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STAND ESTABLISHMENT FOR MILLET PRODUCTION
Planting into a firm, weed-free, moist seedbed is important for successful foxtail, pearl and proso millet production. Field trials have shown that when a firm seedbed is lacking, poor emergence is common and stand failures occur. Shallow planting pearl millet 1/2 to 1 inch deep and foxtail and proso millet 3/4 to 1 inch deep into a firm seedbed to obtain good seed-to-soil contact is critical. Plant into a weed-free seedbed after all danger of frost is past. A soil temperature of 65 to 70 degrees is recommended for faster germination and stand establishment.
Plant 15 to 20 pounds of foxtail and pearl millet seed per acre if solid seeding or broadcasting. Seed 7 to 10 pounds per acre if planting in 30- to 42-inch rows. Seed 20 to 30 pounds of foxtail millet per acre where precipitation exceeds 20 inches. Recommended seeding rates of proso millet are 20 to 30 pounds per acre. Adequate stands of proso millet have been established with 10 pounds per acre.
Foxtail, proso and pearl millet respond to fertilization much like annual grain crops. Adequate fertilizer is necessary to produce optimum yields of high quality forage. Fertilizer requirements for millets are similar to other annual grasses such as oats and sudangrass.
Suggested levels would be 20 to 40 pounds of available nitrogen per acre, with heavier applications in areas of good soil moisture. Apply 15 to 20 pounds of phosphorus per acre on soils that test low in phosphorus.
For more information see Publication R-1016 at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/hay/r1016w.htm
For more information see Publication A-805 at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/crops/a805w.htm
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