Forage Fence®

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Management and Recommendations

  • Always store seed in a cool, dry place prior to planting.
  • Test soil pH and follow lime and fertilizer recommendations each season. Tell your lab to make recommendations for sorghum. If you do this each year, you will know what your soil requires and will end up saving money on fertilizer.
  • If you don’t know your soil test, then you will need about 100 units (units, not pounds) of N, 50 units of P, and 50 units of K per acre. Apply N fertilizer on dry soil, but make sure it is tilled-in or rained-in within 2 days of application (nitrogen can volatilize or gas off into the atmosphere).
  • Your soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0 (your soil needs to be at this pH level for maximum nutrient uptake). If you don’t have a soil test but know your pH is low, you will probably need to add a couple of tons of lime per acre. Lime will take several months to neutralize the soil.
  • Sorghum does not like water-logged soil, so choose a well-drained site. It is best to prepare a smooth, firm seed bed without deep pockets and clods. If tillage is not an option, you can use non-selective herbicides (such as Roundup, following the label directions) prior to no-till planting. ** Roundup and grass herbicides cannot be used over-the-top of the plants. Always follow pesticide labels.
  • Forage Fence® should be planted after your last spring frost when soil temperatures are above 55 degrees at a one inch depth. Avoid planting in hot, dry weather unless you have adequate soil moisture.
  • Plant in moist soil to obtain fast seed emergence. Fast emergence and canopy closure is your best defense against weeds. But, don’t work your plot when it is wet, or muddy, this can cause compaction.
  • Plant one full 15 lb bag per acre. You can either broadcast or drill (1/4 to 1/2 inch depth). If broadcasting, cover lightly with up to 3/4 inch of soil and firm up with a drag or roller. Wide row plantings (over 20 inches) are not recommended.

**Data courtesy of U of A and Texas A & M Sorghum Planting Guides.