Forage sorghum is becoming more than a backup crop for Oklahoma producers. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken looks at why sorghum fits Oklahoma’s weather, soils, and livestock needs, especially when summer hay production gets difficult. Oklahoma planted 440,000 acres of sorghum in 2025, and USDA expects that number to rise to 540,000 acres in 2026, according to the episode transcript. The episode features Steve Phillips Ph.D. of Oklahoma State University, who shares research from north-central Oklahoma on forage sorghum nitrogen rates, split applications, hay yield, forage quality, and nitrate levels. His findings showed yield increases up to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre, with hay quality around 7–8% protein and 60% TDN, while nitrates stayed below 3,000 parts per million in the trial. The big takeaway: nitrogen timing may help producers grow more forage while still managing nitrate risk, but weather stress remains a major factor in nitrate accumulation.
Forage sorghum can be a practical summer hay option in Oklahoma, but producers still have to manage the line between more tonnage and safe feed.
In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken visits the question of nitrogen timing in forage sorghum with insight from Steve Phillips Ph.D. of Oklahoma State University. Phillips shares field research from Stillwater and Perkins looking at nitrogen rates, split applications, hay yield, protein, TDN, and nitrate levels. The results point to strong forage production potential, but also remind producers that nitrate risk is driven heavily by plant stress, erratic rainfall, and growing conditions.
Key takeaways:
Detailed timestamped rundown
00:00–00:10 — Opening from Oklahoma
Dave Deken introduces the episode as a look at agriculture and rural life across Oklahoma.
00:13–01:35 — Why sorghum fits Oklahoma
The episode frames sorghum as a crop that does not need perfect weather or the richest ground. Dave explains that sorghum can produce grain, silage, and forage, making it especially useful for livestock producers trying to make hay during tough summer conditions.
01:35–01:59 — The producer question
Dave introduces the central management question: how much nitrogen does forage sorghum need, when should it be applied, and can producers push yield without creating nitrate problems in the hay?
01:59–03:47 — Steve Phillips on nitrogen research
Steve Phillips Ph.D. explains OSU research on nitrogen rates and timing for forage sorghum hay. Trials near Stillwater and Perkins showed forage yield increases up to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Phillips notes that yields ranged from about 9 tons at 100 pounds of nitrogen to about 13 tons at 200 pounds, suggesting split applications may offer a more efficient path than older recommendations.
03:47–04:09 — Yield is only part of the story
Dave shifts the focus from tonnage to feed value. Hay must be safe and useful for cattle, so quality and nitrate levels matter as much as yield.
04:09–04:59 — Protein, TDN, and nitrate results
Phillips says nitrogen rate did not create major differences in protein in this trial. Hay tested around 7–8% protein and about 60% TDN. Nitrate levels stayed below 3,000 parts per million, even at 200 pounds of nitrogen, which was below the level of concern discussed in the episode.
04:59–05:41 — Weather still drives risk
Dave closes by emphasizing the value of field research and the reality of Oklahoma weather. Phillips explains that nitrate toxicity is environmentally dependent, with plant stress, growth surges, and erratic rainfall playing a major role in nitrate accumulation.