Alfalfa Forages

BECK’S OFFERS A FULL LINEUP OF MILO VARIETIES ADAPTED FOR PRODUCTION IN THE MIDWEST.

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Yield: Goals in the central Midwest range from 100 to 120 Bu./A. Yields can be as high as 150-170 Bu./A. in good conditions.

Planting Population: Population will be lower on poor ground and higher in better soils. Most milo has a 85% emergence rate, making planting population about 86,000 to 140,000 plants/A.

Planting Depth: 1 to 1.5 inches deep.

Row Spacing: Can be planted in narrow 15 inch rows or 30 inch rows. Rows narrower than 30 inches will canopy earlier and conserve moisture while helping to control weeds. Later plantings perform better in rows narrower than 30 inches.

Fertility: P and K requirements of milo are similar to those on corn.
  • †† Apply 1.2 lb. of N/Bu. of expected yield to milo following corn.
  • †† Following soybeans, apply 1lb. of N/Bu. of expected yield on milo.
  • †† Apply 30% to 50% of total N if you plan to put down at planting and sidedress the remaining N between the V3 and V6 growth stage.
Fertility can be sensitive to pop-up starters. A 2 x 2 starter fertilizer is sufficient.

Weed Control: All Beck’s varieties are safened for dual application and treated with fungicides. Early-season weed control is critical to achieve high yields.


Diseases + Pests: Milo is susceptible to many of the same diseases and insects as corn. Scouting will be important to know if fungicides need to be applied. Scout regularly for signs of sugarcane aphid infestation like honeydew on the leaves and secondary plant pathogen infections. Sugarcane aphids can have a serious impact on yield.

Harvesting: Milo reaches physiological maturity at 30% moisture, but, at moistures higher than 25%, the seeds are too soft to withstand threshing. Early harvesting is advisable due to our more humid conditions and the potential for mold development.

  • †† 14% moisture is considered dry.
  • †† 12% moisture is needed for long term storage.

Milo plants do not die until they are frost killed. Therefore, green trash is a concern in combing and storing. Cleaning milo before and after drying is recommended for storage and reducing fire risk during drying. Use caution when drying milo.