The possibility of producing herbage of higher quality than that of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in a continental climate with cold winters, hot summers and low precipitation was investigated, with and without irrigation, at Taigu, Shanxi, China. Tall fescue was compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) and perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue in field swards, managed by cutting, during the year of sowing and in the three subsequent years. Perennial ryegrass yielded well in the year of sowing, but was low yielding subsequently; perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue yielded well in the year of sowing and in the following year. Both of these grasses had high rates of leaf appearance and extension and a high proportion of cell content in the dry matter. Tall fescue yielded well, but was low in proportion of cell content.