Lubbock, Texas, USA
August 12, 2015
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released today its August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, projecting a national yield record for grain sorghum at 74.6 bushels per acre. The previous record was set in 2007 at 73.2 bushels per acre.
“We’re experiencing incredible growth and milestones in the sorghum industry,” said Tim Lust, National Sorghum Producers and Sorghum Checkoff CEO. “We know sorghum has tremendous yield potential, and this new landmark further signifies the industry is plowing forward with many more good things to come.”
At $2.23 billion, WASDE projects this will be the second most valuable sorghum crop in U.S. history behind the 1985 crop value at $2.24 billion. Additionally, U.S. sorghum farmers are projected to harvest 573 million bushels, the largest grain sorghum crop since 1999.
“The changes we are seeing in the sorghum landscape are profound,” said Sorghum Checkoff Executive Director Florentino Lopez. “The Sorghum Checkoff will continue to provide growers with the tools they need to be successful while also creating opportunity for sorghum to reach new heights. We’re certainly another step closer than we have ever been.”
USDA indicates sorghum production in Arkansas more than tripled at 50.4 million bushels up from 16 million bushels in 2014. Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois and Nebraska are also projected to have large production gains, while Illinois and Arkansas lead the nation with projected record yields at 109 and 105 bushels per acre, respectively.
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