Quarterly Activity ReportApril - June 2012www.SorghumCheckoff.com

USCP Quarterly Report to USDA Third Quarter: April – June 2012

Activity Report

April 2012

Texas Dietetic Association Meeting

Shelee Padgett, Jim Zenner and Brook Carson (ADM) hosted the Sorghum Checkoff booth at the Texas Dietetics Association meeting. While the event was a two-day event, the tradeshow was only open on the afternoon of April 13. Padgett reported during this time the booth was extremely busy. While the majority of people were unfamiliar with grain sorghum, they were extremely interested in learning more. A handful of people approached USCP representatives wanting to learn more about sorghum because it was just added to the list of approved foods for children with autism. Bob's Red Mill also handed out information on sorghum as it relates to autism, which was written by Carol Fenster, who has worked with the checkoff in the past. People inquired the most about recipes using sorghum because they need fast, easy recipes that they can help their clients incorporate into diets. They also wanted to know what brand of products use sorghum and what retail chains carry those products. USCP representatives also had a good discussion with the dietitian team at HEB relating to sorghum flour in their "own brand" label. The USCP/Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board recipe book was a big hit as people were looking for multiple recipes using sorghum. In regards to ADM, their Dodge City, Kan., plant is up and running. Their current business plan does not "push" sorghum until late July. However, Brook is working with her sales team to help connect the dots and find a retail packaging company to source their flour. To date they consistently sell to a Texas company that repackages the flour for the India market, Pamela's Products, General Mills and Bay State Milling. Although they do not prefer to do so, ADM is selling pallet quantities. Dr. Turner's session – Sorghum: The New Old Grain – was very well attended with about 40 people in the audience. Questions following her presentation centered on the human aspect of colon research project and the timeline for results. They also inquired about recipes and where to find the product at retail. A poster, which was displayed in the booth, generated interest in Dr. Turner’s presentation and representatives said many attendees were very interested in the information she had to present. It was extremely positive that E.C. Henley arranged for Dr. Turner to present on Saturday. It was also very positive to have a scientific presentation to add credibility to everything that was discussed in the USCP booth. The Texas attendees were exceptionally receptive to the sorghum message and overall, were very interested in the “new” authentic, ancient grain, gluten-free, water-sipping, grain. Many wanted to know where it was grown, which was a major advantage here as they were happy to see that much of the grain sorghum was grown in Texas Crop Improvement Director Visits Kansas and Texas Panhandle Justin Weinheimer, the new Sorghum Checkoff crop improvement program director, and Florentino

Lopez spent the week of April 9-13 traveling Kansas and the Texas Panhandle, visiting sorghum researchers, board members and industry leaders. The purpose of this trip was to introduce Justin to the key issues and corresponding leaders collaborating with USCP. Meetings were scheduled with representatives from the USCP board of directors, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, Kansas State University, K-State Research and Extension, NuLife Market, Heartland Plant Innovations, International Grains Program, and USDA/ARS. Several topics were consistently discussed throughout the week’s meetings. Over-the-top weed control, specifically for invasive post emergence grass, continues to be a major focus and concern for Kansas producers and corresponding researchers. Additional concerns from the research body include the various challenges associated with the state and federal funding cuts for base program research. USCP recognizes both of these key challenges and will work diligently to move forward in a collaborative and supportive manner within the sorghum research arena. Additionally, discussions were directed at the recent thrust of interest in sorghum and sorghum research proposed by various state representatives from Kansas. USCP will participate in these discussions as opportunities arise. The benefit of these visits will result in a more comprehensive yet focused strategic planning process for crop improvement to efficiently utilize the funding and resources available at USCP. Overall the week-long trip was highly productive.

Sorghum Renewables Summit

The Sorghum Checkoff hosted the inaugural Sorghum Renewables Summit in Denver, Colo., April 19 – 20. Despite grain sorghum’s widespread use as a starch-based ethanol feedstock, the potential to produce ethanol and synthesize renewable chemicals from sweet and biomass sorghums remains largely untapped. Although there were many goals for this conference, two stand out more prominently than the rest.

