Grain Sorghum US No. 2

Description

Grain Sorghum US No. 2

Sorghum US No. 2 is a key commodity for animal feed export from the USA. Here are the details regarding its specifications, nutritional value, current pricing, and market trends.

1. Specifications (United States Standards for Sorghum)

Sorghum, also known as milo, is graded according to the United States Standards for Sorghum established by the USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). “US No. 2” is a common trading standard for export. Key specifications for US No. 2 Sorghum include:

• Minimum Test Weight: 55.0 pounds per bushel. (A measure of density, indicating grain quality).

• Maximum Limits of Damaged Kernels:

  • Total Damaged Kernels: 5.0%

  • Heat-Damaged Kernels (part of total): 0.5%

• Maximum Limits of Broken Kernels and Foreign Material (BNFM):

  • Foreign Material (FM) (part of total): 2.0%

  • Total Broken Kernels and Foreign Material: 6.0%

• Moisture Content: While not a grading factor, moisture content is crucial for export to prevent spoilage, mold, or combustion during transport. It is carefully controlled, typically around 14% or less.

  Odor: Must be free from commercially objectionable foreign odors (excluding smut odor).

• Class: This general class contains less than 98.0 percent White Sorghum and not more than 3.0 percent Tannin Sorghum. The pericarp color can vary (white, yellow, red, pink, orange, or bronze).

  Other Material: Maximum count limits are established for undesirable elements such as animal filth, castor beans, crotalaria seeds, glass, stones, unknown foreign substances, and cockleburs. These are strictly controlled to ensure feed safety.

2. Nutritional Values for Animal Feed

Sorghum is a versatile feedstuff, comparable to corn as an energy source, particularly rich in starch. It’s suitable for poultry, pigs, and ruminants.

Here’s an average composition for grain sorghum (on a dry matter basis), though values can vary depending on the variety and growing conditions:

• Dry Matter: ~87-88% (as fed)

• Crude Protein: 9.0% – 13.0% (DM basis); commonly around 10.6% – 12.4%

  • Note: Like corn, sorghum is typically low in certain essential amino acids like lysine, threonine, and methionine, and may require supplementation in animal diets.

    Starch: High, typically over 70% (DM basis); around 70-74%

• Crude Fiber: 2.5% – 3.0% (DM basis)

• Ether Extract (Fat): 3.0% – 3.5% (DM basis)

• Ash: 1.5% – 2.5% (DM basis)

• Gross Energy: Approximately 16.5 – 18.7 MJ/kg (as fed to DM basis) or 3930 – 4480 kcal/kg. This is comparable to corn.

Sorghum is also a source of various minerals (e.g., Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium) and some vitamins. Improvements in sorghum cultivars have led to reduced tannin levels, enhancing its palatability and substitutability for corn in feed formulations.