October 5, 2001

Corn and Sorghum Growers Win with Defeat of Kind Amendment
Kansas corn and grain sorghum farmers helped defeat an amendment sponsored by Representatives Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Ron Kind (D-WI) Thursday afternoon which would have moved billions of dollars earmarked for producers to conservation programs. Grower members of the Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) called on their U.S. Representatives to support the farm bill as it was written and to oppose the Boehlert-Kind Amendment.

“We owe our gratitude to the four U.S. Representatives who represent our state for their unanimous opposition to this amendment,” KGSPA/KCGA Executive Director Jere White said. ““We opposed the Boehlert Kind Amendment because it took money away from producers and put it into conservation programs that would not have worked.”

Representatives Jerry Moran, Todd Tiahrt, Dennis Moore and Jim Ryun all opposed the amendment that would have placed overinflated amounts of money into conservation programs. At the same time, the amendment would place stipulations on those programs would keep many growers from participating.

“Our growers support conservation programs, but they have to be programs that we can participate in. The fact is, the proposed farm bill has a 75 percent increase in conservation spending, and that’s one of the reasons we would like to see the bill move forward,” White said.

The bill gives more adequate funding to the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). EQIP is a program that allows growers to implement conservation measures in their farming operations. The Kind Amendment focused on increasing the size of programs to take agricultural land out of production.

“We don’t need monstrous government programs to idle land,” White said. “We need a strong farm bill. And if we want any farm bill to work, we need to level the playing field to allow our growers to compete in foreign trade. That’s why we’ll be asking our Congressmen to support Trade Promotion Authority for the president.”

The House of Representatives may consider the Trade Promotion Authority bill, also known as “fast track authority” as soon as next week.

October 1, 2001

“Un-Kind” Amendment Threatens Kansas Farmers
When the U.S. House of Representatives debates the farm bill this week, they will be faced with an amendment that will move billions of dollars earmarked for producers to overinflated conservation programs. Kansas growers are mobilizing to oppose the Kind Amendment. The grower members of the Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) are calling on their U.S. Representatives to support the farm bill as it is written and to oppose an amendment from Representative Ron Kind of Wisconsin.

“One of the reasons we support the farm bill in the House, is that it offers substantial increases in conservation spending,” KCGA/KGSPA Executive Director Jere White said. “H.R. 2646 increases conservation funding by 75 percent. Now we’re faced with the Kind Amendment that strips $1.9 billion per year from farmers and puts it into conservation programs in a way that will make those programs ineffective. And, in reality, the Kind Amendment, if attached, would likely stop the progress of the farm bill.”

The Kind Amendment would place unrealistic amounts of money into conservation programs. At the same time, the amendment would place stipulations on those programs would keep many growers from participating. The associations have advocated increased funding in the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), and that funding is included in the farm bill being considered this week.

“Several groups, including well-funded special interest groups like the Environmental Working Group, have helped to draft this amendment,” White said. “In addition to a so-called environmental agenda, many of these groups have a strong anti-agriculture agenda. It is evident that the real goal of this amendment is not to help the environment—the proposed farm bill would help growers accomplish that. The real goal is simply to take support away from farmers at a time when the farm economy is already suffering.” 

September 5, 2001

Environmental Leadership Program Has Field Day
Area farmers, civic leaders, and other interested parties, are invited to a demonstration plot illustrating the use of several best management practices in grain sorghum production.  This demonstration plot also serves as the K-State Research & Extension Sorghum Variety plot, with the top 10 sorghum varieties for Southeast Kansas included.  In addition, population and variable speed trials are demonstrated.  The purpose of best management practices is to reduce costs, improve soil conditions, protect water and environmental quality, while maintaining crop yield and productivity.  The K-State Research & Extension tour with variety, variable speed, and population discussions will be held September 10.  Additional tours focusing on BMP implementation and the environmental aspects of agriculture will be held September 11.  The demonstration plot is located 2 miles south of Hiattville (Highway 39) on 130 road. Refreshments will be provided to members of the tours.

Those interested in visiting the demonstration should contact: Jessica Baetz at the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association at 785-448-6922 by September 7 to reserve a place.

In addition to the variety trials, the plot highlights different best management practices for cropland including deep placement of fertilizer, reduced rates and split applications of atrazine, and the use of grassed buffer strips between the sorghum field and Pawnee Creek.  The goal of the project and demonstration site is to address surface water quality issues by seeking to improve cropping practices to reduce runoff resulting in decreased sediment, fertilizer (phosphorus), and chemical (atrazine) levels in surface water.  Runoff from cropland has the potential to contain many contaminants that can cause a water body to become impaired.   

Cooperators of this demonstration are:
K-State Research & Extension
Bourbon County Conservation District
Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association                      
Ronald Brown
Ag Choice – Blue Mound
Ag Choice - Helpler
Producer’s Coop – Girard

The project is funded in part by the Kansas Water Plan Fund through a contract between the Kansas Water Office and K-State Research & Extension.

August 31, 2001

Commodity Groups Discuss Farm Bill
Several Kansas commodity groups huddled with Senator Sam Brownback and staff members of Senator Pat Roberts, and Congressman Jerry Moran at a farm bill seminar Monday in Salina. The producers shared their ideas and concerns about the next farm bill at a seminar sponsored by the Kansas Corn Growers Association and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

Brownback said the majority of growers he has spoken with have been supportive of the concepts in the current farm bill especially as they pertain to planting flexibility. The senator said many elements of the current farm bill, often called Freedom to Farm, should remain in the next farm bill.

Brownback said the current farm bill was based on the concept that steps would be taken to improve foreign trade opportunities for U.S. agricultural products. He said he continues to support measures to build exports.

Leaders from corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat, dairy, beef and pork associations gave presentations at the meeting. Representatives from Kansas Farm Bureau, National Farmers Organization and Kansas Farmers Union also participated in the discussions.

Producer leaders who spoke said they supported the flexibility that is a major component of the current farm bill and expressed an interest in using real farm data to determine how the proposed House version of the farm bill  (H.R. 2646) would affect Kansas farms.

August 16, 2001

Kansas-Nebraska Sorghum Symposium Has Grower Appeal
While seldom in the spotlight, grain sorghum will be the star of a two-day research symposium August 29 and 30 at Clay Center, NE. Organizers of this year’s Kansas-Nebraska Grain Sorghum Research Symposium are working to bring more sorghum producers along with the researchers and industry leaders to the two-day event. The symposium is an annual event sponsored by the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, as well as the Kansas and Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers associations; K-State and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

“The symposium has many of the hot topics growers are interested in now, like ethanol, food grade sorghum and identity preserved grains,” according to KGSC Chairman John Ratzlaff of Moundridge. “This is always a good event for growers to attend. Clay Center, Nebraska is just north of Belleville and we are hoping to see quite a few Kansas growers there.”

