Your Grandson looks like a future farmer, reminds me of my brother.
The sorghum crop interested me. You had referred to Milo from what I read the terms are interchangeable. Appears it also is gluten free which should have improved the price in the last 10 years due to many who are unable to process gluten flours. There was a average guy I knew who grew and I believe it was Sorghum and left it stand to winter feed a few cattle he raised. But that is the only example I know of in my area. My guess it is fairly drought resistant.
What do you get for bushels per acre and what is the average price? Do you or anyone bale any for cattle feed?
Do you presell by contract for a portion of your crop?
When I grew up cereal crops were the standard in my area.Hard Spring Wheat, Barley, Oats and some Flax and Mustard were the main stay. Durham Wheat (Pasta wheat) were only farmed in drier areas with lighter land more in the south of the province.
Today Canola (originally Rapeseed), Lentils, Peas, Canary Seed have filtered in. Actually Canola is probably bigger than ever due to genetic modification, which is good and bad. So lots of yellow blooms this time of year and prices tend to be good. I miss the Flax fields in flower that Lavendar/violet colour is beautiful.
In our area haying has just begun. Harvesting won’t take place probably for 6 weeks. The moisture last year was poor but enough to get in a crop. The crunch would have if another dry year followed but there seems to be enough rain. Last year pricing was higher. This year they were forecasting at more than a double on price for wheat. Part of that I’m guessing is the conflict in Eastern Europe.
Due to the drought last year a former school mate simply baled all his grain crops for cattle field. Said he had to drop another $100k in cattle feed. But he is more of a rancher than a farmer.
We primarily run two crops in our part of the world- sorghum (a.k.a. milo, grain) and cotton.
Our farm is too small to perform at the level today's equipment, fertilizer and seed prices dictate. We are leased on percentage to a family member. It works.
We sell the sorghum by weight, under normal circumstances, we prebook with a buyer. Times right now are anything but normal.
I try to be an attentive landlord. Not all of the place is in cultivation. Wife and I keep a large garden- which is great right now.
We keep some birds about as well, post some pictures of our ladies later.
I will also try to get about the place and post some pics of what's going on there.
Since Covid, its been a bit rough to be home a lot. I work in public service, we have a high vacancy rate and, I am way behind on projects.
it will be an on going experience and you learn as you go. Good luck! 