The nutritive value of teff for livestock
fodder is similar to other grasses utilized as hay or ensiled feeds (Boe et al. 1986; Twidwell et al.
1991). Digestability studies of cell wall contents suggests that teff has tropical grass characteristics (Morris 1980),
protein and digestability as forage decreases with
increased maturity. Protein content of teff forage
produced in South Dakota
ranged from a high of 19.5 to a low of 12% as the plant matured. In Montana,
teff hay protein content ranged from 13.7 to 9.6%.
Protein level (10 to 12%) of teff grain is similar to
other cereal grains. Teff has a
very high calcium content, and contains high levels of phosphorous,
iron, copper, aluminum, barium, and thiamine (Mengesha
1965).