This year’s event will begin at the UNL South Central Research & Extension Center at Clay Center, Nebraska the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 29. Participants will hear speakers on value enhanced market opportunities, identity preserved and specialty markets as well as seed production and other uses for sorghum. The day’s events also will include a tour of the research plots at the research center.

On Thursday, Aug. 30, participants will tour the Chief Ethanol Fuels ethanol plant at Hastings as well as Twin Valley Mills at Ruskin to see a food grade sorghum milling operation. The group also will tour a variety plot that will highlight some of the University of Nebraska’s sorghum breeding efforts. The day’s events end at K-State’s Field Day at the North Central Kansas Experiment Center at Belleville, KS for a discussion of K-State breeding programs for drought tolerance and sooty stripe resistance, and to look at comparison plots of dryland sorghum and corn production.

Registration for the Kansas Nebraska Sorghum Research Symposium is $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. Meals are provided. For registration information, call 402-472-2123; or call Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association at 800-489-2676 for more information.

KGSC is a nine-member grower board responsible for investing the state’s half-cent per bushel grain sorghum checkoff in the areas of foreign and domestic market development, research, promotion and education.

July 12, 2001

Trade Mission Returns from Asia
Stanley Schmitz, a Seneca sorghum grower, returned last week from a two-week trade mission to Asia, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council. Along with sorghum producers from Nebraska and Texas, Schmitz visited Japan, China and the Philippines to assess the state of the sorghum market there and to meet with current and potential customers. Schmitz represents the northeast district growers on the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission.

For the last three years, the Grains Council and the U.S. sorghum industry have been working to promote sorghum for food use in Japan. While in Tokyo, Schmitz and other mission participants were able to see the results first-hand. They visited the production facilities of Tohato Inc., a food manufacturer that recently introduced a new snack made from U.S. white sorghum. The group also attended a sorghum seminar organized by the Council for Japanese food industry representatives in Japan.

“The people we talked to in Japan knew about milo and its qualities. Japan is already our Number 2 buyer. They’re up and running and they know what milo can do for them. I really believe the next big step in Japan is the white food grade milos, and through the program with the National Sorghum Producers, we’re poised to meet that need.”

While in China, Schmitz and his colleagues visited two large commercial swine farms to learn the results of Council-sponsored feeding trials. The trials demonstrated clearly that sorghum could be a successful ingredient in swine rations. Schmitz reported that the Council would continue to work with the local feed industry associations and swine producers to tackle import duties and the value-added taxes that continue to be a challenge for imports of U.S. sorghum to China.

In the Philippines, the group heard from grain traders about the country’s need for grain imports, and learned the results of successful sorghum feeding trials in poultry and swine. The participants learned that continued market education programs in the Philippines are essential to the integration of U.S. sorghum into feed rations. High import duties and the large number of small meat producers are the greatest challenges facing U.S. sorghum imports in the country.

“When we went out to visit the feeders, they knew about milo and knew milo was a high quality feed for them. They’re ready to buy it when it’s at the same price as the other feeds they use.”

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission has been working with the US Grains Council to promote the use of grain sorghum in the Philippines. A Philippine trade team visited Kansas last summer. Results of recent feeding trials conducted in the Philippines were very positive, Schmitz said.

“Milo tests were done with pork, egg production and chickens. In every one, milo came out with flying colors. A booklet with those results is being distributed throughout the Philippines,” he said.

“The mission gave us a clear picture of what factors contribute to sorghum’s marketability for both food and feed in the huge Asian market. We’ve still got some challenges to address, but it’s obvious that our ongoing market development efforts in that part of the world are paying big dividends for our growers,” Schmitz noted.

The U.S. Grains Council is a private, non-profit partnership of farmers and agribusinesses. With the support of organizations such as the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, the Council works to build and expand international markets for U.S. grain sorghum, corn, barley and their products. KGSC is a nine-member grower board responsible for investing the state’s half-cent per bushel grain sorghum checkoff in the areas of foreign and domestic market development, research, promotion and education.

June 28, 2001

Trade Mission Takes Kansas Sorghum Grower to Asia
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is awaiting the return of one of its members from a trade mission to Japan, China and the Philippines. Stanley Schmitz of Seneca is one of the growers selected to participate in the US Grains Council’s 2001 Sorghum Producers’ Mission.

The aim of the mission is to create closer trade ties and to build understanding between sorghum producers and their foreign customers.

“We’re excited that Stanley is representing our commission on this trade mission,” KGSC Chairman John Ratzlaff of Moundridge said. “About 40 percent of the U.S. crop is exported every year, and it’s important that we get to know our customers.”

The mission began when the team arrived in Tokyo, Japan on June 20. They proceeded to China on June 23 and to the Philippines June 27. 

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission has hosted US Grains Council-sponsored trade teams from all three countries in the past. Teams from China and the Philippines toured Kansas last summer.

“It’s this kind of interaction that is very useful for building international trade for our products,” Ratzlaff said. “When we host teams or when we participate in a trade mission, it gives the growers and the buyers an opportunity to learn how the grain is grown and how it is used.”

Grain Sorghum Mission team members are meeting with end-users, U.S. and local government officials and trading company representatives to learn about the different markets for sorghum and what types of activities the US Grains Council is conducting to develop those markets.

June 12, 2001
Ethanol Expansion Will Benefit Kansas Sorghum Farmers--California will use ethanol as a fuel oxygenate, thanks to a denial of the state’s request for a waiver from the Clean Air standard, and Kansas sorghum growers will benefit from that decision. The Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that it would deny California’s request for a waiver from the reformulated gasoline oxygen requirement. That action secured a market for 580 million gallons of ethanol annually, using 230 million bushels of grains like sorghum and corn.

“Corn is the grain most commonly used to make ethanol, but most of the ethanol produced in Kansas is made from grain sorghum,” according to Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission chairman John Ratzlaff. “That’s why we are working to expand the ethanol industry.”

Last year, 13 percent of the U.S. grain sorghum crop was used for ethanol production, and the figure is forecast to increase this year. Kansas is the nation’s leading producer of grain sorghum.

Ethanol production is set to increase in Kansas, creating new markets for sorghum and corn. In addition to adding value to agricultural products, new ethanol plants will benefit local and state economies. The EPA’s announcement gives the green light to the increase of ethanol production in the state.

“They’re already building a 25 million gallon plant in Russell that will use 9 million bushels of grain per year,” Ratzlaff said. “There are several grower-based groups around the state that are considering building plants in their communities, and at least one existing Kansas ethanol plant is looking at a major expansion in production.”

