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BMR 106 Forage Sorghum
(Sorghum bicolor)
- Significantly lower stem lignin concentration
- Improved digestibility equals milk production of corn
- Requires 1/3 less water than corn for same production
BMR 106 is a new generation brown midrib forage sorghum designed primarily for high quality silage. BMR 106 contains all of the desirable traits from the previous generation brown midrib hybrids, plus tests indicate even better feed quality. The lignin content of the stem has been dramatically reduced which significantly improves digestibility by 40% over conventional forage sorghums. This improvement in digestibility allows BMR 106 forage sorghum to equal the milk production of corn. The reduced lignin content of BMR 106’s stems makes it more prone to lodging than conventional forage sorghums. Because of these weaker stems, BMR 106 should be planted at the recommended rates for your area and harvest should be done on time.
The water requirement of BMR 106 is 1/3 less than the water required to produce an equivalent amount of corn. This high water use efficiency of BMR 106 makes it ideally suited where water is a major yield limiting factor.
| Disease/Insect/Nematode Ratings: |
| Downy Mildrew: |
R |
| Agronomic Traits: |
|
| Early Seedling Vigor: |
Excellent |
| Growth Habit: |
Upright with Large Head |
| Recovery after Cutting: |
Fair |
| Maturity: |
100 days to Soft Dough |
| Uniformity: |
Excellent |
| Plant Color: |
Tan |
| Seed Color: |
Red |
| Midrib Type: |
Brown |
| Standability: |
Fair |
| Planting Rates: |
|
| Bushel Weight: |
56 lbs. |
| Seeds Per Pound: |
15,000 |
| Rate (Lbs.) |
Dryland |
Irrigated |
| Rows: |
4-8 |
6-10 |
| Broadcast: |
4-10 |
8-20 |
| Seeds/Sq. Ft. |
2-4 |
3-7 |
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| Adaptation Ratings: |
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| Photosynthetic Type: |
C4 - Warm Season |
| Temperature: |
Warm (60 F) |
| Water Requirement: |
Very Low |
Seeding:
- Soil temperature should be at least 60 F.
- BMR 106 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.
- BMR 106 is an excellent companion with forage soybeans or Black Autrey cowpeas.
Harvest:
- BMR 106 is usually harvested 100 days after seeding.
- Protein will decline as harvest is delayed, but energy will increase upon heading due to continued sugar formation in the sorghum stalks and leaves, and carbohydrate deposition in the developing grains.
| Crop Use Information: |
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| 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: |
Fair |
| Silage: |
Excellent |
| Continuous Grazing: |
Do not graze |
| Rotational Grazing: |
Do not graze |
| Palatability: |
Excellent |
| Anti-Quality: |
Prussic Acid and Nitrate |
Strengths
- Highly digestible.
- 40% greater IVDMD over other forage sorghums.
- 33% less water required than corn.
- Equals corn in milk production.
- Good disease package.
Weaknesses
- Possible lodging under high winds
Avoid Nitrate and Prussic Acid Poisoning from sorghum:
Avoid large nitrogen applications prior to expected drought periods.
2,4-D can increase Prussic Acid concentration for several weeks after application.
Do not harvest drought-damaged plants within 4 days following a good rain. Do not green chop within 7 days of a killing frost.
Cut at a higher stubble height, nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower stalk. Wait 1 month before feeding silage to give Prussic Acid enough time to escape.
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Download BMR 106 Forage Sorghum PDF (1.2 MB) 
