April 2025 - Collab - lists.millets2023.space

Millets, dogs, pigs and permanent settlement: productivity transitions in Neolithic northern China
by Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS 03 May '25

03 May '25

Evolutionary Human Sciences <https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/evolutionary-human-sciences> , Volume 6 <https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/evolutionary-human-sciences/volume/…> , 2024 , e44 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/ehs.2024.31 Millets, dogs, pigs and permanent settlement: productivity transitions in Neolithic northern China Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 November 2024 Chris J. Stevens<https://www.cambridge.org/core/search?filters%5BauthorTerms%5D=Chris%20J.%2…>, Yijie Zhuang<https://www.cambridge.org/core/search?filters%5BauthorTerms%5D=Yijie%20Zhua…> and Dorian Q. Fuller<https://www.cambridge.org/core/search?filters%5BauthorTerms%5D=Dorian%20Q.%…> The transition to sedentary agricultural societies in northern China fuelled considerable demographic growth from 5000 to 2000 BC. In this article, we draw together archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological and bioarchaeological data and explore the relationship between several aspects of this transition, with an emphasis on the millet-farming productivity during the Yangshao period and how it facilitated changes in animal husbandry and consolidation of sedentism. We place the period of domestication (the evolution of non-shattering, initial grain size increase and panicle development) between 8300 and 4300 BC. The domestication and post-domestication of foxtail (Setaria italica) and broomcorn (Panicum miliaceum) millet increased their productivity substantially, with much greater rate of change than for rice (Oryza sativa). However, millets are significantly less productive per hectare than wet rice farming, a point reflected in the greater geographical expanse of northern Neolithic millet cultures (5000–3000 BC) in comparison with their Yangtze rice-growing counterparts. The domestication of pigs in the Yellow River region is evidenced by changes in their morphology after 6000 BC, and a transition to a millet-based diet c. 4500–3500 BC. Genetic data and isotopic data from dogs indicate a similar dietary transition from 6000 to 4000 BC, leading to new starch-consuming dog breeds. Significant population increase associated with agricultural transitions arose predominately from the improvement of these crops and animals following domestication, leading to the formation of the first proto-urban centres and the demic-diffusion of millet agriculture beyond central northern China between 4300–2000 BC. 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.

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Pearl millet in Kazakhstan & Russia (plus a global perspective)
by Don Osborn 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

Mention of pearl millet in Russia in the Regenerative Farmers of America video on this grain had me looking for more information. (See earlier post, "Pearl Millet: The Drought Resistant Grain," 4/21, https://lists.millets2023.space/pipermail/collab/2025-April/000793.html ) I did not find much that was of use. There was one specific reference to pearl millet as a new crop in European Russia, but the web link didn't work: Gurinovich SO, Zotikov VI, Sidorenko VS (2020). "African millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) - A new crop in agriculture of Central Russia. Scientific and Production Journal," Grain legumes and cereals. 2:34:64-70. doi.org/10.24411/2309-348X-2020-11171 [caution with this http site which redirects to something at cyberdoi(dot)ru - I used a Tor browser to try to access, but ultimately the page was blank] My search came up with another article that cited the above, but discussed research on pearl millet in Kazakhstan, which of course is in Central Asia: R.K. Zhapayev, G.T. Kunypiyaeva, F.M. Mustafaev, S.Zh. Bekzhanov, and A.K. Nurgaliev, “Comparative Assessment of Pearl Millet Genotypes Under Arid Conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan,” SABRAO Journal of Breeding and Genetics, 55 (5) 1678-1689, 2023 http://doi.org/10.54910/sabrao2023.55.5.20 (I accessed it at this URL: https://sabraojournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SABRAO-J-Breed-Genet-5… ) There may be more on pearl millet in Central Asia, given its climate. Taking a step back, I think we're witnessing a modern expansion of the global range of cultivation of various millets, in a way picking up from where the ancient expansion left off. So, for example, pearl millet is now being tried in northern Eurasia, and foxtail millet in East Africa. In North America many species of millets were introduced in the early modern age, with potential changes in uses in the offing, and of course the expansion into northern latitudes of pearl millet and sorghum. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Re: [Collab] Collab Digest, Vol 39, Issue 18
by Gary Wietgrefe 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

