Several strategies can be employed to supply forage into the fall or early winter and effectively extend the grazing season by 60 to 90 days, thus reducing the need for stored feeds. Tall fescue and birdsfoot trefoil are two forage species which are suited to stockpile management because they continue to grow into the fall and do not lose leaves as readily as other cool-season species after frost. It is drought resistant and will maintain itself under rather limited fertility conditions. Animals readily graze tall fescue during the fall, but show some reluctance to graze it during the summer months of July and August. Endophyte-free varieties are now available and are recommended for new seedings.
Tall fescue is the best adapted cool-season grass for stockpiling.
Adapted Varieties Numerous tall fescue varieties are being marketed in Pennsylvania, however, only endophyte-free varieties should be selected when seedings are to be grazed. They are endophyte-free and of high quality. Grazing Management Tall fescue can be part of a forage program but should not be all of it. Legumes with tall fescue improve animal performance and increase forage production during the summer. Tall fescue will withstand closer grazing and more abuse than most cool-season grasses.