I agree with Ian in that some sorghum in a mix with a range of other seed bearing crops can add an important structural element. Problems arise where farmers want sorghum as a dominant component of the mix, mainly for a good 'drive', which is not the key objective when using agri-environment funds.
On a farm in Warwickshire, we used a mix including sorghum, but with linseed, quinoa, kale, fodder radish and millet which produced seed well into March (I observed 60+ Reed Bunting still using the cover on March 21st this year). This was a 1 year mix - the sorghum helped the linseed and fodder radish stay upright, and the kale provided cover and prey for insectivorous species (something we sometimes underestimate), as well as Song Thrush and Grey Partridge.
Interestingly, I was on the same farm last week (different plot) where the farmer has sown a line of maize alongside our HLS plot, primarily to act as a protection from wind and sprays. The plot stretches out into a field, away from the hedge, and 30+ Reed Bunting and 6 Tree Sparrow seemed to be diving out of the mix into the maize, almost using the latter as protection, like a hedge. Something to think about !
Thanks Ian,
A controversial topic, and as you say, very difficult to fund a 'gamekeeper' with any agri-environment funding, with so many sensitive issues / views surrounding this. We do have some great agreements on shooting estates, but equally there are some really delivering for farmland birds (and other biodiversity) on farms where there is no shooting interest. The real key in my view is the committment and enthusiaism of the farmer to deliver the habitats we want, and manage them to produce the most benefit - whether this be treating the bird mix as a crop for example or cutting the floristically enhanced margins three or four times in the first year to get them going as well as the on-going management thereafter.
Matt