Easton

Quality with persistence and production

Heading Date Early (Early compared to Nui)
Endophytes Max P
Rust Tolerance High
Pasture Life Perennial
Perenniality Perennial
Grazing Seasons Spring, Summer

Easton is the latest tall fescue released from Agricom. Easton has been developed from the popular Advance tall fescue for increased production, combined with superior persistence. With the increased pressure on water as a resource, tall fescue is an ideal option with its higher water-use efficiency than ryegrass (once established) and has the ability to continue to produce at higher temperatures, again making more efficient use of the irrigation applied. Tall fescue has been successfully used in lamb, beef and deer fattening systems, as well as in many irrigated and un-irrigated summer-dry dairy operations.

Very high early summer and autumn production
Higher water-use efficiency than ryegrass
Tolerant to insects, drought and saline conditions
Available with MaxP® novel endophyte

Easton has been bred with the AgResearch novel endophyte MaxP® for increased insect tolerance and persistence. Easton MaxP® is resistant to black beetle, Argentine stem weevil and other insect pests (see MaxP® page), while tall fescue as a species is tolerant to grass grub once established.

MaxP® is a tall fescue novel endophyte that produces peramine and loline alkaloids which give an increased level of insect tolerance; increasing the production and persistence of tall fescue. MaxP® is available in Easton tall fescue. The MaxP® endophyte provides protection against Agentine stem weevil, black beetle adult, root aphid and pasture mealy bug. The MaxP® endophyte also gives tall fescue a greater ability to survive and recover quickly from droughts due to the reduction in plant stress caused by insect feeding. Tall fescue in general has increased persistence over ryegrass cultivars in many situations due to a larger root mass, but the increase in persistence due to the MaxP® endophyte is even more advantageous. Tall Fescue is increasingly being used in areas where ryegrass cultivars aren’t persisting against increasing insect populations and summer moisture stress is causing a reduction in persistence.

Sowing & Establishment

Sowing Rate 20-25

Performance Data

Tall fescue in general has increased persistence over ryegrass cultivars in many situations due to a larger root mass, but the increase in persistence due to the MaxP® endophyte is even more advantageous. Tall Fescue is increasingly being used in areas where ryegrass cultivars aren’t persisting against increasing insect populations and summer moisture stress is causing a reduction in persistence.