Start Date
1-13-2012 10:00 AM
Description
Over the past few decades forage producers have seen several major changes in varieties of tall fescue. From the days of Kentucky 31 being the predominant variety, the first change was the first generation of endophyte-free tall fescue varieties. For many growers, these have been useful additions, especially when coupled with rotational grazing to reduce the risks of overgrazing, and practices of eradication of stands of toxic endophyte pastures and prevention of the reintroduction of toxic endophyte tall fescue seed into stands of endophyte-free varieties. However, overall these varieties often lacked the persistence of Kentucky 31 infected with the common toxic strain of endophyte, and disappointed many early adopters. In the 25-30 years since the first generation of endophyte-free varieties, plant breeders have made progress in developing additional populations with a greater range of diversity, and improved varieties are still being developed, and will be developed.
Included in
New Tall Fescue Varieties for the Future
Over the past few decades forage producers have seen several major changes in varieties of tall fescue. From the days of Kentucky 31 being the predominant variety, the first change was the first generation of endophyte-free tall fescue varieties. For many growers, these have been useful additions, especially when coupled with rotational grazing to reduce the risks of overgrazing, and practices of eradication of stands of toxic endophyte pastures and prevention of the reintroduction of toxic endophyte tall fescue seed into stands of endophyte-free varieties. However, overall these varieties often lacked the persistence of Kentucky 31 infected with the common toxic strain of endophyte, and disappointed many early adopters. In the 25-30 years since the first generation of endophyte-free varieties, plant breeders have made progress in developing additional populations with a greater range of diversity, and improved varieties are still being developed, and will be developed.