The producer groups are using an ethanol pre-feasibility study made available by the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, Kansas Corn Commission and the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing.

“As members of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, it is our responsibility to invest sorghum checkoff funds to help our growers be more profitable,” Ratzlaff said. “Increasing ethanol production is a way to increase demand and add value to our crop.”

May 24, 2001
Sorghum Finds Its Way Into Japanese Snack Foods--An important export market to the US and Kansas sorghum industry may soon expand as more interest develops in the use of sorghum for food products in Japan. A three-year effort by the US Grains Council has led to the introduction of sorghum snack foods to Japan, one of the top importers of US sorghum. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission supports efforts by the US Grains Council to increase exports of sorghum.

“While we think of grain sorghum as being used mainly to feed livestock and produce ethanol, it is a popular human food in many other countries,” KGSC Chairman John Ratzlaff of Moundridge said. “Sorghum is gaining prominence in Japan as a healthy food.”

The sorghum snack, called “Vegetable Market” is being produced by the Japanese company, Tohato, Inc., and will be marketed to young families and health-conscious consumers. The bag reads: “We use white sorghum for this product, and sorghum is now regarded as an important grain next to rice, corn, soybean and wheat.”

More than 75 percent of world sorghum exports come from the United States, and more than 40 percent of the U.S. sorghum crop is exported. Kansas is the leading producer of grain sorghum, accounting for over 40 percent of the nation’s crop.

“When you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see how important the export market is to our sorghum growers in Kansas. The amount of sorghum we produce in Kansas is just about equal to the amount of sorghum the US exports and represents 75 percent of the world’s sorghum trade.”

While most of the sorghum in the United States is used as livestock feed, more than 50 percent of sorghum worldwide is grown for human consumption. Mexico and Japan are the top buyers of U.S. grain sorghum. However, in the past five years, the US has shipped sorghum to 20 different countries.

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is also working closely with National Sorghum Producers in a national research consortium. New research funded through the program has found that sorghum has unique properties that make it well suited for food uses. It is rich in antioxidants and, because it is gluten-free, it is an attractive alternative for people who cannot tolerate gluten. Because of its neutral taste, it absorbs other flavors well. NGSP also has introduced an innovative Certified Sorghum Program and is creating a database of growers who are producing selected varieties for use for food, livestock feed, pet food and specialty uses.

May 18, 2001
Corn and Sorghum Growers Find Ethanol in President’s Energy Plan--Ethanol has a place in President Bush’s energy plan proposed Thursday. Leaders of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association said they were pleased with the President’s initiative that called for the increase use of alternative fuels like ethanol.

“The president credited ethanol with making a significant contribution to our energy security,” according to KCGA President Alan Peter of Tribune. “He appears to have a good understanding of the benefits of ethanol.”

The President’s plan calls for expanded research and development of renewable fuels. In his statement, the President recognized the economic and environmental benefits of ethanol.

“It is obvious the President understands the value of ethanol. He stated that ethanol displaces more foreign oil than any other alternative fuel, and he recognized the environmental benefits of ethanol,” according to KGSPA President Greg Shelor of Minneola.

A specific recommendation that will help ethanol expansion is the President’s intent to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to work with Congress to continue the ethanol excise tax exemption. The exemption is an incentive for gasoline marketers to blend ethanol, and it helps consumers as well.

The President told a group of agricultural leaders in December that ethanol would be a part of his energy strategy. KGSPA board member Leo Bindel of Sabetha serves as president of the National Sorghum Producers and attended the December meeting shortly before the President took office.

“He told us that ethanol was very important,” Bindel said. “He said that with ethanol on the front burner, he saw no reason why we can’t cut our dependence on foreign oil.”

Senators Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) sent a letter to Vice President Dick Cheney this week asserting their strong support for renewable fuels such as ethanol in national energy policy. The letter was signed by 16 other senators including Kansas Senator Sam Brownback. The letter seeks establishment of a federal renewable fuels requirement for motor fuels that would replace 3 percent of the energy used in such fuels by 2011. Meeting that requirement with ethanol would require annual production of 9 billion gallons.

“We are pleased that Senator Brownback signed the letter from Senators Hagel and Johnson. It shows his strong support for ethanol.” Peter said. “That proposal calls for producing enough ethanol to replace 600,000 barrels of oil per day, which is the equivalent to the amount that would be produced by drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge, and is also equivalent to the amount of oil we import from Iraq.”

KCGA and KGSPA both work at state and national levels to promote ethanol and other promising markets for Kansas feed grains.

May 10, 2001
Sorghum Commission, USGC Take Precautions to Protect Against FMD--The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is working with the US Grains Council to lessen the risk of foot and mouth disease from being spread to the U.S. The commission normally hosts several visits of foreign trade teams to Kansas farms every year. The Grains Council announced recently that it has suspended visits of foreign trade teams to the U.S.

 “This is a wise decision on the part of the US Grains Council and it is especially relevant to us here in Kansas because of our livestock industry,” KGSC Chairman John Ratzlaff of Moundridge said. “We fully support the council’s policy.”

 According to information received from the Council, all Council-supported travel by overseas teams to the United States will be postponed through the end of the 2001 fiscal year. In extenuating circumstances where such travel is essential (such as the Council’s International Value-Enhanced Grains Conference in Portland in July), overseas groups will not travel into rural areas. U.S. teams and missions traveling abroad will avoid visits to farms for the remainder of FY 2001.

 Last year, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission hosted trade teams from Morocco, Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines.

 “It’s very important to the grain sorghum commission to work to build export markets,” Ratzlaff said. “As we continue our outreach efforts with the US Grains Council, worldwide demand for U.S. sorghum will increase. At the same time we recognize that the livestock industry here in Kansas and neighboring states are our most important customers and it’s vital to protect that market.”

 The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is a nine-member board that determines how grain sorghum checkoff collections are invested in the areas of foreign and domestic market development, research, promotion and education.

April 26, 2001
Sorghum Is Reliable Alternative for Abandoned Wheat Acres--While many growers are in the midst of planting season for fall crops, some are also busy planning to abandon this year’s wheat crop. The latest estimates show that about 13 percent of the crop may be abandoned this year, and many growers will turn to grain sorghum to fill those fields.

“It’s never good news when you have to abandon any crop. Many of our sorghum growers also grow wheat,” according to Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission chairman John Ratzlaff. “But grain sorghum definitely will be a popular choice to replace those lost wheat acres.”

