Farming Practices

With spring just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to explain some of the common farming practices, of our growers.  Starting in about April the farmers begin their operations by plowing the first flush of weeds.  At the end of May/ beginning of June the farmer plants the millet seed along with a starter fertilizer to feed the young seedlings.  In the month of July the farmer will check all of his fields to assess the need for further weed control and what are the plants further fertilizer needs.  Mid to late August they have to keep a very close eye on the ripening plants.  When the pods holding the seeds at the very top of the head completely open up and the seeds begin to fall to the ground with the wind, then it is time to get the combines to swath in the field.  The way the proso millet head ripen: the seeds at the top of the head are fully ripe while the seeds at the bottom of the head are green and still filling out.  After two to three weeks of drying down in the windrow the farmer will go collect a few samples, hand thrash the plants and moisture test the seeds.  When the moisture is below 13% the combines will come back, pick up, and thrash the plants.  At this point the grain is stored until sold.