Also: Danforth CEnter , Pioneers iN Sorghum Research

Growers gain ground

with sugarcane aphids

AUSTIN, TX 78744 TX AUSTIN, Also Inside

Permit NO. 1718 NO. Permit

U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S.

NONPROFIT ORG. ORG. NONPROFIT NATIONAL SORGHUM PRODUCERS, 4201 N INTERSTATE 27, LUBBOCK, TX 79403 TX LUBBOCK, 27, INTERSTATE N 4201 PRODUCERS, SORGHUM NATIONAL Sorghum Checkoff Newsletter TABLE of Contents Features

8 Pioneers in Genetic Research Donald Danforth Plant Science Center focused on high capacity SORGHUM genetic studies in sorghum Summer 2017 PROTECT 10 Etched in Sorghum History Bruce Maunder made a lasting impact on the sorghum industry YOUR YIELD through investment in others and excellence in farmer-focused research

14 Sugarcane Aphid FROM Management Success Farmers, scienctists gaining ground SUGARCANE on sugarcane aphids APHIDS Departments 6 Capitol Hill

19 Sorghum Recipe Hybrids That Are Bred For High Performance The power behind Sorghum Partners is elite Chromatin 20 Sorgonomics genetics that make our grain and forage hybrids more adaptable, versatile and productive. Sorghum Partners is 26 Lab to Cab a product of Chromatin’s expertise and sorghum breeding program, the largest in the world. For high-producing sorghum seed that is tolerant to the sugarcane aphid, trust the brand 30 Sorghum Shortcuts Insidethat’s Front bred for success. CoverSorghum Partners. Ad Contact your local ag retailer or visit SorghumPartners.com.

ON THE COVER: After many years of service to the sorghum industry in a variety of capacities, Bruce Maunder has retired for a second time. This issue, we pay tribute to Bruce for his leadership and say The Sorghum Company thank you for the lasting impact he has had on us all.

NSP Sorghum Growers Magazine (March 2017).indd 1 3/27/2017 1:14:26 PM Editor's Desk DEKALB® BRAND GRAIN SORGHUM SORGHUM DEKALB® brand grain sorghum offers products that exhibit a Honoring Those Summer 2017, Volume 11, Issue 3 high level of tolerance against NSP Board of Directors Who Helped Don Bloss CHAIRMAN, PAWNEE CITY, NEBRASKA sugarcane aphids. These products, Daniel Atkisson VICE CHAIRMAN, STOCKTON, KS Us Get Here James Born PAST CHAIRMAN, BOOKER, TEXAS combined with continued Mike Battin LUBBOCK, TEXAS Kody Carson OLTON, TEXAS arry Truman once said, “Men make history and not the other scouting and an effective spray Larry Dahlsten LINDSBORG, KANSAS way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society Larry Earnest STAR CITY, ARKANSAS stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders program, will give you the best Kendall Hodgson LITTLE RIVER, KANSAS Bobby Nedbalek SINTON, TEXAS Hseize the opportunity to change things for the better.” In this opportunity to limit sugarcane J.B. Stewart KEYES, OKLAHOMA issue of Sorghum Grower, we have the great privilege to honor a Tom Willis LIBERAL, KANSAS leader in our industry such as this. aphid damage on your farm. Dr. Bruce Maunder has a notable career with a singular focus NSP Staff on sorghum. His efforts and devotion alongside many other lead- Tim Lust CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ers in the industry have created progress in crop technology that Debra Lloyd OPERATIONS DIRECTOR is bridging the sorghum plant of yesterday with that of tomorrow, Chris Cogburn SENIOR POLICY ADVISER and attention is shifting to sorghum by plant breeders and scien- Jennifer Blackburn EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR John Duff STRATEGIC BUSINESS DIRECTOR tists in a profound way. Mollie Dykes COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR We now embrace adversity with enhanced technology, Shelee Padgett REGIONAL DIRECTOR and overcoming challenges we face in the sorghum industry is Brent Crafton REGIONAL DIRECTOR becoming easier through additional investment in the crop. Just Ian Hoeffner INFORMATION DIRECTOR as Maunder and other researchers tackled greenbug through Laura Offutt ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATOR Madison Vega ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT improved sorghum varieties in the 1960s and 1970s, producers Larry Lambright FOUNDATION DIRECTOR today are overcoming the challenges presented by sugarcane aphids—only quicker. These improvements would not be possible National Sorghum Producers without former lessons, though, and mentorship from men like Maunder who have been in the trenches in the past. 4201 North Interstate 27 The same can be said as we look at the front line of farm pol- Lubbock, Texas 79403 icy. It is farm bill time, and the process, exercised every five years, 806-749-3478 (phone) looks a little different this time. The entire agriculture industry 800-658-9808 (toll free) 806-749-9002 (fax) and Congressional leaders are digging deep, looking at notes and www.SorghumGrowers.com experience from the past, as measures to succeed may reach far beyond what is necessary to achieve a fair shake for our individ- ual commodity interests and what is just for farmers. Sorghum Grower is published by the National We too have opportunity to change things for the better, and Sorghum Producers, an organization that rep- resents U.S. sorghum producers and the sor- I encourage you to be the type of leader Truman describes. Today, ghum industry. NSP is headquartered in Lub- we count our blessings for leaders like Maunder who helped us bock, Texas, in the heart of the U.S. Sorghum get here and to those he impacted along the way that are able to Belt. The organization serves as the voice of look at the future with optimism for success. the sorghum industry coast to coast through legislative and regulatory representation and education. To subscribe, make address changes, or inquire about membership or ad- vertising, please call 800-658-9808 or email our office at [email protected]. Jennifer Blackburn © Copyright 2017 National Sorghum Producers NSP External Affairs Director

Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible.

DEKALB and Design® and DEKALB® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2017 Monsanto Company. 43377 ED 7-11-17 Capitol Hill

Crunching The Numbers Budgeting for the 2018 Farm Bill By Mollie Dykes

arm bills are all about two things—money and policy. Standing Ground Every five years, our country develops a new Despite cuts to agriculture spending, House Com- farm bill to ensure agriculture continues to thrive mittee on Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX), Fregardless of weather conditions and the state of the who stood his ground on his commitment to American agriculture economy. agriculture and fought for minimal cuts, is confident there To begin setting the stage for how the farm bill will be are still sufficient dollars to write a farm bill that works for written, budgets must be set while industry leaders discuss everyone. Additionally, savings from the 2014 Farm Bill the current needs of agriculture. That is exactly where we combined with these cuts proposed by the House budget stand today, evaluating what sorghum needs in the new farm resolution could actually protect agriculture from addi- bill and what resources will be required to fulfill those needs. tional cutbacks in the future. While any sort of cuts to agriculture are less than Show Me the Money ideal, especially when we are faced with variable weather The first step in the money discussion happened when conditions and an agriculture economy that has seen a the U.S. House of Representatives released their Fiscal Year 50 percent drop in net farm income in just four years, 2018 Budget Resolution in mid-July. This budget outlined $10 these are cuts we can work around. Essential programs billion in cuts to agriculture spending over the next 10 years, that provide farmers and ranchers with the stability and which will primarily focus on the Supplemental Nutrition As- predictability they need in this economic climate will still sistance Program (SNAP). Together, mandatory and discre- receive the attention they deserve in the next farm bill. tionary spending in agriculture is budgeted at $144.9 billion. The National Sorghum Producers legislative commit- The Congressional Budget Office baseline released tee, board of directors and staff have been working for in June will be used for scoring purposes this fall when months on policy to make sure the sorghum industry and lawmakers set out to write the next farm bill. The base- our farmers get the best policy deal possible. Through- line showed that 10-year savings from the 2014 bill are out this process, NSP will be there, fighting for each and expected to top $100 billion, more than four times the every sorghum producer, for a safety net that protects estimate at the time of farm bill passage. their interests and for continued research and other pro- Win the worm battle. Of particular note, conservation, crop insurance and visions that keep the sorghum industry thriving. commodity policies are all expected to spend below base- line. While these savings are good for the country and tax Raise the yield fl ag. payers, it is a double-edged sword. These savings could DuPont™ Prevathon® insect control prevails over worms in sorghum, soybeans, potentially hurt in the development of future policy in corn, cotton, peanuts and other crops.* Prevathon® also helps deliver higher yields that funding to agriculture could be limited. by controlling damage quickly, reducing stress on crops. And it is exible too, This budget is what allowed the policy inclusion of a working across seed varieties, giving you more options to help your acres reach $3.95 sorghum reference price. Currently, sorghum produc- their full potential. ers are expected to receive an average of $68.31 per acre in Price Loss Coverage program payments this October. Find out what crop consultants are saying at prevathon.dupont.com.

