Any grower trying relay intercropping for the first time should do so on a limited scale. Irrigation is required most years for successful relay intercropping. When the relay intercrop is planted, the small grain crop is at a moderate to heavy water use stage. Consequently, if rainfall is deficient or uneven, the underseeded row crop can undergo extreme drought stress. Irrigation after small grain harvest will likely be needed for continued development of the relay intercrop.
Winter wheat is the best small grain to use for relay intercropping.
Wheat winterkill can occur throughout Nebraska, especially in the northeast. The variety Arapahoe has good winter hardiness, medium height and maturity, and fair to good straw strength. It should be a good variety to use in a relay intercrop program. Rose and Seward have better winter hardiness but are taller and several days later than Arapahoe. Rose would be a good variety for northeast Nebraska.