Tall Fescue ... Thoughts?

ebook · #1 10/05/07, 03:46 PM

Okay, our farm has some pastures full of tall fescue grass. The land just came out of CRP so there hasn't been much done on it except for a mow down after October each year. I have heard much about whether or not one should graze tall fescue and how they should go about if they do decide to graze it.

So, anyone out there grazing tall fescue ... anyone out there opposed to it for cattle ... anyone out there have anythoughts?

Highland · #2 10/05/07, 08:20 PM

Its the grass that holds Kentucky together---If it wasn't for fescue this state would have washed down the river long ago.
I cut it for hay and graze it.Where it really does good here is for winter pasture.Once it freezes it gets sweeter and the cows love it.

ebook · #3 10/05/07, 08:29 PM

Highland ... thanks for the response. So, would you graze tall fescue if it hadn't been mowed/grazed or anything since last December? I just didn't know if the endophyte thing would be a problem to cattle?

Highland · #4 10/05/07, 08:44 PM

I wouldnt have a problem turning cattle into it.I would watch thier eyes some,as those fescue seeds can cause problems that way. As far as the endophyte problem -- I have never spent to much time worrying over it.When I asked an old fella here in the community about it this is what he told me-- and I quote-- " a whole lot more cattle have died without it than with it" his meaning was--- a lot of cattle have starved to death that would have lived with a little fescue.

agmantoo · #5 10/05/07, 08:59 PM

Fescue is the base grass for my beef operation. I have the endophyte infected type and I have no problems with the fescue. Currently we are at the highest level of drought that is recognized. Today was the last day that I had fescue for the cattle to graze as my pastures are exhausted. Most farmers in this area have been feeding hay for at least 2 months. I remain confident my pastures will recover if we receive rain within the next couple of months. I know of no other crop that could provide forage for such a long time on such minimal moisture. My calves sell in the top 10% when marketed and the brood cows live and produce for many years on just the fescue. My cattle do not know what grain is as they have never had any. Tomorrow I will introduce the herd to cotton gin by-products. For the last 4 1/2+ years they have only had the fescue that was grown or stockpiled in the pature, no hay. I do interplant arrow leaf clover to aid the nitrogen needs and to offset the impact of the endophyte. To me, the problems referenced to fescue just have not shown up with my livestock and I have no intent to change but I certainly could use some rain.

furholler · #6 10/05/07, 09:19 PM

As stated, fescue is an excellent late season grass. The brix level is very high late in the year. I would not hesitate to graze it. If it is tall and you play your cards right, maybe you could stockpile it and ration it out over the winter as standing hay. Just a thought.

furholler · #7 10/05/07, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Fescue is the base grass for my beef operation. I have the endophyte infected type and I have no problems with the fescue. Currently we are at the highest level of drought that is recognized. Today was the last day that I had fescue for the cattle to graze as my pastures are exhausted. Most farmers in this area have been feeding hay for at least 2 months. I remain confident my pastures will recover if we receive rain within the next couple of months. I know of no other crop that could provide forage for such a long time on such minimal moisture. My calves sell in the top 10% when marketed and the brood cows live and produce for many years on just the fescue. My cattle do not know what grain is as they have never had any. Tomorrow I will introduce the herd to cotton gin by-products. For the last 4 1/2+ years they have only had the fescue that was grown or stockpiled in the pature, no hay. I do interplant arrow leaf clover to aid the nitrogen needs and to offset the impact of the endophyte. To me, the problems referenced to fescue just have not shown up with my livestock and I have no intent to change but I certainly could use some rain.

We need to visit. I think I could learn a lot from you.

ebook · #8 10/06/07, 11:02 AM

Thanks so much for your responses! I did a little research this morning on tall fescue. Most of it just confused me even more, but I'm sure there is some good stuff to be gleaned from the sources I read. I made a post about it on my blog with links to the articles and some quotes from Gene Logsdon's book, "All Flesh is Grass".

If you are interested in reading more about tall fescue check out my blog, The Beginning Farmer