50# GRAIN SORGHUM-WGF FSG 115

Specifically engineered to support the dietary and habitat needs of game and migratory birds, Wildlife Grain Sorghum Grass Seed is an early-maturing, high-yield variety known for its resilience and unique protective qualities. Ideal for use in wildlife food plots, this specialized sorghum delivers both reliable nutrition and essential cover throughout the fall and winter months.

Plant Characteristics & Benefits

• Fast Growth Cycle: Reaches mid-bloom in just 50–55 days with excellent early-season cold tolerance.

• High Grain Yield: Vigorous tillering ensures staggered grain maturity and prolonged availability of food.

• Wildlife-Targeted: Provides essential feed for upland game birds (quail, pheasant, turkey, prairie chicken) and migratory birds (ducks, geese, doves).

• Protective Taste Barrier: Grain has a naturally bitter flavor in the milk and dough stages, deterring predatory birds like sparrows, blackbirds, and starlings. Bitterness fades at full maturity.

• Weather-Resistant Grain: Seed pericarp resists mold and rotting, maintaining grain quality through harsh winter exposure.

Key Features

• Not for Commercial Grain Use: High tannin content makes it unsuitable for commercial production.

• Dual-Purpose: Serves as both a dependable food source and dense protective cover for birds.

• Resilient Design: Developed to withstand adverse weather while maintaining feed value and seed integrity.

Planting & Maintenance Guidelines

• Seeding Rate: Follow typical grass sorghum planting guidelines, adjusting for regional climate and soil conditions.

• Planting Time: Ideal for spring planting to ensure maturity by late summer and full availability during fall and winter.

• Maintenance: Minimal input required; allow plants to mature naturally to provide food and habitat through the winter season.
  

Disease/Insect/Nematode Ratings:
Downy Mildew:	R

Agronomic Traits:
Early Seedling Vigor:	Good
Growth Habit:	Upright
Head Type:	Semi-Compact
Days to Midbloom:	50-50 days
Relative Maturity:	85-90 days
Uniformity:	Moderate
Grain Color:	White
Plant Average Height:	35-40”
Standability:	Very Good

Planting Rates:
Bushel Weight:	56 lbs.
Seeds Per Pound:	17,000
Rate (Lbs.) Dryland Irrigated Rows: 4-8 7-10 Broadcast: 4-10 8-20 Seeds/Sq. Ft.: 2-4 3-7

Adaptation Ratings:
Photosynthetic Type:	C4 – Warm Season
Soil Temperature:	Warm (60 F)
Water Requirement:	Very Low

Seeding:

• Soil temperature should be at least 60 F.
• Wildlife Grain Sorghum is usually planted between June 10 and July 10 in the northern states.
• Can be no-tilled into the stubble of winter and spring crops.
• Planting depth should be 1”.
• Do not plant in soils with pH greater than 7.5 to 8.0. Chlorosis will be a severe problem.
• Wildlife Grain Sorghum is an excellent companion with Black Autry Cowpeas and other game seed.

Harvest:

• Wildlife Grain Sorghum is usually ready for game bird feeding about 95 days after seeding.

Crop Use Information:
Life Cycle:	Annual
Ease of Establishment:	Good
Shade Tolerance:	Poor – Fair
Drought Stress:	Fair
Wet Soil:	Fair
Low pH Tolerance:	Moderate
Minimum pH:	6.0
Saline Soils (White Alkali):	Fair
Saline – Sodic Soils (Black Alkali):	Poor – Fair
Hay:	N/A
Silage:	N/A
Grazing:	Do Not Graze
Grain Palatability:	Excellent

Strengths

• Highly palatable after maturity to game birds.
• Provides feed for many types of game.
• Easily established.
• Adapted over a wide area.
• Responds well to varied weather conditions.

Weaknesses

• Requires warm soil temperature for germination.