Sorghum is a popular replacement crop for wheat for many reasons. KSU agronomist Dale Fjell recently pointed out that grain sorghum is well suited for Kansas because it can thrive in almost all parts of the state, and the equipment needed to plant and harvest sorghum is the same as for wheat. Also, the window for planting grain sorghum is wide, giving growers flexibility in planting times.

KSU agricultural economist William Tierney, projected this week that 13.1 percent of the wheat crop could be abandoned leaving 8.6 million acres of wheat to be harvested, compared to 9.9 million acres planted—at total reduction of 1.3 million acres.

“Grain sorghum saw a large increase in acreage in 1996 when about a fourth of the wheat was abandoned because of freeze damage,” said Ratzlaff, who farms near Moundridge.

In 1996, grain sorghum harvested acres jumped to 4.7 million acres, compared to 3.2 million acres in 1995. Growers harvested 3.2 million acres in 2000, but yields were lower than normal.

 “Last year’s crop was much smaller than normal, mainly because of the drought late last summer,” he said.

 The shortfall of sorghum has increased prices for the grain in some areas of the state where demand is high. Demand for sorghum is increasing due to the livestock industry and the growing ethanol industry. An ethanol plant under construction in Russell estimated it would use about 9 million bushels of sorghum and other grains to produce 25 million gallons of ethanol annually. Most of the state’s sorghum crop is used to feed livestock. Sorghum is also the grain of choice for the four ethanol plants in state.

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is a nine-member board that determines how grain sorghum checkoff collections are invested in the areas of foreign and domestic market development, research, promotion and education.

April 3, 2001
Ethanol Incentive Will Help Sorghum Farmers-- The ethanol production incentive bill signed by Governor Bill Graves late last week will help increase the demand for grain sorghum and possibly offer growers value-added opportunities, according to Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman John Ratzlaff. The bill will establish an incentive for new ethanol production as well as continue the incentive for existing producers.

 “Grain sorghum is used to make most of the ethanol in Kansas,” Ratzlaff said. “This ethanol incentive will encourage new ethanol production in our state, and that will help our growers.

 The bill will extend the five cents per gallon incentive for existing ethanol producers for three years, and will add a 7.5 cents per gallon incentive for new ethanol producers for seven years. The total ethanol incentive program for both new and existing production is capped at $3.5 million per year.

 “Our neighboring states are seeing an increase in ethanol production because of incentives they offer,” Ratzlaff said. “This incentive makes Kansas a more attractive location to build an ethanol plant.”

 The state currently has four ethanol plants, located in Colwich, Leoti, Garden City and Atchison. Construction on a plant in Russell is underway. Several grower groups are also considering building plants using an ethanol pre-feasibility study and template funded by the KGSC, Kansas Corn Commission and Department of Commerce and Housing.

 “With the rapidly growing market for ethanol, growers are seeing ethanol production as a possible value-added opportunity,” Ratzlaff said. “Kansas is well suited for ethanol production. The incentive can significantly increase demand for our grains, and it could offer some growers value-added opportunities.”

 Kansas ethanol plants use primarily grain sorghum and corn to produce ethanol, a renewable, clean burning fuel.

 The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is a nine-member board that determines how grain sorghum checkoff collections are invested in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education.

March 22, 2001
Sumner County Leads in Sorghum Production--Sumner County was the state’s leading producer of grain sorghum in 2000. Recently released county estimates from the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service show sorghum production in south central Kansas has steadily increased over the past three years. 

Sumner County produced 8.8 million bushels of sorghum with an average yield of 70 bushels per acre. The second largest producer was Marshall County with 6.5 million bushels with an average yield of 90 bushels per acre. Washington County was third producing 5 million bushels with an average yield of 70 bushels per acre. Those three counties produced 11 percent of the state’s sorghum crop. 

“Interest in grain sorghum is very high in south central Kansas. Sumner County is often in the top three producing counties,” according to Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman John Ratzlaff of Moundridge. “Marshall and Washington counties are two counties that almost always are in the top three producing counties.”

 The three counties with the most harvested acres of sorghum were all located in the south central district. Sumner County led the state in harvested grain sorghum acreage with 126,000 acres. Reno County was second with 82,400 acres and Sedgwick County ranked third with 78,100 acres.

 The state was hit hard by extreme heat and dry conditions toward the end of the growing season, which resulted in lower yields on all fall crops. Brown and Woodson counties led the state in yield with 99 bushels per acre. Cherokee County had the third highest yield at 97 bushels per acre.

 The state average yield for dryland grain sorghum was 58 bushels per acre, while the average yield for irrigated sorghum was 93 bushels per acre. Dryland sorghum accounted for 97 percent of the 3.2 million acres of grain sorghum harvested in Kansas.

 Kansas continues to lead the nation in grain sorghum production, followed by Texas. Total grain sorghum production in Kansas was 188.8 million bushels, according the Kansas Ag Statistics.

 The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is made up of nine growers who represent the nine crop reporting districts in determining how the half-cent per bushel grain sorghum checkoff is invested in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education.

March 8, 2001

Kansas Helps Open Market for Sorghum in Philippines--The Philippine market is now open to U.S. sorghum, thanks to the efforts of the US Grains Council, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission (KGSC). The commission funds US Grains Council programs aimed at expanding export markets for grain sorghum.

To promote sorghum use in the Philippines, the Council conducted educational seminars, carried out extensive trade servicing, sponsored feeding trials and brought key industry leaders to the U.S. for an educational tour. In September, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission hosted a US Grains Council-sponsored trade team of grain buyers from the Philippines. The group toured a swine farm near Washington, met with a Kansas State University swine specialist. They also toured farmers cooperatives in Hanover and Manhattan.

“We have a long history of working with the US Grains Council to expand grain sorghum exports. A few years ago, we were successful in establishing sorghum sales to Morocco, and now we are creating a new market for our sorghum in the Philippines,” according to KGSC Chairman John Ratzlaff, Moundridge. “These smaller markets are very important to our grain sorghum exports, and often it’s just a matter of educating buyers about the qualities of our product.”

Before 1999, no sorghum was imported or used in the Philippines. But educational and promotional efforts have increased the grain’s popularity with feeders in the country. According to the US Grains Council the U.S. shipped 11,666 metric tons (nearly 460,000 bushels), valued at $1 million, through the P.L. 480 food aid program in 1999. In 2000, the Philippines imported 39,370 metric tons (1.55 million bushels) of U.S. sorghum, valued at $3.6 million.

“Imports have jumped from nothing to more than 1.5 million bushels in two years. That’s a good start,” Ratzlaff said. “Kansas is the leading producer of sorghum, and the United States is responsible for 87 percent of the world sorghum trade, so developing exports is important for Kansas growers.”

