July 2023 - Collab - lists.millets2023.space

Supposed downsides of millets as food
by Don Osborn 20 Jul '24

20 Jul '24

We are by now used to hearing about the advantages of the various millets as nutritious food that are easily digested, and which have added advantages for people with specialized diets (namely low GI and gluten-free). There are, however, a couple of negative issues one may come across: that millets are goitrogenic; and that they have their own forms of gluten. I'd like to air those here in the interests of wide coverage of millets' nutritional characteristics, and to elicit any relevant info from list subscribers. 1. *Goitrogenic effects?* There has been research including millets among the various foods containing compounds which interfere with iodine uptake or thyroid function. This quote from the Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition provides some context: "Goitrogens are dietary substances that interfere with thyroid metabolism and can aggravate the effect of iodine deficiency. Most goitrogens do not have a major clinical effect unless they are consumed at high levels and iodine deficiency is present." https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/g… (this page has several articles) The compounds at issue in millets (as well as in soybeans, apparently) are flavonoids, which may act to "impair thyroid peroxidase activity," ("The Latest Research and Development of Minerals in Human Nutrition") https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medi… I understand from our NAMA colleague Joni Kindwall-Moore that concerns at least one person has raised about millets in particular on this count are not widely held. 2. *Other forms of gluten?* A relative mentioned that one researcher (Peter Osborne, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnlZaMzZaSk ) proposes that all grains have some form of gluten, and that all of those may pose problems for gluten-sensitive people. For context: "Gluten is a family of storage proteins — formally known as prolamins — that are naturally found in certain grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye. "Many prolamins fall under the gluten umbrella, but they’re most commonly identified by the specific grains in which they’re found. For instance, glutenins and gliadins are the prolamins in wheat, secalins are found in rye, and hordeins are found in barley." https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-gluten Dr. Osborne notes the following "forms of gluten" (i.e., prolamins) in three millets, and states that these grains plus oats, corn, and rice are "oftentimes considered to be gluten free even though technically they are not..." (at about minute 5:25 in his video): * Millet (presumably proso, but this is not stated): panicin (40% of total protein) * Sorghum: kafirin (52% of total protein) * Teff: penniseitin (11% of total protein) (The table with forms of gluten that is used by Dr. Osborne in his video can also be viewed at http://www.allergy-details.com/gluten-allergy-c/gluten-allergy-and-types-of… ) On the other hand, a nice short item on millets and allergies notes that "Panicin is the prolamine gluten protein in [proso?] millet. Because this type of gluten does not activate celiac disease, it is considered gluten-free." https://www.allergy-details.com/gluten-free-diet/gluten-free-food-gluten-fr… I'll leave this here, with the caveat that I have no expertise in these issues, and so am not in a position to evaluate claims or research findings relating to them. I look forward to others' comments. Don Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Barnyard millet(s) - July millet-of-the-month
by Don Osborn 01 Aug '23

01 Aug '23

The July Millet-of-the-Month, barnyard millet, is actually 2 main species of Echinochloa - E. esculenta "Japanese barnyard millet," which was domesticated in Japan, and a minor crop in NE Asia and also India, and E. frumentacea "Indian barnyard millet," which originated in South Asia and is a crop in India and neighboring countries, as well as in parts of east & central Africa./1 "Barnyard millet (Echinochloa species) has become one of the most important minor millet crops in Asia, showing a firm upsurge in world production. The genus Echinochloa comprises of two major species, E. esculenta and E. frumentacea, which are predominantly cultivated for human consumption and livestock feed."/2 In North America (and primarily the US), "Japanese millet" refers to either/both species, or more properly to E. esculenta. E. frumentacea is sometimes called "billion dollar grass." Both have been used for forage and wildlife habitat. It does not seem that either have been grown for human consumption. Do either of them have potential as specialty grain crops in selected regions of the continent? The Echinochloa spp. group is complicated, as you may have noted already from some discussions on this list. It also includes a couple of other species discussed as precursors to the two discussed above, which themselves have several varieties. Two other species are apparently cultivated on small scales for food in southern China, and yet another was cultivated in parts of Africa (such as central Mali)./1 /3 This group needs more research on varieties as well as possible plant-breeding; the possibility of hybrids of the two main species has also been raised. Watch this space? Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance Notes: 1. Salej Sood, "Barnyard millet – a potential food and feed crop of future," Plant Breeding, https://doi.org/10.1111/pbr.12243 2. Vellaichamy Gandhimeyyan Renganathan, et al, "Barnyard Millet for Food and Nutritional Security: Current Status and Future Research Direction," Frontiers in Genetics, 11, 2020 https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.00500 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinochloa

