What is Sorghum? | MD F&H

Summary

At Dell Brothers farm in Maryland, sorghum stands out as a unique and versatile crop. Harvested in mid-November, it's a gluten-free grain with a rich history, dating back to 8000 B.C. in Africa. Similar to corn, sorghum can be used for flour, silage, and biofuel, but it also has the added benefit of being drought-resistant and less appealing to deer. The U.S., being the world's largest producer, primarily uses sorghum for feed or fuel, yet in Maryland, it's favored for bird seed. The Dell family finds joy in the crop's adaptability and marketability, making it an essential part of their agricultural portfolio.

Takeaways

• 🌾 Harvest Time: The script describes the harvest season at Dell Brothers farm, focusing on a late crop, sorghum.
• 📈 Sorghum Moisture Content: Greg Dell discusses the moisture content of sorghum, indicating that 15% is close to the ideal dryness for the crop.
• 🌱 Unusual Crop: Sorghum is highlighted as an unusual crop in Maryland, with Greg Dell comparing it to corn before selective breeding.
• 🍞 Gluten-Free Alternative: Sorghum is noted for being gluten-free and used to make flour for bread and other wheat alternatives.
• 🌿 Similarities to Corn: The script points out that sorghum and corn share many similarities, including appearance and potential uses such as silage and biofuel.
• 🍯 Sorghum Molasses: It is mentioned that certain varieties of sorghum can be made into molasses, unlike corn.
• 🌎 U.S. Production: The United States is the world's largest producer of sorghum, with a significant portion grown in the 'Sorghum Belt'.
• 🐦 Bird Seed Market: Dell Brothers' sorghum is used for bird seed in east central Pennsylvania, indicating a niche market for the crop.
• 🌍 International Trade: China is mentioned as a significant importer of U.S. sorghum, along with corn and soybeans.
• 🌳 Environmental Resilience: Sorghum is described as more drought-resistant and less appealing to deer than corn, making it advantageous in certain conditions.
• 🚜 Harvesting Process: The script details the nonstop operation of harvesting, transferring, and storing the grain, emphasizing the efficiency and importance of the process.

Q & A

What is the main activity at Dell Brothers farm during the harvest season?

The main activity at Dell Brothers farm during the harvest season is combining sorghum, which is one of the unusual crops grown in Maryland.

What is sorghum and how is it related to corn?

Sorghum is a crop that is similar to corn in its early stages of growth but has a different grain form. It is what corn was before it was selectively bred and was historically grown by the Indians, crushed into flour, and used for nutrition.

Why is sorghum considered gluten-free and beneficial for certain diets?

Sorghum is gluten-free, making it a suitable alternative for people with gluten intolerance or those following a gluten-free diet. It can be used to make sorghum flour for breads and other products in place of wheat.

What are some of the uses of sorghum besides human consumption?

Besides human consumption, sorghum can be used to make silage and biofuel. Certain varieties can also be made into sorghum molasses.

Where is the majority of U.S. sorghum grown and what is its primary use?

The majority of U.S. sorghum is grown in an area known as the Sorghum Belt, running from the Dakotas to Southern Texas. Most U.S. sorghum is used as feed or fuel.

What is unique about the sorghum grown at Dell Brothers farm in Maryland?

The sorghum grown at Dell Brothers farm in Maryland is unique because it ends up being used for bird seed in east central Pennsylvania, unlike the majority of U.S. sorghum which is used for feed or fuel.

Why is sorghum an important historical crop?

Sorghum is an important historical crop because it was grown as early as 8000 B.C. throughout Africa and is believed to have made its way to America with enslaved people. It has a storied past and was even admired by figures like Ben Franklin.

What are some advantages of growing sorghum compared to other crops like corn?

Sorghum has natural advantages such as being more drought-resistant and not requiring as much rainfall as corn. It also seems to thrive better in soils with lower fertility or less organic matter to hold water.

How does deer pressure affect the crops at Dell Brothers farm, and is sorghum affected?

