Policy, Regulatory and Issue Updates
Congress remains in recess until 2022 midterm elections conclude
New Mexico Sorghum Participates in Lujan Farm Bill Roundtable
New Mexico Sorghum Association Chairman Cedar Rush, Past Chairman Durward Dixon and NSP CEO Tim Lust participated in a farm bill roundtable Wednesday hosted by Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry member Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) at the Curry County Chamber of Commerce in Clovis, New Mexico. Senator Lujan has hosted a number of roundtables with New Mexico agriculture leaders ahead of farm bill negotiations. “Since our agricultural communities have been bearing the brunt of extreme weather conditions, it’s critical the Senate moves with urgency to address these catastrophic events that have impacted New Mexicans’ ability to grow sustainable crops and raise livestock for years to come," Lujan said in an August release. Sorghum representatives emphasized the need for additional resources and support though the Commodity Title.
Sorghum Checkoff Selects Leadership Sorghum Class VI
The United Sorghum Checkoff Program selected 15 members to Leadership Sorghum Class VI, a program designed to develop the next generation of sorghum leaders and industry advocates.
Leadership Sorghum Class VI will consist of 15 farmers from 8 states. Those selected include:
- Jimmy Diamond from Akron, Colorado
- Jeremiah Nicholson from Dodge City, Kansas
- Clint France from Scott City, Kansas
- Brad Haynes from Hays, Kansas
- Henry Martin III from Texico, New Mexico
- Lee Dunn IV from Edenton, North Carolina
- Brad Brainard from Enid, Oklahoma
- Ashley Tucker from Enid, Oklahoma
- David Hunsberger from Mifflintown, Pennsylvania
- Hunter Bevill from Claude, Texas
- Nicole Johnson from Canyon, Texas
- David Barrett from Sinton, Texas
- Trey Beyer III from Portland, Texas
- Jessica Robertson from Robstown, Texas
- Joel Huesby from Touchet, Washington
Participants of the Leadership Sorghum program will begin their experience with Session I in December at the annual Sorghum Checkoff board meeting. For more information about the Leadership Sorghum program, visit leadsorghum.com.
Sorghum Crop Update
By October 23, ninety-five percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage was mature, 1 percentage point behind last year but 2 points ahead of the 5-year average. Sixty-seven percent of the 2022 sorghum acreage had been harvested by October 23, two percentage points behind last year but 8 points ahead of average. Sorghum harvest advanced 14 percentage points or more during the week in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Texas is close to 100 percent harvested, followed by South Dakota at 68 percent, Nebraska and Oklahoma at 55 percent, Kansas at 53 percent and Colorado at 47 percent.
BASF Scholarship Application Open
The National Sorghum Foundation (NSF) and BASF are accepting applications for a joint scholarship that will be awarded January 2023, providing $2,500 for tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year. Scholarship applicants must be the child or grandchild of a National Sorghum Producers member and be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in an agriculturally-related curriculum. Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2022. More information about scholarship criteria and application forms can be found online at SorghumGrowers.com/foundation-scholarships/.
Sorghum Checkoff Releases Weekly <br>Sorghum Basis Snapshot
The Sorghum Checkoff, with Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, released its weekly sorghum basis snapshot, available at SorghumCheckoff.com.
Market News
To view this week’s Gulf export grain report, click here.
Sorghum in the Spotlight
About Sorghum Notes
Sorghum Notes is a publication of the National Sorghum Producers. NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through education and legislative and regulatory representation. Learn more at www.SorghumGrowers.com.