Will sorghum outshine corn in 2024?

Mar 01, 2024

By Farms.com

The agricultural sector is witnessing a potential shift in crop preferences as sorghum gains traction over corn. This change is driven by several factors, including increased global demand, particularly from China, and sorghum's ability to thrive in drought conditions. The US, a global leader in sorghum production, has seen exports skyrocket, highlighting the crop's growing importance.

Recent data shows a dramatic rise in sorghum exports, which have more than doubled in a year, underscoring the strong international demand for this versatile grain. With ending stocks dwindling to new lows, the call for more sorghum acreage is louder than ever.

The resilience of sorghum to drought conditions makes it a preferred choice in regions prone to dry weather, such as the Southern Plains. This adaptability, combined with the current market dynamics, raises questions about the future of corn acreage in traditional sorghum-growing states.

In the 2023/24 season, the US dedicated 7.2 million acres to sorghum, a number that could increase as farmers respond to the market's signals. This shift could see sorghum encroaching on the territory traditionally dominated by corn, driven by the need to meet export demands and leverage the crop's drought tolerance.

As the agricultural community prepares for the upcoming planting season, the spotlight is on sorghum. Its benefits, both in terms of market demand and environmental adaptability, position it as a strong contender in the crop rotation mix. The potential reduction in corn acres in favor of sorghum reflects the changing dynamics of American agriculture, emphasizing the need for flexibility and innovation in crop management.

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether sorghum's current advantages will lead to a significant change in the agricultural landscape. With its eyes set on both domestic and international markets, sorghum's role in the future of farming is undoubtedly one to watch.

Video: How farmers are protecting the soil and our food security | DW Documentary

For a long time, soil was all but ignored. But for years, the valuable humus layer has been thinning. Farmers in Brandenburg are clearly feeling the effects of this on their sandy fields. Many are now taking steps to prepare their farms for the future.

Years of drought, record rainfall and failed harvests: we are becoming increasingly aware of how sensitively our environment reacts to extreme weather conditions. Farmers' livelihoods are at stake. So is the ability of consumers to afford food.

For a few years now, agriculture that focuses solely on maximum yields has been regarded with increasing skepticism. It is becoming more and more clear just how dependent we are on healthy soils.

Brandenburg is the federal state with the worst soil quality in Germany. The already thin, fertile humus layer has been shrinking for decades. Researchers and farmers who are keen to experiment are combating these developments and looking for solutions. Priority is being given to building up the humus layer, which consists of microorganisms and fungi, as well as springtails, small worms and centipedes.

For Lena and Philipp Adler, two young vegetable farmers, the tiny soil creatures are invaluable helpers. On their three-hectare organic farm, they rely on simple, mechanical weed control, fallow areas where the soil can recover, and diversity. Conventional farmer Mark Dümichen also does everything he can to protect soil life on his land. For years, he has not tilled the soil after the harvest and sows directly into the field. His yields have stabilized since he began to work this way.

Isabella Krause from Regionalwert AG Berlin-Brandenburg is convinced after the experiences of the last hot summers that new crops will thrive on Brandenburg's fields in the long term. She has founded a network of farmers who are promoting the cultivation of chickpeas with support from the scientific community.