By: Matthew Webb, County Extension Coordinator
Now is the ideal time of planting winter annual cool-season grasses like annual ryegrass and the cereal grains such as oats, wheat, triticale and cereal rye. These forages are very high quality and can produce excellent gains in young livestock. They are particularly good for providing the nutrition needed for lactation and quick rebreed after calving by beef cows. They provide forage mainly on the back side of winter before the time that tall fescue and orchardgrass get started.
First, determine what kind of winter annual grass is best suited to your location. For our area, the most common winter annuals used are wheat and annual ryegrass. Wheat is tolerant of heavy, wet soils. Annual ryegrass is tolerant of moderate soil acidity and close, continuous grazing. Both of these species can be planted with clover with good results. They should be planted prior to November 1.
Second, take a soil sample and determine the fertility needs in the field you wish to establish the winter annual grass. To take a good quality soil sample, take at least 15 soil cores in an area no bigger than 40 acres. Soil cores need to be at least four inches deep. Mix the cores well in a bucket and place in a soil box. Phosphorus, potassium and lime requirements can only be determined by a soil test. Nitrogen requirements are made according to production goals. If for just grazing, less nitrogen may be applied than if you are planning to graze and make hay. A basic recommendation would be to apply 30 lbs actual nitrogen per acre at planting, 30 – 45 lbs/acre in early March and another 30 – 45 lbs/acre in late April.
Next, prepare a good seedbed. The seedbed could be a conventional planting, minimum till, or no-till. Stand establishment is quicker and production greater with a clean, firm weed-free conventional planting but is the most expensive method. If broadcasting or drilling into warm season grass sods, preparation consists of mowing, haying, or grazing grass short and/or burning down with an herbicide maybe followed by a light disking prior to seeding.
Fourth, select a planting method and use the correct seeding rate. Drilling and broadcasting are the two most common methods for planting. Drilling has the advantage of improved plant spacing, lower seeding rates, better seed contact and proper seeding depth. The disadvantage is the planting time is slower and more investment in equipment. Broadcasting requires that seed is spread over the ground and incorporated either by light disking, culti-packing or a drag. Broadcasting has the advantage of faster planting speed, lower equipment cost, and the ability to spread fertilizer. The disadvantages are that it will require a higher seeding rate, lack of depth control, and a higher risk of stand failure. For annual ryegrass, 15 to 25 lbs/acre for annual ryegrass. Cereal grains should be sown at 90 to 120 lbs/acre for a pure stand. If desiring to use crimson clover in a mixture with these annuals, use 10-15 lbs of crimson clover with either 15 lbs of annual ryegrass or 60 to 90 lbs of cereal grains per acre. Use the higher rate for broadcasting. Plant no deeper than ½ inch.
Lastly, select a good variety that is adapted to your area. Try to select one that has produced well over several years and/or locations according to university trials. This information on cool-season winter annuals can be found at aaes.auburn.edu. Use good quality certified seed to reduce the risk of stand failure. Following these tips and with a little rain should allow a good chance for productive winter annual grass pasture.
