SORGHUMS

FORAGE SORGHUMS
Forage sorghums are mainly used for grazing but more importantly for silage. The seeds are usually large and can therefore be planted in narrow drills and covered up to a depth of 25mm.
One of the important advantages of these Sorghums over maize (for silage) is that they produce a large bulk of high quality hay and can be cut a number of times in a season.

SUDAN GRASS (SORGHUM SUDANESE)
This is usually a quick growing annual with a small stem and thin leaves. It is very palatable with relatively low production potential. It is therefore useful as cheap short term dry weather feed.

COLUMBUS GRASS (SORGHUM ALMUM)
This is a slow growing short lived biennial with bigger leaves than Sudan grass. This variety can be cut for two consecutive years and is very useful as a dry weather feed.

VELVET SORGHUM (SORGHUM VETICILLIFOLIUM)
This is a large broad leaved plant slower growing and more persistent than Columbus grass. It is a lot less productive than other sorghums but will produce a large quality of dry matter over a longer period.

GRAIN SORGUMS
Sorghum is becoming increasingly important crop due to its ability to withstand drought. There are two main brown sorghum varieties under production by the company.

SERENA SORGHUM
This is a brown seeded variety which was officially released in 1960. it thrives well in bi-modal rainfall areas and matures in 110 days. This variety has a strong stem and good root system with a yield potential of 3000 kg per hectare – Seed rate 5kg/hectare.

SEREDO SORGHUM
This is an improvement from Serena Sorghum and is recommended for areas below 1500M. above sea level. It flowers in about 71 days and matures in 120 days. This variety is taller than those of Serena Sorghum with a yield potential of about 5000 kg/hectare.
These two varieties require 350-450mm of rainfall and are fairly resistant to striga, rust, leaf blight and grey leaf spot.

IS.76 AND 2K X 17

These are white seeded varieties with red traits which becomes more prominent under severe moisture stress particularly during seed filling stage. They are short maturing varieties and are prone to bird damage and therefore bird scaring is necessary. These varieties are short (about 112cm) and matures in 110 days having a yield potential of 3500 kgs/hectare.

UTILIZATION OF FORAGE SORGHUMS

When grazing sorghum the danger of prussic acid must be watched. All sorghums have a high level of complex substance which produces poisonous gas (prussic acid). The levels and concentration of this acid depend on the stage of growth and climatic factors prevailing during the period of use.
Precaution should therefore be taken when animals are being fed with these sorghums.

1. Let the crop wither before feeding. Direct grazing will cause bloat.
2. Never graze-wilted crops
3. Feed with small amounts at first and increase the quantities gradually.