Teff Grass

Annual summer grass offering multiple harvests

Eragrostis tef

In stockDownload tech sheet

Fast growing reasonable drought tolerant variety. Grows to 70cm - 1m high before harvest. 1st growth up to 10cm and cut to allow rapid growth. Plant seeds as shallow as possible in moist soil when soil temperatures are above 16°C. Not frost tolerant. Good tolerance to heat. Good forage crop that responds quickly to nitrogen applications.

Key attributes

  • Fast establishing summer active forage crop
  • Excellent regrowth for multiple harvests
  • Highly palatable and nutritious
  • Cost effective with high dry matter potential
  • Suits all livestock, silage and hay
  • Non-toxic and fairly drought hardy

About this variety

Teff is a fast establishing, summer active annual grass that has gained ground as a high quality forage crop producing good yields from low inputs, and it is one of the more flexible summer options available.

Its main strength is regrowth. Teff can be harvested multiple times through a season as hay, silage or grazing, so a single sowing produces several cuts rather than one, which changes the economics of a summer forage crop considerably.

The feed itself is fine stemmed, leafy and soft, highly palatable and nutritious, and once established the crop is fairly drought hardy.

Teff is also non-toxic, which is a genuine point of difference in summer forage. Sorghums and millets carry prussic acid or nitrate risks under stress that require management; teff does not, so it can be grazed by all livestock including horses without that concern.

It suits growers wanting cost effective summer feed with high dry matter potential, and it responds well to irrigation and to nitrogen, though it may lodge where both are pushed hard.

Planting & grazing notes

Optimal planting - Spring - Soil temperatures 16ºC and rising. Optimal growing temperatures 10ºC - 27ºC. See Blurb 3 for detailed cutting height/timing and grazing management. Once established Teff is fairly drought hardy and an ideal summer forage for grazing, silage and hay. Tolerant of heavy grazing with coarse stems remaining unless grazed early. Commence grazing when plants have reached 50- 70cm. Slashing after grazing will promote even regrowth. Should not be grazed below 10cm if good regrowth is expected. Subsequent cuts / grazing approx. 1 month after 1st cut / graze.

Stand life

Annual — terminated by frost; can be harvested/grazed multiple times per season (4 or more grazings, or multiple hay/silage cuts, under ideal conditions)

How it's sold

FormPackStatus
Bare25 kgIn stock
Teff GrassTeff Grass

FAQs

What's a good low-sugar hay option for my laminitic or EMS horse?

Teff Grass hay is well suited. It is low in non-structural carbohydrates, which makes it ideal for horses that are sensitive to sugar, such as those with EMS or laminitis. It is also high in fibre, low in dust and rich in minerals, and it typically has 8 to 14% protein, depending on maturity at harvest.

What fast-growing summer crop can I cut several times for hay or silage?

We recommend Teff Grass. It is a fast-growing C4 annual that is ready for early-boot harvest about 45 to 55 days after sowing, with later cuts roughly every 30 to 35 days, depending on moisture and fertiliser. Cut at 70 to 95cm, leaving about a 10cm stubble for good regrowth.

When and how should I sow a summer forage grass with tiny seed?

For Teff Grass, sow in spring once soil temperatures are 16°C and rising. Plant the seed as shallow as possible into moist soil at 3 to 6 kg/ha. Teff is terminated by frost, so it is strictly a warm-season crop. It thrives under irrigation and responds quickly to nitrogen.

When can I start grazing a summer annual grass, and how low can stock take it?

With Teff Grass, we recommend starting grazing when plants reach 50 to 70cm, and not grazing below 10cm if you want good regrowth. Slashing after grazing promotes even regrowth. Under ideal conditions, you can expect four or more grazings. Graze early to avoid coarse stems being left behind.

Is there a summer forage that's non-toxic for all livestock, including horses?

Teff Grass is non-toxic and suits grazing by all livestock, as well as silage and hay. Its fine-stemmed, soft, leafy foliage is highly palatable and nutritious, with 9 to 14% protein. It is especially popular in WA as hay for horses, including senior, overweight and performance horses.

What summer crop handles heat and dry spells once it's up?

Teff Grass is fairly drought hardy once established and has good heat tolerance. It grows best at 15 to 27°C and responds fast to irrigation and nitrogen, although heavy fertiliser can cause lodging. It is not frost tolerant, so sow in spring after the risk of frost has passed.

I've got acidic soil that gets a bit wet. Will a summer hay crop still grow?

Teff Grass tolerates low pH and waterlogging and suits loam to heavy soils, making it a flexible summer option. It performs best with irrigation or good summer moisture. Our sources give different rainfall guides, so talk to us about your district. Sow shallow at 3 to 6 kg/ha once soils reach 16°C.

How tall should Teff Grass be before I cut it for hay?

We recommend cutting Teff Grass at around 70 to 95cm, at early boot stage before seed heads appear, with a 10cm stubble. This is usually about 45 to 55 days after seeding. Teff has a thick, dense canopy with a deceptive yield, so it often cuts more than it looks.

Does Teff Grass come back after winter?

No, Teff Grass is a summer annual and is terminated by frost. Within the season it regrows well, giving multiple cuts or four or more grazings under ideal conditions. For year-round cover, follow it with a winter annual, such as our Ezigraze Forage Oats or an Italian ryegrass.

Teff Grass vs Shirohie Millet, which should I sow for summer feed?

Both are fast summer annuals. We recommend Teff Grass where you want fine-stemmed, soft, high-quality hay, especially for horses, with multiple cuts through the season. Shirohie Millet is a common alternative for quick summer grazing. Tell us your end use, stock and water supply and we'll help you choose.

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