Tall fescue is a double-edged sword for many forage and 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 Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop will take place March 8 at the Bluegrass Stockyards and UK’s Spindletop Research Farm in Lexington.

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 varieties into their operation.”

During the workshop, participants will hear from Kentucky producers, UK specialists, industry representatives and speakers from the University of Missouri, Noble Research Institute and U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

To register visit http://www.2018UKYNovelTallFescue.eventbrite.com or for more information visit the UK forage extension website at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/.