Sorghum Gains Ground in Animal Feed, amid Economic and Climate Challenges
At the European Sorghum Conference held in October 2025, a workshop focusing on animal feed confirmed an underlying trend: sorghum is no longer a mere alternative, but a credible and strategic solution that helps livestock producers to face current challenges. From economic pressures and environmental requirements to weather hazards, the experts’ presentations emphasized the numerous advantages of a crop that is yet to be fully harnessed in Europe.
A Raw Material that Is Better Understood – and Competitive
The workshop started with a SWOT analysis made by Thierry Lecat (Advanta Seeds), followed by a highly-technical presentation, by Marcus Wiltafsky-Martin (Evonik), which focused on the composition of sorghum kernel and its benefits to monogastrics.
Starch, digestibility, proteins, and amino acids – all these parameters were examined and compared to those of corn and soybeans, to underline the specific characteristics of sorghum. A key aspect stood out: the nutritional quality of sorghum can be optimized, especially through heat treatments that improve starch digestibility.
Another preconceived idea that was countered on this occasion: grain color is not a reliable indicator of tannin content.*
Besides all nutritional aspects, a formulation trial placed sorghum before corn in broiler feeding, thus emphasizing the economic importance of this crop.
Access the full presentation made by Marcus Wiltafsky-Martin (Evonik).
Sorghum Provides a Real Tool for Cost and Environmental Footprint Reduction
To Dr. Orsolya Varga (Bonafarm), sorghum checks all the boxes of a sustainable raw material: water stress tolerance, lower input use, good weather resilience, contribution to carbon sequestration.
The trials that were presented during the conference confirmed the benefits of sorghum in the field. In the broiler industry, sorghum inclusion allows for a 2.5 percent reduction in feed costs per kilo of liveweight.
On duck farms, no negative impacts on the birds’ performance were noticed at different levels of inclusion. So sorghum stands out as an efficient source of energy to monogastrics, capable to replace corn with no technical compromises.
Access the presentation made by Orsolya Varga (Bonafarm).
Sorghum Delivers in the Swine Industry, Too
The same was ascertained in the swine industry, says Marcin Sońta with the University of Life Sciences in Warsaw.
His work indicates that sorghum can fully replace corn, wheat or barley, in rations and that it brings additional benefits: better carcass quality and improved gut health. A replacement rate of up to 50 percent appears to be a real tool in strengthening the sustainability of feeding lots, without affecting the animals’ performance.
Access the presentation made by Marcin Sońta (University of Life Sciences, Warsaw).
Dairy Industry Pays Attention to Market Expectations
In the industry of Parmigiano Reggiano, the stakes are two-folded: controlling costs and meeting the public’s growing expectations in terms of sustainability.
Gabriele Gasbarrini (RV Venturoli) presented the results of two studies indicating that the introduction of sorghum has no negative effects on the production and quality of milk and cheese. However, aside from its technical performance, what draws attention is the consumers’ perception, as almost two thirds of them declare themselves willing to pay more for a product that comes from a sustainable industry. That sends a strong signal to the actors in the value chain.
Access the presentation made by Gabriele Gasbarrini (RV Venturoli).
Climate Change Reshuffles the Cards
In Hungary, the effects of climate change are already there, Dr. István Kovács (KITE) reminds us. The extension of high-risk areas (from certain corn pests) and the uneven yields drive farmers to rethink their production systems.
Against that background, sorghum is gaining ground. A more resilient plant, it also allows growers to breakeven more easily than corn. This is a trend that may accelerate in the coming years.
Access the presentation made by István Kovács (KITE).
A Changing Perspective
A common thread became apparent throughout the presentations: sorghum meets all economic, environmental, and societal criteria of the livestock industry.
Cost reduction, economic strength, good livestock performance, and market acceptability – all these elements are arguments that are in favor of sorghum. Believed to be a secondary crop for a long time, sorghum is coming to the forefront more and more, as a valid future choice. Against the backdrop of a shifting agriculture because of the urgent need to cut CO2 emissions, sorghum’s versatility could make a whole lot of difference.
Panel of Experts at the Feed Workshop/European Sorghum Conference.
(October 2025)
Thierry Lecat | Chief Commercial Officer for Western Europe | Advanta Seed
Thierry Lecat has been working in the seed industry since 1986, with companies such as Cargill Seeds, Dekalb, and Advanta, where he has been in charge with sales, marketing, and administration. He is currently in charge with the development of the Advanta Seed – Alta Seeds range in Western Europe.
Markus Wiltafsky-Martin | General Manager | Evonik Industries
Dr. Markus Wiltafsky-Martin is Service Marketing Manager within the Animal Nutrition department of Evonik Industries. He has a Degree in Ag Science from the Technical University in Munich, Germany. Dr. Wiltafsky-Martin has been working with Evonik since 2009 and has over sixteen years’ experience in projects involving operators in the animal protein industry, focusing on the importance of the quality of feed ingredients in the entire industry. Over the past twelve years, Dr. Wiltafsky-Martin has concentrated his work on the assessment of the quality of feed ingredients and processing of analytical data into useful information for the feed industry, through advanced data analyses.
Dr. Orsolya Varga | R&D Officer | Bonafarm-Bábolna Takarmány Kft.
More than ten years of professional, hands-on experience in the field of animal nutrition, of which a large part has been linked to one of Hungary’s major mixed feed compounders: Bonafarm-Bábolna Takarmány Kft. “From the beginning of my career, I have been working in the field of research and development. As an R&D Manager with Bonafarm-Bábolna Feed Ltd, I am in charge with planning and coordinating feed trials, as well as evaluating, publishing, and applying their results into practice. My professional journey can be described as active research and publication of studies, especially in the field of swine nutrition.”
Marcin Sońta | Lecturer, Department of Animal Husbandry and Nutrition | University of Life Sciences, Warsaw
Lecturer with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Nutrition of the Animal Science Institute, University of Life Sciences in Warsaw. His research looks mainly into alternative feeds for animal nutrition.
Gabriele Gasbarrini | Trade Development Officer | RV Venturoli
Gabriele Gasbarrini is part of the fourth generation of employees with RV Venturoli, a historical Italian company specializing in seed. He is in charge with marketing and developing products for Italy and abroad.
Dr. István Dezső Kovács | Ag Commodity Trade Department Manager | Kite
