Forage sorghum grown in a conventional wheat–grain sorghum–fallow rotation increased cropping system productivity and profitability

Intensifying winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum)–grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]–fallow (W–GS–FL) crop rotation with annual forages can increase productivity and resource use efficiency. The objective of this research was to quantify the impact increasing intensity by growing in a traditional W–GS–FL on cropping system productivity, water use, precipitation efficiency, net income. study conducted at Southwest Research-Extension Center near Garden City, Kansas, from 2013 through 2020. Winter (W), grain (GS), forage (FS), oats (FO, Avena sativa L.) were used generate six treatments. These treatments interspersed fallow periods (FL) W–GS–FL, W–FS–FL, W/FS–GS–FO, W/FS–FS–FO, W/FS–GS–FL, W/FS–FS–FL. A W/FS indicates double FS planted same year. yield 45%–56% more W/FS–FS–FO W/FS–FS–FL compared W–FS–FL. Available soil GS planting 23%–30% less, 52%–60% smaller W/FS–GS–FL W–GS–FL. Water pre-season storage greatest W/FS–FS–FO. Inclusion increased cost production W–GS(FS)–FL rotations. Gross return intensity, gross margin relative other rotations semi-arid Great Plains. Producers should consider double-cropping after harvest, followed second year dryland systems if there is sufficient demand.