Teff Seeds
Specifications:
Season: Annual
Height: 36 - 48 inches
Environment: Full sun
USDA Zones: 8 - 11
https://www.outsidepride.com/seed/pasture-seed/pasture-planting-guide/
Outsidepride Teff Grass Seeds (Eragrostis tef) are warm-season annual grass used for hay production, grazing, silage, and green manure. Growing 36-48 inches tall, this very fine-stemmed and fine-bladed, palatable grass thrives in full sun and USDA Zones 8-11. It produces high-protein forage with excellent digestibility, making it a valuable feed for horses, cattle, goats, and other livestock. Available in coated seed varieties for better germination.
Pasture raised chicken and cattle love teff grasses due to their high-quality forage. With minimal effort, it could thrive in diverse soil conditions and demonstrate strong drought resistance. With rapid growth and multiple harvests, they provide a nutrient-dense, high-yield feed for livestock. Ideal for hay production and grazing, they ensure a consistent, palatable food source that supports healthy digestion and energy levels.
This nutrient-rich forage when harvested can be used as fodder. Timely cutting preserves protein content, fiber balance, and digestibility, ensuring a high-quality feed source for livestock. With strong regrowth potential, it supports multiple harvests, making it an excellent choice for hay production and grazing. Proper timing helps maximize yield and overall forage quality.
Our seeds are easy to establish, requiring a shallow planting depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch and thriving in various soil conditions. With a recommended seeding of 8-12 lbs/ acre with a seeding window from late May through July, it germinates quickly under warm temperatures, ensuring strong root development and dense growth. Using broadcast or drill seeding methods, it creates a high-yield forage source, making it an excellent choice for pasture-raised chicken feed, grazing, or hay production.
Planting:
- Plant after all risk of frost has passed. Typically late May through late July
- Teff grass does not germinate well in cool soils. Most planting occurs after June 1st
- Seeding rate 8 to 12 lbs/acre for coated seed
- Broadcast or drill A firm seedbed will enhance germination and establishment
- Seeding depth 1/8 to 1/4 inch
- Emergence in 3 to 6 days under optimum conditions
- For optimum quality, harvest in pre-boot to early boot stage, approximately 45 to 50 days after planting
- Harvest regrowth in 40 to 45 days depending on location and environmental conditions
- Cutting height 3 to 4 inches
- When harvested at the proper stage, crude protein will normally be in the 15% to 20% range.
Management:
In general, 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre at planting will be adequate for good forage production. Small amounts of nitrogen may be needed after each cutting, however, too much nitrogen causes severe lodging. Soil testing is important since teff needs adequate phosphorous, potassium and sulfur for optimum growth. For optimum forage quality, teff should be harvested in the pre-boot to early boot stage, approximately 45 to 50 days after planting at a cutting height of 3 to 4 inches. Harvest regrowth in 30 to 45 days depending on environmental conditions.