First, there is a lack of sweet and biomass sorghum-specific knowledge in the renewable energy and chemical industries. Accordingly, the first goal of the Sorghum Renewables Summit was information dissemination. This will not stop because the summit has ended. USCP will continue to send summit related email communication to invitees, and also plan to send a follow-up questionnaire to those who attended. In addition, USCP will post presentations online to ensure they are easily accessible to anyone looking for such information. The Sorghum Checkoff will continue to communicate with attendees and other industry professionals, such as investors and business professionals.

Another reason potential remains untapped is a lack of communication between those currently working with sweet and biomass sorghums. Thus, opening the pathways of communications between these entities was the second goal of the Sorghum Renewables Summit. We hope these connections will lead to synergistic collaboration and even more opportunities to expand markets for sorghum producers.

The ultimate goal of this summit was to facilitate introductions between many of the individuals in the biofuels industry working with sorghum. Among the attendees were researchers from both public and private entities, biofuel and green chemical industry representatives, seed companies and equipment representatives from both Case-New Holland and John Deere.

Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma Compliance Evaluations

Sue Ann Claudon traveled to Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma April 16-20 to meet with various groups regarding compliance and audit procedures. Sue Ann worked with Kansas and Nebraska departments of agriculture, the Nebraska Gain Sorghum Board and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to ensure required records are in compliance and auditing is running smoothly. All three states currently perform audits of end users for the checkoff. Sue Ann also worked with Barb Kliment on the planning process for the Celiac Sprue Association meeting in October. Barb will attend on behalf of the checkoff and work with that group to coordinate projects that might further sorghum’s potential in the food industry.

Kansas Yearly Planning Dusti Fritz and Jill Barnhardt, executive director of the Kansas Sorghum Commission, met to evaluate the past year’s collaborative activities and to plan potential activities for the coming year. Fritz reported that the USCP hopes work with the Kansas commission again next year to host regional producer meetings with a specific focus, as well as to represent the sorghum industry at key trade shows. These meetings are an important part of the USCP producer communication plan each year and help to evaluate the relevance of checkoff activities and determine further needs of sorghum farmers. Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference Sue Ann Claudon represented the Sorghum Checkoff at the Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference on April 25-26, 2012. This annual meeting is attended by dairy nutritionists and industry representatives from Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. The last presentation was a panel of three nutritionists discussing the overall outlook for the nutritional challenges many dairymen face. Some of the comments from this panel included the changes in dairy nutrition due to the extreme drought we endured in 2011. These experts also mentioned that sorghum is going to have a big part in this situation, as some farmers plan to plant half of their circles in sorghum. Claudon reported her conversations with many nutritionists echoed those of the panelists. The opportunities for sorghum silage are apparent. However, there is still a missing education component on the farmers’ side. Claudon also reported that there was no discussion about the nutrition value of sorghum versus corn, but they realize they need forages in the bunks and will use whatever will grow best at this point. Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board Meeting and TAMU Meetings The Texas Grain Sorghum Producers held their annual board meeting April 24 at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Justin Weinheimer gave a presentation to the board on irrigation issues facing the Texas Panhandle, the interaction of irrigated sorghum relative to other crops in the Panhandle, and some specific goals he has as the crop improvement director. Additional topics covered were the continual depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer, regional water policy challenges and the advantages that sorghum presents in limited irrigation scenarios. Additional discussions developed regarding state-wide water challenges, lack of agricultural water supplies, and state and federal regulation related to water resources.

Weinheimer had additional scheduled meetings on April 25 and 26 with TAMU researchers and faculty conducting research on sorghum. Meetings were scheduled with Travis Miller from Texas AgriLife Extension, Bill and Lloyd Rooney, Joe Outlaw from the Agricultural Food Policy Center and other researchers at TAMU. In general, the research and TAMU community is committed to sorghum but face similar challenges to researchers in other states. Loss of key staff, lack of funding and continual ear mark reductions are some of the issues facing sorghum research at TAMU. However, despite funding cuts, many of the researchers conducting sorghum work have strong programs. Most of these programs have gained strength from exploring niche market research in sorghum such as biofuels, advanced genetic analysis and pharmaceutical benefits.

The outcome of these meetings was a better understanding of the challenges, opportunities and leaders in the sorghum industry in the southern producing region of the U.S. Attending these meetings will result in a stronger strategic action plan for the crop improvement programs currently and in the future.

