NatUp: Sorghum Plays Its Norman Card

Unknown as a rotation crop to the Norman growers in 2020, sorghum has since convinced the members of the NatUp cooperative, and the feed compounders in the region now require this (small-grained but rich in benefits) plant.

NatUp, a cooperative located in Normandy started its sorghum trials in 2020. “One of our members, who had been unable to plant corn along a river bank decided to try out sorghum”, Frédéric Chopart, the group’s director for the Eastern region, recalls. “With a yield of 80 q/ha on the very first year, the trial drew immediate attention, so we thought: why not plant sorghum on a wider area? That was the start of our sorghum adventure.”

Weed Control Made Easy

As a plant that uses much less water than other crops, this spring cereal also requires a low level of inputs. “Nitrogen, one herbicide treatment, and that’s all”, Frédéric Chopart continues. “Moreover, its presence in rotations makes weed control easier, thanks to its allopathic effect and its ability to cover the spaces between rows quickly. In our production region, many rotations are based on three crops: wheat, barley, and rapeseed. To have a new spring crop at hand is a plus, especially in terms of weed control. The agronomic advantages of sorghum also include its good rooting quality. Planting and harvesting are done with the same equipment that is used for wheat. These are all compelling aspects.”

Sorghum Harnesses Each Rainfall Well

About a hundred members of our cooperative planted over 1000 hectares of sorghum, in 2023. “This year, the area dropped to about 650 hectares, because after two rather dry springs, not all production results met our expectations”, Frédéric Chopart points out. Although sorghum uses less water, it does need it! On the other hand, this is a plant that uses every rainfall to the maximum. Depending on the year’s weather, yield differences can be big, going from 40 to 100 q/ha. However, I am convinced that sorghum can find its place even in our production region, which stretches between Dreux and Chartres. Hybrid earliness also plays its part. Together with the Chamber of Agriculture of Île-de-France, we have been carrying out trials in order to adjust production methods as needed.” One of the silos of NatUp is used only for drying sorghum. “This is a crop that can use up equipment quite a lot; therefore, we have had this idea of concentrating all our grain operations on one site, because drying remains an indispensable stage”, he explains. 

Feed Sorghum in High Demand

In this cooperative, all the harvests of sorghum grains go to the feed industry. “This crop has the same nutritional characteristics as corn, with the additional benefit of higher protein content. Feed compounders are very interested in sorghum, especially for the swine lots.” A part of the production may also go to the poultry industry. Frédéric Chopart, who has been involved in the development of sorghum in Normandy, hopes to see a rebound of the area in the coming years.