Teff Hay

A Nutritious Option for Livestock

Teff hay is gaining popularity as a premium forage choice for livestock, especially for horses, cattle, and sheep. Known for its fine texture and high nutritional value, Teff hay is an excellent alternative to traditional hays like Lucerne or Clover, offering a lighter, more digestible option for animals that require a softer feed.

What is Teff Hay?

Teff hay is made from the Teff grass (Eragrostis tef), a warm-season grass that is native to Ethiopia. It’s a fine-stemmed grass that’s often harvested before it produces seed heads, ensuring a soft, high-quality hay. Unlike other grasses, Teff hay has a delicate, fine texture that makes it easy for livestock to chew and digest. It's commonly used for horses, as it’s gentle on their digestive systems and provides a good source of fibre without being too high in sugar.

Nutritional Value of Teff Hay: NDF, CP, ME

1. Crude Protein (CP): Teff hay typically has a protein content ranging from 6% to 10%, depending on the growing conditions and stage of harvest. While it’s not as high in protein as legume hays, it still offers a good source of protein for maintenance and general health.

1. Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF): The NDF content of Teff hay usually ranges from 40% to 55%, making it a great source of fibre while still being soft enough for animals to consume easily. The higher the NDF, the more roughage the hay provides, supporting healthy digestion.

1. Metabolizable Energy (ME): Teff hay offers a moderate level of energy, typically between 7-9 MJ/kg, which helps maintain body condition and supports healthy growth in livestock.

Visual Quality and Grading

The quality of Teff hay is often determined by its colour, texture, and aroma. High-quality Teff hay should:

1. Be light green to golden in colour with minimal yellowing or browning.

1. Have a soft, fine texture that’s easy for animals to chew and digest.

1. Be free from weeds, dust, or foreign materials, which can reduce its quality and palatability.

Lower-quality Teff hay for sale may appear brown or dull and could have a musty smell or more coarse stems. It’s important to check the hay’s visual appearance and texture before purchasing to ensure the best feed for your livestock.

Best Time to Harvest Teff Hay

The best time to harvest Teff hay is before the plant produces seed heads, during its early vegetative stage. At this point, the hay is soft, nutrient-rich, and highly digestible. If harvested too late, the hay can become coarser and lose some of its nutritional value, making it less suitable for sensitive animals, like those with digestive issues.

Agricultural and Environmental Benefits

Teff hay is an environmentally friendly forage option. The grass is drought-tolerant and can grow in a variety of soil types, making it an ideal choice for regions with variable climates. Teff also has the ability to improve soil health due to its deep root system, which helps prevent erosion and improves soil structure.

In addition, Teff hay can be part of a crop rotation system, benefiting from the diversity it brings to farming practices and reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.