May 2012

Review of Cold Tolerance project at USDA-ARS

Justin Weinheimer and Florentino Lopez spent an afternoon at USDA-ARS in Lubbock, Texas, reviewing cold tolerant hybrids, which are beginning to emerge in the field. The USCP has funded this project for several years and the goal of this visit was to get a better idea of how the results are playing out. Weinheimer had the opportunity to visit with project leads John Burke and Gloria Burrows about the results and future aspirations of this particular project.

Testing is ongoing, which can be seen by this photo (right). The population on the right side of this photo is slightly more cold tolerant than that on the left. Notice the population difference between the two. These particular test plots were planted at 57 degrees Fahrenheit. While there is still a lot of work to be done, the project leads continue to develop the germplasm. Sorghum Renewables Summit Follow-up Activities

Lindsay Kennedy and Jenna Hightower developed follow-up materials for the Sorghum Renewables Summit that was held in Denver in April. Among these follow up materials was a survey to help evaluate thoughts and opinions of attendees. Most comments have expressed attendees felt this was a good meeting and that the checkoff should continue to facilitate these types of gatherings to foster communication in the industry.

PRX Meeting – Kansas City John Duff and Justin Weinheimer represented the Sorghum Checkoff at the ProExporter Network roundtable on May 22. Due to ethanol’s increasing importance to grain markets, a substantial portion of the roundtable discussion was dedicated to biofuels. One presenter, who works for a prominent ethanol producing company, centered his talk on ethanol’s viability as a liquid transportation fuel. He noted that

manufacturers in Detroit are very interested in ethanol’s value to their industry. He concluded this discussion by noting that auto manufacturers are more engaged in developing technologies to enhance ethanol’s role as a fuel.

Although the roundtable featured only a small amount of information about grain sorghum, it is important to stay visible and provide reliable information to ensure markets remain open to sorghum producers. The main opportunity at this meeting was to interact with multiple industries to help leverage information to help promote and improve the sorghum industry. This further demonstrates our need (USCP) to be the source for sorghum information.

ICM Cellulosic Plant Tour Along with the PRX meeting, John Duff and Justin Weinheimer attended a tour of ICM’s cellulosic pilot plant in St. Joseph, Mo. High biomass sorghum was featured prominently among the St. Joseph plant’s chosen feedstock. Because ICM has taken an active interest in sorghum and because they are one of the leading ethanol plant builders, it is important to maintain this relationship in the future. One interesting note is all of ICM’s ethanol plants can utilize grain sorghum. Whole Grains Summit The Whole Grains Summit was held May 19-22, 2012, in Minneapolis, Minn. James Zenner of the JPZ Consulting Group (JPZCG) attended the summit on behalf of the Sorghum Checkoff.

The overall goal of the summit was to bring together participants of all disciplines to share views of the research, regulatory and/or consumer landscape as it relates to whole grains.

The common theme across all days was “cooperation and collaboration.” The summit demonstrated there is a major emphasis and focus on moving the U.S. and other countries away from refined grains to whole grains. The presentations and discussions illustrated that this focus is being conducted across the entire food supply chain and by numerous parties including the U.S. government, food processors, educators, foodservice /catering, retailers, chefs and others.

Several follow up steps will be taken such as sending samples to interested parties and meetings with mainstream companies who are currently using grain sorghum or are interested in adding another whole to their products. Sorghum Checkoff Staff Meeting USCP and NSP staff met in Arlington, Texas, on May 25 to discuss budgets and goals for the coming year. The group evaluated past projects and brainstormed on how to improve the efficiency of each item. They also worked together to develop a work plan for the upcoming year that coincides with the current strategic plan set forth by the board.

Rio Farms Field Day

Shelee Padgett represented the Sorghum Checkoff May 30 at the Rio Farms Field Day in Harlingen, Texas. Bill Rooney and Dennis Pietsch of Texas A&M

University also attended. Both discussed variety trials and breeding programs that are underway.

June 2012

Sorghum Leadership Program

Education is a key function of the Sorghum Checkoff in improving the profitability of sorghum growers. Developing leaders in the sorghum industry through a sorghum-specific leadership program while implementing a structured sorghum education program will continue the checkoff’s efforts to build momentum, ensure continuity, and enrich available expertise. With this need in mind, we are moving forward with the development of an annual sorghum leadership program to identify and train new leadership to enrich the depth and breadth of knowledge available within the sorghum industry.

