I hear the argument on habitat forums often that rye has a soil benefit over wheat, but the regenerative and soil health crowds view wheat and rye pretty much equally for soil health. Grazers on the otherhand tend to prefer wheat for palatability and longer grazing dates than rye. Rye shines for those in the northern states because it is hardier in harsh winter conditions (less winter kill than wheat), and it tends to be palatable earlier than wheat. The downside is that it becomes stemmy and less likely to be eaten earlier in the spring than wheat. I 100% get why the guys up north in Wis and MN need winter rye over wheat, it's simply the only thing that works.
A couple of quick reads:
https://www.soilhealthpartnership.org/blog-story/cover-crops-which-one-should-i-choose/
From the link... Notice that wheat and rye have the same Soil Health Benefits, but rye has a high carbon to nitrogen ratio requiring nitrogen inputs.
- Cereal Rye
- Most widely-used cover crop in the Midwest
- Soil health benefits: breaks up compaction layers, erosion control, fast biomass growth, grazing and forage potential, nutrient scavenger
- Caution using before corn, due to high carbon to nitrogen ratios and potential allelopathic effects. Early termination and starter with plenty of nitrogen applied upfront help to minimize nitrogen tie-up. Plant 2 inches deep with a well-closed seed trench to avoid allelopathy.
- Allowing more spring growth could improve weed control in soybeans
- Wheat
- Good option similar to cereal rye, better forage option
- Slower spring growth and less overall biomass than cereal rye.
- Soil health benefits: breaks up compaction layers, erosion control, fast biomass growth, grazing and forage potential, nutrient scavenger
Another easy read for the grazing crowd...
https://cropwatch.unl.edu/rye-triticale-or-wheat-which-best-fits-your-spring-forage-need