Forage and grain sorghum may be potential alternatives for forage production in dry conditions, explained Karla Hernandez, SDSU Extension Forages Field Specialist.
“The current dry conditions in northeastern and western South Dakota have some livestock producers looking for more drought-resistant forage crops they can plant in the future,” Hernandez said.
As its name indicates, grain sorghum, also called milo, is typically harvested for grain. Forage sorghum is taller and typically used for silage.
Below Hernandez explains the benefits of raising sorghums over corn as well as the best management practices for each.
Forage sorghum
Forage sorghum can be grown either as grain or forage crop.
“The advantage of its use over corn is that it requires less water, and it is drought tolerant by going semi-dormant which makes it a good fit for dryland and limited irrigation situations,” she said.
Hernandez added that sorghum has fewer input costs, tolerates moderately acid and low fertility soils (yet responds well to fertilization), and it can be harvested multiple times because of its regrowth potential.
“Forage sorghum also makes excellent hay for supplemental feeding during times of inadequate or low forage production,”
Perhaps the greatest advantage of sorghum, Hernandez highlights is the diverse management options that the grower can choose from in order to match their production needs.
Forage Sorghum Management
Forage sorghum should be planted in spring when soil temperatures exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit at 0.5- to 2.0-inches deep. Seeds may be drilled, broadcasted, or planted in rows spaced 15 to 40 inches apart at a rate of 15 to 25 pounds per acre.
Harvest when the whole plant moisture content is between 63 to 68 percent.
The recommended stage of maturity for harvesting forage sorghum to optimize dry matter content and nutrient quality is when the grain reaches early to late dough stage.
“Harvesting earlier during the late vegetative or early head stage of maturity will result in silage with very low dry matter content of less than 25 percent dry matter, which will result in excess seepage and an undesirable fermentation including higher concentrations of acetic and butyric acid,” she said.
Wilting is recommended if harvesting is going to occur at this stage. “If harvested at the hard dough stage, the forage will have higher dry matter content, but the grain and stems will be more mature and less digestible,” Hernandez said.
She added that rolling grain sorghum silage that is in late dough or hard-grain stages of maturity will improve grain digestibility and support improved animal performance.
Prussic Acid Concerns
Prussic acid is a problem in young and active growing tissues. The problem can be avoided by not grazing sorghum until plants have reached 18 to 24 inches tall. Cutting for hay or silage generally alleviates the problem because the toxin is released and volatilizes during handling.
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