Italian ryegrass is one of the fastest growing grasses available to farmers. It establishes well and starts growing early in the following spring.
Italian ryegrass has a rapid regrowth after cutting and the quality of the grass is very high in respect of digestibility.
It thrives on all kind of soils and is mainly used for conservation in short duration leys, often in mixtures with red clover. New varieties have good persistence suitable for 2-3 years use in mild climates. A lot of Italian ryegrasses are used for intercropping, i.e. between maize crops. Italian ryegrass exists in diploid and tetraploid forms.
