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Teff as forage for cattle & horses
by Don Osborn 16 Nov '24

16 Nov '24

While most of our attention goes to millets grown for food, these plants are as versatile as they are resilient. The same goes for our November millet-of-the-month, teff, which has found use as animal forage in diverse regions of North America. Progressive Forage recently featured a balanced account of how teff is working as a beef cattle feed in several parts of the US: "Does teff live up to the hype as beef cattle feed?" by John O'Meara (11 Nov. 2024) https://www.agproud.com/articles/60506-does-teff-live-up-to-the-hype-as-bee… No single forage source, any more than any one food crop, can meet all needs at all times, but it is remarkable how teff has spread to perhaps half of the US states and parts of Canada as a forage option. A particular forage use of teff is as hay for horses. Mad Barn recently updated an article discussing this use: "Teff Hay for Horses: Nutrition Overview & Feeding Guide," by Jaime Thomas (2022 & 2024) https://madbarn.com/teff-hay-for-horses/ Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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Proso millet harvest data in the US (Re: Collab Digest, Vol 34, Issue 8)
by Don Osborn 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

Thank you, Gary, for these insights. The video explanation is very good, but I’ll have to listen to it again. It could also be featured on the NAMA LinkedIn page, which is followed now by over a thousand people, for additional exposure. It seems this is another policy area, in addition to the grain standards issue for proso, that about which we might put out a brief? Don DO, EL, MI, US NAMA On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 1:11 PM Gary Wietgrefe via Collab < collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > Regarding Item 4: Proso millet harvest data. 2025 Proso harvest data will > not come out until the second Friday in January 2025. I would be extremely > surprised if the 2024 proso planting numbers are even close to USDA June > 2024 estimates. Since 2020 when there is an increasing planting trend, USDA > overestimates June plantings by 20%; whereas when there is decreased proso > planting trend, USDA underestimates by 8.7%. Why? Very little proso is > planted when the annual June survey is estimated. > > Secondly, to make up for the drastically wrong estimates for June's > current year proso planting estimate, it is corrected the following year. > Meaning, the following year changes the previous year's June estimate. To > me that's unethical. For example, June 2020 estimated 2020 proso > planting at 511,000 acres. In the June 2021 proso planting estimate, the > June 2020 planting was changed to 609,000 acres. In June 2021 proso > plantings were estimated at 600,000 acres, but in the June 2022 report it > changed 2021 planting to 725,000. Every year it changes! > > Oversupply of other grains have driven down proso prices. Expect millets > worldwide to be suppressed. When proso is high and out of line with other > grains (as in 2020 until spring 2023) expect proso plantings to exceed > demand. For review, see my proso pricing YouTube video > https://youtu.be/pVQclIw5Rbw?si=4wwVL5pkSdCR0KHh .....Gary Wietgrefe > [image: image.png] > > On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 5:00 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. CSA News article on finger millet, & a conf. presentation >> (Don Osborn) >> 2. Article on the 2024 teff harvest in the US (Don Osborn) >> 3. NYTImes on proso, teff & sorghum (Don Osborn) >> 4. Proso millet harvest for 2024 in US & Canada? (Don Osborn) >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> [ . . . ] >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 4 >> Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 06:57:51 -0500 >> From: Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> >> To: "collab(a)lists.millets2023.space" <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> >> Subject: [Collab] Proso millet harvest for 2024 in US & Canada? >> Message-ID: >> < >> CA+RHibX2-ZOBQfMY8O-diOkcbrArAS22PFUXJrYppW9HH3pywg(a)mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" >> >> In looking for any news on the proso millet harvest this year, I did not >> see any news items. >> >> The US National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Colorado Field >> Service put out a release on 1 June 2024 on the acreage planted in >> Colorado >> of several crops including proso. That reported a decline in acreage >> planted. See: >> >> https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Colorado/Publications/News_Re… >> >> A global forecast for production of millets also shows a decline (of 4%), >> due to "large stocks and low demand." Using here the Mundus Agri site >> (Germany), which references data from China and cites the USDA, at >> >> https://www.mundus-agri.eu/news/millet-global-production-decline-4-20232024… >> . Unfortunately the statistics lump together all millets under the single >> heading of "millet." China and Niger, for example, are not growing the >> same >> type of plants. >> >> Any further information or perspectives on the proso harvest in North >> America, and prospects for 2025, would be appreciated. >> >> >> Don Osborn, PhD >> (East Lansing, MI, US) >> North American Millets Alliance >>

