Fescue Grass Seed For Pasture

Jesup MaxQ II Forage Type Tall Fescue Grass Seed (Non-Toxic Endophyte) - 25 Lbs.

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Pennington Seed

$194.00

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MaxQ II Tall Fescue (Jesup) Grass Seed for Pasture

Grow productive pasture with Jesup MaxQ II tall fescue seed. Beneficial novel endophyte supports stand persistence for livestock grazing, hay, and stockpiling.

Jesup MaxQ II tall fescue seed combines the established Jesup forage variety with a beneficial novel endophyte to support productive, persistent pastures. This cool-season perennial is suited to livestock grazing, hay, baleage, and fall stockpiling in regions where tall fescue is adapted.

The MaxQ II endophyte helps the grass withstand environmental stress without producing the livestock-harmful toxins associated with fescue toxicosis. For producers renovating toxic fescue pastures, Jesup MaxQ II offers a way to retain tall fescue’s durability while supporting improved animal performance. Results depend on pasture establishment, fertility, weather, and grazing management.

Product Details

Characteristic Details
Product Jesup MaxQ II forage-type tall fescue seed
Grass type Cool-season perennial forage grass
Variety Jesup
Endophyte MaxQ II (AR584), a beneficial novel endophyte
Seed program Pennington
Primary uses Permanent pasture, rotational grazing, hay, baleage, and stockpiled winter forage
Livestock suitability Cattle, horses including pregnant mares, sheep, and goats; maintain pastures free of toxic fescue contamination
Regional adaptation Traditional U.S. tall fescue regions, particularly the eastern Fescue Belt; confirm suitability for local conditions
Main growing seasons Fall and spring, with growth extending into early summer or mild winter periods when conditions permit
UPC Number 021496021256

What Makes MaxQ II Different?

Jesup MaxQ II is novel-endophyte tall fescue, not endophyte-free fescue. Its beneficial fungus lives within the plant and helps support persistence. The original Jesup MaxQ used the AR542 endophyte; Jesup MaxQ II pairs the same Jesup grass variety with AR584. MaxQ II was introduced to improve seedling vigor and persistence under grazing.

Replacing a toxic fescue stand requires removing the existing plants before establishing the new pasture. Adding Jesup MaxQ II seed to toxic fescue does not make the remaining toxic plants safe.

Recommended Uses

Use Practical application
Livestock pasture Cool-season forage for beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, sheep, and goats
Rotational grazing Managed paddocks with recovery periods and adequate residual forage
Hay and baleage Harvested forage with quality maintained through timely cutting and balanced fertility
Fall stockpiling Reserve autumn growth in well-established stands for managed winter grazing
Pasture with clover Establish the fescue alone; perennial white clover can be introduced the following year

Seeding Rates

Planting method Seed per acre Seed per 1,000 sq. ft.
Prepared, firm seedbed 15–20 lb 0.34–0.46 lb
No-till / sod-seeded into killed sod or stubble 20–25 lb 0.46–0.57 lb

Rates per 1,000 sq. ft. are rounded conversions based on 43,560 sq. ft. per acre. Calibrate the drill or spreader for the actual seed lot and equipment; there is no universal spreader setting.

Planting Guidelines

Planting factor Recommendation
Seedbed Firm and free of competing vegetation; eliminate existing toxic fescue before planting
Planting depth ¼–½ inch; deeper planting can reduce emergence
Planting methods Drill into a prepared seedbed, no-till into killed sod, or broadcast onto prepared ground and firm with a cultipacker
Soil pH 6.0–6.5
Phosphorus and potassium Apply according to soil test recommendations
Starter nitrogen 25–35 lb of actual nitrogen per acre, equivalent to approximately 0.57–0.80 lb per 1,000 sq. ft.
Companion crops Establish Jesup MaxQ II alone to limit seedling competition

When to Plant

Region General planting window
Southern and Southeastern states September 15–November 1
South Central United States October 1–November 15
Mid-South, Midwest, and Northeastern states August 15–October 1; March–April is a spring option where locally suitable

Adjust these general windows for local rainfall, soil conditions, frost timing, and regional forage recommendations.

