Reprieve XL Teff Grass

Summer Select Reprieve XL teff grass is a warm-season, annual grass featuring rapid seed germination and seedling development. Reprieve® also is well adapted to dry climates making it perfect as a supplemental forage during periods when other forage supplies are diminished.

CHARACTERISTICS:

1 = Poor; 5 = Excellent

Recovery After Cutting: 4
Leaf Disease Resistance: 3
Sugarcane Aphid Tolerance: 5
Rapid Dry Down: 4

Uses:

• Perfect option to bridge the “summer slump” – either in hay or pasture fields
• Great rotational crop between alfalfa, small grains and perennial stands
• Emergency hay or pasture option
• Green manure crop

SEEDING:

Planting Time:
May-July
Emergence (days): 3-5

Seeding Information:

Seeds/lb.: 650,000 (coated); 1,300,000 if uncoated
Soil Temperature: 60 F
Depth (in.): >1/4 (similar to alfalfa)
Dryland Seeding (lbs./acre): 8-10
Irrigation/Hi-Rain Seeding (lbs./acre): 8-10

• Teff does not tolerate frost so planting should be delayed until risk has past
• Teff emerges quickly in warm soils and is a fast growing crop
• Can be drilled (preferred) or broadcast

MANAGEMENT:

Fertility:

• Soil testing is critical since teff needs adequate phosphorous, potassium and sulfur for optimum growth
• Nitrogen – comparable to most hay or pasture stands at planting (40-60 lbs.)
• Apply phosphorus and potassium similar to cool season grasses
• Multiple harvests will require additional N applications (up to 100 lbs. total N/yr.)

Harvest & Management Tips:

• If grazing, teff’s shallow root system might present problems (cattle could pull plant out of the ground; horses usually don’t have this issue)
• For optimum forage quality, teff should be harvested in the pre-boot to early boot stage, approximately 45-50 days after planting at a cutting height of 3-4
  in. Harvest regrowth in 30-45 days depending on environmental conditions.
• Teff will reach heading at about 8-10 weeks after seeding, so manage accordingly
• Multiple equipment passes (for harvest, fertility applications), can impact regrowth – some producers follow same tracks to sacrifice small area vs. negatively affecting
  larger areas

Avoiding Nitrate Poisoning:

• Do not harvest drought stricken plants within four days following a heavy rain
• Do not apply nitrogen prior to expected drought periods
• If in doubt, cut at higher stubble height as nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower stalk