Sorghum Soil Requirements

Soil fertility is a crucial factor in the success of sorghum yield. When managing soil nutrients for sorghum it is important to consider the soil type, organic content matter within the soil as well as soil pH. Factoring in the soil’s crop history, what was planted the previous year, is crucial, especially if the previous crop was a legume like alfalfa or soybeans. Knowing the manure application history can also help you understand your soil’s fertility.

Soil nutrient testing is critical in determining the amount of nutrients to add by fertilizing. Soil testing starts with proper soil sampling. If precision application of fertilizer is an option, consider grid sampling. Once soil test results are available, it is important to understand how to interpret the results to best help in maintaining good soil health.

Good Soil Fertility Begins with the Proper Nutrients

Nitrogen is most often the nutrient needed to be added to the soil for the best results. State universities and soil labs differ in the amount of nitrogen recommended to be added for a given yield. A good rule of thumb is 1.1 lb of nitrogen for every bushel of grain sorghum. The highest nitrogen use efficiency is obtained with split applications. To accomplish this, apply a portion of nitrogen preplant, then as a sidedress application approximately 25 days after crop emergence. If chemigation is possible, apply a portion of nitrogen just prior to heading.

Sorghum also needs potassium in high quantities. The amount of potassium to be added as fertilizer will vary greatly depending on the soil type and environment. Many soils are naturally high in potassium and require very little potassium as fertilizer, which is why soil testing is crucial. As a rule of thumb, the amount of potassium taken up by the sorghum plant is very similar to the amount of nitrogen utilized by the plant.

Phosphorus is the third major nutrient required by sorghum. Depending on soil type and the environment, the amount of phosphorus needed to be added as fertilizer will vary considerably. In order to not limit sorghum yield, approximately 80 lbs per acre of phosphate should be available within the soil. If large amounts of phosphorus are needed, consider banding to reduce the amount needed to be added as fertilizer. In high yielding environments or when planting on cool soils, consider applying phosphorus in a starter fertilizer.

Other nutrients that may need to be applied include sulfur, iron and zinc. Lime may be required if the pH of the soil drops below 5.6. Low pH greatly limits the availability of certain nutrients.

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Hybrid Grain Production

Sorghum has tremendous potential to return a profit to your farm, and the work of the Sorghum Checkoff will only improve that potential over time. As you manage your sorghum, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure you are using the hybrid that works in your area and planting to get the right “plants per acre” in your field.
• Use an integrated weed management strategy.
• Most importantly, provide the crop with adequate fertilizer.

Learn more about grain production through these additional resources and production guides.

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Hybrid Forage Production

Warm-season annual grasses, specifically forage sorghums, have the potential to produce large amounts of nutritious forage during summer months and their inherent versatility allows them to fit into many different types of cropping or livestock operations. Sorghums may be particularly useful in regions with high concentrations of beef and dairy cattle. They fit well into dryland and limited irrigation situations because of their tolerance to drought. It may be in these systems that sorghum has the greatest potential. If managed properly, forage sorghums make excellent hay for supplemental feeding during times of inadequate forage production. Perhaps the greatest advantage of forage sorghums is the diversity of management options that the grower can choose from in order to match production needs. Depending on which species and variety selected, sorghums may be used for grazing pasture, hay production, silage and green chop.

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Sorghum Harvesting and Storage

Grain sorghum can be one of the more challenging grains to harvest. Time should be taken to properly adjust and operate the combine to achieve a harvest efficiency of 95 percent of the total grain.

Grain sorghum can be harvested once the grain has reached physiological maturity and is no longer accumulating dry matter within the grain. Grain sorghum matures from the top of the head and progresses downward to the base. Considering this, it is important to check grain at the bottom of the head to determine whether the grain is mature. Initially, hard starch accumulates at the top or crown of each kernel. The grain is considered mature once the hard starch has filled to the base of the kernel. Mature grain will be hard to penetrate when pinching the bottom of the kernel between your fingernails and should have a black spot at its base.