Hannah Lipps is the contractor working to develop and organize the program, while coordinating with the communications team and field staff to execute the program. During the development phases, we looked at the wide variety of agricultural leadership programs, such as KARL and TALL, to identify key elements that would work well within a sorghum-specific leadership program. The sorghum leadership program consists of one “class” annually with a maximum of 15 participants. The class will participate in sessions exposing them to the different aspects of the U.S. sorghum industry, including exports, biofuels, transportation and production, research and development, and government/USDA processes. The program development phase was underway in June, and the recruitment process wrapped up in July. The application deadline closed July 20 and the first class will be held this fall.

Nebraska Producer Visits Dusti Fritz traveled to Nebraska where she visited with producers and attended the Nebraska Grain Sorghum board meeting. Field conditions in Nebraska were dryer than they have been in several years. Most of the sorghum was planted in early to mid-May after receiving a little moisture last April. Many producers reported sorghum acres were up slightly and they attribute this to the dryer conditions. Most of the Nebraska board meeting focused on the 2012/2013 budget projections and possible expenditures. Fuel Ethanol Workshop John Duff and Tim Snyder represented the Sorghum Checkoff at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop last week in Minneapolis, Minn. Duff reported Himark bioGas provided a promotional piece highlighting sorghum-based ethanol, and the USCP booth received many interested visitors because of this. Sorghum was definitely a trend at the FEW this year, and despite Himark’s focus on grain sorghum, sweet and biomass sorghum benefitted from some extra exposure. One presentation, by Jeff Turner of Reliant Project Management Services, highlighted sweet sorghum specifically, and USCP representatives were able to learn about several new projects involving sweet sorghum. They also connected several individuals in need of biomass sorghum with feedstock providers. Japanese Buyer Tour Dusti Fritz traveled with five sorghum buyers from Japan to the International Grains Program in Manhattan, Kan., where they learned about purchasing and processing sorghum. These participants represented feed and food manufacturing, trading

companies, and a government research institute. Their interests at IGP were to learn the latest supply and demand information, processing methods for different species of livestock, and different suppliers of white sorghum for food use. Fritz said there were several questions about tannin levels in U.S. sorghum and how this impacts feed efficiency. The group also visited a small swine operation feeding sorghum and Jeff Casten’s farm in Quenemo, Kan. Murphy Brown Update The Sorghum Checkoff has been working with Murphy-Brown to increase sorghum acres in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In their most recent newsletter they included several exciting comments pertaining to sorghum, including:

“We are encouraging farmers that do not achieve profitable corn yields to consider switching to sorghum, which costs less to produce than corn, and should produce more consistent yields in difficult production years. “We’re proving our commitment by increasing the amount we are willing to pay farmers for the crop. In calendar year 2011, we bought sorghum at 88 percent of the price for corn for participants in our sorghum pilot program. In 2012, we are paying 95 percent of the harvest cash price of corn to our sorghum growers. “Several years ago, only 4,000 to 5,000 acres of sorghum were grown in North Carolina. In 2012, we expect it to be around 80,000 – about 80 percent of which will be purchased by Murphy-Brown.” http://mbgrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/June-Newsletter.pdf

Gluten Intolerance Group Article

The Sorghum Checkoff worked with the Gluten Intolerance Group to submit an article to appear in their quarterly newsletter. The article was featured on the first page of the newsletter and occupied space throughout the publication, including a recipe and sorghum suppliers.

South Texas Harvest and Producer Visits Justin Weinheimer and Lindsay Kennedy spent the week of June 18-22 touring the Coastal Bend and the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Thirteen meetings were held during the week with key entities in the grain sorghum industry including farmers, grain cooperatives, merchandisers (Merco, Garcia, ADM), commercial seed companies (Pioneer and Monsanto), and regional agricultural research and extension personnel.

The tour began in El Campo and Palacios where crop conditions were average in the upper Coastal Bend. A major concern within the region, as discussed by AJ Kresta (El Campo) and Bill Kubecka (Palacios), is the recent increase in corn acres, specifically in the El Campo area and north to Houston. Many of the these corn acres have replaced sorghum, shifting the crop mix from one-third cotton and two-thirds grain sorghum to one-third of corn, cotton and sorghum. This trend appears to be holding steady particularly on irrigated lands, and no reduction in acres is expected despite concerns of alfatoxin in the corn crops.

