Reed Millet

A warm season, cultivated grass species. In the Uk it is generally used as a game cover component, providing a structural element which enables cover for gamebirds and holds up other plant species.

Uses

Often used in game cover mixtures to provide cover, rather than as a food source.

Persistence

It is an annual species

Strengths

Japanese reed millet is a strongly upright species, meaning that it stands later into the winter than other millet species. Providing cover for game birds as the season progresses.

Frost Tolerance

Not frost tolerant, but stands well.

Sowing Rate Advice

5 - 10kg per acre / 12.5kg - 25kg per ha

The higher end of the sowing rate may be used to thicken up flushing points or provide a denser windbreak.

Mixture Sowing Rate Advice

0.5 - 1kg per acre / 1.25kg - 2.5kg per ha.

Often providing a structural element to food and cover mixtures.

Ideal Sowing Time

Sow in the spring from Late April to June.

Management

Planting japanese reed millet in the spring will allow it to establish sufficiently to provide winter cover.

Distinguishing characteristics

Seed
This is a rounded, spherical shaped seed, with pronounced points at the top and bottom. It is generally beige in colour, with small raised contours around the seed. It is 3mm in size.

Seedling
The seedling produces an upright, slender coleoptile and 1st true leaf, normally hairless unlike some sorghums.

Flowering Plant
Generally a stiff, upright plant. Mid to light green in colour with coarse but hairless leaves and stems. The inflorescence is a browny, black to dark purple colour and densely packed. It has a fibrous root system.

Works well with

It works well when combined with red or white millet to provide a mixture, giving game or farmland birds cover and a food source. It can also be broadcast into maize strips to thicken up flushing points.

You can find Reed Millet in the following mixtures

• Seed & Shelter Millet Mix
• General Purpose Game Mix
• General Purpose Game Mix 70% ORGANIC
• FlexiCover One Year Game Mix