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is made up of nine growers who represent the nine crop reporting districts in determining how the half-cent per bushel grain sorghum checkoff is invested in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education.

Thu Mar 1 15:21:19 CST 2001
Certified Sorghum Program May Enhance Markets---Soon, a pet food manufacturer will buy Certified Pet Food Sorghum to meet his company’s special nutritional needs, and a health food company will purchase Certified Specialty Sorghum to market to people for its high antioxidant qualities. These are two of four categories in the Certified Sorghum marketing program unveiled at the recent National Sorghum Industry Conference. The program will create new opportunities for sorghum growers in Kansas and other sorghum states. “NGSP’s Certified Sorghum program will target end users by creating a certification system and promoting the certified sorghum to end users,” according to John Ratzlaff, Moundridge. Ratzlaff is chairman of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. “Growers will benefit from targeted marketing that could also bring premium prices.” End users will be able to purchase Certified Food Sorghum; Certified Specialty Sorghum, Certified Sorghum Feed and Certified Pet Food Sorghum. Each of the four focused areas will specify selected varieties that are appropriate for their end uses. NGSP will maintain a database of growers who are producing specific varieties. “We haven’t had a comprehensive, industry-wide system to follow where the sorghum grower would plant a certain variety for a certain end use,” Ratzlaff said. “This sets some parameters that will help growers in their planting decisions and end users in their buying decisions.” Certified Food Sorghum will focus on varieties suited to the many new food uses for food quality sorghum. Specialty sorghum will target varieties of sorghum that are high in antioxidants or have other properties that could be used as functional foods. Certified Sorghum Feed and will have qualities that benefit the different segments of the livestock. Certified Pet Food Sorghum will have qualities to meet the specialized needs of the pet food industry with special attention to resistance to mycotoxins. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission funds research work through the National Sorghum Producers to increase markets for sorghum through new and innovative uses. Ratzlaff said that research is paying off through efforts like the new marketing program. “Interest in sorghum is definitely on the increase. Not only is it an excellent livestock feed, it is also gaining popularity with pet food makers. Interest is growing in the area of food grade sorghum, and that makes a lot of sense, since over half of the sorghum produced worldwide is used for human food.” The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is made up of nine growers who determine how the half-cent sorghum checkoff is invested in the areas of research, foreign and domestic market development, promotion, education and communications.

February 2, 2001

Sorghum Research Will Highlight National Conference--- The grain sorghum industry will gather in Nashville Feb. 18-20 for a sorghum research and utilization conference. The 22nd Biennial Grain Sorghum Research and Utilization Conference will offer producers and others in the grain sorghum industry a unique opportunity to learn about cutting edge research and market development efforts. “The National Sorghum Producers hold a conference every year, and every other year we focus on sorghum research. This gives people in the grain sorghum industry a chance to share ideas and new technologies,” according to KGSC Chairman John Ratzlaff, Moundridge. The conference is a joint effort hosted by NGSP and the Sorghum Improvement Conference of North America (SICNA). Sabetha grower Leo Bindel, NGSP president, and Roger Monk, SICNA chairman, will preside over the conference. This joint meeting format allows all segments of the grain sorghum community to share ideas and new technologies. The latest developments in sorghum research will be featured during the conference by leading scientists from across the continent. Research presentations will be given on breeding and genetics, chemistry and utilization, technology transfer, pathology, biotechnology and entomology. Discussion panels and presentations from agribusiness representatives will round out the agenda. NGSP will unveil a new marketing program geared toward promoting sorghum to the food processing industry, retailers and consumers. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission funds sorghum research projects at Kansas State University and through a national research consortium managed by NGSP. “This is an especially useful conference for those of us who are making funding decisions for grain sorghum,” Ratzlaff said. Winners of the 2000 National Grain Sorghum Yield and Management Contest also will be honored at the conference. Three Kansas growers were national winners. Jerry Guenther of Wilson County placed first in the Mulch-Till Non-Irrigated Division. Gary Resco of Cloud County placed second in the Conventional Till Non-irrigated Division. Republic County grower Elmer Holmes received second place in the Ridge-Till Irrigated Division.

January 25, 2001

Inaction on California Waiver is Good News for Ethanol, Sorghum--- Ethanol producers and growers who supply grain to ethanol production watched closely during the Clinton administration’s final hours. Many feared Clinton would sign a waiver that would exempt California from the oxygenate requirement under the Clean Air Act. That waiver could have crushed a 600 million gallon market for ethanol. Clinton failed to sign the waiver, to the surprise of some California lawmakers and to the relief of feed grains growers. Lawmakers from California requested the waiver claiming that the state could meet the requirements of the act without using oxygenates in their fuels. They also questioned the ability of the ethanol industry to supply the state with enough oxygenates to replace MTBE. MTBE is being phased out in California and other states because of concerns over groundwater contamination. It has been used to add oxygen to gasoline so the fuel burns more cleanly. Ethanol is seen as the clean and safe replacement for MTBE to meet clean air regulations. The promising market for ethanol as a replacement for MTBE is leading to an increased interest in ethanol production. In Kansas, several grower groups are considering building ethanol production facilities. The state’s central location, feed grain supply and livestock industry which provides a market for distillers grains, makes it a good candidate for increased ethanol production. “This may be a great opportunity for growers and communities in the state to benefit from the rapidly increasing market for ethanol,” according to Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman John Ratzlaff of Moundridge. Tosco, Corp., one of the nation’s largest independent oil refiners and marketers is replacing MTBE at California Union 76 and Circle K outlets by the end of this year. The company has about one-fifth of the California gasoline market. More than 600 million gallons of ethanol would be needed to replace all the MTBE used in California. Ethanol production in 2000 was at a record 1.6 billion gallons and industry officials say output could be doubled within a year, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. More than 600 million bushels of grain are currently used in ethanol production. In Kansas, the four existing ethanol plants create a market for about 20 million bushels of grain sorghum and corn. “In most states, corn is grain used in ethanol production. Kansas is unique in that aspect of ethanol production. Here, sorghum is the grain of choice, and we have a vested interest in increasing ethanol production,” Ratzlaff said. “There is no question that ethanol production boosts the price we receive for our sorghum.” The KGSC, along with the Kansas Corn Commission and Kansas Department of Commerce Agricultural Products Division funded the creation of a pre-feasibility study and template currently being used by several groups to determine if an ethanol plant would succeed in their communities. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and Kansas Corn Growers Association worked with a nationally known ethanol consultant to compile the study.

