Soil pH for optimum ryegrass production is between 6.0 and 7.0; however, ryegrass has been grown at a pH of 5.0.
Determine fertility and lime needs by soil testing, but in the absence of a soil test on soil with a medium-fertility level, plow down 0-45-135 lb per acre and apply 20-20-20 lb per acre at seeding (banded if possible) when seeding without a legume.
When seeding ryegrass with a legume, apply none or less than 20 lb per acre of nitrogen at seeding. Nitrogen application in excess of 20 lb per acre will stimulate ryegrass development and inhibit legume establishment.
On well adapted soils, ryegrass is very competitive with other grasses, legumes, or weeds. A soil test is the best guide for proper fertilization of established ryegrass. Do not apply fertilizers in excess of soil test recommendations because nutrient imbalances may occur in animals consuming the ryegrass.
Ryegrass responds very well to nitrogen fertilization, which is very important for economical production. Profitable returns over investment usually can be obtained with applications of 150 lb of N per acre per year.
This amount should be split into applications of 50 to 60 lb per acre in the spring and the remaining amount evenly divided and applied after each grazing or cutting. Seeding a mixture containing ryegrass and a legume reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizer.
Applying high rates of nitrogen (in the form of manure) to alfalfa-ryegrass mixtures will cause ryegrass to dominate; however, ryegrass is less suppressive than orchardgrass in alfalfa mixtures where manure is added to the soil.
Summary:
Ryegrasses have numerous desirable agronomic characteristics. They establish rapidly, have long growing seasons, are relatively high yielding in suitable environments, have high nutritive value, and can be used for grazing, hay, or silage.
However, the lower persistence of perennial ryegrass relative to other cool-season grasses and the increased drying time of ryegrasses should be considered prior to their use. The use of ryegrass as a part of a forage production system should be carefully evaluated.
Ryegrass does not fit into every farming operation, but it should be considered as a viable option on many Pennsylvania farms, especially those which include grazing as a harvesting method.
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