Annual Ryegrass is an Oregon Grown bunchgrass with origins that can be traced back to Europe. It was first found growing in Italy, and then France and England. Subsequently it made its trek across the Atlantic during colonial times and became a staple forage grass throughout North America. It was first naturalized in the southern regions of the continent, but has spread its roots throughout the Northwest. Annual Ryegrass is a fast establishing turf grass that takes between 7 and 14 days to germinate. It is a close relative of the Perennial Ryegrass variety but differs from it slightly in plant composition and seed size. As a pasture turf varying breeds of Annual Ryegrass will provide excellent sources of nutrients for livestock and will re-grow aggressively after grazing because of its extensive root system.