Evaluation of Cereal Rye Varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry
- Research Date
- 2019
- Authors
- Dean Baas, Brook Wilke
- Priorities
- Best Practices, Crop Quality
- Crop Categories
- Grain, Rye
- Beverage Categories
- Beer, Spirits
Rye is commonly used as a cover crop by Michigan’s farmers, and variety selection has been based on performance as a cover crop more so than grain quality. Thus, we know little about the grain quality of common or improved rye varieties as it relates to distilling, brewing or food purposes. This multi-year project is testing 16 different varieties across three locations in Michigan to evaluate agronomic and quality differences between rye varieties as well as their response to different management practices. Harvest and analysis will be completed in summer and fall of 2020.