BELSKIY is an annual foxtail millet (Setaria italica) variety bred in 1978 by scientists E.M. Kuzeev, S.S. Umov, and Kh.G. Gubaidullin using individual selection from the Ufimsky variety. The plant is characterized by an erect bush up to 1.2 m tall with 8–10 internodes, leaves 25–45 cm long, and a spikelet in the form of a spindle-shaped panicle 9–16 cm long. The panicles are oval-elliptical and yellow, while the seeds are ellipsoidal and reddish-orange in color, with a mass of 1000 seeds ranging from 3–4 g.
The variety is distinguished by drought resistance and weak susceptibility to rust. It exhibits uniform maturity, making it convenient for cultivation in the green conveyor system. The green mass contains 14.9% crude protein, with an average yield of 217 c/ha of green mass, 61 c/ha of hay, and 26.4 c/ha of seeds.
BELSKIY is widely used as a forage crop. In 100 kg of green mass, there are 17 feeding units and 1.8 kg of digestible protein; in 100 kg of hay, there are 55 feeding units and 5.5 kg of digestible protein. The variety is grown in all agricultural zones of Bashkortostan and other regions where it is approved for use. It is a valuable source of protein for livestock and is suitable for various agrotechnical systems due to its resistance to adverse conditions.
