Home → WV Guide → Planting Guide → Grains → Grain 07 Sorghum

Grain 07 Sorghum

Growing resilience through ancient wisdom and modern practice

← Back

Grain 07 Sorghum

layout: base.njk title: "Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor): The Drought-Tolerant Grain" plantName: "Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor): The Drought-Tolerant Grain" category: "Grains" description: "Growing guide for Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor): The Drought-Tolerant Grain in West Virginia Zone 6b/7a" tags: planting-guide

For: The Loop Farmstead, New Martinsville WV 26155
Zone: 6b/7a
Soil: Heavy clay

Why Sorghum Matters

Sorghum is the fifth-most important cereal grain globally (after corn, wheat, rice, barley). It feeds hundreds of millions of people in Africa and Asia. Sorghum is drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, and grows in soils too poor for other grains. It's climate-resilient agriculture.

For The Loop Farmstead, sorghum offers:

  1. Drought insurance: Produces when corn fails
  2. Gluten-free grain: Safe for celiac sufferers
  3. Dual-purpose: Grain sorghum + sweet sorghum (syrup)
  4. Animal feed: Excellent livestock ration
  5. Heat-loving: Thrives in hot summers
  6. Clay-tolerant: Handles heavy soils well

Sorghum is underutilized in America but essential for climate-resilient farming. As summers get hotter and drier, sorghum becomes more valuable. It's the grain for uncertain times.

Understanding Sorghum

Grain Sorghum vs. Sweet Sorghum

Grain Sorghum (Milo): - Grown for seed (like corn for grain) - Shorter plants (3-5 feet) - Seed heads at top - Uses: Flour, animal feed, gluten-free products - Harvest: When seeds mature (90-120 days)

Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum Cane): - Grown for syrup (like sugarcane) - Taller plants (6-12 feet) - Juice in stalks (sweet) - Uses: Sorghum syrup, molasses alternative - Harvest: When stalks are mature (100-120 days)

For The Loop Farmstead: Grow both. Grain sorghum for flour and feed. Sweet sorghum for syrup. They're the same species, different cultivars.

Sorghum Types

Caudatum: - Large, round seeds - Common in US grain sorghum - Good for feed, flour

Durra: - Indian/African origin - Popping sorghum (like popcorn) - Food grade

Bicolor: - Sweet sorghum types - Syrup production

Caudatum-Durra Crosses: - Modern grain varieties - Improved yield, quality

Sorghum Varieties for West Virginia Clay

Grain Sorghum Varieties

1. White African Milo

Type: Heritage Grain Sorghum
Days to Maturity: 100-110 days
Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Characteristics: White seeds, tall (5-6 feet), traditional Southern variety, drought-tolerant
Uses: Flour (gluten-free), animal feed, hominy-like preparations

Why Grow It: White African Milo is a heritage grain sorghum with deep Southern roots. It was grown extensively in the South before corn dominated. The white seeds mill into excellent gluten-free flour. The plants are tall and drought-tolerant, producing reliably in hot, dry conditions.

History & Story: White African Milo came to America from Africa (as the name suggests) in the 1800s. It was brought by African slaves and farmers who knew how to grow it. The variety became central to Southern agriculture, especially in areas too dry for reliable corn. It's a crop with African agricultural wisdom embedded in its genetics.

Clay Soil Performance: Very good. Sorghum handles clay well, especially with adequate drainage.

For The Loop Farmstead: This is your primary grain sorghum. It's heritage, drought-tolerant, and produces good flour.

2. Black Amber

Type: Heritage Grain Sorghum
Days to Maturity: 100-110 days
Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange
Characteristics: Dark seeds, tall plants, traditional variety, dual-purpose (grain + forage)
Uses: Flour, feed, forage

Why Grow It: Black Amber is an old-time sorghum variety with dark seeds. It's productive, drought-tolerant, and historically significant. The dark seeds indicate higher antioxidant content (anthocyanins). Black Amber is sorghum with a story.

Clay Soil Performance: Good.

3. Brown Dale

Type: Modern Grain Sorghum
Days to Maturity: 95-105 days
Source: Regional seed suppliers, farm supply stores
Characteristics: Improved yield, disease-resistant, brown seeds, shorter (easier harvest)
Uses: Flour, animal feed

Why Grow It: Brown Dale is a modern variety bred for performance. It's shorter than heritage types (easier to harvest), disease-resistant, and high-yielding. For practical grain production, Brown Dale is reliable.

Clay Soil Performance: Very good.

