Europe could partially shift from feed corn to sorghum as drought risks grow

Sorghum could become an increasingly important alternative to feed corn in Europe as droughts become more frequent and water availability tightens. Research by France’s INRAE and AgroParisTech suggests that climate warming could overall improve conditions for sorghum production in the region.

According to the study, average sorghum yields in Europe could rise from around 3 t/ha today to 3.4–3.8 t/ha by the middle to end of the century. The strongest gains are expected in Northern Europe, while some productivity declines are possible in southern regions.

At the same time, the share of European arable land suitable for stable sorghum production could expand from around 22% today to 29–34% by the end of the century. Sorghum currently accounts for only about 0.1% of Europe’s arable land.

The modelling showed that including sorghum in crop rotations at least once every three years could potentially replace up to 90% of the corn currently used in Europe for animal feed. Sorghum’s main advantage is its greater tolerance to heat and water shortages.

This could be particularly important for countries facing growing pressure on water resources. In France, for example, corn accounts for around 38% of all irrigated agricultural land, so wider use of sorghum could reduce irrigation demand and improve the resilience of the feed supply base.

Tags: corn, EU, sorghum