Foxtail

• Called Italian, Hungarian or Siberian millet, foxtail millet is an ancient millet that originated, notwithstanding its various names, in east Asia, where it is widely cultivated in China, India and Japan. Nomads preferred it for its short growing cycles, and foxtail may be planted in hot summers when it is too late to plant anything else. It does not have the foliage hairs of proso and may retain toxins if subjected to shock. Foxtail is used for birdseed and forage, and varies in color from yellow, orange, black and red.
  
  

Pearl

• A drought-resistant millet that originated in western Africa, pearl millet, or spiked or bulrush millet, also grows well in other parts of Africa and India. Pearl millet is a much larger grain than other millets, also with a higher germ to endosperm ratio than that of sorghum. Its colors range from white, gray, blue, yellow and brown. Pearl millet may be used for food, hay silage and seed crops.
  
  

Proso

• One of the earliest millets, and the millet used by the ancient Romans and nomads of central and east Asia, Proso falls under several categories: spreading, loose and erect. This millet requires moderately warm weather to do well. Its short root system makes it susceptible to drought, although it has low water requirements. Hulls of the Proso may range from white, black, red, gray and brown. Proso is commonly used for birdseed and livestock feed, with relatively higher fiber content than other millets and similar protein to sorghum and wheat.
  
  

Barnyard

• Used in Asia as a quick crop and rice substitute, barnyard millet can grow in as fast as six weeks and produce multiple harvests per year. In the U.S., the barnyard millet is mostly used as forage. It derives its name from the barnyard weed, to which it is related. Other names for this millet are sawa millet and Japanese millet.