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High Quality

Pharaoh

Teff Seed is offered by:

S&C Teff forage varieties are care-

fully selected from an ancient grass

grain called Eragrostis teff. Originat-

ing in the rich growing regions of

Ethiopia and Eritrea in East Africa,

it’s superior nutritional properties,

fast growth and high yields make it

universally popular. The teff plant

produces tiny seed grains (1,000

seeds weigh only 0.3 to 0.4 grams.)

Pharaoh:

Highly Palatable,

Highly Productive Teff Variety

A New Forage

eff

T

S&C

Classified as a warm sea-

son C4 annual grass, teff

is characterized by a large

crown, numerous tillers,

and a diverse root system.

Plants can grow up to 4 feet

tall.

The usage of S&C Teff vari-

eties ranges from high qual-

ity feed for livestock, such

as the

Pharaoh

variety, to

green manure or cover crop

for erosion control. Teff is

also an ideal second or ro-

tation crop. Farmers seeking

a high yielding, nutritious

forage crop that requires

little maintenance will ap-

preciate this grass.

Teff is a fast growing crop. Seed

planted with a grain drill can

emerge within days.

Classifi ed as intermediate

between tropical and tem-

perate grass, teff adapts to

environments ranging from

drought to water logged soil

conditions.

Growers, including researchers at the Klamath Falls Experimental

Station in Oregon, attained 3 ton/acre yield in their fi rst cutting of

teff. (Hay&Forage Grower, 2/1/05.)

eff is a fast emerg-

ing, fast growing

crop that thrives in

warm climates. It

can be grown under

a wide variety of conditions

and is extremely drought

resilient but needs water

to grow tonnage. Under

irrigation and high tempera-

tures, it can easily yield 4

to 6 ton/acre after two cut-

tings in a 90-day growing

season.

T

Excellent for livestock and horses, the

Pharaoh

variety has

generous calcium content and high levels of phosphorous,

iron, copper, aluminum, barium and thiamine. The protein

content of its hay ranges from 10% to 16% as the plant

matures.

Pack Information

50 lb. woven poly bags or plastic lined paper bags

A New Forage

eff

T

Ask for

Pharaoh Teff

Highly Palatable,

Highly Productive

S&C

Although teff is primarily a hay crop, it is also useful as a green

manure crop because it germinates very quickly.

Few insects or diseases have

been observed to date in

growth of teff. With few ex-

ceptions, it can be cultivated

without insecticides or fungi-

cides, making it highly pest

and disease resistant.

The major threat to teff ap-

pears to be frost, which will

kill a field. Researchers

recommend waiting to plant

seed in the spring until the

risk of frost has passed.

Pest and Disease

Resistant

Ideal Feed Crop

The

Pharaoh

variety of teff

produces high quality hay.

As the crop matures, the

protein levels and digestibil-

ity decrease, while the fiber

content and structural value

increase. For maximum

nutritional value, it is recom-

mended to cut the crop at

approximately 30-40 day

intervals.

Comparable to Timothy hay,

Pharaoh

teff hay is ide-

ally suited for livestock and

horses. Its nitrate content

is very low under normal

fertility conditions. "I think

there is real opportunity for

local farmers to sell a crop

like this into the California

horse market. Good qual-

ity Timothy sells for $180-

$200 a ton there, and this

crop seems to be every bit

as good as Timothy," notes

crop scientist Ken Rykbost,

researcher at Oregon

State University's Southern

Experiment Station near

Klamath Falls, Oregon.

(Hay&Forage Grower, Feb.

2005.) "All of our crop was

sold to local horse owners

who all said their horses re-

ally liked the teff and always

cleaned it up."

Planting and

Growing Teff

Pharaoh

Teff hay quality is being compared with Timothy hay and is

well suited for livestock and horses.

The seed is exceptionally small

(1.3 million seeds per pound) but

very vigorous when planted in

warm, moist soil.

The suggested planting rate

for the

Pharaoh

teff vari-

ety is 6-8 pounds per acre,

broadcast or drill, using

Brillion seeder, pneumatic

seeder or Ghandi box. This

very small seed (150 teff

grains weigh as much as

one wheat grain) should be

seeded 1/8" to 1/4" deep,

followed by overhead irriga-

tion to keep the seed bed

moist for immediate germi-

nation.

Teff competes poorly with

weeds during early growing

stages. A broadleaf herbi-

cide application may be

needed at or shortly after

the 4-leaf stage. Contact

your local crop advisor for

your optimal weed control

program.

A fertility program similar to

that of small grains can be

followed for teff. Apply ap-

proximately 50-60 available

N at time of planting. A

moderate amount of phos-

phorus fertilizer is sufficient,

although tonnage can be

pushed with higher fertility.

Sulfur may be needed as

well. Apply nitrogen after

each cutting to restart the

crop. To prevent crown

damage, do not cut too low.