The team spent June 19 in the Corpus Christi area, where crop conditions were highly variable, and in many cases, average crops and poor crops were separated only by a mile or two as fall and spring rains were very erratic. Jim Massey of Robstown, Texas, indicated the lack of deep subsoil moisture had not been replaced by fall rains and was particularly damaging to grain sorghum that followed a 2011 cotton crop. Grain sorghum following grain faired the poor conditions much better, which is further evidence of the hardiness and water efficiency exhibited by grain sorghum, even in a dryland setting.

USCP scheduled an additional meeting via Juan Landiver, the director of research at the Texas AgriLife Corpus Christi office. A total of 10 Texas AgriLife Research staff and extension personnel attended the meeting, which allowed for each of the attendees to make a brief presentation about their work in grain sorghum within the Corpus Christi area. A tour of the ADM port facility gained a better understanding of the export issues impacting the region. Grain inspection and quality, trucking logistics, and lack of port competition continue to burden the region’s grain movement.

The South Texas region produces nearly 25 percent of the nation’s grain crop. As a result, key breeding programs from Monsanto and Pioneer are located in the area. Monsanto’s breeding nursery is located south of Corpus Christi in Bishop. Ryan Bading heads up Monsanto’s breeding program in Bishop and indicated the primary focus of the area’s program was yield and yield consistency. Monsanto’s breeding program is well established with a 35-acre nursery, which primarily focuses on grain production, but is also doing some work on biomass and forage aspects. John Jaster with Pioneer’s breeding program in Taft also discussed the challenges of the region and emphasized the importance of grain production enhancement.

June 20 brought several meetings along the lower Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley. Crop conditions in this area were poor to bad as fall and spring rains missed much of the lower Coastal Bend. Kennedy and Weinheimer toured the King Ranch Feedyard, which is one of the few feeders in the country which feeds 100 percent sorghum in their ration. Sorghum is purchased locally when rainfall conditions on the ranch are poor. The ranch’s feedyard typically feeds out light weight, Brahman-influenced, Mexican Cattle. This type of feeding system is very different from the traditional feedyards in the High Plains. Sorghum is processed in a “popper”, a natural gas fired mill which pops the sorghum enough to break the paracarp, and blended into a ration, which may include forage sorghum, cottonseed and other feed stocks with sorghum comprising over 70 percent of the ration. Gains on light cattle range from 2.7 to 2.9 lbs/day, with finishing rations generating 3.0 to 3.2 lbs per day, making this yard financially competitive compared to other South Texas feeding operations.

The Rio Grande Valley grain crop was average to above average, with much of the dryland producing 90 to 100 bu/ac and irrigated land producing 110 to 130 bu/ac. Meetings were scheduled with local farmers Dale Murden and Brian Jones with additional discussion and input from local crop consultant Webb Wallace. This region’s grain production capabilities are high enough to typically push the upper envelope of yield, thus presenting a limiting factor for local producers, specifically irrigated. Throughout the Rio Grande Valley and the lower Coastal Bend, recent increases in cotton prices prompted higher than normal cotton acres. With declines expected in cotton harvest price, many local farmers indicated

that if cotton prices resume below $0.75/lb that grain sorghum would replace cotton acres if grain prices remain high.

The week concluded with visits to Merco and Garcia Grain, which are both located near the border. Merco grain, located in Progresso, handles approximately 2.5 million bushels of grain sorghum annually, all of which is exported to Mexico. In 2012 Merco contracted 800,000 bushels directly with local farmers while the remainder of the grain being second handler. Garcia Grain, who operates several elevators throughout the Rio Grande Valley, located in Donna, expects to handle 6.3 million bushels of grain sorghum, of which 2.5 million bushels are directly contracted with farmers. Gracia expressed interest in exploring how ethanol production could be brought to the Valley as the area could support an ethanol plant and has established markets with Mexico feedyards for the utilization of DDGs.

