So I cut down my dove patch about 1/2 the size and last fall I sowed it in fescue. Some of the old millet washed down in a low spot so there was a small area with some seed that needed to be mowed. I knew there was a lot of foxtail that had emerged almost completely taking over the fescue. What I underestimated was how much seed was on the heads of that foxtail. I mowed it as low as I could get it. Yesterday afternoon something spooked the birds and there was 40-50 that got up and they were all in that mowed area eating the foxtail seeds not the wheat on dirt. Has anyone sowed this intentionally for birds? It appears they love it.

Never intentionally but have seen the quantity of seed it produces. After seeing its production I don’t get worried about it competing with what I plant.

The WMS dove magnet has some in it. I've planted it by itself a couple of times but never could get it to do right.

I planted it this year and I'm impressed. I was surprised at the amount of seed on the foxtail too. I'm not sure how your sesame plants did, but from the looks of it, I'll get more seed out of that than anything else. Each bush has about 50 to 100 pods on them. The sesame did mature later than the rest of the mix did, and I missed the window I was shooting for due to the June drought hurting my yield dates. Overall I'm impressed with the mix. Next year I'll be planting it about a month earlier than this year..

What are y'all referring to as fox tail? When I did a google search, it pulls a lot of different plants/grasses. The main thing that I see as a result, is how the barbed tips can be embedded in dogs but some look like an oat does to me which is pointed, but I would think harmless unless a dog steps on one just right.

German Foxtail Millet is the one that's in the WMS blend. There are several "foxtails" out there but this one is listed on the seed bag. It produces a large head.

First photo is one online that's matured. Second is one from my plot from about 2 weeks ago. Its come on along since that photo

I'll have to look into it. They love small seed for sure.

The WMS mix has Milo, Sesame, Brown top millet, and Sunflower in it as well. Birds got my sunflowers during the June dry up but all the rest is doing great. If the birds aren't there it's not because they don't have any food.

When do you usually plant that mix? I would think it would all mature at different times huh? I know brown top is on my about 60 days but I thought sunflowers and Milo were longer.

Sunflowers are 90

It does mature at different times, with the Sesame being last and the Browntop being first.. But that's not a bad thing. I planted this mix the first week of June, which was too late. Next year I'll plant in late April or early May.

BPI, can you give me an idea of cost -how big of a bag it comes in,where to purchase,etc please? How much did you put out this year? I may try to get my buddy to plant this next year at his place if he's game. And this comes back every year on its own? Thank you !!

This is not what I have. I will try to post a pic of what I mowed

This stuff just came up wild because it is where I had tilled last year. It was part of my millet patch and I sowed it down last fall in fescue with some wheat top sown. Its just came up and Im not sure how unless it was in the fescue seed I bought. It was very uniform like it had been sown on purpose.

https://imgur.com/BgRg2fR

I got the WMS Dove Magnet at the local feed store. Seemed like it was 35 dollars for a 25 pound bag ? They suggest 1 bag per acre. I put out 4 bags and a couple of regular bags of browntop millet on 4 or so acres. You can go to the WMS site and get info if needed.

That almost looks like immature german foxtail. Can't say for sure though. How long has it been up ?

I have a stand of this about every year where I sowed wheat the previous year. I figured it was a byproduct seed that was in the wheat.