Tetrax is a tetraploid variety that excels in digestibility and is less aggressive than traditional improved diploid varieties. It also has excellent winter hardiness and disease tolerance. These combined attributes make Tetrax ideal to seed with alfalfa seeding in areas in which many grasses compete too heavily with alfalfa in zones 4&5.
Plots or fields with Tetrax are less dense and the dry matter yield, on average, is about 6% lower than that of the best diploid varieties. But this is balanced out by a significantly higher digestibility.
Of all the different grass species, meadow fescue has one of the broadest ranges of application. From dry hay to pasture, from heavy soils to light, meadow fescue can provide good tonnage and excellent quality. Meadow fescue is a semibunch type, cool season, European grass that has great winter hardiness. It will yield slightly less than tall fescue and orchardgrass but has better fiber digestibility and palatability for grazing applications.
Meadow fescue will establish faster than tall fescue or orchardgrass but will still benefit from a nurse crop. Use a low rate of a small grain or combine with festulolium or ryegrass to help suppress weeds. Meadow fescue is a good no-till option but will not express itself until the following year.
Establishment
Meadow fescue will establish faster than tall fescue or orchardgrass but will still benefit from a nurse crop. Use a low rate of a small grain or combine with festulolium or ryegrass to help suppress weeds. Meadow fescue is a good no-till option but will not express itself until the following year.
Management
Meadow fescue needs fertile soils for optimum performance. It works well in intensively managed grazing or hay production if not mowed lower than 3 inches.