IN FEBRUARY, National Sorghum Producers presented Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Foresty Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) with the Working smarter is now easier than ever through the TruChoice® Advantage and TruChoice® Financing programs. truchoice.dupont.com. Congressional Sorghum Award for his devotion to *See product label for specifi c crop/pest combinations controlled or suppressed. agriculture and the sorghum industry. DuPont™ Prevathon® insect control may not be registered for sale or use in all states. See your local DuPont retailer or representative for details and availability in your state. Always read and follow all label directions and precautions for use. Unless indicated, trademarks with ®, TM or SM are trademarks of DuPont, Pioneer or affi liates. © 2016 DuPont. DUPCPL16001NSP 6 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 PIONEERS plant genomes. The last five years, his to improve energy sorghum, they will team has focused on plant pheno- be directly extendable to other signifi- IN GENETIC RESEARCH typing that uses imaging and sensor cant energy or food security crops. type technologies to monitor plant In 2016, the Bill & Melinda Gates Danforth Center Sets Out for Sorghum growth and development, which is Foundation awarded the Mockler lab what lead to the opportunity he has to a three-year $6.1 million grant to work with the DOE today. What lead expand and accelerate the impact of WHEN Mockler’s attention to sorghum? the TERRA Phenotyping Reference "I attended an international sor- Platform (REF) program to optimize January 29 - January 31, 2018 ghum meeting several years ago in breeding strategies for improving the Atlanta, and at that meeting, I decided yield and stress tolerance of sorghum WHERE that I wanted to focus my research bicolor as a critical source of nutri- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center on sorghum,” Mockler said. “Up to tion for millions of people living in that point, I had mostly worked with Sub-Saharan Africa. St. Louis, Missouri model plants such as Arabidopsis and Brachy- oin researchers, producers and podium, related to wheat. industry representatives at the Sorghum is fascinating to J2018 Sorghum Improvement Con- me because of its innate ference of North America to explore tolerance to heat and the opportunities and challenges drought stress and because it is so versatile as a grain, the sorghum industry faces today. forage and biomass.” “Raise the Bar” is the theme of The TERRA research the 2018 conference where attend- team deployed a state- ees will be focused on strategies for of-the-art, gantry-based raising the national sorghum yield plant phenotyping By Jennifer Blackburn average to 100 bu/acre while rais- Contributed to by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center system for high-resolu- tion imaging of entire ing the national value of sorghum issouri is the Show Me State, home of St. Louis Recent investments by the U.S. Department of Energy crop plots grown under relative to corn by two percentage and the Gateway Arch to the West—a monument (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy field conditions at a RECENT INVESTMENTS by DOE and the points by 2025. The Donald Danforth University of Arizona constructed to honor the explorers who pushed the (ARPA-E) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have Gates Foundation are putting sorghum back into Plant Science Center has been, and Mboundaries of the American frontier. St. Louis is also put the Danforth Center on the map for high capacity research center. The will continue to be, instrumental in home to a modern structure where present-day pioneers are genetic studies in sorghum. Danforth Center scientists, Todd team will also conduct Danforth Center greenhouses. charting new territory in the name of science that benefits Mockler, Ph.D., member and the Geraldine and Robert genomic analyses on sorghum research thus making it the humanity. The developing crop of choice—sorghum. Virgil Distinguished Investigator, and Nadia Shakoor, Ph.D., sorghum and will integrate pheno- Shakoor said because sorghum perfect location for SICNA 2018. Learn Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant associate director of the project, are leading the $8 million type and genomic results to create is among the most efficient crops in more at SICNA.net. Science Center focuses scientific research at the nexus multi-institutional Transportation Energy Resources from a high-quality reference dataset of terms of conversion of solar energy of food, energy and the environment to improve the Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) project funded by ARPA-E. energy sorghum’s physical character- and use of water, it is an ideal crop productivity and sustainability of agriculture. The Mockler lab is moving its focus almost istics and genomic information. to target for improvement to meet entirely to sorghum, funding provided, turning the “By understanding the phe- the predicted doubling of global org), aimed at engaging the inter- attention of approximately 23 other research scien- notypic and genomic variation of food demand by 2050. national sorghum community to tists to the crop, as well. Mockler also plans to hire a bioenergy sorghum, we will lay the "Sorghum is truly a cereal grain recommend lines for sequencing as full-time sorghum breeder. foundations for deploying computa- for the 21st century,” she said. “With part of grants funded in part by the “There is no master plan,” said Mockler, “but I am tionally-enabled breeding strategies the ever-increasing demand for cli- Illumina Greater Good Initiative steering the Titanic in the direction to do all sorghum, that will generate high-yielding mate-resilient crops and a dramatic and the DOE Joint Genome Insti- all the time, piece-by-piece.” sorghum hybrids,” said Mockler. rise in certain food trends, grain tute Community Sequencing Pro- Prior to his work at the Danforth Center, Mockler These innovations will advance sorghum is a dream crop for scien- gram, which supports the sequenc- spent much of his last 15 years sequencing and analyzing the effectiveness and speed of sor- tists like myself who are invested in ing of 1,000 sorghum genomes. ghum breeding programs and pro- improving both quality and yield The Danforth Center rarely had SORGHUM CHECKOFF Director of Agronomy Brent duction and add next-generation traits in global food security crops.” sorghum growing in its greenhouse Bean and Crop Improvement DirectorJustin Weinheimer feedstocks with more favorable green- Additional endeavors by Mock- before 2013, but that is certainly not visited Todd Mockler and Nadia Shakoor at the Danforth house gas emission profiles to the ler and his Danforth Center team the case today. Opportunities are total energy supply. Although the sys- include launching the Global Sor- endless for the crop, and Mockler said Center in November 2016 to view their greenhouses and tems developed will initially be used ghum Initiative (sorghuminiative. now is the right time for sorghum. lab and discuss future research opportunities.

8 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 9 meeting Bruce. It was the winter of 1991, and Dahlberg he said. “It was very much in terms of a sorghum industry found himself sitting in a room with the Sorghum Crop benefit he could see in that person and trying to support Germplasm Committee, led by Bruce, at an American them the best he could.” Seed Trade Association meeting. Dahlberg was finishing Jordan, for 10 years now, leads the public sorghum his master’s degree at the time. breeding program in Australia, which is a partnership “They were talking about establishing a sorghum cura- between the University of Queensland, the Queensland tors position in Puerto Rico,” Dahlberg said. “I was lucky Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Grains enough to get the position.” Research and Development Corporation. Working as the first sorghum curator, Dahlberg said tapping into Bruce’s knowledge about germplasm was essential when Bruce and his team of plant breeders vis- ited winter nurseries in Puerto Rico. “I think what Bruce taught me was a huge appreci- ation for the diversity of sorghum and germplasm,” he said. “He was extremely passionate about that, and he believed I could be somebody good in sorghum, so that was really helpful.” Bruce also helped provide an unlikely start to another Story by Jennifer Blackburn leader in the sorghum industry. It was 1998 when the Layout by Kelsi Christian executive director position opened at National Sorghum Producers, and Tim Lust was working as themarketing and research director. Despite his youth and limited expe- rience, Lust found the support of a 40-year veteran in the n the day and time he was a commercial plant industry at his side. breeder, I think he was a prototype that we should “Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words, “Ihave all tried to emulate—I know I did.” and Bruce modeled and showed that he cared,” Lust That is how Larry Lambright, director of the National said. “He invested tremendously in my growth as a staff Grain Sorghum Foundation, humbly describes Bruce person and certainly went to bat for me in the position Maunder, a lifetime advocate for sorghum and a man that I am in today.” admired throughout the industry for his dedication to Lust now has a 24-year career in sorghum and said the crop—and for the people he inspired along the way. the value Bruce has provided him in knowledge and Lambright’s first introduction to Bruce was as a farm guidance over the years is immeasurable. kid looking for work during college while studying at “I think he helped me really in knowing the value and Texas Tech University. For three years he worked as tem- importance of detail and not cutting corners or making porary labor, and as graduation approached, Lambright mistakes,” he said. “You cannot run a good breeding pro- made a decision that changed his life. gram and be sloppy. You cannot run a good trade associ- ation and be sloppy. You cannot run a good farm and be Investing in People sloppy. Details matter, and I think he always pointed that Demanding Excellence “I went, hat in hand, asking about a full-time job, and out and modeled that.” While the ultimate supporter to those around him, Bruce Bruce was gracious enough to consent,” Lambright said. Bruce’s mentorship of promising young leaders in sor- also demanded excellence in every facet of the business. “We agreed to an hourly wage. I came out of there higher ghum expands beyond the United States, as well. David Jor- “You have to be a little bit stubborn and hard headed than a kite because I did the math in my head, and I dan, professor in genetics and plant breeding and sorghum if you are going to get things done,” Lust said, “and when was going to make $8,000 a year. I could buy anything I team leader for the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture Bruce set his mind to something, there wasn’t a lot of wanted, I thought. This was 1972.” and Food Innovation in Warwick, Australia, was working at back down in him.” At the time, Bruce was Director of Sorghum Research Dekalb when Bruce was director of worldwide research. “Over the years working with him, I was really happy for DekalbAgResearch in Lubbock, Texas. Lambright “I was dropped into the deep end as a plant breeder about that when he was going after somebody else, and said he worked for Bruce for close to 18 months before with not a lot of experience,” Jordan said, sometimes that person was me, which wasn’t all that he offered him a salaried position, and so began a lifelong “and one of the things that I always remember was if I fun,” Lust said. “Regardless, there was always a respect of friendship where he taught Lambright how to be a com- sent a fax to Bruce with a question, I’d have an answer knowing the value of his opinion.” mercial plant breeder. the next day, which is actually kind of amazing. I imag- While always open and willing to help people who With successful plant breeding careers at both ine we were a relatively small part of the Dekalb busi- were trying to do right by sorghum, Jordan, too, said Monsanto and Chromatin, Lambright was not the only ness back in that time, and that was something that Bruce would let people know when they were wrong. one Bruce gave a career start in sorghum. Jeff Dahlberg, always impressed me.” “He wasn’t the sort of guy who would suffer fools center director for Kearney Agriculture Research and “He really took the time to support people and not lightly,” Jordan said, “If you were doing something crazy or Extension in Parlier, California, recalled his first time necessarily the people who would directly benefit him,” that he didn’t agree with, he would certainly let you know.”

