Does All Tall Fescue Have Endophyte?

The majority of tall fescue is infected with a fungal endophyte. This fungus lives between the cells of the plant in a symbiotic relationship. The plant provides the endophyte with shelter and nutrients - a place for the fungus to live and reproduce.

How can you tell if fescue is endophyte free?

Ef- fects of the endophyte on grazing cattle can be seen as one or more of several clinical signs, including: (1) lower feed intake, (2) lower weight gains, (3) rough hair coats during the summer, (4) lower milk production, (5) reduced reproductive performance, (6) more time spent in shade and water, and (7) necrosis ...

Is tall fescue endophyte free?

Here at Nature's Seed, all the tall fescue we use in our pasture blends is endophyte-free and perfectly safe for livestock grazing. On the other hand, the turf-type tall fescue intended for lawn use does contain endophytes. In this case, we can take advantage of the added vigor the fungus provides to the grass.