Annual Ryegrass

Annual ryegrass is an introduced, annual, cool-season bunch grass with many uses.  It can provide quick cover for erosion control and makes a good cover crop component as it helps reduce soil compaction and increase water infiltration.  It can also be a nurse crop for slower-to-establish grass species.  Finally, annual ryegrass is very palatable to livestock and wildlife and is useful for providing temporary pasture or for early spring growth in permanent pastures.  It tolerates a variety of soil textures but prefers a pH that is somewhat acidic.