Establishment and Pasture Management

  1. Start with a clean field. Control toxic tall fescue and competing grasses before establishment. Prevent unwanted plants from producing seed.
  2. Protect young plants. Wait until seedlings reach 6–8 inches before grazing or cutting. Use light grazing initially and rest the new stand during its first summer.
  3. Leave adequate forage. Retain 3–4 inches after grazing or hay cutting. Rotate livestock and reduce grazing pressure during heat or drought.
  4. Maintain fertility. Use soil tests to guide lime, phosphorus, and potassium. Time nitrogen applications for growth periods, commonly early fall and late winter.
  5. Prevent stand damage and contamination. Avoid grazing wet, soft soil, and do not feed toxic fescue hay on the renovated pasture.
  6. Stockpile established stands. Once the pasture is well established, generally two years or more, reserve fall growth for winter grazing.

Store seed in a cool, dry location until planting to help preserve seed quality and the living beneficial endophyte.

Benefits of Using This Product

Feature Benefit
Beneficial MaxQ II endophyte Supports plant persistence without the endophyte-related livestock toxins responsible for fescue toxicosis
Persistent perennial growth Provides a foundation for long-term pasture production with appropriate management
Heat and drought resilience Helps plants tolerate stressful conditions; moisture and grazing management remain important
Livestock performance potential Supports improved gains and reproductive performance compared with toxic fescue systems
Flexible forage use Fits grazing, hay, baleage, and stockpiling programs
Cool-season production Extends forage availability during fall and spring and supports winter grazing of stockpiled growth

Is Jesup MaxQ II endophyte-free? No. It contains the beneficial AR584 novel endophyte, marketed as MaxQ II. This is an intentional part of the product’s pasture-persistence technology.

Can Jesup MaxQ II be used for horses and pregnant mares? Yes. It is suitable for horse pastures, including pregnant mares, because its novel endophyte does not produce the harmful toxins associated with fescue toxicosis. Remove existing toxic fescue and prevent recontamination of the pasture.

How much seed is needed for one acre? Use 15–20 lb for a prepared seedbed or 20–25 lb when no-till planting into killed sod or stubble. Plant ¼–½ inch deep.

Can I overseed it into an existing toxic fescue pasture? Overseeding alone does not remove the toxic fescue already present. Eliminate the toxic stand and competing vegetation before establishing Jesup MaxQ II for the intended livestock benefits.

Can I plant clover with it? Establish Jesup MaxQ II alone. Perennial white clover can be added the following year after the fescue has established.

When can livestock begin grazing? Wait until the new stand reaches 6–8 inches, then begin with light grazing. Leave 3–4 inches of residual forage and give the stand adequate recovery time.

Category: Tall Fescue Grass Seed

Type: Fescue Grass Seed

Brand: Pennington Seed


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Description

MaxQ II Tall Fescue (Jesup) Grass Seed for Pasture

Grow productive pasture with Jesup MaxQ II tall fescue seed. Beneficial novel endophyte supports stand persistence for livestock grazing, hay, and stockpiling.

Jesup MaxQ II tall fescue seed combines the established Jesup forage variety with a beneficial novel endophyte to support productive, persistent pastures. This cool-season perennial is suited to livestock grazing, hay, baleage, and fall stockpiling in regions where tall fescue is adapted.

The MaxQ II endophyte helps the grass withstand environmental stress without producing the livestock-harmful toxins associated with fescue toxicosis. For producers renovating toxic fescue pastures, Jesup MaxQ II offers a way to retain tall fescue’s durability while supporting improved animal performance. Results depend on pasture establishment, fertility, weather, and grazing management.

Product Details

Characteristic Details
Product Jesup MaxQ II forage-type tall fescue seed
Grass type Cool-season perennial forage grass
Variety Jesup
Endophyte MaxQ II (AR584), a beneficial novel endophyte
Seed program Pennington
Primary uses Permanent pasture, rotational grazing, hay, baleage, and stockpiled winter forage
Livestock suitability Cattle, horses including pregnant mares, sheep, and goats; maintain pastures free of toxic fescue contamination
Regional adaptation Traditional U.S. tall fescue regions, particularly the eastern Fescue Belt; confirm suitability for local conditions
Main growing seasons Fall and spring, with growth extending into early summer or mild winter periods when conditions permit
UPC Number 021496021256

What Makes MaxQ II Different?

Jesup MaxQ II is novel-endophyte tall fescue, not endophyte-free fescue. Its beneficial fungus lives within the plant and helps support persistence. The original Jesup MaxQ used the AR542 endophyte; Jesup MaxQ II pairs the same Jesup grass variety with AR584. MaxQ II was introduced to improve seedling vigor and persistence under grazing.

Replacing a toxic fescue stand requires removing the existing plants before establishing the new pasture. Adding Jesup MaxQ II seed to toxic fescue does not make the remaining toxic plants safe.