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NYTImes on proso, teff & sorghum
by Don Osborn 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

The New York Times cooking section last month featured an article highlighting teff, sorghum, and "millet," by which I presume is meant proso. "5 Nutritious Grains Experts Want You to Try: These lesser-known options are nutritional powerhouses — and delicious, too," by Robin Catalano, 17 Oct. 2024 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/well/eat/healthy-whole-grains.html The "five grains" in the article also include the pseudo-cereals, buckwheat and amaranth. If anyone has a subscription to the NYT, could they "gift" this article to the list? That would be most appreciated, Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Re: [Collab] Collab Digest, Vol 34, Issue 8
by Gary Wietgrefe 10 Nov '24

10 Nov '24

Regarding Item 4: Proso millet harvest data. 2025 Proso harvest data will not come out until the second Friday in January 2025. I would be extremely surprised if the 2024 proso planting numbers are even close to USDA June 2024 estimates. Since 2020 when there is an increasing planting trend, USDA overestimates June plantings by 20%; whereas when there is decreased proso planting trend, USDA underestimates by 8.7%. Why? Very little proso is planted when the annual June survey is estimated. Secondly, to make up for the drastically wrong estimates for June's current year proso planting estimate, it is corrected the following year. Meaning, the following year changes the previous year's June estimate. To me that's unethical. For example, June 2020 estimated 2020 proso planting at 511,000 acres. In the June 2021 proso planting estimate, the June 2020 planting was changed to 609,000 acres. In June 2021 proso plantings were estimated at 600,000 acres, but in the June 2022 report it changed 2021 planting to 725,000. Every year it changes! Oversupply of other grains have driven down proso prices. Expect millets worldwide to be suppressed. When proso is high and out of line with other grains (as in 2020 until spring 2023) expect proso plantings to exceed demand. For review, see my proso pricing YouTube video https://youtu.be/pVQclIw5Rbw?si=4wwVL5pkSdCR0KHh .....Gary Wietgrefe [image: image.png] On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 5:00 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. CSA News article on finger millet, & a conf. presentation > (Don Osborn) > 2. Article on the 2024 teff harvest in the US (Don Osborn) > 3. NYTImes on proso, teff & sorghum (Don Osborn) > 4. Proso millet harvest for 2024 in US & Canada? (Don Osborn) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2024 12:25:42 -0500 > From: Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > To: "collab(a)lists.millets2023.space" <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> > Subject: [Collab] CSA News article on finger millet, & a conf. > presentation > Message-ID: > < > CA+RHibWw5+1y5fbGcgrW25DbXirueessuNuKGAvucKJHvJxKjQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Finger millet is virtually unknown in US agriculture, but two researchers > at Mississippi State University - Mohan K Bista and Raju Bheemanahalli > Rangappa - consider it to be "a potential game-changer for an uncertain > future." > > Their article in CSA News (Oct. 2024, pp. 52-56, > https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/csan.21404 ) > discusses the agronomy of finger millet, the nutritional qualities of the > grain (including a high calcium content), and its potential as a new crop > in the US. The article does not get into culinary qualities or uses. > > Mr. Bista, the lead author and a PhD student in Plant and Soil Sciences at > Mississippi State will be presenting on finger millet's > morpho-physiological resilience to drought stress at the 2024 ASA CSSA SSSA > International Meeting in in San Antonio, TX (which starts tomorrow!), in > the C02 Crop Physiology and Metabolism Division on Nov 12 from 2:50 p.m. to > 3:05 p.m. > > The conference website is > https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Home/0 (there > appears to be a virtual component to this conference, but it's not clear to > me if this presentation would be accessible in that mode). > > Thanks to Gary Wietgrefe for the pointer to this article. The info on the > presentation was seen on LinkedIn. > > Don Osborn, PhD > (East Lansing, MI, US) > North American Millets Alliance >

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Proso millet harvest for 2024 in US & Canada?
by Don Osborn 10 Nov '24

