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Replacing endophyte infected
tall fescue with non-infected tall fescue has not been seen in a good
light because of the expense and loss of forage production for some
amount of time. To kill the existing tall fescue, the most popular
method was "spray-smother-spray" which involved spraying the existing
grass with herbicide to kill mature plants. This was followed by
establishing a tall crop such as sorghum-sudangrass which should shade
seedling tall fescue plants. Once the sorghum-sudangrass is harvested,
the field should be sprayed again to kill any mature plants that were
missed as well as any seedlings that escaped the "smother."
With the development release
of AlfaGraze 300RR and other Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties that can
withstand close grazing, we were encouraged to use the alfalfa as a
temporary replacement for infected tall fescue pastures. The
procedures the planting Roundup Ready alfalfa in the fescue pasture.
Once the alfalfa has emerged and is growing, spray with Roundup to kill
grass. The alfalfa can be grazed or hayed during the replacement
process. Roundup can be applied several time until the level of
infestation with infected fescue is reduced to a tolerable level.
Once the alfalfa begins to thin (hopefully after two or three years of
production), tall fescue with novel endophytes or endophyte free can be
planted into the alfalfa.
Alfalfa was planted in late
March 2007 and was scheduled to be sprayed with Roundup in late May.
Roundup application was delayed for about two months because of
excessive rain.
These images taken on 6-6-07
show some of the successes and problems encountered during the
establishment summer.
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