Thursday March 30 Ag News

NEBRASKA HOG INVENTORY DOWN 1%

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2023, was 3.55 million head, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was down 1% from March 1, 2022, and down 1% from December 1, 2022. Breeding hog inventory, at 385,000 head, was down 10% from March 1, 2022, and down 4% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 3.17 million head, was down slightly from last year, and down 1% from last quarter.

The December 2022 - February 2023 Nebraska pig crop, at 2.03 million head, was down 9% from 2022. Sows farrowed during the period totaled 180,000 head, down 5% from last year. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.25 for the December - February period, compared to 11.70 last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 180,000 sows during the March - May 2023 quarter, down 3% from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago. Intended farrowings for June - August 2023 are 175,000 sows, down 5% from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago.

Iowa: On March 1, 2023, there were 23.4 million hogs and pigs on Iowa farms, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Hogs and Pigs report. Inventory was down 3 percent from the previous quarter but up 1 percent from the previous year.

The December 2022-February 2023 quarterly pig crop was 5.38 million head, down 10 percent from the previous quarter but up slightly from last year. A total of 470,000 sows farrowed during this quarter. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.45 for the quarter. As of March 1, producers planned to farrow 490,000 sows and gilts in the March-May 2023 quarter and 505,000 head during the June-
August 2023 quarter.



United States Hog Inventory Up Slightly

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2023 was 72.9 million head. This was up slightly from March 1, 2022, but down 2 percent from December 1, 2022. Breeding inventory, at 6.13 million head, was up slightly from last year, but down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 66.7 million head, was up slightly from last year, but down 2 percent from last quarter.

By State              (1,000 head - % Mar 1 '22)
Illinois ...............:       5,350        101  
Indiana ..............:       4,300        101  
Iowa ..................:       23,400     101  
Minnesota .........:       8,900        103  
North Carolina ..:       8,000        100  

The December 2022-February 2023 pig crop, at 32.1 million head, was up  slightly from last year. Sows farrowing during this period totaled  2.91 million head, down slightly from previous year. The sows farrowed during  this quarter represented 47 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.02 for the December 2022-February 2023 period, compared to 10.95 last year.

United States hog producers intend to have 2.93 million sows farrow during the March-May 2023 quarter, down 1 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period one year earlier, and down 3 percent from the same period two years earlier. Intended farrowings for June-August 2023, at 2.97 million sows, are down 3 percent from the same period one year earlier, and down 3 percent from the same period two years earlier.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 51 percent of the total United States hog inventory, up 2 percent from the previous year.



Nebraska FFA honors outstanding contributions through VIP, Distinguished Service and
Cornerstone Awards
 
The Nebraska State FFA Association recognizes those who have dedicated themselves in doing
their part to better the organization and the assisting the chapters and students in it. At the
95th Nebraska FFA State Convention, March 29-31, individuals and organizations have been
awarded the following honors at various sessions:

The VIP and Distinguished Service Award recipients exemplify service to the FFA Association.
The VIP Award is given to an individual, and the Distinguished Service Award is presented to a
company or organization. The 2023 recipient of the VIP Award is Glenn Baumert of Wahoo.
The 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award is BigIron.

The Cornerstone Awards are sponsored by Cornerstone Bank, and are given to school
administrators who offer support and invest time into their agricultural education programs
and FFA Chapters. The 2023 recipients of the Cornerstone Award are:
● Chuck Lambert of Bridgeport (Superintendent)
● Dawn Moser of Mead (Guidance Counselor)
● Phillip Picquet of Perkins County (Superintendent)
● Cody Wallinger of McCool Junction (Principal)



Nebraska FFA awards Honorary State FFA Degrees to outstanding teachers, friends, and
supporters

A select group of people were awarded the Honorary State FFA Degree at the 95th Annual
State FFA Convention, hosted in Lincoln March 29-31. The Honorary State FFA Degree
recognizes those who have helped advance agricultural education and their FFA chapters
through outstanding service. Honorary degrees are bestowed on a variety of farmers, school
superintendents, principals, members of boards of education, chapter advisors, teachers, and
staff members, business people and others who have dedicated themselves to helping further
FFA and its members.