Overall, this trip was very productive. Lindsay documented the week’s meetings, taking a several hundred pictures throughout the region, photographing grain transport, harvest, drying, and other field level operations. She also shot video, interviewing farmers and regional leaders in the grain sorghum industry about why they grow sorghum, their farming techniques, and a general update on their crop’s progress. This information will be used in all aspects of communication and education providing opportunities for promotion and advertisement of sorghum production. The video clips from the trip have already been used on Rural-TV and were requested to be used by Bloomberg.

In conclusion, the trip was very successful in the understanding the crop production aspects of the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley. This not only allowed for documentation of the South Texas crop in its entirety, but also emphasized the importance of the region to our export market with Mexico, development of breeding programs, and the overall diversity and competition that exists with other crops in the region. Kansas and Nebraska Producer Visits, Crop Report Sorghum Checkoff Renewables Director, John Duff, visited sorghum producers in Kansas and Nebraska last week. Duff had the opportunity to visit with an ethanol plant, from whom he reported that many nutritionists in northwestern Kansas and southern Nebraska continue to lack an understanding of the nutritional value of sorghum distillers and its unique color. USCP will distribute information to help educate end-users of distillers that will inevitably affect ethanol plants. Duff also visited the University of Nebraska where he met with several researchers that discussed potential crop improvement technologies as they pertain to the sorghum industry. Duff followed up with Justin Weinheimer to share the topics discussed. Texas A&M Research Update Dr. Bill Rooney has developed a new type of black sorghum called Onyx that has a high concentration of anthocyanins, which are also known as antioxidants, for the sorghum food market. The yield potential of this line is approximately 65-70 percent of a commercial grain hybrid. Rooney and his team are currently working on the foundation seed and plans to plant five acres of the seed next year which will compute to approximately 9,500 acres the following year. The line is currently in the licensing phase and we were told they are working with an interested party to commercialize the line.

Dr. Nancy Turner of Texas A&M is continuing to review the results of her metabolic study specifically on the human trial. At this point the study is showing promising results of protection against certain diseases. The results need to be analyzed further before specific conclusions can be published. USGC/USCP Sponsor Japanese Trade Group Kansas Visits A Japanese buyer group, consisting of traders, feed manufacturers and food grade sorghum millers, visited Kansas. The group represented the broad cross section of Japanese buyers. The group attended a short course on sorghum utilization at the International Grains Program, where they learned more about sorghum usage in livestock rations and later toured a family swine operation using sorghum. After the mission was complete, USCP field staff and USGC met to debrief and develop protocol to better organize programs for visiting buyer teams. The protocol includes developing specific goals and objectives of each program, better educating those involved on the team members and assigning specific roles to USCP, USGC and state staff. USCP field staff will be taking the role of primary leads in coordinating schedules with USGC. The next mission will be a group from Columbia visiting in late August.

Project Reports

Identifying the most efficient, economical and environmentally friendly nitrogen applications

• Program Focus: Crop Improvement Lead PI: Lloyd Murdock Status: Complete

o Summary: Kentucky is not traditionally known for grain sorghum production. However, with recent acreage increases the need crop production information such as fertility management are becoming increasingly important. Nitrogen is one of the most important and expensive inputs for grain sorghum. In an effort to better understand optimal nitrogen application for grain sorghum in Kentucky, test plots (2010 - 2011) were designed to determine the most efficient application method and economical level of nitr ogen. Pioneer 84G62 was chosen to conduct the nitrogen response trials. The results indicate that the optimal quantity of nitrogen application was 150lbs/acre at planting which maximized both yield and economic returns. Yield increased by 55bu/acre as a result of this application at planting and generated an additional $256 of return per acre given the commodity prices and nitrogen cost assumed in the study.

o Industry Impact: The commercial grain sorghum industry relies on Nitrogen fertilizer to maintain grain production. Testing and developing new methods of application and product development will allow the industry to grow by increasing the productivity of grain sorghum acres. Additional environmental benefits such as reducing nitrogen leaching will improve the production agricultural industry as a whole.

o Producer Impact: This research documents the importance of fertility management. Kentucky grain sorghum farmers could increase yield and thus profitability as a result of applying the correct quantity of nitrogen to their sorghum crop using a method which maximizes field level profitability.

o Next Steps: There are currently no plans to expand or elaborate on the results of this project.

