Feedstuff Discovery - Tall Fescue

Tall Fescue

• Deeply rooted, strongly tuffed, cool season perennial bunchgrass with short rhizomes.
• Can grow to heights of 2 to 4 feet in seed head stage.
• Tolerant of soil acidity, low fertility, and poor drainage, and relatively tolerant of drought and overgrazing.
• Susceptible to endophyte fungus infection which aids in plant survival, but reduces animal performance.
• Most widely used for pasture especially winter grazing.
• Annual yields = 2-4 tons DM/acre

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN - 45-60%
• Crude Protein = 10-15%

Physical Description - leaves are shiny, dark green, thick, wide, and ribbed with prominent veins and no obvious ligule; emerging leaves are rolled in the bud.