Senate Passes Farm Bill

Earlier this week, the Senate passed the Federal Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, S. 954, by a measure of 66-27. National Sorghum Producers Chairman Terry Swanson, a sorghum farmer from southeast Colorado, released the following statement in response to the bill’s passage:

“National Sorghum Producers applauds the hard work done by the Senate Ag Committee and the entire chamber delegation to successfully pass its version of the farm bill.

“As attention turns to the House, we are to the point where we need to work together to get a farm bill across the finish line. This has been a long, tough process, but we look forward to working with our Members of Congress in the coming weeks to bring this bill to its completion.”

NSP Prepares for House Farm Bill

With debate expected to begin on the House farm bill next week, farmer representatives from several states throughout the Sorghum Belt will be traveling to Washington, D.C., on behalf of the sorghum industry to meet with Members on sorghum’s farm bill priorities and urge them to support the farm bill.

NSP also took action this week in joining a coalition of 194 ag organizations by sending a letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives, expressing the significance of the farm bill and encouraging their support. A separate letter also was sent to House leadership that NSP signed, emphasizing the importance of crop insurance and asking that harmful amendments be opposed.

NSP members, be sure to watch your inboxes next week as the potential for action alerts is likely when debate over amendments begins. NSP will be sure to keep you informed of the latest details straight from Capitol Hill.

Boehner Says He Will Back Farm Bill

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) told reporters this week he planned to vote for the farm bill despite some provisions he did not agree with in the bill. News of Boehner’s support broke this week as GOP leader whip efforts take place to see how many votes are possible in favor of the farm bill. Boehner did not reveal exactly when the farm bill would come up for floor debate, but all indications point toward next week sometime.

NSP to Offer Sorghum Insider Program

Sorghum Insider is an exclusive three-day program hosted by the National Sorghum Producers for industry partners, elevators and end-users that will take participants through the U.S. sorghum industry from beginning to end, covering all of the important issues impacting production, policy, markets and much more. Participants will get an insider's look into the new and exciting opportunities on the horizon for sorghum, while gaining a better understanding of how the industry works as a whole. A detailed overview of topics that will be covered during the Sorghum Insider program is available at www.SorghumGrowers.com/sorghuminsider.

Sorghum Checkoff, Chromatin Inc. Partner to Develop Grain Sorghum Breeding Program

The Sorghum Checkoff and Chromatin Inc. will work collaboratively on a project to develop new higher yielding and more advanced grain sorghum hybrids for farmers.

The jointly-funded partnership will total $200,000 per year for five years and leverages Chromatin’s sorghum-based expertise and technology.

“The Sorghum Checkoff is committed to increasing producer profitability, and we are excited to partner with a company like Chromatin that is also completely focused on sorghum and committed to enhancing the quality and yield of grain sorghum,” said Stewart Weaver, Sorghum Checkoff chairman and grower from Edmondson, Ark. “This type of program exemplifies the role a national checkoff can play in utilizing producer dollars to make a difference in the sorghum industry.”

Crop Report

By week’s end, 69 percent of the sorghum crop was planted, 15 percentage points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. In Kansas, producers maximized on fieldwork this week to plant 26 percent of their crop. State planting percentages as of June are as follows: Arkansas – 100 percent; Colorado – 59 percent; Illinois – 58 percent; Kansas – 54 percent; Louisiana – 100 percent; Missouri – 51 percent; Nebraska – 84 percent; New Mexico – 25 percent; Oklahoma – 38 percent; South Dakota – 77 percent; Texas – 87 percent.

Upcoming Sorghum Events

June 14             McLennan County Crop Tour, McGregor, Texas

June 18             Stiles Farm Field Day, Thrall, Texas

June 22- 28       U.S. Grains Council Hosts Columbia Trade Team

Market News - To view this week’s Gulf export grain report, click here.

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Sorghum producers can also receive monthly e-Newsletters from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. To receive monthly news and information regarding the Sorghum Checkoff’s efforts in sorghum research, education and market development contact info@sorghumcheckoff.com and provide your email address or sign up at www.SorghumCheckoff.com/contact-us. You can also follow the Sorghum Checkoff on Twitter @SorghumCheckoff.