Sorghum

Sorghum only has one name, Sorghum vulgare. It is botanically classified in the genus Sorghum and family Poaceae. It is native to Africa and Asia.

The plant originated from the “floodplains” of India and was introduced to Africa by Arab traders in the 19th century (Morel 1997).

It is a packed nutrient grain that you can use in many ways. Sorghum grains are usually small, round, and white or yellow.

How It Is Grown?

You can grow Sorghum in drier areas, especially on shallow and heavy clay soils. The optimum growth requirements of this plant is a deep well drained fertile soil.

Sorghum has a small seed that should be planted shallow. A planting depth of 25mm with sufficient water is satisfactory.

You will require high temperatures (27 to 30c) for germination and growth. However, very high temperature may reduce the yields.

It also grows in both high and low rainfall areas and should be planted when the soil is moist. You should plant the seeds between 2.5 cm to 5cm.

Sorghum is tolerant of pollutants and can thrive in toxic soils that kills moist plant. However, it is sensitive to viral bacterial diseases which may result in low yield and poor quality.

You can, however, control this using disease free seeds and resistant cultivar such as maize.

Growing Sorghum – The Deep Dive

What do you Use During the Planting, Harvesting, and Processing of Sorghum?

So, you want to grow sorghum? Awesome! Growing sorghum is no small feat and there are a lot of necessary items and equipment for doing so.

The items needed to plant, harvest, and process sorghum are:

• Seeding material (seed)
• Fertilizer -Irrigation water (soil moisture) -Farmers know that getting sufficient water to the roots is one of the most crucial factors when planting seedlings. The use of irrigation systems can help provide this need. For experienced farmers this can entail drip irrigation systems or other larger scale water sources. For beginners, one of the easiest ways to water plants is by hand.
• Motorized farm equipment (tractors and harvesters) -Fertilizer spreaders (for spreading fertilizer)
• Harvesting equipment (sorghum combine, grain cart, grain auger, grain drill) -Trucks for transporting harvested sorghum
• Warehouse for storing harvested sorghum
• Storage silo for storage of harvested sorghum

Do you need a tractor to grow sorghum?

Farming has come a long way since the earlier days of farming. When used properly, technology has been a huge asset to farmers.

However, when it comes to farming, one piece of crucial equipment that doesn’t seem to be receiving much attention is the tractor.

The tractor is arguably the most important piece of farm equipment used and has been a mainstay since its inception.

Nowadays, farmers are using tractors and other farm equipment for a multitude of tasks including: harvesting, planting, fertilizing, transportation and more.

By using technology properly and learning how to use it effectively you can reap great rewards from your investment.

Whether you’re an experienced farmer or just starting out as a beginner in the world of agriculture there are some things you should invest in right away if growing sorghum is your long term goal.

Depending on where you live and what kind of soil you have to work with, choosing the right kind of plant seedling can be a tricky thing.

There are many different kinds of sorghum plants available, each one is grown in a specific climate in its native country.

Each variety is optimized for the environment where it was raised.

Breeders constantly experiment with new varieties or select existing ones to be able to provide improved yields and quality.

Selecting the most appropriate variety for your situation will increase your chances of success in planting and growing your own sorghum.

Frequently there is a need for planting more than one crop in a field over a period of time.

Whether you decide to grow sorghum year round or if you want to have a crop of sorghum in addition to other crops, it is important to know what kind of fertilizer you need to use and when.

For example, nitrogen is only optimal for a plant during its infancy. This type of fertilizer should not be used at the later stages of growth; it can actually do more harm than good.

The choice of fertilizer that is best for your crops will depend on the soil composition and the stage in which the plant is currently growing.

Experienced farmers look for equipment that will increase their efficiency and production levels while also saving them money on their operation costs.

For experienced farmers this job can oftentimes be done by hand. For beginners, it will be necessary to invest in some type of farm equipment to help them with the job.

Tools & Equipment: What To Use During the Planting, Harvesting, and Processing of Sorghum?

There are many different types of farm equipment that can help you with this task:

• Wheelbarrow
• Tillers (plow)
• Seeders (used for planting)

Tractor

As an agricultural machinist or engineer, there are two main reasons to know how to operate a tractor properly: safety and efficiency.

Knowing the proper way to operate a tractor ensures that it is always being driven safely while also allowing the operator to maximize its performance.

There are many different types of tractors. Consult the manufacturer’s manual, or an experienced tractor operator to be able to use your tractor properly.

