As farmers seek a solution to the prolonged wet spring and lost opportunities to plant other spring crops, the National Sorghum Producers and the Sorghum Checkoff are reminding producers grain sorghum is an option that can provide opportunity to growers. As wet conditions persist for farmers across the U.S., producers calculating options as major crop plant deadlines come and go need to keep a few considerations in mind when planting grain sorghum, according to NSP.

 

Grain sorghum can typically be planted later than other crops, and sorghum is a lower risk option, specifically as it relates to seed costs. For example, sorghum seed typically costs $9-$18 per acre depending on seeding rate, while corn seed typically costs $55-$110 an acre depending on seeding rate and traits. Harvest costs are often lower, as well.

The Sorghum Producers say even late in the planting cycle- seed is available.

 

NSP CEO Tim Lust says "despite trade uncertainty, demand for feed grain remains strong across the globe." He spoke earlier this week with Associate Farm Director Carson Horn about the opportunities associated with planting grain sorghum here in June.

 

Click or tap here to read the full story and to hear Lust's full conversation with Carson to learn more.

Congressional leaders this week received a letter from nearly 1,000 agricultural groups calling on Congress to ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Among those groups calling on Congress to act, were several of Oklahoma's agricultural organizations including the Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council, Oklahoma Cotton Council, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association, Oklahoma Pork Council and Oklahoma's railroad associations.

On Wednesday, Oklahoma's 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas released a statement backing those groups and joined them in calling for the USMCA's ratification.

"As a rancher and a wheat farmer, I know how important fair trade and market access is for Oklahoma's agricultural products. As a Member of Congress, I know how important reducing costs on the American consumer and revitalizing numerous industries across the country can be for economic growth... These groups are well aware of the economic impact that USMCA will have on our state's economy but most importantly on the lives of Oklahoma's producers," Lucas stated. "The path for a stronger economy, fair and equitable trade, and better market access for our farmers couldn't be clearer. Every day House Democrats delay the ratification, it adds even more instability in an already unstable marketplace."

President Trump also sided with a group of more than 950 agribusinesses and organizations, calling on lawmakers to quickly pass the agreement once formally submitted to Congress. Trump, on Twitter, says "our patriot farmers and rural America have spoken," saying "now Congress must do its job" by passing the USMCA agreement.

According to Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, a hearing entitled, "The President's 2019 Trade Policy Agenda and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement," will be held next Tuesday morning. Grassley told reporters earlier this week, following meetings with House of Representatives leadership, that he expects demands from Democrats in the House can be worked out. The House must consider the agreement before the Senate can vote on ratification.

Click here to read Lucas' complete statement in support of Oklahoma's rural community on our website.

Oklahoma State University Extension Plant Pathologist Dr. Bob Hunger released this week his latest wheat disease report for Oklahoma. According to him, several samples from the panhandle and northwestern OK have tested positive for wheat curl mite-transmitted virus diseases including wheat streak mosaic, high plains disease and Triticum mosaic. These samples were not as severe or widespread as in previous years though.

 

Hunger adds that there is reportedly an increase in incidences of white heads across northwestern OK and the panhandle. Some reports have indicated that Fusarium root rot is the cause- while other contributors could be freeze, Fusarium head blight and flooded fields.

 

Hunger says he is also on the lookout for potential cases sooty mold, which would be expected given the wet conditions of late.

 

 

Farm groups agree with President Trump, who issued an executive order for the federal government to streamline the ag biotech approval process. Trump announced the order during his visit to Iowa Tuesday, that seeks a science-based, timely, efficient, and transparent process.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says the executive order will "foster policy to spur agricultural innovation" in agricultural biotechnology.

Kentucky soy grower and President of the American Soybean Association Davie Stephens said, "Soybean farmers appreciate the steps toward a more consistent, coordinated approach to the biotech regulatory system domestically and abroad."

The executive order directs the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to collaborate on "common sense regulations" along with developing awareness and education programs to gain acceptance of new technologies.