Use of pearl millet grain on a commercial basis only began in the U.S. in the early 1990's, but has led to production on several thousand acres in Georgia and Florida. Most of this initial pearl millet production has been for poultry feed, although the crop shows good feed potential for other types of livestock as well. Some pearl millet has been grown for birdseed. The crop is used for a variety of food products, and is even made into a type of beer. Growth, Development, and Adaptation Pearl millet grown for grain has a growth habit similar to sorghum.
Pearl millet is a warm season crop, planted in early summer when soils have warmed up.
The flowers and seeds occur in a spike at the end of the stem or tillers, looking somewhat like a cattail or bullrush head. Including the grain head, the plant will typically be about 5 feet tall in Indiana, although height can vary from 3 to 6 feet depending on variety and growing conditions. The crop is primarily cross pollinated, and following pollination, it takes a flower about 30 more days to develop into a mature seed. Grain heads will mature a few weeks prior to leaf dry down, but seed shatter is not usually a problem. When planted around June I in Indiana, it will usually be ready to harvest in late September.