Of course the same can be said about other food and feed grains. Still, folks see a lot of value in grain sorghum as an integral part of rotation systems. Some studies indicate that cotton and sorghum yields both increase in rotation. We've seen production of 10,000 pounds of sorghum per acre in the Texas Panhandle, following corn. Watson says the goal is to include sorghum in a rotation and develop best management practices that conserve water and improve soil.
Research shows high yield increases in cotton behind sorghum.
Also, we've noted less water use in cotton following grain sorghum. Watson says the Coastal Bend produces the largest percentage of the state's grain sorghum. That's not a major production area but we see a lot of opportunity for rotation studies there. He says growers around Roscoe, for instance, depend almost entirely on cotton. But a lot of feedlots and grain elevators also contribute to the agricultural economy.