When nutritionists discuss particle size, the conversation usually focuses on digestibility, feed conversion, or bird performance.
Feed mill managers often have a different perspective.
They worry about how ingredients behave before they ever reach the animal.
One of the more practical observations from a recent Kansas State University study supported by the United Sorghum Checkoff Program was that particle size influenced several measures of ingredient flowability.
As U.S. grain sorghum particle size increased, flowability generally improved. The coarsest treatment produced the lowest angle of repose and the most favorable overall flow characteristics.
Why should nutritionists care?
Because poor flowability creates real-world challenges. Bridging in bins, inconsistent discharge, ingredient segregation, and manufacturing disruptions all carry costs. These issues rarely appear in formulation software, but they influence daily feed mill performance.
During conversations at VIV Europe, I was reminded that ingredient evaluation often extends well beyond nutrient composition. An ingredient that performs well nutritionally but creates handling problems may be less attractive than expected.
The opposite is also true.
When an ingredient supports both nutritional objectives and manufacturing efficiency, its value increases.
The practical lesson is that particle size decisions affect more than nutrient utilization.
They influence how U.S. grain sorghum behaves throughout the entire feed manufacturing process.
And sometimes those operational details deserve more attention than they receive.
Report:
https://www.sorghumcheckoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3010-Final-Report-1_05012026.pdf