DuckSouth.com

I know its early, but has anyone ever planted dove proso millet for waterfowl and if so when should it be planted and what kind of results did you get?

Never planted dove proso for ducks, but know of a good one you can plant.....CHIWAPA. Check it out. I think you will like it.

* 110-120 day maturity
* Needs little or no fertilizer
* Seed yields in a production
setting range from 1500-2000
lbs. per acre
* Released by USDA-NRCS back in
the 1960's as a forage/cover crop.
* Withstands flooded conditions
* Reseeding capabilities

Do not know the availability but you can talk to Roger Jones of Specialty Seeds Inc. and he will let you know where you may find some for the upcoming growing season.

Forgot that number but I will find it somewhere........ .

thanks very much for the reply. I have looked into this millet since your reply and see that it is a Jap millet. Do you know if it is more drought resistent than jap and can it be planted on dry. Any help would be appreciated

specialty seed, inc.... roger jones phone 662-836-5740....
fax 662-836-3194...
e-mail... cornercat@telepak.net

he'll get'er done..................

It does well in dry conditions. In fact, seed production is better on dryer sights. As far as planting it dry, I would consider disturbing the soil or rolling behind planting just to ensure good seed to soil contact. It does not take much rain to germinate, but usually the time of year you are planting means very hot temps and the ground dries out very quickly. There is also trial work being done to find the perfect date to fly Chiwapa on to group IV soybeans. The longer maturity date allows this without hampering harvest of the soybeans. Corn will be added into trials for 2005. You can get a planting guide from your local NRCS field office by the time planting season arrives. Chiwapa was released from a Plant Materials Center in Coffeeville, MS. The manager there is Joel Douglas. You can call and Joel or I would try to answer any questions someone may have about planting Chiwapa. Thanks.

Jon Allison

it sounds like you are saying it can be broadcast, is that correct? Do you have an opinion on if it can be mixed with browntop? Also is planting in May, would that cause the plant to mature too early, dropping it seeds and germinating? I really appreciate your help.

It can be broadcast, but raise the seeding rate 10-15% to insure a good stand. May is a little early as far as planting it for ducks. I saw this past year where Chiwapa planted around June 14 still held most of it's seed at December. Go low on the N to help prevent lodging. Standing plants also insure less seed loss. The 120 day maturity allows you to plant early enough to still be catching decent rainfall where as a 60 or 80 day millet planted in mid August is lucky to ever see enough rain to even germinate. Were you trying to get a dove shoot and a duck hole out of the same planting? Maybe strips of both varieties would give you a broader window, but to get the full potential of either, you would need to decide on a planting date either for ducks or dove. Thanks!

Jon A.

There is a place in Stoneville, MS you join for 25 and you can buy all your wildlife seeds dirt cheap. Does anyone know what i am talking about

no, but it sounds interesting.

I would like it for ducks, my concern is the 100 degree days that we have in late July and August in SE Oklahoma can be brutal. If planted in June will there be enough of a root system to withstand the heat? This sounds like much better timing and would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

Sounds like your only option may be the 120 day maturity. You know the 60 and 80 day millets are not going to get rainfall to germinate in August and if you plant them early, seed will be shattered and gone. Not real sure how well the Chiwapa would take a long standing period of hot dry weather, but do feel like if planted in June it would produce some seed regardless of weather. Annuals are gonna make seed if they do nothing else. It insures survival of the species. Like when you cut your lawn for the last time in the fall. That grass may not grow at all but it will send up a seed head. May not be much, but it is going to try and reproduce. I believe the Chiwapa would be a good choice. Could be wrong, but I can not see an early maturing variety fittting into your weather pattern. The planting dates would fall under your dry-hot period. Hope that helps.

I will try not to bother much more but can I add water to it after it is 12" and let it grow in about an inch of water? I know this works great for Jap

Torch, you're speaking of Mississippi Wildlife and their seed program. We order from them every year. Their prices are pretty good but the only problem is you have to drive to Greenville, Amory or Hattiesburg to pick it up. Here's the link:

http://www.wildlifemiss.org/seed/index.html

Yea, OKIE GUIDE, you can flood it much like you do rice. Let it get a little size on it so it doesn't stretch the plant too quickly. Too early a flood will weaken stalk strength. If you can flood it then an early burndown application of glyphospate (Round-up) ahead of planting and a 2,4-D application after emergence will make for a nice clean plot. Look at applying some N about mid-way through the growing season for an added boost in seed yield. Hope you make a great plot. Remember to read and follow any herbicide labeling.