Comment to Protect Your Access to Atrazine
The Summer 2022 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine has arrived. On that magazine, you will find a wrap with a postcard included. We encourage you to completely fill out that card and drop it back in the mailbox to us. The use of atrazine is at stake, a product included in more than 90 herbicide products across the U.S., and one that is utilized on 75 percent of U.S. sorghum acres.
You don't have time to wait. Please take two minutes to fill out the comment form online and join us in stopping EPA from limiting your access to atrazine. Join us in the fight.
Time is Running Out! Apply Now for 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.
Enter the Sorghum Yield Contest Today
The National Sorghum Producers Yield Contest entry deadline is approaching. Through the contest, sorghum farmers have the opportunity to showcase their sorghum crop and compete with growers across the U.S. Winners have the opportunity to be recognized at the 2023 Commodity Classic in Orlando, Florida. The deadline to enter is Oct. 15. Learn more at SorghumGrowers.com/yieldcontest.
Sorghum Grower Spotlight: Sorghum Crop Insurance Changes On The Horizon
Several changes for sorghum crop insurance are on the horizon and could impact producers as early as 2023. Read more from the Summer issue of Sorghum Grower magazine online.
POLICY, REGULATORY AND ISSUE UPDATES
Vilsack Previews Climate Grant Funding at Farm Progress Show
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced three recipients for USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Program at the Farm Progress show in Iowa this week. Among the awardees were projects based on Iowa, Missouri and South Dakota. The rest of the awards will be announced on September 13.
Thompson Outlines Farm Bill Timeline He'd Pursue as House Ag Chairman
House Agriculture Committee Republican leader Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson spoke this week at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa, highlighting his priority areas if Republicans take over the House and he becomes committee chairman. This includes starting farm bill hearings as early as January and the hope to have a funding allocation from the Budget Committee by the summer. Farm bill programs are set to expire Sept. 30, 2023; Thompson stated an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is not an option and making improvements is the point of a reauthorization every five years.
USDA Raises Farm Income Forecast
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates net cash farm income will reach its highest level in a decade, indicating a sharp increase in the farm earning forecast for 2022. Read more from USDA here.
ORGANIZATION UPDATES
Sorghum Promotion Helps Inform Customers & Build Demand in China
To build demand and maintain customer confidence in U.S. sorghum, the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) China office took part in the third China International Companion Animal Food Ingredient Conference (CAFIC III) this week. By participating in the event it will allow for the opportunity to extend the U.S. sorghum market from feed and baijiu into pet food. Read the full story here.
Ohio State Leading New $15 million Project to Study Carbon Farming as Climate Change Solution
Ohio State University is conducting a new five-year, $15 million project that will measure how much organic and inorganic carbon gets sequestered into the soil under different farming practices in key regions across the western hemisphere. The project received $5 million through a grant from the Washington, D.C.-based Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and about $10 million in matching contributions from Ohio State, commodity groups, industry and other donors. National Sorghum Producers and the Sorghum Checkoff are co-sponsors on the project. Read here to learn more.
September is Whole Grains Month
September is Whole Grains Month! Whole Grains are a vital part of a well-rounded diet, and sorghum can help make half your grains whole! The Sorghum Checkoff will be celebrating all month long! Follow @SimplySorghum on social media or visit SimplySorghum.com to learn more.
Fall Sorghum Grower Magazine: Photo Submissions
Get your camera (or even phone camera) ready, we want to see your sorghum field! Submit your field photos here, or tag us in your #FromTheField photos on social media for a chance to be featured in the upcoming Fall edition of the sorghum grower magazine!
Sorghum Crop Update
By August 28, eighty-eight percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage had reached the headed stage, 6 percentage points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Forty-eight percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage was at or beyond the coloring stage, nine percentage points behind last year and 5 points behind average. Twenty-three percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage was mature, equal to last year but 2 percentage points behind average. Seventy-five percent of the Texas sorghum acreage was mature by August 28, one percentage point ahead of last year and 2 points ahead of average. Eighteen percent of the 2022 sorghum acreage had been harvested by August 28, equal to last year but 2 percentage points behind average. Twenty-one percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, four percentage points below the previous week and 37 points below the same time last year.
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:
Ohio State leading new $15 million project to study carbon farming as climate change solution - News OSU
Foodie Guide to Halloween Sweets and Treats at Disneyland Resort - Disney Parks Blog
How Fresh Bellies is Using Drought-Resistant Sorghum to Build a Multi-Million Dollar Snacking Empire - vegconomist
Multi-scale research uncovers microbes that affect sorghum drought response - Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
From York, Nebr. to York, England - York News times
Ron Seeber, Kansas Grain and Feed Association - Kansas Sorghum State Podcast
Sorghum Insider Monthly Wrap-Up - Texas Sorghum
Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Determines 2023 Fiscal Budget - Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission
Upcoming Events
September 5 Labor Day-Office Closed
September 7 TAMU Bushland Silage Sorghum Field Day, Bushland, TX
September 8 Biennial Agricultural Field Day, CSU's Arkansas Valley Research Center in Rocky Ford
September 13 CSU Sorghum Field Day, Akron USDA-ARS Station - Akron, Colorado
September 15 CSU Sorghum Field Day, Plainsman Research Center - Walsh, Colorado
September 20 CSU Sorghum Field Day, Field Site north of Brandon - Sheridan Lake, Colorado
October 8 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE)
October 12 Export Exchange, Minneapolis, MN
October 18 2022 Sunbelt Ag Expo, Moultrie, GA
October 19 KibbleCon, Manhattan, KS
November 16 Sustainable Agriculture Summit Glendale, AZ
Market News (Updated!) - 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.