But there are some problems associated with fescue. An endophyte, which is a type of fungus, infects the majority of fescue acreage in the United States. This fungus causes several disorders in animals including fescue toxicity—a widespread and costly problem.

Dr. Don Ball, an agronomist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says researchers thought at first that by eliminating the fungus from fescue, producers could avoid livestock problems and still benefit from the productive capability of fescue.

"Researchers and farmers quickly discovered some harsh truths about fungus-free fescue," says Ball. "Among other things, it is more vulnerable to insects and nematodes, germinates slower and is less hardy. As a result, many producers who planted fungus free fescue lost their stands."

The next challenge for researchers then was to find a way to keep good traits such as hardiness and insect resistance in fescue while eliminating negative effects on animals.

Ball says researchers appear to have found an answer.

Researchers discovered numerous strains of the fescue fungus and great differences in the impact various strains have on the hardiness of fescue. After extensive testing, they identified a strain that would produce the most of the desirable traits without producing the undesirable ones.

"This isn't a genetically engineered plant," says Ball. "Researchers simply introduced the selected fungus strain into two fescue varieties.

"This looks like the real deal. These fungi, called novel endophytes, seem to produce the desired effects—good animal performance without disorders, yet good fescue persistence."

Ball notes that a number of acres have already been planted to the two varieties containing the first commercially available novel endophyte. Other novel endophytes in other fescue varieties are expected to be available within a couple of years.

"Last summer was a severe test for novel endophyte fescue," says Ball. "We had the driest summer in 100 years, and the fescue came through in amazingly good shape."

Ball cautions that as promising as this new novel endophyte looks, more research and more farm experience are needed.

"That's the only way we will know for certain that the initial findings will continue over time."

SOURCE: Dr. Don Ball, Agronomist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System,(334) 844-5491