Sorghum Captures Interest in Poland

For the first time this year, PZPK, the association of Polish corn producers has organized a trial plot for sorghum, in order to explain and demonstrate the crop’s entire potential for this country. Tadeusz Michalski, president of the association, explains the reasons for this initiative.

Could you tell us more about your organisation?

Our organisation was created in 1984 in order to gather together all the actors interested in corn: from farmers, of course, to seed producers and researchers. In the early 2000s, Poland experienced three drought years that hit corn yields heavily. During that same period, Syngenta introduced us to a very promising sorghum hybrid, with interesting characteristics, especially in terms of drought tolerance. We therefore decided to plant it and we soon found that in superficial soils and drought years, sorghum did very well; better than corn. Within one year, areas went from a few hectares to almost 20 000. However, dairy cattle growers quickly realized that cows fed to sorghum were giving less milk. Within three years, the sorghum area went down again, reaching 3000 hectares. Until last year, the areas were relatively stable.

“The new sorghum varieties perform well no matter their final outlet”

Why organize a sorghum trial plot?

Our main goal was to show that thanks to the genetic progress made in recent years, the technical and agronomic characteristics of sorghum had made considerable headway. The trial plot included thirteen varieties – six for grain and seven for feed – from different companies: KWS, Lidea, RAGT, and Agro Seed (a Hungarian breeding company). The idea was to explain that the range of offer is wider now, with hybrids that can be planted later, are well-adjusted to our country’s climate, and work well for different outlets. Even if the methane industry is not developed much in Poland, there are certain sorghum varieties that are perfectly suitable for this use. The farmers, seed companies, technicians, and students who visited our field plot understood that the new varieties performed well, no matter their final outlet. As a feed crop, for example, sorghum has nutritional assets that are similar to those of corn. Given that under the Polish legislation, corn monoculture is forbidden, it is imperative to include a new crop in our rotations. Sorghum is therefore an interesting alternative. This plant also seems to be less vulnerable to wild boars compared to corn and remains completely unaffected by borers. These are all compelling assets, to farmers.

What are your area targets for the coming years?

We would like to be able to reach 50 000 hectares in five to seven years from now. I believe sorghum holds significant growth potential in our country, especially for the production of grains and feed in our dairy regions. More than half of Poland’s soils are light, with low production potential, and sensitive to drought. In such a context, sorghum appears as a good alternative to corn: it is planted a month later compared to corn and it tolerates water stress better. Our trial plot should be reorganised next year, in order to make the varieties’ genetic advancements better known to the public and thus help with the crop’s development in the years to come.

“I believe sorghum holds significant growth potential in our country, especially for the production of grains and feed in our dairy regions.”