Great Plains Sorghum Improvement and Utilization Center
Purpose
To develop regional effect by pooling and integrating the research and extension resources for sorghum improvement, utilization, production, and marketing located at Kansas State University, Texas Tech University, and Texas A&M University, including USDA-ARS scientists located on those campuses with assigned sorghum responsibilities. These efforts are aimed at:
- Improving the agronomic characteristics, yield potential, and feed value of sorghum through plant breeding and genetic improvement. Kansas State University will lead this research with cooperation from the other institutions.
- Developing new uses for sorghum, especially for bioenergy, feed, and other non-food and food applications, emphasizing the grain's “gluten-free” status. Kansas State will lead this research with cooperation from the other institutions.
- Providing market and policy analysis while developing educational programs for different sorghum-based products and production systems to increase profitability of all segments of the U.S. sorghum industry. Texas Tech will lead this research with cooperation from the other institutions.
- Identifying more efficient sorghum cropping and production strategies that enhance efficiency of water and nutrient use while providing farmers with new options for control of weeds and other pests.
Relevance
The United States is currently the number one producer and exporter of sorghum in the world market. Grain sorghum is the third most important cereal crop grown in the United States and the fifth most important cereal crop grown in the world. The United States harvests about 8.6 million acres of sorghum annually and production is concentrated in the central and southern plains — representing approximately 85 percent of total production. The lack of a comprehensive research program has prevented sorghum from reaching its full potential in the United States. This initiative should improve grain sorghum production and processing at the local and regional levels, as well as having a national and international impact.
Accomplishments/Impacts
- Increased Yields. Because sorghum uniquely adapts to environmental extremes of abiotic stress, a comprehensive research program was initiated in 2007 to increase sorghum yield on limited water supplies.
- European Union Market Growth. The European Union market for U.S. sorghum has expanded rapidly in the last two years, outpacing traditional U.S. markets like Japan and Mexico. U.S. exports to the European Union in 2007 and 2008 have grown to three and 10 times the average 2000-2006 export level, respectively.
- Downturn in Mexico. The Mexican market for U.S. sorghum continues to shrink; U.S. exports to Mexico decreased 40 percent in the last five years. The Mexican feeding industry is turning to corn at a rapid pace. Although the decline may slow in the future, new alternative uses/markets for U.S. sorghum must be found soon.
- Searchable Database. A sorghum Web site was developed with a searchable database populated with publications covering all aspects of sorghum production and marketing. Other outreach activities have included publication of a newsletter and organization of a field day for sorghum professionals.
Lead Agency: Kansas State University
Partners: Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University
Federal Funding Request for FY 2010: $2.5 million (TTU receives 33.3 percent of total over $137,000)