The best indicator of potential yield is soil moisture supply at planting time. The estimated cost of producing a continuous no-till sorghum crop in southwest Nebraska for 1986. The probabilities of growing a successful no-till sorghum crop are reduced if less than 3 feet of soil are saturated at planting time. With less than 3 feet of moist soil, fallow the land and plant to winter wheat. Soils that have less water holding capacity need at least 4 feet of saturation.
Limited grazing can occur for a very short period of time.
Cattle can glean heads or ears, and eat leaves and shucks that would normally be blown out of the field. The soil surface should be dry when the cattle are grazing. Less snow will be trapped if the residue is grazed. Grazing cattle will plant seed from the previous crop and weeds with their hooves. If the prior corn or sorghum crop is harvested for silage, the fragile wheat residue will blow out of the field.