Grain Sorghum Varieties

Sorghum is a native wild plant of Africa. Varieties of sorghum are classified into 4 groups. The grain sorghum plant grown in Kansas is often called milo.

Grain Sorghums (Milo) - Grain sorghums are grown for the grain - round, starchy seeds that can be ground or mixed into animal feeds. Grain sorghum is often used to replace corn in animal feed as it is higher in protein and lower in fat content than corn.

Broom Corn - Broom corn is actually a variety of sorghum. Broom corn is grown for the branches of the seed cluster, which are used to make brooms.

Grass Sorghums - Grass sorghums are grown for green feed (to be chopped and made into silage) and also for hay (to be cut and baled). However, grass sorghums can also be perennial weeds, such as Johnsongrass which is a weed that grows in Kansas. Sudan grass is an annual grass sorghum grown in Kansas for feed and hay.

Sweet Sorghums - Sweet sorghums have juicy stems and are grown to be made into syrup. Sorghum syrup is made by pressing the juice out of the stems and boiling it down to the proper thickness. Sweet sorghums can also be grown for feed or hay.