Meadow Fescue

General Description

Meadow fescue is a perennial bunch grass suited to higher precipitation areas, but lacks longevity due to poorer winter hardiness and susceptibility to heavy grazing. It is very closely related to tall fescue, and can be hard to distinguish. Generally, meadow fescue is less persistent, shorter, and finer leaved. It has the ability to cross with perennial and annual ryegrass.

Stems grow up to 1 m (40 in) tall. Leaves are mostly basal, with blades that are flat, dark green and have veins running down them. The leaf undersides are glossy and the edges are rough. Seed heads develop with 6 to 10 flowers per spikelet. Meadow fescue is cross-pollinated (and can cross with grasses) and the seed shatters easily.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Europe.

Longevity

At least 5 years.

Use

Pasture, hay, stockpiled. Meadow fescue is best used as pasture as growth is mainly basal.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Meadow fescue has been replaced mainly by new tall fescue varieties that have equal adaptability and more production and longevity. Hay by heading. Meadow fescue is best rotationally grazed but can be continually with care. Leave at least 10 cm (4 in) for regrowth to occur. Good for summer grazing or stockpiling for fall and early winter grazing as it maintains quality well after fall frosts. 

Recovery After Use

Requires a minimum 45-60 days of recovery after use. If hayed, meadow fescue can be grazed or stockpiled thereafter.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Meadow fescue has an average total digestible nutrient (TDN) level of 61% and crude protein level of 12.5% in the vegetative state. Meadow fescue has fair palatability. Meadow fescue remains green into the fall.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

500mm minimum

Drought Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. It is less drought tolerant than tall fescue.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2-5 weeks of spring flooding. It withstands wet soils season long.

Winter Hardiness

Fair hardiness. Meadow fescue longevity is limited by winter hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Meadow fescue is best suited to moist or wet clay-loam to clay soils, but will grow on light textured soils with high moisture. Moisture is meadow fescue’s limiting factor.

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control. Can be used as an initial species in waterways or channels to prevent erosion as it does not impede water movement.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

507,000 seeds/kg (230,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Meadow fescue is compatible in mixes. Species include alsike clover, birdsfoot trefoil, timothy and bromegrasses.

Ease of Establishment

Meadow fescue seedlings can establish well in the first season when competition is managed. It is noted to winterkill easily during the establishment year.

Competitiveness

Meadow fescue has moderate competitive ability. Overall, its longevity is limited with cold winter conditions.

Management Considerations

Allow for adequate rest following defoliation. Cold hardiness is its major limitation making it a grass not frequently used in Western Canada. May serve well as a short rotation, good producing grass species for late season grazing.