Pasture Management
for
Horses

Italian Ryegrass Lolium multiflorum

Biennial grass, although it may be of some use in its third year.
Low persistence.
Highly productive when high rates of Nitrogen fertilizer are applied.
Highly digestible.
Good early growth.

Uses for Italian Ryegrass

Used extensively in agricultural short term leys in agriculture where it is caple of very high yields when high rates of Nitrogen fertilizer are applied.

Not of much use in horse pastures due to its short life span.

Used extensively for the production of high quality haylage.

Physical Characteristics of Italian Ryegrass

Obvious auricles
Round shoot
Leaf blades obviously ribbed on upper surface, smooth below
Red colour at base of base of stem.
Inflorescence type - spike, obvious awns present

Italian Ryegrass Inflorescence


Italian Ryegrass Spikelet


Italian Ryegrass Leafbase