10 Nov '24

In looking for any news on the proso millet harvest this year, I did not see any news items. The US National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Colorado Field Service put out a release on 1 June 2024 on the acreage planted in Colorado of several crops including proso. That reported a decline in acreage planted. See: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Colorado/Publications/News_Re… A global forecast for production of millets also shows a decline (of 4%), due to "large stocks and low demand." Using here the Mundus Agri site (Germany), which references data from China and cites the USDA, at https://www.mundus-agri.eu/news/millet-global-production-decline-4-20232024… . Unfortunately the statistics lump together all millets under the single heading of "millet." China and Niger, for example, are not growing the same type of plants. Any further information or perspectives on the proso harvest in North America, and prospects for 2025, would be appreciated. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Article on the 2024 teff harvest in the US
by Don Osborn 09 Nov '24

09 Nov '24

As teff is our millet-of-the-month in November, hereis an article on this year's harvest. It's a month and a half old, but I don't see any more recent takes.... "Idaho teff crop looks good as harvest continues," by Brad Carlson, Capital Press, 23 Sep. 2024 https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/grains/idaho-teff-crop-looks-good-a… Much of the article discusses the experiences of growers in Idaho and other states contracting with Boise-based The Teff Company (Maskal Teff https://teffco.com/ ), which has been generally positive. In 2024, the Teff Co. increase the contracted acreage of teff by 50% to over 2000 acres, per its farmer relations manager, Charlie Fereday. Another major company working with growers in Nevada and elsewhere, is Minneapolis-based Selam Foods Inc. ( https://selamfoods.com/ ). According to the article, Selam's owner, Tesfa Drar, decided not to contract with teff growers this year, since they still have the grain in stock from an excellent harvest in 2023. Grain teff is clearly a crop that does well several parts of North America. The market for it - beyond communities of Ethiopian and Eritrean heritage that know it well - is still young, but one with interesting potential as this tiny grain becomes more familiar to consumers and food processing companies. The Teff Co. / Maskal website has a nice intro to teff geared to people not familiar with the grain: https://teffco.com/what-is-teff/ (along with other pages under "Learn" in the top menu bar). Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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CSA News article on finger millet, & a conf. presentation
by Don Osborn 09 Nov '24

09 Nov '24

Finger millet is virtually unknown in US agriculture, but two researchers at Mississippi State University - Mohan K Bista and Raju Bheemanahalli Rangappa - consider it to be "a potential game-changer for an uncertain future." Their article in CSA News (Oct. 2024, pp. 52-56, https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/csan.21404 ) discusses the agronomy of finger millet, the nutritional qualities of the grain (including a high calcium content), and its potential as a new crop in the US. The article does not get into culinary qualities or uses. Mr. Bista, the lead author and a PhD student in Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State will be presenting on finger millet's morpho-physiological resilience to drought stress at the 2024 ASA CSSA SSSA International Meeting in in San Antonio, TX (which starts tomorrow!), in the C02 Crop Physiology and Metabolism Division on Nov 12 from 2:50 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. The conference website is https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Home/0 (there appears to be a virtual component to this conference, but it's not clear to me if this presentation would be accessible in that mode). Thanks to Gary Wietgrefe for the pointer to this article. The info on the presentation was seen on LinkedIn. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Introduction and Collaboration Opportunities in Millet Processing
by suresh sakhare 08 Nov '24

08 Nov '24

Dear North American Millets Alliance Members, I hope this message finds you well. I am currently a research scientist at Iowa State University (ISU), specializing in millet processing and innovation. My career began in India, where I dedicated over 15 years to advancing millet processing, developing millet-based products, and pioneering technologies to enhance the industry. Over the years, I have developed 25 millet-based technologies, transferred to more than 70 industries, and have led 15 millet-focused industry consultancy and GAP projects as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator. A key achievement was designing and establishing the first-ever millet roller processing unit with a capacity of 15 tons per day. This unit includes facilities for pre- and main cleaning, grain silos, dehulling, flour and semolina milling, fortification, and packaging—supporting the milling of both major and minor millets with integrated fortification capabilities. With my presence now in the United States, I am eager to explore collaborative opportunities with academia and industry partners who share an interest in millet processing, innovation, and sustainable product development. I would be delighted to discuss potential projects and synergies with North American millet stakeholders. Thank you very much for considering this opportunity for collaboration, and I look forward to connecting with you. Warm regards, Suresh D. Sakhare Research Scientist – Iowa State University Senior Principal Scientist – International School of Milling Technology, India Phone: +1 515-425-8965email: ssakhare(a)iastate.edu

