Wheat, in combination with annual ryegrass, is used widely in the South for high quality winter pastures. Ryegrass produces high quality forage equal to that of small grains. Its total forage production is usually as high or higher than small grains, but most of this production occurs in early fall and late spring. Since late fall and winter production of ryegrass is less than that of rye, wheat or triticale, ryegrass is generally planted with these small grains to increase the length of the grazing season. Early fall growth on winter small grain crops can be grazed during late fall and winter.
Damage occurs from heavy or late spring grazing which can seriously reduce grain production.
In some cases the forage may not be grazed for 6 weeks after planting. Crop residues Crop residues are an untapped resource for livestock production in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Corn and grain sorghum residues can be used to advantage, particularly for beef cows. The most common means of feeding beef cows during late fall and early winter in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas is by grazing of corn and sorghum residues. The corn stalk is of good quality at physiological maturity of the corn plant, but quality decreases with time as the grain dries.