Tall fescue arises as long-term cover crop
Tall fescue has established itself regionally as one of the most versatile grass species, and its value as a forage crop. as a cover crop has been well documented.
Dirk Philipp, an associate professor at the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, has researched tall fescue extensively and explained that the grass has been part of the region’s agricultural history for nearly a century.
“Tall fescue was introduced from Europe about 100 years ago,” Philipp said. “It thrives here because it’s a perennial and well-adapted to our climate.”
A long-lasting perennial, tall fescue comes back year after year under normal conditions. Phillip said its resilience is due in part to an endophyte fungus living within the plant, which boosts persistence but can cause toxic risks for grazing in the fall and spring. Still, it remains a common choice in the region for spring and fall forages, and it is often overseeded on top of warm-season forages to thicken grass stands and lengthen grazing periods
“You can plant it in the fall and in spring,” Philipp said. “I would say it’s better in the fall. And in the wintertime in Arkansas, it’s warm enough, you get some grazing out of it, and you have it for several years.”
He said tall fescue is particularly valuable in restoring degraded cropland or areas that have been overgrazed, so it is often used to improve forage stocks. Still, there are challenges with managing fescue pastures. In the Ozarks, producers often need to rest fields during the hottest months when tall fescue growth slows or stops.
“There are some years when it’s relatively cool and you get away with grazing,” Philipp said. “But normally, it just stays aside. You would have to have a backup plan for at least July and August.”
From a practical standpoint, tall fescue offers more than just soil cover. It’s a hearty grass that provides valuable grazing in both spring and fall. This flexibility makes it an appealing long-term investment.
“You can graze it, you can cut it for hay, and you can even market it,” Philipp said.
Sarah Paschal, an instructor at the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, and a Fayetteville native with a background in turfgrass management, highlighted tall fescue’s value as a versatile pasture and turfgrass compared to annual alternatives.
“It’s more expensive upfront, but it lasts longer than species like rye or clover,” Paschal said.
She added that profitability depends on how farmers choose to use it. Some sod farms in the area already rely on tall fescue for athletic fields and landscaping, with harvest involving specialized cutting and rolling equipment.
Before planting, Paschal stressed the importance of testing soils and matching the grass to the land.
“I would say the most important thing before choosing turfgrass as your cover crop would be to determine if your land is suitable for it,” she said.
Both experts agree that planting or overseeding tall fescue isn’t always a quick fix for pastures, but it can offer decades of value for producers willing to invest the time.
“With tall fescue, you’re not just covering the ground,” Philipp said. “You’re building a system that supports livestock, soil health and long-term productivity.”
Producers looking to learn more about utilizing tall fescue can visit the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/fescue-tall.aspx for more information.
