American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1911-02-25
GROW FORAGE CROPS
Sorghum Is Most Profitable
Under Average Conditions.
10 Drouth Resistant and May Wilt and
Dry Up Until Ready to Be
Blown Away and Still Make
Excellent Crop.

In answer to the query, What for
age crops would 1t be advisable to
grow in western Nebraska? the Dry
Farming Institute makes the follow
ing reply:
If we are to TAX the average table |
land farm, under average conditions,
then We must agree that sorghum is
the most profitable forage crop. 1t is
the only crop, aside from corn, kaffir
corn and the grains that promises
much forage. Alfalfa will produce
n and a half tons per acre during
favorable seasons, but during dry
seasons the tonnage of alfalfa will be
very light. Kaffir corn will with
stand more drouth thai sorghum, but
does not do so well as sorghum when
sown broadcast, and does not mature
seed under normal conditions in much
of western Nebraska. The seed must
be shipped in at considerable expense
while the farmer can grow cane seed.
Corn will not withstand as much
drouth as sorghum and will not pro
duce as large tonnage. The common
grains are not very desirable for for
age since they are more valuable for
the grain they produce during favor
able years and yield but a small ton
mage during u~nfavorable years. Mil
let sometimes gives a rather large
tonnage, but 1t more often does not
give satisfactory results in yield. The
hay must be fed with extreme care
to horses, if fed at all.
Sorghum is the most certain crop OF
/ all these to mature forage. This is
due to two factors. 1t is by nature a
drouth resistant. 1t may wilt and dry
up till it Is about ready to be blown
away and still make a crop If given
sufficient water during the period OF
fall rains. 1t need not be sown
This permits the accumulation of
moisture in the soil in which the cane
seed is to be planted. With seasons
of normal rainfall the first six feet
of the soil may be saturated with
moisture at seeding time If the proper
cultivation has been given. This is a
great factor in crop production.
1t may be planted in rows with a
lister. corr planter or drill. and cult
waited. This method is certain to pro-
duce forage. The usual practice is to
SOW it broadcast or with a press drill,
at the rate of four pecks per acre. 1t
should be sown in June, SO that the
first heads will begin to ripen about
the time frost may be expected. 1t
should be cut with a mower before 1t
is frosted. or the first day after it is
frosted. The object in sowing it late
is to have it begin to ripen at the
time of the first killing frost. If GU,
at this time there is not much proba'
bility of its being damaged by rain
while in the swath or windrow. II
should be cut when the first heads
begin to urn black or red. If cut in
August or in the early part of Septem
Der 1t is likely to be lying in the
swath or w%indrow; it will stand much
abuse without being rendered unfit fol
feed, yet it is better, If 1t is put into
the shock or stack while bright.
Cane or sorghum should be put into
windows as soon as it has become
thoroughly wilted. This will require
about two days of sunshine. 1t usual
ly requires several weeks before !
may be stacked with safety. One sat
isfactory way is to shock 1t after /
has cured in the windrow. 1t may b.
shocked with but little hard labor b.
using a hay sweep to sweep 1t int
piles. One man with a team AM
sweep. and two men to follow wit
forks will shock 35 or more ton pc
day. Two sweep loads pushed to
, gether and topped with a fork max
i desirable shocks to haul from durinI
the winter. where it is not deeme'
l necessary to stack all the cane. Som
, should be stacked to carry stoc
! through the storms while the snoN
: covers the shocks.
This forage ranks with prairie ha
In feeding value. 1t Is a satisfactor
feed for cattle, and for horses bot
during the winter and during tn
working season. Where feeding can
as the only forage, the grain ratio
should be pats or barley rather tina
all corn, as the sorghum is a starch
food like corn. If o%ne-fourth or on
half OF the forage ration is alfalfa be
ter results will be secured thar froI
sorghum alone, or from sorghum an
prairie hay. Sorghum is beyond Que
ton the leading forage crop for ives
ern Nebraska table-land. In the va
leys. where there is irrigation or su'
irrigation, alfalfa is the prominer
, forage crop.