Grasses

Annual Ryegrass

Annual ryegrass has benefits to offer in both cover crop and forage plantings with easy establishment by drill, broadcast, or aerial seeding. Annual ryegrass enhances water filtration and soil quality and can significantly increase crop yields during stress years. It has been shown to drastically reduce soybean cyst nematode and also has the ability to break compaction both physically (deep root structure) and chemically (root exudates). Non-allelopathic traits, ease of emergence, and shade tolerance make annual ryegrass the primary grass species for interseeding, especially when interseeding into corn. A bonus attribute is the ability to redeposit phosphorous & potassium from the subsoil to within reach of shallower rooting plants.

Don’t confuse annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) with cereal rye (Secale cereale). How they grow and are utilized as a cover crop are different for each specie. Annual ryegrass has a finer leaf blade that is glossy in appearance and a more extensive root system than cereal rye, while cereal rye has more above ground top growth than annual ryegrass.

Bounty annual ryegrass is a consistent, proven variety with an excellent history of winter hardiness and superior rooting depth. Bounty annual ryegrass is also a good choice for late winter/early spring frost seeding where winterkill of other crops was an issue (or planned) and quick spring growth is needed to kick start soil biology. For full termination guidelines, refer to the Annual Ryegrass Management Guide produced by the Oregon Ryegrass Commission

Cereal Rye

Cereal Rye has one of the lowest germination temperatures (around 34°F), making it the most winter-hardy cover crop and one of the best choices for later seeding dates.

Its relatively deep, fibrous roots scavenge nutrients lower in the soil profile and redistribute them closer to the surface. These roots also prevent erosion and aid in building soil organic matter. Performing well on most soil types, cereal rye has a wide window in terms of seeding dates and rates. One of the best crops for weed suppression due to its quick, rapid growth and allelopathic effects, cereal rye is particularly effective on winter annuals including marestail. Cereal rye can be an excellent component for a cattle forage system, either for grazing or harvesting due to its fast and early spring growth although care needs to be taken for a timely harvest to ensure good quality.

Cereal rye is easy to establish in the fall and breaks dormancy early in the spring. When seeded ahead of soybeans, it can be mixed with rapeseed, radish, or other brassicas to enhance overall cover crop benefits. When seeded ahead of soybeans, there is good evidence of reducing white mold and soybean cyst nematode. When planting ahead of corn, additional management is required to avoid tying up too much nitrogen that could result in a yield loss. Yield loss can be reduced by mixing with other species such as oats, legumes, and brassicas.

Cereal Rye

Cereal Rye has one of the lowest germination temperatures (around 34°F), making it the most winter-hardy cover crop and one of the best choices for later seeding dates.

Its relatively deep, fibrous roots scavenge nutrients lower in the soil profile and redistribute them closer to the surface. These roots also prevent erosion and aid in building soil organic matter. Performing well on most soil types, cereal rye has a wide window in terms of seeding dates and rates. One of the best crops for weed suppression due to its quick, rapid growth and allelopathic effects, cereal rye is particularly effective on winter annuals including marestail. Cereal rye can be an excellent component for a cattle forage system, either for grazing or harvesting due to its fast and early spring growth although care needs to be taken for a timely harvest to ensure good quality.

Cereal rye is easy to establish in the fall and breaks dormancy early in the spring. When seeded ahead of soybeans, it can be mixed with rapeseed, radish, or other brassicas to enhance overall cover crop benefits. When seeded ahead of soybeans, there is good evidence of reducing white mold and soybean cyst nematode. When planting ahead of corn, additional management is required to avoid tying up too much nitrogen that could result in a yield loss. Yield loss can be reduced by mixing with other species such as oats, legumes, and brassicas.

 

Spring Oats

Oats are typically spring seeded between March and April for grain production or as a nurse crop for establishing forage legumes. Oats can also be sown in the late summer or fall for a cover crop or forage source. Spring oats are an ideal choice for first-time cover crop users due to their compatibility and ease of winter kill termination. Winter oats are another choice as a cover crop with live roots going further into the fall/winter for increasing soil microbial activity, but they may have to be terminated before planting a cash crop in more southern latitudes.

Triticale

Triticale is a cross between cereal rye and Durum wheat, therefore having some characteristics of both parents. Triticale is similar in winter hardiness to cereal rye with just a little higher germinating temperature of 38°F. Triticale has a deep and fibrous root system that produces good biomass and will make great forage for grazing, control erosion, build soil organic matter, and scavenge nutrients. Triticale is popular in mixes that include annual ryegrass, radish, rapeseed, oats, peas, vetches, and clovers. Management of triticale is similar to cereal rye.

 

Triticale

Triticale is a cross between cereal rye and Durum wheat, therefore having some characteristics of both parents. Triticale is similar in winter hardiness to cereal rye with just a little higher germinating temperature of 38°F. Triticale has a deep and fibrous root system that produces good biomass and will make great forage for grazing, control erosion, build soil organic matter, and scavenge nutrients. Triticale is popular in mixes that include annual ryegrass, radish, rapeseed, oats, peas, vetches, and clovers. Management of triticale is similar to cereal rye.

 

Festulolium

Grazemore is a Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass and Meadow Fescue cross to combine the production of the ryegrass with the persistence and productivity of the fescue. With softer leaves, Grazemore Fistulation is best suited to heavy grazing environments. Easily digestible sugar content leads to increased palatability over other grass species. Milk production is equal or exceeds that of tetraploid perennial ryegrasses. Grazemore does not perform in cold weather without sufficient cover but will continue growing in higher temperatures than perennial ryegrass.

Tall Fescue

Tolerant of continuous stocking, tall fescue can be grown for pasture, hay, and silage. Benefits to operations include long grazing seasons, persistence, low-input requirements, yields, seed production, and adaptation in forage environments. Brutus tall fescues will also reduce soil erosion and recycle nutrients from both manure and biosolids. Transition zone operations see immense benefits with high-quality forage available to spring-born calves. With the inclusion of legumes, supplements, and irrigation during the summer months, calves can remain on pastures until fall weaning. Stockpiling summer and autumn vegetative growth can be accomplished in some areas depending on conditions.

Tall Fescue

Tolerant of continuous stocking, tall fescue can be grown for pasture, hay, and silage. Benefits to operations include long grazing seasons, persistence, low-input requirements, yields, seed production, and adaptation in forage environments. Brutus tall fescues will also reduce soil erosion and recycle nutrients from both manure and biosolids. Transition zone operations see immense benefits with high-quality forage available to spring-born calves. With the inclusion of legumes, supplements, and irrigation during the summer months, calves can remain on pastures until fall weaning. Stockpiling summer and autumn vegetative growth can be accomplished in some areas depending on conditions.