UQ's High-Protein Sorghum Breakthrough Promises Cheaper Chicken and Eggs Across Australia

The Dawn of a New Era in Australian Crop Science

A groundbreaking development from the University of Queensland (UQ) is poised to transform Australia's poultry industry and beyond. Researchers at UQ's Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) have engineered a high-protein sorghum variety that could significantly reduce feed costs for chicken producers, potentially leading to cheaper chicken meat and eggs for consumers nationwide. This innovation addresses a critical pain point in the sector: the heavy reliance on expensive imported soybean meal.

Sorghum, a drought-tolerant staple crop grown primarily in Queensland and northern New South Wales, has long been a key energy source in Australian broiler diets, comprising up to 70% of the grain component in some formulations. However, its typical protein content of 9-10% necessitates supplementation with pricier protein sources like soybean meal, which Australia imports at around 1.2 million tonnes annually just for poultry feed. With soybean meal costing 3.5 to 4 times more per tonne than sorghum, feed expenses—which account for roughly 70% of poultry production costs—have been a major bottleneck.

Understanding Sorghum's Role in Poultry Nutrition

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is uniquely suited to Australia's variable climate, yielding up to 10 tonnes per hectare in optimal conditions. In the poultry sector, it provides carbohydrates for energy but falls short on protein quality due to high levels of kafirins—proline- and glutamine-rich storage proteins that form indigestible protein bodies in the grain. These alpha-kafirins, comprising 80-85% of sorghum protein, limit amino acid availability, particularly lysine and methionine, essential for bird growth and egg production.

Recent studies confirm sorghum's edge over wheat in low-protein broiler diets. In large-scale trials, birds on sorghum-based feeds maintained weight gain and feed conversion ratios (FCR) even when crude protein was reduced from 20.5% to 17.5%, outperforming wheat by 10% in growth metrics. This resilience stems from sorghum's slower starch digestion, minimizing competition between glucose and amino acids for intestinal absorption.

UQ QAAFI: Pioneering Plant Biotechnology at the Forefront

Leading the charge is Professor Ian Godwin, Centre Director for Crop Science at QAAFI—a joint initiative between UQ and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. With over 30 years in plant biotechnology, Prof Godwin has spearheaded sorghum improvements since joining UQ in 1990. His team has pioneered gene editing to target kafirin genes, knocking out alpha-kafirin loci to enhance protein digestibility and boost overall content.

QAAFI's state-of-the-art facilities, including transformation labs and field trial sites at Gatton and St Lucia, have enabled rapid iteration. The 2020 breakthrough elevated protein to 15-16%, a 50-60% increase, with improved kafirin breakdown mimicking natural mutants but via precise CRISPR/Cas9 editing. This non-transgenic approach sidesteps regulatory hurdles, accelerating commercial pathways.

The Science Behind the Breakthrough: Gene Editing Kafirin Genes

Kafirins are sorghum's Achilles' heel. Alpha-kafirins form dense matrices resistant to pepsin digestion in the bird's proventriculus. UQ researchers used CRISPR to edit the alpha-kafirin gene family (e.g., SB06g023490, SB06g023500), reducing their expression and prompting compensatory increases in more digestible gamma- and beta-kafirins. Result: protein digestibility rises from ~80% to over 90%, amino acid profiles improve, and net protein yield climbs to 15.5%.

Step-by-step process:

• Identify kafirin loci via genomics.
• Design guide RNAs for CRISPR/Cas9.
• Transform immature sorghum embryos.
• Regenerate plants, select stable edits.
• Field test yield/protein under Aus conditions.

Trials Confirm Promise: Poultry Performance Matches or Exceeds Expectations

Preliminary broiler trials with transgenic prototypes showed weight gains of 2.27kg/bird (14-35 days), FCR 1.257, and breast yield 221g/kg—comparable to commercial sorghum diets despite 20% less soy. Commercial sorghums edged in intake, but high-protein variants shone in energy utilization (higher AME:GE). UQ plans expanded layer hen studies, targeting egg production efficiency.

In reduced-CP diets (17.5%), sorghum-fed broilers gained 10% more than wheat-fed peers, highlighting suitability for precision feeding.

Economic Ripple Effects: Billions in Savings for Poultry Sector

Australia produces over 1.5 million tonnes of chicken meat annually, with per capita consumption hitting 55kg by 2026. Feed costs ~$3-4B/year; high-protein sorghum could slash $88-100/tonne by halving soy use.As per recent ABC reporting, first commercial crops in 2026 could boost sorghum demand, benefiting growers amid rising exports to China (2Mt/year for feed/baijiu).

Industry-wide: 50c savings per 2kg bird scales to millions; reduced soy imports cut GHG emissions and forex risks. GRDC's $13M Sorghum Strategic Alliance amplifies impact.

Collaborations Driving Innovation: GRDC-UQ Alliance

The November 2025 Sorghum Strategic Alliance ($13M GRDC, UQ co-investment) integrates genomics, breeding, and agronomy. Over 90% of Aus sorghum hybrids trace UQ/DPI genetics. Focus: larger grains, resilient traits, high-protein for feed markets.

Stakeholder forums ensure grower input, bridging lab to farm.

Challenges and Solutions in Sorghum Biotechnology

• Regulatory Hurdles: Gene-edited non-GM status fast-tracks approval.
• Yield Trade-offs: Edits maintain 5-6t/ha yields.
• Scalability: Partnerships with seed firms for hybrid release.
• Market Adoption: Poultry trials prove ROI.

UQ addresses via predictive breeding, multi-location trials.

Career Opportunities in Australian Ag Biotechnology

QAAFI exemplifies higher ed's role: PhD supervision in sorghum genomics yields experts for GRDC, DPI roles. Demand surges for plant breeders, gene editors amid $13B GRDC investments. Unis like UQ train next-gen via biotech degrees, internships.GRDC-UQ alliance creates jobs.

Future Outlook: Sustainable Protein Revolution

By 2030, high-protein sorghum could capture 30% more feed market share, cutting soy imports 600kt/year. UQ eyes international licensing, climate-resilient lines. This positions Australian unis as global ag leaders, fostering food security amid climate change.

Australia's chicken meat industry, valued at $8B, stands to gain immensely, with consumers enjoying affordable protein sources.

Photo by Chris H on Unsplash