What is triticale? Triticale is a cereal crop which was developed by humans rather than through natural evolution. A wheat-rye cross, triticale was initially developed to combine the positive traits of both parent types; the vigor and winter hardiness as well as the higher protein content of rye combined with the higher quality gluten and baking properties of wheat. The common name triticale represents a combination of the two generic names Triticum (wheat) and Secale (rye). Several varieties of triticale have been "made", varying in days to maturity from 92 to 100 days. By looking at the grain, triticale most closely resembles its wheat parent but exhibits more vigorous growth characteristics. Triticale may be either spring or winter in growth habit depending on the parents used in the cross. Why grow Triticale? The seed can be used as human food or livestock feed. The triticale grain is superior to wheat as food for humans and feed for livestock. The protein levels are higher than those of bread wheat. As a source of energy, triticale can replace wheat, barley, corn or sorghum grain. Triticale , like its rye parent, is well adapted to the poor soil areas of the world, and has been viewed as a crop to be grown in areas unsuited for wheat. Most of the Canadian production is shipped to the United States and almost all of it has been used in animal feeds, mainly as a blender. Another area of use may be in alcohol production, as some tests have indicated that triticale may yield four times more alcohol than rye.