Percy Veer
Member
After the dry last summer and continuing lack of grass in autumn and winter, I've been trying to find something that can be planted cheaply in summer and provide grazing for my sheep in autumn and winter.
Searching on this forum I watched a video where Sudangrass was sown into very short grass. But there are poison issues with this, so doing further research I found, 'Pearl Millet' which is a similar annual.
My idea would be to plant it in my hay paddock, immediately after the hay is removed.
The cheapest way would be to broadcast it with my ATV and then roll it or I could ask a neighbour to direct drill.
If I can plant it myself, seed would be the only cost (apart from my time and diesel), so if it failed it's not the end of the world.
I realise that it needs moisture to germinate but if it doesn't rain the grass there won't grow either.
I'd graze it (leaf), before it grew too high and hopefully manage 2 or 3 grazings
It is an annual, so would the roots left be beneficial to the soil?
There is a dwarf/semi dwarf type called Tifleaf 1 that may fit the bill.
Impracticable idea?
Lastly does anyone know where Pearl Millet can be sourced?
Thanks
Searching on this forum I watched a video where Sudangrass was sown into very short grass. But there are poison issues with this, so doing further research I found, 'Pearl Millet' which is a similar annual.
My idea would be to plant it in my hay paddock, immediately after the hay is removed.
The cheapest way would be to broadcast it with my ATV and then roll it or I could ask a neighbour to direct drill.
If I can plant it myself, seed would be the only cost (apart from my time and diesel), so if it failed it's not the end of the world.
I realise that it needs moisture to germinate but if it doesn't rain the grass there won't grow either.
I'd graze it (leaf), before it grew too high and hopefully manage 2 or 3 grazings
It is an annual, so would the roots left be beneficial to the soil?
There is a dwarf/semi dwarf type called Tifleaf 1 that may fit the bill.
Impracticable idea?
Lastly does anyone know where Pearl Millet can be sourced?
Thanks