POLICY, REGULATORY AND ISSUE UPDATES
EPA Resurrects Radical Atrazine Proposal, Growers Encouraged to Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reopened yesterday the finalized re-registration of atrazine, a widely utilized herbicide in sorghum production, and is proposing to replace the approved 15 parts per billion (ppb) concentration equivalent level of concern (CE-LOC) in the aquatic assessment with the ultra-low 3.4 ppb CE-LOC proposed in 2016—a severely restricted level not supported by credible scientific evidence that would have a devastating impact on farmers. National Sorghum Producers strongly disagrees with the EPA’s proposed level of concern for atrazine and is actively seeking input from its grower community. The proposal (EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0266) is published in the Federal Register, and EPA will accept public comments for 60 days.
“This is a tool our farmers cannot stand to lose,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said in an NSP statement. “Climate-smart agriculture relies on tools like atrazine particularly for sustainable farming practices like conservation tillage and no-till." In the announcement, EPA stated it “intends to seek external peer review of the risks to the aquatic plant community that underlies this proposed risk management strategy.” NSP and its partners at the Triazene Network maintain that before any part of the proposal is implemented, EPA must stand by its promises to convene a formal FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel to specifically explore the scientific basis for the proposed CE-LOC revision and ensure high-quality research supports the proposal.
NSP will continue to work with the EPA, Congress and the White House to help bring logic and science to the assessment process. Meanwhile, NSP is encouraging its members to comment on the issue by visiting SorghumGrowers.com. Read NSP's full statement on the proposal here. Additional information on the benefits of atrazine from the Triazine Network is available here.
More than $4 Billion in Emergency Relief Program Payments Issued to Date
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that to date, agricultural producers have already received more than $4 billion through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP), representing approximately 67 percent of the more than $6 billion projected to be paid through this first phase of the program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed out pre-filled applications in late May to producers with crop insurance who suffered losses due to natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. Commodity and specialty crop producers have until July 22 to complete applications. USDA is implementing ERP and ELRP in two phases, with the first phase utilizing existing claim data to provide relief expediently, and the second phase focusing on ensuring producers not covered by other programs receive assistance. National Sorghum Producers expects the second half of Phase I payments to occur around mid-July. For more information and updates from USDA, click here.
FSA Accepting Nominations from Farmers to Serve on Local Committees
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced on June 15 that they are now accepting nominations for county committee members. Nomination forms for the 2022 election will need to be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by August 1,2022. County committee members will make important on how decisions on federal farm programs are locally administrated. To learn more about USDA's FSA county committee nomination and elections, read here.
ORGANIZATION UPDATES
ICYMI: RIPE with Martin Barbre on Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition
Check out the newest episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition! Tune in for a special episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition about the Rural Investment to Protect Our Environment (RIPE). NSP's John Duff is joined by Martin Barbre, vice president of engagement and government affairs for RIPE, to discuss their work with farmers and on Capitol Hill. It's available at https://sorghumgrowers.com/podcast/ or on your favorite podcast platform!
Sorghum Checkoff Still Accepting Applications to Leadership Sorghum
The United Sorghum Checkoff Program is accepting applications for Leadership Sorghum Class VI, a program designed to cultivate the next generation of sorghum leaders. During the 14-month leadership program, class members will have the opportunity to experience various aspects of the sorghum industry in addition to personal development and networking opportunities. Applications are available here and are due by 5:00 pm CST on September 23. To learn more about Leadership Sorghum, visit SorghumGrowers.com.
CROP UPDATES
Export Report
This week, sorghum export shipments of 141,000 bushels were up 9 percent this week with top destinations of Japan, Mexico, Chine, South Korea, and Guatemala. China made purchases of 2 million bushels.
Sorghum Crop Progress Report
Ninety percent of the nation’s sorghum was planted by June 26, four percentage points behind both the previous year and the 5-year average. By June 26, nineteen percent of the sorghum acreage had reached the headed stage, equal to last year but 1 percentage point behind average. Forty-three percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage was rated in good to excellent condition on June 26.
Sorghum Checkoff Releases Weekly Sorghum Basis Snapshot
The Sorghum Checkoff, with Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, released its weekly sorghum basis snapshot, available at SorghumCheckoff.com.
Sorghum in the Spotlight:
Sorghum growers unhappy with EPA proposal - World Grain
EPA proposes atrazine restrictions to protect aquatic plants - Agri-Pulse
How much does an inch of water contribute to grain sorghum yield? - High Plains Journal
Lupin Used as Winter Cover Crop Boosts Summer Sorghum Yield - News Wise
Sorghum producers see fewer issues with sugarcane aphids - High Plains Journal
Husker team leads effort to help sorghum defend itself from aphid attacks - IANR News
USGC: US DDGS, Sorghum Showcased in Turkey - Ethanol Producer Magazine
Upcoming Events
July 4 Independence Day - Office Closed
July 18-21 Leadership Sorghum Session - Washington, DC
August 2 Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference - Grapevine, TX
August 11 Sorghum U - Wichita, KS
August 15 NSP Board Meeting - Wichita, KS
August 17 USCP Board Meeting - Wichita, KS
October 8 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE)
Market News - To view this week’s Gulf export grain report, click here.
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.