In south central Florida these grasses may be seeded after a vegetable crop or used in a pasture renovation program, thus extending forage production through the cool season. Best DM yields are obtained when small grains are seeded into a completely tilled soil. Sod-seeding small grains in central Florida has not produced good DM yields. Continuous seeding of small grains on the same land area over several years could result in disease problems from pythium, therefore proper cultivars need to be selected.
Small grains are quick to establish and respond well to nitrogen fertilization.
However, their management differs from that of ryegrass. When seeded in a prepared seedbed, initial small grain growth should be grazed about 45-50 days after seeding or when plants are 12 inches tall. Deferring the first grazing much later than 50 days may result in poor regrowth. Rotational grazing of regrowth is recommended when plants attain 12 inches and new developing tillers are 1 to 6 inches tall. Stage of cutting is also important for yield and quality of small grains harvested for haylage.