Description
Purpose & Fit
Perennial ryegrass is a more persistent grass than annual ryegrass, but less than fall fescue. One of the highest quality cool-season grasses, perennial ryegrass, is high in protein, highly palatable, highly digestible, and capable of supporting high dry matter intake levels.
Growth Pattern
Lower growing with high tillering capabilities, perennial ryegrass is cross-pollinated with a branched root system. Seedheads will not form in the establishment year. Tetraploid varieties are taller, less dense, and are more digestible with additional soluble sugars, making them better suited as a mixture component. Shiny and dark green with smooth leaves, perennial ryegrass can grow up to 2 – 3 ft. tall.
Interseeding
Not Recommended
Did You Know?
Seeds/Lb: 227,000 – 330,000
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Description
Purpose & Fit
Perennial ryegrass is a more persistent grass than annual ryegrass, but less than fall fescue. One of the highest quality cool-season grasses, perennial ryegrass, is high in protein, highly palatable, highly digestible, and capable of supporting high dry matter intake levels.
Growth Pattern
Lower growing with high tillering capabilities, perennial ryegrass is cross-pollinated with a branched root system. Seedheads will not form in the establishment year. Tetraploid varieties are taller, less dense, and are more digestible with additional soluble sugars, making them better suited as a mixture component. Shiny and dark green with smooth leaves, perennial ryegrass can grow up to 2 – 3 ft. tall.
Interseeding
Not Recommended
Did You Know?
Seeds/Lb: 227,000 – 330,000
Adaptation
Climate & Soil
Perennial ryegrass can survive on a wide range of soils and under a wide range of climatic conditions. Perennial ryegrass will grow best on well-drained, fertile soils. Historically, perennial ryegrass has not been as productive during cold winters in the north or hot summers in the lower south. Soils with a pH below 5.5 will limit the growth of perennial ryegrass.
Soil pH: 5.0 – 8.3
Optimum Growth Range: 59°F – 77°F
Adaptation
Climate & Soil
Perennial ryegrass can survive on a wide range of soils and under a wide range of climatic conditions. Perennial ryegrass will grow best on well-drained, fertile soils. Historically, perennial ryegrass has not been as productive during cold winters in the north or hot summers in the lower south. Soils with a pH below 5.5 will limit the growth of perennial ryegrass.
Soil pH: 5.0 – 8.3
Optimum Growth Range: 59°F – 77°F
Establishment
Planting
Seeding Depth: ¼” – ½”
Germination
Min Time To Emergence: 5 – 10 days
Ideal Temp: 60°F – 75°F
Seeding Rate
Monoculture: 10 – 20 Lb/A
Establishment
Planting
Seeding Depth: ¼” – ½”
Germination
Min Time To Emergence: 5 – 10 days
Ideal Temp: 60°F – 75°F
Seeding Rate
Monoculture: 10 – 20 Lb/A
Management
Grazing
Earliest Time To Graze: 8″ – 10″
Fertilizer Requirements
At Planting: 50 Lb/A N
During Grazing Season: 50 Lb/A N
Hay or Silage?
Timing: Early Boot Stage
Cuttings During Season: 2
Recovery
Minimum Graze Height: 3″ – 4″
Rest Period: 24 days
Mixes
- Alfalfa
- White Clover
- Red Clover
- Subterranean Clover
Yields
Tons of Dry Matter/A: 2 – 5
Management
Grazing
Earliest Time To Graze: 8″ – 10″
Fertilizer Requirements
At Planting: 50 Lb/A N
During Grazing Season: 50 Lb/A N
Hay or Silage?
Timing: Early Boot Stage
Cuttings During Season:Â 2
Recovery
Minimum Graze Height: 3″ – 4″
Rest Period: 24 days
Mixes
- Alfalfa
- White Clover
- Red Clover
- Subterranean Clover
Yields
Tons of Dry Matter/A: 2 – 5
Pests & Considerations
Permanent Pasture
The expected stand life is 3 years or more when paired with an appropriate clover at greater than 15%.
Competitiveness
More persistent than annual ryegrass, but less than other cool-season grass species.
Risks
Susceptible to a ‘summer slump’ as temperatures rise.
Diseases
- Crown Rust
Pests
- Armyworms
Pests & Considerations
Permanent Pasture
Information Coming Soon…
Competitiveness
More persistent than annual ryegrass, but less than other cool-season grass species.
Risks
Information Coming Soon…
Diseases
- Crown Rust
Pests
- Armyworms