Urochloa ramosa

Browntop millet is a warm season annual weedy grass in the Poaceae (grass) family.  It is a plant that is native to the tropics and has spread all across the southeastern U.S.A.  In its native India it is often cultivated as a grain and a forage crop.  The grain is also used as a birdseed.

It can be found growing in fields, corn fields, and waste sites. Its primary use is as a forage crop for domestic animals and game animals and birds such as deer, turkey, duck, dove, quail, rabbit and pheasant. With ideal conditions provided, germination can occur within 5 days and the rapidly growing crop can be harvested in two months.  Its fine stems and leaves allow the plant to dry sufficiently to create a dry hay product.  

It is also grown as a nurse crop, that is a crop that is planted to assist the establishment of a perennial crop such as grasses that may take a longer period of time to become established, especially on slopes.  Its reseeding and long term viability also makes this an affordable regenerating food source for wildlife.  

Used in remediation projects, Browntop millet accumulates significant amounts of zinc and lead from the soil.  The end product will store these minerals for easy removal.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Army worms and grasshoppers are common insect problems.  Self seeding can be an issue that needs to be monitored to prevent it from taking over and causing harvesting of the companion crops.