Boost Your Sorghum Yields
It’s no secret that sorghum has an advantage as a water-sipping plant, which makes it a viable and profitable crop in areas prone to drought. But, did you know sorghum can consistently yield more than 100 bushels per acre with basic management practices?
Proper hybrid selection and nitrogen application and knowing your land are the keys to high yielding sorghum, says Rick Kochenower, sorghum specialist for Oklahoma State University.
“The mistake a lot of famers make with sorghum is not managing it properly,” Kochenower said. “Most farmers should shoot for yields of 70 to 75 bushels per acre, but it is not uncommon to see 120-bushel yields with the right management practices.
”Kochenower said the keys to growing profitable sorghum lie within three main factors: hybrid selection, nitrogen management and matching planting date with maturity.
Different hybrids are more suited for different regions, so choosing the right hybrid is crucial to improved yield. Many states have hybrid yield performance data available to assist farmers when making hybrid selections suitable for their area.
Likewise, proper nitrogen management can significantly increase yields in a sorghum crop.
“You can expect to improve sorghum yield one bushel for every pound of nitrogen applied, up to a point,” he said. “Having your soil tested for phosphorus and potassium levels can also help show major advantages or disadvantages before you plant your crop. By knowing the soil you are planting in, you can fertilize to reach a maximum yield potential.”
In addition to sorghum’s yield potential, it has other advantages to help growers capitalize from this versatile commodity.
Many farmers growing other grain crops this year experienced aflatoxin problems prompting them to look for alternative crops less prone to suffering from this potentially costly problem.
“One thing that makes sorghum a great crop in many areas is that it typically does not get aflatoxin like other grain crops do,” Kochenower said. “Sorghum can be planted on the same acres as other popular grain crops, and you don’t have to worry so much about aflatoxin in the field.”
To help bring these best management practices to farmers hands, the Sorghum Checkoff has published six regional production guides authored by experts such as Rick Kochenower. To request a copy of the production guide for your region email info@sorghumcheckoff.com or download the guide for your region by clicking here.