Does fescue make good hay?
Not surprisingly, the early-cut fescue had the highest forage quality with a digestibility of 68 percent and a crude protein content of 13.8 percent (see table below). Digestibility dropped to 66 percent for the mid-maturity fescue and to 56 percent for the late cutting.
Does fescue make good hay for cattle?
One is forage quality. While fescue out-produces many other grasses, it is somewhat coarser. However, for cow-calf production, fescue can almost be considered ideal. Cows do not need to gain appreciable weight, and a grass that provides large amounts of forage most of the year is just what is needed.
Is fescue a good hay for horses?
Fescue has several characteristics which make it an excellent forage for a horse grazing management system. Fescue is a hardy grass that is easily established, tolerates close grazing, stands up to heavy horse traffic, survives drought conditions and is resistant to weeds, insects and diseases.
What seed is used for hay?
Legume hay is a popular choice for most livestock. It can be made from a wide variety of legumes including clover, vetch, sainfoin, birdsfoot trefoil and of course the “queen of the forages” – alfalfa.
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 bad for horses?
Fescue infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum produces chemicals toxic to horses. Infected pasture and hay is toxic for horses to eat. The toxic chemicals in the stems and leaf sheaths tend to peak in late June and decline as the seeds develop.
Is tall fescue bad for cattle?
Why is fescue grass bad for horses?
Endophyte induces toxicity in horses. Fescue infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum produces chemicals toxic to horses. Infected pasture and hay is toxic for horses to eat. The toxic chemicals in the stems and leaf sheaths tend to peak in late June and decline as the seeds develop.
Is tall fescue grass bad for horses?
Tall fescue is an extremely hardy, well-adapted grass species used for hay and pasture in the central and eastern United States and the Pacific Northwest. Although tall fescue has gotten a bad reputation in the horse industry, it is a safe and practical grass for most classes of horses with the exception of broodmares.
What grass makes the best hay for cattle?
Alfalfa- It is probably the best high quality feed for livestock and as a cash crop but it requires deep, well drained soils and high fertility for high yields. While it can be used for grazing, it is best adapted for hay or silage.
What grass makes the best hay for horses?
There are two primary types of horse hay: legume and grass. Alfalfa is the best variety of legume hay, and Orchard grass is the grass hay I recommend; however, Timothy, bermudagrass, bahiagrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are also excellent choices.
Is fescue good for grazing animals?
Grass is the key component in any grazing operation, especially in the summer. Tall fescue is the most widely adapted forage in the U.S. It is a persistent grass that is easy to establish, tolerant of a wide range of management regimes and produces good forage yields.
When to plant tall fescue grass seed?
Plant tall fescue seed in the fall, between September 15 and the end of October, so the seedlings will have plenty of time to become strong in preparation for the summer heat nine months hence. Sod can be planted when it is available, December – May.
Can horses eat fiscue grass?
Horses can safely eat endophyte-free tall fescue. You can’t discern endophyte-infected tall fescue from endophyte-free tall fescue with the naked eye. Tall fescue is a perennial bunchgrass. It’s leaves are dark green, shiny and plentiful. The underside of the leaves are smooth, while the tops are rough from ribbed veins.
What is feterlizer do you use to seed fescue?
High-nitrogen, low-phosphorus fertilizer is ideal for most fescue varieties. It’s best to use a slow-releasing fertilizer to ensure your grass receives necessary nutrients over the course of a few months. Don’t over-fertilize your lawn as this causes the grass to grow too fast and require excessive mowing.
Can fescue grass grow in South Carolina?
The other grass type found in South Carolina is Fescue and is considered a cool-season grass. Fescue is most actively growing during the spring and fall months. Fescue responds favorably to temperatures that are around 60º F at night and 80ºF during the day.