University of Nevada-Reno Researcher Develops Climate-Conscious Grain

One researcher at the University of Nevada-Reno has developed what she called revolutionary sorghum varieties for dairy cow feed and gluten-free human foods.

Melinda Yerka, associate professor of agriculture at the university, said the western U.S. is facing accelerated rates of climate change and drought, highlighting the need for resilient alternatives. She added the traditional crops grown in Nevada, like alfalfa to feed beef cows and corn for dairy cows, are struggling to keep up.

The sorghum varieties Yerka and her team have developed now may allow farmers in the region and globally to be better prepared in the face of a hotter and drier climate.

"Sorghum is a very good alternative grain crop for various uses," Yerka explained. "Primarily it is used as an animal feed in the United States, but it is also a good alternative crop to replace corn for example in dairy silages."

Yerka noted dairy silage is fermented feed, curated to feed dairy cows, which in turn provides them with the required energy and nutrition to produce milk. Yerka pointed out the more than 200 varieties she and her team have developed not only use significantly less water but are cheaper and produce higher yields.

Yerka reported field studies confirmed her seeds perform best on 20-25 inches of water per year, significantly less than the 30-40 inches corn and alfalfa require. She added she has received significant correspondence from farmers around the nation who have expressed interest in her varieties. It eventually led her to found Yerka Seeds in 2023 in an effort to fulfill the development and commercialization of her sorghum varieties.