Recommended Uses

Use Practical application
Livestock pasture Cool-season forage for beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, sheep, and goats
Rotational grazing Managed paddocks with recovery periods and adequate residual forage
Hay and baleage Harvested forage with quality maintained through timely cutting and balanced fertility
Fall stockpiling Reserve autumn growth in well-established stands for managed winter grazing
Pasture with clover Establish the fescue alone; perennial white clover can be introduced the following year

Seeding Rates

Planting method Seed per acre Seed per 1,000 sq. ft.
Prepared, firm seedbed 15–20 lb 0.34–0.46 lb
No-till / sod-seeded into killed sod or stubble 20–25 lb 0.46–0.57 lb

Rates per 1,000 sq. ft. are rounded conversions based on 43,560 sq. ft. per acre. Calibrate the drill or spreader for the actual seed lot and equipment; there is no universal spreader setting.

Planting Guidelines

Planting factor Recommendation
Seedbed Firm and free of competing vegetation; eliminate existing toxic fescue before planting
Planting depth ¼–½ inch; deeper planting can reduce emergence
Planting methods Drill into a prepared seedbed, no-till into killed sod, or broadcast onto prepared ground and firm with a cultipacker
Soil pH 6.0–6.5
Phosphorus and potassium Apply according to soil test recommendations
Starter nitrogen 25–35 lb of actual nitrogen per acre, equivalent to approximately 0.57–0.80 lb per 1,000 sq. ft.
Companion crops Establish Jesup MaxQ II alone to limit seedling competition

When to Plant

Region General planting window
Southern and Southeastern states September 15–November 1
South Central United States October 1–November 15
Mid-South, Midwest, and Northeastern states August 15–October 1; March–April is a spring option where locally suitable

Adjust these general windows for local rainfall, soil conditions, frost timing, and regional forage recommendations.

Establishment and Pasture Management

  1. Start with a clean field. Control toxic tall fescue and competing grasses before establishment. Prevent unwanted plants from producing seed.
  2. Protect young plants. Wait until seedlings reach 6–8 inches before grazing or cutting. Use light grazing initially and rest the new stand during its first summer.
  3. Leave adequate forage. Retain 3–4 inches after grazing or hay cutting. Rotate livestock and reduce grazing pressure during heat or drought.
  4. Maintain fertility. Use soil tests to guide lime, phosphorus, and potassium. Time nitrogen applications for growth periods, commonly early fall and late winter.
  5. Prevent stand damage and contamination. Avoid grazing wet, soft soil, and do not feed toxic fescue hay on the renovated pasture.
  6. Stockpile established stands. Once the pasture is well established, generally two years or more, reserve fall growth for winter grazing.

Store seed in a cool, dry location until planting to help preserve seed quality and the living beneficial endophyte.

Benefits of Using This Product

Feature Benefit
Beneficial MaxQ II endophyte Supports plant persistence without the endophyte-related livestock toxins responsible for fescue toxicosis
Persistent perennial growth Provides a foundation for long-term pasture production with appropriate management
Heat and drought resilience Helps plants tolerate stressful conditions; moisture and grazing management remain important
Livestock performance potential Supports improved gains and reproductive performance compared with toxic fescue systems
Flexible forage use Fits grazing, hay, baleage, and stockpiling programs
Cool-season production Extends forage availability during fall and spring and supports winter grazing of stockpiled growth
FAQ

Is Jesup MaxQ II endophyte-free? No. It contains the beneficial AR584 novel endophyte, marketed as MaxQ II. This is an intentional part of the product’s pasture-persistence technology.

Can Jesup MaxQ II be used for horses and pregnant mares? Yes. It is suitable for horse pastures, including pregnant mares, because its novel endophyte does not produce the harmful toxins associated with fescue toxicosis. Remove existing toxic fescue and prevent recontamination of the pasture.

How much seed is needed for one acre? Use 15–20 lb for a prepared seedbed or 20–25 lb when no-till planting into killed sod or stubble. Plant ¼–½ inch deep.

Can I overseed it into an existing toxic fescue pasture? Overseeding alone does not remove the toxic fescue already present. Eliminate the toxic stand and competing vegetation before establishing Jesup MaxQ II for the intended livestock benefits.

Can I plant clover with it? Establish Jesup MaxQ II alone. Perennial white clover can be added the following year after the fescue has established.

When can livestock begin grazing? Wait until the new stand reaches 6–8 inches, then begin with light grazing. Leave 3–4 inches of residual forage and give the stand adequate recovery time.

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