A New Take on an Old Grain

Name a crop you can market through ADM that’s been around forever, takes fewer inputs to grow, and makes a nice addition to a crop rotation. The answer is grain sorghum – aka milo.

Milo is considered an “ancient grain,” which the Oldways Whole Grains Council defines as being largely unchanged over several hundred years. Why is this important? Simply because ancient grains are in demand with consumers. They have gained popularity in recent years due to their nutritional benefits and unique qualities.

Milo is high in nutrients and a good source of powerful plant compounds that function as antioxidants in the human body. Antioxidants neutralize potentially harmful molecules called free radicals, which can cause cellular damage and increase disease risk when they accumulate in your body.

Also, unlike many other grains, milo is naturally gluten-free and can be ground into flour for gluten-free baking. Its mild flavor makes it very versatile.

Environmental Benefits

Grain sorghum offers several significant environmental benefits:

Water Conservation – Milo is exceptionally drought-tolerant and water-efficient compared to other grains. According to research funded by the Grain Sorghum Checkoff, milo requires about 30% less water than comparable crops, resulting in substantial water savings. In fact, 91% of U.S. milo acres are dryland, saving an estimated 1.5 trillion gallons of irrigation water per year.

Soil Health Improvement – Milo plants have extensive root systems, which increase soil organic matter. Milo stalks left standing in fields after harvest add nutrients back to the soil and reduce compaction, while the crop’s ability to thrive with minimal tillage helps preserve soil structure and reduce erosion.

Reduced Chemical Inputs – As a low-input crop, milo requires less fertilizer and pesticides than many other grains. By choosing milo, farmers can reduce their environmental footprint while still maintaining productivity. Its natural resilience and efficiency make it an excellent crop for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change and resource constraints.

Climate Change Mitigation – Milo removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and safely stores it in the soil. It also has a reduced carbon footprint compared to other crops due to its nitrogen-use efficiency and compatibility with conservation tillage practices.

Ecosystem Support – If you’re a pheasant or quail hunter, you know how much these birds love milo fields. Its sturdy structure and abundant leaves offer shelter for various species during harsh weather, while the grain is a preferred food for birds and deer.

Delivery Options with ADM

ADM offers three primary locations for milo deliveries.

Dodge City, Kansas – A mill located in southwestern Kansas that mainly produces two end-use products: LC 211 (industrial acid modified starch) and HarvestEdge™ Gold Sorghum. LC 211 is a milo-derived starch utilized in industrial wallboard applications. HarvestEdge Gold is a distinctive sorghum flour that is light in color and adds a pleasing sweetness and nuttiness to baked goods. It is ideal for boosting the flavor of breads, cereals, crackers, cookies, and multi-grain items.

Montgomery City and Center, Missouri – Country elevators located in east-central Missouri that normally accept milo year-round. These facilities then truck out the sold milo for other companies to process. The possible end-use products include: birdseed and pet food. Milo attracts a variety of wild birds to feeders, particularly ground-feeding birds. For pet food, its nutrient profile is comparable to corn, at about 75% starch and 9% protein (slightly higher than corn). Milo’s fat content is slightly lower than corn, but the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, accounts for more than half the total fatty acids. Milo also contains insoluble fiber, which plays an important role in intestinal health.