Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

Origin:  Europe

Use:  Grazing, hay, erosion control

Plant Description

  • General:  2-4 feet tall with slightly shiny, rough leaves containing prominent veins. Leaves are less shiny than annual ryegrass. Presence of fungus greatly impacts plant performance
  • Life Span:  Perennial
  • Growth Form: Erect bunchgrass

Management

  • Seeding Rate:  20-25 lbs/A
  • Seedling Vigor:  Fair-good
  • Planting Date:  September-early November; early March plantings are possible but risky in mountains
  • Planting Depth:  0.25"-0.50"
  • Grazing Tolerance:  Fair (endophyte-free) to excellent (endophyte-infected)
  • Desirable pH:  5.5-6.5
  • Drainage Requirements:  Tolerates poor to well drained soils
  • Soil Texture:  Adapted to wide range of soil types but nematodes can be a problem on sandy soils
  • Drought Tolerance:  Fair (endophyte-free) to good (endophyte-infected)
  • Season of Use:  February-June; September-November summer grazing 

General:

  • Presence of fungus inside plant (endophyte) greatly improves plant performance, but decreases pergnancy rate, weaning weights, stocker gains and mare reproduction
  • Removal of endophyte decreases vigor, drought tolerance and grazing tolerance of plant
  • New non-toxic fungi have been inserted into selected tall fescue varieties which improve plant performance, but do not produce compounds toxic to animals
  • Can be stockpiled in autumn to decrease winter hay feeding
  • White and red clover overseeded into tall fescue help to decrease toxicity and improve grazing distribution

ID Features:

  • Seedhead is open panicle
  • Prominent veins on leaves, rough leaf texture, and abscence of auricles help distinguish from annual ryegrass