Converting Pastures to a Novel Endophyte Fescue

There are thousands of acres across North Carolina and the Southeast that are producing Fescue forage.  The majority of those pastures and hay fields are Kentucky 31 Fescue.  This variety of Fescue has been around since the early 1800’s and was introduced as a forage variety back in the 1940’s. For decades K-31 has been the premier cool-season forage.  It is tough, very productive, can be good quality, and stands last a long time. 

Over time, folks noticed that there were some animal health problems that could develop if livestock and horses grazed fescue stands or were fed fescue hay.  Cattle had rough hair coats, didn’t gain as they should, and sometimes developed “fescue foot”.  Horse owners noticed that foals had thicker membranes to fight through at birth, to name some of the problems that developed.

The endophyte fungus was discovered in the plant, and was determined to be the cause of the animal problems that developed when feeding or grazing fescue.  After a LOT of research, endophyte-free fescue varieties were introduced.  Farmers tried these, and found that the grass just didn’t last more than three or four years.  Who would have guessed that there was a symbiotic relationship between fescue grass and endophyte fungus?  This relationship was what made K-31 Fescue such a good productive grass that stays productive for a long time without having to be reseeded.

After more research, some “novel” endophyte fescue varieties have been introduced.  The endophyte in these varieties is known as novel since this endophyte has been found to be non-toxic to livestock and horses.  It would seem like all one has to do to get rid of the toxic, or what is called “dirty” endophyte, is to overseed with one of the new varieties.  Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.  The K-31 Fescue will still out-compete the newer varieties over time.  More drastic measures are needed to establish a novel endophyte variety of fescue.

To establish a novel endophyte fescue, get ready to spray the field next spring after the grass starts growing with glyphosate.  Wait six weeks or so and make another glyphosate application.  Let the field sit fallow through the summer or plant a summer annual, harvest the summer annual, and make another glyphosate application if needed in early September.  Follow that application up by using a no-till seeder to plant a novel endophyte variety.  By the way – make sure that the pH is in the optimum range and there is adequate soil fertility for growth.

A glyphosate application can also be made this fall for those who don’t want to wait until spring.  Follow the glyphosate application by planting a winter annual, followed by another glyphosate application after the winter annual harvest.  Plant a summer annual, harvest it, apply glyphosate one more time, and plan to seed the novel endophyte fescue variety next fall.

If glyphosate is not used, then till up the field, and keep making tillage passes as needed.  Get a seedbed prepared and plant winter and summer annuals for a while – until there are no clumps of fescue growing.  This process may take two or three years.  During that time, though, the annual forages will provide some great forage for grazing and hay during the transition period.  Follow these treatments up by no-till seeding some novel endophyte fescue.

Let the new seedlings get firmly established before putting horses on the newly seeded pasture.  Horses can be tough on seedlings, so letting a root system develop will help give the stand some longevity.  Some folks recommend allowing the new stand of novel endophyte fescue to grow for a full year before starting to use it for grazing. 

Converting to a novel endophyte fescue is not an easy or short process.  It will be up to the horse owner to decide if the risks, economics, forage needs, and other factors will make it worthwhile to make the transition.  Contact your local NC Cooperative Extension Agent with forages responsibilities for more specific recommendations on establishing novel endophyte fescue in pastures in your area.