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UK To Host Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop March 19
KY-31 has long been a double-edge sword for livestock producers. UK's Novel Tall Fescue
Renovation Workshop will teach producers how they can replace it with a novel variety.
Photo courtesy of Krista Lea, UK research analyst.
LEXINGTON, KY.
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.
To register, visit http://www.TallFescueKY2020.eventbrite.com. Registration is $65 per person before March 11 and $80 after that date. Individuals can also mail registration forms to Krista Lea, University of Kentucky, N-222C Ag. Science Center North, Lexington, KY, 40546. For more information, visit the UK Forage Extension website at http://forages.ca.uky.edu/ . ∆
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