Novel Endophyte Fescue

Fescue is arguably the most important forage in Missouri because of the number of acres on which it is planted. Fescue grows in a wide range of soils and environments and has tremendous persistence. Much of its ability to persist is due to an endophyte fungus. Though the fungus is positive from the standpoint of persistence, its major drawback is its negative impact on animal performance. For years we have discussed ways to manage endophyte infected fescue using grazing, fertilizing and legumes to lessen its impact. In the 1980's endophyte free fescues were introduced. Because they did not have the endophyte fungus, animal performance was much better than when using infected fescues. A major drawback of the endophyte free fescue plants was their persistence. Unless the endophyte free fescues were managed like a hay crop, stands thinned in just a few years.

Recently plant breeders in Arkansas and Georgia have inserted an endophyte that is not toxic to animals into endophyte free fescue plants. The result is a novel endophyte infected fescue that has persistence like the toxic endophyte fescue and animal performance like endophyte free fescue. Georgia introduced MaxQTM fescue first, inserting the friendly endophyte into Georgia 5 and Jessup fescue varieties. Arkansas has recently introduced ArkPlusTM by inserting a friendly endophyte into the HiMag fescue variety. Seed is not cheap with prices in the neighborhood of $2-4 per pound. Check with your seed dealer.

In a study in Georgia looking at beef cow-calf performance on MaxQTM versus toxic endophyte infected fescue, cows grazing MaxQTM had improved body condition scores and weights than cows grazing the fescue infected with toxic endophyte. Weaning weights for calves on MaxQTM were 50 to 60 lbs. higher than calves weaned from toxic endophyte pastures.

Craig Roberts, State Extension Forages Specialist suggests that cattle grazing novel endophyte fescues will have performance similar to endophyte free fescues or toxic endophyte infected fescues with implants, supplements and legumes. He suggests that the novel endophyte fescues will be nearly as persistent as the toxic endophyte fescue. Grazed fields of ArkPlusTM are 90% as thick as old toxic endophyte fescue.

For best results when establishing novel endophyte fescue the old fescue plants must be killed and seed in the soil be allowed to germinate and be killed. A spray-smother-spray system usually works best. In the spring spray Roundup or Gramoxone herbicide to kill fescue plants that are 4-6 inches tall. Plant a warm season annual like pearl millet or sorghum-sudan for summer grazing. Use a burn down herbicide again in late summer to kill the warm season annual and any fescue plants that escaped the spring herbicide or new plants that germinated during the summer. The new fescue can be drilled at 15 lbs./acre in late August or early September. Thirty to 40 lbs. nitrogen per acre will help get the new plants off to a good start. Delay adding legumes until the new stand is well established (at least one year old - two would be better.)

 

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		Matt Herring - Agronomy/Natural Resources Ken Bolte - Farm Management/Livestock Franklin County University Extension Center Last revised: 11/28/05		Go to Franklin County University Extension Center page