Consider Native
Warm Season
Grasses as a
Compliment to
Tall Fescue
By David Burton, University
Missouri extension
Native warm season grasses
conjure up good thoughts
for some and reminders of
bad experiences for others
according to Tim Schnakenberg,
field specialist in agronomy with
University of Missouri Extension.
“The truth is, these forages
were all across our landscape
long before tall fescue was
introduced and there are still
remnants of stands scattered
across public and private
lands throughout Missouri,”
said Schnakenberg.
For those who appreciate
the benefits of grasses like
big bluestem, switchgrass,
Indiangrass, and Eastern
gamagrass, use them as
forages for hay and pasture
and have the extra benefit
of providing habitat for
wildlife in production fields.
“Many have found that
these grasses are superior
at minimizing fertilizer and
lime expense, are highly
palatable and provide a large
quantity of forage at needed
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