Comanche Extension Agent Michael Berry
Ryegrass
Until last weekend, we were having a relatively dry fall, and the winter does not look very promising for moisture. If you are balking at planting small grains this year due to the expense of having to prepare the soil and planting, this might be a good year to consider ryegrass. We have a lot of hay and feed is relatively inexpensive, but if you want something to supplement some poorer quality hay or to provide some potential early grazing, ryegrass may be an answer.
Ryegrass can be planted with minimum soil preparation. On pastures you could possibly get by just broadcasting over the sod but drilling into the sod is best. You do not have to be perfect, just good seed to soil contact and of course a little rainfall to soak it in will get you a good stand. Annual ryegrass can add several months of grazing for your operation. In a mild winter like the one predicted this year, if we get rainfall, you can expect late fall and winter grazing from ryegrass. However, most years your grazing will be from late February or early March through the first of June. Ryegrass has very few disease issues- just like small grains, it will need to be fertilized if you want good production.
For livestock producers, the only bad things you can really say about ryegrass are if not properly managed, when over seeded it can compete with your bermudagrass next late spring, especially on dryland fields. However, if you want to consider a cheaper crop to plant that has the potential to produce lots of high-quality forage, it is hard to beat.