UWRF University of Wisconsin-River Falls Upper Midwest Forages

Teff

Scientific name:Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter
Cultivars:Reprieve XL, Dessie, Stallion, Cascade, Charger
Origin:Ethiopia
Growth Habit:Bunch type; 3 to 4 ft tall; short day length
Life Cycle:Annual
 
Use
 
Production:
  • 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 ton/acre per harvest
  • use as emergency crop
    • Nutritive Value:
  • High;
  • CP: 15 to 20% with adequate management
  • Complete amino acid profile
    •  
    Identification
     
    Seed Head:Panicle
    Seed:
  • very small; 1,300,000 seeds/lb; coated seed 650,000 seeds/lb
  • 3 to 5 days to emergence
    • Shoot:Fine stems
    Leaf:Wide blades
    Auricles:Absent
    Ligule:Present, membranous, medium length
     
    Adaptation
     
    Soil:wide adaptation, from sandy to waterlogged clay
    pH:6 to 6.5
    Moisture:Requires 17 inches of rainfall to produce grain
    Temperature:65°F (germination)
    Other:Excellent for erosion control
     
    Establishment - Management
     
    Seeding rate:8 to 12 lb/acre (alone; 4 to 5 lb/acre (in mixes)
    Seed cost:
  • $2 to2.5/lb; $20-30/acre (mono culture)
  • $6 to 10/acre (mixes)
    • Planting date:Late May-early June
    Planting depth:<1/4 inch
    Frost seeding:Can be frost seeded, emergence after germination is 3 to 5 days
    Fertilization:
  • 50 lb of N/acre at planting, with smaller amount (25 to 30 lan) after cutting. Excess N causes lodging.
    • Grazing:Rest period 28 to 30 days.
    Hay:
  • Harvest pre-boot for best quality (45-50 days after planting)
  • 3 to 4 inch stubble
    •  
    Notes
  • Highly palatable hay, specially for horses
    •  
    Photos


    Teff panicle inflorescence


    Mature teffgrass in sandy soils in WI