The June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report provided a snapshot of what it projects sorghum production will be for 2024.
The report indicates that it expects farmers to raise about 388 million bushels, which was in line with what was estimated in May.
The report noted it expects about 6.4 million acres to be planted with a yield of 69.3 bushels per acre. Drought and other factors in the primary growing regions a year ago limited yields to 52 bushels per acre. In 2023, farmers raised about 318 million bushels.
Kansas, the top producing sorghum state in the nation, had a yield of 54 bushels per acre, which was noted by the Kansas Farm Management Association as being significantly down for the five-year average.
WASDE also estimated the average price at $4.40 a bushel, which is down from $4.90 for the 20234-24 marketing year and nearly $2 lower a bushel than it was in 2022-23.
Key growing states
For the week ending June 23, the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported the Kansas sorghum condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 37% fair, 49% good, and 9% excellent. Sorghum planted was rated at 86%, ahead of 73% last year, and near the 82% average.
In Colorado, NASS reported the crop at 3% poor, 45% fair, 49% good and 3% excellent.
In Nebraska, NASS rated the crop at 16% fair, 73% good and 11% excellent. Sorghum planted was at 98%, equal to last year, and near 97% average. In South Dakota, NASS reported the sorghum condition rated 1% poor, 20% fair, 69% good, and 10% excellent.
In Oklahoma, NASS reported sorghum planting reached 91%. One percent was reported was very poor, 2% poor, 37% fair, 57% good, and 3% excellent. In Texas, NASS reported the crop at 6% very poor, 6% poor, 28% fair; 55% good, and 5% excellent.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
