Evaluation of Low‐Endophyte Tall Fescue for Cool‐Season Forage in the Lower South

Low‐endophyte tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was evaluated over two growing seasons as a cool‐season pasture forage alternative to annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in small plots and under grazing. Cool‐season forage yields of 13 low‐endophyte tall fescue entries were inferior to those of ryegrass planted annually in small plots. Substantial stand loss occurred during the first summer in plots planted with tall fescue the previous fall. ‘AU‐Triumph’ tall fescue was compared with ‘Marshall’ annual ryegrass when grazed at three stocking rates. Although carrying capacity was comparable between the two forage sources, grazing ryegrass resulted in greater individual animal performance. Tall fescue persistence was poor in pastures grazed at a low stocking rate, and was depressed further by increased grazing pressure. Costs of animal gain were less for annual ryegrass than for tall fescue, in spite of establishment costs incurred annually. Until cultivars which are better adapted to the lower South are available, low‐endophyte tall fescue is not a suitable alternative to annual ryegrass for cool‐season pasture.