A Plough

A plough is a large farming equipment that has blades fixed in a frame. These blades are drawn over the soil to turn it over and cut furrows in preparation for planting seeds.

They are traditionally drawn by oxen and horses. In the modern days, however, they are drawn by tractors.

It may have wooden, iron and steel frame with a blade attached to cut and loosen the soil

Advantages of using a plough

1. Loosening the soil to improve air circulation.
2. Enhances water retention.
3. Uproots the weeds growing in the field and aids in the growth of microbes.

Harvesters

Harvesters are used to pick up grain sorghum as well as transport it to other locations where it will be stored and/or processed.

There are two types of harvesters: the self loading type and the standard type.

A self loading harvester is used when the sorghum is grown in rows and the grains are already dry when harvested.

Self loading harvesters can move very quickly from one spot to another, which means they are often used by large operations that harvest a lot of grain at once.

Self unloading harvesters, on the other hand, harvest seeds from fields that have been sown earlier and harvesting grain sorghum when it is still green.

Combine Harvester

This is a versatile machine designed to efficiently harvest a variety of grain crops including sorghum. There are three types of combine harvesters:

• Pull type harvesting combine

They are also known as a tractor pull or tractor combines. This machine is pulled by a farm tractor.

• Pull type with auxiliary engine

They are pulled by a tractor but separate engine is mounted on the harvesting combine that supplies power for thrashing, cutting and other requirements.

• Self-propelled harvesting combine

This is a self-contained unit with an engine over it. The engine power is divided into 2 parts: One for driving, and the other for the harvesting related operations.

    Uses of the combine harvester.

• Cutting the crop and feeding the crop to thrashing unit
• Grain cleaning, storage and reducing grain loss
• Separating the husks from grain.
• Feeding crop to the cutting mechanism.

Grinders and Millers

Grinders and millers are used to separate the grains from the stem.

A grinder is used on sorghum that has been harvested while still green, while a miller is used on sorghum that has been harvested when it is dry.

There are two main types of grinders: a disk type and a hammer mill type.

Both methods can be used for grinding corn, wheat and other grains as well as sorghum.

The disk chopper uses two hydraulic arms attached to the disks which rotate in opposite directions and chop up the grain.

This method allows you to use less power than with a hammer mill, but it also requires more space because all of the parts are exposed.

To turn the sorghum grains in to flour, you need to use a hammer mill: a machine which crushes the grains with hammers attached to the inside of the spinning parts.

This method works very well when used to grind grain because it produces less heat and friction than a disk chopper, but it does require more space as well as more power in order to operate.

Binders

Binders are used to bind corn stalks together so that they can be handled more easily. Binders are usually essential on farms that harvest corn, wheat or other grains.

There are several different kinds of binders: they can be used to bind the stems, or as a cutting system to separate the stalks from each other.

Harmer reapers are used for harvesting grain sorghum that has already been harvested.

The harvester reaper works by cutting the stalks, or plants, with blades which come out of the machine in front of it and then fall back down into what was once a field of sorghum.

The blades then roll up and over these fallen stalks. This is how the grain is harvested from pulped sown standing fields.

How To Consume Sorghum

Sorghum can be consumed in various forms including : whole grain, flour, juice, molasses and alcohol.

Whole grain sorghum is a healthy alternative to rice or wheat. It can be used in much the same way as other grains.

Sorghum flour which is gluten-free, nutritionally rich and has a very mild taste can be used in much the same way as wheat flour. It can also be an alternative to corn meal for people who have allergies to corn.

Sorghum is also an ingredient in many alcoholic drinks including: whiskey, rum and tequila.

Sorghum is an important part of rural economies in many countries. It is used for producing food, feed, fiber and fuel as well as providing employment.

In parts of Africa, sorghum is even popular with the local wildlife such as birds and monkeys!

Processing Sorghum for Use

You can use a manual grinder, or electric powered grinders to grind the sorghum seeds in to powder/flour for use in your foods.

Below are some of the best grinders on Amazon that you can use at home.

Final Words:

In conclusion, sorghum is a flexible plant that is sometimes grown as an ornamental, in greenhouses and around farms.

In some areas, it’s even used for its medicinal purposes! There are many uses for sorghum and most small-scale farmers will be able to use it on their farm at some point.

Sorghum can be used in it’s whole grain form, as a powder/flour, or as a syrup.

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