Millets : As Animal Feed and Fodder

Dr Ruchika Bhardwaj
Millets Breeder

FORAGE, MILLETS AND NUTRITION SECTION

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BREEDING AND GENETICS
PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
LUDHIANA
• Millets, a family of variable small-seeded grasses, are classified based on
their seed size as:

• Major millets- include sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), finger

millet (ragi)

• Minor millets- foxtail (kangni), little millet (swank), kodo millet

(kodon/kodra), barnyard millet (samvatke chawal), porso millet (chena)
and brown top millet (hari kangni).
 Major Millets Minor Millets

Foxtail millet/ Kangani Proso millet/ Cheena

Pearl millet/ bajra Sorghum/ jowar

Little millet/ Kutki Kodo millet/Kodo

Finger millet/Ragi

Barnyard Millet/Samwatkae Brown top Millet/Hari Kangni

• “National Year of Millets – 2018” by Government of India with the support of ICAR

• “International Year of Millets -2023” by United Nations –FAO

• The Government accepted and announced to rename the “Millets” as “Nutri-cereals” and
included them in the government flagship 'Poshan Abhiyan' to fight malnutrition and
hidden hunger
Area and production of Millets in India during 2022-23
Crop Area (lakh ha) Production (lakh. tons)

Bajra 73.16 (56.84%) 106.04 (62.16%)

Sorghum 39.52 43.18

Ragi 11.55 17.66

Small millets 4.48 3.70

Total 128.71 170.58

Indiastat.com
Millets: the multifaceted crops providing multiple securities
Ancient food grains and are first plants domesticated for food. They provide
• Nutritional security: Provides nutritional diversity and source of nutrition for people with special
food needs especially for diabetic and people with gluten allergies. Highly enriched with minerals,
dietary fibre and micronutrients especially Fe and Zn and thus, can control malnutrition and hidden
hunger
• Climate resilience: Next generation climate resilient crops due to low water requirement and high
temperature tolerance and are very well suited to dry land agriculture (drought tolerant). As they
can withstand higher temperatures, thus, they are perfect choice as ‘climate-smart cereals’.
• Water security: As per the current situation of agriculture system especially Punjab, which is facing
major problem of depleting underground water resources, millets are an option, as they use almost 30
per cent less irrigation water in comparison to paddy cultivation.
• Environmental and Ecological security: Rewarding yield, with minimum chemical fertilizers and
pesticides use. So, it is also not adding to the adverse effect of chemicals on natural resources as well
as human health. No harmful gas emissions.
 HEALTH BENEFITS
• Millets can help in tackling health challenges
- Obesity- High in Dietary fibre and antioxidants.
- Prevent type 2 diabetes: Low Glycemic index (GI) of millet based product
- Reducing blood pressure
- Reduces risk of gastrointestinal conditions like gastric ulcers or colon cancer
- Eliminate problems like constipation, excess gas, bloating and cramping
- Probiotic feeding micro flora in our inner ecosystem
• Cure the lifestyle problems as they are gluten-free, have a low glycemic index (good source of
nutrition for diabetic people) and are high in dietary fibre
• Nutritional security: Millets are Nutri-cereals that are highly nutritious and known to have
high nutrient content which includes proteins, essential fatty acids, dietary fibre, B-Vitamins and
minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium and magnesium.
• Combat Malnutrition and Hidden hunger: nutritional deficiency, especially among children and
women.
• Tackle Anemia: Increasing anaemia in women and children due to iron deficiency can be controlled as
bioavailability of iron and zinc from millets is better as compared to other cereals.
 Inclusion in chicken diets
• According to a recent study, including up to 50% whole pearl millet grain in the
diet of broiler chickens does not negatively impact their performance. In fact, it
has been found to significantly improve their growth and feed efficiency and in
layers, it shows additional benefits of eggs that contain higher omega-3 fatty
acids.
• Research indicates that substituting up to 50% of corn in layers' diets with
sorghum has similar effects on egg production rates.
• Additionally, a study found that broilers' body weight gain was not affected when
millet replaced corn in their diets. Pearl millet varieties have also demonstrated
comparable results to corn in terms of metabolizable energy and digestible
amino acids.
 Inclusion in ruminants' diets
• Millet grain viz. finger and pearl millets were evidently used to replace
conventional grains, in the feed of small ruminants. An early study on
lactating and growing goats found that feed intake and milk production
were not affected by the replacement of corn with pearl millet.
• In dairy cows, pearl millet grain can replace 10-30% of corn silage or maize grain
with no deleterious effect on DM intake, milk yield, or milk composition. A study done
on cows observed that pearl millet grain could fully replace maize in high- supplement
diets. Another study found that the processing of millet grain increases the digestibility of
dry matter and dietary nutrients of grazing beef cattle during the dry season.
• Pearl millet feeding can reduce supplemental protein requirement when compared to corn-
based diets.
• Finger millet can substitute up to 25% of maize grain without affecting
weight gain, carcass yields, and immunity in commercial broiler diets.
 Nutrient content of major Millets as compared to wheat, rice & maize

