Teff hay is a type of hay made from the grass species Eragrostis tef, also known as teff, which is native to the Horn of Africa, notably to both Eritrea and Ethiopia. Teff is a self-pollinated tetraploid annual cereal grass, and it is a C4 plant, which allows it to more efficiently fix carbon in drought and high temperatures, and is an intermediate between a tropical and temperate grass. Teff hay is a warm-season annual grass that is originally developed and grown in Ethiopia as a grain, but it has become popular among North American horse owners as a forage. Here are some key features of teff hay:
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Nutritional value: Teff hay has a moderate protein and calorie content, but with a low sugar/starch content. Good quality teff hay should range between 11-13% protein and 0.9-0.95 Megacalories per pound (DE) .
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Environmentally friendly: The production of teff hay is generally less intensive than other types of forages, and it requires only a moderate amount of fertilizer.
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Fine-stemmed and leafy: When harvested under ideal weather conditions and maturity, most describe teff hay as fine-stemmed and leafy.
Teff hay is a good option for horses that are sensitive to high-sugar hays, such as alfalfa or timothy, and it can be a good source of nutrition for horses with certain health conditions, such as insulin resistance or laminitis.
