Start Date
1-12-2007 11:00 AM
Description
Tall fescue is the predominant forage grass of Kentucky. It is an easily established, relatively persistent bunchgrass that has reasonable drought tolerance and does well in clay or loam soils. However, the endophyte fungus found in the grass was linked to poor animal performance in the late 1970’s (Ball, Hoveland, and Lacefield). It has been estimated that 85% of Kentucky’s fescue pastures are endophyte infected, making it a serious problem for Kentucky cattle producers (Lacefield, Henning, and Philips). Producers interested in establishing or replacing tall fescue stands have several options available to them.
Included in
Can I Afford to Seed Novel-Endophyte Tall Fescue?
Tall fescue is the predominant forage grass of Kentucky. It is an easily established, relatively persistent bunchgrass that has reasonable drought tolerance and does well in clay or loam soils. However, the endophyte fungus found in the grass was linked to poor animal performance in the late 1970’s (Ball, Hoveland, and Lacefield). It has been estimated that 85% of Kentucky’s fescue pastures are endophyte infected, making it a serious problem for Kentucky cattle producers (Lacefield, Henning, and Philips). Producers interested in establishing or replacing tall fescue stands have several options available to them.