Protein Fat Ash Fibre Carbohydrate Energy Calcium Iron Thiamin Niacin
Crop
(g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (kcal) (mg) (mg) (mg) (mg)

Pearl Millet 11.8 4.8 2.2 2.3 67.0 363 42 11.0 0.38 2.8

Sorghum 10.4 3.1 1.6 2.0 70.7 329 25 5.4 0.38 4.3

Ragi 7.7 1.5 2.6 3.6 72.6 336 350 3.9 0.42 1.1

Maize 9.2 4.6 1.2 2.8 73.0 358 26 2.7 0.38 3.6

Wheat 11.6 2.0 1.6 2.0 71.0 348 30 3.5 0.41 5.1

Rice 7.9 2.7 1.3 1.0 76.0 362 33 1.8 0.41 4.3
Work at PAU
 Recently released varieties of millets by PAU
Sr No. Name of the variety Year of release
Pearl millet
PHB 2884 2015
PCB 165 2020
PCB 166 2022
PCB 167 2024
Sorghum
PSC 4 2015
SL 45 2022
SL 46 2023
Proso millet
Punjab Cheena 1 2024
 Package of Practices for cultivation of pearl millet
Particulars Bajra
Suitability of the variety Irrigated areas of Punjab
for the area
Selection of field/land It grows on all types of soils, but light soils are more suitable. Adequate drainage should be
preparation provided.
Sowing time July
Seed rate/sowing method The seed rate for grain is 1.0 - 1.5 kg per acre and 6-8 kg per acre for fodder .
Sow the seed about 2.5 cm deep in rows 50 cm apart.
Fertilizer doses and time Under irrigated conditions: Under rainfed conditions:
of fertilizer application Urea- 90 kg, DAP-55 kg, SSP- 150 kg Urea- 55 kg, DAP- 27kg, SSP- 75 kg
Weed control Inter-culture the crop 3-4 weeks after sowing
Major disease and pest Downy mildew- Resistant
control Grain smut- Remove the diseased ears early in the season and destroy them.
Ergot- Immerse seed in 10 % salt solution and remove the sclerotia and smut-balls by
skimming. Then wash the seed in ordinary water and dry it thoroughly.
Irrigation schedule Two to three irrigations are sufficient. Avoid water logging. Soil drainage should be good.
Harvesting The grain crop matures in about 124 days.
Grain yield 13.0 - 16.0 qtls. per acre
 Package of Practices for cultivation of sorghum
Particulars Sorghum
Suitability of the variety for the area Irrigated areas of Punjab
Selection of field/land preparation It grows on all types of soils, but heavy soils are more suitable.
Adequate drainage should be provided.
Sowing time Last week of June
Seed rate/sowing method The seed rate is 6-8kg per acre. Sow in rows 30cm apart.
Fertilizer doses and time of fertilizer application Apply 35 kg Urea; 50kg SSP and 16 kg MOP at sowing

Again 35kg urea after 40 days of sowing

Major disease and pest control Insect pests Shoot fly: Treat seed with 10ml Slayer 30FS
(thiomethoxam) per kg seed before sowing

