Final Report for FS09-238
Project Information
The purpose of this project was to investigate implementation of alternative forages to extend grazing options for a beef cattle operation and reduce the dependency on corn production to meet year round feed requirements. Teff was planted for summer grazing of weaned fall calves to first reduce the stocking density of existing cool season perennial grass pastures and second to provide high quality grazing for growing calves in lieu of normal cool season perennial grasses in their “summer slump”. The Teff was managed for hay after the first 30 days to allow for root development and thereupon grazed by weaned calves. The performance of those calves was compared to weaned calves from the same herd grazing traditional pasture. The results of the project were that Teff, while a high quality forage, was too expensive and climatically sensitive to be profitable for beef cattle grazing in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The project was very worthwhile however and demonstrated that despite the high investment of time and resources to grow Teff there may be potential to grow it purely as a hay crop for profit.
Research
This project began in May of 2009 starting with the weaning of a group of 95 fall born 2008 beef calves. The intent was to graze the calves beginning 2 weeks post weaning on a field of Teff grass for half the group and compare weight gains and overall health to the other half grazed on conventional fescue based pasture. The 23 acre field chosen for the Teff stand was harvested in barley baleage in March of 2009 and left fallow until May 31, 2009. At that time chemical herbicide and fertilizers were applied to eliminate the standing broadleaf weed population as well as meet soil test recommendations for establishing cereal grains. This recommendation was chosen over grass establishment on the recommendation of the Virginia Tech Crop and Soil Science Extension as Teff is more closely a cereal crop that forage grass.
The intent had been to plant the Teff seed by mid-May of 2009 with the expectation that soil temperatures would have warmed adequately for good germination, frost risk would have passed and soil moisture conditions would have been adequate. However, the spring of 2009 was exceptionally cool and it was not until after Labor Day that soil temperatures elevated above 58°F. Teff was planted on June 5, 2009 in the entire 23 acre field after further soil preparation utilizing a Great Plains Turbo Till vertical tillage implement for minimal soil disturbance but improve soil to Teff seed contact. In the interim between barley harvest and Teff planting, a pipeline and frost free hydrant were installed in the field to accommodate water availability for the calves during the grazing season. A portable frost free fountain was modified to allow movement of the water throughout the paddocks in the rotational system as well.
The Teff grew relatively slowly in June 2009 and experienced significant competition from weeds. There are no herbicides labeled for Teff and this prohibited further weed control along with expense. The Teff was bush hogged to curb weed growth and simulate hay cutting in late June and test calves were turned in to graze 3 weeks later in an eight paddock rotational system. This process was repeated the following year in 2010 with a few notable differences. In 2010, the number of weaned calves in the test group was increased from 45 to 60 as the Teff growth rate was faster than the cattle could utilize it at the 2009 stocking density. Also, to allow for the increased group size, the number of rotational paddocks was decreased to six. The 2010 growing season was abnormally dry and the Teff had to be re-planted once in early July as less than 10% of the Teff germinated.
The winter “salad bar” portion of this project proposal was never attempted. This was primarily due to the unanticipated expense of the Teff portion of the project. We notably underestimated the cost of chemical herbicides, fertilizer and Teff seed for establishment of the weaned calf grazing field in the first year. With the priority of this project being to seek alternatives for managing the “summer slump” of predominant cool season forages, we felt it best to focus energy and fiancés on maintaining this portion of the project proposal.
The results of the two summers work establishing and comparing calf growth on Teff were enlightening. In 2009, the gains experienced by the test and control groups of calves were similar and around one pound per day. This number was acceptable, but the performance on the Teff was not economical. The calf performance on the Teff was likewise disappointing considering the extraordinary nutrient analysis values of greater that 70% TDN and 16% Crude Protein for the vegetative Teff sampled throughout the summer of 2009. In the summer of 2010, the results were again similar for comparative gain, with the control calves actually outperforming the test calves on average daily gain 2.1 to 1.8 pounds per day.
The most interesting results of the two year trial however were experience related to the establishment of Teff and anecdotal observations of other calf performance indicators. First, it has been determined that soil temperature, preparation and moisture are critical for successful Teff establishment. Minimal tillage is not sufficient for proper soil to seed contact for good Teff germination. In fact, even barley stubble residue is more vegetative cover than Teff can tolerate. Ultimately, the re-plant of the Teff in 2010 was done in a seed bed conventionally prepared with offset disc and firm packing. Additionally the availability of herbicides labeled for Teff does not exist, so post emergence broadleaf weed control is very difficult. This underscores the importance of successful elimination of weeds after prior crop removal and conventional tillage for Teff establishment to improve germination rate and lessen growth inhibition from weed competition. Secondly, there was noticeable metabolic vigor associated with test grazing calves during each of the trials. It cannot be positively associated with the properties of the Teff itself, but observed benefits included zero cases of pinkeye either year and 40% less water consumption by calves grazing the Teff. Endophyte toxicity and the associate issues with decreased heat abatement are well documented with Tall Fescue. However the test calves were allowed zero shade during the course of the grazing study and still were observed standing and grazing during all hours of the day as opposed to the control calves that tended to reduce grazing activity significantly during the afternoon hours. While weight gain comparisons did not necessarily favor the Teff, the decreased metabolic stress that was seemingly associated with being on the Teff was interesting to observe.
Project Outcomes
There are no plans to either repeat this study or modify it for further research. However if the project could be done again perhaps implementation of another summer annual variety of forage would be more advantageous. We learned that Teff does indeed have significant nutritive value both as a forage and hay. We feel that Teff has potential as a profitable forage alternative for beef cattle, but maybe under a different scenario and certainly under warmer general climatic conditions to get the Teff planted in a more timely fashion. There is some significance maybe in the observations of the calves and decreased water consumption. This was not scientifically evaluated but certainly may further substantiate the role of endophytes in heat abatement issues.