Teff Grass, Lovegrass, Annual Bunch Grass, Warm Season Annual Bunch Grass

by Debora Johnson

Target Seed/Excellent Article Update on Teff Grass
Target Seed Teff Grass

This year of 2007 has been a draught year as those of us who have to feed horses and other livestock are aware. Hay prices have skyrocketed, that is if you are able to find hay. In Pennsylvania where Timothy has been grown successfully for years there is a new grass on the block.

A summer annual grass, Teff Grass, is being planted on a trial basis in PA, to determine if it is a viable forage for horses and other livestock. Teff Grass's origin is Ethiopia, Africa. There it is used as a cereal. Teff Grass is an unusual grass in that it can be harvested and made into hay. Horses can also graze on the grass before it is harvested although the roots are easily pulled out. Most summer grasses cannot be made into hay. I could not find any published research information on the nutritional aspects of Teff Grass as forage relating to livestock performance. There are several experimental sites around the country.

Teff Grass is planted later in the season (late May or early June), it needs nitrogen added, and is a warm season grass. It yields about 20% less than conventional feeds. In South Dakota Teff Grass is being marketed as "Dessie Summer Lovegrass" South Dakota Teff Grass Also, in South Dakota, it is documented that the grass got infested by the larvae of a stem-boring wasp, Eurytomocharis eragrostidis. Thirty percent of the grass was infested with this pest in several of the growing locations in late July. Nebraska is also experimenting with Teff Grass. Nebraska Teff Grass In its native Ethiopia, Teff is quite hardy and has few pests.

"Domestic experience in teff production is limited; however, teff grain has already found a niche as grain and flour in the health food market. The future of teff forage production for livestock in the United States is unknown. Teff does have the advantage of producing a good hay or pasture crop when late season plantings are required due to a crop failure. Results of a nationwide survey indicate that this crop is virtually unknown in most states, and that production may be limited to only a few western states. Information on teff production in the United States remains scarce as most teff production is handled by private entrepreneurs." Teff Grass Food Crop

Oregon State University also did experimental planting with Teff Grass. Teff and Alfalfa.

For More information on the uses of Teff Grass go to the following site: Teff Grass Uses

Stay tuned.