With advances in corn genetics to increase drought tolerance and the adoption of glyphosate-resistant corn, many farmers may ask, "Why should I grow grain sorghum?"

Bob Fanning, South Dakota State University Extension plant pathology field specialist, says there are at least seven good reasons to grow grain sorghum:

1. It's is a good rotational crop. "Sorghum (also known as milo)  in a crop rotation can provide significant benefits," Fanning says. "At least three crop types: broadleaf and cool season grasses, as well as warm season crops, planted in long intervals of two to four years, are needed to break some of the disease, weed and insect cycles."

Corn yields more after sorghum than after corn, it's drought tolerant, catches more snow and pheasants love it.

2. Corn yields are higher when corn follows sorghum than when corn follows corn, even though both are warm season grasses. "Grain sorghum offers a rotational crop ahead of corn that can help control Goss' Wilt," Fanning says. Goss' Wilt is a bacterial disease that can seriously plague corn producers. Fungicides offer no control for Goss' Wilt and their use can actually make the disease worse, since they can end up weakening the natural, protective layer on the leaf and because they kill beneficial fungi, which feed on bacteria.  Also, neither corn rootworms nor corn borers, survive on sorghum

3. Sorghum residue is better than corn for catching snow than corn.

4. It's easier no-till into sorghum residue than corn residue.

5. Sorghum is drought tolerant. Plants require only about 6.5-inches of moisture to reach the point where they will produce grain. They adds about 500 pounds of grain, or about 9 bushels per acre-inch of rain, once that point is reached.

6. Pheasants like grain sorghum. The crop supports large pheasant populations.

7. Sorghum seed costs less than corn seed.

For all these reasons, Fanning encourages farmers to consider making grain sorghum a part of their crop rotation in areas where sorghum is adapted.

Source: SDSU