Small grain forages vary in their seasonal growth curves, thus, if the crop will not be harvested for grain it can be useful to seed mixtures of species. For grazing purposes, the distribution of forage production is usually as important as forage yield. Rye grows at cooler temperatures and provides later fall and earlier spring grazing than other winter grains. It is more winter hardy than wheat, barley, oats or annual ryegrass and has a more extensive root system. 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.