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Sorghum producers come to compromiseBy Jennifer M. Latzke The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association met early the morning of Nov. 13 for its annual meeting. It's an exciting time for sorghum producers, with yields at an all-time high and ethanol continuing to be a growing issue. But, the focus of the annual meeting was on the proposal to raise the state assessment authority on grain sorghum from 5 mills to 20 mills, an increase of one and a half cents per bushel. Raising assessment authority Recently, the KGSPA board resolved to recommend to the Kansas Legislature to raise the assessment authority from its current level of 5 mills, or a half cent per bushel, to 10 mills, or one cent per bushel. This was in conflict with a recommendation from the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission to raise the assessment authority to 20 mills, or two cents per bushel. Greg Graff, vice chairman of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, and a member of the KGSPA, spoke to the members about the assessment recommendation. "We're pursuing this level to try to keep the assessments consistent," he said. "We want to pursue a 20 mill, or 2 cent authority." Graff explained that the commission was trying to plan for the future of sorghum research and promotion, in case the national checkoff doesn't become a reality. It's important, he explained, that the commission and the association present a united front to the Kansas Legislature when it's time to discuss re-authorizing the authority and it's vital for a dialogue between the two groups to open up. "We need a unified front when we go to educate producers around the state about the national and state checkoffs," Graff said. "As a commission, we hope that you trust us that we would go to the two cent level incrementally, and only if the national checkoff fails," Graff said. "If the national checkoff fails, it'll be right back to Kansas and Texas to fund sorghum research." A producer member from Beloit spoke up in support of the higher mill rate. He told the group that of his two best varieties of sorghum this year one was "old enough to vote, and the other one old enough to drink." He encouraged the group to raise the authority and prepare for the future needs of research. Bill Greving, a grain sorghum commissioner and a KGSPA member, also spoke up in support of the 20 mill level. "What we're talking about, I hope it's a non-issue," he said. "This increase is only in lieu of failure of the national checkoff and if we have to fall back to state checkoffs for funding of sorghum research." KGSPA President Greg Shelor explained the association's initial decision was to stop any negativity from Kansas producers toward the national checkoff. The board was concerned state producers wouldn't realize the increase in assessment would be a contingency in case the national checkoff didn't pass, and instead think it was a double assessment. "We want to focus and do all we can to make the national checkoff a success," he said. However, several members spoke up and said it was a matter of educating their fellow producers about the reasoning behind the state increases as well as the need for the national checkoff. Tim Lust, executive director of the National Sorghum Producers spoke about the progress of the proposed national sorghum checkoff and its benefits to producers. "The key reason for the checkoff is because there is a need for our industry to fund research in grain sorghum," he said. "We need to close the gaps between crops. Producers need to make an investment on the grain side." The national checkoff will soon be sent to the Federal Register for its 60-day comment period and it's important that producers make their voices heard. In the end, the membership present voted to approve an amendment to its resolutions calling for support of a 20 mill maximum state assessment rate for grain sorghum, and that the state assessment authority be suspended during collection of assessments under a national sorghum checkoff program. Commission meeting The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission had met the day before, Nov. 12 Commissioner Jay Zimmerman reported on the happenings of the U.S. Grains Council and told the commission that the European Union is still short on feed grains. That, combined with higher priced feed wheat out of Brazil and Argentina should show an increased demand for U.S. sorghum exports, he explained. Graff, vice chairman, served in place of Jeff Casten, KGSC chairman, who was absent. He reminded commissioners that research proposals were due Nov. 13, and they should receive a list of proposals around Thanksgiving to peruse. Also, Nov. 30 is the deadline to get petitions in for commissioner elections. Tim Lust, executive director of National Sorghum Producers, spoke to the commission about the status of the proposed national sorghum checkoff. Lust explained that the checkoff has cleared the U.S. Department of Agriculture's lawyers and is now in the signature process. From there, it will move to the Federal Register for a 60-day comment period, where producers have the opportunity to give their input. "The logical procedure is that it should take 270 days from the end of the comment period to action," Lust said. If the comments are positive, USDA could move to certify organizations in states to put up names for a Sorghum Board, and then on to collections. It could be next summer, Lust said, with a national board seated next fall. Until then, the NSP and its members have university research programs that still need funded, and it's a good idea for state organizations to take that into account when they discuss their checkoff assessments. Lust told commissioners that both private and public funding are vital for sorghum research, and NSP continues to work with private industry to raise funding. "There are millions for sweet sorghum and forage sorghum research," he told commissioners. However, not many in private industry are willing to fund grain sorghum research because it isn't as lucrative. That's why a sorghum checkoff is vital for the industry. Jennifer M. Latzke can be reached by phone at 620-227-1807, or by e-mail at jlatzke@hpj.com. 11/26/07 Date: 11/21/07
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