NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) has released a new sorghum production guide aimed at informing growers and agronomists on ways to improve the yield and quality of sorghum crops grown in northern New South Wales.
The guide is based on a year-long research partnership between NSW DPIRD and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) focused on improving yield, production reliability and increasing water use efficiency.
Grain sorghum is the dominant summer crop with the bulk of the state's production grown in northern NSW.
Primarily grown as a feed source in the domestic intensive livestock industry, sorghum is increasingly being used for human consumption.
Tamworth-based NSW DPIRD Northern Cropping Systems Research Officer Loretta Serafin said the guide provides advice for the distinct growing regions of the Liverpool Plains and North West NSW.
"While the Liverpool Plains has a long history of reliable, profitable sorghum production, North West NSW has a shorter history of sorghum production, especially west of the Newell Highway," Ms Serafin said.
"The northwest is characterised by high summer temperatures, lower and more variable rainfall, and winter dominant crop rotations.
"These conditions have traditionally made growers reluctant to grow a summer crop, but above average rainfall in recent years has prompted more growers to consider including sorghum in their rotations."
GRDC Grower Relations Manager Jon Baird, who managed the project, said the research investment had been developed to answer specific questions for northwestern NSW grain growers dealing with specific environment challenges.
"GRDC invested in this project to support growers, who were dealing with colder soils when they planted early summer crops and as a result plants took longer to develop," Mr Baird said.
"Many growers in this region were also deterred from planting sorghum after harvesting crops that were lower protein (9% or less) and had reduced yields.
"So, through this research we wanted to provide them with information and confidence to manage early sown sorghum, with strategic fertiliser use, and row spacing and plant populations that considered seasonal conditions."
The guide is particularly useful for sorghum growers looking to improve production reliability in western environments, and those wanting to achieve higher yields in the Liverpool Plains region.
"Sorghum profitability is primarily driven by grain yield as higher protein does not attract a premium price, so our focus continues to be on achieving higher yields," Ms Serafin said.
"However, as human consumption becomes a larger proportion of the market, premiums for better grain quality are possible.
"Currently, we use grain protein as an indicator of whether adequate levels of nitrogen have been applied to meet the yield potential of the crop. Grain protein levels less than 9% are considered yield limiting."
The sorghum production guide provides advice on optimal soil and water conditions, and the best time to plant the crop.
The guide also includes the latest research results from a series of trials conducted across northern NSW, with key findings relating to row spacing, plant population, and crop nutrition.
The document builds on the department's comprehensive list of information guides which assist growers and agronomists to making better decisions for crop management.
Download and view the latest NSW DPIRD sorghum production guide (PDF, 1573.32 KB).
