Tall Fescue

Tall Fescue

Tall fescue has the ability to not only survive, but to thrive in our tough conditions.  Fescues have a much deeper root system than ryegrass and also possess heat tolerance properties.  Demeter Fescue was the original cultivar used and we have moved on a long way in the years since Demeter was the variety of choice.  All fescue varieties need to be managed carefully in order to get the balance right between maximum stock production and plant persistence.

CONTINENTAL Summer Active
Hummer MaxP	2 – 10	Soft	Grows well in all seasons, very persistent and good insect resistance due to MaxP endophyte.
Finesse Q	2 – 10	Soft	High quality, high year round yields, densely tillered, persistent.
Quantum 2 MaxP	2 – 10	Medium	Excellent winter activity, improved palatability, suited to a wide range of soils.
Pastoral	2 – 10	Medium	Improved palatability, ideal for heavy soils.
MEDITERRANEAN Winter Active/Summer Dormant
Charlem	2 – 8	Soft	Later maturing than traditional fescues, suited to 450mm+ rainfall area. Very high dry matter production.
Prosper	2 – 8	Medium/Fine	Erect growing variety, suited to most soil types. Is a true summer dormant type which maximizes persistence.
Flecha	2 – 8	Medium/Fine	Reliable drought tolerance, suited to 450mm+ rainfall area. Very high winter/spring production.
Resolute	2 – 8	Medium/Fine	Very persistent, excellent winter growth, improved palatability. Not as summer dormant as other varieties.

Mediterranean Fescues – Can be a valuable winter forage species, but they need to be managed!!!  These types of fescues, if allowed will take over a pasture, especially on heavy soils, making it virtually impossible for any other pasture species to co-exist with them.  The trend these days is to keep sowing rates relatively low so there can be a measure of grazing control.  Needs to be very heavily stocked in spring to keep the species under control!