Indentifying genes associated with nitrogen use efficiency

• Program Focus: Crop Improvement Lead PI: Ismail DeiwKat Status: Complete

o Summary: The ability for a sorghum plant to efficiently utilize nitrogen fertilizer is crucial to plant growth, development and grain or biomass production. The objective of this study was to identify the specific genes which control the plants ability to uptake and metabolize nitrogen fertilizer, or nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). This was accomplished by a two stage process. The first process was to breed two parent lines of sorghum, one set of parents was previously documented to have high NUE and the other was a normal genotype. The second stage was to incorporate genetic marker and mapping techniques to identify specific genes which are tied to NUE.

o Industry Impact: Incorporating nitrogen efficiency traits into grain and sweet sorghum germplasm will add a crucial linkage in the genetic advancement of the sorghum industry. Industry wide, this genetic mapping could increase yields across both grain and biomass sorghum varieties.

o Producer Impact: Producers will receive benefit through increased nitrogen efficiency in sorghum production. This benefit will be realized in two ways. The first is through increasing the plants ability to uptake existing or applied nitrogen in the field which will increase yields and productivity. The second is by reducing the additional nitrogen requirements of sorghum which will lower cost and increase profit margins.

o Next Steps: Many of these genetic lines will be carried out to field level measurements where grain yield, biomass, and other field level characteristics will be measured.

Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Management in Texas

• Program Focus: Crop Improvement Lead PI: Mark McFarland Status: Complete

o Summary: Managing inputs costs, particularly fertilizer in light of recent increases in material costs, is critical to maintain the economic and agronomic productivity of sorghum production. The most essential element used in commercial fertilizer is Nitrogen (N) which is a dynamic fertilizer which can impact its availability to sorghum plants. Leaching, runoff, and denitrification (volatilization) are common sources of nitrogen loss in sorghum production. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of slow release and nitrogen stabilizer products to combat the common problems associated with nitrogen application. Additionally, variable rates of fertilizer were applied to grain sorghum fields to determine yield response. Conclusions indicate that neither the slow release nor N stabilizer products increased grain yield as compared to traditional applications throughout the four locations evaluated in Texas.

o Industry Impact: The commercial grain sorghum industry relies on Nitrogen fertilizer to maintain grain production. Testing and developing new methods of application and product development will allow the industry to grow by increasing the productivity of

grain sorghum acres. Additional environmental benefits, such as reducing nitrogen leaching, will improve the production agricultural industry as a whole.

o Producer Impact: Reducing or managing input costs for sorghum farmers will lead to higher profit potential per acre and translate to a stronger more robust industry.

o Next Steps: Further analysis is needed to validate the results. This project was renewed for the 2012 crop year.

Reinstated Conversion Program

• Program Focus: Crop Improvement Lead PI: Fred Miller Status: Active

o Summary: MMR Genetics, in collaboration with USDA ARS, is working towards improving the genetic properties of sorghum by utilizing traditional breeding techniques and modern molecular technology. Enhancing the genetic material, its availability and quality, and improving commercial application of high quality seed production is the primary objective of this project. In 2012, 44 elite lines of material representing the "best of the best", were converted from the USDA ARS genetic bank of Sudan and Ethiopian sorghum lines. This made those lines available for industry to purchase and incorporate into their own hybrid breeding programs.

o Industry Impact: The impact to industry is significant. Since material produced from this project has been made available to industry for incorporation into their individual breeding programs, industry has the opportunity to be highly involved in the application of this project. As of current, a total of nine industry partners have purchased this material for evaluation in their programs.

o Producer Impact: Since industry has such high involvement in this project, it is likely that some of the material developed in this project will be incorporated into hybrid production and available to farmers.

o Next Steps: In May of 2013, an additional 50 lines of material will be available for industry to evaluate and potentially incorporate into their individual breeding programs.