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Selecting the Right Forage

It is important to begin thinking about hybrid choices during the early winter months and book your seed early. To assist in your decision of the hybrid that best fits your operation, university and company data is available. Planting more than one hybrid should be considered to help spread risk.

When selecting a hybrid, there are many things to consider. The length of hybrid maturity is key because the longer the maturity typically the higher the yield potential. Factors to evaluate in terms of hybrid maturity include length of growing season in relationship to desired planting date as well as yield potential based on soil quality, water availability both irrigation and rainfall. If a given environment will not support high yield potential, then a shorter maturing hybrid is more appropriate.

Other items to assess include the adaptability of the hybrid to the region, yield potential of the hybrid given its maturity and its standability. A hybrid’s head exertion is also important as it will help with harvestability. Evaluating a hybrid’s drought tolerance is essential if it will be grown under dryland or limited irrigation. Insect and disease resistance are also key items to consider when selecting a hybrid that is the best choice for your farm. When considering which hybrids to plant, when at all possible, examine data over multiple years.

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The Sorghum Plant

Sorghum is an excellent crop to use in rotation with other crops, particularly cotton and soybeans. Using sorghum in a rotation with these broadleaf crops breaks up disease, insect and weed life cycles prevalent in these crops. Research shows typically higher cotton and soybean yields when following sorghum. Weed resistance is becoming a major issue in cotton and soybeans. Planting sorghum in rotation with these crops allows for the use of alternative crop protection products for control of these resistant weeds.

The last few years have shown a major shift in tillage practices in the southern great plains. Producers are finding value in no-tillage and reduced tillage systems that reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and greatly enhance rainfall capture in the soil.

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The Economics of Sorghum

At the Sorghum Checkoff, we know farming isn’t for the faint of heart. From weather that never seems to cooperate to low commodity prices, the risks sometimes seem to outweigh the benefits. With all this working against you, why let rising input costs pile on as well? Sorghum is a smart choice for lowering your cost of production, especially in the way of seed costs. Sorghum seed often costs less per bag than comparable crops, enabling you to stretch each bag across more acres.

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Selecting the Right Grain

It is important to begin thinking about hybrid choices during the early winter months and book your seed early. To assist in your decision of the hybrid that best fits your operation, university and company data is available. Planting more than one hybrid should be considered to help spread risk.

When selecting a hybrid, there are several things to consider. The length of hybrid maturity is key because the longer the maturity typically the higher the yield potential. Factors to evaluate in terms of hybrid maturity include length of growing season in relationship to desired planting date as well as yield potential based on soil quality, water availability both irrigation and rainfall. If a given environment will not support high yield potential, then a shorter maturing hybrid is often more appropriate.

Other items to assess include the adaptability of the hybrid to the region, yield potential of the hybrid given its maturity and its standability. A hybrid’s head exertion is also important, as it will help with harvestability. Evaluating a hybrid’s drought tolerance is essential if it will be grown under dryland or limited irrigation. Insect and disease resistance are also key items to consider when selecting a hybrid that is the best choice for your farm. When considering which hybrids to plant, when at all possible, examine data over multiple years.

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Livestock Grazing

PRUSSIC ACID

Production of prussic acid, also known as hydrogen cyanide, occurs naturally in all types of sorghum when the plant tissue is damaged from a freeze or drought. This damage causes dhurrin, a product found in sorghum, to come into contact with enzymes, producing prussic acid.

Although all sorghum types can produce prussic acid, sudan grasses produce the least. Grain sorghum and Johnson grass produce the most. Accumulating almost exclusively in the leaves, new leaf growth can be particularly high in prussic acid. Very little can be found in the stalk and none can be found in the grain.

NITRATE

Nitrate accumulates in plants when poor growth conditions prevent the nitrate from being assimilated in the plant, including long periods of cloudy weather, cold temperatures, drought and mechanical damage. Nitrate accumulates in plant stalks, especially the lower portion. Nitrate levels do not dissipate in hay and will at least partially dissipate in silage (50 percent). Nitrate poisoning occurs when cattle consume more nitrate than they can assimilate.