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GSA Global Millets Expo, Purdue University, 8-9 Nov. 2024
by Don Osborn 05 Nov '24

05 Nov '24

Just came across a webpage for this event - GSA Global Millets Expo, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, on 8=9 November. (in 2 months' time): https://ag.purdue.edu/events/department/foodsci/2024/11/gsa-global-millets-… GSA probably stands for Graduate Students Association. The event page is under the Department of Food Science (of the College of Agriculture at Purdue). A forward link to registration is apparently forthcoming. The description on the webpage:(copied below) does not include any details about the program "Welcome to the Global Millets Expo at Purdue University, a premier event uniting government bodies, universities and key stakeholders from around the world to elevate the global presence and availability of millet, a group of ancient grains with deep roots in African and Asian agriculture. These small-seeded grasses are not only highly nutritious but also incredibly resilient, thriving in harsh climates with minimal water compared to traditional staples like wheat and rice. As the world faces growing challenges in food security, sustainable agriculture, and malnutrition, millets offer a promising solution. This expo aims to harness the rising global interest in these climate-resilient and gluten-free grains, particularly in regions like the United States, where millet has been underutilized. Join us in exploring the immense potential of millet to revolutionize agriculture and contribute to a more sustainable and secure food future." Does anyone know more about this? Or have contacts at Purdue - Food Science who might be able to provide more info? Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Various recent items on millets
by Don Osborn 04 Nov '24

04 Nov '24

Here's a sampling of recent items on various millets, including popular online press, open-access academic articles, and a short video. All are from 2024 and several recent, but for one from last year that I had missed: MILLETS IN GENERAL "Different Types of Millets and Their Nutritional Benefits," *Naario*, 4 June 2024 https://www.naario.com/blogs/news/different-types-of-millets-and-their-nutr… (a nice overview with short takes on several millets plus facts and claims about millets in general; but buckwheat, however healthy it may be, is not a millet) "10 different types of millet and how to use them," by Hugo McCafferty, *Fine Dining Lovers*, 10 March 2023 https://www.finedininglovers.com/article/types-millet-how-use (another nice overview with short takes and images, in this case of 8 millets plus two of the pseudo-grains, amaranth and buckwheat) PROSO MILLET GENOMICS Wang, H., Wang, J., Chen, C. *et al.* "A complete reference genome of broomcorn millet." *Scientific Data* *11*, 657 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03489-5 (this article "reports the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) gap-free reference genome for broomcorn millet" which is seen as useful for genetic studies and plant breeding) PEARL MILLET (short video) "Pearl millet — making a great grain even better," video by Maxwell Suuk and Wolf Gebhardt, Deutsche Welle, 17 Sep. 2024 (6:02; discusses pearl millet's role in a northern Ghanaian village, with mention of new varieties) FOXTAIL MILLET (probably) & CONTINUOUS CROPPING Zhang, P., Xia, L., Sun, Y. et al. "Soil nutrients and enzyme activities based on millet continuous cropping obstacles." *Scientific Reports* 14, 17329 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68278-x (Analyzes the effect of continuous cropping of millet - probably foxtail - on soil quality. I had to dig in the references and Google the “Jingu 29” variety to determine which millet was the focus of the study - the editors of this journal should not have let this pass without edits to clarify up front.) MILLET MILK Pandey, Surabhi, and Anurag Singh, "Millet Milk: A Potential Cattle Milk Alternative—Extraction and Value Addition," *Journal of Food Quality*, 2024, 3964937, 13 pages. First published: 22 July 2024. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/3964937 ("This review discusses in detail the nutritional profile of millets along with the pretreatments to reduce the antinutritional factors in millets, followed by the extraction of millet milk. The comparative study of millet milk versus other plant-based milks has also been explored.") MILLETS' SHELF-LIFE Latha Ravi, Janani and Sandeep Singh Rana, "Maximizing the Nutritional Benefits and Prolonging the Shelf Life of Millets through Effective Processing Techniques: A Review," ACS Omega, 9(37), 30 Aug. 2024 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c03466 (review of diverse processes, treatments, and technologies for processing millets for maintaining quality over the time between harvest and consumer use. One of the issues addressed is rancidity.) If you come across interesting items about millets, please feel free to share on Collab. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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