Indentify potential sources of ergot resistance

• Program Focus: Crop Improvement Lead PI: Clint Magill Status: Complete

o Summary: Ergot, a fungal pathogen that effects grain sorghum, can cause yield loss and result in harvesting difficulties because the "honeydew" that appears on the grain head can clog augers in combines and other harvesting equipment. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential sources of genetic lines which could provide partial or full resistance to Ergot. 245 accessions of sorghum were evaluated, seven of which did not show symptoms of ergot when exposed to the fungus. Additional objectives were to evaluate how sorghums defense mechanism is activated when exposed to ergot or other harmful pathogens. It was concluded that in fact sorghum does have a defense mechanism gene in the female reproductive system, which could mean that ergot resistance could be genetically incorporated into the sorghum plant.

o Industry Impact: The results of this study open opportunities for seed manufacturers to evaluate the options for incorporating ergot resistance traits into their seed technology.

o Producer Impact: Indirect impacts to the producer could be realized if seed companies could successfully incorporate ergot resistance into their commercially available lines. Seed producers could potentially benefit from this technology by removing this costly fungus from interrupting hybrid seed production.

o Next Steps: Further experiments are needed to validate the results and to determine the exact potential for incorporating ergot resistance into commercial hybrid production.

Sorghum as a Super Health Food

• Program Focus: High Value Markets Lead PI: Mark Haub Status: Complete

o Summary: This study was established to determine the potential of sorghum as it relates to the glycemic index. Specific objectives included the use of a white and red non-tannin sorghum for determining the glycemic index. This along with breads made from four sorghum types were evaluated. The study found no specific difference in the glycemic index of sorghum as compared to other grains. As part of the submitted report the checkoff received a pending document, Implications of Sorghum on Human Health, this document may be useful in the future as a reference concerning sorghums potential implications on human nutrition and health.

o Industry Impact: This report serves only as a resource. Data and implications are not sufficiently reported as to create a change in current thoughts.

o Producer Impact: No significant impact was created from the project. The only result that could be useful is the pending document that can help the general public understand sorghum’s health components.

o Next Steps: Make specific use of the pending document, Implications of Sorghum on Human Health.

Sorghum DDG use in Shrimp Diets

• Program Focus: High Value Markets Lead PI: Addison Lawrence Status: Complete

o Summary: The intent of this project was to determine the ability of sorghum DDG to be incorporated into shrimp feed. The project was intended to focus on the DDG to replace soybean meal as a plant protein source and/or replace fish meal. The project determined the use of Sorghum DDG at a level of 10 percent could be added to commercial shrimp diets replacing fish meal on a protein bases with appropriate supplementation. Additionally, the project determined the use of sorghum DDG at a level of 25 percent or less could be added to commercial shrimp diets replacing soybean meal as a protein source.

o Industry Impact: The increasing volume of sorghum for use in the renewables industry continues to establish the need for more opportunities of use for sorghum DDG. This study finds that using sorghum DDG in shrimp diets is a potential new outlet source. This specifically could have implications for increasing the value of sorghum DDG's, as soybean meal currently is valued at rates above $400 per ton. Also, replacing fish meal with $1,500 per ton value could add potential return values to the renewables industry.

o Producer Impact: Added value to sorghum DDG, which enhances the potential use of sorghum in the renewables industry.

o Next Steps: Provide the information to potential uses such as shrimp farmers and to extension outlets to get the message out to potential users.

Evaluating Grain Quality of White Food Grade Sorghum

• Program Focus: High Value Markets Lead PI: Chris Little, Kansas State University Status: Complete

o Summary: The overall goal of this project was to help identify grain quality traits for use in the biofuels, nutraceutical and gluten-free markets. The main objectives for this project were to evaluate physical and biochemical properties of white-tan sorghum hybrids, to evaluate food quality of white-tan hybrids, and to relate mold levels and weathering to grain color and quality. The project determined it may be possible to select white tan hybrids that have desirable traits for human consumption as well as biofuel production. The conclusion was also drawn that it is critical to select hybrids with mold resistance for human food applications and plants with growth of less grain mold pathogens should be considered for food grain production and breeding work.

o Industry Impact: Identifying exactly which components of the sorghum grain are most useful in food and biofuel production is critical for supporting new uses and increases the value of sorghum. Producer Impact: By introducing high starch and mold resistant hybrids to the industry, sorghum producers would likely receive a premium for this higher quality grain grown specifically for food, biofuel and new uses.

o Next Steps: If a diverse grain quality panel can be assembled and grown at multiple locations, then identification of improved sorghum hybrids for food use could be developed. Steps to be taken are to identify breeding programs that will use the germplasm, identify optimum milling techniques, identify flours most effectively used in food products, and balance grain quality with mold and weathering resistance.