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Re: [Collab] Millets Market Projections
by Don Osborn 30 Jul '23

30 Jul '23

Thanks Joni for the question about reports with economic data about the millets industry, and David, for the USDA and ARS GRIN links. On the USDA links, noting not only "proso millet" (the only "millet" found in text searches) and also "sorghum" (no surprise at all). However I don't find "teff," even tho it is grown for grains for the food market - perhaps it is too small a crop for their purposes? Joni, I'd like to know more about the goal of your effort, and also the particular "Market Data Forecast" (MDF) service whose report (a sample?) you link to. I am not familiar with MDF or who's behind it (altho will come back to that below). From the breadth of their listed work - including but not limited to a range of agricultural crops - it seems like MDF must have a system for accessing various levels of published research and extracting information relevant to whatever regional report they are producing. Such can be very useful for a start, but IMO would be most useful in combination with topic-specific research that accesses data and contexts that wouldn't necessarily be compiled or published by anyone else (e.g., on small importers and artisanal grain operations, which may not register in involve small operations as regards millets). Seems like you might be thinking in those terms? In the outline in the MDF document you linked to, I'm looking at segmentation by type (5.1) and am very interested in how this (and the content) might be customized. It lists the four main millets globally (i.e., the four most cultivated grains surnamed "millet") - pearl, finger, proso, and foxtail - followed by "others.". However, of these four in North America, only proso is produced for food-grade grains commercially, and finger millet apparently isn't grown in significant quantities for any purpose (outside of some research). Pearl millet is a major grain crop in parts of Africa and South Asia, but limited mainly to forage in the US. All four of these - along with several other millets - are imported for human consumption in small quantities for retail sale - as grain and in processed food products. Working off of the realities in this part of the world, plus considering the group of grains highlighted in the International Year of Millets, might a different outline for market segmentation serve better? For example, start with: sorghum (which MDF may treat separately?); proso; teff (which has a small but interesting production in the US for food and fodder); followed as above by "others." The latter tier could be millets that are grown here for fodder, cover crops, or other purposes, and which as mentioned above, are also imported as food. The thing with millets as I understand it - and I'm really learning as I'm going - is that production, consumption, and even status is really particular by location, more so than the particularities one sees with the main cereal crops, all their varieties notwithstanding. In other words, the configuration of species grown and for what, can be entirely different by region. Most are not known in all regions, and a few may be considered weeds (for example, kodo millet, a crop in South Asia, is considered a "noxious weed" in parts of the US, for an extreme case). All of which is to say that it's a bit complicated, so a locally / regionally tailored outline would be the way to start. However, I'm not sure how easy it would be to do economic forecasts on the smaller markets of millets imports and artisanal grains. Regarding MDF, it specializes in market research, business intelligence, and reports (no surprise). It's based in Hyderabad, and is listed as having 11-50 employees/2 or 87 employees./3 No info on its methods. Not sure if its location in India might give it special insights into the millets market there (largest in the world, from what I understand), and exports to the US, Canada, and Mexico. All this circles around the issues you're asking about, but hopefully some of it is useful. Again, it would be interesting if you can share more info on this effort. All the best, Don DO, EL, MI, US NAMA Notes: 1. https://www.marketdataforecast.com 2. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/market-data-forecast-inc 3. https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-data-forecast/ On Mon, Jul 17, 2023 at 12:25 PM Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS via Collab < collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > The USDA statistics are good for proso millet, and they are updated > regularly. > > > USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2020a. Crop Values 2019 > Summary (February 2020) > https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/k35694332/9w032… > > > USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2020b. Crop Production 2019 > Summary (January 2020) > https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/k3569432s/sj139… > > > These about proso are compiled from various sources including the above. > > > https://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/cgc_reports/2020-%20Proso%20Millet%20Crop%20V… > > > > https://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/cgc_reports/2020-%20Proso%20Millet%20Quad%20C… > ------------------------------ > *From:* Collab <collab-bounces(a)lists.millets2023.space> on behalf of Joni > Kindwall-Moore <joni(a)snacktivistfoods.com> > *Sent:* Monday, July 17, 2023 10:45 AM > *To:* collab(a)lists.millets2023.space <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> > *Subject:* [External Email][Collab] Millets Market Projections > > [External Email] > If this message comes from an *unexpected sender* or references a *vague/unexpected > topic;* > Use caution before clicking links or opening attachments. > Please send any concerns or suspicious messages to: Spam.Abuse(a)usda.gov > Hello Millets Community, we are compiling some economic data about the > millet industry and looking for formal reports that can help us quantify > economic value and compound annual growth rate (CAGR). I am specifically > looking to site this article ( > https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:67aa41c7-0300-465c-bb84-81e7885…) > have any of you in the industry compiled this data yet or have access to > these market reports? > Thanks, > Joni > > *Joni Kindwall-Moore BSN-RN, BA* > Founder, CEO, Innovator, Mother, Nurse, Activist > > *P: 406-334-1608* *www.snacktivistfoods.com > <http://www.snacktivistfoods.com/>* > *Scan this QR code to experience the Snacktivist Nation! * > > > > > > This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely > for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message > or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law > and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you > have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete > the email immediately. > > > -- > Collab mailing list > Collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab >

