* Please note this workshop has been canceled out of an abundance of precaution due to COVID-19.

Tall fescue is a double-edged sword for many livestock producers. University of Kentucky forage extension specialists are teaming up with the Alliance for Grassland Renewal to host a workshop to teach producers how to renovate their tall fescue pastures with a novel endophyte variety.

The Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop will take place March 19 at UK’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory located at 1408 Bull Lea Road in Lexington. The daylong event begins at 8:15 a.m. EDT.

Producers have widely used tall fescue in pastures for decades, because it survives well under many conditions including drought, cold, overgrazing, insects and diseases. However, the most common variety, KY-31, also contains toxins that can severely affect cattle and horse performance. By replacing it with a novel endophyte variety, producers can keep the beneficial aspects of the grass while reducing the negative impacts.

“There are a growing number of novel or friendly endophyte tall fescue varieties on the market, including UK’s own variety Lacefield MaxQ II,” said Ray Smith, forage extension specialist in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “This workshop will help producers learn how they can begin to incorporate these new varieties into their operation. The workshop will also show producers how they can better manage existing KY-31 stands so they are safer for their animals.”

During the workshop, participants will hear from Kentucky producers, UK specialists and speakers from across the country. They will discuss fescue toxicosis and the economics, testing, establishment, management, products and incentives for renovating pastures with a novel variety.