In Adair County, Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is a staple forage source for livestock.  While providing a reliable source of forages for Adair County livestock farmers, KY 31 Tall Fescue is also known to contain an endophyte that has negative impacts on livestock performance.  It is estimated that the endophyte contained in KY 31 costs Kentucky livestock producers $200 million annually. 

In 2020, a survey of KY 31 Tall Fescue growing on Adair County farms was conducted.  The purpose of the survey was to determine what percent of KY 31 Tall Fescue fields contain endophyte and what percent of the plants within each field are infected.  

For the study, 10 fields in Adair County were selected to represent most geographic regions of the county.  The results revealed that all 10 fields included in the study contained plants infected with endophyte.  On average, the 10 fields had an infection rate of 81%.  These results are eerily similar to research previously conducted by the University of Kentucky across the state. Put simply, it would be a fairly safe assumption that most all tall fescue fields in Adair County have a high endophyte infection rate.

Results of the study were shared with livestock farmers via Extension educational programs, newsletters and newspaper articles.  To reduce endophyte toxicity in livestock, farmers were encouraged to renovate KY 31 Tal Fescue fields with clover.

As a result of these efforts, a local farm store reported a 10% increase in overall clover seed sales in the Spring of 2021.  Furthermore, soil samples submitted to the Adair County Extension Service for clovers increased by 120% in 2021.  By adopting this practice, farmers will not only see an improvement in animal performance by diluting fescue toxicity, but also improved forage quality, production, and a reduction of expense on nitrogen fertilizers.