The 1903 Pearl Millet bulletin stating that pearl has been in the country for 30 years indicates southern farmers began adopting pearl millet for forage after the Civil War. Stand establishment, early harvest, and seed yield seemed to be the main issues then. The first two have generally been resolved with better planting equipment, depth control, fungicide seed treatments with grazing, haying and baleage improvements. Consistent competitive seed yield and value of stalks after harvest likely remain why pearl has not been developed as a grain crop....Gary Wietgrefe On Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 6:06 AM <collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > Send Collab mailing list submissions to > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space > > You can reach the person managing the list at > collab-owner(a)lists.millets2023.space > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Collab digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. "Pearl millet," USDA, 1903 (Don Osborn) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:18:01 -0400 > From: Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > To: collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > Subject: [Collab] "Pearl millet," USDA, 1903 > Message-ID: > < > CA+RHibVOePtpJSJV_hkDq_st+HhxiaN0yf2jirTn_fYRKraU7Q(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Of historical interest, here's an early USDA pamphlet on pearl millet: > > "Pearl millet," by Carleton R. Ball, USDA Farmers' Bulletin No. 168, > Washington, Government Printing Office, 1903. (16 pages) > https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc85560/ > > The focus is on pearl millet as a fodder crop. > > > Don Osborn, PhD > (East Lansing, MI, US) > North American Millets Alliance >

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"Pearl millet," USDA, 1903
by Don Osborn 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

Of historical interest, here's an early USDA pamphlet on pearl millet: "Pearl millet," by Carleton R. Ball, USDA Farmers' Bulletin No. 168, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1903. (16 pages) https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc85560/ The focus is on pearl millet as a fodder crop. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Pearl millet in Mexico
by Don Osborn 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

So far this month, we've discussed pearl millet in the US and Canada. This crop also appears to be becoming more important in Mexico. Here are some English language and Spanish language sources - a deeper dive would involve more Spanish materials of course. There is a particular attention here, like north of its border, to forage uses of this crop. Pearl millet's advantages are seen as: high nutritional content for livestock, efficient water use, adaptation to high temperatures, tolerance to salinity, and capacity for production in multiple cuts. It is also recognized as a multipurpose crop, including for grain. 1. The most recent I have is from early last year, and gives a good overview (altho it gets confused in the second mention of the origin of pearl millet late in the article): "Sustainable Pearl Millet Farming Could Combat Drought," Mexico Business News, 01/30/2024 https://mexicobusiness.news/agribusiness/news/sustainable-pearl-millet-farm… The article focuses on forage uses, and mentions research on that, as well as implications for the food system. 2. An official blog of the Mexican National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture, and Livestock Research (INIFAP) has some similar and some complementary information to the above: "Mijo perla, una opción para forraje: Con tolerancia a la sequía y con un alto rendimiento de forraje," Gobierno de México, INIFAP, 2023-02-09 https://www.gob.mx/inifap/articulos/mijo-perla-una-opcion-para-forraje >From nos. 1 & 2, we can note that regions in which research is ongoing include the Central Plateau, San Luis Potosi, and the Huasteca plains. Also, the Mexican (governmental) and international agencies involved in research include: * Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER) = Secretariat for Agriculture and Rural Development * Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) * CIMMYT * ICRISAT (as seed source) 3. This one came up in English as "Forage production of pearl millet and maize at the mexican potosinan highland," but the actual article, accessible free online, is in Spanish. The English abstract is at: https://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?pid=S0187-73802018000400477&script=sci… Original article citation: Velázquez-Martínez Mauricio, Mendoza-Guzmán Samuel, Hernández-Guzmán Filogonio J., Landa-Salgado Patricia, Nieto-Aquino Rafael, Mata-Espinosa Miguel A.. Producción forrajera de mijo perla y maíz en el altiplano potosino de México. Rev. fitotec. mex [revista en la Internet]. 2018 Dic [citado 2025 Abr 26] ; 41( 4 ): 477-482. Disponible en: http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0187-7380201800…. Epub 30-Sep-2020. https://doi.org/10.35196/rfm.2018.4.477-482 Research was conducted during 2013 in Charcas and Matehuala, in the state of San Luis Potosi. Google translate of the final paragraph in article: "This study highlights that pearl millet is a good alternative forage crop in Mexico's semi-arid rainfed conditions, allowing for an average of 16.5% forage regrowth, and that the outstanding varieties are MDP13 and MF13." 4. An older article in English: Ratikanta Maiti and Humberto González Rodríguez, 2010, "Pearl Millet: Potential Alternative for Grain and Forage for Livestock in Semi-arid Regions of Mexico," International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 1(1): 45-47 https://ojs.pphouse.org/index.php/IJBSM/article/view/49/32 "Researches undertaken on the introduction and evaluation of some tropical pearl millet germplasms (91) and cultivars (15) revealed that tropical pearl millet could be apotential crop for production of fodder and grains for livestock/poultry in semi-aridnorth-east of Mexico. Crops were well adapted in semi-arid regions of north-east Mexico, and gave high yield of fodder and grain with good nutritional values." Specific locations of research were in Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, and Zacatecas states. 5. A 2002 overview that includes mention of pearl millet: Williams-Alanís, Héctor, "Sorghum and Millet in Mexico," Chap. 75 (pp. 457-463) in John F. Leslie, ed. Sorghum and Millets Diseases (Iowa State Press, 2002) https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470384923.ch75 There are not a lot of specifics on pearl millet, but some of the brief discussion of forage value of "millet" aligns with findings in articles above. Earliest research on millets in Mexico, according to the article was in 1967. Back in Dec. 2022, I did a summary of this piece on this list at https://lists.millets2023.space/pipermail/collab/2022-December/000117.html (the offer to share further info on the chapter itself is still open). Summary: Pearl millet - and millets generally (aside from sorghum, which is widely grown) - appear to be consistently in the margins of ag & food research in Mexico. Do the recent items above (1&2) reflect a potential increased use of pearl millet for forage in practice? Don Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Re: [Collab] Collab Digest, Vol 39, Issue 14
by Gary Wietgrefe 27 Apr '25

