Sorghum almum

Columbus grass, five-year sorghum

Robust perennial with stems up to 4.5 m high and large waxy leaves. Found on cleared scrubland with fertile soil and 500-800 mm of rainfall. A fast-growing and high-yielding short-term crop. Withstands drought better than maize, but is less digestible. Very palatable, and high in nutritive value when young, but poor when mature.

Suitable for rotational grazing as it does not resist trampling. valued for its good seed production, ease of establishment, drought and salt resistance and reasonably high yields.

							As % of dry matter
						DM	CP	CF	Ash	EE	NFE	Ref
Fresh, wet season, 4 weeks,
85 cm, Thailand						17.6	9.7	31.3	9.7	2.8	46.5	219
Fresh, wet season, 6 weeks,
140 cm, Thailand						17.7	8.5	34.5	9.0	2.8	45.2	"
Fresh, wet season, 8 weeks,
160 cm, Thailand						23.2	7.8	36.6	7.3	2.6	45.7	"
Fresh, dry season, 4 weeks,
85 cm, Thailand						16.0	11.3	29.4	9.4	3.8	46.1	"
Fresh, dry season, 6 weeks,
140 cm, Thailand						17.6	9.7	31.8	9.1	3.4	46.0	"
Fresh, dry season, 8 weeks,
165 cm, Thailand						23.9	7.9	33.5	7.5	2.9	48.2	"
							Digestibility (%)
					Animal		CP	CF	EE	NFE	ME	Ref
Fresh, wet season,
6 weeks					Sheep		39.0	54.0	53.0	49.0	1.73	219
Fresh, wet season,
8 weeks					Sheep		27.0	14.0	43.0	6.0	0.46	"