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Grain Amaranth

Introduction Amaranth is a versatile warm-season, broadleaf plant that can be grown as a grain, ornamental, leafy vegetable, or forage crop. In the U.S. it is grown almost exclusively for its grain, which is produced on large, brightly colored seed heads. Most grain amaranth grown in the States is Amaranthus hypochondriacus; however, A. cruentus is grown to a lesser extent.

The seeds are high in lysine, fiber, and protein; low in saturated fats; and gluten-free. Amaranth can be ground into flour, popped like popcorn, or flaked like oatmeal. Because many of amaranth’s uses are similar to that of cereal grasses, amaranth be used as a wheat-substitute for those with is often referred to as a pseudo-cereal. Products a gluten allergy. Some growers in other states containing amaranth include breakfast cereals, market bags of grain or ground flour directly to granola, crackers, breads, cookies, and other consumers and local bakeries needing a gluten- flour-based products. Amaranth grain can also free product. be used as a feed ingredient for poultry if a heat treatment is applied to it prior to feeding. Market Outlook One of the major drawbacks to amaranth Marketing production is the small market. However, The main wholesale amaranth buyers in the amaranth is increasing in favor with people United States at the date of this publication are: wanting gluten-free products. Prospective Arrowhead Mills in Texas, Health Valley in growers should consider amaranth production California, and Nu-World Amaranth in Chicago. only after they have identified and locked in a Transportation costs to these markets would be market, and preferably have a written contract in excessive for production in Kentucky. Because hand. Growers with storage facilities could have the largest consumer of amaranth is the health a marketing edge. Additionally, organic and food industry, growers may transitional organic growers be able to tap into that local may be in a better position for market, including health food marketing their grain. The stores and restaurants. Since best opportunity for marketing amaranth is gluten-free, it can amaranth in Kentucky could

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Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. be for growers willing to process their own grain to be used for weed control. Compared to and develop a direct marketing strategy targeting narrower spacings tested, the wider rows also interested customers. provided the highest yields. Vegetable planters with small seed plates work well for this crop. Production Considerations Some growers seed amaranth using the in-furrow Cultivar selection insecticide application boxes commonly found Amaranth can grow to a height of 2 to 8 feet, on row crop planters. depending on the species and cultivar. Varieties may differ in flower, leaf, and stem coloration, Pest management with maroon and crimson as the most common Few diseases are known to cause serious crop colors. There are a limited number of varieties losses in amaranth production. The most available, most notably some early Rodale lines commonly reported diseases include damping- (such as K432) and later a University of Nebraska off and seedling blights due to Pythium, Experiment Station release (Plainsman). Aphanomyces, and Rhizoctonia. Stem cankers Plainsman is available through certified seed due to Rhizoctonia and Phoma have also been channels. reported. Diseases are managed through proper site selection and by following good cultural Site selection and planting practices; there are no fungicides labeled for use Amaranth prefers fertile, well-drained soils and on amaranth. will not tolerate poorly drained soils. Since it is initially a poor competitor with weeds due to Amaranth can tolerate considerable insect leaf its slow growth, amaranth should not be planted feeding without affecting yields; however, blister in fields with difficult-to-manage noxious weeds. beetles and alfalfa webworm have been known Amaranth works well in a rotation with corn and to cause economic losses in Missouri. Other soybeans. However, sites with possible triazine insect pests identified on amaranth include carry-over should be avoided due to the potential tarnished plant bug (Lygus), flea beetle, and for injury. Amaranth is related to pigweeds, amaranth weevil. Although there are no synthetic waterhemp, and Palmer amaranth, so herbicides insecticides labeled for this crop, various organic that control those weeds may injure amaranth. compounds can be used.

Due to the small seed size, amaranth can be Weed management can be a challenge since there difficult to establish in a uniform stand. Plant are no herbicides registered for amaranth. The into a tilled, fine, firm seed bed where there first step in effective weed control is to avoid will be good seed-to-soil contact. A low 40 to planting into fields with heavy weed populations, 60 percent emergence rate is not uncommon. particularly pigweed and lambsquarters. Along Adequate moisture is essential for rapid with site selection, site preparation should be germination, emergence, and early growth of aimed at making sure existing weeds are under the small, fragile seedlings. Crusting soil can control prior to planting. Adjusting the planting result in reduced emergence. Once established, date may aid in weed management. Once amaranth is drought-tolerant. amaranth reaches a height of 10 to 12 inches, plants will be able to out-compete later emerging Seeding rates vary from ½ to 4 pounds per acre; weeds. Cultivation and hand weeding are the 2 pounds per acre is most often recommended. primary methods for reducing weed problems Research trials conducted in Missouri indicate during the growing season. this crop performs best at a row width of 30 inches. Amaranth shades the ground well at this The lack of synthetic pesticides registered for spacing and the wide rows allow a row cultivator amaranth coupled with the low disease and insect pressure could make amaranth a good candidate to $410. Presuming gross returns of $320 to for organic production. $650 per acre, returns to land, capital, and management could range from $100 to $250 per Harvest and storage acre. Producers should be mindful of the fact Amaranth grain is usually harvested with a that, with few local wholesale outlets, markets combine a week to 10 days following a killing will saturate quickly. frost. Because stems and leaves are high in moisture content, amaranth needs the hard freeze Selected Resources to aid in drying plants sufficiently for harvest. • Amaranth (University of Kentucky) Otherwise the small seeds can be lost when they http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Feed_ adhere to the wet plant material, as well as the ingredients/Grains.html insides of the combine. Waiting too long to • Alternative Field Crops Manual: Amaranth harvest after frost can result in yield losses due (University of Wisconsin and University of to shattering and lodging. Cleaning grain prior Minnesota, 1989) to sale or storage is important. Amaranth grain http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/ needs to be dried to 10 to 12 percent moisture for amaranth.html storage in wooden bins or heavy duty paper bags. • Amaranth (Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, 2011) Labor requirements http://www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/ Labor needs are approximately 4 hours per acre. specialty_crops/amaranth.cfm This may vary considerably according to the • Amaranth Production (ATTRA, 2003) scale of production and handling time incurred https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/ by the producer. summary.php?pub=368 • Grain Amaranth (Kansas State University, Economic Considerations 1990) Initial investments include land preparation and http://www.agmrc.org/media/cms/ purchase of seed and fertilizer. Seed cleaning, mf953_8015982E8D7E7.pdf transportation, and marketing costs may also be • Amaranth: New Crop Opportunity (R.L. incurred by the producer. Myers, in Progress in New Crops, 1996) https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ Production costs for amaranth are estimated proceedings1996/V3-207.html at $100 per acre, with additional harvest and • Market Opportunities for Grain Amaranth marketing costs varying from $20 to $200 per and Buckwheat Growers in Missouri (Missouri acre, according to the market channel selected. Department of Agriculture and Thomas Total expenses per acre, including both variable Jefferson Agricultural Institute, 2003) and fixed, would come to approximately $230 http://www.agmrc.org/media/cms/MO0368_ B0464844F26A0.pdf

Reviewed by Chad Lee, Extension Specialist (Issued 2011) Photo by Rob Myers July 2011 For additional information, contact your local County Extension agent