[Image: Ryegrass]Keith Collins
LSU AgCenter County Agent, Richland Parish
Ryegrass is the most common and important cool-season annual grass for grazing and harvested forage in Louisiana. It is a high yielding forage producer relative to other cool-season grasses as well as possessing high forage quality, tendency to form a denser sod and relative ease of establishment. Its peak growth is late winter and early spring but may have good fall growth if planted in the early window of recommended planting dates and weather is suitable.
Planting ryegrass at proper dates allows for good seed germination and emergence providing moisture is available. Recommended planting dates for north Louisiana is September 20-October 15 for prepared seed beds. Planting too early increases the risk of reduced plant stands due to insect and disease pressure. Armyworms have appeared early this year and in high numbers so early planted ryegrass will be very susceptible to armyworm damage until enough cool nights takes care of the problem. Planting too early also increases the incidence of rust, especially on susceptible varieties.
Thirty pound per acre seeding rate is recommended based on favorable conditions such as having a well prepared seed bed, adequate moisture and planting during optimum times. Seeding rates should be increased if less than favorable conditions exist at time of planting. However, simply planting more seed is not a good substitute for preparing a good seed bed and planting during recommended times. Planting more seed may give slightly earlier grazing in some cases, but the total production for the season is not likely to improve. Remember that ryegrass is most productive for grazing in late winter and early spring translating into optimum gain on cattle and return on your investment.
Fertilization of ryegrass should begin with soil testing which can identify problems in fields, save money on unnecessary fertilize use and increase yields through proper fertilization. One of the more common problems encountered through the years, especially on the Macon Ridge soils of Richland Parish, is low soil pH. Ryegrass needs a minimum pH of 5.5 to maximize production. Most of the Macon Ridge soils are naturally acid or low pH which can be identified through soil testing and corrected with lime. Soil samples can be brought to the local Extension office at 702 Madeline Street in Rayville. A routine soil sample is $7 that includes pH with lime recommendations if applicable as well as nutrient levels with corresponding recommended amounts of each.
For more information contact your local Extension office at 728-3216 and/or visit our
Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com/richland.