4. Redlan

Type: Modern Grain Sorghum
Days to Maturity: 95-105 days
Source: Regional suppliers, farm supply
Characteristics: Reddish seeds, improved yield, drought-tolerant
Uses: Flour, feed

Why Grow It: Redlan is a widely grown modern sorghum. It's adapted to the Plains but grows well in the East. The red seeds have antioxidants. Redlan is a workhorse variety.

Clay Soil Performance: Good.

Sweet Sorghum Varieties

5. M81-E

Type: Sweet Sorghum
Days to Maturity: 100-110 days
Source: Specialty seed suppliers, some regional dealers
Characteristics: High sugar content, tall (8-10 feet), developed for syrup production
Uses: Sorghum syrup, molasses alternative

Why Grow It: M81-E is bred specifically for syrup production. The sugar content is higher than traditional varieties, meaning more syrup per acre. It's the modern standard for sweet sorghum.

Clay Soil Performance: Good.

For The Loop Farmstead: If you want to make sorghum syrup (traditionalSouthern sweetener), plant M81-E or similar sweet varieties.

6. Keller

Type: Heritage Sweet Sorghum
Days to Maturity: 105-115 days
Source: Seed Savers Exchange, heritage seed sources
Characteristics: Traditional variety, good sugar content, heritage genetics
Uses: Syrup, chewing cane

Why Grow It: Keller is an old-time sweet sorghum variety. It was grown on Southern farms for syrup before commercial sweeteners took over. Growing Keller preserves agricultural heritage.

Clay Soil Performance: Good.

7. Brandes

Type: Heritage Sweet Sorghum
Days to Maturity: 105-115 days
Source: Seed Savers Exchange
Characteristics: Traditional variety, reliable syrup production
Uses: Syrup

Why Grow It: Brandes is another heritage sweet sorghum, preserved by seed savers. It's reliable and produces good syrup. Heritage varieties often have more complex flavor than modern types.

Growing Sorghum on Clay Soil

Site Preparation

Timing: - Plant: Late spring (May-June) - Soil temp: 65°F+ at planting depth (sorghum needs warm soil) - After corn planting time (sorghum is more heat-demanding)

Preparation: 1. Clear previous residue 2. Till or broadfork to prepare seedbed 3. Add compost if soil needs building 4. Sorghum establishes best in warm, well-prepared soil

Note: Sorghum is slower to establish than corn. Good seedbed preparation matters.

Planting

Seed Rate:

For Grain: - 8-12 lbs per acre (much smaller seeds than corn) - Small scale: 0.5-1 oz per 100 sq ft - Thin to final spacing

For Syrup: - Similar rate - Slightly closer spacing

Method:

Direct Seed: 1. Plant 1/2-1" deep (smaller than corn) 2. Spacing: 4-6" between plants, 30-36" between rows 3. Or plant in hills (like corn)

Clay-Specific Notes: - Sorghum tolerates clay well - Ensure good drainage (sorghum doesn't like wet feet) - Plant when soil is warm (delays germination in cool clay)

Growing Season

Timeline: - May-June: Planting - Weeks 1-2: Germination (slow in cool soil) - Weeks 3-8: Vegetative growth - Weeks 8-10: Heading (seed head emergence) - Weeks 10-14: Grain fill - Weeks 14-16: Harvest

Characteristics: - Sorghum grows slowly at first, then rapidly - Heat-loving (thrives when corn is stressed) - Drought-tolerant once established - Deep root system

Fertility

Sorghum is efficient:

  • Nitrogen: Moderate needs. Less than corn. If following legumes, you're set.
  • Phosphorus: Important for root development.
  • Potassium: Adequate in clay soils.
  • pH: 6.0-7.0 (tolerates slight acidity)

Organic Approach: - Add compost at planting - Sorghum is less demanding than corn - Drought-tolerant once established

Water Needs

Sorghum's superpower is drought tolerance:

  • Establishment: Needs consistent moisture first 3-4 weeks
  • After establishment: Deep roots access water
  • Drought response: Goes dormant, resumes when water returns
  • Total water needs: Less than corn

For West Virginia: Typical rainfall is sufficient. Irrigation only needed in extreme drought.

Harvest

Grain Sorghum

Timing: - 100-120 days after planting - Seeds hard, cannot be dented - Seed heads brown and dry - Moisture content: 13-15%

Method: 1. Cut seed heads with pruning shears or sickle 2. Dry further if needed (2-4 weeks) 3. Thresh (rub heads between hands or beat on tarp) 4. Winnow to clean

Note: Bird netting may be needed—birds love sorghum.

