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Understanding the Many Uses of Annual & Gulf
Annual Ryegrass
There are nearly 3 million acres of Annual &
Gulf Annual Ryegrass in the United States, with about 90
percent used for winter pasture in the Southeast. About 80 percent
of this ryegrass pasture is established by overseeding into warm
season perennial grasses to extend the grazing season.
Annual Ryegrass is also grown for silage and hay on poorly drained
soils where small grains are not adapted.
OVERSEEDING HOME
LAWNS -
SOUTH
In the Northeast and Pacific Northwest,
Annual Ryegrass is used to interseed corn and other row crops to
absorb excess nitrogen, reduce erosion after row crop harvest and
provide winter feed. In the northern United States and Canada it
is grown as a summer annual, typically as a quick cover lawn
grass. Often it serves as a "nurse" crop for the
slowergerminating and establishing lawn grass species.
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Smaller
amounts are used for roadside stabilization, as a cover crop
for reducing soil erosion and as a green manure crop to
provide organic matter for improved soil structure.
Interestingly, Annual Ryegrass is also used for fish feed in
China. Grass-eating species of carp are fed hand-harvested
Annual Ryegrass. |
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RYEGRASS SEED
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Annual &
Gulf Annual Turf Applications
Annual Ryegrass is quick to germinate and
is often used to overseed the warm-season grasses. The warm-season
turf is sometimes mowed lightly to allow the ryegrass seed to get
good soil contact, but the seed is often just spread on top of the
established turf and watered in. Annual Ryegrass is lighter
green and slightly coarser than perennial ryegrass. It is also
less heat-tolerant than perennial. This could be an advantage for
overseeding since Annual Ryegrass should disappear before it
interferes with the growth of the warm season grass. Warm
season grasses go dormant during the winter months and can be
overseeded with a cool season grass variety to maintain green
color and adequate quality.
Annual Ryegrass, perennial ryegrass or
rough bluegrass are the standard grasses used for overseeding.
The best time to overseed the home lawn is mid to late October,
but more accurately after the first frost. Annual Ryegrass is the
fastest germinating of the three varieties and often the least
expensive. Annual and perennial ryegrass both grow quickly,
especially during late fall and early spring. Their water use
rates are moderate and fertility requirements are low, maybe one
to two pounds of nitrogen over the winter months.
LAWNS:
You should overseed at a rate of about 10-12 pounds of seed
per thousand square feet and keep the lawn irrigated for several
weeks to insure germination.
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May be sown under unfavorable wet or dry
conditions
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Normally germinates in a matter of 7-10 days
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If sown under dry conditions, normally
germinates after the first solid rain
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Always in excellent supply and competitively
priced
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Forage preferred by livestock Vigorous fall
and spring growth
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Left uncut Annual Ryegrass grows to a height
of 2-4 feet
Annual & Gulf Annual Ryegrass in Pastures
Highly Preferred by Livestock
Read more about
Annual Ryegrass Pastures.
Either Oregon-grown common Annual Ryegrass or Gulf
Annual Ryegrass will provide cattlemen with an additional six to
eight months of abundant, nutritious pasture which will see a
young cow continue to grow and gain while nursing a calf which is
also gaining and thrifty. Annual Ryegrasses may be sown alone or
in combination with legumes or small grains. For decades the
Annual Ryegrasses have demonstrated the ability to produce high
quality forage which will not go dormant or off color through the
chill of winter and remain productive on into the spring.
Normally, Annual Ryegrass germinates in a matter of 7-10 days or
even less in ideal conditions. Sowing dates vary according to
area. Some growers prefer to winterseed pastures after the first
killing frost as a means of eliminating competition from native
grasses. Others prefer to sow earlier to give the Ryegrass
seedlings an opportunity to flourish while the ground is still
warm.
While soil fertility and weather conditions are
determining factors, light grazing is often available in about 90
days after sowing. Some farm operators feel light grazing can
begin when the new grass is 4-5 inches high, while others wait for
greater growth so that the new plants will not be uprooted by
grazing animals. Because Annual Ryegrass quickly develops a strong
root system it helps prevent bogging in moist areas and stabilizes
precious topsoil.
Recommended rates of nitrogen application and
other fertilizers vary according to soil conditions and the region
but, in general, applications of up to 150 pounds per acre at or
before planting are desirable.
Here are the Advantages of Oregon-Grown Annual
Ryegrass:
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Normally supports a growing cow and calf per
acre
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May be sown on existing sod, clean-burned
stubble or land not plowed or otherwise prepared
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May be sown under unfavorable wet or dry
conditions
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Oregon-grown Annual and Oregon-grown Gulf
Annual are considered disease-tolerant
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Does not present endophyte fungus problems as
do some tall fescues
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Recovers rapidly from overgrazing and
trampling
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Usually germinates in 7-10 days
Annual Ryegrass pastures are used for stocker
cattle, replacement heifers and lactating dairy cows. Its strong
seedling vigor, high yield and high quality also make it valued
for temporary pastures in the coastal Northwest. Although Annual
Ryegrass grows quickly and is highly productive, its short-lived
and aggressive nature make it less desirable in permanent pasture
mixes.
Silage and Hay
Annual Ryegrass often is harvested for silage. The
high production capacity of this grass makes it popular for
additional feed when short hay supplies are expected. As with all
forage species, silage quality is influenced greatly by maturity
stage at harvest. For the optimal compromise between quality and
quantity, cut Annual Ryegrass in the boot to early-heading stage.
Harvesting Annual Ryegrass for hay is not recommended in high
rainfall/humidity areas such as the coastal Pacific Northwest.
Good hay-curing weather typically occurs too late in this region
for producing high-quality Annual Ryegrass hay.
Wildlife
Annual Ryegrass is an excellent wildlife feed.
Forage provides high-quality grazing and a quick source of energy
for geese, coots, widgeons and other ducks, wild turkeys, rabbits,
deer and elk.
Annual Ryegrass varieties are grouped into three
maturity categories: early, intermediate and late. These groupings
are somewhat helpful, but there is substantial overlap among them.
PRINT THE ENTIRE RYEGRASS BROCHURE
(Adobe PDF):
http://ryegrass.com/Annual_Rye_brochure.pdf
Information
above provided courtesy of:
Oregon Ryegrass Growers Seed Commission
www.ryegrass.com
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