In Belgium research by the university of Ghent and the ILVO research institute during three seasons shows that young cattle grazing on tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) grow faster than young cattle grazing on (English) perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). According to the researchers this has several causes. For example tall fescue is less sensitive to drought than perennial ryegrass due to its deeper roots, which means there is a greater supply of grass. Tall fescue is less digestible than perennial ryegrass, but because it remains longer in the digestive tract, the animals would absorb more nutrients from it than from perennial ryegrass, which leaves the gastrointestinal tract more quickly due to its better digestibility.