How hybrid rye is boosting profitability within UK rotations

Demand for hybrid rye has been experiencing a resurgence, with anaerobic digestion plants helping to fuel its growth across the UK.

But variety selection is key to maximising the low input, high yield potential.

As margins tighten and performance pressures mount, hybrid rye is quickly becoming a go-to crop in the UK, particularly for its robust agronomic benefits and economic advantages.

The rise in demand for hybrid rye is largely fuelled by its use in anaerobic digestion (AD) plants, offering growers a reliable and stable market for their crops.

This growing interest is bringing more attention to the variety’s potential, with breeders actively developing high-performing options suited for grain, whole crop, and AD applications.

It’s reported that 75% of the crop in the UK going to AD plants, 15% to pig rations, and 10% to the flour milling and distilling industries.

Key varieties taking the lead

KWS has been at the forefront of hybrid rye breeding, with varieties such as Serafino and Tayo proving popular.

New to the 2026/27 AHDB Recommended List is KWS Emphor, KWS’s highest-yielding variety, excelling in both grain and whole crop production.

This variety boasts strong resistance to brown rust and excellent drought tolerance, making it a solid choice for future-proofing rye production.

The benefits of hybrid rye for AD

Philip Marr, Renewable Biomass Consultant at Agrii, highlights the growing appeal of hybrid rye, especially with AD as the end market.

Philip Marr © KWS

“One key advantage is the guaranteed market with most plant operators offering staged payments, meaning growers often receive 30% at drilling, 30% in March or April, and the remaining 40% at intake,” he says.

However, Mr Marr warns that variety selection is key as not all rye varieties are created equal for AD use.

AD-specific varieties can produce around 180m³ of biogas per tonne of fresh material, compared to just 130m³ achieved from other rye types, so selecting the right variety can have a significant impact on returns.

Lower input costs for higher yield

Another big advantage of hybrid rye is its efficiency in nutrient use.

According to KWS’s Rory Hannam, trials show that hybrid rye can achieve high yields while reducing nitrogen input by as much as 100kg/ha compared to second wheat crops.

For example, he points to a Norfolk trial where KWS Tayo delivered a 10.84t/ha grain yield with just 80kgN/ha, showcasing its ability to cut costs while maintaining strong output.

Rory Hannam © KWS

“Hybrid rye’s ability to thrive with low inputs is a game-changer, allowing farmers to improve margins while reducing their environmental footprint,” he says.

Reliable and resilient crop for the future

Farmers seeking a reliable, low-input crop that suits a range of soil types and conditions should look no further than hybrid rye.

With a drilling window from early September to November and drought resistance that requires 25-33% less water than wheat, hybrid rye provides an excellent option for growers

Its deep roots allow it to perform well on free-draining, acidic, or sandy soils, and its versatility is shown in its ability to tackle grassweeds when whole cropped in June, offering early entry for oilseed rape.

Hybrid rye is particularly resilient in challenging years. For example, in 2025, when grass silage and maize yields were at half their normal levels, one farmer in Yorkshire harvested an impressive 75.8t/ha of hybrid rye, while another in Cockermouth saw yields of 63t/ha.

Disease resistance and market opportunities

Not only is hybrid rye resilient in the field, but it’s also resistant to common threats such as take-all, septoria, eyespot, and BYDV.

It also boasts excellent resistance to yellow rust, and modern breeding techniques have largely addressed its historic susceptibility to ergot.

KWS’s hybrid rye varieties, such as KWS Emphor, incorporate the PollenPLUS® trait, which enhances pollen production and boosts the crop’s natural defense against ergot.

Hybrid rye varieties to watch:

• KWS Serafino: A reliable variety with high ergot resistance, strong drought tolerance, and excellent standing power.
• KWS Tayo: Proven to perform well with reduced nitrogen inputs, delivering a 10.84t/ha yield at 80kgN/ha.
• KWS Emphor: A top performer for both grain and wholecrop, with strong brown rust resistance and drought tolerance.