Perform Pearl Millet

Summer Select Perform pearl millet is an improved variety used mainly for cattle forage and hay production during the warm season. Perform has excellent seeding vigor and medium maturity.

CHARACTERISTICS:

1 = Poor; 5 = Excellent

Recovery After Cutting: 5
Leaf Disease Resistance: 4
Sugarcane Aphid Tolerance: 5
Single Silage Cut: 4
Rapid Dry Down: 4

Uses:

• Grazing – recommended begin height is 18-30 in. with a stop height of 6-7 in. (or at least 2 nodes)
• Hay/Baleage – suitable for dry hay or baleage at 40 days or 40 in. tall

If desired, this product can be planted in rows and harvested similar to a forage sorghum or silage corn

SEEDING:

Planting Time:
May-July
Emergence (days): 3-5

Seeding Information:
Seeds/lb.: 50,000
Soil Temperature: 65 F
Depth (in.): 1/2-1
Maturity: Med
Dryland Seeding (lbs./acre): 10-15
Irrigation/Hi-Rain Seeding (lbs./acre): 10-15 (up to 20)

• Planting date should be after the day length exceeds 12 hrs. and 20 mins.
• Can be no-tilled into stubble of winter and spring crops
• Do not plant in soil with pH greater than 7.5 as iron chlorosis can be a problem

MANAGEMENT:

Fertility:

• Under favorable conditions, 1-1.25 lbs. of nitrogen/day of planned growth should be available for maximum production, with little risk for nitrate poisoning. For example, for a planned 40 day harvest, 40-45 lbs. of N should be available.
• Keep N/sulfur levels at 5:1 to ensure N is converted to protein
• Potassium levels should be maintained similar to that of corn
• If soil pH is greater than 7.2, an application of iron may be necessary to prevent iron chlorosis

Harvest & Management Tips:

• Dry hay and/or baleage are applicable where and when proper harvest management is followed. Dry hay is suited for areas with less moisture and humidity; baleage offers more flexibility in all other areas.
• Harvest at proper moisture (yield and quality are maximized between 60-72%)
• Wide windows are required for baleage products to ensure rapid dry down
• For silage, keep chop length uniform (around 1/2 in.)

Avoiding Nitrate & Prussic Acid Poisoning:

• Do not harvest drought stricken plants within four days following a heavy rain
• Do not apply N prior to expected drought periods
• If in doubt, cut at higher stubble height as nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower stalk
• When questions about livestock safety remain, get forage tested promptly