Is fescue OK for horses?

Horses can safely eat endophyte-free tall fescue. Tall fescue is moderately tolerant of continuous grazing and has excellent fall productivity. Tall fescue can have marginal winter hardiness and lower palatability.

What is fescue grass good for?

Tall fescue is valued for its adaptability to a wide range of climates and its tolerances for cold, heat, drought and shade. In its preferred growing zones, tall fescue provides lawn owners with outstanding options for improving lawn resilience and durability.

Does fescue grass have runners?

It does not produce any “runners” like some other grasses. Since tall fescue is a bunch type grass and does not spread, it is necessary to overseed occasionally to maintain turf thickness. There are a growing number of seed cultivars for turf-type fescue.

Is tall fescue poisonous to horses?

What is Fescue Toxicity? Fescue is a type of plant native to many regions. It is safe for your horse to consume, unless it is contaminated by the fungus known as Acremonium coenophialum. This fungus grows and lives in contaminated fescue and when ingested by your horse, toxicity will develop.

Does tall fescue make good hay?

New endophyte-free tall fescue varieties with very soft- leaf provide unique opportunities to hay growers and diary farmers in California. These varieties are in a unique category of cool-season forage grass that are heat and drought tolerant; have good palatability and higher digestibility.

Why can’t pregnant mares eat fescue?

Mares that continue to eat fescue are at greatly increased risk of prolonged pregnancy and a difficult delivery of the overmature foal; thickening of the placenta leading to suffocation of the foal during birth; premature placental separation; and failure to produce colostrum or milk.

Is fescue the same as St Augustine?

St. Augustine is coarser than fescue – but I am not one to lie on my lawn. This almost care-free grass does require dethatching every other year or so. Thick stems build up under the leafy surface and will need to be “scalped” occasionally so the lawn doesn’t get too thick and spongy.

Does fescue grow back every year?

Under the right conditions, fescue is green year-round, but it can go dormant (brown) during severe heat and drought.

Is tall fescue good for hay?

If pure tall fescue stands are used, high yields can be expected if fertilizer is applied during the winter or very early spring. This is especially true for the nitrogen portion of the fertilizer. Tall fescue to be used for hay should receive 100 to 150 lb N during the winter period.

Is fescue bad for cattle?

What is good for the grass, however, may be bad for the grazer. About 8.5 million head of cattle graze on fescue, but the endophyte fungus causes fescue toxicity, diminishing growth, health and reproduction in cattle as well as horses and sheep by squeezing off the blood supply to the extremities.

Is fescue good for cattle?

Cattle tend to avoid consuming tall fescue, because it is a more course and fibrous forage. Animal gains tend to be lower on these fields but are a good source of forage for the beef cow herd. Endophyte-infected tall fescue produces ergot-alkaloid compounds, which can be a life-threatening toxin within the plant.

What is fescue grass on a golf course?

Updated April 17, 2018 Fescue is a type of grass, and in the golf world, it is most commonly found on links courses or links-style golf courses. Golf course fescue is usually grown in the second cut of rough or beyond (such as in unmowed native areas).

What is the meaning of the word fescue?

fes·​cue | \\ ˈfe-(ˌ)skyü \\. 1 : a small pointer (such as a stick) used to point out letters to children learning to read. 2 : any of a genus (Festuca) of tufted perennial grasses with panicled spikelets.

What is creeping red fescue grass seed?

This type of fescue has a deep root system that promotes health through periods of no rain. Creeping red fescue gives off a deep green color and is characterized by its fine blades. Often, creeping red fescue is added to other grass seeds to promote shade tolerance and reduce fertilization needs.

What is the difference between fine fescue and improved fescue?

Improved fescue grasses are capable of providing lawns as beautiful as any other type of grass with the benefit of shade tolerance, low input requirements, and the ability to survive further south than it’s cool season contemporaries. Fine fescues are a subgroup of fescues distinguishable by their narrow, fine leaf blades.