Teachers in agricultural education receiving their Honorary Degree are:
● Lacey Berger
● Kate Grimes
● Marsha Kaslon
● Toni Rasmussen

Friends and supporters of Nebraska FFA receiving their Honorary Degree are:
● Jason Bartels
● Nic Colgrove
● Lorn Dizmang
● Max Emerton
● Kurt Glather
● Ben Jones
● The late Caleb Ladehoff
● Sandra Lukassen
● Danny McCullock
● Chase Nordhues
● Nu-Core Steel
● Nancy Paasch
● Kenny Reinke



Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Announces 2023 FFA Advisors of the Year

This week hundreds of FFA students and their advisors from across the state descended on Lincoln for this year’s State FFA Convention. Each year the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation selects two recipients for their FFA Advisor of the Year award. This award honors FFA advisors for outstanding work in their local communities.

Hannah Horak from Shelton High School and Boyd Bowder from St. Paul High School were honored at the Nebraska State FFA Convention on Thursday, March 30, in Lincoln. The winning advisors received a plaque and a $1,000 donation to their FFA chapter.

The teachers were nominated by their students and chosen based upon their school and community involvement, leadership development in their classroom, and their ability to keep their students involved in agriculture.

“The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is proud to support these exceptional educators. They go above and beyond for their students and the industry they love, and the future of Nebraska agriculture is bright thanks to their work,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation.

Horak is the FFA Advisor for the Shelton FFA Chapter. As described by her students, Horak creates a learning community through relationships with other teachers, community members, students, and agriculture industry members to aid in agricultural and career development. A great example is the activity the Shelton FFA Chapter hosted in the school’s greenhouse for elementary students. FFA members taught the elementary students how to plant flowers and grow houseplants. Each elementary student not only took home a plant of their own, but Ms. Horak planted a seed in each of those elementary students that encouraged them to become involved in agriculture.

“I am honored to be nominated and recognized for this award. In just seven years, the Shelton FFA chapter has grown and succeeded in many different ways. It’s been an honor to work with an incredible group of students and community members who are passionate about agricultural education and FFA. There are many amazing educators in this state who are deserving of this award, and I’m humbled to know that my students found me deserving of it too. I appreciate the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation for sponsoring this award and other programs such as the Teacher Retention Award and the Connecting Chapters Program, which have benefited the Shelton FFA Chapter and myself personally,” said Horak.

Bowder is the FFA Advisor for the St. Paul FFA Chapter. According to his students, Bowder brings agriculture to his students in and out of the classroom. He does a great job of bringing in experts to talk about agricultural topics. He also conducts mini-field trips to enhance the FFA experience and open up student to the possibility of potential careers.

“I'm very appreciative of the award and recognition at the state convention, and I'm very humbled because I know that there are so many other deserving ag educators and FFA advisors in Nebraska. This award is much more representative of the chapter members that I work with daily because they are the ones that put in the hard work preparing for events, studying for contests, and representing the St. Paul FFA Chapter at the district, state, and national levels. Having said that, I am also appreciative of the support that Farm Bureau provides to agriculture throughout the state. Our local Howard County Farm Bureau is very involved in our community and does great things to promote agriculture to community members presently and to educate the next generation of agriculture enthusiasts.  I would like to thank the community of St. Paul for the support that they give our chapter and the administrators at our school that allow our members to do so much to promote agriculture,” said Bowder.



Fillmore Central FFA Advisor, Kurt VanDeWalle Receives Award

The Nebraska FFA Foundation has awarded Mr. Kurt VanDeWalle, Fillmore Central FFA advisor, with the 2023 Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award.

VanDeWalle, FFA advisor for the Fillmore Central FFA chapter, was nominated for the award with support by business people. Mr. VanDeWalle has taught for over 20 years. He has led efforts to develop the agriculture educators mentoring program, chaired many committee’s and served on boards as part of Nebraska Team Ag Ed. He is also a trusted advisor to many in the agriculture education community.