Deer pressure is significant at Dell Brothers farm, as deer love to eat corn and soybeans. However, for some reason, deer do not seem to eat sorghum, providing an additional advantage for growing this crop.

What is the process of harvesting sorghum at Dell Brothers farm?

Harvesting sorghum at Dell Brothers farm involves a nonstop operation where the grain is transferred from the combine to a grain cart and then offloaded to waiting tractor trailers, which take it to the grain elevator for further processing and drying.

How does the Dell family view the role of sorghum in their farming operations?

The Dell family views sorghum as an important addition to their farming operations, providing another marketable product throughout the year and acting as a 'second egg in the basket' to ensure stability in their income, even in less favorable years.

Outlines

00:00

🌾 Harvesting Sorghum at Dell Brothers Farm

The script introduces the harvest season at Dell Brothers farm near Westminster, focusing on the unique crop of sorghum. Greg Dell explains the crop's moisture content and its similarity to corn before selective breeding. Sorghum is highlighted as a gluten-free alternative used for flour, silage, biofuel, and even molasses. The U.S. is noted as the largest producer, with Maryland's sorghum finding a niche in bird seed. The historical significance of sorghum as a vital food source since 8000 B.C. is mentioned, along with its introduction to America by enslaved people and Ben Franklin's interest. The farm's advantage with sorghum includes deer not eating it and its drought resistance, which is better suited to certain farms with less rainfall and fertility.

05:03

📊 Sorghum's Role in Maryland Agriculture

This paragraph delves into the practical aspects of sorghum harvesting, describing the process as a 'ballet of mechanical movement' from combine to grain cart to tractor trailers, and finally to the Dell Brothers grain elevator. Gary, Greg's father, discusses the importance of test weight as an indicator of sorghum quality and nutrient value. The summary also touches on the visual quality assessment by grain color. The paragraph concludes with the potential presence of Maryland-grown sorghum in backyards and the Dell family's satisfaction with the crop's marketability and resilience in varying years. A comparison of corn and sorghum acreage in Maryland in 2017 is provided to illustrate the dominance of corn over sorghum in the state's agriculture.

Keywords

💡Harvest

Harvest refers to the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. In the context of the video, it is the time of year when Dell Brothers farm is busy collecting their crops, particularly sorghum, which is one of the last to be harvested. The script mentions 'It's harvest time at Dell Brothers farm,' highlighting the seasonal nature of agricultural work and the importance of this time for farmers.

💡Sorghum

Sorghum is a type of cereal grain that is grown for various purposes, including as a food source and for industrial uses. The video discusses sorghum as an unusual crop grown in Maryland, with Greg Dell mentioning its historical significance and nutritional attributes. The script describes sorghum's similarity to corn and its uses, such as making gluten-free flour and biofuel, illustrating the crop's versatility and importance in the farm's operations.

💡Moisture Content

Moisture content is a measure of the amount of water present in a substance, typically expressed as a percentage. In the script, Greg Dell checks the moisture content of the sorghum, which is crucial for determining when the crop is ready to harvest. The mention of 'It's running about 15%, which fourteen and a half is dry for sorghum' indicates the specific moisture levels that are ideal for harvesting, underlining the precision required in agricultural practices.

💡Gluten-Free

Gluten-free refers to food products that do not contain gluten, a protein found in wheat and some other grains. The video script highlights that sorghum is gluten-free, making it a valuable alternative for people with dietary restrictions or preferences. The phrase 'Sorghum is gluten-free, so they make sorghum flour to make breads' shows how sorghum is adapted to meet the needs of a diverse consumer base, including those with gluten intolerance.

💡Silage

Silage is a fermented, high-moisture feed that can be made from crops like corn and sorghum. The script mentions that sorghum, like corn, can be used to make silage, which is an important aspect of agricultural by-products. This demonstrates the multifaceted uses of sorghum beyond direct human consumption, contributing to the farm's overall productivity and sustainability.

