05/02/2026
TEFF GRASS HAY
***Update for June 6, 2026***
30 acres of our Teff Grass has been seeded. Obviously, it’s later than hoped for while we waited on drier conditions for field prep…but if all goes well, the first cutting should be in 35-40 days and then every 30-35 days after (depending on weather).
For those not familiar with Teff…
Teff is comparable to Timothy in regards to Crude Protein, ADF, NDF and TDN…but, it is “lower” in sugar and starch. The chart below is from the University of Oklahoma Agricultural Research Department. Some of the benefits of Teff grass are that it is great for animals with metabolic issues, insulin issues, older animals that have trouble with chewing / digesting more course, stem hay…plus, it is an excellent hay for those younger animals that are high-strung and hard-to-handle due to higher carbohydrate intakes.
In simple terms, you get a hay that is an excellent maintainer for quality gut health, has the needed protein levels to maintain weight and build muscle without all the higher sugar / starch levels that come with feeding an early cool season grass or legume hay…all at a manageable price.
Something worth mentioning if you have never fed Teff…
If your animals are used to a high carb hay on a daily basis…due to the lower sugar levels, they are not going to “lick-the-plate-clean” the first time you feed it. Sweet tastes better, but obviously, it is not good for you on a daily basis…and animals are no different. High sugar / starch feeds can lead to issues with laminitis, poor gut health, excessive weight gain and sluggish behavior. Like anything, it may take a little adjusting to get them used to the benefits of a lower sugar diet…but in time, you will see the benefits.
