Festulolium

Festulolium is a cross between perennial or italian ryegrass and meadow fescue. There are thousands of ways to cross, consequently many mediocre festuloliums – but these are the best available in the world.

Establishment

Seed size is identical in size and weight with tall fescue and they mix well together without separating. Seeding rate as a nurse crop with tall fescue and alfalfa is between 2 to 3 lbs per acre. For pastures in the upper Midwest, we use 5 lbs per acre. For a pure stand the seeding rate is the same as tall fescue. This is not commonly done as stand life is approximately 3 years with the first year being the most productive and declining from there on. However this characteristic with its fast establishment makes it an excellent nurse crop for alfalfa and tall fescue.

Management

Festulolium fertilizer requirement are intermediate between ryegrass and tall fescue.