Diseases: Grain smut: Treat seed with Sulphur dust @ 4g/kg

seed before sowing.
Irrigation schedule Five irrigations are sufficient. Soil drainage should be good.
Harvesting The grain crop matures in about 135 days.
Grain yield 7-8 qtls. per acre
Dual Purpose Bajra variety – PCB 165
State Release-2020
• Late maturing high green forage yielding Character PCB PCB
variety with average GFY of 234. 1 q/acre. 165 164
(C)
• Possesses better fodder nutritional
Green Fodder Yield
characters especially the crude protein of (q/acre)
234.1 209.0
7.5 %. Dry Matter Yield
• Higher grain yield of 12.8 q/acre. 43.8 25.9
(q/acre)
• The grains possess high iron (55 ppm) and Days to 50% flowering 73 48
zinc content (35 ppm).
Crude Protein (%) 7.5 4.9
• The grains have good popping potential and
suitable for value addition. In vitro DMD (%) 61.2 52.5
Plant height (cm) 252 207
Grain yield (q/acre) 12.8 11.0
Popping Yield (%) 89 83
 Dual Purpose Bajra variety – PCB 166
State Release-2022
• Very late maturing high green forage
yielding variety with average GFY of
282 q/acre.
Character PCB PCB FBC
166 165 16
• Possesses better fodder nutritional (C) (C)
characters especially the crude Green Fodder Yield (q/acre) 282 259 236
protein of 8.5 %. Dry Matter Yield (q/acre) 48 45 35
Plant height (cm) 281 251 236
• Higher grain yield of 16.3 q/acre.
Days to 50% flowering 89 72 62
Crude Protein (%) 8.5 7.6 5.9
• The ear heads are long with average
In vitro DMD (%) 47.8 45.6 41.9
length of 63.8 cm.
Grain yield (q/acre) 17.2 14.3 -
 Forage Bajra variety – FBL 4/PCB 166
National Release (NORTH WEST & SOUTH ZONES)-2023
• High green forage yielding variety
with average GFY of 436.0 q/ha
and dry matter yield of 85.5 q/ha .

• Possesses better fodder

nutritional characters especially
the crude protein of 9.6 % and
IVDMD 54.6 %.

• Tolerant to insect pests and

diseases.
 Grain Bajra variety – PCB 167 (GBL 5)
State Release-2024
• Early flowering and short in height than
check

• Higher grain yield of 15.6 q/acre.

• The grains possess high iron (56 ppm) and

zinc content (38 ppm).
• The grains have good popping potential
and suitable for value addition.
 Pearl Millet (Grain) variety - PCB 167
Characters PCB 167 PCB 165 (check)
Grain yield (q/acre) 15.6 13.4
Plant height (cm) 198.0 255.0
Days to maturity 90 111
Reaction to major diseases MR MR
Crude Protein (%) 11.6 10.4
Resistant starch (%) 15.3 13.9
Popping yield (%) 92 89
Iron (ppm) 56.3 54.3
Zinc (ppm) 38.1 35.5
 Fodder Sorghum Variety: SL 45
State Release-2022
• SL 45 has green forage yield of 271 q/acre. Character SL 45 SL 44
(C)
• SL 45 is a late maturing variety which comes to 50 per Green Fodder Yield
cent flowering in 99 days. 271 220
(q/acre)
Dry Matter Yield
• SL 45 is resistant to red leaf spot and moderately 67 47
(q/acre)
resistant to zonate leaf spot disease; and moderately Plant height (cm) 297 258
resistant to shoot fly
Days to 50% flowering 99 62