10 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 11 This standard holdstrue from a research standpoint, “You get to the end of your career and think, ‘did I make as well. Bruce understands technology isextremely valu- an impact,’” Jordan said, “and I think he is one of those guys able and helpsthe crop, but he always considers practical- who looks back and says, ‘Well, I really did have an impact ity for the farmer, Lust said. on not just one area of breeding within the company, but “Bruce had the mindset of ok, is this cool technology globally on the crop,’ which I think is probably the thing that I or is this really advancing the crop?” Lust said. “And is think about when I think of Bruce. When he stopped being a this ever going to get to the field, or are we just spending breeder, he didn’t stop having an impact.” money on neat science?” Giving Back Focused on the Farmer Bruce has an accomplished career. His breeding Lust said these questions Bruce asked his entire career achievements include some 150 commercial sorghum garnered respect from sorghum farmers across the nation. grain and forage hybrids grown on as much as 9.8 million “Inevitably, I’ll have a farmer come up and ask, ‘Do acres in more than 20 countries. He held the position as you ever see Dr. Maunder anymore? How’s he doing?’” president of the prestigious Crop Science Society, was on Lust said. “If you ever wondered how much the man trav- the board for Diversity magazine, served the World Food eled, what his network was and what his reach was, look Prize under Dr. Norman Borlaug and on the Sorghum at the deep, personal relationship he has with growers all Crop Germplasm Committee for USDA. He was also over the United States.” Swanson said not everyone always agreed with Bruce, active for more than 20 years on the U.S. Agency for Dahlberg recalled a time he and Bruce were driving but people knew he always had the sorghum industry’s International Development (USAID) International Sor- to Kansas when they worked collaboratively at National best interest at heart and was a valuable mentor to the ghum and Millet (INTSORMIL) program as chair of the Sorghum Producers—Dahlberg as research director and producer board of directors. External Evaluation Panel. Bruce as a volunteer research adviserfollowing his retire- His investment in people, though, is one of his Sorghum Producers, Bruce has been the cornerstone of ment from Dekalb. Bruce asked Dahlberg if he wanted to Passion for Germplasm greatest legacies. the National Grain Sorghum Foundation, which now gives see a stretch of road with cowboy boots hanging upside Bruce’s connectivity to growers and his deep under- Bruce also met Terry Swanson’s son Miles that day at four scholarships awarding over $5,000 each year to stu- down on fence posts. standing of germplasm set him apart. Without the sor- the southeast Colorado grower meeting and told them dents studying agriculture who are interested in sorghum. “It told me that Bruce really had traveled this coun- ghum curator position Dahlberg held, Jeff said a collec- if Miles had interest in studying agronomy at Texas Tech Countless sorghum breeders from across the world try, especially the Sorghum Belt,” Dahlberg said, “and he tion of 40,000 sorghum accessions—a single, collected University to let him know. were mentored by Bruce. In fact, Lust said it was nothing knew not only where every little sorghum field was but variety—would not have been accessed and little interest for Bruce to drive 8-12 hours to be with a breeder, walk where every and knowledge about its contents would have existed. through the nurseries, look at the material, and give little odd Bruce advocated for U.S. Department of Agricul- advice and his opinion. thing in the ture Agricultural Research Service funding through his He cared about those around him and always did the right country was.” role on the germplasm committee to have the collection thing the right way with a generous heart, Lambright said. One stop duplicated and backed up with a push to have the col- Swanson described a foundation of pillars that represent at a grower lection germinated to ensure the sustainability of the the sorghum industry and said if half a dozen great men live meeting in collection for future research. on in this industry, Bruce is the deep set foundation for us all. rural south- “You know, germplasm is not very sexy, right? It’s not “Bruce is dedicated to the sorghum plant—the agro- east Colo- very flashy or wow,” Dahlberg said, “but to have someone nomic, biologic improvement of the plant and our industry rado intro- who really understands it, it’s true importance and can be beyond any descriptive words,” he said. “Few people have duced Bruce excited about that, well, it certainly benefited Dekalb and devoted themselves to one thing as much as Bruce Maunder.” to Terry allowed him to produce some really great hybrids.” Swanson, a A Tribute to Bruce sorghum A Global Perspective After a 40-year career in sorghum followed by 20 farmer from Germplasm that helps hybrids yield more and perform years in “retirement” as a research adviser to the producer Walsh. Swan- better on farms starts with growth and success internation- organizations of this industry, Bruce remains a notable son said it ally. Through his role as head of global research at Dekalb, figure in sorghum, attending meetings and providing was apparent Bruce carried a unique global perspective, Lust said, which mentorship across the country. In his second retirement, Bruce was helped him have an impact across the world. “When Miles decided to go to [Texas] Tech, Bruce was he is still active weekly in Lubbock Meals on Wheels and is genuinely interested in the welfare of sorghum pro- “One of the things Bruce really exposed to me was the extremely supportive,” Swanson said. “Maunder is inter- a dedicated financial supporter of college students seeking ducers and their success, which Swanson found even fact that the U.S. sorghum industry matters, but it really only ested in young people, and Miles was successful during degrees in agriculture at various land-grant universities. more evident during his time on the board at National matters in the context and scope of an international sor- his time there as a result of his mentorship.” National Sorghum Producers extends our deepest Sorghum Producers. ghum program,” Lust said. “It is real easy for us to get caught Bruce is undoubtedly passionate about the next gen- thanks and sincere appreciation to Bruce for his dedi- “Bruce was a really good fit for the organization up in our own little world and not really understand the full eration of leaders, and today, he provides scholarships to cation to the sorghum industry. It is easy to say Bruce because of his openness and integrity as an individual,” implications of the global process and global breeding.” students at the University of Nebraska, Purdue University, has had one of the greatest impacts on our industry Swanson said. “He was someone the board could turn to Jordan agrees the entire industry benefits from Kansas State University and Texas Tech University. During not only in the United States but world-wide, and we and trust to know we were going in the right direction.” global research. the last 20 years as a voluntary research adviser at National are forever grateful.

