KY-31 fescue is the most commonly used forage in Kentucky hay and pasture fields.  This variety is popular because of its ease of establishment, drought tolerance, pest resistance, and tendency to prolong grazing seasons.  However, studies have proven that KY-31 contains endophytes which can be detrimental and potentially deadly to cattle.  In warmer months, toxicity can result in moderate symptoms such as increased body temperatures, causing the animal to linger in shady spots and ponds rather than grazing, or potentially severe reactions such as loss of pregnancy and loss of hooves and tails.  The challenge is to identify an endophyte-free fescue variety that produces equally well or better than KY-31.

In Spring 2019, I received a request from Dr. Jimmy Henning and Dr. Ray Smith, forage specialists with the University of Kentucky, to conduct an endophyte-free fescue study in Laurel County.  A local beef producer was recruited for the project and agreed to host the test plots on his farm.  Novel and ten other varieties, some being endophyte-free, were planted in the various test plots to study the quality of each in terms of growth, suitability, and tolerance to weather, traffic, mowing, and grazing.  

The initial inspection in Spring 2019 showed that Novel and the other varieties were more difficult to establish than KY-31.  Once growth was established, the cattle herd was turned in to graze the areas in the fall.  Fertilizer was added to the test areas in Spring 2020, the first cutting of hay was completed, and then the cattle herd was turned in to graze the area.  In late fall, we examined the test plots and determined that, though the stands of the test varieties were still present, they were in a much weaker state than the KY-31.

 In the second year of monitoring the grasses, the area was treated in the spring with 19-19-19 and the first cutting of hay was completed.  The beef herd is currently grazing the area and we continue to monitor the condition of both the test plots and the animals.