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Foxtail Hay Millets
Foxtail millets are grown primarily for short season emergency hay crops. Several landraces have been developed over time and are grown in North Dakota. Foxtail millet would be the best choices for emergency hay. Proso millets are slightly inferior to foxtail hay millets for hay.
Planting foxtail millets can be delayed until mid-June into the first week of July. When used for emergency hay production, late planting is usually encountered.
Plant into moist soil about 1 inch deep. Shallower seeding may be desirable on heavy textured soils with good moisture. Germination is fairly rapid but early seedling vigor is lacking.
Foxtail millets have low seedling vigor and in general are poor competitors with weeds. A seeding rate of 15 to 30 pounds per acre is recommended. The higher rates are recommended in eastern North Dakota with the higher rainfall potential. In western North Dakota, 15 pounds is adequate on weed free fields.
Harvest millets for hay in the late boot to early bloom growth stage. Any delay after full head emergence will reduce quality. Bristles become hard as maturity approaches and may cause sore mouth, lump jaw and eye infections when fed to livestock. Hay protein content is highest when the ratio of leaves to stems is high. Curing foxtail millet requires attention as light stands tend to sun dry rapidly after cutting, while heavy stands, especially of the German type, cure at a slower rate. If expected yield levels are greater than 1 � tons per acre, crimping will help the curing process. Potential yield of foxtail millet has is influenced by moisture relationships. Research trial yields from North Dakota Research Centers ranged from 2.1 to 3.2 tons/acre, with German millets having the most consistent yields for the hay millets.
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