Variety performance review
DEKALB Grain Sorghum (DKS family) in the Southern Plains.
- Good
- Bayer / DEKALB
- Medium-maturity grain sorghum
Trait package: Igrowth (in some lines)
Regional strengths
DEKALB grain sorghum hybrids are widely tested in Oklahoma State and Kansas State variety trials and dominate the Southern Plains grain sorghum acres where rainfall is too low for reliable corn. Drought-tolerance is fundamental to sorghum's value and DEKALB has long been a leading brand here.
Regional weaknesses
Charcoal rot in late-season drought stress can hit grain quality. Bird damage (sparrows, blackbirds) in mid-grain-fill is severe — high-tannin varieties exist but tradeoff with feed value. Hybrid-specific bird tolerance varies; verify with dealer.
Yield data
Trial-verified performance.
Average yield
— bu/acre
Data quality
company reported
Agronomic ratings
Drought tolerance
excellent
Standability
good
Emergence
good
Winter hardiness
na
Disease resistance
- Anthracnose:good
- Sorghum downy mildew:good
- Charcoal rot:fair
Food-plot ratings
Palatability
good
Persistence
fair
Establishment
easy
Attraction timing: Heads dry down in September — primary use is dove/turkey attraction during dove season opener
Best for
- dryland Oklahoma / Texas Panhandle / western Kansas acres
- wheat-fallow rotations
Not recommended for
- irrigated full-water situations (corn outyields)
Best soil types
clay loam, Pullman clay loam, fine sandy loam
Seeding rate
3–5 lb/acre dryland; up to 8 lb/acre irrigated