Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1908 — Sorghum as a Forage Crop. [ARTICLE]

Sorghum as a Forage Crop.

Ihe value of sorghum as a forage crop is not well understoood in tills section. In the southwest it is a staple feed highly esteemed. It is an early maturing plant blooming within 60 days from planting, when it may begin to be fed. Hogs are very fond of it both as a pasture plant .and when fed matured. Horses eat it -entirely without waste. - We have fed 1t continuously to them for 100 days with splendid results. It is especially valuable as a soiling crop for dairy cows. Bulletin No. 50, published by order of the U. S. Dept, oof Agriculture, has this to say 9! it: “It is not only an excellent forage for growing anlmals and those that are being prepared for market, but is one of the best feeds that can be used during the summer and early autumn for dairy cattle on account of the large flow of excellent milk which K induces.” It may be drilled with a corn planter, using 15 pounds of seed per acre. We tested a small plat planted In this manner that when thoroughly cured made at the rate of 12 tons, 800 pounds per acre, of which 2560 lbs. were leaves,which have a feeding value ue about 50% greater than timothy hay. In seed it made at the rate of 87 pounds per acre, which has a feeding value rated at 90% as much as corn (see Bulletin No. 50). By seeding In a very fertile soil with a jvbeat drill using 100 seed per acre we tested a plat 75 days from planting without Vfnlck* jtelCed at the rate of 29 tons, 600 pounds per acre green. In plant food Its requirements are very much the same as corn. W. H. PULLIN.