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Dryland Millet
4/29/2002
Ron F. Meyer
Area Extension Agent
(Agronomy)
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
Area |
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Dryland crop producers are looking for coping strategies
regarding dry soil moisture conditions. As we progress through this dry spring
a number of dryland production options exist.
Millet is a short season,
drought tolerant grain that could be an option. Although marketing this crop
can be challenging, many outlets exist, as Colorado is a leading producer of
millet, and has been for several years.
Varieties that have shown merit
include white seed varieties 9217, Sunrise, Huntsman, Earlybird, Sunup, Dawn
and Cerise. Red type millet is used primarily in the birdseed market, with the
demand exceeding 450,000 acres. Dawn is one of the earliest maturing varieties
with Huntsman being a later maturing variety. Millet producers use both red and
white types. An early maturing variety could be important in a drought
year.
Planting rate should be in the range of 6-15 pounds per acre, with
higher planting rates needed for larger seeded varieties. Planting depth should
be near 0.75 inch.
Fertility needs are easily met with low
nitrogen-testing soils requiring approximately 40 lbs./acre. Soil tests will
indicate if additional fertilizer is required.
Seed yields of 10 to 30
bushels per acre are common. In addition, White Wonder and Huntsman are two
forage millet varieties used in northeast Colorado. Research by R.F. Meyer,
D.B. Bosley, and J. Schneekloth found dryland forage millet (Huntsman),
yielding approximately one ton per acre at Akron in 2001. White Wonder, a
foxtail millet, yielded three-quarter of a ton of dryland forage in the same
test.
Oats, a cool season small grain, yielded similar to foxtail millet
in this forage trial. All were found to have good forage qualities under
dryland growing conditions. However, if forage is the targeted crop, nitrogen
fertilizer should be applied sparingly. Excess nitrogen fertility can cause
high nitrate concentrations in dryland feeds. |
Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
1/16/2003 |
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Colorado
State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kit Carson, Phillips,
Washington and Yuma counties cooperating. Extension programs are
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