💡Biofuel

Biofuel is a type of fuel derived from organic material, such as plants or waste. The video script notes that sorghum can be used to make biofuel, showcasing the crop's potential for contributing to renewable energy sources. The mention of 'can also be used to make silage and biofuel' emphasizes the environmental benefits and the crop's role in the broader energy sector.

💡Sorghum Molasses

Sorghum molasses is a byproduct of processing sorghum to extract its sugar content, similar to the molasses produced from sugarcane or sugar beets. The script specifies that 'certain varieties can even be made into sorghum molasses,' indicating the diversity of products that can be derived from sorghum and its potential for various industrial applications.

💡Sorghum Belt

The Sorghum Belt refers to a region known for its significant production of sorghum, stretching from the Dakotas to Southern Texas in the U.S. The video script states that 'the majority of it is grown in an area known as the Sorghum Belt,' which provides geographical context for where sorghum is predominantly cultivated. This term helps to understand the scale of sorghum production and its importance in the American agricultural landscape.

💡Bird Seed

Bird seed is a type of feed made from various grains, including sorghum, which is used to nourish birds. The script mentions that 'Our crop ends up in east central Pennsylvania, for bird seed,' indicating one of the specific markets for the sorghum grown by Dell Brothers farm. This use of sorghum highlights its role in the pet and wildlife food industry.

💡Drought-Resistant

Drought-resistant refers to plants that can withstand dry conditions with less need for water. The video script describes sorghum as 'a little hardier, a little more drought-resistant,' which is a key advantage for farming in areas with variable rainfall. This characteristic of sorghum is particularly beneficial for Dell Brothers farm, as it allows the crop to thrive even during periods of drought.

💡Grain Elevator

A grain elevator is a structure used for storing and distributing bulk grain. In the script, the grain elevator at Dell Brothers farm is where harvested grain is taken to be weighed, dumped, and dried. The phrase 'where it's taken to the Dell Brothers grain elevator' illustrates the final stages of the harvest process, showing the infrastructure necessary for handling and storing the farm's produce.

Highlights

It's harvest time at Dell Brothers farm, near Westminster, with most crops done by mid-November except for sorghum.

Greg Dell discusses the moisture level in sorghum, which is crucial for determining its dryness.

Sorghum is an unusual crop in Maryland, with Greg Dell combining it for harvest.

Sorghum is compared to corn before selective breeding, with historical significance in Indian agriculture.

Sorghum is gluten-free and used to make flour as a wheat alternative.

The visual differences between corn and sorghum as the grains develop are highlighted.

Sorghum can be used for silage, biofuel, and even sorghum molasses, unlike corn.

The U.S. is the largest producer of sorghum, with a significant portion grown in the Sorghum Belt.

Dell Brothers' sorghum is primarily used for bird seed in east central Pennsylvania.

China is a major importer of U.S. sorghum, along with corn and soybeans.

Sorghum's historical importance as a food source dates back to 8000 B.C. in Africa.

Sorghum was introduced to America by enslaved people and admired by Ben Franklin.

Dell Brothers farm benefits from sorghum's resistance to deer and drought.

Sorghum thrives in less fertile soil and requires less rainfall than corn.

Harvesting sorghum is described as a nonstop operation with a detailed process.

Gary Dell, Greg's father, oversees the weighing and storage of the harvested sorghum.

The test weight of sorghum is an indicator of its quality and nutrient value.

Sorghum's color during harvest indicates its quality, with a dark amber color being ideal.

Maryland-grown sorghum may not be on dinner plates, but it has found a market and practical use.

The Dell family views sorghum as a valuable addition to their crop portfolio, with a good market found.

In 2017, Maryland farmers grew significantly more corn than sorghum, with 473,000 acres versus 12,000 acres.

Transcripts

♪

[clipping]

JOANNE: It's harvest time at Dell Brothers farm

near Westminster.

By mid-November, most of their crops are done

except for one holdout.

GREG DELL: It tells you the moisture here, reads all that.

It's running about 15%,

which fourteen and a half is dry for sorghum.

So, pretty close.

