Integrating Teff into Livestock Operations

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a relatively new forage crop that is attracting much interest among hay growers in the United States and Utah (Creech, et al., 2012). Teff plants have fine stems, shallow roots and are not frost tolerant. This annual, warm-season grass grows best during the hottest months of the year when cool-season grasses suffer their “summer slump.” Since Teff does not compete directly for acreage with traditionally-grown, cool-season grasses, an increasing number of agricultural producers are considering integrating this grass into their crop rotations.