LINCOLN — The Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board (NGSB) and the Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association (NeSPA) announced plans for sorghum hybrid and test plots across the state in 2020. NeSPA will once again sponsor a sorghum hybrid plot near Trenton, Nebraska. The plot will be administered and hosted by NGSB Chairman, Mike Baker. NeSPA will also sponsor a food-grade and organic sorghum-only plot in Madison County. The Madison County plot will be administered by United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) and NGSB board member, Klint Stewart. The hybrid plots will include varieties from several seed company partners, including the newly-labeled Advanta IGrowth herbicide-resistant sorghum lines. IGrowth is the first herbicide-resistant sorghum technology to be labeled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States.
Sorghum has also partnered with University of Nebraska Dryland Cropping Systems Specialist, Dr. Cody Creech, to test sorghum varieties as part of The University of Nebraska State Variety Testing Program (SVTP). SVTP plots will be located across the state, near Sidney, Grant, Clay Center, and Lincoln. The Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board will once again support and participate in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Testing Ag Performance Solutions (UNL TAPS) program, administered by Mr. Chuck Burr and his team near North Platte.
“Sorghum has been a reliable option in crop rotations across the state for many years,” Dr. Creech said in a statement. “When rainfall or irrigation is limited, sorghum is one of the most water efficient options a producer could use. The University of Nebraska State Variety Testing Program is committed to providing reliable and unbiased yield data from the diverse growing regions of the state to assist producers in their planting decisions. We are grateful for the support and assistance offered by the NGSB”.
“Nebraska boasts vast climatological diversity from east to west. Nebraska Sorghum is excited to expand our NeSPA hybrid plots across the state in 2020,” NeSPA and NGSB Executive Director, Nate Blum, stated. “The partnership with University of Nebraska Extension will also provide valuable information as we optimize the sorghum variety information that Nebraska growers rely on as they make decisions to maximize revenues on their farms.”
The seven sorghum farmers serving on the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board administer the check-off assessed on all grain sorghum sold in the state. The board’s annual budget is allocated to the areas of research, market development, and education.
— Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board and Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association
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