Kansas is one of the leading states in grain sorghum (milo) production, according to the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service.

But, studies at Kansas State University's Agricultural Research Center in Hays suggest it could play an even greater role in the state's economy.

"Milo that is coarsely rolled when fed to cattle is only 88 percent the feed value of corn,"said John Brethour, beef nutritionist stationed at the Hays center. "We conducted research with finely rolled milo, and found that the relative efficiency to corn was then 94 percent."

The center in Hays has an advanced mill with two sets of rollers that enables the researcher to obtain a finely rolled product.

"Feeding cattle milo is very economical because we use rations that provide the cheapest cost of gain," Brethour said. "Cattle being fed finely rolled milo perform well. There is no trouble feeding the milo, either, because the processing doesn't produce a powder or flour."

Milo is the primary diet for the cattle at the Hays center. In fact, they have been fed grain sorghum for the 47 years John Brethour has been there.

In June, Brethour and the Hays center entered five steers and three heifers into the Beef Empire Days beef carcass show to go head-to- head with cornfed cattle. With those eight head of cattle – which were all fed milo – the center came away with Grand Champion Steer and Heifer and Reserve Champion Steer honors, in addition to other top-ten finishes.

"Most cattle are fed corn. By feeding our cattle milo, it shows producers cattle can do well even without corn," said Brethour.

Few research facilities have an interest in milo because it is predominant only in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, he said. "Consequently, we have done about as much research with feeding grain sorghum as anyone has. Also, the Hays research center has a mission to focus on dryland agriculture in the western plains, so we emphasize milo and wheat."

"Milo is one of the most important summer row crops in Kansas," said Mitch Tuinstra, associate professor of agronomy at K-State. "As a local grain commodity, it is valued by swine and cattle producers around the state."

More than 80 percent of all milo produced in Kansas is used as livestock feed, according to the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. The market is expanding with new uses including production of ethanol. In Kansas, milo is used at the six ethanol plants located in Campus, Atchison, Garden City, Colwich, Leoti and Russell.


K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.