Association highlights anniversary, looks forward to future 

Seventy years ago, a group of sorghum growers met in the Texas Panhandle. Those five growers helped sorghum get on the same playing field as other commodities and included in government farm programs. 

Corn, wheat and soybeans, already had a seat at the table when it came to many farm programs, and by 1956, sorghum found its spot at the table. 

It’s likely those five producers would be excited to see the progress made thus far. National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust believes those growers would be proud of how far sorghum has come and the organization NSP has become. 

“But I do not think they would be satisfied with stopping there. Those five producers met in Hereford (Texas) because sorghum had no seat at the table as federal farm policy was being written,” Lust said. “Today, growers have a respected national voice in Washington, a national checkoff investing in research and market development, and a crop serving food, feed, fuel, and global markets.” 

He’s positive the group would be “amazed by the technology now available to us, from precision planting to satellite data and new technologies,” he said.  

“At the same time, they would recognize the basic work. Growers still have to organize, show up, and make the case in D.C. for their crop. Some of the very reasons this association was formed in 1955 are issues we are still working on today,” Lust said. “The opportunities are much larger, but producer leadership remains the reason progress happens.” 

Looking at history, the work done over the years by growers has laid the foundation for continued success of sorghum and those who grow it. Lust credits the durable, producer-led voice in farm policy as one thing that stands out.  

“Sorghum’s inclusion in the federal farm program was the first win,” he said. “Decades later, equalizing the sorghum loan rate with corn in the 2002 farm bill resulted in more than $231 million in increased price support during the low-price years of 2004 and 2005. Those are examples of representation producing measurable value for growers.” 

Second is producer investment. State checkoffs and the national checkoff created a lasting structure for research, promotion, and market development, according to Lust.  

“The third is collaboration. That includes research to address greenbug pressure and other production challenges, genetic improvement, trade relationships built over decades and domestic demand through ethanol,” he said. 

Those developments lead to a more diversified crop economy. 

“Sorghum’s future cannot rest on one market or one policy. It rests on a strong farm safety net, competitive global markets and broader demand across livestock feed, human food, biofuels and other value-added uses,” he said. “Sorghum’s water-use efficiency and resilience also place it at the center of larger conversations about conserving resources while keeping farms productive. Our responsibility is to turn those strengths into profitability for growers.” 

For Lust, there’s a lot to be encouraged about when looking toward the future.  

“On the production side, advances in genetics, high-throughput phenotyping, remote sensing and satellite data are helping researchers identify useful traits faster and turn information into better tools for growers,” he said. “We are seeing continued progress in herbicide-tolerant systems, insect and disease resistance, yield potential and water-use efficiency.” 

On the demand side, negotiations are closer than they have been in recent years for a permanent, nationwide solution for year-round E15. 

“The 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, USDA’s new feedstock framework and strong Renewable Fuel Standard volumes, could help growers capture more value while creating opportunities in ethanol and beyond,” he said. “We also continue to see opportunities in food, feed, exports, and global food-assistance markets.” 

Lust said in September, the Global Sorghum Conference will bring researchers and industry leaders from around the world to Lubbock, Texas. 

“That is a good reflection of where sorghum is today,” he said. “It is no longer viewed only as a regional feed grain. It is increasingly viewed as a crop that can be part of the solution for water, energy, food security and production under tougher conditions.” 

For the next 70 years, NSP will continue doing what they’ve always done—connect long-term opportunity back to the farm.  

“That starts with protecting producer profitability through farm policy, crop insurance, trade, biofuel policy, and practical regulation,” Lust said. “It also means building demand across multiple markets, so growers have options rather than depending too heavily on any one buyer or use.” 

Having sorghum on the forage side is important for continued growth.  

“Forage sorghum is becoming a key growth opportunity as well,” he said. “We are working to make sure there is policy that supports the growth and needs of forage sorghum.” 

NSP is also emphasizing sorghum’s water and conservation story; however, they’re not just describing it as sustainable.  

“The goal is to make sure growers can capture value—116 workable programs and partnerships that keep producers in control,” he said. 

They’re also investing in people.  

“NSP has lasted because growers were willing to lead, testify, travel, ask hard questions and bring the next generation alongside them,” he said. “We will keep developing leaders and strengthening the connections among our members, state organizations, researchers, market partners and policymakers.” 

Lust has big hopes for the future of NSP, while appreciating the beginning. 

“The next 70 years will be built the same way the first 70 were: With growers at the table and a clear financial return to the farm,” he said. 

Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].