Abstract
The article discusses the introduction of drought-resistant local feed sorghum as a substitute for widely used feed corn in compound feed for young fattening cattle. In the context of diversifying agricultural production and ensuring food security in Kazakhstan Republic, there is great potential for the development of feed grain crops. The feed sorghum market in Kazakhstan is developing rapidly, which is characterized by growing interest from the agricultural sector. Given the climate and the increase in arable land, feed corn is becoming an attractive alternative to traditional grain crops. Based on a study of grain and sugar varieties selected in Kazakhstan and abroad, an assessment of their main economic characteristics was carried out. The feed sorghum varieties “Volzhskoe 51” and “Sazhen” are distinguished by high productivity, maximum sugar content in the stem juice, as well as high dry matter and grain yields. These varieties are used by scientific institutions (breeding centers) as the main objects for creating new varieties in breeding and are offered to agricultural structures and farms in the North Kazakhstan region. Literature data indicate that sorghum is drought- resistant, has high nutritional value, and can replace other types of feed, contributing to the development of animal husbandry. The results of studies indicate broad prospects for the use of high-yielding sorghum varieties in various regions. The results of calculating the recipe for replacing corn with sorghum by 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% in experimental compound feed for young animals for fattening showed that the feed unit index per 100 kg of feed in the experimental samples decreased compared to the control group but corresponded to the norm, and the amount of crude protein increased in the experimental groups compared to the control group.