Teff grass shows potential for summer forage

Teff grass, a summer forage crop, has demonstrated good potential for both grazing and cutting. Trials at the Bordes Experimental Farm highlighted its favorable nutritional values and growth performance, particularly for heifers, which are young cattle raised for meat or milk production.

Yields and comparisons with other crops

Over two years of trials, teff grass yielded approximately 7 tonnes of dry matter per hectare in two cuts. While this is lower than sorghum, which reaches 10 tonnes per hectare, teff grass still offers promising yields for a summer forage crop. Its ease of use and palatability in forms like hay and baleage make it appealing for farmers.

Nutritional benefits and growth characteristics

Teff grass has a nutritional value between 0.8 and 0.9 UFL, a measure of feed energy. Its crude protein content can reach up to 20% at the 10 cm ear stage and 15% at heading, which is the stage when the plant begins to produce flowers. This makes it a valuable feed for livestock.

Challenges in field drying and regrowth

Field drying of teff grass requires careful handling, as the trial team experienced unexpected issues during their experiments. Antoine Buteau, a regional forage engineer, advises waiting a few hours or even the next day before handling hay bales to allow proper drying. Despite this, teff grass shows strong regrowth, growing 3 to 4 cm within three days after cutting.

Grazing performance and growth rates

In a grazing trial with 18-month-old heifers, teff grass was well consumed, with about 90% of the biomass being utilized. The growth rate of heifers on teff grass reached 500 g/day in 2023 and 590 g/day in 2024, which is significantly higher than the average growth on pasture at the same time of year.

Growth cycle and palatability changes

Teff grass has a growth cycle of about thirty days between cutting and heading, requiring a quick turnaround for harvesting. After heading, the grass becomes less palatable for cattle and is no longer preferred by sheep, which affects its usability as a forage crop.

Soil and planting challenges

Teff grass has shallow roots, making it susceptible to being pulled up by animals. However, pulled-up plants can still re-root. It does not thrive in clay soils and prefers light, sandy soils. Planting teff grass is challenging due to its extremely small seeds, which are smaller than sand, requiring precise sowing techniques and specific soil conditions.

Economic considerations

Within the Esti'VAL research project, the cost of planting teff grass was estimated at 379 euros per hectare, including all inputs and labor. The project found it economically viable to harvest teff grass when yields reach 6.5 to 7 tonnes of dry matter per hectare. Below this threshold, the costs of harvesting, storing, and redistributing the forage become too high, making grazing a more practical option.