12 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 13 ADVERTORIAL

PRODUCERS GAINING GROUND WITH Five Steps for Managing Sugarcane Aphid GRANT GROENE, MS TECHNICAL PRODUCT MANAGER SUGARCANE APHID Without Sacrificing Yield or Agronomics DUPONT PIONEER HYBRID SELECTION REMAINS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT MANAGEMENT DECISION DUPONT PIONEER: by Shalin Lawson INDUSTRY-LEADING Sugarcane aphid was first observed in grain sorghum fields in 2013. Since then, the SORGHUM RESEARCH tiny new pest in sorghum that arrived in fields Sivanto to keep from building up a resistance and en- pest has spread rapidly across Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The DuPont Pioneer courages other growers to alternate usage as well. four years ago once left farmers and scientists alike sugarcane aphid reproduces exponentially on sorghum in a matter of days, severely researchers are bewildered—but not anymore. “The aphids haven’t deterred us from growing stressing plants by sucking moisture out of leaves and depositing sticky honeydew continually developing A Blake Tregellas, a farmer from the northeast sorghum because we’ve had such great success for so new sorghum hybrids Texas Panhandle, has locked horns with the notori- many years,” Tregellas said. “For us, the opportuni- that causes mold to grow, reducing photosynthesis. from our elite germplasm ous sugarcane aphid and is putting the pressure back ty and benefits outweigh the cost; we just have to be with enhanced sugarcane As you look ahead to your 2018 crop, 4. SCOUT EARLY in its direction, and he isn’t the only one fighting smart and timely.” aphid tolerance traits. remember these five steps for managing AND OFTEN back. Producers across the Sorghum Belt are gaining Tregellas also highlighted the point that seed compa- They go well beyond field sugarcane aphids: Sugarcane aphid ground managing the sugarcane aphid. nies are making tolerant varieties a priority. observations to help nymphs are Investment in research and education has proven “Everybody is trying to improve on that and add it ensure yield potential 1. SELECT THE RIGHT HYBRIDS yellow; winged useful for many farmers. Growers have become better to their lineup. You can tell because now companies are under aphid pressure. versed on the aphid and rating their tolerant When making sorghum hybrid decisions, adults develop its habits and have a hybrids, which wasn’t remember the most important considerations stripes and green • Cutting-edge breeding renewed hope for sor- happening three or four to help maximize yield potential: wings. In high program is focused ghum’s future. years ago,” he said. • Placing the right product on the right acre — numbers, both can on identifying aphid- “In a good year, Tregellas said his and managing fertility and planting cause significant tolerant markers sorghum is still going to sorghum acreage has rates accordingly yield loss. • More than 60,000 be a profitable crop even remained steady at about Scout for aphids Infested sorghum leaf with all stages data points have been • Selecting hybrids for important agronomics of sugarcane aphids present. including spraying for 4,000 acres annually and like standability, head exsertion, disease once a week after collected on aphid sugarcane aphid in our produced above-average resistance and drought tolerance emergence and at least twice a week after tolerance in the last budget,” Tregellas said. yields in 2016. aphids appear. Aphids tend to feed first on three years No sorghum hybrid is “aphid proof” but “Every crop has pests the underside of leaves and then move to Pioneer® brand hybrids are available in • Aphid tolerance that we have to manage all plant surfaces. Education Key a range of maturities, and several have screening is conducted and scout for, and now at three dedicated demonstrated tolerance to sugarcane aphids. 5. APPLY INSECTICIDE AT THE RIGHT TIME we can treat the aphid Ed Regier, a sorghum nurseries and in dozens An insecticide seed treatment can provide accordingly thanks to farmer in north central of on-farm trials the work done by the Oklahoma, shared how 2. CONTROL VOLUNTEER SORGHUM AND early protection from aphids without harming Sorghum Checkoff and developing his personal WEEDS AFTER HARVEST beneficial predators. • Our entomologists Sugarcane aphids can overwinter on volunteer Texas A&M AgriLife knowledge has improved screen up to 400 sorghum plants and weeds such as During the growing season, consider spraying Extension.” his ability to manage the hybrids per month for Johnsongrass, setting up the following an insecticide when thresholds reach 50 to Tregellas does his BENEFICIAL INSECTS like lady bugs are criti- pest. Regier has been vig- aphid tolerance year’s sorghum crop for an early infestation. 125 aphids per plant on 25 percent of plants best to be out in the field cal to controlling sugarcane aphid populations. ilant and believes read- in a field. Spraying earlier could result in during critical time peri- ing magazine articles, 3. HAVE A PLANTING PLAN problematic aphid infestations before harvest. ods, turning over leaves scouting for the sugarcane aphid. attending seminars and consulting a local agronomist are Aphids tend to become more active as Avoid spraying pyrethroid insecticides, which He believes this is the number one key to dealing with vital steps to building a wide knowledge base on sugar- temperatures increase. They seek out the are harmful to beneficial insects. the pest. On his family operation, they scout biweekly cane aphid control. Because sugarcane aphid populations newest sorghum plants. Planting early can and try to stick to an organized schedule once growing multiply faster than other pests, he said, it is important to give seedlings a head start before aphid season is in full swing. To prevent aphid populations be aware and prepared. Time management is essential in populations multiply; planting too late from exploding, Tregellas implements weekly scouting guarding against the intrusion of the aphid. can make the field more of a target for measures once sugarcane aphids are spotted. “The sugarcane aphid is not devastating. You can hungry aphids. “They reproduce at an astronomical rate, so once we control them. It simply takes proper management and hit that economic threshold provided by the Checkoff time to keep them in check,” Regier said. “My advice to and Texas AgriLife, we pull the trigger,” he said. farmers who might be less experienced in managing this Ask your local Pioneer sales representative about the best sugarcane aphid-tolerant sorghum hybrids for your acres in 2018. Tregellas has primarily used Transform but would pest is to hire an agronomist and to ask questions.” Learn more about sugarcane aphid biology and management at bit.ly/PioneerSCA. like to begin utilizing a combination of Transform and (Continued on Page 16) The foregoing is provided for informational use only. Please contact your Pioneer sales professional for information and management suggestions specific to your operation. PIONEER® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks of DuPont, Pioneer or their respective owners. © 2017 PHII. 14 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017

DUPPSO17013_Advertorial_M1.indd 1 7/20/17 2:44 PM Regier’s operation utilizes several control methods for ufacturers, and private seed and chemical companies have the aphid. provided in-the-field solutions for growers and generated re- “We plant early, scout twice a week after aphids are sources to help lessen the burden sugarcane aphids can bring. spotted in the field and keep the beneficial population up Tregellas said farmers now have access to more knowl- to the best of our ability,” he said. “The biggest miscon- edge than ever before and taking everything into account, it ception in our area is that it’s not economical to raise sor- is time to release that fear surrounding the sugarcane aphid. ghum with the sugarcane aphid. I had over 100 bushels “I think if someone is on the fence, they should try per acre in the fields where there were sugarcane aphids growing it because the best way to get experience is to do and have increased my sorghum acreage this year.” it yourself,” he said. “They shouldn’t be afraid of the sugar- Regier also plants tolerant seed varieties and relies on cane aphid because it is manageable.” research conducted in his area. “It is essential we stay on top of these guys, but 2016 was definitely better than the year before, and so far we haven’t spotted any here this year,” Regier said. “I can’t see it being a devastating problem in years to come; it’ll just be another pest you have to watch for.” New Technology SEE IT. TAG IT. Stay Proactive A GAME CHANGER Jon Gwynn, a producer located in the Coastal Bend re- gion of Texas, emphasized the importance of being proac- The360 UNDERCOVER sprayer attach- tive against the aphid, as well. Managing the problem soon- ment is changing the way sorghum farm- er rather than later has made the difference on his operation. ers treat sugarcane aphids. The attachment “It pays to be educated,” Gwynn said. “It’s worth the can be positioned according to crop time and effort to do it right the first time, and we aren’t growth stage. It is designed to surround afraid to go ahead and spray. We’ve had a lot of success TRACK IT. the leaf and upper canopy, attacking the with Transform, a Dow AgroSciences product, and Sivan- to Prime from Bayer. They both have their place and have target from the all angles. This allows served us well in different aspects of treatment.” the grower to spray treatment under the Gwynn believes sorghum will remain a viable crop in canopy thus improving coverage, which is his region despite some producers’ uncertainty regarding a key to controlling the sugarcane aphid. the sugarcane aphid’s presence. He is convinced sorghum is Using a ground application system will a consistent, reliable crop that works great in their rotation. distribute a higher volume of liquid which “Sorghum is a great crop because of its drought toler- Track and record sugarcane aphid movement with PESTracker! ance and resiliency,” Gwynn said. “It has amazed me with should also increase total coverage. its adaptability and tendency to rebound; therefore, de- Sugarcane aphids are on the move. Get real-time updates on aphid pressure spite the challenge with the sugarcane aphid, grain sor- KEY FEATURES near your fields.

