Publication Date
1993
Description
After planting in late 1989 there were many reports that Nutrifeed was unpalatable to cattle, sheep and horses. Seventyfive properties were visited where unpalatability was common, a questionnaire was distributed and samples of forage and soil were analysed. Forty-six properties reported unpalatability but on the other 29, pearl millet was palatable. Unpalatability developed only when forage grown on soil high in available nitrogen was subjected to a shortage of water. Unpalatable forage was dark green, contained more than 3S g N/kg DM and was often low in phosphorus, After rain or irrigation the new growth was usually palatable but stock still avoided the original material. Pen studies have failed to confirm these farm observations.
Citation
Minson, D J.; Hacker, J B.; Shimojo, M; Stuart, P; and Slatter, J, "Drought Pearl Millet- An Unpalatable Enigma" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 5.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session39/5
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Drought Pearl Millet- An Unpalatable Enigma
After planting in late 1989 there were many reports that Nutrifeed was unpalatable to cattle, sheep and horses. Seventyfive properties were visited where unpalatability was common, a questionnaire was distributed and samples of forage and soil were analysed. Forty-six properties reported unpalatability but on the other 29, pearl millet was palatable. Unpalatability developed only when forage grown on soil high in available nitrogen was subjected to a shortage of water. Unpalatable forage was dark green, contained more than 3S g N/kg DM and was often low in phosphorus, After rain or irrigation the new growth was usually palatable but stock still avoided the original material. Pen studies have failed to confirm these farm observations.
