Kathleen gives us the inside scoop
What?
Thanks to support from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture's Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE), we're studying the antimicrobial activity of grain extracts from diverse sorghum lines.
Who?
PI: Richard Boyles, Clemson University
Collaborators: Xiuping Jiang and Stephen Kresovich, Clemson University
Lab personnel: Kathleen Jordan and Barbara Blackmon, Kresovich lab, Clemson University
Why?
We want to make sure the sorghum hybrids we develop for this region support and enhance poultry production in South Carolina, the state's largest agricultural commodity.
How?
Sorghum lines were grown and harvested in 2017 at our Florence, SC field center. Right now, we're analyzing the compositional traits of these lines using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, which will be important for use as poultry feed. Later, our samples will undergo antimicrobial testing.
Future Impact
Develop feed grains with increased antimicrobial properties
Establish a sustainable supply of antibiotic-free poultry products
Create economic incentives for South Carolina farmers to grow SC-adapted feed grains
Reduce economic burden of importing grain for animal consumption
Lower feed costs by reducing antibiotic supplements and increasing local production
Improve animal health
For more information about other projects in Clemson University's Cereal Grains Breeding and Genetics Program led by Dr. Richard Boyles, visit the website here: https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/research/peedee/breeding_genetic.html