Fri Jan 19 16:39:11 CST 2001
GRAIN SORGHUM PRODUCTION FIGURES REBOUND SLIGHTLY Kansas growers produced 188.8 million bushels of grain sorghum in 2000, down 69.6 million bushels from the 1999 crop. The final production figures were recently released by Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service. Kansas remains the nation’s leading sorghum producer. Sorghum acres were down slightly from 1999, but late summer weather conditions caused most of the drop in production. In its August projections, Ag Statistics estimated the grain sorghum crop at 243.2 million bushels with a yield of 76 bushels per acre. Those estimates dropped to 192 million bushels in September with a yield of 60 bushels per acre. The estimates dropped again in the October and November reports to 176.7 million bushels with yields projected at 57 bushels per acre. The decreases were due to the extreme late summer heat and drought experienced in most areas of the state. The Kansas crop lost 54.4 million bushels between the August projection and the final production estimates for 2000. However, the final production numbers did show a seven percent increase over the October and November crop projections. “In these extreme conditions, grain sorghum usually exceeds our expectations,” according to Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman John Ratzlaff of Moundridge. “One of the reasons so many growers depend on grain sorghum is that is more drought tolerant than many crops. It can produce in the hot and dry weather.” Kansas remained the leading producer of grain sorghum in the U.S. supplying 40 percent of the nation’s sorghum. Texas was the second largest producer harvesting 143 million bushels--30 percent of the nation’s crop. ###

Wed Jan 10 10:00:33 CST 2001
KANSAS SORGHUM GROWERS WIN NATIONAL YIELD HONORS Three Kansas sorghum growers won national honors in the 2000 National Grain Sorghum Yield and Management Contest. The contest is sponsored by National Sorghum Producers. Wilson County grower Jerry Guenther placed first among national entries in the Mulch-Till Non-Irrigated Division. Guenther planted Pioneer 8500 and had a yield of 155.87 bushels per acre, compared to a county average of 76.8 bushels. Gary Resco of Cloud County placed second in the Conventional Till Non-irrigated Division. Resco planted Pioneer 84G62 and had a yield of 171.42 bushels per acre, compared to the county average of 76.3 bushels. Republic County grower Elmer Holmes received second place in the Ridge-Till Irrigated Division. Holmes planted NC+ 8R18 with a yield of 169.68 bushels per acre, compared to a county average of 89 bushels. “It’s great to have three national winners,” according to Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association President Greg Shelor, Minneola. “Kansas is the leader in sorghum production and we are proud to have these three growers recognized on the national level.” State winners and categories follow. Conventional –Till Irrigated: 3M Farms, Seward County, placed first planting NC+ 8R18 with a yield of 142.46 bushels, compared to a county average of 90 bushels; Terry and Steve Gaunt, Barton County, placed second with Pioneer 84G62 with a yield of 140.26 compared to a county average of 96.7 bushels; Cordell Farms, Sedgwick County, placed third, planting Pioneer 84G62 with a yield of 110.36, compared to a county average of 99.3 bushels. Conventional-Till Non-Irrigated: Gary Resco, Cloud County placed first in the state and second in the nation planting Pioneer 84G62 with a yield of 171.42 compared to a county average of 76.3; second, Jerry Guenther, Wilson County planting Pioneer 84G62 with a yield of 161.65 compared to a county average of 76.8; and third Baugher Farms, Labette County planting Pioneer 84G62 with a yield of 149.13 compared to a county average of 69.6 bushels per acre. Mulch Till Non-Irrigated: Jerry Guenther, Wilson County, received first place on the state and national levels planting Pioneer 8500 with a yield of 155.87 compared to a county average of 76.8; second, Larry Ronnebaum, Nemaha County, planting Novartis K73J6 with a yield of 140.13 compared to a county average 86.6 bushels; third, File Farms, Jewell County, with Novartis K73J6 with a yield of 125.99 compared to a county average of 78.3. No-Till Non-Irrigated: first, Hubbell Brothers, Hodgeman County, planting Dekalb DK44 with a yield of 100.9 compared to a county average of 64.2; second, Richard LeClair, Clay County planting Pioneer 84G62 with a yield of 108.82 compared to a county average of 80.3; third, Giessel Brothers, Pawnee County, planting Pioneer 84G62 with a yield of 101.35 compared to a county average of 82.2. Ridge Till Irrigated: Elmer Holmes, Republic County, placed first in the state and second in the nation planting NC+ 8R18 with a yield of 169.68 compared to a county average of 89 bushels; second, Donald Wallin, Republic County, planting Dekalb DK66 with a yield of 139.14 compared to the county average of 89 bushels.

Tue Nov 28 13:47:59 CST 2000
Kansas Grain Sorghum Leaders Elected---The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association re-elected Greg Shelor to lead the association at a meeting held Nov. 14 at the Kansas Commodity Classic in Wichita. Shelor farms near Minneola. He has served on the KGSPA board since 1997 and is a former member of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. Shelor is beginning his second term as KGSPA president. The remainder of the KGSPA leadership was also re-elected. Kelly Miller, Ellinwood, is KGSPA vice president. Jeff Filinger, Cuba, is KGSPA secretary. Earl Roemer, Healy, is KGSPA treasurer. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association was formed in 1976 by Kansas farmers, and is based in Garnett. The state association is affiliated with the National Sorghum Producers.

Thu Nov 2 15:06:00 CST 2000
KANSAS GRAIN SORGHUM PRODUCERS ANNUAL MEETING NOV. 14--- The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association will hold its annual meeting at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 14 at the Broadview Hotel, 400 W. Douglas, Wichita. All grain sorghum growers are invited and encouraged to attend. The meeting will feature updates on activities of the KGSPA. Members will also discuss and approve 2001 resolutions for the association. The annual meeting is held in conjunction with the activities of the Kansas Commodity Classic, to be held Wednesday, November 15 at the Wichita Broadview Hotel. For information, call 800-489-2676.