ghum remains a huge portion of our region’s portfolio.” • Treats directly under the leaf where ® “Overall, we are learning to manage the sugarcane aphid Powered by Transform WG, PESTracker is an interactive tracking tool aphids build designed to help sorghum growers stay up to date on pest pressure from and the pesticides work when we use them the right way by • Each unit operates up to four applying as soon as we deem necessary,” Gwynn said. “Trans- sugarcane aphids and ensure timely insecticide applications. form and Sivanto have been extremely valuable assets to our multidirectional spray nozzles • Customizable spray pattern and With PESTracker you can: operation when considering time value and affordability. They • Get personalized pest tracking each have unique characteristics that are needed in our acres.” droplet size Gwynn said the past three years of grain sorghum • Sign-up for alerts based on insect proximity to your fields production in the Coastal Bend, have been some of the • Create reports on current conditions and insect pressure in your area best crops in a long time. “2014 fields held average if not above average yield, Track sugarcane aphid movement at PESTracker.com. 2015 yielded even better and 2016 yields were just phe- nomenal,” Gwynn said. “Many factors come into play Powered by when considering yield, but the sugarcane aphid contin- ues to show no negative affects on yield in the Coastal Bend when managed properly.” Industry-wide efforts between National Sorghum Produc-

ers, the Sorghum Checkoff, state extension, equipment man- ®Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. To learn more about Transform, to see which states or political subdivisions thereof have Section 18 Specific Transform WG is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency Emergency Exemptions, to see the limitations on the use of Transform under the Section 18 Specific to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Emergency Exemption labels, and to find a list of retailers that may carry this product under a particular Transform has Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemptions for use on sorghum in Alabama, Arkansas, Section 18 exemption, call 800-258-3033 or email [email protected]. Always read and follow label directions. 16 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. Applications for Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemptions in additional sorghum-producing states are pending. transf 5232-2 SorghumGrower_Onyx_Fall2017_x1a.pdf 1 7/12/17 9:28 AM

The sun’s First Cereal to health gift ® Sorghum Recipe to breakfast! Contain Amazing ONYX Sun-Sorghum™ Grain Berry Antioxidant Cereals go well beyond whole grain oats and wheat. Now WATERMELON ARUGULA Grain Berry contains remarkable ONYX. Developed by Texas A&M Agrilife, ONYX is one of a kind sorghum, combining high tannin and black sorghum to give you more powerful natural antioxidants, more natural plant fiber and remarkable sugar SORGHUM SALAD control. Sugar Control means it slows the absorption of sugar in your bloodstream and that can be very important to you and to your family. And Agrilife has licensed ONYX sorghum to Grain Berry exclusively. We call ONYX “Sun-Sorghum” because sunshine makes this The darker it gets special antioxidant stronger as it Make this recipe the healthier grows in the hot sun. The darker it becomes. ONYX gets, the healthier it WHAT YOU’LL NEED: becomes. The darker ONYX Salad: sun sorghum gets, the more 1 cup whole grain sorghum, cooked antioxidants, the more fiber and 2 cups seedless watermelon, 1-inch cubes the more sugar control. Grain 1 cup cucumber, diced or spiralized Berry grows ONYX in West Texas 7-ounces arugula summers where the sun is 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, raw C powerful and strong. 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled M More Powerful Antioxidants! Y Lemon-Mint Dressing: More Plant-Based Fiber! 1/2 cup olive oil CM Slows Sugar Absorption! 1/4 cup lemon juice MY 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

CY 2 teaspoons sorghum syrup

CMY Look for 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard NEW Grain Berry ® 1/4 cup mint K Cereal with ONYX ® 1/4 teaspoon sea salt Sun Sorghum™ DIRECTIONS: ONLY In a large bowl mix together cooked ® sorghum, watermelon, cucumber, GRAIN BERRY 1 arugula, sunflower seeds, and feta CONTAINS cheese. Set aside. WHOLE GRAINS Multi-Bran Cereal. PLUS ONYX®! In a blender, add olive oil, lemon juice, 70% Less Sugar white balsamic vinegar, sorghum syrup, yet so delicious! © Silver Palate Kitchens, Inc. 2017. All rights reserved. 2 Dijon mustard, mint, and sea salt. Blend until well combined. MANUFACTURER’S COUPON EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 2017 Pour the olive oil mixture over the salad, SAVESAVE $$2.002.00 3 place in a serving bowl, and serve. ON ANY NEW ANTIOXIDANT GRAIN BERRY® CEREAL (12-16-oz. Box - any variety) For this recipe and more, visit: Retailer: Silver Palate Kitchens, Inc. will redeem this coupon for face value plus .08¢ handling provided coupon is SimplySorghum.com redeemed in accordance with our offer. Customer pays any sales tax. Void if reproduced or where prohibited by law. Invoices proving purchase of sufficient stock to cover redemptions must be shown on request. Cash value 1/100¢. One coupon per item purchased. Send to: 211 Knickerbocker Road, Cresskill, NJ 07626. SG SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 19

2017_6_20_WatermelonLayout_FJ.indd 2 6/20/17 10:45 AM From the Field Sorgonomics™ How does on-farm storage benefit a Is there a relationship between basis producer in relation to basis? and crop insurance? Grain sold at harvest trades at a weak basis—typically the The short answer is no. Both corn and sorghum crop year’s lowest cash value relative to futures. For producers insurance set their price elections based off of the Chi- with storage, grain can be delivered to elevators or end-us- cago Mercantile Exchange. The farmer’s actual selling ers when basis is relatively strong, and wait times can often price does affect his insurance indemnity calculation. be reduced or even eliminated. However, producers must However, since sorghum is not traded on the CME, RMA consider capital costs, the costs of keeping grain in condi- uses an average basis from multiple locations to arrive BASIS BASICS tion and additional marketing burdens. The U.S. boasts the at a percentage of the corn price election for sorghum. world’s premier elevator system for a reason—elevation and National Sorghum Producers helped develop this calcula- Managing basis for profitability storage is a valuable service. Thus, producers should weigh tion methodology, which has considerably increased the the costs and benefits thoroughly before building storage. sorghum price election compared to the historical RMA calculation.* Historically, sorghum has gotten short- How can basis affect producer changed on the price election used in crop insurance. What is basis? How is basis related to supply & profitability? Basis is calculated by subtracting the nearby futures price demand? The stronger the basis, the higher your cash price is During the 2008 Farm Bill debate, NSP worked with then from the cash price. ‘Nearby’ is defined as the futures In effect, your cash price represents local supply and relative to the board. So, if you can pick up an addi- Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS) and others to include a contract closest to the expiration without going into the demand, and the CME is more of a national and inter- tional $0.15/bu, those additional dollars can add up provision to develop a new methodology that was replicable delivery month. Basis captures the effects of local supply national price. For example, if you are in an area where just off of managing basis. There are many farmers and transparent. NSP then worked with RMA to refine the and demand, as well as transportation costs and risk on there has been a drought, and there are a lot of cattle who sell grain this way. For example, because of on- new methodology, which uses sorghum prices throughout commodity prices. feeding or ethanol plants, those operations either have farm storage and a farmer’s ability to manage basis, the Sorghum Belt to calculate the price election. The meth- to shut down or truck in grain. The grain merchandiser their decision to sell is often driven by how strong the odology corrected what were very wide spreads between How does basis work for sorghum? then has to pay the transportation cost, and as a result of basis is. When the basis is strong, the local market is corn and sorghum price elections for crop insurance and Sorghum basis is priced off of the corn futures contract. that low grain supply and high demand, the basis shrinks telling the farmer it needs grain, and it is bidding the incorporated a time period of 10 years to calculate the Elevators and other grain buyers will use the corn con- or moves to a premium. The cash becomes very high rel- cash price up to get it. price elections. tract to hedge their inventory if they are holding sor- ative to the futures at that point, because you have to pay ghum. So, it is the difference between the cash price at enough in cash to pay for what it costs to truck it to the that location versus the board price. buyer. So, it’s more of a local cash supply situation. Why isn’t sorghum on the Chicago How do changes in the market Board of Trade? impact basis? There is simply not enough volume of grain sorghum to A short crop in the Corn Belt is a supply issue that Leading the Way be traded on the CME. In the futures markets, liquidity supports a strong sorghum basis. If ethanol prices is really important, and you get liquidity with volume. increase due to positive regulatory change, you would Hybrid Sorghum Seed Production, Grain sorghum was traded at Kansas City at one point, assume that would raise the amount ethanol plants Breeding and Research but because of the liquidity issues, grain buyers contin- could pay for sorghum to make basis stronger. The ued to use the corn contract, which suggested the basis shipping of sorghum to China is an example of a risk between corn futures and cash sorghum wasn’t any- stronger basis that was demand driven. So any of those thing that couldn’t be managed. factors, especially local conditions, are going to drive Richardson Seeds that number more than anything else. If you’ve got a Vega Facility How does basis vary across the Sor- really big crop like we have over the past couple years ghum Belt? and the elevators are stacking grain out on the ground, 806-267-2528 Basis is going to vary for a number of reasons. It depends you don’t even have to ask what the bid is for grain– 806-267-2379 how close you are to markets. For example, basis in areas you know the basis is going to be really wide. They’ll www.richardsonseeds.com with access to shipping terminals has appreciated sig- buy it, but only at a really reduced cash price, which nificantly since China entered the market for U.S. sor- means a weak basis. ghum in summer 2013. Near interior terminal markets, such as those found in central Kansas, appreciation has How does basis change throughout been intermittent due to many other costs. Conversely, the year? for producers in close proximity to ports like Houston, In general, basis is typically weaker at harvest time when Texas, low transportation costs have almost continuously farmers are selling grain off the combine. Then it tends held farm prices for sorghum at a premium to corn since to get stronger toward the end of the crop year. It also China entered the market, particularly if they could hold depends on what is going on in the Corn Belt and in the grain beyond harvest. rest of the world.

