As growers assess crop options for 2025, sorghum has emerged as an economically and agronomically superior choice in today’s market. While corn and soybeans often get more attention, land-grant university data highlights sorghum’s cost efficiency, yield potential, and resilience in both grain and forage production. Since sorghum can be used for grazing, silage, or hay, adding sorghum to your crop rotation allows farmers to adjust based on feed needs and market trends. Furthermore, recent trade policies have given sorghum a tariff advantage over other row crops, making it a more competitive option in global markets.
Commodity Prices: Sorghum’s Cost Advantage
Sorghum holds a distinct cost advantage over corn, soybeans, and cotton due to lower seed costs.
Dr. Dan O’Brien, Kansas State Extension Agricultural Economist, reported that sorghum production costs are $67.35 per acre lower than corn in dryland scenarios, based on 85 bushels per acre for sorghum vs. 82 for corn (source).
Production Costs and Yields
Production cost is only one factor in profitability—yield and pricing also play key roles. A long-term dryland rotation study from Tribune, Kansas (2008–2023), found:
- Sorghum after wheat: 85.6 bushels per acre
- Corn after wheat: 59.6 bushels per acre
Net return data reinforces sorghum’s advantage:
- Wheat-sorghum-fallow rotation: $93.32 per acre
- Wheat-corn-fallow rotation: $32.76 per acre
Past research confirms that sorghum becomes the more profitable crop when corn yields drop below 110 bushels per acre. Although corn prices are slightly higher, sorghum’s lower production costs and strong yield performance contribute to better overall profitability.
Tariff Challenges Create Higher ROI Opportunity for Sorghum Growers
Trade policies will continue to impact U.S. agricultural exports. As of March 2025, China has imposed additional tariffs:
- Corn, wheat, and cotton: 15% tariff
- Sorghum and soybeans: 10% tariff
Sorghum’s lower tariff rate makes it more competitive in the Chinese market compared to other heavily taxed crops. This advantage could provide export stability, helping growers maximize returns despite shifting trade conditions.
Use Weed Control Technology to Maximize ROI Potential
Historically, herbicide-tolerant technology led many growers to favor corn over sorghum. However, the release of Double Team® Sorghum Cropping Solution in 2021 changed the game, providing:
- Elite Grass Control: Broad-spectrum, over-the-top weed control
- Versatility: Four hybrid varieties for diverse growing needs
- Industry Collaboration: DT Trait® seeds available from nine leading partners (learn more)
With Double Team, growers gain cutting-edge weed control while maintaining the economic and agronomic benefits of sorghum.
The Bottom Line: Make Sorghum Part of Your 2025 Plan
As input costs rise and commodity prices fluctuate, sorghum remains a cost-effective and high-yielding solution for both grain and forage production. Its lower production costs, strong performance in dryland rotations, and dual-purpose value as a silage and forage crop make it a smart choice for row crop growers and livestock producers alike. Whether for grain sales or feeding operations, sorghum delivers a dependable return on investment.
S&W Seed Company is a global leader in sorghum seed trait germplasm, delivering cutting-edge innovations that redefine sorghum production. At the forefront of its advancements is the DT Trait®, the key component of the Double Team® Sorghum Cropping Solution. This proprietary trait provides growers with an effective, in-season weed control system, allowing for greater yield potential and improved crop management without compromising sorghum performance.
S&W is also pioneering the PF Trait™, a breakthrough in sorghum trait technology that enables growers to fully realize the crop’s potential without the risk of prussic acid (cyanide) toxicity. Traditionally, prussic acid accumulation in sorghum is a major concern during drought stress or cold conditions, limiting its use as a reliable forage source. The PF Trait eliminates this risk, providing a safer, more dependable sorghum option for livestock feed while maintaining high-quality forage and silage performance.
With a deep commitment to advancing sorghum genetics, S&W Seed Co. continues to develop high-performance hybrids that improve resilience to adverse weather, pest resilience, grain quality, and forage safety. By integrating proprietary trait technology with superior germplasm, S&W is shaping the future of sorghum, delivering innovative solutions that maximize efficiency, profitability, and sustainability for sorghum growers worldwide.
