Nebraska Sorghum Symposium Jan. 18 in Curtis

Field of grain sorghum

Nebraska Sorghum Symposium Jan. 18 in Curtis

Presentation slides

from the 2018 Sorghum Symposium are now available online.

The Nebraska Sorghum Symposium offers timely and useful information to help sorghum farmers make confident, informed production and management decisions for their 2018 crop.

Sponsored by the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association (NeGSPA), Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, and Nebraska Extension, the symposium will be held at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, 404 East 7th St., beginning at 9 a.m. January 18.

“Commodity prices have farmers looking for ways to reduce costs and manage risk,” says Lynn Belitz of Fullerton, President of NeGSPA. “We’re seeing continued demand for sorghum in the international market,” Belitz adds. “Total commitments for the marketing year now stand at 129 million bushels, which is 61% of USDA’s export target at only three month into the new marketing year.”

“Now is a great time for producers to see what role sorghum can play in their cropping systems,” says Chuck Burr, Extension Educator at the West Central Research and Extension Center.  “Water restrictions for irrigation in this part of the state together with the lower prices have farmers in search of ways to conserve water and reduce costs.  Sorghum is an excellent rotation option.”

Program presentations include

  • Al Dutcher, associate state climatologist, with a weather outlook;
  • Cody Creech, extension dryland cropping specialist, on sorghum production in western Nebraska;
  • Galen Erickson, extension beef feedlot nutrition specialist, on sorghum’s grazing value and how it works in cover crops;
  • Dennis Macfee with Ag West Commodities with a market analysis and look at demand trends for 2018;
  • Scott Staggenborg, vice-president of research and development for Chromatin, on important production and management strategies and new technology in sorghum;
  • Matt Stockton, extension ag economist, on managing risk in uncertain times; and
  • a representative of the National Sorghum Producers with an in-depth look at new developments and policy priorities as they work on behalf of sorghum producers – both at home and abroad.

The program will conclude with the annual membership meeting of NeGSPA and an update report by the Grain Sorghum Board.  All sorghum growers and allied industry are invited to attend.

“Farmers are making decisions now for the 2018 crop,” adds Mike Baker of Trenton, chair of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board. “This program is designed to provide farmers information they can apply immediately to their operations.”

Conference registration can be done by emailing sorghum.board@nebraska.gov or by calling the office at 402-471-4276.  The Sorghum Symposium is free and includes lunch. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with coffee and rolls and viewing of commercial exhibits.  CCA credits have been applied for. For more information see the program flyer.

Online Master of Science in Agronomy

With a focus on industry applications and research, the online program is designed with maximum flexibility for today's working professionals.

A field of corn.