The primary disadvantage of the yellow grain is weather damage. Grains of these varieties begin to weather earlier than other grain types. Grain will generally lose quality in a relatively short period of time after grain moisture reaches 12 to 14 percent. For consistently high grain quality, you must harvest at 18 to 20 percent grain moisture, or higher, and dry. Besides grain type, there are several factors to consider in selecting a variety.
Yield is foremost.
Periodic variety trials are conducted by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. Results of these trials are available from the Experiment Station or from your state or county Extension Service office. Since yields vary from year to year, averages over three or more years are better indicators of variety performance than one-year results. Sorghum varieties differ in maturity. This is caused by inherited differences in response to light and temperature.