White French Millet

Description

Millets are annual grasses and among the oldest cultivated crops. The term "millet" refers to various grass species harvested for their seeds, used as food or animal feed. Historical records from China trace the cultivation of foxtail and proso millet as far back as 2000 BC. Millets are rich in carbohydrates and low in fiber, with similar nutritional profiles, making them interchangeable in birdseed blends.

• Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.) is believed to have originated in southern Asia and is the oldest cultivated millet. In Australia, related varieties such as panicum and panorama are grown. Also known as Italian, German, or Hungarian millet, its cultivation spread westward to Europe and is now primarily grown in eastern Asia.

• Proso Millet (Panicum milliaceum L.) is widely grown in the former Soviet Union, China, India, Western Europe, and the United States. In Australia, it is commonly referred to as White French Millet.

• Barnyard or Japanese Millet (Echinochloa frumentaceae L.) is a domesticated form of barnyard grass and is cultivated in Australia, Japan, and other parts of Asia. It serves a dual purpose, suitable for both grain production and grazing. In Queensland, cattle farmers often graze livestock on Japanese millet before allowing it to seed for harvest. A larger, white-seeded variety called Shirohie is commonly grown in Northern Victoria near the Murray River. However, we prefer Japanese millet in our mixes due to its green-grey color, which adds visual appeal, whereas Shirohie’s white-grey hue can make the mix appear more uniform and less vibrant.