USDA expands triticale crop insurance for 2026 as growers see rising demand
A Michigan farmer says growing demand for triticale is helping to diversify rotations and marketing opportunities.
Sixth-generation grower Janna Fritz says her farm has been growing the crop for seed on and off for the past few years.
“We have found dairy farmers up in our area are looking at it predominantly for that forage quality protein,” she explains. “It’s a supplement to alfalfa as well if you want to change up your field rotations.”
She tells Brownfield, “It provides a nice cover crop over winter while still providing a good forage source.”
“And, we still have time in most cases once we get it chopped off to potentially put in a dry bean crop,” she says.
The USDA has expanded Triticale Crop Insurance for the 2026 season to nearly 260 counties across the country, including offering it for the first time in parts of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
