Table 5-1. Some management options for switching from endophyte infected to nontoxic endophyte or endophyte free tall fescue with a fall seeding.

Season of changeover year

Summer kill

System 1

Spring kill

System 2

Spring kill

System 3

Spring

Graze or clip tall fescue closely to prevent seed formation.

Kill tall fescue by tillage or herbicide, then fallow.

Kill tall fescue by tillage or herbicide; then plant annual summer crop using approved weed control practices.¶

Summer

Closely graze or clip tall fescue before killing by tillage or by first herbicide spray.†

Fallow, harvest for silage or green-chop, or spray. Spray may be essential if much bermudagrass or other warm-season perennials are present.

Grow and harvest for silage or green-chop, or graze summer crop.

Fall

Allow volunteer seedlings to emerge (needs rain); follow with the second herbicide spray; then seed endophyte free or nontoxic endophyte tall fescue.‡

Allow volunteer seedlings to emerge (needs rain); use tillage or herbicide if needed; then seed endophyte free or nontoxic endophyte tall fescue.§

Till and/or apply herbicide; then seed endophyte free or nontoxic endophyte tall fescue.

Late winter
to early spring

Do not graze new seedlings for 60 d after last spray or until seedlings are 15 cm tall.

Do not graze new seedlings for 60 d after last spray or until seedlings are 15 cm tall.

Do not graze new seedlings for 60 d after last spray or until seedlings are 15 cm tall.

Mid-spring
and later

Do not graze new tall fescue stands closely during the first year.

Do not graze  new tall fescue stands closely during the first year.

Do not graze new tall fescue stands closely during the first year.

† 2.3 L/ha of paraquat plus nonionic surfactant in 75 to 150 L/ha of water, or 4.6 L/ha of glyphosate plus nonionic surfactant in 20 to 40 L/ha of water, broadcast on short, actively growing tall fescue. Consult most recent copy of herbicide label for any changes before application.

‡ 1.2 L/ha of paraquat plus nonionic surfactant in 75 to 150 L/ha of water, broadcast on short, actively growing tall fescue regrowth. Consult most recent copy of herbicide label for any changes before application.

§ Seed in prepared seedbed, or with no-till equipment on killed sod in chiseled and friable rows, which are compacted after seeding.

¶ Suitable summer crops are those which can be harvested early enough to permit early fall seeding of nontoxic or endophyte free tall fescue, such as early-maturing corn for grain, corn for silage, grain sorghum, annual summer forage crops, and soybean for hay.

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Tall Fescue Monograph