Millet plant rate question.

[OldMan'sBoy]

My spot is supposed to be disced next week. We want to plant our millet next weekend. I've read that the recommended rate is 25 pounds of seed per acre. What is the best way to regulate that with an ATV broadcast spreader? How do I tell if I'm spreading it too thick or too thin? Count seeds in a square foot? Any suggestions appreciated.

[jwarwick]

OldMan'sBoy,

I have broadcast seeded millet at a higher rate than 25 lbs. per acre.
I think that rate is for using a grain drill. What we try to do is about 40 pounds to the acre because we either broadcast with a tractor or ATV.

On finding the correct seeder gate opening and ATV speed to achieve that rate; well, a lot of experience helps.

If you really don't have any experience with it- the safe way is to go thin.
If you mess up by spreading too thin, it can be fixed by going over the ground again- on the other hand, if you mess up by going too fat, you run out of seed early and some of your hunting ground dosen't get seed.

If the food plot is fairly large, say over 4 acres, mentally divide it in half, then divide that half in half. Perform the trial (below) on that small piece, then later do the math for seed per acre to scale up to the larger plot.

Put only one bag of seed in the hopper. For millet, adjust the gate opening to about 3/8 of an inch, put the ATV in high range first gear then head out across your plot with light throttle. (try to lock into a steady speed)

Make parallel swaths starting along the longest edge of the plot. Pay attention to the distance to the side of the ATV that the seed is being slung and try to maintain that amount of standoff from the previous pass.

When your first hopper load is empty, stop the machine and look at how much of the field (or divided portion you're performing this test on) you have covered already, and then how much there is to go. At that time, make a judgement call on wheather the gate size is appropriate, or the ATV speed should be changed.

After practice- you won't have to do the testing.

Good Luck, Jon

[Double R 2]

1 - pace off an acre and see how many bag(s) it takes, or

2 - measure width of seed distrubution. Drive until one bag is dispensed. Measure driving distance. Multiply width and driving distance and divide by 43,560, to dtermine acreage. Adjust accordingly. Or,

3 - set planter onto the narrowest or next to narrowest planter setting. Walk behind to ensure that seed is "about 1/2 to 1 inch or so apart.

4 - see the following technical link, which accounts for pure live seed (pls)...

http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/capmctn50699.pdf

It "ain't rocket science". Standard recommended planting rates for millets are 15 pounds drilled, 25 pounds broadcast. Excessive planting rates decrease overall seed production and increase planting expense, neither of which is desirable.