{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.011988011988011988, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0034965034965034965, 'mean_word_length': 5.051359516616314, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
THE POTENTIAL FOR TEFF AS AN ALTERNATIVE FORAGE CROP FOR IRRIGATED REGIONS

Teff is a warm season, annual grass that originated in Ethiopia and was imported to the United States more than 25 years ago. It is not cold tolerant and must be planted after the last frost of the year. Teff hay is reported to be a highly palatable, nutritious forage and is especially popular with horse owners. Interest in growing teff as an alternative forage has increased dramatically as more hay producers are introduced to it in seed company brochures, Extension fact sheets, and popular agricultural publications. As demand for teff hay has increased, prices have grown accordingly. Teff has been formally evaluated by forage researchers in several Western states. The results of these experiments reveal that teff yields are highly variable and affected by irrigation levels, fertilizer applications and variety tested. However, most of the results indicate that teff grown under an adequate irrigation and fertility program can produce in excess of five tons per acre. Teff is currently grown on a commercial scale on limited acreage throughout the West. The experience of commercial growers correlates to that found by researchers with teff production levels of approximately five tons per acre when grown under adequate levels of irrigation, fertility and utilizing proper harvest management techniques. Yield and quality of teff are highest under multi-cut systems. Teff requires approximately 50 days between harvests and regrowth is severely reduced when teff is cut to a stubble height of less than three inches. Total nitrogen applications in excess of 100 pounds per acre seldom increase economical yields of teff hay. Fertilizer applied prior to and between harvests normally results in superior yields. A combination of research results and practical experience leads to the conclusion that teff is a viable alternative forage crop when produced under irrigated conditions in the warmer parts of the West.