Sorghum adoption grows among French livestock farmers

Farmers in France are increasingly adopting sorghum as a resilient alternative or supplement to maize for livestock feed. In the Drôme region, multi-cut sorghum is being used to provide green pasture during summer months, helping to mitigate the production gaps caused by seasonal droughts. To prevent dhurrine-related toxicity in cattle, farmers manage grazing based on plant height, utilizing different varieties to maintain a continuous grazing chain.

In Indre-et-Loire, sorghum is also being grown as a grain crop to diversify crop rotations and reduce reliance on maize. While sorghum yields (typically 50 to 60 q/ha) are generally lower than the potential maximum for maize, they offer greater stability against climate fluctuations and are less susceptible to damage from corvids. Additionally, the ability to use existing cereal seeding equipment makes it an attractive, low-investment option for cattle farmers looking to stabilize their feed supply.