Poultry

Key Benefits of U.S. Grain Sorghum as a Feed Ingredient for Poultry:

Nutritional Value

• Energy Source: U.S. grain sorghum is an excellent source of energy composed of starch, soluble sugars and dietary fiber that can replace 100% of corn or wheat in poultry diets. 
• Protein Content: U.S. grain sorghum is higher in crude protein than corn and can be effectively supplemented to support up to 30% of the protein requirements in poultry diets. 
• Amino Acid Profile: U.S. grain sorghum provides a balanced amino acid profile, supporting optimal growth and development for broilers and layers. 
• Other Nutrients: U.S. grain sorghum contains essential minerals and vitamins crucial for broiler and layer health and performance. 

Benefits for Poultry Production

• Cost-Effective Feed Ingredient: Availability and consistently high grain quality make U.S. grain sorghum a cost-effective alternative to other cereal feed grains. 
• Improved Feed Efficiency: Broilers and layers can efficiently utilize the nutrients in U.S grain sorghum, leading to improved feed conversion ratios. 
• Functional Feed Ingredient: When properly formulated into poultry diets, U.S. grain sorghum supports growth and development, resulting in optimal body weight, improved carcass traits, better internal egg quality, improved tibiotarsal health and function as an antioxidant or natural prebiotic to improve gut health. 

Considerations when using U.S grain sorghum 

• Always formulate using values from analyzed representative samples (e.g., chemical, NIR) 
• Formulate based on digestible amino acids, using the ideal protein concept 
• Tannin Content: Some grain sorghum varieties grown in other global regions may contain tannins, which can negatively impact feed intake and nutrient digestibility. However, all U.S. grain sorghum for feed use is considered tannin-free. 
• Processing: Proper processing techniques, such as grinding or grinding with pelleting, are essential to improve U.S. grain sorghum digestibility and ensure optimal broiler and layer performance. Avoid over-processing to avoid anti-nutritive effects.

Production and Sustainability 

• Sustainable Production: As The Resource Conserving Ingredient®, U.S. sorghum is produced using sustainable farming practices, including efficient water use, reduced tillage and integrated pest management. This helps to minimize the environmental impact of U.S. sorghum production.
• Consistent Quality: The U.S. sorghum industry adheres to rigorous quality standards, ensuring consistent nutrient composition and physical properties of the grain.
• Global Supply Reliability: The United States is a major producer and exporter of grain sorghum, providing a reliable and stable supply to meet global demand.

U.S. grain sorghum offers numerous benefits for poultry production, including a reliable energy source, good protein quality, improved phosphorus availability and reduced mycotoxin risk. Its sustainable production practices and consistent quality make it a valuable and environmentally friendly ingredient in poultry feed formulations. By incorporating U.S. sorghum into poultry diets, producers can optimize bird performance and improve feed efficiency.