Sorghum: An Opportunistic Crop That Pays

Post on March 10, 2026

Sorghum: An Opportunistic Crop That Pays

Brent Bean, Sorghum Checkoff Director of Agronomy

For many growers, grain sorghum fits best as an opportunistic crop-one that can take advantage of timely rainfall, keep input costs in check and improve the performance of other crops in the rotation. With relatively low production costs and strong agronomic benefits, sorghum remains a practical option for farmers looking to manage risk while maintaining yield potential.

One of sorghum's biggest advantages is its affordability. Seed costs typically range from $6 to $19 per acre, depending on seeding rate and seed treatments. That's significantly lower than many competing row crops, helping reduce upfront investment and financial risk.

Sorghum also tends to have few insect and disease issues. Concerns about sorghum aphid have been greatly reduced in the last few years, with many high performing hybrids having good sorghum aphid tolerance. If aphid populations are present, they can be effectively controlled with insecticides such as Sivanto Prime®, Transform® or Sefina®.

The dry climate across much of the Great Plains helps keep disease pressure low. In more humid regions like the Southeast, anthracnose is the primary concern, but selecting hybrids with good tolerance can greatly reduce the risk.

While known as a drought tolerant crop, sorghum will take advantage of timely rainfall, making it a good fit in areas where precipitation can be unpredictable. This flexibility allows farmers to plant sorghum knowing it can respond when conditions turn favorable while still tolerating short periods of stress.

Sorghum's value extends beyond the current growing season, providing measurable benefits when used in crop rotations. When rotated with cotton, disease cycles are broken, which can plague continuous cotton systems. Residue from sorghum also helps conserve soil moisture and protect emerging cotton seedlings from wind damage. A 2017 Texas A&M University study found cotton yields increased 26% when rotated with sorghum compared to continuous cotton.

Research near Mead, Nebraska, showed that soybeans planted after sorghum produced a 16% yield increase compared to continuous soybeans. Improvements were linked to better soil fertility, improved soil structure, stronger weed control and fewer pest problems. Even corn can benefit from following sorghum. A five-year Kansas State University trial found corn yields increased over 8% when planted after sorghum compared to continuous corn.

These gains highlight how sorghum contributes to better soil health, rainfall retention and improved nutrient cycling in crop rotations.

Sorghum is most often grown as a dryland crop, but it also performs well under limited irrigation. Its ability to tolerate short periods without water gives growers flexibility when managing irrigation systems. When splitting a circle with corn or cotton, irrigation can be prioritized for the more water-sensitive crops while sorghum waits a few extra days without significant yield loss. That flexibility helps maximize water efficiency, especially in regions where irrigation capacity is limited.

For growers looking to manage costs and reduce risk, sorghum remains a practical choice. Its low seed cost, ability to capitalize on timely rainfall and benefits to crops that follow make it a valuable tool in many cropping systems.