Comment to Protect Your Access to Atrazine
Please take two minutes to fill out the comment form and join us in stopping EPA from limiting your access to atrazine. Included in more than 90 herbicide products across the U.S., limiting atrazine will have broad implications. Atrazine is utilized on 75 percent of U.S. sorghum acres, and the proposal will have drastic impacts on a large majority of those acres, significantly reducing application rates and requiring additional mitigation measures and reporting procedures. It also prohibits all aerial application and application during when rain is forecast within 48 hours.
Join us in the fight. Tell EPA to stick to sound science and the 2020 finalized atrazine registration review. Anything less is unacceptable.
POLICY, REGULATORY AND ISSUE UPDATES
Climate Bill Heads to Vote in House
The Senate on Sunday passed a sweeping $740 billion climate, tax, and healthcare reconciliation package, formally known as the Inflation Reduction Act. The House returned to Washington today to consider and vote on the bill. It is expect to pass and be signed into law. The agriculture-related provisions in the package can be found here. National Sorghum Producers will provide more in-depth analysis on the bill's impact on agriculture and the various provisions impacting future farm bill discussions.
U.S. House, Senate Head to August Recess
Following votes on a number of legislative priorities, including a reconciliation package, the House heads into a five-week recess. The Senate is in recess until Sept. 6. Policy updates will resume when Congress is back in session.
ORGANIZATION UPDATES
Team Sorghum Attends Vietnam Trade Delegation
The U.S. Grains Council recently hosted representatives from the Sorghum Checkoff and Texas Sorghum, including National Sorghum Producers Chairman Kody Carson, in Vietnam. This region has the largest animal feed market in Southeast Asia with a demand of over 30.1 MMT for grain in 2021. There is tremendous growth in the commercial feed market, which is expected to eclipse 35 MMT. The Sorghum Checkoff hosted a grain traders dinner in Ho Chi Minh City where 75 grain traders and industry professionals attended the event. In addition to the regular meal, the U.S. Grains Council team worked with a local chef to also serve sorghum Bahn My (a traditional French-Vietnamese sandwich) using sorghum flour.
ICYMI: Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition - New Episode - #015
In this episode, National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust is joined by Triazine Network Co-Chair and Kansas Corn CEO Greg Krissek to discuss the EPA's recent proposal on atrazine and what growers can do to engage in the fight to keep this important tool.
Do You Have Ideas for the Next Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition Podcast?
Sorghum Family, we are approaching a milestone for Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, and we want to know who you want to hear on the next podcast episode or what topic you want to learn more about. Submit your requests here!
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.
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 7, fifty-five percent of the nation's sorghum acreage had reached the headed stage, 12 percentage points behind last year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. Twenty-five percent of the nation's sorghum was at or beyond the coloring stage by August 7, equal to last year but 2 percentage points behind average. Twenty-nine percent of the nation's sorghum was rated in good to excellent condition on August 7, one percentage point above the previous week.
In its first report of the year relying on farmer surveys for yield projections, the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report projected a national average sorghum yield of 53.2 bushels. This yield would be the lowest since 2012 and reflects the severity of the drought currently plaguing the High Plains.
Sorghum Checkoff Releases Weekly Sorghum Basis Snapshot
The Sorghum Checkoff, with Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, released its weekly sorghum basis snapshot, available at SorghumCheckoff.com.
NSP Promotes Safe Handling and Storage of Treated Seed During Harvest
As harvest begins across the country National Sorghum Producers is reminding farmers about the importance of taking precautions to ensure treated seed does not enter the grain supply. It’s always important to completely remove, and properly dispose of, all treated seed from containers and equipment that will also be used to handle harvested grain. For educational resources on treated seed stewardship, including videos, graphics, one-pagers and FAQs, visit seed-treatment-guide.com/. To learn more about treated seed benefits and safety, visit https://www.betterseed.org/treated-seeds/.
Sorghum in the Spotlight:
Sorghum Midge, Aphid Found in Kansas - High Plains Journal
Farmers Are Facing Drought Out West, and Forage Sorghums Can Help Them Endure - Southwest FarmPress
Sorghum in focus: 'The Goal Is To Increase the Use of Sorghum in the US Food Supply,' says Sorghum Checkoff - FoodNavigator
International Partnership Aims to Improve Sorghum Breeding - Cornell Chronicle
Upcoming Events
August 15 World Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture Conference - Newfoundland, Canada
August 15 NSP Board Meeting - Wichita, KS
August 17 USCP Board Meeting - Wichita, KS
September 5 Labor Day-Office Closed
October 8 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE)
October 12 Export Exchange
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.