Ryegrasses tend to be finer stemmed than most other forage grasses and so can be highly palatable. However, they can also be shorter and lower yielding. They tend to stop growth in dry weather and may be winter sensitive, particularly in northern New York. Ryegrass is highly competitive, so seeding rates should be held at 4 pounds or less per acre in mixtures with alfalfa. Or it can be sown up to midsummer as an emergency forage for late summer and fall feed.
Italian ryegrass can also serve as a nurse crop with alfalfa or clover.
Italian ryegrass seed is carried by several seed companies. Discuss variety choice with your seed supplier. Choose certified seed to assure you're getting true Italian ryegrass. Tall Fescue Tall fescue is a long-lived grass that can produce high yields of forage for pasture or hay. However, tall fescue probably serves best in pasture situations.