Incorporating Legumes Into Teff As An Emergency Source of Forage.

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a warm-season annual grass that produces high forage yields during the summer months.  Because of its annual growth habit, high yield potential, and vigorous seedling growth, it is commonly used as an emergency forage crop to supplement animal nutrient demands when other forage sources are limited.  Although teff has higher forage quality than other warm-season forages, it may still benefit from incorporating leguminous species into the mixture to increase the nutritive value of the available forage.  The objective of this study is evaluated the yield and forage nutritive value of teff interseeded with nine species of forage legume.  Teff will be planted into a prepared seedbed at the University of Kentucky Spindletop Research farm during the summer of 2013.  Species of legumes to be evaluated include: ‘Apache’ arrowleaf clover, ‘AU Don’ ball clover, ‘Joe Burton’ berseem clover, ‘Dixie’ crimson clover , mammoth red clover, ‘Kenland’ medium red clover, subterranean clover, ‘Purple Bounty’ hairy vetch, and big flower vetch.  Legume species, as well as a control plot, will be arranged as a RBCD with 4 replications.  Yields will be determined twice during the 2013 growing season, and harvested forage analyzed for CP, NDF, ADF, IVDDM, and TNC.