Grain sorghum is an important minor rotational crop in Tennessee.  Sorghum is more drought tolerant than either corn or soybeans, and provides another non-host crop for managing soybean cyst nematode and cotton reniform nematode populations.  Grain sorghum can be used in a double-crop system following wheat or as a late-planted grain crop.  Acreage has fluctuated widely in previous years, but stabilized to between 20,000 to 30,000 acres on average.  In 2006, acres planted for grain decreased to about 11,000, the lowest sorghum acreage reported in several years.  The 2006 statewide sorghum grain yield was 95 bushels/acre.  With higher current sorghum prices, acres are expected to increase slightly in 2007.

Grain sorghum is grown in less than 10 western Tennessee counties (production map).  Most sorghum is grown in a no-till or conservation tillage system.  Although sorghum is relatively drought tolerant, yields still depend on available moisture.  Withoutmproved varieties, the acreage of grain sorghum will probably stay fairly unchanged.