Description:

• Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is a fast-establishing annual forage grass.
• Approx. 227,000 seeds per pound, 24 pounds per bushel
• Provides excellent quality forage, depending on climate and available moisture.
• Due to its quick regrowth, very early development in spring, and a prolonged growing period in the fall, this species usually has greater overall productivity than other cool season grasses.
• Crops that follow a stand of annual ryegrass also show higher yields compared to other green manure crops.
• Sometimes confused with Winter Rye Grain planted in the fall.

Management considerations:

• As with perennial ryegrass, the tetraploid varieties of Italian ryegrasses have higher fresh yield, lower dry matter content, broader leaves, and are often more disease resistant, where as diploid varieties are more persistent and winter-hardy.
• Will want to head out in the seeding year with lack of moisture and the addition of heat stress, thus reducing forage quality.
• Thrives in all kinds of soils but prefers those with moisture-holding capability

Best Uses:

• As a cover crop for new alfalfa seedings.
• Perfect rotation crop for plowdown or emergency feed.
• Perfect option in extending a grass or alfalfa stand's longevity.
• Because ryegrasses establish easily, they are also well suited for pasture renovation and minor field repairs.

Optimum Planting Dates:

• Early to late spring, late summer.
• (In southern MN: March 15 – May 15, August 1st - August 15th)

Seeding Recommendations:

• Seed 30-40 lbs/acre alone or 6-10 lbs/acre in a grass mix. Seed 4 lbs/acre as nurse crop.
• Use of a Brillion seeder; a no-till drill or a culti-packer is ideal. Frost seeding and broadcast seeding in early spring, timed with moist soil can work well, especially if the animals are allowed to "hoof" it into the existing pasture.
• Seed to soil contact is vital to having a successful stand.
• Take caution to not plant the seed more than ¼" deep. Green Spirit establishes rapidly, but plants should be firmly rooted prior to first grazing.
• About 14 days to emergence

Fertility requirements:

• Protein content is highly influenced by nitrogen fertility. In addition to following soil test recommendations, apply commercial fertilizer or manure at a rate of 50# N/a at planting time and approximately every other grazing.
• If machine harvesting, 50 lbs N/acre should be applied at green-up and after each cutting.

Pasture management

• Annual ryegrass is highly palatable; avoid over grazing.
• Graze at approximately 6-8 inches and remove animals when at 2-3 inches.
• When grazing, reduce grain levels and consider adding more fiber to the ration.

Management for Hay

• If machine harvesting, note that cutting ryegrasses with a sickle bar can be difficult. Disc mowers and drum mowers are highly preferred.
• For high hay quality, cut first time at boot stage.
• Can out-compete alfalfa during a cool, wet spring.

Recommendation:

Alfalfa is often established with an oat cover crop in the Midwest and Northeast. Oats as a cover crop controls weeds, reduces soil erosion, and either increases forage yield or results in oat grain and straw production. However, oats has lower forage quality and palatability than often desired. Ryegrass has shown potential as another cover crop that could be seeded with alfalfa.

Ryegrass Types for Pasture and Hay
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/pubs/ryegrass.htm

Annual Ryegrass Cover Crop
http://www.ryegrasscovercrop.com

Oregon Cover Crops: Annual Ryegrass
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/em/em8691/