Agricultural News
Terry Swanson with National Sorghum Producers says Demand for Sorghum is There
Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:53:08 CST
The drought across the U.S. affected a multitude of crops and sorghum was one of those affected. Terry Swanson of the National Sorghum Producers says that it damaged a majority of the region where sorghum is grown in the U.S. Ron Hays talked with Swanson at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention in Kansas City.
Click on the LISTEN bar below to listen to their full conversation on the 2011 sorghum production, prospects for the future years and the role of sorghum as a water conserving crop.
Swanson says most importantly the 2011 crop year really underscored the importance of crop insurance for producers. Producers need these safety nets like crop insurance in order to be able to sustain themselves until the production turns around says Swanson. He adds that the need for this crop insurance is across the board, whether it is soybeans, wheat, corn, cotton or any other crop.
The drought cost acres of sorghum 30% in bushels from the recent crop report, which is one reason sorghum production is down, says Swanson. Another reason production is down is that sorghum is behind the technology curve. Swanson says the National Sorghum Producers recently passed a referendum for the checkoff to help fund some research to get caught up on technology.
However, there is demand for sorghum with one third of all product going to export and a large majority being used for renewable fuels. So, says Swanson, because the demand is there the producers don't have to create the demand for sorghum.
Click here for more information on the National Sorghum Producers.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...