National Sorghum Producers : SORGHUM E-Notes | January 12, 2018

SORGHUM E-Notes | January 12, 2018

NATIONAL SORGHUM PRODUCERS
The voice of the sorghum industry

Trump Addresses Farm Bureau, Supports On-Time Farm Bill and Crop Insurance
For the first time in more than 20 years, a sitting president addressed the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation on Jan. 8. This move by President Trump was not only unprecedented, but it also brought attention to farm bill talks, which will be a hot topic this year. Trump said Congress should pass a farm bill on time and also expressed support for crop insurance.

In his remarks, President Trump highlighted some major accomplishments from his first year in office, including tax reform, the improvement of the economy and deregulation. Much of the President's address centered around the economy and taxes, but he also made sure to mention this year's farm bill, infrastructure, and global trade.

To end his speech, President Trump signed two Executive Orders to create more access to internet in rural areas of the country. You can view the President's remarks here.

Sonny Perdue Names State FSA Committee Members
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue named Farm Service Agency committee members in 49 states and Puerto Rico, excluding only Nevada. Committee members are mostly active farmers and ranchers Perdue said these members will, 'serve as a liaison between USDA and the producers in each state across the nation by keeping them informed and hearing their appeals and complaints.'

NSP congratulates members Matthew Lansford in New Mexico, Michael Jordan in Kansas and Jerry Harris and Michael Skalicky in Texas for their appointments to their respective state committees. For a complete list of committee appointees, click here.

President Trump's Task Force on Agriculture & Rural Prosperity Releases Report
On January 8, President Trump's Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity released their report, which broadly identifies the next steps the administration should take in order to improve economic development and prosperity in rural America. The report outlines these steps in five calls to action: Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America, Improving Quality of Life, Supporting a Rural Workforce, Harnessing Technological Innovation, and Developing the Rural Economy.

Considerable emphasis is placed on the need for technological innovation to support crop yields, crop quality, nutritional value, and food safety. The task force acknowledges the limitations current federal regulations put on precision agriculture and biotechnology applications, and suggests better coordination of the USDA, EPA, and FDA regulations on genetic engineering and modern breeding practices. In order to modernize the federal regulatory system for biotechnology products, the task force recommends endorsing the Biotechnology Working Group, led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, to continue improving risk- and science-based regulatory approaches to increase awareness and expedite the safe commercialization of biotechnology products.

While the report reinforces the administration's staunch support for agriculture, it is important to note that actual implementation and realized results have many political hurdles to overcome first.

Pilot Program to Examine Payment Discrepancies Begins at USDA
According to Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), a pilot program has been initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency intended to fix disparities in commodity payments from one county to the next. Funding for the pilot program was included in the fiscal 2017 government spending package and additional funding was placed in the 2018 agriculture appropriations bill that is waiting for approval. Hoeven said he will continue to work with the Senate Agriculture Committee to include a long-term solution in the next farm bill.

Commodity Classic Registration and Housing Available
Registration and housing for the 2018 Commodity Classic to be held Tuesday, February 27 through March 1, 2018, in Anaheim, California, is available online at www.commodityclassic.com/registration.

Members of the sponsoring commodity associations receive additional discounts on registration. Registration fees vary depending on the number of days attended. Full registration covers all three days. One-day registration is also available. For more information click here.

Kansas Commodity Classic
Kansas Commodity Classic will be held on Jan. 26, 2018, in Manhattan, Kansas, and will take place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 530 Richards Drive. It is free to attend and includes a complimentary lunch. Registration is requested.

Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, Professor Emeritus at Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics, will be the featured keynote speaker. Dr. Flinchbaugh is a renowned expert on agricultural policy and an award-winning professor of agricultural economics at KSU.

Export Report
Export sales were very strong again this week with China committing to purchase 6.7 million bushels. This brings total commitments for the year to 180 million bushels or 69 percent of the USDA export target. Shipments were also strong as China and Mexico took delivery of 2.1 million bushels. The shipments to China likely put U.S. sorghum exports to the country within one week of eclipsing the billion bushel milestone. Prices remain strong with central South Dakota sorghum priced at 111 percent of corn, central Kansas sorghum priced at 116 percent of corn and Gulf sorghum for export priced at $4.98 per bushel or 123 percent of corn.

Sorghum in the Spotlight:
Grain Sorghum to Get the Status of Advanced Biofuel - CMFE News
Sorghum can boost yield of next crop - Nebraska Farmer
2018 Outlook: Grain Sorghum Climbs on early seed sales? - Ag Web
Sorghum;s Value Touted at informational meeting - High Plains Journal

Upcoming Sorghum Events
Jan. 17 New Mexico Sorghum Association Annual Meeting - Clovis, NM
Jan. 18 NeGSPA Annual Membership Meeting - Grand Island, NE
Jan. 25 KGSPA Commission Board Meeting - Manhattan, KS
Jan. 26 KGSPA Annual Meeting - Manhattan, KS
Jan. 26 Kansas Commodity Classic - Manhattan, KS
Jan. 29 Sugarcane Aphid Workshop - St. Louis, MO
Jan. 29-31 SICNA Conference - St. Louis, MO
Jan 30-Feb 1 2018 International Production & Processing Expo - Atlanta, GA
Feb 5-8 NSP DC Fly-in

For a full view of calendar events, visit the NSP website calendar.

Market News - To view this week's Gulf export grain report, click here.

About Sorghum Notes
Sorghum Notes is a publication of the National Sorghum Producers. NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through education and legislative and regulatory representation.

Quote of the Week

'Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success.'
-William J.H. Boetcker