Q. What's in the Quail Unlimited Food Plot mix?
A. The mix is a diverse assortment of sorghums. It includes approximately 7% early grain sorghum, 27% medium- and late-grain sorghums, 18% tall late forage sorghums, 26% medium-height and maturity forage sorghums, 20% early forage sorghums, and 2% Egyptian wheat.

Q. How do I know if this mix is adapted to my area?
A. Grain sorghum is widely adapted and can be grown on many different soils. It will produce best on deep, fertile, well-drained loamy soils, yet is very drought tolerant and will do well even on shallow soils. It can be grown on clay, clay loam, or sandy loam soils.

Q. When do I plant this mix?
A. Sorghums are planted in the spring generally a couple weeks later than corn. Soil temperatures should be at least 65 degrees. As an example, in the Southeast Kansas USDA Zone 4 planting area (38 inch rainfall zone, growing season Apr 10 - Oct 25) sorghums are planted from May 1 - 15, where corn planting is Mar 25 - Apr 25. In Mid-Alabama the planting dates would be from Apr 1 - Jun 30.

Q. What kind of soil preparation is required?
A. Prepare the soil in the same way you or any farmer would for planting a corn, soybean or milo crop. At a minimum, the ground should be deep-disked several times to prepare a mellow seedbed. The grain can be no-till planted with appropriate no-till equipment. Sorghum seed should be planted 1.5 to 2.0 inches deep.

Q. How much seed should I plant?
A. Sorghums can be planted either with a row planter (30 - 36 inches between rows), with a grain drill, or broadcast seeded. If a row planter is used set the planter to drop seed at no closer than 2 inches between seeds. A wider spacing will allow for more nutrients per plant and a greater chance for the plant producing a good grain head. Plant nor more than 5 pounds per acre. If using a grain drill maintain at least 6 inches between seeds for best results. Drill no more than 7.5 to 10 pounds per acre.

Q. What lime and fertilization is required for this mix?
A. Conduct a soil test to determine the amount of lime and fertilizer needed. Sorghums do not do well in acid soils. Soil pH must be above 5.8 for a good crop. A soil pH of 6.5 is recommended. Apply phosphate and potash based on soil tests because of high variability in these nutrients among regions of the country. Nitrogen is essential for good yields. Grain sorghum should receive at least 80 to 100 pounds (actual) of nitrogen per acre.

Q. Can I use chemical weed control in sorghum?
A. Yes. A number of both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides are available for sorghum. Atrazine was for many years the chemical of choice, however many modern products are available. Contact your local agricultural chemical supplier for products adapted to your location and your soils. Do not plant sorghums where Johnson grass or shattercane are a problem.