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Scientific name:	Festuca arundinacea Schreb; renamed Schedonorus phoenix
Cultivars:	Kentucky 31 Many endophyte free and endophyte friendly Low endophyte varieties are used for forage as hay or pasture.
Origin:	Europe
Growth Habit:	Bunch type, with weak sod-forming
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Use
Production:	Among highest yielding perennial grasses grown in Wisconsin
Nutritive Value:	Similar to most cool season grasses
Herbaria Image:	Click this link
Identification
Seed Head:	Panicle 6-12
Seed:	Long, light brown/tan, round at one end, pointed at other. 200,000 seeds/lb
Shoot:	Round, up to 5'
Leaf:	Flat, pronounced venation (ridged), 'corduroy' type surface Part of broadleaf fescue type (together with regresses and Meadow Fescue)
Auricles:	Present, clasping
Ligule:	very short (1mm), membranous
Adaptation
Soil:	Better adapted to fertile soil Will grow on low fertility soils
pH:	5.5 to 7.5
Moisture:	Drought tolerant, also adapted to wet soils.
Temperature:	Adapted to cool and humid areas. Not winter hardy Tolerates soil temperatures as low as 40°F.
Other:	Good shade tolerance
Establishment - Management
Seeding rate:	12-20 lbs/acre with any seeding method-alone or in a mix.
Seed cost:	$3/lb; ~$125/50 lb bag; $30-60/acre (alone
Planting date:	Early spring or late summer
Planting depth:	1/4 to 1/2 inch
Frost seeding:	Good
Fertilization:	Follow soil test recommendations
Grazing:	Generally, the cultivars used for forages have low levels of endophytes (internal fungus). Even though endophytes create hardier plants, they can be toxic to livestock. Established stands can be tested for endophytes.
Hay:	Cut during boot stage on endophyte infected stands. Mixing with forage legumes can dilute endophyte toxins in hay. Good for stockpile forage (or standing hay) because it maintains nutritive value and palatability improves in the fall.
Notes
Endophytes can cause abortion on mares (remove pregnant mares from tall fescue 60 days from due date). High disease resistance due to endophyte