Mon Oct 30 08:55:25 CST 2000
Children to Learn about Sorghum at American Royal--- More than 14,000 school children will learn about agriculture at this year’s American Royal in Kansas City. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission’s educational exhibit at the American Royal’s “World of Agriculture” will showcase sorghum’s importance to Kansas agriculture. Classes from many area schools in Kansas and Missouri will tour the World of Agriculture from Friday, October 27 through Friday November 3. Several commodity groups from Kansas and Missouri participate in the educational area at the American Royal. “Events like these are great opportunities for us to teach about grain sorghum and agriculture to school kids as well as the many adults who visit the American Royal,” KGSC Chairman John Ratzlaff of Moundridge said. “Fewer people have ties to the farm today and efforts like these are needed to keep people aware of the important role agriculture plays in their lives.” The grain sorghum display will feature information on the uses of grain sorghum in the United States and in other countries. While most sorghum in the U.S. is fed to livestock or used to make ethanol, people in other countries rely on sorghum as a staple cereal grain. “We’ll explain that Kansas is the #1 producer of grain sorghum. We’ll tell how we use it as a nutritious feed for livestock like cattle, hogs and poultry, and we’ll explain how grain sorghum is used to make ethanol,” Ratzlaff said. “Worldwide, over half of the sorghum grown is used for human food uses. For people in many parts of Africa and Asia, sorghum is a staple cereal food.” “When you’re talking to children, it’s good to tie your product to something that is important to them. Kids learn that their hamburgers come from cattle, so cattle become important to them. Then they learn that cattle eat grain sorghum, then grain sorghum becomes more important to them.” The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission invests the half-cent grain sorghum checkoff in the areas of research, foreign and domestic market development, promotion and education. ###

Fri Sep 8 13:12:28 CDT 2000
Corn, Sorghum Growers Heading to EPA Hearings in Topeka and Dodge City--- The Kansas corn and sorghum growers are being encouraged to shut down their combines for an evening to attend EPA water quality hearings in Topeka and Dodge City. EPA’s new water quality proposals for the state will be discussed, including proposals that could allow EPA regulation of farm ponds and require all streams in Kansas be classified as fishable and swimmable. The EPA Hearing Dates and Locations are: Wednesday, September 13, 6:30 p.m. at the Kansas Center for Historical Research, near the intersection of I-70 and Wanamaker Road; and Thursday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Best Western Silver Spur Convention Center, Dodge City. EPA has scheduled a question and answer session from 4-6 p.m. before each hearing. “EPA’s water quality proposals would have a big impact on farming operations across the state. There are a lot of people who hope the growers will be too busy to show up at these hearings. That’s why it’s important for us to be there,” according to Greg Shelor, Minneola. Shelor is president of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. KCGA, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) and several other agricultural organizations are working to let growers know about the upcoming hearings and to ask them to participate. “To say this is a busy time of year for farmers is an understatement,” Kansas Corn Growers Association President Alan Peter of Tribune said. “But we’ve got to take the time to show up at this hearing and let EPA know how these unnecessary regulations would affect our farming operations.” A group of agricultural associations in Kansas have been working for the past year to educate growers and others about the TMDL (total maximum daily load) water quality process. “These EPA water quality proposals are in response to lawsuits filed against the EPA by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups,” according to Jere White, KGSPA and KCGA executive director. “They continue to file lawsuits against EPA claiming that Kansas is not enforcing the Clean Water Act.” In response to the last settlement which established TMDLs in Kansas, the agricultural community had stepped up its water quality efforts by forming the TMDL Working Group. The group has been educating growers and others about the TMDL process for the past year. “Now, those of us who have been working proactively for water quality are now having to spend our time reacting to these unnecessary and unrealistic regulations,” White said. Kansas agriculture has long been an advocate for water quality. The Kansas Corn Commission and Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission have funded research at Kansas State University to develop best management practices and have backed grower education efforts for water quality.

Increasing Demand for Meat Means Continued Sorghum Export Growth---When it comes to increasing grain sorghum exports, growers are banking on a continued growth in world meat consumption. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission works with the U.S. Grains Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation to create additional demand for feed grains through increased exports.

“The U.S. Grains Council helps us develop export markets for our feed grains while the U.S. Meat Export Federation works to boost exports of meats. There is a world demand for both our feed grains and our meats, and both types of exports build grain markets for our growers here in the U.S.,” according to KGSC Chairman John Ratzlaff, Moundridge.

The U.S. Grains Council projects meat consumption to continue its rapid growth in developing nations in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Two important factors are population growth, which is expected to increase 1.2 percent annually, and world gross domestic product, expected ton increase up to 3.5 percent annually.

U.S. pork and beef exports also continue their upward trends. The U.S. Meat Export Federation continues to develop markets in Japan and South Korea as well as Mexico. “This (1999) was our best ever year for U.S. beef exports to South Korea,” USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said, adding that Mexico has also been a rewarding market. “We foresaw that our efforts to increase our market share would pay dividends down the road. Two consecutive years of record exports and Mexican purchases of higher-valued items are our reward.”

The likely result of this global and financial growth is an increase in demand for animal protein in the form of meat, milk and eggs. Christopher Delgado of the International Food Policy Research Institute projects protein consumption will increase dramatically. Delgado predicted that world per capita meat consumption will exceed 303 million metric tons (mmt) by 2020, an increase of 65 percent from 1993. Milk consumption is expected to rise by nearly 60 percent over the same period. Delgado spoke at a U.S. Grains Council meeting earlier this year.

Delgado predicted most of the growth will come from developing countries. Per capita meat consumption could increase more than 40 percent between 1993 and 2020 while milk consumption may jump 55 percent. China and sub-Saharan Africa will more than double meat and milk consumption and India will more than triple its demand for milk.

At the same time, developing countries are not likely to grow enough grain to support their meat and dairy production. Between 1982 and 1994, developing country grain production rose an average of 2.3 percent annually, but the use of feed grain jumped 4.2 percent annually. Grain import needs in developing countries are expected to triple by 2020, according to the USGC.

“The export market for Kansas grain sorghum is very promising. Kansas normally grows about 45 percent of the nation’s grain sorghum crop and 87 percent of the grain sorghum sold on the export market comes from the U.S.,” Ratzlaff said. “The U.S. grows only 30 percent of the world’s sorghum, but our sorghum is in demand because it is of high quality and is virtually tannin-free.”

July 5, 2000

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Explores Growing Mexican Market The export market is a growing factor for Kansas grain sorghum producers. That’s why the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission participated in the US Grains Council’s “Meet Your Customer” conference in Mexico City recently.

Kansas grows over 40 percent of the U.S. grain sorghum crop each year, and the U.S. is responsible for 87 percent of the world’s sorghum exports. Mexico is a leading customer for US sorghum.

“Sure, we feed a lot of the sorghum grown in Kansas. But when you grow 40 percent of the nation’s crop and when the U.S. is responsible for most of the world’s exports, you know we figure heavily in the export market,” Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman John Ratzlaff said.

Sue Schulte, communications director for the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association joined representatives from the Kansas Department of Commerce Agricultural Products Division, Kansas Corn Commission and 21st Century Alliance on the conference that focused on bringing together importers and exporters of feed grains. KGSPA contracts with the commission to provide promotion and market development services.

The group held discussions on transporting grain to Mexico by rail, ship and truck. The rail system is being improved to allow more grain to move by rail throughout the country. Conference participants talked about border crossing procedures and improvements being made to Mexico’s transportation infrastructure. Carl Reed, grain storage specialist at K-State’s International Grains Program talked to the group about quality concerns and storage.

