b'At DLF, forage breeding concentrates on F. pratensis (meadow fescue), while turf breeding targets mainly three species: F. rubra (red fescue), F. ovina (sheep fescue), and F. trachyphylla (hard fescue). In addition, F. arundinacea (tall fescue) is bred for both forage and turf applications.Etienne Abelard, DLF fescue breeder in France, notes a growing interest over the past five to seven years in using hard and sheep fescue on sports fields due to their resilience and tolerance to low-input management. We already see tall fescue being taken up by turf professionals in northern European countries, where perennial ryegrass is otherwise the pre- Etienne Abelard, ferred turf species, he says. With warmer andDLFs fescueBarenbrug forage drier climates, there will be an increased need forbreeder inbreeder Gilles France.PHOTO: DLFfescue turfs as well as forages. Labarneix. DSV breeder Yannick Quitt agrees, empha- PHOTO: BARENBRUGsising that tall fescue has gained importance inDSV breeder Northern Europe because of increasingly dry con- Yannick Quitt. ditions. In these environments, tall fescue outper- PHOTO: DSVforms perennial ryegrass and other species. DSVsBreeding Timelines and Targetsturf portfolio includes tall fescue, red fescues (bothDeveloping a new fescue variety is a long-term slender creeping and creeping types), chewingendeavour. Depending on the species and fescue (a red fescue subspecies), hard fescue, andintended use, the process typically takes 10 to 18 sheep fescue. Meadow fescue grows better thanyears. Breeders continuously align development other species, even at low temperatures, Quittwith market needs through direct feedback from says. It tolerates cutting better than grazing and isend-users, farmer organizations, disease surveys, ideal for combining with forage legumes. and other monitoring mechanisms.Tall fescue, by contrast, is highly adaptable toAt Barenbrug, forage breeder Gilles Labarneix both wet and dry conditions, making it suitable forhighlights the main breeding targets: forage and sites that experience seasonal variability. seed yield, nutritional quality (including leaf soft-Its deep rooting system allows it to accessness to ensure livestock consumption), and resist-water reserves deeper in the soil, enabling sur- ance to both biotic and abiotic stress. vival through dry periods, Quitt explains. It isQuality is the main challenge, Labarneix also characterised by good winter hardiness andexplains, but it has improved substantially over the vigor. Climate adaptation varies, however: therelast few years. Barenbrugs turf breeder, Stphane are temperate, winter-dormant varieties, as well asCharrier, has similar objectives but adds salt toler-Mediterranean, summer-dormant types. ance as a priority, reflecting the increasing use of Leaf texture is another consideration. Cattlerecycled water in turf management.tend to avoid rough-leaved tall fescue, prompt- DLFs breeding goals vary by species and use. ing breeders to develop softer-leaved lines. QuittFor tall fescue forage, targets include yield, leaf notes, however, that soft leaves do not automati- softness, overall quality, and drought tolerance; for cally equate to higher forage quality. At Barenbrug,meadow fescue, the emphasis is mainly on yield turf breeding targets the same species, whileand quality. In turf varietiesincluding tall, red, forage breeding primarily focuses on tall fescuesheep, and hard fescuesgoals encompass visual (including Mediterranean types) and meadowmerit, leaf fineness, disease resistance, color, and fescue. DSVs forage program concentrates on tallwear tolerance. Salt tolerance is also specifically and meadow fescue. addressed in red, sheep, and hard fescues.DECEMBER 2025SEEDWORLD.COM /59'