Why do we put up with tall fescue?
Despite concerns, it tolerates drought, flooding and heavy traffic (Reprinted from Goat Rancher, January 2006)
By Jack C. Boles Jr. University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (now retired)
Tall fescue is a popular grass in North Arkansas — but it does have a reputation. Some livestock species do not tolerate
the toxic effects of endophyte-infected tall fescue (most commonly Kentucky 31), spe- cifically horses and cattle. In cattle, we often see poor performance, rough hair coats, la- minitis (sore feet) and loss of extremities (ears and tails). With horses, we can experience problems as well.
Pregnant mares grazing endophyte-in- fected fescue may be subject to several prob- lems. Abortions, stillborn foals, thickened placentas and/or retained placentas are com- mon for mares grazing endophyte-infected
fescue. Mares may carry their foals for 30 to 40 days longer than nor- mal, resulting in a difficult birth due to the increased size of the foal. Mares may also have reduced milk production or no milk at all. Co- lostrum production may be decreased or nonexistent. With so many problems associated with fescue with cattle and horses, why do we even consider grazing goats on this grass? Because it is what we have. Tall fescue is the predominant grass in North Arkansas pastures and hay meadows. It can withstand environmental extremes such as drought, flooding, heavy traffic and varying soil types. It is also ca- pable of surviving a variety of management systems, both good and bad. When managed properly, fescue can produce large volumes of high-quality forage for livestock. I have personally witnessed tall fes- cue hay testing at over 20% crude protein on a dry matter basis. All species react to endophyte-infected fescue differently, and there is a lot of variation in endophyte levels in fescue fields through- out the year. There is little scientific evidence to support a negative effect for goats consuming tall fescue with high levels of endophyte but no extensive studies have been conducted. Also, tall fescue in the vegetative or young stage of growth rarely has high levels of endo- phyte in the spring until the plant starts to mature and seed head de- velop. Endophyte-infected fescue is most toxic when animals are under other stresses such as hot weather. Goats throughout North Arkansas successfully breed, give birth and lactate while on a predominantly fescue-based diet. Some studies have shown differences in growth rates of animals on fescue and other forages, but scientists question if this is a result of the endo- phyte or more the result of taste preferences between forages. Most pastures include primarily fescue but also have many other grasses to provide nutrients to the goats.
38 Goat Rancher | May 2026
Endophyte-infected tall fescue can be managed to lessen its negative impact on livestock. Even so, many goat producers are worried that their goats will
be adversely affected by grazing tall fescue. There are management options for dealing with tall fescue. These options are based on ex- periences with horses on tall fescue, but can be utilized by concerned goat producers as well:
• Remove what you consider to be your most at risk animals
from endophyte-infected tall fescue fields 45 to 90 days prior to kidding. Removal may be to a dry-lot area with nutrient require- ments being met with hay and grain, or a pasture consisting of a for- age other than endophyte-infected tall fescue. This is the most conservative way of avoiding toxicity problems. • Manage to minimize effect. Much of the endophyte found in infected fescue is concentrated in the seed head. Grazing and/or clip- ping management that keeps fescue plants young and vegetative will result in better animal performance. • Diversify your forage program. Dependence on any forage alone can lead to problems. Producers should utilize browse and warm season forages during the summer months. Use of other cool season forage species for grazing and hay avoids the endophyte. • Dilute the endophyte. Growing legumes such as white clover,
red clover, lespedeza or crimson clover with infected fescue is a good option to dilute the effects of the endophyte. You not only get the de- sired dilution but also receive an additional benefit of improved pas- ture production and quality. • Kill infected stands and replant. Due to cost, this may not be a desirable option for most producers. However, varieties of fes- cue, sometimes called endophyte-friendly fescue, with non-toxic en- dophyte are available. Tall fescue may not be the perfect forage for goats, but it is what many of us have; In North Arkansas, we are learning to use it well. n
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