Rye cultivation is particularly attractive on light soils. Due to climatic changes and stricter regulations on mineral fertilization, rye production will become more adequate on good soils. Compared to other cereals rye needs fewer nutrients, e.g. nitrogen, to achieve satisfactory yields. For an expansion of the cultivation of rye, sufficient sales channel are needed to ensure economic attractiveness. Here, pig feeding is a relevant, but underutilized, option. Rye plays a minor role as a cereal component in pig feeding, despite economic advantages which are demonstrated relative to wheat. The following study examines the factors that influence the use of rye and the quantitative amount of rye used in pig feeding. The results of a survey among pig holders in Germany show personal, external/social and farm related factors, respectively. The application of a double hurdle model allows for an individual analysis of factors related to the amount of rye used and factors related to a renunciation of rye in pig feeding. Personal attitudes towards rye are more negative with farmers who avoid rye, not just related to feeding, but also related to cropping. On farm rye cultivation stands out among all factors to influence rye adoption. Conclusively, information campaigns should focus on both, cultivation and feeding. A combined communication of the potential problem of ergotism and the low Fusarium susceptibility may improve the perception of rye as feeding component. Self-mixing of feeding materials, the opinion of social peers and a business focus on pig farming are positively related to the use of rye. It remains unclear, if feed producers will 2 expand efforts to sell rye components in response to the novel legislation on fertilization. The study identifies target groups that would particularly benefit from an increased use of rye.