2013_12RichardsonSeedAd.indd 1 12/18/2013 2:43:24 PM 20 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 21 SummerSummer 20172017 www.sorghumcheckoff.comwww.sorghumcheckoff.com NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER SUMMER TRADE TEAMS CREATE TRADE RELATIONSHIPS ach summer, the Sorghum U.S. to learn specifically about the WHAT’S Checkoff partners with the sorghum food industry and consist- U.S. Grains Council to facili- ed of representatives from Spain’s tate trade team visits. These baking, bread, milling, cooperative INSIDE Evisits either host teams of interna- and livestock feed industries. tional sorghum buyers and end-us- “The purpose of the trip was U.S. merchandisers and trade representatives visit Chinese buyers visit Sorghum Checkoff board ers from across the globe or send to educate European importers Rancho Lucero in Durango, México. director Jim Massey’s farm in Robstown, Texas. teams of U.S. sorghum industry and bakers about the quality and the International Grains Program’s (IGP Insti- ghum grain, utilizing advantageous rail lines, representatives to visit countries diversity of U.S. sorghum,” said tute) flour milling and grain processing cur- ports and on-farm storage. With exports interested in sorhghum use in order Doug Bice, Sorghum Checkoff Summer Trade riculum manager, walked the team through being the number one marketplace for U.S. to strengthen existing trade rela- market development director. the different techniques used to process sorghum growers, visiting buyers and pro- Teams Create Trade tionships and to foster new oppor- “Spain is a major purchaser of sorghum into different forms and compared viding logistical and price information in a Relationships tunities with potential buyers, cre- grains, and we’re here to show sorghum’s qualities to other popular bak- face-to-face setting is a smart way to ex- page 1 ating enhanced interest and market trade teams like this the opportu- ing ingredients to show the grain’s versa- pand sorghum exports into México. demand for U.S. sorghum. nity U.S. sorghum offers to meet tility. Demand is growing for sorghum use Continuing education on export logistics The summer trade teams their growing consumer needs.” in healthy, whole-grain specialty products and market opportunities, a team of next gen- launched with a team of manu- During their visit, the EU team across the globe, and as the largest producer eration Chinese merchandisers from several facturers and company executives witnessed sorghum’s versatility of sorghum, U.S. growers are well positioned agriculture and commodity trading compa- Strategic Planning from the European Union (EU) in baked goods as they visited a Leads to New to meet increased demand in Europe. nies visited Texas and Kansas June 20-July 1. May 15-20. The team was the first baking lab, sorghum mill, retail Following the EU team visit, a team of The group, whose businesses represent more Aquaculture Market of its kind from Europe to visit the stores and suppliers. Shawn Thiele, U.S. merchandisers and trade representa- than 50 percent of China’s total sorghum page 3 tives traveled to México June 5-10 to discuss imports from the U.S., visited grain elevators, export logistics and market opportunities farms, ethanol plants and export facilities to for sorghum. The team visited beef, poultry discuss purchasing sorghum for export to and swine producers to discuss sorghum’s China through hands-on learning experiences. benefit when used in livestock feed. With “It’s a unique opportunity to meet our inter- Sorghum Featured in long-standing trade relationships with sev- national buyers face-to-face and show them the New Chick-fil-A Bun eral businesses in México, the trip served as fields,” said Sorghum Checkoff board director page 4 the opportunity to strengthen existing rela- Jim Massey. “They are able to see how we grow, tionships and expand partnerships into new harvest and transport the grain, and we are able areas of the country. to learn about how it’s used overseas.” “This was our opportunity to share the value During the visit, the group toured export and accessibility of U.S. sorghum with potential facilities at the Port of Corpus Christi and buyers and to continue fostering long-lasting the Port of Brownsville, Texas. They also Sorghum Industry relationships,” said Sorghum Checkoff regional visited local producer farms, grain elevators, Events director Brent Crafton. “We were able to meet the IGP Institute at Kansas State University page 4 in person to discuss logistics, price, quality and and a Kansas ethanol plant. The two-week sorghum use, which allows us to cultivate new tour allowed hands-on learning experiences partnerships and strengthen existing ones.” for the group while enabling producers and U.S. farmers can offer Mexican buyers businesses to foster important relationships A European trade team toured facilities at the International Grains Program in their needed quantity and quality of sor- with buyers. Manhattan, Kansas, in June. Photo by IGP Institute. 1 paid advertisement paid advertisement 2

2017_SUMMER_USCPnewsletter.indd 2 8/4/2017 3:33:27 PM 2017_SUMMER_USCPnewsletter.indd 3 8/4/2017 3:33:34 PM www.sorghumcheckoff.comwww.sorghumcheckoff.com

STRATEGIC PLANNING LEADS TO NEW AQUACULTURE MARKET SORGHUM FEATURED IN NEW CHICK-FIL-A BUN fter years of strategic planning bring value to sorghum producers and at hick-fil-A recently announced The new bun, now available at most and vision, a new market was the time had been untapped by the U.S.” the use of sorghum flour in their Chick-fil-A restaurant locations, can be recently explored in Southeast The Sorghum Checkoff board of directors new gluten-free buns. This ma- substituted for any regular bun featured Asia that shows potential to bring examined numerous projects with the U.S. jor fast food chain, known for its on their main menu. With over 2,100 Aproducers more value for their sorghum Grains Council and determined aquaculture Cimpeccable customer service and chick- restaurants in 46 states the inclusion of crop. The Sorghum Checkoff partnered was a good fit. The board of directors was en-based menu, made big news for the sorghum on their menu creates huge with the U.S. Grains Council to conduct a also very thoughtful and intentional in se- industry when they added sorghum to its exposure for the sorghum industry and a catfish feeding trial in Vietnam, exploring lecting the catfish feeding trial as a way to menu in June 2017. This ingredient inclu- new market for sorghum producers. Sor- the ability to use sorghum in aquaculture. tap into a market that could provide consis- sion of a new menu item is one example ghum’s adaptability to be popped, flaked, Results of a study supported by the Sor- tent demand at a high value to producers. of sorghum’s growing presence in the milled into flour, toasted, or cooked as ghum Checkoff and conducted by the U.S. After receiving such positive results, consumer food market, also evidenced by a whole grain creates a multitude of op- Grains Council demonstrated the ability the next step in launching this new market its eightfold increase in restaurant menu tions for restaurants and chefs to include for sorghum to be successfully substitut- for sorghum is promotion. The Sorghum inclusion over the past three years. in restaurant menus. Sorghum Checkoff ed in traditional aquaculture feed through Checkoff and U.S. Grains Council will be- “Sorghum’s nutritional health traits, glu- staff continue to explore new opportuni- a catfish feeding trial in Vietnam. gin sharing the results of the feeding trial ten-free characteristic and versatility in ties for sorghum’s growth in the consum- Results showed no difference between publicly and with the aquaculture industry. cooking have created new market opportu- er food industry and promote the whole sources of starch on growth performance, Plans are set to travel to Asia in the com- nities for the grain,” said Sorghum Checkoff grain’s nutritional benefits and versatility. fillet color or physical properties of feed ing months to visit with fish farms, feed market development director Doug Bice. pellets when comparing sorghum to cas- operations and grain buyers to promote “We work with chefs, restaurants and oth- sava, a traditional fish feed ingredient. U.S. the use of sorghum in aquaculture. Utiliz- ers in the food industry to launch sorghum sorghum also contains no tannins and ing existing trade relationships in the area, onto their radar, promoting its inclusion in contains higher protein and amino acids, the Sorghum Checkoff and U.S. Grains consumer food products.” showing it can benefit aquaculture diets. Council will travel overseas to expand Sorghum Checkoff staff worked with “The results of the feeding trial showed sorghum use and foster new relationships Chick-fil-A to provide nutritional informa- great success for sorghum in aquacul- with potential buyers. tion on the grain and sorghum samples ture as well as the Board’s commitment “Now the key is education,” Baldwin for testing new recipes. Chick-fil-A is the to continuous strategic development and said. “We need to meet face-to-face to first fast food chain to offer a gluten-free leveraging of programs with the Council,” educate end-users on the benefits of bun alternative featuring sorghum na- said Sorghum Checkoff executive direc- sorghum and the advantage of importing tionwide. Sorghum’s naturally gluten-free tor Florentino Lopez. “The results show from U.S. producers.” health trait caters to the niche market of sorghum can be a beneficial ingredient in The Sorghum Checkoff is excited those with Celiac disease or gluten sensi- aquaculture diets, helping provide a sus- about new opportunities for sorghum tivities, a growing market in the U.S. tainable and growing market to U.S. sor- internationally, and the results of this fish ghum producers while supplying end-us- feeding trial are a major win in the cre- ers with a new, cost effective ingredient.” ation of new high value markets. To read CONTACT US The idea to look to aquaculture as a new the full results of the feeding trial visit SORGHUM market for sorghum began in August 2015 SorghumCheckoff.com. Jennifer Blackburn when the Sorghum Checkoff board of di- INDUSTRY EVENTS External Affairs Director rectors discussed multiple opportunities to Sept. 11-15 - ANFACA Group Visit (806) 687-8727 increase sorghum value and demand that Texas and Kansas [email protected] would lead to direct producer impact. “As a board, we were looking for ways to Sept. 18-22 - China Feed Raw Materials Market Hanzhou, China differentiate sorghum as a grain by exam- SORGHUM CHECKOFF ining some of its characteristics that could Oct. 17-19 - Sunbelt Ag Expo be beneficial in new markets,” said Sor- Moultrie, Georgia ghum Checkoff board director Adam Bald- MISSION win, a sorghum farmer from McPherson, Oct. 21-24 - Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo To efficiently invest checkoff dollars to Chicago, Illinois Kansas. “Aquaculture is a major market in increase producer profitability and enhance Asia. It’s one that has a lot of potential to For more events, visit sorghumcheckoff.com/calendar the sorghum industry.

