Cereal Rye

Arguably the most cold-tolerant of the small grains, cereal rye is a staple across the Southeast. More productive in harsher conditions than most other small grains, it matures quickly (so there is a small window to capture high-quality grazing), produces an incredible amount of biomass, and is of good quality in the vegetative state — ideal for the basis of a cover crop, winter grazing, or straw production. It establishes quickly and grows through the colder season, but degrades slowly during the summer, providing an excellent weed mat as a cover crop.