Putting Teff to the Test
By David Jessee
Teff is a warm-season, annual grass hay that you might not have heard about before now. With
hay prices from $150 to $250 per ton (maybe even more depending on your area), Teff is worth
considering. It can be planted through June and can easily precede a fall rotation into a perennial
such as Derby Timothy, Benchmark Plus Orchardgrass, Horse Pasture or Horse Paddock mixes. Teff
grass can provide approximately two tons of hay per cutting, and a full-season can provide up to
three cuttings from 40 to 60 days apart.
Teff is a good alternative to Pearl or Foxtail Millets. Unlike the millets, Teff's fine stem imparts quick
curability whereas the millets produce a coarse stem that can be harder to cure. The finer stemmed
German or Foxtail Millet is susceptible to leaf diseases that don't seem to bother Teff. Being a
summer annual, Teff thrives in heat and moisture yet can produce a fair crop in times of dry weather
– unlike the cool season grasses.
Safety and Nutritive Value for Horses
Teff's quality is comparable to Timothy in animal
acceptance, palatability and safety as there are no known
toxins such as endophyte or prussic acid. The sugar
content is moderate, and protein is comparable to cool
season grasses in the 14% range. Maturity relative to
boot stage (seed head emergence) indicates relative feed
value – pre-boot harvested forage is higher in protein
and RFV while boot stage is lower. It's very fine stem
allows for quick curing that is more easily obtained in
summer weather, providing less opportunity for molds
and curing problems that sometimes occur with spring
harvested Orchardgrass or Timothy.
Seeding
The rate per acre is 8-10 lbs. If it is drilled, drop at least 100 seeds per row foot. The Southern States
Dessie Teff is coated to provide a more uniform drop and emergence. If using a broadcast spreader,
seed to a depth of 1/8" to 1/2" maximum depth. It's advisable to cultipack or roll to ensure a firm
seedbed that will draw moisture into the seed.
Fertilization
Apply 40 to 60 units of nitrogen for each cutting. Apply phosphorus, potassium and lime to the soil
test ahead of seeding if not shortly after.
Harvest
Teff is more ideally a hay species and should be cut at boot stage or shortly after. If delayed it can
lodge, so early harvest is best. There is no benefit to allowing seeds to develop. If grazed, it's best
to allow for strips and fencing since horses spot graze, and forage could be wasted in a large area if
horses are allowed to roam. For the first
grazing, be sure that plants are sufficiently
developed so that the roots don't pull out
of the ground. To test, just grab a plant
and pull to see if it breaks or if the roots
come out.
Teff can fill a gap in temporary, summer
forage production and is safe, nutritive,
not hard to establish or harvest and has
relatively low-maintenance.
David Jessee is an Agronomist for Southern States. For additional information, contact your local Southern States store or agronomist. Both can help you understand the needs of your soils and can make proper recommendations.