A cereal grass plant (× Triticosecale) obtained from hybridization of wheat (Triticum) with rye (Secale cereale). It is a crop plant with a small-seeded cereal grain that is used for human food and livestock feed. Worldwide, triticale is slowly gaining importance as a cereal grain. In 1998 it was estimated that about 2.9 million hectares (7.2 million acres) were planted each year. The European continent dominates triticale production with 70% of the total area. Countries with the greatest production (more than 100,000 ha, or 247,000 acres) are Poland, Russia, Germany, France, Australia, Brazil, and the United States.