• SL 45 possesses better fodder nutritional quality especially Disease reaction MR HS

the crude protein (9.0%) and in-vitro dry matter Shoot fly reaction MR MS
digestibility.
TSS (%) 8.9 8.7
• This variety has low HCN content. Crude Protein (%) 8.7 8.2
In vitro DMD (%) 46.9 45.1
 Dual Purpose Sorghum Variety: SL 46
State Release-2023
• SL 46 has green forage yield of 275 q/acre and is resistant to red leaf
spot and moderately resistant to zonate leaf spot diseases and shoot
fly.
Character SL SL
• SL 46 is suitable for value addition like popping and flour products
46 45
• The grains of SL 46 have high iron and zinc content (C)
Green Fodder Yield
275 266
• SL 46 possesses better fodder nutritional quality especially the crude (q/acre)
Dry Matter Yield
protein (9.5%) and in-vitro dry matter digestibility and has low HCN 71 67
(q/acre)
content.
Plant height (cm) 307 303
Days to 50% flowering 92 97
Disease reaction MR MR
Shoot fly reaction MR MR
TSS (%) 9.5 9.0
Crude Protein (%) 8.5 8.3
 Grain quality traits of different Millet Varieties

Sorghum Pearl Millet

Grain traits
SL 46 SL 45 PCB 167 PCB 166 PCB 165
Crude
12.6 12.1 11.7 10.4 10.4
protein (%)
Crude fat
4.3 3.5 4.7 4.2 4.0
(%)
Crude fibre
3.1 3.5 5.6 5.1 5.2
(%)
Minerals
3.4 2.8 3.3 3.1 3.3
(%)
Extension Folder Published
Preservation of Green Forage
 Maintaining fodder requirement round the year

• Fodder requirement – 40-50 kg/day/animal

- Maintaining good health of animals
- Getting high milk yield
• Fodder availability- Surplus- Feb-March
• Aug-Sept
• Scarcity -May-June
• Nov-Dec
• Silage making- Non legumes
• Hay making - Legumes
 Stage of cutting of Fodder crops

Crop Stage of cutting

Maize Milk ripe to dough stage
Sorghum 55-65 days after sowing
Bajra Ear initiation stage
 Silo Pit dimensions
• 3 m x 2.5 m x 2 m = 75 q fodder
(5 animals, 60 days, 25 kg/d)

• 10 m x 5 m x 3 m = 450 q fodder
(10 animals, 6 months, 25 kg/d)

• Should be near the cattle shed.

• Should at a high surface of ground to avoid water logging

conditions.
Filling of silo-pit
 Good / Bad silage
Characterstics Well fermented Poor fermented
Colour Green yellow Dark to brown
Smell Vinegar rancid
Texture Firm Slimy
pH Below 4.5 5.0 or above
Taste Pleasing Offensive
Quality Good Poor
 Mean silage quality

S.No. Sample pH CP ADF NDF ASH IVDMD

(%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
1 Sorghum 3.8 6.3 43.2 64.5 6.6 45.0

2 Bajra 4.3 6.0 43.6 63.2 6.7 43.7

3 Maize 3.7 6.2 37.4 67.3 5.6 45.8

 Feeding of Silage of different Crops on Fresh and Dry Matter
Basis
Feed offered Residue left Intake % %
(Kg) (kg) (kg) Intake DM Basis
Sorghum 26.57 4.62 21.95 82.61 80.85

Maize 25.37 2.84 22.53 88.79 87.57

Bajra 21.00 1.33 19.66 93.64 87.57

 Percent nutrient digestibility of silage of different crops
Silage % Nutrient Digestibility
% DM % CP % ADF % NDF
Sorghum 54.83 67.22 49.33 57.42
Maize 55.41 61.59 45.69 56.87
Bajra 46.10 59.26 48.29 59.27
 Conclusion
Millet-based feeds are useful to improve the nutritional
value of animal products, including meat, milk, and eggs,
thereby enhancing both animal health and human
nutrition.
Continued research, policy support, and promotion are
vital for maximizing the benefits of millets as a sustainable
and nutrient-rich livestock feed and fodder resource. These
efforts will overall contribute to creating a resilient
agricultural systems in scarcity region
 Government Policies
• MSP
• FPOs like Gurdaspur Organic Producer Company Ltd., and Start-ups,
SHGs working to promote cultivation and processing of millets in
Punjab.
• Primary processing units in Punjab, located in Batala, Jaito, Sangrur
and Ludhiana.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme