Replace corn with sorghum

Jérémy BONTE, Technical Development Manager at Semental

We have not yet identified any truly effective agronomic measures to address attacks by both birds and wild boars. For corn, the Korit 420 FS treatment remains an effective solution, which continues to be developed to combat birds (crows and others). At this stage, the other solutions tested are not as effective. The planting date and the rate of maize emergence will also have an impact, even though bird attacks can occur on maize that is already well-developed.

To combat wild boars, more and more farmers are replacing corn with sorghum in fields that are frequently visited by the animals, especially those near thickets or forests.

Attacks on corn crops often occur during the summer when the grain is in the milk stage. In sorghum fields, wild boars cross the plot and sometimes settle there, but they do not destroy the crop. For some farmers, this has become an essential strategy for ensuring a forage harvest. Wild boars are not interested in sorghum because, at this stage, it is not part of their diet. They are less familiar with this plant, and grain formation occurs much later in the season. For forage sorghum, a large portion of the varieties do not produce grains, thereby completely securing the fields.

Forage sorghum appears to be a promising option in areas with a large wild boar population, as the crop is not eaten by the animals, unlike corn.