At the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) annual Washington Watch event in Washington, D.C., Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to talk with the Chairman of the National Sorghum Producers and Kansas sorghum producer, Craig Meeker.
“2024 is off with a bang,” Meeker said. “The crop went in at very good conditions in the coastal bend of Texas.”
Meeker said the sorghum belt stretches from South Texas to South Dakota, with a few exceptions such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, and more. Sorghum harvest will begin in a few months in South Texas, Meeker added.
“Things are looking good down there (south Texas) with good moisture and good conditions,” Meeker said. “The rest of the sorghum belt may not be quite so lucky.”
The high plains of Texas, along with western Oklahoma and Kansas are fairly dry, Meeker said, but sorghum is an adaptable, tough crop.
“Very optimistic still, because we haven’t planted much sorghum in the bulk of sorghum country yet, but hopeful and looking forward to good conditions coming on,” Meeker said.
Looking back at last year’s crop, Meeker said this year it appears there is more subsoil moisture to work with.
“Hopefully we have some rain to bring that moisture together and get us off to a good start,” Meeker said.
Aside from weather conditions impacting sorghum, Meeker said regulatory, trade, and policy issues are also at play. Meeker said he and his team are actively working with agricultural committees in the House and the Senate to ensure good policy is written for sorghum producers.
“Our whole staff at team sorghum is making sure we make a difference at the farm gate for producers,” Meeker said.
