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WHERE DOES THE SESAME THAT IS GROWN IN THE U.S. END UP?
The seed is processed in Paris, Texas, at Sesame Solutions LLC. Some seed is hulled and ends up on top of hamburger buns; some is washed and incorporated into sesame products such as crackers, sticks, and cookies; some is exported to Japan (the second largest importer of sesame in the world); some goes into the making of tahini and halvah; and some is made into flour and oil.HOW MUCH SESAME IS GROWN IN THE WORLD?
According to FAO statistics, in 2005 there were 17,987,568 acres of sesame that produced 3,651,904 tons. Asia produces 65% of the sesame with the three largest producers being India, China, and Myanmar.HOW MANY SEEDS IN A POUND?
US varieties range from 140,000 to 170,000 seeds per lb.HOW CAN WE PLANT SUCH A SMALL SEED?
Sesame is comparable to low sorghum planting equipment. Sesaco's pamphlet contains plate numbers that work.WHAT IS THE IDEAL POPULATION?
Sesaco has not found any significant differences in 3-8 harvested plants per foot. Sesame self-thins, which translates to 7 to 15 seedlings at germination, and 25 to 35 seeds need to be planted.CAN I WATER UP SESAME?
Very few farmers have been successful in watering up because the water brings too many weeds that outcompete the sesame.WHEN SHOULD I PUT ON THE FIRST IRRIGATION?
The first irrigation should be 4-5 weeks after planting. The irrigation should be earlier if planted with marginal moistures. The irrigation should be later if there are good rains. When the leaves droop by 2:00 pm, the crop will need an irrigation within several days.WHEN IS THE LATEST I SHOULD IRRIGATE?
The last irrigation should be when about 50% of the plants have stopped flowering.ARE THERE ANY PESTS THAT BOTHER SESAME?
In the past, there have been problems with the silverleaf white fly (only in Uvalde, TX), the green peach aphid, and the cabbage looper. However, either the newer varieties have increased resistance or the populations have not been bad because there have been no pest issues since 1995.DO I HAVE TO DEFOLIATE SESAME LIKE COTTON?
Sesame will self-defoliate and does not need to be sprayed like cotton.HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN TO HARVEST?
The only sure way is to put the combine into the field and take a moisture reading. There are several visual cues: dry to above where the cutter bar will hit, dust coming out of the feeder housing, sesame readjusting in the bin when the combine turns.HOW IS SESAME HARVESTED?
Most brands of combines have been used successfully. The operator is more important than the brand.WHY DOES THE SEED NEED TO BE HARVESTED AT SUCH A LOW MOISTURE?
US varieties are a bit over 50% oil so there is less room for moisture in the seed. 6% moisture in sesame is equivalent to 12% moisture in corn.WHAT IS THE TEST WEIGHT OF SESAME?
US varieties range from 43 to 47 lbs/bushel. For combine bins, grain buggies, and trucks, the rule of thumb is that by volume, the sesame will be 3/4 of the weight of wheat.HOW CLEAN CAN WE GET THE SEED IN THE COMBINE?
Sesame does not clean up as well as other grains in the combine . Too much air will blow seeds out the back.CAN I PLANT SESAME AFTER SESAME?
In the past, in planting sesame after sesame within 3 years, root rots could build up, which could reduce yields. The current varieties are much more resistant to the root rots.SESAME HAS A LOT OF FOLIAGE, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO WORK INTO THE GROUND?
Many farmers plant grain after sesame with one light disking.CAN SESAME BE PLANTED ON NO-TILL?
Sesame has been planted successfully in Oklahoma on no-till and minimum till when it is planted into moisture. There has been marginal success in planting and waiting for a rain.WE HAVE A SEVERE DEER PROBLEM. WHAT WILL DEER DO TO SESAME?
Deer, cattle, horses, and sheep do not like to eat the sesame leaves. Cattle, sheep, and horses have been turned into the sesame to help with weed control without damaging the sesame. In South Texas deer country, the deer will only eat the sesame leaves in extreme drought when there is nothing else that is green. Even in drought, deer will only eat the sesame leaves when the plants are young. Once the plants start flowering, there is virtually no deer damage. Many deer trails have been found through the sesame as the deer go as much as a half-mile from the brush to feed on the corn or sorghum.WHAT WILL HOGS DO TO SESAME?
Hogs are an increasing problem in Texas and Oklahoma crops. Farmers report as much as 40 acres of sorghum or corn being destroyed by hogs. Some farmers are unaware of the problem until they climb on to the combines and can see the damage in the centers of the fields. Hogs have not been a problem in sesame even though their tracks can be seen around the perimeter of the fields. In some cases, hogs have bedded down in sesame and eaten elsewhere.