Emergency Relief Program Details Announced
On May 16, USDA released details of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) for 2020 and 2021, formerly known as WHIP+. For impacted producers, existing Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data is the basis for calculating initial payments. USDA estimates that phase one ERP benefits will reach more than 220,000 producers who received indemnities for losses covered by federal crop insurance and more than 4,000 producers who obtained NAP coverage for 2020 and 2021 crop losses.
National Sorghum Producers understands many of our members and producers were impacted by natural disasters and severe weather in 2020 and 2021, and we want to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information about ERP. We have consolidated all relevant information and links related to ERP at SorghumGrowers.com/disaster-assistance-resources. This webpage includes a program summary and detailed information about the application, payment calculation and payment limitations, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. This page will be updated as more information becomes available. Also, a one-pager created by Combest, Sell & Associates explaining the program can be found here.
ORGANIZATION UPDATES
ESMC and The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) Launch Project for Sorghum Farmers to Create Ecosystem Services Credits
The Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program have announced the launch of a pilot project in Western Kansas for sorghum farmers to generate high quality carbon, greenhouse gas, water quality and biodiversity credits in ESMC’s market program. The project will test ESMC’s streamlined programming to create environmental credits from sorghum farmers’ fields. Read the full release at SorghumCheckoff.com.
Sorghum Checkoff Continues the Cultivation of Sorghum Leaders
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.
Coming Soon! New Episode Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition
Tune in Monday for the newest episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition! In the June episode, National Sorghum Producers Executive Vice President John Duff is joined by Chris Cogburn, NSP senior policy adviser and manager of Sustainable Crop Insurance Services, to discuss upcoming and potential changes for sorghum crop insurance in the 2022 and 2023 crop years and details of the recently announced Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Listen to all Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition episodes on your favorite listening platform or SorghumGrowers.com/podcast.
CROP UPDATES
Export Report
Sorghum export shipments remained strong last week with China taking delivery of 7.6 million bushels. Purchases were also up last week, with China and Eritrea making cumulative purchases of 3.8 million bushels. However, purchases of 2.5 million bushels were cancelled by an unknown destination, bringing the total purchases for the week to 1.3 million bushels. Last week's purchases bring total sorghum export purchases for the 2021/2022 marketing year to 267 million bushels, or 89 percent what was estimated in the most recent USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).
Sorghum Crop Progress Report
Forty percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage was planted by May 29, equal to the previous year but three percentage points behind the five-year average. Texas had planted 81 percent of its sorghum acreage by May 29, equal to the previous year but five percentage points behind average.
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 Farmers' Pilot to Create Ecosystem Services Credits - Kansas Ag Connection
National Sorghum Producers join RIPE Non-Profit Coalition - American Ag Network
European Buyers See Entire Sorghum Value Chain In Texas Tour - Oklahoma Farm Report
Upcoming Events
June 13 Culinary Institute of America Healthy Menus R&D Collaborative - Hyde Park, NY
June 14 U.S Grains Council Texas Trade School - Belton, TX
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.