30 December 2003: For producers in southern Victoria, the summer forage crop season is upon us, with farmers being urged to consider forage sorghum as a fodder option this season. Pacific Seeds’ Territory Manager for Southern Victoria and Tasmania, Mark Thompson said the popularity of forage sorghum among dairy and beef producers has grown over recent seasons for a variety of reasons.

"Forage sorghum is a versatile crop that can be cut for hay or silage, or grazed and can be harvested two to three times in the same season. Unlike maize, sorghum is ready for harvest in six to eight weeks, much faster than many silage corn varieties, thereby maximising the chance for growers to harvest their fodder crops in a tight season. For farmers growing fodder crops under irrigation, forage sorghum has three times the water use efficiency of lucerne and almost twice the water use efficiency of ryegrass” he said.

Over recent years, forage sorghum breeding programs have been aimed at maximising growth, palatability and digestibility. With Australia's only breeding program solely focused on forage sorghum, Pacific Seeds has become the trusted brand for dairy and beef producers who utilize the properties of forage sorghum, whether it is for grazing, hay making or silage.

"An example of the results of our breeding program is Pacific BMR, a crop which has seen a sharp rise in popularity in this area since its release," Mr Thompson said. Pacific BMR utilises a brown mid rib gene, which means lower levels of indigestible lignin, which increases digestibility and because the leaves are softer, palatability is also increased.

"Given the run of dry seasons we've experienced lately and the increase in insect pressure on brassica summer crops, the popularity of forage sorghum has grown because of it’s quicker maturity, deep rooting ability and it's lack of susceptiblity to insect attack like brassicas crops," Mr Thompson said.

"The deeper roots means it can better access deeper subsoil moisture."
"Forage sorghum's proven a success over brassicas where heavy populations of Diamond-back moth and other brassicas pests occur, by reducing impact of non beneficial insects and promoting beneficials by reduced spraying."
"It has become a handy IPM (integrated pest management) technique."

Caption: Pacific BMR being cut for silage at a dairy farm. Many forage sorghums can be cut for hay or silage, or used as part of a grazing rotation.