Tag: sorghum

2025 Sorghum Variety Testing

In case you didn’t know I want to emphasize that Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension have an extensive variety testing program for corn, cotton, sorghum, peanuts, wheat, sunflower, soybean, silage, forages, rice, oilseeds, and more than I can count!

The trials are conducted in farmer fields and on Texas A&M AgriLife Research Stations across the state with companies that want to see how their varieties perform in multiple locations. Here is a YouTube video showing the process.

Recently Katrina Horn with Variety Testing sent out the pdf files for 8 tests conducted from the Rio Grande Valley up to Central Texas including San Angelo. There are still three test sites to be harvested located in the South Plains and Panhandle, but still, we are getting great information to be able to think about next year’s planting season. Why is this important now for organic sorghum growers?

Many, many sorghum seed companies will set aside sorghum seed for organic growers that is not seed treated. Unfortunately, they will treat the rest of their seed inventory making it unavailable to organic growers because it is treated seed. I wish it was easier but at least we can get seed, in most cases, if we are just a little bit pushy with a seed dealer!

Since we still have some more test sites to add I probably should wait a month or two, but I think it is better to be thinking about sorghum now. Here is all the 8 tests we have results for as of now. Just click the button below.

2025 Sorghum Variety Test Results

Photo: Sorghum Partners R&D (https://sorghumpartners.com/rd/)

Okay, you have all the results which is a huge amount of information for each test site and for the varieties. Please take a look at all the information, you will be surprised. Now let me give you some summary information that might help you focus your thoughts.

CompanyVarietyTest Ranking (in the significant top)
DeKalbDKS 44-071,1,3,4
DeKalbDKS 36-071,2,2
Dyna-GroM62GB361,4,5,6
DeKalbDKS 43-764,6,9
Integra (Wilbur Ellis)G3665 2,3,4,8 (only planted in 6 tests!)
Sorghum PartnersSP65M601,2
DeKalbDKS 49-762,3,4
DeKalbDKS 43-764,6,9

As a note of explanation! I looked at all the tests (8) and looked at only the top varieties in the test by significance. What I mean is that these top varieties were statistically better than all the others in the test. If a variety was statistically better in more than one test, I put it on this list and gave you its ranking from the test where it was statically significant. So, all, except one variety, were in all 8 tests. Some varieties you may see in the overall results may rank high, but to make this list they need to rank in at least two tests and rank significantly! Clear as mud?

What I am hoping does come through is that these varieties seem to do well across locations and would be worth looking at for organic growers – if you can get untreated seed. That is the question?

Organic Sorghum Resources (update)

Sorghum’s natural characteristics and compatibility with organic farming principles indeed make it an excellent crop for organic cultivation. While some traits like drought tolerance and non-GMO status are shared with conventional sorghum, these characteristics synergize particularly well with the goals and methods of organic agriculture, offering distinct advantages.

Click a link below to scroll down!

Post Updated 3/12/25

  1. Sorghum’s Advantages
  2. Buying seed?
  3. Sorghum Varieties
  4. Forage Sorghum Varieties
  5. Sorghum Sudan Grass Varieties
  6. Sorghum Seed Companies
  7. Other Resources (just click to see)

Sorghum’s Advantages

  • Drought Tolerance: Sorghum’s inherent drought tolerance makes it an ideal crop for organic systems, which prioritize water conservation and efficient use.
  • Low Fertilizer Needs: Sorghum’s ability to thrive in less fertile soils matches well with organic farming, which relies on natural fertility management rather than synthetic fertilizers.
  • Natural Resistance to Pests and Diseases: Sorghum’s inherent resistance to many pests and diseases minimizes the need for synthetic pesticides, making it easier for organic farmers to manage their crops.
  • Versatility in Use: Sorghum can be utilized in a variety of ways (grain, syrup, fodder) which allows organic producers to cater to diverse markets (food, feed, sweeteners) under organic labels.
  • Contribution to Soil Health: Sorghum’s deep rooting system can improve soil structure and increase water infiltration, beneficial effects that are particularly valued in organic systems focused on long-term soil health.
  • Crop Rotation and Diversity: Sorghum fits well into crop rotations, a cornerstone of organic farming, helping break pest and disease cycles and improving soil health without relying on chemical inputs.
  • Consumer Preference for Non-GMO: Even though there is no GMO sorghum on the market, the strong consumer preference for non-GMO products benefits organic sorghum producers, as their products are guaranteed to meet this demand.
  • Growing Demand for Organic Grains: The increasing consumer demand for organic products extends to grains, including sorghum, for both human consumption and organic animal feed.
  • Carbon Sequestration: Sorghum’s growth habit and biomass production can contribute to carbon sequestration, aligning with the environmental sustainability goals of organic farming.

While many of sorghum’s traits benefit both conventional and organic systems, its natural resilience, low input requirements, and versatility make it particularly well-suited for organic agriculture. These characteristics help organic sorghum producers minimize reliance on external inputs, align with organic principles, and tap into a growing market demand for organic products.

Buying seed?

The number of seeds per pound in sorghum varieties can vary significantly depending on the specific variety and the size of the seeds. Generally, this range can be broad, reflecting differences in genetics, breeding objectives, and end use (grain, forage, or specialty types). Here’s a general overview:

  • Small-Seeded Varieties: Can have as many as 16,000 to 18,000 seeds per pound.
  • Large-Seeded Varieties: May have fewer seeds per pound, typically ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 seeds per pound.
  • Forage sorghums and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid types tend to have larger seeds compared to grain sorghum varieties. The seeds per pound can range from 10,000 to 14,000 for forage types, with sorghum-sudangrass hybrids often on the lower end of this scale due to their larger seed size.

Sorghum Varieties

The varieties listed below are some planted by current organic growers. We are in the process of getting a better list together and will post them here!

These varieties are listed along with their respective websites for more detailed information. Company listings are down below and your source for qualified salespeople. Check with your certifier before buying any sorghum seed especially if the variety is not sold as organically produced. Since we do not have many organic, locally adapted sorghum varieties producers typically buy conventionally produced varieties without seed treatments.

Forage Sorghum Varieties

Sorghum Sudan Grass Varieties

Sorghum Seed Companies

Richardson Seeds

DynaGro Seed (Nutrien Ag Solutions)

MOJO Seed

Sorghum Partners, S&W Seed Company

Scott Seed Co

  • 114 E New York St. or PO Box 1732, Hereford, TX  79045
  • Office: 806-364-3484
  • Coby Kreighauser
  • Mobile: 806-683-1868
  • coby@scottseed.net
  • Chuck Cielencki
  • Mobile: 806-683-1868
  • chuck@scottseed.net

Supra Ag International

  • 10808 S River Front Pkwy, Suite 3039, South Jordan, UT 84095
  • Office: 801-984-6723
  • Sales: 806-292-0031
  • info@supra.ag
  • Chris Hendrickson
  • chris@supra.ag

Warner Seeds

Integra, Wilbur-Ellis

LG Seeds

Golden Acres

Innvictis Seed Solutions

Alta Seeds by Advanta

DeKalb (Bayer)

BH Genetics

Other Resources (just click to see)