01/06/09 Teff, the next new hay

Seems everyone is always trying to come up with the new "best" feed for horses, I am Jeff Keane, stay tuned, after the break I will tell you about an interesting grass hay being grown in California. Feeding horses prone to founder has always been difficult but a hay called Teff, grown in California might make it easier. Here is Susan Allen, TEFF (rhymes with Jeff) is also being is grown in some parts of Idaho. I was first introduced to this unique grass after adopting our son from Ethiopia because Teff is the staple of the Ethiopian diet, used to make bread-like injera and I actually found a resource for it in Idaho. Teff grass, from the highlands of Ethiopia is being heralded by many as the next new "international" hay, perfect for horses prone to founder because it is lower in sugars. Currently most farmers are growing it as catch or rescue crops, because it is very drought resistant and will use up nutrients from failed crops. TEff doesn't work for grazing though, being shallow rooted horses pull it right up. Target Seeds from Parma Idaho is a good resource for Teff. If you have a horse that founders still test your Teff because drought and odd growing conditions can create Teff crop with unsafe carbohydrates numbers. Susan I've actually fed Teff. Safergrass.org is a great place for our listeners to learn more about feeding foundered horses . I'm Jeff Keane.