Sweet Sorghum (for Syrup)

Timing: - 100-120 days after planting - Stalks mature (not green) - Before hard frost - Test: Chew a piece—should be sweet

Method: 1. Cut stalks at base 2. Strip leaves 3. Process immediately (or store briefly) 4. Extract juice (see below)

Processing Sorghum for Food

Grain Sorghum

Whole Grain: - Cook like rice (1:3 ratio, 45-60 minutes) - Use in pilafs, soups - Nutty flavor

Popping Sorghum: - Some varieties pop like popcorn - Heat in popcorn popper or skillet - Smaller than popcorn but fun

Flour: - Mill in grain mill - Gluten-free - Use for baking (often blended) - Pancakes, bread, cookies

Sorhum Flakes: - Steam whole grain - Roll flat - Dry - Use like oatmeal

Sweet Sorghum Syrup

Traditional Process: 1. Extract juice from stalks (crush in mill) 2. Strain juice 3. Boil down (hours of cooking) 4. Skim scum repeatedly 5. Reduce to syrup consistency 6. Bottle hot

Equipment Needed: - Cane mill (crushes stalks) - Large kettle (20+ gallons) - Heat source (propane, wood) - Skimming tools

Yield: - 10 gallons juice = 1 gallon syrup - Labor-intensive but rewarding

For The Loop Farmstead: Sorghum syrup is traditional Appalachian sweetener. If you have the equipment and want to preserve this tradition, grow sweet sorghum. Otherwise, grain sorghum is simpler.

How Much Sorghum to Grow?

For a family of 4: - Sorghum grain consumption: 50-100 lbs per year - Processing loss: ~15% (milling) - Sorghum needed: 60-120 lbs per year

Yield: - Good conditions: 2,000-4,000 lbs per acre - Small scale: 5-10 lbs per 100 sq ft - Conservative: 3-6 lbs per 100 sq ft

Space needed: - For 100 lbs: 200-400 sq ft - Recommendation: Start with 200-500 sq ft

For The Loop Farmstead: Sorghum is high-yielding. Small areas produce significant grain. Plant 500 sq ft for grain, experiment with sweet sorghum for syrup.

Sorghum for Livestock

Grain: - Excellent feed for chickens, pigs, cattle - Similar nutritional value to corn - Can be 50%+ of ration - Gluten-free option

Forage: - Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids for hay - Cut and dry for hay - Warning: Young sorghum can contain prussic acid (toxic) - Don't graze until plants are 18" tall - Don't graze after frost (prussic acid increases)

Caution: - Fresh sorghum: Wait until plants are mature - After frost: Don't feed for 2 weeks (toxin breakdown) - Hay: Safe after proper drying

Sorghum in Crop Rotation

As Drought Insurance: - Hot, dry year → sorghum instead of corn

Rotation: - Year 1: Corn - Year 2: Sorghum - Year 3: Legumes - Year 4: Back to corn

As Soil Builder: - Deep roots break up soil - Residue adds organic matter

Sorghum Pests and Diseases

Common Issues:

Insects: - Sorghum midge: Damages seed heads - Prevention: Early planting, resistant varieties - Aphids: Sugarcane aphid is serious - Control: Beneficial insects, neem oil - Worms: Armyworms, corn earworm - Control: Bt, hand-picking

Diseases: - Leaf blight: Fungal - Prevention: Resistant varieties, rotation - Head smut: Fungal - Prevention: Resistant varieties, clean seed

Birds: - Major problem: Birds love sorghum - Solutions: Netting, scare devices, early harvest

Organic Management: - Choose resistant varieties - Rotate crops - Encourage beneficials - Net for birds if needed

Sorghum's Climate Advantage

Sorghum is more climate-resilient than corn:

  • Drought: Deeper roots, dormancy response
  • Heat: Thrives in high temperatures
  • Poor soil: More tolerant than corn
  • Water efficiency: Less water per pound of grain

For The Loop Farmstead: As climate becomes more unpredictable, sorghum is insurance. It produces when corn fails. Grow it alongside corn as backup.

Final Thoughts

Sorghum is the grain for hot, dry times. It's drought-tolerant, productive, and versatile. For West Virginia clay, sorghum is a smart addition to your grain strategy.

Grow sorghum for flour, for feed, for syrup. Learn its rhythms. Appreciate its resilience.

🌾