From "Growing Annual Ryegrass: What We Know to Date", by S.A. Ebelhar and M.P. Plumer, courtesy of the Oregon Ryegrass Growers Seed Commission.

Why Annual Ryegrass?

• Alternative to Rye grain (less "stemy" growth, easier no-till planting).
• Suppression of weeds.
• Scavenger for left-over nitrogen.
• Cover for erosion control.
• Mulch for moisture conservation.
• Increase organic matter.

Where does it fit?

• After corn or soybean harvest.
• Best fit is after corn harvest as a cover crop for soybeans

Fall Management

• Tillage or choppping corn stalks is unnecessary with good no-till equipment.
• Drill (desired) at 20 lbs./acre or overseed at 25-30 lbs./acre.
• Plant between mid-September and mid-October (earlier is better).
• Plant at 1/4" to 1/2" depth.

Spring Management

• Spray between April 15 and May 1.
• May be advantageous to allow growth to May 1 during wet spring.
• Allowing ryegrass to grow past May 1 may cause stem growth and seed head. (Never allow seed heads to develop.)

Herbicides

• RoundUp Ultra and Touchdown work well as burndown (use full label rate).
• Gramoxone kills tops but regrowth can occur.

Potential Drawbacks

• Cannot allow ryegrass to set seed.
• Can be a problem in wheat.
• Hoelon and Achieve herbicides give good, but not excellent control of annual ryegrass in wheat.
• Severe yield losses can occur if ryegrass not controlled in wheat.
• Too much spring growth of ryegrass can cause poor planter performance and result in reduced stands. Critical to observe that planter's ability to no-till drill.