National Sorghum Producers : Sorghum Notes | January 4, 2018

SORGHUM E-Notes | January 4, 2018

NATIONAL SORGHUM PRODUCERS
The voice of the sorghum industry

Happy New Year

There is much to look forward to in 2018! As the new year unfolds NSP looks forward to serving our members and providing important information about the sorghum industry. The Winter 2018 issue of Sorghum Grower is expected to hit mailboxes the week of Jan. 15. We wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year!

EPA Proposes Grain Sorghum Oil Pathway

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a Proposed Rule in the Federal Register today on the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with biofuels that are produced from grain sorghum oil extracted at dry-mill ethanol plants.

EPA is seeking comment for 30 days on its proposed assessment that using distillers sorghum oil as a feedstock results in no significant agricultural sector GHG emissions. Through EPA analysis, biodiesel produced from distillers sorghum meets the lifecycle GHG emissions reduction threshold of 50 percent required for advanced biofuels, and biomass-based diesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard program.

'After almost four years of work by National Sorghum Producers industry partners and staff, we are excited to see this proposed rule in the Federal Register, putting us one step closer to sorghum oil filling biodiesel production needs,' said John Duff, NSP Strategic Business Director. 'This is significant positive news for sorghum producers and ethanol plants in the Sorghum Belt as it provides more opportunities and better returns producing ethanol from sorghum.'

The proposed rule is a result of a petition filed by NSP and extensive work with the EPA providing data and analysis during the rule making process. A pathway approval will allow the production of biodiesel and heating oil from distillers sorghum oil, and renewable diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, naphtha, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) produced from distillers sorghum oil.

'This news is much anticipated, and we sincerely appreciate the help of our renewable energy partners, ethanol plants and producer leaders,' NSP CEO Tim Lust said. 'We are also grateful for all the congressional leaders who signed a supporting letter and Senator Jerry Moran, Congressman Roger Marshall and Congressman Jodey Arrington who made calls to the EPA supporting the pathway, as well.'

For more information click here.

Commodity Classic Early Registration Discount Ends January 11

Only a few days remain to take advantage of early registration discounts for the 2018 Commodity Classic to be held Tuesday, February 27 through March 1, 2018 in Anaheim, California. Thursday, January 11, 2018, is the last day for early registration discounts. Lesser registration discounts are available through January 29.

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.

Sorghum in the Spotlight:
Biodiesel Fueling Opportunity For Sorghum - KGNC
Grain Sorghum is Now an Advanced Biofuel - KTCI
EPA Designates Grain Sorghum as Advanced Biofuel - WNAX
Good News for Sorghum Growers - No-Till Farmer
New opportunity for Grain Sorghum-Derived Biofuels - Biofuels Internationals
U.S. EPA proposes grain sorghum oil pathway - World-Grain
Leadership Sorghum III - Graze Master Genetics
Sorghum Soars - Flavor

Upcoming Sorghum Events
Jan. 9 Ag Builders of Nebraska Annual Meeting - Lincoln, NE
Jan. 9 Sorghum U - Salina, KS
Jan. 11 Sorghum U - Dodge City, KS
Jan. 12 Oklahoma Sorghum Meeting - Enid, OK
Jan. 17 NM Sorghum 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

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

'Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.'
-Helen Keller