Perennial Ryegrass: Lolium perenne L.

Perennial ryegrass is a cool-season perennial grass that is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa. It has been widely distributed to other parts of the world, including North and South America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Both perennial and annual ryegrass are important grasses in forage-livestock systems. Mixtures of the two species sometimes are used to increase first season forage yields while establishing a perennial grass stand.

Perennial ryegrass is valued for high yield potential, fast establishment, reduced tillage renovation applications, and use on heavy and waterlogged soils. Because of its high quality, the primary use of perennial forage-type ryegrass in the U.S. is for lactating dairy cows on pasture.

Uses and Management:

    Perennial ryegrass may be harvested for silage. For the highest quality and yield of perennial ryegrass silage, it should be cut in the early boot stage.

    Perennial ryegrass, like other grasses, is well suited to many different soil conservation practices. Its extensive, shallow, fibrous root system makes it an effective species for reducing surface soil erosion. Perennial ryegrass is recommended as a fast starting component in mixtures, providing rapid cover and then allowing longer-lived or more winter hardy species to become established.

    It also provides an excellent source of wildlife feed for ducks, as well as wild turkeys, rabbits, deer and elk. Quail and songbirds such as the white-crowned sparrow also use this for nesting and feed.