27 Apr '25

With drought prospects this spring and summer from Texas through western North Dakota, and cattle prices at record highs, this is the time to have ranchers plant pearl millet as options for grazing and haying. Commercial forage producers, or where winter wheat fails or is pulled off by early July, pearl millet would be an excellent second crop forage option, especially if lightly irrigated where that is an option in Nebraska and south. To prolong fall grazing to save winter cattle and dairy feed, pearl millet can be grazed through early frosts because pearl millet does not produce prussic acid like forage sorghums do when frosted. Local seed companies, especially local farm service cooperatives have access to several grazing, haying and chopped pearl millets through Croplan Genetics. See crop_sg25_masterchart_foragesorghum_v3.pdf <https://storwukentico03pd.blob.core.windows.net/croplanmedia/croplan/media/…> On Fri, Apr 25, 2025 at 6:29 AM <collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > Send Collab mailing list submissions to > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space > > You can reach the person managing the list at > collab-owner(a)lists.millets2023.space > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Collab digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Pearl millet as "ruminant rocket fuel"? (Joni Kindwall-Moore) > 2. Re: Pearl millet as "ruminant rocket fuel"? (Om Dangi) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:49:36 -0700 > From: Joni Kindwall-Moore <joni(a)snacktivistfoods.com> > To: Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > Cc: collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > Subject: Re: [Collab] Pearl millet as "ruminant rocket fuel"? > Message-ID: > <CAHVJML+h6wB7mi+=JQV+=C5eTEDmDbobnRTytQk5Y_5W56o= > zw(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Hundred percent agree!! > > > On Thu, Apr 24, 2025 at 11:45?AM Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > wrote: > > > Thanks, Joni. What strikes me about what we see with regard to pearl > > millet in North America, as related in our 4/17 Millets Webinar, the > recent > > research on pearl millet in breads, and this piece about this crop as > > forage, is that we might be looking at some significant increase > > inattention to this crop overall. > > > > Lots happening with millets generally, but thinking about this one today. > > > > Don > > > > DO, EL, MI, US > > NAMA > > > > > > On Thu, Apr 24, 2025 at 12:32?PM Joni Kindwall-Moore < > > joni(a)snacktivistfoods.com> wrote: > > > >> Wow, fantastic insight Don > >> > >> On Thu, Apr 24, 2025 at 8:36?AM Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > >> wrote: > >> > >>> On the topic of pearl millet for animal forage here is a > >>> video conversation from last year on hybrid pearl millet for forage > that > >>> gets deep into specifics. > >>> * "Hybrid Pearl Millet... What are you missing? Chris Leach and Jeff > >>> Jackson," 29 Mar 2024 (short version, 23:42) > >>> https://youtu.be/x8H-WTDrTQI > >>> * "Pearl Millet Full Version...making #COWCHOW" (long version, 1:21:42) > >>> https://youtu.be/tZeghVwD0Bw > >>> The phrase "ruminant rocket fuel" came up in the discussion, reflecting > >>> the nutritional profile of pearl millet as livestock forage. The > parameters > >>> mentioned are high crude protein and NDSB levels (the latter > apparently has > >>> to do with digestibility), in addition to the crop being able to > succeed in > >>> diverse climates (when