JOANNE: Yes, you heard him right.

Today, Greg Dell is combining sorghum.

Don't be surprised if you've never heard of it.

As crops go, sorghum is one of the more unusual grown here

in Maryland.

GREG: Sorghum is pretty much what corn was

before corn was selectively bred to be what it is.

When the Indians were growing crops,

they were growing sorghum and crushing it into flour,

the same thing that we're doing with it today,

and it has a lot of attributes as far as nutrition.

♪

JOANNE: As corn and sorghum grow,

the stalks and leaves look very similar.

But as the grains begin to take shape,

they take on a noticeably different form.

Looks aside, corn and sorghum share more similarities

than you might think.

GREG: Sorghum is gluten-free,

so they make sorghum flour to make breads

and different kind of things in replace of wheat.

JOANNE: Like corn, this gluten-free grain

can also be used to make silage and biofuel.

But unlike corn, certain varieties can even be made into

sorghum molasses.

The U.S. is the world's largest producer of sorghum

at 373 million bushels in 2020.

The majority of it is grown in an area known as

the Sorghum Belt, running from the Dakotas

to Southern Texas.

Most U.S. sorghum becomes feed or fuel,

but here in Maryland, a different set of customers

flock to this grain.

[birds whistling]

GREG: Our crop ends up in east central Pennsylvania

for bird seed.

A lot of the sorghum in the country does get exported.

China buys a lot of sorghum, as they do with corn and soybeans.

Most of our, well, all of our sorghum in the past,

I'm pretty sure it's been six years

that we've been growing it, and all of it has gone into

into Pennsylvania to go into bird seed.

JOANNE: But this grain isn't just for the birds.

Historically, sorghum is one of the world's most indispensable

foods with a storied past.

As early as 8000 B.C., sorghum was grown throughout Africa,

adapting to a range of environments from the Highlands

to the desert.

It's believed that sorghum made its way to America

with enslaved people...

where even Ben Franklin was impressed by the crop.

Centuries later, it's become an important grain here at

Dell Brothers with some natural advantages.

GREG: We have this farm and a couple other farms

where we have a lot of deer pressure.

For whatever reason, the deer do not seem to eat the sorghum

like they sure love to eat corn and soybeans.

And the other thing is rainfall.

Sorghum does not need the rain that a corn crop does.

It is a little hardier, a little more drought-resistant,

I guess you would say.

And these farms that maybe the fertility isn't there,

doesn't have the organic matter in the soil to hold the water,

the sorghum seems to thrive a little better than the corn,

especially when we do go without rain for several weeks.

♪

JOANNE: Harvesting is a nonstop operation,

a ballet of mechanical movement, as the grain is transferred

from the combine to a grain cart and then offloaded

to waiting tractor trailers...

where it's taken to the Dell Brothers grain elevator.

♪

Here, Greg's father, Gary, runs the show.

[rushing grain]

Be it corn, soybean, wheat, or sorghum,

each truck is weighed and its contents dumped into the grain

elevator.

Next, it's piped into a particular silo

where it'll finish drying.

Meanwhile, Gary inspects the harvest.

GARY: The normal test weight on sorghum is 56 pounds,

and you want to be right around that.

It's indication of the quality and the nutrient value

that's packed in that... particular grain.

You can almost tell by the color of it how good a quality is it.

JOANNE: When conditions are right,

the sorghum turns a dark amber color,

and these grains look great.

GARY: I'll see you next time.

JOANNE: While you may not find Maryland-grown sorghum

on your dinner plate just yet, there's a possibility

some is already in your backyard.

But regardless of who eats it, for the Dell family,

the appeal of this unusual crop continues to grow.

GARY: It gives us another egg in our basket

to market throughout the year, and we have been lucky enough

to find a good market for it.

And if it's not such a great year,

the sorghum can still do okay.

I think we're at a happy spot now.

JOANNE: Did you know in 2017, Maryland farmers

grew 473,000 acres of corn compared to just

12,000 acres of sorghum?