| Since July 1, 2012: | The Grain Sorghum Board continues to maintain its basic programs of market development, research, producerconsumer education and federal legislative affairs. International marketing efforts are conducted through the national checkoff program insofar as 75% of the national checkoff funds collected in the state remain with the national board. Those efforts are carried out in collaboration with and through the U.S. Grains Council, the international marketing arm of the industry. Council programs for sorghum are jointly planned and coordinated throughout their network of offices in key markets around the world. International market development programs are vital to sorghum producers inasmuch as 30 to 50% of the U.S. sorghum crop is exported. Key international customers include China, Mexico, Japan, the Middle East and Europe. Growth in food uses for sorghum creates new, high-value demand.The Sorghum Board continues their in-state promotion efforts of sorghum for food uses. Educational programs include cooking demonstrations, publication and distribution of recipes, enhanced visibility via social media, etc. Sorghum is gaining awareness and popularity among professional chefs, nutritionists and the healthy consumer. In 2015 sorghum consumption as a food grain increased nearly 40 percent compared to the previous year and secured a three percent overall market share. The number of products on the grocery shelf that contain sorghum has eclipsed 350 products. As well, mainstream brands are adding sorghum to new products every year. Recipes developed by the Sorghum Board are also made available for publication on the National sorghum checkoff consumer webpage. Board staff fields numerous calls on how to cookbake with sorghum and where to purchase.Producer education efforts include sorghum hybrid demonstration plots, field days, educational seminars, research conferences and farm shows. Board support is also provided through funding or goods and services to other educational and leadership development programs such as the Nebraska FFA, Nebraska Ag Youth Institute, Nebraska Leadership Education Action Development Program, Ag in the Classroom, Ag Day Promotions, and Ag Safety Camps.Program funds invested in federal legislative issues primarily relate to the Farm Bill and Crop Insurance Program and are conducted in collaboration with and through the National Sorghum Producers. Close communication is also maintained with USDA and cooperators relative to conservation programs as they impact sorghum. In June of 2015, the Department of Energy announced $30 million investment for sorghum research that will bring high breeding technology to the industry. Also in October, 2015 DOE announced a second major investment focusing on 2 projects at 13 institutions including the University of Nebraska as a program leader. Projects will study drought tolerance and nitrogen usage as well as microbiological interactions to enhance sorghum as a biofuels crop. In 2016 the sorghum industry was faced with a 9th Circuit Court decision that cancelled all previously registered sulfaxaflor products, which included Transform WG. This products was widely used for the control of the sugarcane aphid, a new insect pest to sorghum. The Board worked through the Department of Agriculture to secure emergency use exemptions to allow this crop protection tool to be available to sorghum producers.The Board has voiced their continued support for the Renewable Fuels Standard volumes and growth that will contribute to rural economic development and job creation. |