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Sorghum Disease and Pest Control

Similar to other crops, there are a few insects capable of causing economic damage in sorghum if not managed timely and efficiently. These range from root and seed damaging insects to those that feed on the leaves, the stalk of plant or directly on the sorghum grain. All of these insects, however, can be controlled with sound integrated pest management practices.

Growers and consultants should familiarize themselves with these insects as well as the management practices that should be adopted to minimize their impact. These management practices may include hybrid selection, planting date, management of crop residue, elimination of weedy host plants and timely application of crop protection products when warranted.

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Livestock Feed

THE SMART CHOICE FOR ANIMAL AGRICULTURE

In the livestock industry, the Sorghum Checkoff is developing educational materials, conducting research, and visiting livestock operations, as well as feed manufacturers, to make them aware of the financial benefits of using sorghum.

Animal agriculture is one of the most important markets for sorghum production in the United States. Sorghum is utilized in the beef, swine, dairy and poultry industries. Sorghum grain, stalks and leaves can be utilized in various feed ingredients.

Sorghum is the smart choice for animal agriculture for numerous reasons. Not only does sorghum fit well into a low-cost formulation of feed rations but it has an ease of feed acceptance. U.S. sorghum has little to no tannins as well as a low incidence of mycotoxins. Research and end-use development of sorghum are ongoing to enhance its use in animal agriculture.

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Human Consumption

As consumer demand strengthens for versatile, healthy ancient grains, sorghum’s popularity is seeing a resurgence. With its wonderful, nutty taste, sorghum is a terrific substitute for traditional grains consumed in everyday diets. Sorghum is an excellent source of energy, containing about 75 percent complex carbohydrate. It is a good to excellent source of iron and zinc and is rich in B complex vitamins. Additionally, sorghum provides good to excellent sources of phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, phytosterols and policosanols. Sorghum is also meeting gluten-free needs for those with celiac disease or a gluten-intolerance.

Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal grain crop in the world, largely because it grows well in many different environments, it is naturally drought tolerant and its versatility as a food, feed and fuel. Only four other foods: rice, wheat, maize and potatoes are consumed in greater amounts by the human race. Used to make both leavened and unleavened breads, sorghum is also found in various fermented and unfermented beverages and can be steamed, popped, flaked or consumed as a whole grain or syrup. For thousands of years, sorghum has been a food staple around the world. It is the dietary foundation of more than 500 million people in 30 countries and is one of the most familiar foods in the world.

The Sorghum Checkoff is working with food companies, chefs, dietitians, millers and bakers and more across the U.S. to increase awareness about sorghum.

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Pet Feed

NATURALLY GLUTEN FREE and NON-GMO

Sorghum’s use in pet food, primarily dog and cat foods, is on the rise as the companion animal industry demands high-quality ingredients to incorporate into their formulations. Sorghum boasts a low glycemic index, is naturally gluten-free and non-GMO. Rich in antioxidants, sorghum has a measurable amount of dietary fiber and has a meaningful amount of minerals. Sorghum also has quality proteins when complemented with sources rich in lysine. Not to mention, sorghum processes well into pet food applications and is environmentally friendly. Sorghum is now being utilized by 15 pet food companies in more than 130 products. Read more information on sorghum’s application in pet food formulations.

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Renewables

In the ethanol industry, the Sorghum Checkoff is focusing on developing direct awareness of the benefits of using sorghum as a fuel and feedstock.

Renewables includes renewable fuels and renewable chemicals. Renewable fuel, which includes ethanol, serves as the foundation of demand for the sorghum industry. Ethanol producers typically use about one-third (approximately 120 million bushels) of the sorghum crop to produce clean-burning, high octane fuel. The Sorghum Checkoff’s Renewables program is focused on expanding and developing opportunities for sorghum growers within the renewables space, through a combination of research and market development.

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