soil and air temperatures are high enough). > >>> > >>> One of the two participants in this video, Chris Leach (whose bio or > >>> affiliation I've not been able to find) suggests, beginning at the > 02:44 > >>> mark in the shorter video (9:50, long version), that decline of levels > in > >>> the Oglala aquifer may lead to more use of pearl millet in dairy > operations > >>> in the western US. He further suggests a pearl millet system could be a > >>> "game changer" in the next 5 years. > >>> > >>> The other participant and evidently the host, Jay Jackson (affiliated > >>> with Croplan, a seed company owned by Land-O-Lakes, Inc.), has a high > >>> profile on YouTube, including this earlier short video on pearl millet > for > >>> forage. Some readers may prefer to start with this short description > before > >>> getting into either of the longer versions. > >>> "Ruminant rocket fuel: Pearl Millets might be the next answer?" 27 > March > >>> 2020 (04:52) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRojP1mgWGQ > >>> > >>> Is pearl millet poised to become more important as a forage crop in > >>> North America? > >>> > >>> Don Osborn, PhD > >>> (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) > >>> North American Millets Alliance > >>> > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Collab mailing list > >>> Collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > >>> https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > >>> > >> >

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Pearl millet as "ruminant rocket fuel"?
by Don Osborn 24 Apr '25

24 Apr '25

On the topic of pearl millet for animal forage here is a video conversation from last year on hybrid pearl millet for forage that gets deep into s pecifics. * "Hybrid Pearl Millet... What are you missing? Chris Leach and Jeff Jackson," 29 Mar 2024 (short version, 23:42) https://youtu.be/x8H-WTDrTQI * "Pearl Millet Full Version...making #COWCHOW" (long version, 1:21:42) https://youtu.be/tZeghVwD0Bw The phrase "ruminant rocket fuel" came up in the discussion, reflecting the nutritional profile of pearl millet as livestock forage. The parameters mentioned are high crude protein and NDSB levels (the latter apparently has to do with digestibility), in addition to the crop being able to succeed in diverse climates (when soil and air temperatures are high enough). One of the two participants in this video, Chris Leach (whose bio or affiliation I've not been able to find) suggests, beginning at the 02:44 mark in the shorter video (9:50, long version), that decline of levels in the Oglala aquifer may lead to more use of pearl millet in dairy operations in the western US. He further suggests a pearl millet system could be a "game changer" in the next 5 years. The other participant and evidently the host, Jay Jackson (affiliated with Croplan, a seed company owned by Land-O-Lakes, Inc.), has a high profile on YouTube, including this earlier short video on pearl millet for forage. Some readers may prefer to start with this short description before getting into either of the longer versions. "Ruminant rocket fuel: Pearl Millets might be the next answer?" 27 March 2020 (04:52) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRojP1mgWGQ Is pearl millet poised to become more important as a forage crop in North America? Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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Study on US consumer reception of pearl millet flour in breads
by Don Osborn 24 Apr '25

