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Annual Rye
Grass
Image Source: 1
Image Source: 2
Estimated Cost
$0.75
($/lb)
Planting Window
Fall seeded, spring seeded
Best for
Improving infiltration
Alternate Species
Winter Oats, Barley, Triticale, Wheat, Cereal Rye
1. Steve Hurst, ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory, Turkey, Ankara, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.
2. © Victoria Ackroyd 2020, CC BY-ND 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/> via https://covercrop.tools/images/Cover%20Crop%20Photos/Ryegrass,%20Annual/Annual_ryegrass_mature_Ackroyd_2020b.jpg
Seeding Detail
Annual Rye
15.0
23.0
18.0
Additional Information
Why We Recommend This
Annual rye is versatile, inexpensive and high-performing; it outcompetes weeds, improves infiltration, reduces erosion, and scavenges N. Annual rye produces palatable forage that can extend the grazing season and has a low risk of pest infestations. Annual rye establishes easily, even when broadcasted.
Things to Watch Out For
Annual rye can be difficult to terminate and has a narrow window when herbicides are effective. If allowed to set seed, annual rye can become a weed and has shown resistance to misapplied glyphosate. Rye does not perform well in droughts or low-fertility soils and will compete heavily for N and soil moisture. Do not use annual rye if your next rotations include a cereal crop for seed production.
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