Sorghum as a forage crop. Page: 18
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18
Professor Connell,1 in answering an inquiry regarding possible danger
in turning cows upon second-growth cane, says: " In every case coming
under my observation death has occurred when the cow's stomach was
unaccustomed to such food. A small amount of this crop swallowed
quickly into the paunch may produce a vast quantity of expansive gas,
* * * causing death." He then gives his own practice of allowing
the animals to run to the cane but a short time at first and gradually
lengthening the period as they become accustomed to the food.
It is not advisable to allow stock to eat frost-bitten sorghum, especially
while the frost is still on the plants. Many cases of loss of stock
are reported from this cause.
There are a few cases on record where death has resulted in a very
short time after eating sorghum (both saccharine and nonsaccharine
varieties), and in some cases but little of the plant was swallowed by
the animal. In most instances in this country, second-growth sorghum
was eaten. It has been supposed that some poisonous substance developed
in the plants under certain conditions was the cause of these sudden
deaths. In India2 it is'known that under conditions of extreme
drought, nitrate of potash may be formed in the canes of the closely
related Johnson grass in sufficient quantity to cause the death of animals
eating much of the forage. This seems more likely to take place
when the drought is followed by a short period of excessive rainfall.
Dr. Mayo3 records several instances occurring in Kansas where under
similar conditions corn has developed this same substance, and cattle
to which it was fed died, in some cases quite suddenly. It is quite possible
that this substance may be developed in sorghum in this country
and be the cause of the trouble mentioned. It is noticeable that the
instances reported follow seasons of protracted drought as was the case
with the corn in Kansas and the juar plant in Intdia, and also that in
these localities the soil was supposedly rich in nitrogen and potash.
However, cases of poisoning are so rare that little loss from this
source is to be feared, although caution in feeding is always advisable,
until the animals have become accustomed to the forage.
SUMMARY.
Sorghum stands drought better than corn. It is a stronger feeder
and will do better on thin soils. It is a good crop to grow on "alkali"
lands.
As a general thing, the earlier varieties are preferable for forage.
Use plenty of seed. Sow when the ground becomes warm, in a wellprepared
seed bed.
'Bull. 37, Tex. Exp. Sta., p. 659 (1895).
'Poisoning of cattle by the juar plant (Andropogon sorghum Brot.), Dr. H. T. Pease
in Agric. Ledger, No. 24, Calcutta, 1896.
3Bull. 40, Kans. Exp. Sta., May, 1895.
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United States. Department of Agriculture. Sorghum as a forage crop., book, 1897; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc6329/m1/18/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.