24 Apr '25

Pearl millet - our April millet-of-the-month - is not widely known as a food in North America, so this recent research article on US consumer reaction to the grain in breads breaks new ground. Thanks to Gary for bringing it to my attention:: Cheung, May, Lauren Miller, Jonathan Deutsch, Rachel Sherman, Solomon H Katz, and Paul Wise. 2025. "Sensory Properties and Acceptability of Fermented Pearl Millet, a Climate-Resistant and Nutritious Grain, Among Consumers in the United States—A Pilot Study" Foods 14, no. 5: 871. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14050871 The study gave participants breads made with varying levels of pearl millet flour (from either fermented or unfermented grains) substituted for wheat flour, under different conditions. A flatbread was first tried, then a whole-grain sandwich bread. The choice of pearl millet was based on its nutritional qualities as well as its resilience as a crop. Fermentation was a focus of the study, since that reduces phytic acid, an anti-nutrient present in whole-grain pearl millet and other whole grains. (Sourdough is an example of fermented grain, altho the breads in this study were not described with that term.) The study found that "[r]eplacing up to 20% of wheat with fermented or unfermented pearl millet had no measurable effect on liking or purchase intent." However, liking tended to decrease at higher levels of substitution. The study raises interesting possibilities as well as questions. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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"Pearl Millet: The Drought Resistant Grain" (blog & video)
by Don Osborn 21 Apr '25

21 Apr '25

A webpage and video on pearl millet by Regenerative Farmers of America offers a nice introduction to this grain: "Pearl Millet: The Drought Resistant Grain" (article & embedded video, 9:40), 9 July 2024, https://www.regenerativefarmersofamerica.com/regenerative-farmers-of-americ… All-in-all an enthusiastic presentation with an international focus, that notes several of the strong points and limitations of this millet, as well as mentioning its ancient spread. However, it does not get into its uses in North America. Definitely recommended, but with attention to some details. For example, the focus on southern Africa as pearl millet's "forever home" might have been complemented by noting that Sahelian West Africa still produces more pearl millet than any other part of the continent. (The video rightly mentions India's pre-eminence globally in production of this millet.) Also, the discussion of growing the crop in colder climates (Russia) might also have pointed to Canada. The video has a good pace. However, occasional interspersed images of other plants and grains where they aren't part of the narrative might be confusing to viewers just learning about pearl millet. (For me, these were like visual off-notes.) For example, in the field, panicles of: foxtail millet (3:20); wheat (3:22 & 7:19); and sorghum (5:33 & 7:21) . And in grain form: what looks more like wheat (0:51 & 7:43); what appears to be proso millet (2:01, with flour); white rice (2:05, when mentioning riced pearl millet); and what resembles orange lentils (3:27). Plus an image of finger millet (3:49, when discussing water requirements). All that said, the video does have a nice range of photos of pearl millet grain (loose & in pots) and grain heads (in fields & also cut). Viewers learning about millets might find it useful to contrast the non-pearl millet images discussed above with those of pearl millet to get a better appreciation of the latter's characteristics. The video embedded in the article (link above) is also accessible directly on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/ajYsOyh0Y0Q Regenerative Farmers of America, according to their website at https://www.regenerativefarmersofamerica.com/about-regenerative-farmers-of-… , "is run by Lauren Lovejoy & Eric Conrad," who are farmers in Virginia. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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Video of Millets Webinar on pearl millet, 17 Apr. 2025
by Don Osborn 20 Apr '25

20 Apr '25

The recording of our Apr. 17, 2025 Millets Webinar on pearl millet is now available at https://youtu.be/MtYL3MUquRA . Thanks again to Dr. Om Dangi of Agriculture Environmental Renewal Canada (AERC) and Gary Wietgrefe of NAMA for sharing their expertise on this versatile crop that most of us in Canada and the US don't yet know much about. Thanks also to other participants who joined us and contributed, notably Dr. SK Gupta and Dr. Dr. Roopa Banerjee, senior scientists at ICRISAT. Two big takeaways are how far north pearl millet can be productively grown (i.e., well into Canada), and how widely this crop is grown, particularly in the US (altho not so much for grain, yet). After the introductions, Dr. Om Dangi's presentation begins at 03:21 (he is "aerco" onscreen), and is followed by a number of questions and comments. Gary Wietgrefe's presentation starts after 46:50 (he first responds to a question from Joni Kindwall-Moore, who was moderating). Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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