Annual Ryegrass
Description
Shiny, dark green, annual bunchgrass with smooth leaves. Grows 2 to 4 feet tall in seed head stage.
Uses
Fall and winter pasture, hay, erosion control.
Advantages
High nutritive quality and palatability, excellent seedling vigor, reseeds itself easily, tolerates close grazing.
Disadvantages
Not always winter-hardy. Low quality after heading. Can be overly competitive in mixtures. Reseeds prolifically and can be a troublesome weed in crop fields.
Seeding
Rate: 20-30 lb/a
Depth: ¼-½ in
Date: Aug 15-Oct 1
Harvest
First harvest: Apr 20-May 15
Annual yield: 1-3 tons dry matter/a
Publications
- Forage Identification and Use Guide
- Grain & Forage Crop Guide for Kentucky
- Producing Summer Annual Grasses for Emergency or Supplemental Forage