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Refraining from politics on this list
by Don Osborn 29 Jul '23

29 Jul '23

Dear list subscribers, We are entering a long election season inthe US, and want to keep this list focused on its purposes related to millets and the International Year of Millets. Please refrain from posting items about political candidates or campaign events sponsored by or featuring particular candidates. Policies directly affecting millets and systems that their production, processing, marketing, and consumption may be relevant to the list purposes, but please without partisan political approaches or advocacy. It is also recognized that this candidate or that may raise issues of potential interest, or their campaigns may sponsor events intended to appeal to one or more groups that have interest in alternative crops and foods. But please keep discussions to policies and not personalities, and do not forward promotions of campaign events or candidates. . There are likely to be strong opinions held by many people, so inserting politics risks degrading the collaborative purposes of this forum. Thank you for your understanding, Don Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Fw: Farm Policy Roundtable FYI PNW AG Network
by Cindy 29 Jul '23

29 Jul '23

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "Cindy" <cindy.kothandaraman(a)yahoo.com> To: "noreply(a)townsquarenewsletters.com" <noreply(a)townsquarenewsletters.com> Cc: Sent: Sat, Jul 29, 2023 at 8:22 Subject: Farm Policy Roundtable FYI PNW AG Network FYI ONLY: ROUNDTABLE RE: TRANSFORMING AMERICA'S FOOD SUPPLY SYSTEM RFK Jr., to Host Roundtable on Farm Policy Online Thursday, August 3rd at 8pm ET Join Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in a conversation with some of America's most innovative farmers. Mr. Kennedy will hear their stories and those of the farm belt. He will ask and answer questions, and learn from real farmers on the ground about the practicalities of transforming our nation's food system Panelists will be renowned farmers from across the United States who are restoring and innovating the way we think about farming today, including: Ben Dobson, Gail Fuller, Will Harris, Kerry Hoffschneider, John Kempf, Bob Quinn, and Judith McGeary. Please RSVP, mark your calendars, and join us LIVE on Thursday, August 3 at 8 p.m. Eastern / 5 p.m. Pacific for this inspiring conversation! Sign-up here:RFK Jr., to Host Virtual Roundtable on Farm Policy Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. ET | | | | | | | | | | | RFK Jr., to Host Virtual Roundtable on Farm Policy Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. ET Mr. Kennedy will meet with some of America's most innovative farmers including Ben Dobson, Gail Fuller, Will Harris, Kerry Hoffschneider, John Kempf, Bob Quinn, and Judith McGeary. Anticipate a lively give-and-take involving topics rarely addressed | | | |

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Millets triangle - new draft presentation
by Don Osborn 29 Jul '23

29 Jul '23

A while back, I introduced the “millets triangle” - a graphic intended to facilitate communication about the diversity of millets. Attached FYI, is a slide presentation (PDF of a PowerPoint) explaining the concept. The “more examples” section needs to be expanded. I’d intended to do some more work on it before releasing, but pushed this out today in its current form as part of a response to an inquiry. So it’s also a good time to share it with you all on the list. Your feedback and constructive criticisms are invited. Don Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance -- Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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Millets Webinar updates: Video of 7th & info on 8th
by Don Osborn 25 Jul '23

