The Effect of Two Different Teff Management Schemes On Animal Performance and Forage Nutritive Values.

The effect of two different teff  management schemes on animal performance and forage nutritive values.

A grazing experiment was initiated the first week of June, 2010 and 2011 at the Kentland Research Farm near Blacksburg, VA.  Teff was  no-tilled into an existing sod at a  rate of 6.7 kg PLS//ha  (6.0 lb/A) on 9.0 ha (22 acre). Two grazing treatments, one grazing only (no hay was harvested) the second hay/grazing (harvest the first growth for hay and graze the re-growth) were implemented. Each Teff treatment was replicated four times. Four to  five dairy heifers depending on forage mass (average weight of 250 kg (550 lbs ) was assigned to each pasture, resulting in a stocking density of  0.4 animal unit/ha (1.0 AU/A. Using electrified temporary fencing, animals were allocated enough forage for 4-5 days.  Grazing began when Teff reaches pre-boot stage (a little earlier to avoid over maturity of Teff in un-grazed paddocks). Animals were weighed  on consecutive days at the beginning and end of the grazing season, and full weights were taken every 28 d. Portable 227 liter troughs were used to provide water in paddocks being grazed.  Forage samples were obtained before animals entered each paddock, for forage biomass yield and quality determinations. Biomass yield ranged from 2500-3000 lbs/acre. Where animals grazed the initial and the subsequent regrowth of Teff (grazing only treatment), average daily gain was 1.78 lbs/day compared to those animals on hay/grazing pastures which was 1.92 lbs/day. However, the number of grazing days were higher (256 days) grazing only treatments compared with the hay/grazing (391 day) treatment. From the hay/grazing treatment, 20 round bales each weighing 850 lbs totaling 17, 000 lbs was removed. With higher average daily gain (although the number of grazing days were fewer), and hay, the hay/grazing treatment might be more profitable than the grazing alone treatment. 

 Ozzie Abaye, Mark  McCann, Benjamin Tracy, Katie Carver,  and Amber Hickman