Author Archives: grasslandrenewal

In 2013 we killed about 25 acres of our Kentucky 31-based pastures and started using annuals to upgrade our forage program, with future conversion to Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue in mind.  We really liked the winter and summer annuals for our young growing stock, and for the pasture-based beef program that was developing at thatContinue reading “Triple Creek Journal: Our worst year for winter annuals ever!”

Spaces remain for both the Tennessee and Maryland Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops on March 23 and 30th, respectively. Program includes experts from around the country, educational materials, hands on demonstrations and lunch! For more info or to register, visit our workshop page here: https://grasslandrenewal.org/workshops/

Earlier this year, Matt Poore made a New Year’s resolution to convert acres of toxic tall fescue to novel endophyte fescue on his farm (see previous Novel Notes article). I jumped on the bandwagon and made the same resolution. Even though the non-toxic seed that completes these fescue conversions won’t go in the ground untilContinue reading “Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution: Tall Fescue Replacement Information”

We planted our first novel endophyte tall fescue in the autumn of 2000.  It was a difficult time for us as my dad had suffered a major heart attack in late September and we were all at the hospital in Lynchburg when we should have been planting the fescue.  The planting, which had been plannedContinue reading “Triple Creek Journal:  Renovating a novel endophyte tall fescue pasture”

Cool-season perennial grasses like tall fescue, orchardgrass and bluegrass are very important in many pasture systems. Each of these grasses only produces seedheads during the spring, and managing to prevent those seedheads from reaching maturity will improve the quality of the pasture during late spring and summer, and will be a critical first step inContinue reading “Control Seedheads in Cool Season Forages for Improved Pasture Quality and Effective Renovation”

All fescue varieties are not the same In fescue seed advertisements, one may see terminology like “endophyte-free, friendly or novel endophyte, beneficial endophyte or toxic endophyte.” Some ads may not mention an endophyte at all. All fescue varieties are not the same; therefore, producers need to have a clear understanding of the differences among varietiesContinue reading “Understanding Fescue Variety Terminology”

The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is proud to once again offer virtual and in-person workshops for producers, extension, conservation, and industry professionals. Our 2022 Virtual Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop will be held on March 8th, beginning at 6 pm (ET). Registration is just $15 for the 3 hour program and includes a recording ofContinue reading “Spring Workshop Registrations Now Open”

Over my career, I have seen many solutions to the tall fescue problem suggested, tested, and then eventually shown to be ineffective.  I have personally been involved in many studies that tested various feed additives, forage management approaches, energy and protein supplementation programs and cattle with fescue tolerance.  While some of this work is encouraging,Continue reading “My New Year’s Resolution:  Renovate Some Tall Fescue Pasture in 2022!”

Renovating a pasture takes guts. To hook up to a cutting harrow or sprayer full of glyphosate to kill green pastures and embark on a nerve-wracking journey is no easy feat. But when you make it to the end and see young tall fescue plants popping up, you likely have a great feeling of accomplishment.Continue reading “Weed Control Options for Newly Established Tall Fescue”

For many years, we made all our hay on the farm near Virgilina, VA.  Most of that hay was toxic KY-31 tall fescue.  This took a lot of effort, and we fertilized and pushed for a strong first cutting, which is more reliable than later cuttings due to the weather in our area.  We wouldContinue reading “Triple Creek Journal: Feeding management for high nitrate hay”