3 paid advertisement paid advertisement 4

2017_SUMMER_USCPnewsletter.indd 4 8/4/2017 3:33:36 PM 2017_SUMMER_USCPnewsletter.indd 5 8/4/2017 3:33:38 PM Lab to Cab ferent for each farm, and today, performance can be Other participants in the agricultural supply chain tracked in real time. This allows producers to assess have the same vision for both producers and their indi- their horsepower and other needs in a very individu- vidual industry segments, and for many, the future is alized way.” already here. Farmers Edge traces its roots to 2005, when two “Autonomy and sensing agronomists, Barnes and Curtis MacKinnon, set out to are playing an increasing cut waste and improve productivity using variable rate role in agriculture. In technology. Today, the company bridges the gap between terms of plants, it is Main Street and Silicon Valley providing both hands-on becoming pervasive from agronomic advice and cutting-edge software. plant breeding to crop “Farmers Edge is made up of crop consultants who management practices to realized data made them better and transformed them- food processing and deliv- selves into digital agricultural technologists,” noted ery,” said Dr. Melba Craw- Barnes. “The agricultural technology space is filled with ford, Professor of Agronomy, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs who know nothing about Civil and Electrical and Com- agriculture but are looking for an industry in which to puter Engineering at Purdue introduce disruptive change from the top down. Farmers University. Edge started at the bottom and built the product from “The big break- the field up.” throughs driv- Recent negative headlines related to precision ing increases in agriculture adoption do not worry Barnes. He believes drone usage are infrastructure is a large part of the solution. improvements “Monitoring and ultimately forecasting crop prog- in the soft- ress will be important for planning and scheduling ware used to everything from herbicide applications to harvest,” process data,” said Barnes. “The whole industry is chasing accu- said Craw- rate forecasting, but it is just not possible without ford. “These digital infrastructure on the farm.” machines can Efficiency Through Technology Companies focused only on remote forecast- now provide Tapping into advanced technology can lead to immense efficiency gains ing and not building infrastructure will have plant images lower-quality data and thus less accurate with reasonable By John Duff forecasts and recommendations Barnes fidelity at a low believes. cost. The Federal he year is July 2025. Your agronomist just left for a 2025 as this level of sophistication and vertical inte- “These Aviation Adminis- much-needed vacation, so managing the crop is your gration will be commonplace. However, this scenario types of fun- tration’s relaxation responsibility for the next two weeks. As if it had been could play out today. All these tools are at producers’ damental digital of rules has also Twaiting for the resident expert to leave, your smart- disposal (almost all of them—satellites and drones farm tools will been a boon to watch buzzes. Your satellite monitoring system has found that can diagnose any problem imaginable are not need to be perfectly the market, and a problem in the middle of your biggest sorghum field, quite ready for commercial use), and deploying them accurate going for- both breeders and the drone it sent to investigate could not provide you together could mean untold efficiency gains, even in ward,” he said, “and and farmers are with a diagnosis. You take your farmer CEO hat off, put the short term. we are already work- now ready for your agronomist hat on and leave for the field. Companies such as FarmLogs and Farmers Edge, ing toward this using on-farm the next level of You are relieved when you walk out into the field and based in Manitoba, Canada, provide these tools and the implement performance monitors capability.” see the problem spot was actually caused by a lightning support producers need to use them effectively. and weather stations.” Many pro- strike and not a new insect or weed the drone did not “The first wave of digital agriculture was, and is, pre- Barnes feels this real-time, farm-specific data enables ducers have recognize. You are also happy to see how well the crop scription maps,” said Wade Barnes, Farmers Edge CEO. better decision-making today, and this information flow struggled to is doing. Much of your past two years has been spent in “Higher yields and less waste are already possible when will only improve. fully realize Japan promoting sorghum food products you and three inputs are tailored to measurable field conditions—this “If we can predict yield 45 days in advance, why all the ben- other growers began producing in early 2022, and it is has been proven.” would a farmer not aggressively hedge more often?” he efits remote nice to be back in the field. You head back to the office to Barnes believes the next waves will revolutionize said. “And, if a bank could monitor the progress of sensors and check the satellite’s production projection and visit with agriculture. a customer’s crop in real time, would producers not drones have your marketing manager about your hedges. This crop “The next waves will see producers using data to have more favorable access to capital?” to offer, fre- could be a record. make decisions in all areas of farm management—not “I see the future of agricultural technology affect- quently using This scenario, and many others like it, will play just agronomy,” said Barnes. “Implement purchasing ing areas outside the realm of agronomy, like crop the tools for very out daily on farms across the U.S. and the world in is a great example. Implement performance is very dif- insurance and marketing, just as significantly.” basic crop moni-

