Strategic crop management with A-Series grain sorghum hybrids at Moonie QLD

Moonie-based grain sorghum grower, Andrew Hirst.

The A66 hybrid has been a cornerstone of Andrew's grain sorghum crop program since it became commercially available, delivering consistent yields year after year. Its robust standability has ensured that even in an environment like Moonie, where seasonal conditions often dictate yield, the crop's integrity remains uncompromised.

"In our area, we need to have very specific seasonal conditions for grain sorghum to thrive. It's all dryland, so with the diverse and shallower soil types, hotter days and depending on what the annual rainfall looks like, a crop can have the most magnificent start but then fall over in the end, or we could have a rough start with an excellent finish.  

"We really need versatile hybrid sorghums that will handle a bad year or a good year, so we look for a perfect balance between a strong trait package and yield potential. 

"A66 definitely fits for us. It's just a little bit of a quicker variety than some of the older generation hybrids we'd tried that were all show but fell over when things got tough," he said. 

In the 2023-2024 season, A66 continued to exhibit its characteristic dependability, achieving a yield of about 3 to 4 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) in some areas despite pressure from feral pigs and harvest-time rainfall, underscoring its role as a foundational crop with Andrew's strategy. 

The A88 hybrid, introduced in the previous season, has quickly established itself as a crop with significant potential. The medium-long maturity hybrid stands out for its impressive early seedling vigour, excellent standability and large open primary heads with large grain size. Its inaugural year on Andrew's farm demonstrated a total yield average of approximately 5 t/ha, with some areas on his property achieving over 6 t/ha, and a robust trait package that complemented the A66. 

Andrew's approach to integrating the A88 hybrid was marked by careful consideration, ensuring that it would meet the high standards set by the A66 hybrid, especially regarding its ability to perform in unpredictable conditions. The positive yield outcomes from the A88 have affirmed its place in Andrew's crop rotation. 

Andrew values growing grain sorghum seeds not only for its yield, but to improve his soil health as one of the crops in his rotation, which also includes wheat, barley and chickpeas. The strategic integration of both the A66 and A88 hybrids into Andrew's farming program has resulted in a diversified crop portfolio that leverages the strengths of each variety.  

"Both A66 and A88 delivered what we're looking for. We had them both in a tough and good times, and they're just good, hearty, solid-standing hybrids that do everything we want them to do.  

"The different rates of growth mean that we can plant half A66 and half A88 and split the flowering timing as a risk mitigation tool from factors such as heat that could be terminal for a crop," Andrew said.  

Pioneer Seeds Territory Sales Manager Ben Thrift has been working with Andrew for several years and was pleased to see the new hybrid performing alongside the A66.  

"Andrew has previously seen great results with the A66 hybrid, I was happy to recommend the A88 for his particular environment.

"Since the conditions in the Western Downs can be so challenging, spitting the risk between a reliable hybrid and a high-yielding newcomer made perfect sense," he said.

Using a variety of grain sorghum hybrids in a cropping strategy can mitigate risks from challenging conditions, resulting in consistent yields and stronger crop resilience. 

Other Queensland grain sorghum growers also saw success with the A66 and A88 hybrids in the 2023-2024 summer season, joining the praise for the reliability and performance of the hybrids.  

Contact your local Pioneer Seeds representative to learn more about how Pioneer brand hybrids can fit into your summer crop strategy.