Meadow Fescue (Schedonorus pratensis) — A Traditional Grazing & Hay Grass for Low-Fertility Soils
Meadow Fescue is one of the larger fescue species and a valuable traditional grazing grass that also makes excellent hay. Recent taxonomic thinking has separated the flat-leaved fescues — meadow fescue and tall fescue — into their own genus (Schedonorus), distinct from the finer-leaved fescues. It is a reliable, persistent perennial that performs particularly well on lower fertility soils where ryegrass may struggle.
What It’s Used For
Grazing and hay production. Its wide, flat leaves make it a useful component of traditional hay meadow mixtures, and it grows well on poorer soils where some evidence suggests it can out-yield perennial ryegrass without nitrogen fertiliser.
How Long Will It Last?
A true perennial species with good long-term persistence, particularly well suited to upland and traditional hay leys.
Key Strengths
- Performs well on low fertility soils — can match perennial ryegrass yield without nitrogen
- Wide leaves make it a valuable hay meadow grass
- Highly acceptable to grazing livestock when kept leafy
- Very winter hardy
- Combines well with Timothy for long-lasting upland leys
Frost Tolerance
Very winter hardy — reliable through cold upland winters.
Yield
Comparable to perennial ryegrass in low fertility situations.
Sowing Rate
- 12–14 kg/acre (30–35 kg/ha)
When to Sow
Combines very well with Timothy for a traditional long-lasting upland or hay ley. Sow in spring or early autumn when moisture is available.
Management
As a non-ryegrass species, Meadow Fescue should not be overgrazed — allow a recovery interval between grazings to maintain productivity and persistence. The grass is highly palatable to livestock when kept leafy. It can also be cut for hay or silage, with the best quality coming from swards cut before heading.
Identifying the Crop
Seed: Thin and narrow with a papery, beige colour and smooth texture. Approximately 6 mm in length. Around 500,000 seeds per kg.
Mature plant: Bright green in colour. Leaf blades are ribbed on the upper surface and more glossy on the underside. Leaves clasp the stem via long sheaths. The ligule is barely discernible at around 1 mm, with small auricles clasping the stem. Spikelets within the panicle are tinged reddish-brown. Plant height 40–80 cm. Flowers June–July.
Works Well With
Meadow Fescue combines naturally with Timothy for a long-lasting, traditional upland or hay ley — a classic pairing for permanent pasture and conservation grassland.