Trials Show US Sorghum Potential in Egypt

EGYPT - Two recent research trials in Egypt involving US sorghum demonstrated the potential of including US sorghum in broiler rations.
calendar icon 8 September 2011
clock icon 3 minute read

The trials were conducted by the US Grains Council using US sorghum obtained through the Foreign Agricultural Service’s Quality Sample Programme. US sorghum is tannin free. Sorghum grown in Egypt and some other countries, however, is of the tannin variety, which means it does not work well in livestock and poultry feed.

Because of this, broiler producers in Egypt and the region are not familiar with feeding sorghum, making trials like the Council’s helpful for broiler producers, feed manufacturers and grain importers who are looking for new feed options.

As shown in the tables, broiler breeds performed very well on US sorghum, with birds in the first study performing equal or better at a larger quantity of sorghum compared to the 100 per cent other grain ration. In fact, birds fed 100 per cent US sorghum had better feed efficiency and a greater bodyweight.

  1. Performance of Hubbard broilers given 0, 25, 50 and 100 per cent US tannin-free sorghum

    % Sorghum 0 25 50 100
    % Other Grain 100 75 50 0
    --------------------------------------------------------
    Number of birds 18480 10890 8960 7520
    Av. age at marketing (days) 45 43 44 44
    Bodyweight at marketing (kg) 1.88 1.96 1.98 1.99
    Feed conversion ratio 2.0 1.97 2.03 1.91

  2. Performance of Ross broilers given 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent US tannin free sorghum

    % Sorghum 0 25 50 75 100
    % Other Grain 100 75 50 25 0
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Feed intake kg/bird 2.727 2.760 2.81 2.882 2.831
    Bodyweight at marketing (kg) 1.565 1.608 1.608 1.604 1.562
    Feed conversion ratio 1.86 1.85 1.80 1.76 2.06

Birds in the second study also performed well on sorghum, with the best figures coming at a 75 per cent sorghum/25 per cent other grain ration. Dr Hussein Soliman, director of the Council’s Egypt office, said the trials demonstrate the effectiveness of US non-tannin sorghum in broiler rations. It also means buyers in Egypt and the region can consider US sorghum a good option.

Dr Soliman said while US sorghum may not be purchased in a quantity to fill an entire ship, it can be a component of an shipment that also includes US corn, soybeans, corn gluten or distiller’s dried grains with solubles.

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