b'traits for improved insect or weed control along with traditionalhigher levels of lysine than other grains, Simon explains. Lysine efforts to increase yield and general agronomic performance. is critical in swine diets to ensure a firm fat on the finished meat In terms of end-use traits for food and feed, breeders atproduct. the Center as well as in private industry are focusing on higherChina in particular has turned to sorghum as a swine feed amino acid levels, specialty starch traits to increase digestibility,energy source as it continues to build back its national swine herd and more.after the devastating African Swine Fever outbreaks of 2018. Food and Feed Market DevelopmentBright OutlookRight now, across the country, according to Zach Simon,Looking to the future, Simon and his colleagues expect to see Sorghum Checkoff director of Ingredient Utilization & Pet Food,sorghums international market demand expand, for both animal sorghum is being more used in human food applications.feed and human nutrition. Red, orange and bronze-colored sorghum is used in all seg- Specifically, we see opportunity for an increase in the ments of the sorghum industry, but tan, cream and white varie- European and Asian pet food markets, he says, as well as a key ties are typically made into flour. Black and burgundy varietiesingredient in aquaculture rations, globally. contain beneficial antioxidants and therefore go into specializedWithin the expanding global aquaculture industry, there is a food product applications.strong interest in plant-based feed components, which are often In total, the Checkoff reports that sorghum is now found inperceived as more sustainable than some animal protein ingre-more than 350 product lines in the U.S. alone. dient sources. Sorghum has many applications in the aquacul- Many of the same demand drivers for human consumption,ture industry as dried distillers grains, sorghum mill feed and including nutrition and palatability, translate directly to pet foodextruded pellets. In addition to having high amounts of protein, demand, as well, says Simon. The pet food industry has alreadysorghum can also serve as an acceptable plant-based energy incorporated sorghum in products that help control diabetes insource for fish, due to its high starch content and low anti-nutri-companion animals because of its low glycemic index.tional fiber levels. And due to its non-GMO status, high protein and other traits,With all of its valuable attributes and so many market oppor-sorghum is in demand in international feed markets.tunities, sorghum seed demand seems sure to increase further in Its an excellent energy source in swine rations and provides2022 and beyond.SW124/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2021'