VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Festuca thurberi | Thurber Fescue 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Although not highly palatable, Thurber fescue, due to its sheer
abundance, contributes significantly to the forage resource of many
mountain bunchgrass communities in the Colorado Plateau region [21].  In
its area of best development in Colorado, Thurber fescue forms dense
stands and often represents 53 to 94 percent of the total grass cover.
Dry herbage production on these sites is approximately 2,400 pounds per
acre (2,140 kg/ha); litter production varies from 6,000 to 14,000 pounds
per acre (5,350-12,490 kg/ha) [22].


PALATABILITY : 
Palatability ratings of Thurber fescue vary considerably throughout its
range [13,21,29,30].  Thurber fescue is generally moderately palatable
to cattle and horses, and unpalatable to sheep [28].  Plants are
palatable into the fall, at which time snow accumulations make
high-elevation rangelands inaccessible to domestic livestock.

The palatability of Thurber fescue to livestock and wildlife in Colorado
and Utah has been rated as follows [7]:

                              CO        UT
Cattle                       Good      Good
Sheep                        Fair      Fair
Horses                       Good      Good
Pronghorn                    ----      Fair 
Elk                          ----      Good        
Mule deer                    ----      Fair  
Small mammals                ----      Fair 
Small nongame birds          ----      Fair
Upland game birds            ----      Fair  
Waterfowl                    ----      Poor


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Compared to associated mountain grassland species, the nutritional
quality of Thurber fescue is moderately high.  The following percentages
of crude protein, phosphorus, and calcium for Thurber fescue at various
phenological stages were reported [17]:

                                       Nutrient
                                 crude protein        Ph          Ca
Phenological stage

flowering                            9.8             0.19        0.36
seed ripening and dispersal          8.6             0.14        0.39
regrowth and dormancy                7.0             0.12        0.31


COVER VALUE : 
The cover value of Thurber fescue is poor for pronghorn, elk, mule deer,
and waterfowl; and good for small mammals, small nongame birds, and
upland game birds [7].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Little detailed information is available concerning the use of Thurber
fescue for rehabilitation of disturbed sites [8].  It preformed poorly
in Utah reseeding projects [29], but Welsh and others [30] indicate that
it may ultimately prove quite valuable in reclamation work.  Thurber
fescue naturally occupies and stabilizes steep slopes which might
otherwise be barren or only sparsely covered with vegetation, and can
survive periodic low soil moisture conditions [22].  On sites to which
it is adapted, Thurber fescue generally spreads rapidly and is able to
persist because of its early and vigorous growth habit, abundant seed
production, and successful seedling establishment [22].  Thurber fescue
is recommended for seeding sites in the subalpine, alpine, and
mountain-brush zones [23].  Paulsen [30] reported 98 percent germination
within 21 days at 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 deg C).  Germination is
typically enhanced following storage at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.5 deg
C).


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Thurber fescue is sensitive to heavy grazing and has been largely
eliminated from many sites it once occupied.  Plants produce little
regrowth if grazed past the vegetative stage [27].  On mountain
grassland ranges in good condition, 40 percent utilization of the annual
growth of Thurber fescue is considered acceptable [27].  On sites
subjected to heavy cattle grazing, Thurber fescue is usually replaced by
Idaho fescue and assorted bunchgrasses on coarse-textured soils, and by
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) on fine-textured or compacted soils
[18,20,27].  In contrast, Thurber fescue typically becomes the
understory dominant in aspen stands where prolonged sheep grazing has
resulted in the decrease of preferred forbs and smaller grasses [3].

Related categories for Species: Festuca thurberi | Thurber Fescue