Cattle trampling the fescue as they graze exposes the stockpile to increased weather damage. This accelerates the deterioration of forage quality and increases dry matter losses. Therefore, this type of strip grazing should further reduce the number of hay feeding days required during the winter. Back To Top Managing Fescue-Legum e Mixtures Use of legumes in infected tall fescue pastures has been promoted and is becoming a more accepted management practice in Arkansas. This practice helps reduce the effect of endophytes on livestock.
Legumes are sometimes difficult to maintain in a fescue sod.
This may be even more of a challenge when fescue is stockpiled. Two legumes offer good opportunities for fescue-legume mixtures, even under stockpiled management strategies. The University of Missouri has successfully used red clover. Red clover, a short-lived perennial that typically lasts two to three years, offers many advantages as a companion legume with fescue. It is easy to establish, produces well in spring and early summer, has moderate resistance to drought and cattle seldom bloat on it.