Sorghum Checkoff celebrates 10-year anniversary
The Sorghum Checkoff kicked off its 10-year anniversary celebration with growers at the recent Commodity Classic. This year, the Sorghum Checkoff reflects on a decade of advancements in sorghum genetics and breeding, market expansion, increased research efforts and educational resource development and distribution.
“The Sorghum Checkoff was originally started so collectively it could do what individually the groups that existed at the time could not,” said Tim Lust, Sorghum Checkoff CEO. “The industry at that point in time had significant needs from a research and development standpoint and the Sorghum Checkoff was an avenue to accomplish these goals and carry out the work needed to improve the industry.”
The Sorghum Checkoff received an independent study recently that shows the organization has had a positive impact on sorghum yields, acreage and farm value, illustrating a positive return on producer investment. Funding in crop improvement successfully boosted the average acreage and farm value of production since the Sorghum Checkoff launched and for every dollar invested in crop improvement the net return to producers was $8.57.
The study also showed combined investments in high-value markets and renewables enhanced the farm value of sorghum sales by near $107.4 million, providing a net return to the producer in this area of nearly $11.60.
“We have made great strides in research, technology and market opportunity thanks to producer investments,” said Verity Ulibarri, Sorghum Checkoff chairwoman. “The Sorghum Checkoff will continue to work with producers and industry partners to meet the needs of our growers and pursue opportunities that make sorghum a smart choice.”
In celebration of the Sorghum Checkoff’s anniversary, the organization also realeased an updated Sorghum: The Smart Choice logo. The brand is utilized by the Sorghum Checkoff to relay the message that sorghum is a smart choice for producers, livestock feed, ethanol, consumer food and other new and growing markets.
The Sorghum Checkoff celebrates this 10-year milestone alongside sorghum farmers, acknowledging their continued dedication to the sorghum crop and industry. More information about the return on investment independent evaluation can be found at SorghumCheckoff.com.
