Extension
Date of this Version
1974
Abstract
This NebGuide discusses the feeding value of grain sorghum relative to corn and various grain processing methods for grain sorghum.
It has been widely recognized that grain sorghum (milo) must be processed to be efficiently used by finishing cattle. Grain sorghum shows more improved utilization from processing than corn, wheat and barley. Dry ground or rolled grain sorghum has a relative feeding value of 85% to 95% (avg 90%) of dry rolled corn. Processing grain sorghum by more sophisticated methods (early harvesting, steam-flaking, etc.) greatly enhances its feeding value.
Chemical composition suggests that there should be less difference in the feeding value of grain sorghum compared with corn than what actually exists. Starch, which represents 70% of the dry matter, and protein appear to be less digestible in grain sorghum than in other grains. The rate that starch is digested in the rumen of cattle is also much slower for grain sorghum than for other grains. Thus, processing grain sorghum increases rate and extent of starch digestion resulting in large improvements in its feeding value.
Comments
© 1974, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. All rights reserved.