“There have historically been concerns about these issues,” Schulte said. “By meeting face to face with our Mexican customers, we were able to gain a better understanding of what they expect from us, and how to deliver a quality product.”

A conference trade show allowed grower groups and grain marketers to share information with potential Mexican buyers. The Kansas group cooperated in a tabletop display where information on Kansas agricultural products was displayed.

“We had many good opportunities to talk face to face with our Mexican buyers,” Schulte said. “Spanish and English versions of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Quality Study were distributed at the conference.”

Interest in U.S./Mexico feed grains trade is very high. The US Grains Council originally planned to have about 40 U.S. participants and 40 Mexican participants. That number more than 150 participants from the U.S. and 150 participants from Mexico.

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission works closely with the US Grains Council to expand export markets.

Mon May 22, 2000

Kansas Corn and Sorghum Growers Go After China Trade
Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers will use telephones,
cellular phones and the internet to remind their congressmen 
to continue their support of permanent normal trade 
relations with China. The U.S. House of Representatives is 
expected to vote on free trade with China the week of May 
22.

Free trade with China would give U.S. farmers access to the
largest market in the world for agricultural goods. That's 
why the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain 
Sorghum Producers Association support Permanent Normal Trade 
Relations with China, according to KGSPA and KCGA leaders.

"We are in the business of feeding people and China has a 
lot of people. Grain producers will benefit from both the 
increased markets for grain and for livestock," according to 
Greg Shelor, KGSPA President. "Most of us are in our 
tractors now, so I'd encourage our growers to use their 
cellular phones to call their congressmen and ask them to 
continue to support free trade with China."

The members of the Kansas congressional delegation have 
indicated their support for permanent normal trade relations
with China.

"We are lucky to have Congressmen who support free trade 
with China, but they are being targeted by enemies of free
trade and they need to hear from growers through phone 
calls, letters and e-mails," KCGA President Alan Peter said. 

"China is making concessions to open trade, but the U.S.
doesn't give up anything. Why would we shut out American 
farmers from the largest market in the world?"

Internet access and toll free telephone numbers make grower 
action on this issue very simple, according to Jere White, 
KCGA and KGSPA Executive Director.

"National Corn Growers Association has a new internet 
Legislative Action Center at www.ncga.com that gives you 
direct e-mail access to your legislators as well as 
background on the issue," White said. "When you're on that 
site you're only a click away from your congressman." 

Growers can use a toll free number provided by the 
Agriculture Trade Coalition. The number, (888) 550-8013,
will connect growers directly to the Capitol switchboard.
A yes vote for permanent normal trade relations with China 
would mean China would stop subsidizing corn exports and 
open its market to U.S. corn sales. Over the next few years, 
it would mean a more than 360 million bushel improvement in 
feed grain demand. A yes vote would also give Kansas beef 
and pork easy access to China¹s nearly 1.3 billion 
consumers, which would result in a greater demand for Kansas 
feed grains.

"The United States has already opened its markets to 
products made in China. Yet, the U.S. doesn¹t have equal 
access to sell our products there," White said. "This vote 
doesn¹t give up anything. We simply open the doors to a new 
market. For many years, the doors have swung only one way, 
allowing products to flow in but not out. It is time to 
reverse this trend."   

Tue May 16 2000
Kansas Grower Executive Leads Triazine Symposium---
Growers to EPA: Check the Facts on Atrazine Classification
EPA's assessment of atrazine as a "likely carcinogen" is incorrect, according to a risk assessor who spoke at a Triazine Network symposium on May 10. Earle Nestmann of CANTOX Health Sciences International conducted a review of atrazine on behalf of the Triazine Network and presented his conclusions at the symposium.

The national symposium to discuss issues surrounding EPA's special review of the triazine herbicides atrazine and simazine was chaired by Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. White is chairman of the Triazine Network, a grower group concerned with the Special Review of the Triazine herbicides atrazine and simazine. The symposium, held in Washington, DC, included grower representatives, top EPA staff and congressional staff.

"Our goal was to bring together the decision makers and growers to discuss the latest science and stewardship efforts related to the triazine herbicides," White said.

"The Triazine Network's goal is to make certain that EPA's decisions on these herbicides are based on sound scientific research."

Speakers at the symposium also included Lois Rossi, Director of the Office of Special Review and Reregistrations for EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, and Bill Wood, Office of Public Health. Wood manages the program that is looking into revisions to EPA's cancer guidelines.

In its review, CANTOX used EPA's own revised draft 1999 carcinogen risk assessment guidelines which have not yet been formally adopted by the agency. EPA should wait to propose a cancer classification for atrazine until after it finalizes its cancer guidelines, White said.

Nestmann told the symposium participants that experimental data "strongly suggest" a conclusion that atrazine's mode of action in test animals is not relevant to humans. EPA's position that atrazine's mode of action to humans cannot be ruled out "puts everybody in the impossible position of having to prove a negative," he added.

At high doses, atrazine has been associated with the earlier development or increased incidence of mammary gland tumors in female Sprague-Dawley rats. These female rats commonly develop these tumors without exposure to atrazine, Nestmann said.

Unlike EPA, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that atrazine's mode of action is not relevant to humans.

White is chairman of the Triazine Network, a grower network established in 1995 in response to EPA's Special Review of the triazine herbicides. Atrazine and simazine have been used for more than 40 years to control broadleaf and grassy weeds on corn, sorghum, sugarcane, citrus, apples, grapes, nuts and vegetables. In the U.S., atrazine is used on two-thirds of all corn and sorghum acres.

"It's not just that the Triazines are critical tools in reliable weed control," White said. "They are cost effect, they provide flexibility in timing of application, and they
play a major role in environmentally sound farming practices.

Thu Apr 27 14:34:13 CDT 2000
HOW'S THE WEATHER?

Watching the weather in Kansas this spring is like reading the story of the three bears. In our visits with growers around the state, their moisture situation falls into three categories: much too dry, fairly dry and just right. While some of us could use a little more rain (please), statewide, Kansas is in much better shape than our neighbors to the north and east.

According to the April 24 Crop Weather report compiled by the Agricultural Statistics Offices in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, Kansas is far ahead in moisture. Kansas crop reporting districts with the driest conditions are north central, northeast and east central.

Topsoil Moisture

Very Short: Kansas-1%; Missouri-23%; Nebraska-23%
Short: Kansas-23%; Missouri-48%; Nebraska-41%
Adequate: Kansas-75%; Missouri-29%; Nebraska-36%
Surplus: Kansas-1%; Missouri-0%; Nebraska-0%