time killing frost arrives, plants should have 3–5 tillers each and be 6–12 inches tall.

This growth stage overwinters well across Zones 4–9. Fall-established plants resume growth rapidly in early spring and can reach 3–5 feet before spring termination if left ungrazed.

Long-Term Care

For cover crop use: terminate Triticale 813 at the appropriate spring growth stage for your system. For maximum biomass and carbon input, terminate at early heading (when the seed head first emerges from the boot) — typically April–May depending on zone.

For faster residue breakdown and reduced allelopathic concern, terminate at jointing (stem elongation, before heading). Options include roller-crimping, herbicide, or tillage.

For forage use: graze or cut when plants reach 8–12 inches in fall and again in early spring before heading. Avoid grazing below 4 inches to maintain stand vigor.

Note that triticale, like other cereals, can accumulate nitrates under drought or frost stress — test stressed forage before grazing or feeding.

Helpful Resources

Cover Crop Planting Guide

Cover Crop Planting Guide

Learn more about Cover Crop Planting Guide
The Ultimate Guide for Improving Clay Soil for Thriving Plant Growth

The Ultimate Guide for Improving Clay Soil for Thriving Plant Growth

Learn more about The Ultimate Guide for Improving Clay Soil for Thriving Plant Growth
All About Cover Crops & Green Manure

All About Cover Crops & Green Manure

Learn more about All About Cover Crops & Green Manure

Questions & Answers

What is hexaploid triticale and why does it matter?
Hexaploid triticale has six chromosome sets — three from wheat and three from rye. Early triticale varieties were octoploid (eight sets), which caused instability, poor seed set, and inconsistent performance. The development of stable hexaploid lines in the 1960s–80s solved most of these problems, producing varieties with consistent yields, better disease resistance, and predictable agronomic performance. All modern commercial triticale varieties, including StarSeed's 813, are hexaploid. When you see 'Hexaploide' on the product name, it signals you are getting the commercially stable form of triticale, not an experimental or obsolete type.
How does Triticale 813 compare to cereal rye for cover cropping?
The key practical differences: Triticale 813 has substantially lower allelopathic activity, making it safer for sensitive following crops. It produces higher crude protein forage (14–18% versus 10–14% for rye). It is generally more palatable to livestock. Cereal rye has slightly better cold hardiness at the extreme (Zone 3), establishes faster in cold soils, and has a longer track record in northern grain belts. For most Zone 4–9 cover crop programs — especially those rotating into vegetables, legumes, or where livestock palatability matters — Triticale 813 is the agronomically superior choice. For Zone 3 or pure no-till corn/soy systems in the northern Corn Belt, cereal rye may remain the better option.
What legumes pair best with Triticale 813?
For winter annual cover crop mixes, the two best-proven partners are hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum). Hairy vetch is the highest-nitrogen-fixing option (100–150+ lbs N/acre in well-managed stands) and is winter-hardy to Zone 5–6. Crimson clover is better suited to Zones 7–9 mild winters, fixes 80–120 lbs N/acre, and terminates more easily in spring. In the mix, use Triticale 813 at 40–50 lbs/acre paired with 15–20 lbs/acre hairy vetch, or 10–15 lbs/acre crimson clover. The triticale canopy protects the legume from cold wind and frost while the legume fixes the nitrogen the cereal cannot provide.
Can Triticale 813 be grazed or harvested as hay?
Yes — Triticale 813 is well-suited for both winter grazing and spring hay or silage harvest. For grazing: allow plants to reach 8–12 inches before first grazing, do not graze below 4 inches, and maintain 21–30 day recovery periods between grazing events. Like other cereal forages, triticale can accumulate nitrates under drought or frost stress, especially in young, lush growth — test forage and follow your extension or vet guidance before grazing stressed stands. For hay or silage: cut at early heading for maximum yield and quality. Triticale silage at this stage tests well on protein and energy and compares favorably with small grain silage. It can also be grazed in fall, rested through the coldest winter months, then grazed again in early spring before heading — a two-pass grazing system that maximizes the forage value of the planting.
What is the seeding cost per acre for Triticale 813?
At $1.50/lb (small quantity) and a broadcast seeding rate of 80 lbs/acre, seed cost is approximately $120/acre for a pure stand. At the mid-tier price ($1.35/lb), cost drops to approximately $108/acre. At the bulk price ($1.28/lb), approximately $102/acre. In a mix with hairy vetch or crimson clover at reduced rate (50 lbs/acre triticale + legume), triticale seed cost drops to $75–$90/acre depending on tier. These figures compare favorably with cereal rye at similar seeding rates. The high seeding rate is the primary cost driver — the per-pound price is low, but total seed volume per acre is high.
How early can I plant Triticale 813 in fall?
Plant Triticale 813 as early as possible within your fall window to maximize pre-winter growth and biomass. In Zones 4–5 (northern states, upper Midwest), this means mid-August through September. In Zones 6–7 (mid-Atlantic, central states), September through mid-October. In Zones 8–9 (Southeast, Texas, Pacific Coast), October through November. Earlier fall planting consistently produces more tillers, more pre-winter biomass, and better weed suppression through winter. Very early planting (August in northern zones) risks some late-season insect pressure on young plants but is generally worth the trade-off in biomass production. Do not plant so late that the stand cannot reach the 3-leaf stage before hard frost.

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