Tifleaf III Pearl millet, an adaptable and resilient crop, has garnered acclaim for its exceptional grazing capabilities and impressive yield potential. With a demonstrated ability to yield over six tons per acre, this variety underscores its substantial value within the grazing and forage landscape.
Even when confronted with moderate drought conditions, Tifleaf III pearl millet showcases remarkable resilience, consistently yielding four tons per acre. This unwavering durability cements its status as a reliable choice for forage production, capable of enduring challenging environmental conditions.
Tifleaf III thrives particularly well in sandy moist soil, making it a preferred option for regions prone to soil-borne diseases. Its versatility is evident in its applications, catering to both grazers and those seeking to harvest hay or silage. Drawing on insightful research, optimal grazing practices are recommended when plants attain a height of 20 to 24 inches. Maintaining a stubble height of 9 to 12 inches is crucial for promoting optimal regrowth rate and ensuring peak animal performance.
Moreover, Tifleaf III can be transformed into high-quality hay by harvesting at the opportune moment, typically when the plants reach a height of 2 to 3 feet. This careful timing prevents forage from progressing beyond the boot stage, thus preserving its nutritional content and overall quality. For enhanced forage production efficiency, a roller/crimper-style conditioner can be employed to expedite the drying process of Tifleaf III hay.
When harvested before advanced maturity stages, Tifleaf III hay is projected to encompass a range of total digestible nutrients (TDN) between 52% and 58%, complemented by crude protein (CP) levels spanning 8% to 11%. Notably, adopting higher seeding rates within the recommended range has the potential to foster a more favorable leaf-to-stem ratio, consequently elevating forage quality.
A significant advantage of Tifleaf III over alternative forage options, such as sorghum, sudangrass, and sorghum x sudangrass hybrids, is its inherent immunity to prussic acid production. This unique attribute ensures that Tifleaf III can be safely grazed or harvested at any growth stage, even during drought conditions, mitigating concerns related to prussic acid poisoning.
However, prudent management is essential due to the potential for elevated nitrate levels in pearl millet. The growing season of Tifleaf III offers valuable grazing opportunities from June through August, with spring plantings (April) becoming ready for grazing within 30 to 40 days. The peak productivity period spans the first 60 days of the crop's life, allowing well-fertilized Tifleaf III stands to support three to four stocker cattle or two to three mature cows per acre during this pivotal phase. Adjusting stocking rates during the latter part of the grazing season is advisable to optimize forage utilization.
To ensure a consistent supply of grazing resources throughout the summer, the implementation of multiple plantings is recommended. Early June plantings align with peak production just as April plantings begin to taper, facilitating a seamless transition in forage availability. Tifleaf III is a dwarf, low-growing crop ideal for grazing. The dwarf Tifleaf III variety, in particular, has exceptional traits, including a increased leaf to stem ratio and heightened average daily gains. Notably, Tifleaf III exhibits resistance to Pyricularia leafspot, a factor that can influence yields in the latter part of the summer growing season.
Characteristics:
Seeding Rate:
Even when confronted with moderate drought conditions, Tifleaf III pearl millet showcases remarkable resilience, consistently yielding four tons per acre. This unwavering durability cements its status as a reliable choice for forage production, capable of enduring challenging environmental conditions.
Tifleaf III thrives particularly well in sandy moist soil, making it a preferred option for regions prone to soil-borne diseases. Its versatility is evident in its applications, catering to both grazers and those seeking to harvest hay or silage. Drawing on insightful research, optimal grazing practices are recommended when plants attain a height of 20 to 24 inches. Maintaining a stubble height of 9 to 12 inches is crucial for promoting optimal regrowth rate and ensuring peak animal performance.
Moreover, Tifleaf III can be transformed into high-quality hay by harvesting at the opportune moment, typically when the plants reach a height of 2 to 3 feet. This careful timing prevents forage from progressing beyond the boot stage, thus preserving its nutritional content and overall quality. For enhanced forage production efficiency, a roller/crimper-style conditioner can be employed to expedite the drying process of Tifleaf III hay.
When harvested before advanced maturity stages, Tifleaf III hay is projected to encompass a range of total digestible nutrients (TDN) between 52% and 58%, complemented by crude protein (CP) levels spanning 8% to 11%. Notably, adopting higher seeding rates within the recommended range has the potential to foster a more favorable leaf-to-stem ratio, consequently elevating forage quality.
A significant advantage of Tifleaf III over alternative forage options, such as sorghum, sudangrass, and sorghum x sudangrass hybrids, is its inherent immunity to prussic acid production. This unique attribute ensures that Tifleaf III can be safely grazed or harvested at any growth stage, even during drought conditions, mitigating concerns related to prussic acid poisoning.
However, prudent management is essential due to the potential for elevated nitrate levels in pearl millet. The growing season of Tifleaf III offers valuable grazing opportunities from June through August, with spring plantings (April) becoming ready for grazing within 30 to 40 days. The peak productivity period spans the first 60 days of the crop's life, allowing well-fertilized Tifleaf III stands to support three to four stocker cattle or two to three mature cows per acre during this pivotal phase. Adjusting stocking rates during the latter part of the grazing season is advisable to optimize forage utilization.
To ensure a consistent supply of grazing resources throughout the summer, the implementation of multiple plantings is recommended. Early June plantings align with peak production just as April plantings begin to taper, facilitating a seamless transition in forage availability. Tifleaf III is a dwarf, low-growing crop ideal for grazing. The dwarf Tifleaf III variety, in particular, has exceptional traits, including a increased leaf to stem ratio and heightened average daily gains. Notably, Tifleaf III exhibits resistance to Pyricularia leafspot, a factor that can influence yields in the latter part of the summer growing season.
Characteristics:
- Yield Potential: 4-6 tons per acre
- First Grazing: 30-40 days
- Maturity: 50-60 days
- Resistance: Sugar Cane Aphid, Downy Mildew, Anthracnose, Leaf Spot, Leaf Rust
Seeding Rate:
- Seeds per pound: 50,000
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Seeding Method |
Harvest Stage |
Dryland Lbs/Acre |
Irrigated Lbs/Acre |
Dryland Seeds/Acre |
Irrigated Seeds/Acre |
Drilled |
Boot |
10-12 |
12-14 |
500,000-600,000 |
600,000-700,000 |
Broadcast |
Boot |
15-17 |
17-19 |
750,000-850,000 |
850,000-950,000 |