Opportunities Grain sorghum, sometimes called milo, is a viable crop alternative to corn for hog and cattle producers who otherwise may have to purchase corn this fall. The feed value of grain sorghum approaches or equals that of corn, especially that of yellow endosperm sorghum hybrids. Grain sorghum is well-suited to those soils or conditions often considered marginal for corn. Sorghum can be planted later than corn and still yield reasonably well. Sorghum performs more consistently than corn on light, well-drained, often droughty soils as well as on soils that are prone to flooding or lengthy periods of soil saturation.
Sorghum is more tolerant to mid-summer drought conditions than is corn.
Risks Grain sorghum grown for cash grain is risky, due to limited markets. Herbicide selection for use in grain sorghum is generally more limited than for corn. If Lasso or Dual herbicides are already applied to your fields, then seed sorghum with a commercially-applied seed safener should be planted. Otherwise, serious herbicide injury could occur. Field drydown of sorghum grain can be slow and unpredictable.