Annual ryegrass continues to gain interest as a seed crop that delivers value well beyond harvest. Strong seed markets, combined with straw production and high-quality fall regrowth, make it a profitable and flexible option for mixed grain and livestock operations looking to maximize returns and extend their grazing season.
A Crop That Fits the Farming Calendar #
Annual ryegrass is an early seeded crop, typically planted in early May and harvested for seed in early August. Its early harvest timing helps spread out the workload during a busy season and opens up opportunities later in the fall. Annual ryegrass has a cost of production similar to wheat in most areas, making it a comfortable fit for growers familiar with cereal production.
Seed yield potential is another key advantage. Annual ryegrass yields commonly range from 800 to 1,800 lb per acre, with a long-term average of approximately 1,200 lb per acre. Under the right conditions, these yields translate into strong revenue and consistent performance across seasons.
More Than Just a Seed Crop #
At harvest, annual ryegrass plants typically stand around three feet tall, producing a significant amount of straw residue. Growers can expect roughly two to three bales of straw per acre following seed harvest. That straw adds immediate value and can be used for feed or bedding cattle. Feed quality will vary by conditions, but straw crude protein levels can reach up to 10 percent, providing a useful supplement in mixed farming systems.
The benefits of annual ryegrass do not end once the seed and straw are removed. After harvest, the crop continues to regrow until freeze-up, offering additional feed opportunities later in the season. This regrowth can be cut and baled or grazed directly in the field, allowing producers to extend fall grazing when other feed options may be limited. In favorable conditions, late-season regrowth has exceeded 65 percent digestible dry matter and reached crude protein levels as high as 20 percent, making it a valuable source of high-quality forage.
Results From the Field #
Grower results from the past season highlight how annual ryegrass can perform in real-world conditions. Despite environmental factors that delayed harvest slightly, most growers completed seed harvest by the end of August.
“These acres really showed what annual ryegrass can do when conditions line up,” says Cord Ferguson. “Even with a delayed harvest, the crop finished strong and continued to deliver value well into the fall.”
One field averaged 1,300 lb per acre of clean seed, with an estimated seed value of $650 per acre, along with an average of 2.5 bales of straw per acre. Another field averaged 1,490 lb per acre of clean seed, with an estimated seed value of $745 per acre and approximately three bales of straw per acre.
Fall weather conditions were highly favorable for regrowth, allowing growers to turn cattle out on annual ryegrass fields in early October and continue grazing until the first snowfall in early December. Fields that were baled and silage wrapped in late October averaged an additional two bales per acre, capturing even more value from the same acres after seed harvest.
Annual ryegrass offers mixed farms a practical way to combine seed production, straw, and high-quality fall feed into a single cropping option. Its early harvest timing, competitive production costs, and ability to extend grazing make it a flexible and profitable addition to diverse farm operations.
If you’re interested in producing seed with BrettYoung, contact your local seed production specialist.