25 Jul '23

Some updates about the Millets Webinars: 1) The recording of our 7th Millets Webinar (19 July 2023), which included presentations on nutritional aspects of millets, from Lanier Dabruzzi, MS, RD, LD and Kelly LeBlanc, MLA, RD, LDN, is available at: https://youtu.be/RBOWRRLLyeo As before, links to recordings of all past Millets Webinars are accessible at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy7IvZCKUBap-6AaoCjPSFTMMq772t_Yb 2) Our 8th Millets Webinar, on Wed. 16 August at 5 pm EDT, will be on millet products (except for beverages, which will be the focus in September). More details forthcoming! 3) Here FYI are the 9th thru 12th Millets Webinars, all on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5 pm Eastern time Sep. 20 - Drink up! Millet beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic Oct. 18 - More than small change: Millets in community and economic development Nov. 15 - Not just for the birds: Millets and animal farming Dec. 20 - Innovations in millets: A food systems approach January, 2024 (tentative) - Retrospective on IYM and look forward for NAMA and millets in North America DO, EL, MI, US NAMA

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Proso millet dehulling bottleneck? (Re: Developing cover crops into grain crops in the US PNW)
by Don Osborn 18 Jul '23

18 Jul '23

Thanks, Joni, for raising this issue of lack of facilities for dehulling proso millet in your region. Why is it that the larger operations can't or won't take on dehulling more millet? Limited capacity prioritized for other customers? Contractual limitations? If I recall correctly, you once mentioned that the nearest facilities for dehulling that you'd have access to were further east in the US (Ohio?). Obviously it would be expensive to ship proso around the country for one step in the sequence of processing it. Don DO, EL, MI, US NAMA On Mon, Jul 17, 2023 at 11:52 AM Joni Kindwall-Moore < joni(a)snacktivistfoods.com> wrote: > Thanks, Don! > We are still without a regional dehulling facility and the big guys don't > dehull for emerging brands like Snacktivist, unfortunately, so this is > proving to be the biggest barrier for the project and for me personally, as > a brand that is building tech and ESG connected "Grain-chains". It is > frustrating as we have lots of millet in bins, trucks, and silos, we have > buyers for the dehulled millet but nowhere to get it done. > > >> [ . . . ] > >

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Millets Market Projections
by Joni Kindwall-Moore 17 Jul '23

17 Jul '23

Hello Millets Community, we are compiling some economic data about the millet industry and looking for formal reports that can help us quantify economic value and compound annual growth rate (CAGR). I am specifically looking to site this article ( https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:67aa41c7-0300-465c-bb84-81e7885…) have any of you in the industry compiled this data yet or have access to these market reports? Thanks, Joni *Joni Kindwall-Moore BSN-RN, BA* Founder, CEO, Innovator, Mother, Nurse, Activist *P: 406-334-1608* *www.snacktivistfoods.com <http://www.snacktivistfoods.com/>* *Scan this QR code to experience the Snacktivist Nation! *

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Developing cover crops into grain crops in the US PNW
by Don Osborn 17 Jul '23

17 Jul '23

Wanted to pass on info about a project in the state of Washington (US) called "Diversifying Northwestern fields and palates" Launched in 2021 with a 3-year timeline, its purpose is to identify varieties of, and develop markets for, two crops already grown there as cover crops, so as to permit growers to also grow them as cash crops. Thanks to our colleague Joni Kindwall-Moore for the links and info. (Any errors in the summary here are mine.) The two are proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) and the pseudo-cereal, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum). From my reading of the project information (links below), these are often grown in crop rotations but cut before the grain/seed stage. The project page (on the Sustainable Food Systems Lab site) explains: "Diversified, sustainable, grain-based producers rely on rotational crops to optimize production. Buckwheat and proso millet are often used as cover crops, providing agronomic gains but no direct financial gains. With variety testing and regional market development, these crops have the potential to become cash crops, rather than just cover crops, in the Pacific Northwest." This concept seems very interesting in North American contexts generally, since a variety of millet species are grown in various subregions as cover crops. Add to that the fact that several of these are also grown for animal fodder, and one can assume that many farmers are familiar to varying degrees with planting millets, just not (yet) as grain crops. Obviously, one doesn't grow a crop without there being some kind of outlet or use for them, which is another reason why this project is an interesting model: It includes an explicit attention to food products and markets for them. The project is funded thru USDA SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), the grant recipient is Washington State University, and the PI is Dr. Kevin Murphy (bcc'd). * SARE, Project overview: Diversifying Northwestern fields and palates https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/sw21-926/ * Sustainable Food Systems Lab, New Grains Northwest: Building regional markets from the grain up https://www.sustainableseedsystems.org/new-grains-nw.html Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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