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Description: Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a perennial, cool season grass grown primarily for hay and pasture in the south central United States. Fescue is sown in the late summer with a seeding rate of 2 to 4 pounds per acre. This grass grows to about 2 to 5 ft tall and should be planted either as a pure stand or as a mixture with alfalfa, red clover, or lespedeza. For improved feed quality it is better to plant it as a mixture, though legumes do not persist well with fescue, so as they grow out the legumes should be reintroduced. The nutritive value of fescue depends on the season and its stage of growth as nutrient content, protein content, and dry matter digestibility are highest in the fall and winter, intermediate in the spring and low in the summer. Fescue should be harvested at the early bloom stage of maturity for highest quality. This grass can be used to graze many types of livestock, but caution needs to be taken because animals can be affected by fescue toxicity, which is caused by an endophytic fungus, Acremonium coenophialium. It is estimated that over 90% of tall fescue fields in the US contain this endophyte at some level of infection. The ergot produces an alkaloid that causes anti-feeding properties and health problems. The endophyte is speculated to increase the plant’s resistance to insect feeding. It however has adverse effects for livestock. In horses it can cause a range of reproductive problems or even death. Cattle may develop a variety of symptoms including: reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, reduced milk production, increased salivation, high respiratory rate, and a high body temperature. Animals can also get a foot condition called fescue foot. Swelling occurs between the dewclaw and the hoof and in more severe cases the hooves and the switch of the tail may slough off. Some of the new varieties of fescue don't have as much of a potential toxicity problem. Endophyte free varieties include: AU Triumph, Martin, Cajun, Safe, and many others.

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