26 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017 27 toring and even out of simple curiosity. However, Craw- Blue River Technology, drone manufacturer Near Earth ford sees this changing rapidly. Autonomy and even technology heavyweight IBM. Crawford is tied into sorghum through her work at Pur- Through private product development and publically- due. The Indiana landgrant leads one of the six projects that funded research for producers and the breeders that Sorghum Update make up the Department of Energy (DOE) Transportation support them, agricultural technology presents vast Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) opportunity. From supply chain participants to farmers, Brought to you by the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission program. This $30 million DOE sorghum initiative aims to the endgame for all involved is efficiency. commercialize rapid plant characterization equipment that “One of our key people has been with us since we will enable more effective sorghum breeding. started Farmers Edge,” said Barnes of his 35-year vet- “Our TERRA project is truly interdisciplinary and eran agronomist. “All the data we have amassed in the has both a sensing and a genomics component,” Craw- last two and a half years has enabled us to begin making Jeff Casten, A Leader in Sorghum ford explained, noting her team is simultaneously yield projections with fewer soil samples, and we now working to map the connection between observable plant have agronomists monitoring crop performance primar- lbert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived in the “Elbert was recruiting from areas and some of my characteristics and their genetic drivers. ily from a desk. This recently prompted our agronomist service to others is worth living.” peers mentioned I should do that,” Casten said. “I said I “For sensing, we are developing capability to reliably to ask: ‘Why am I doing this work manually when I can A Kansas farmer has done just that. Jeff Cas- would help.” acquire and process data from both color-based cameras do what they’re doing?’” ten of Quenemo, Kansas, has spent many years That “yes” led to more association involvement, for measuring plants’ physical characteristics and hyper- Barnes underscored the need for human expertise Aserving the sorghum industry to ensure its sustainability including the chairman roles at the state association and spectral cameras for monitoring plant chemistry,” Craw- and the synergies that can occur when talented agrono- for years to come. Although he is now retiring from these National Sorghum Producers. ford said. “Simultaneously, we are working to develop the mists’ recommendations are augmented from above. roles, Casten’s work will live on for generations. “I have had the pleasure of working with Jeff for the genome-to-phenome connection to better understand the “I would be in great shape if I had 100 agronomists as Distinguished among a select tier of Kansas farm- better part of 20 years, and I appreciate his commitment contribution of plant genetics to outward characteristics.” talented as he is. But I only have a handful. These tools er-leaders, Casten has earned placement in the pantheon to sorghum,” says NSP and United Sorghum Checkoff In addition to Purdue, other data-driven TERRA allow me to make near-perfect recommendations with of distinguished leaders to Kansas agriculture. Program CEO Tim Lust. “From hosting numerous interna- participants include automated lettuce thinning pioneers dramatically fewer resources.” “If there was a Kansas sorghum hall of fame – Casten tional trade teams to serving as president of the National would be in it,” Jesse McCurry, Kansas Grain Sorghum Sorghum Producers early in his farming career, Jeff executive director, says. “His contribution is fundamental has been a successful, detail-oriented leader who was —and lasting.” extremely helpful promoting the concept of the national A long-time leader for sorghum at the state and checkoff program. Not only did he help draft the original national levels, Jeff stepped down from the Kansas Grain bylaws and structure for the United Sorghum Checkoff Sorghum Commission board at the July 2017 Program that helped ensure its long term success, but board meeting. he also stepped in and served on the original board of “Jeff Casten is the reason I got involved,” said Bill Griev- directors. We are grateful for his leadership in the sor- ing, another important player for sorghum and farmer ghum industry.” from Prairie View, Kansas. “He is a humble individual about Sorghum is part of Casten’s DNA and is an industry he doing what he can for the sorghum industry. He did what has devoted a great part of his life to since childhood. he could do and didn’t care about who got the credit.” “Sorghum is my history,” Casten said. “My dad grew it National Sorghum Producers Grieving credits Casten for supporting him along the since the 1950s when I was five or six. Dad always had it way in leadership roles as well. in rotation and had to have some acres.” YIELD CONTEST Like many talented farmer-leaders in demand, Cas- Kansas sorghum farmers thank Jeff and his family for ten’s leadership shadow over Kansas agriculture extends many years of great work. And we wish Jeff the very best #GoFor250 through many organizations. Frontier Farm Credit’s Janet in his next chapter. (McPherson) Bailey came to know him through Kansas Farm Bureau’s Resolutions Committee. “Jeff had the ability to identify an issue and the broad impact it had on all farmers,” she said. “He was always respectful, resourceful and forward-thinking.” According to Bailey, Jeff’s selflessness made for con- structive work. “He is a leader people seek because of his ability to PIONEERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUSTAINABLE, SCALABLE, bring good ideas and people together,” she said. RELIABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE BIOBASED FEEDSTOCK SOLUTIONS. Elbert Harp, National Sorghum Producers first execu- tive director, was instrumental in Casten’s early involve- ment and the renewal of the Kansas state association. Enter today! Through his involvement and success in the yield con- dedicated to sustainability nexsteppe.com test, Casten was recruited by Harp following an awards www.sorghumgrowers.com/yield-contest ceremony at the courthouse in Emporia. Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, 501 Dawn Lane, Colwich, KS 67030

28 YieldContestAd.indd 1 SORGHUM Grower8/8/2017 Summer 10:10:23 2017 AM (785) 477-9474, www.ksgrainsorghum.org paid advertisement Sorghum Shortcuts PRECISION THAT PRESERVES AND PROTECTS. National Sorghum Producers and seed and develops hybrids to supply a variety of products. BASF Scholarship Now Open Based out of Ralls, Texas, this company distributes seed The National Sorghum Producers and BASF have part- throughout the United States, Argentina and Austria. nered for a second year to create a joint scholarship pro- The NSP Industry Partner Program provides the gram for two students resources necessary to create opportunities and effectively seeking an under- represent the graduate or graduate sorghum indus- degree in an agricul- try. Collabora- turally related curricu- tions with private Protect against harmful pests while helping lum. Students must be industry busi- safeguard bene cials. a child or grandchild nesses – like Bish of a NSP member, and Enterprises and Sivanto™ Prime insecticide precisely undergraduates must be entering at least their second year Dyna-Gro Seed – targets key damaging pests like the of study by the 2018-2019 academic year. allow NSP to lead legislative and regulatory change as well sugarcane aphid while helping safeguard The scholarship will be available to students begin- as maintain full momentum in advancing opportunities bene cial insects. In doing so, Sivanto ning August 1, 2017, for the 2018-2019 academic year. for grain, sweet and biomass sorghum. Prime preserves the overall health of your The scholarship will include an award for tuition as National Sorghum Producers appreciates the recent plants and, most importantly, protects your support from Dyna-Gro, Bish Enterprises and the other well as cover the recipients’ cost to attend the 2018 investment. Sivanto Prime: precision that industry partners, which allow us to advocate for a more Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California. Inter- preserves and protects. ested students can apply at SorghumGrowers.com/ profitable and competitive sorghum industry. sorghum-foundation by Dec. 1, 2017. For questions or Learn more at Sivantoinsecticide.com. to submit materials, contact Debra Lloyd at debral@ James F.C. Hyde Sorghum sorghumgrowers.com or 800-658-9808. Whiskey The 2016 winners for the NSP and BASF joint schol- Sorghum use in the distilled arship were Abigail Arthaud of Oklahoma State Univer- spirits industry continues to take sity and Cody Nedbalek of Texas A&M University. shape, and opportunity is knocking from a brand debuted in National NSP Welcomes New Industry Partners Sorghum Producers’ booth at the 2017 The National Sorghum Producers recently welcomed Commodity Classic. James F.C. Hyde two new industry partners, Bish Enterprises and Dyna- Sorgho Whiskey captured Classic Gro Seed. attendees’ attention in March, and Bish Enterprises is is now inviting all those involved in a Bronze Level Sponsor the sorghum community to become for the NSP Industry ground level investors/owners of this Partner Program. Bish revolutionary new whiskey. markets the newly Those interested in finding out designed Bish Super- more about this unique investment © 2017 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), and Sivanto™ are trademarks of Bayer. Sivanto Prime is not registered for sale or use in all states. For additional product information, Crop® sorghum header, opportunity can go to the James F.C. call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.us. created to accom- Hyde Sorgho Whiskey offering page at modate the needs of the Securities and Exchange Commis- sorghum producers. sion approved WeFunder.com equity Learn more about Sivanto Prime insecticide for your area. Dyna-Gro is crowd funding portal: https://wefunder. a Contributor Level sponsor for the Industry Partner com/epec.holdings.inc. The investment Butch Roecker at 1-361-876-8241 Program. Dyna-Gro Seed carries 31 varieties of sorghum minimum is $100. Jose Martinez at 1-210-602-1165 Rick Hernandez at 1-956-373-0412 30 SORGHUM Grower Summer 2017

BCS_SIV_M6_1526_Sorghum_R1.indd Saved at 12-21-2016 12:39 PM Printed At None Client Bayer Media Type Magazine DEPARTMENT: Art Director Copywriter Acct. Manager Studio Artist Proofreader Traffic Production Live 7.5” x 9.75” Trim 8.5” x 10.75” Bleed 8.75” x 11” APPROVAL: Job Title Sivanto Sorghum Grower Ad Pubs Sorghum Grower Addl. Notes: None Ad Code None EVERY SEED is THE TOTAL PACKAGE

Ryn Hr DuPont Pioneer Eri Blelee Lee Pier Account Manager Pioneer Sales Associate Grower

ver ag of ioneer rand sorghu is paced ith oca tested high ied potentia genetics and industreading agronoics and defensive characteristics ou aso get an unatched tea of oca eperts ho can steer ou toard higher ied potentia this season and eond

oeercoorhu PIONEER® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks of DuPont, Pioneer or their respective owners. © 2017 PHII. DUPPSO17016VA_Summer2017_SG

DUPPSO17016_VA_SG_Summer2017_SorghumAd_M1.indd 1 7/20/17 9:10 AM