In her nomination, business leader, Brady Jenschke wrote, “Kurt is an ag teacher that truly does not ‘see’ or otherwise realize the incredible transformative investment he has made in future generations of Nebraskans through his leadership and education of others in his ag classroom simply by doing what he does best - showing up for others, being deeply committed to agriculture, and leading with a helping heart. Kurt would simply see himself as doing a very good job, when in fact he has deeply invested in others and is building something that is making a distinct difference in the lives of his students and community that will be felt for decades.”

Mr. VanDeWalle has served his community continuously for fifteen years as a volunteer fireman and EMT, he currently serves as the Chair for Ohiowa EMT’s. He has assisted with fundraising for Ohiowa Days and is on the worship committee and Trustee for the Geneva United Methodist Church. He has also spent hours working to promote Wilber Czech Days and Czech heritage.

The Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award recognizes a Nebraska agriculture teacher or FFA advisor for what he or she has done in helping others, specifically in the school and community outside of agriculture education and FFA. As recipient of the award, VanDeWalle receives a plaque and $500 cash award from the Nebraska FFA Foundation.

“The Foundation Board is honored to present this award to Mr. VanDeWalle. He exemplifies many qualities that defined Gary Scharf’s life – commitment, self-sacrifice and genuine kindness,” says Stacey Agnew, Executive Director, Nebraska FFA Foundation.

The annual award is named for Gary Scharf, who was a victim of an Omaha mall shooting in December 2007. Scharf grew up on a family farm outside of Curtis, Nebraska and worked in the agricultural chemical industry. He made a significant contribution to Nebraska’s agricultural and FFA community through his years of service on the Nebraska FFA Foundation Board, including a year as Board President in 2002-2003.



2023 SPRING AND SUMMER GRAZING
– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Educator

After a long winter of feeding hay, livestock producers are anxious for spring and the start of grass growth in their pastures.  Last year’s drought conditions across the state left most pastures heavily used and short.  A good sign is that longer-term precipitation forecasts for this spring are looking a little more optimistic.  Now is the time to have a plan in place for you spring and summer grazing.

It is known that the combination of drought and heavy grazing from last year can lead to reduced pasture production this year, even if we get near normal rainfall.  Because of this, some reduction in stocking rate may be necessary.

Another management recommendation that can be difficult to implement is to delay turnout this spring.  This will allow those grasses to accumulate some growth and help in the recovery process.  This has also been shown to result in more total forage production from those pastures.  Another management tip for native pastures that were grazed first and into July in the 2022 season; is to defer grazing of those pastures until later in the summer.

On native pastures, dominated by warm-season grasses, flash grazing, or quickly rotating through a number of pastures in spring is also a method of capitalizing on early cool-season grass and weed growth.  Remember that this must be for a short period of time and does not alter the suggestion of delaying turnout to your primary summer pastures.

Producers might also consider seeded annual forages as another option that can be used to supplement any grazing needs.  Planning ahead can help make your forage season run smoothly.



Fischer Highlights Benefits of Year-Round E15

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor this week about the value of unleashing year-round E15, which can lower prices for consumers at the pump, help our family farmers, and boost American energy security.

This month, Sen. Fischer reintroduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10%.



Nebraska’s NRDs Advocate for Conservation Funding in Washington, D.C.

Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) were represented by more than 55 directors and staff in Washington, D.C., March 20-22, 2023.

Nebraska’s NRDs advocate for strengthening tools to preserve and fund natural resources projects, which includes influencing policymakers from the ground up with a unified voice.

This grassroots advocacy culminates with a visit to Washington, D.C., allowing NRD staff and directors to engage with congressional leaders and hear from national partners on federal legislation and programs.

“The most effective lobbyists are the people who work and live among our natural resources,” said Dr. Orval Gigstad, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts president. “Going to D.C. is an opportunity to advocate for Nebraska by sharing our personal stories, and also hear federal perspectives on issues that could impact us locally.”

While on Capitol Hill, conference attendees spent a day meeting with Nebraska senators and congressmen and participated in a two-day session with federal agencies and conservation partners. NRDs help deliver several federal programs locally, and these partnerships equate into real dollars for Nebraska agriculture and communities. Some of the federal topics and speakers included:
-    Farm Bill, Inflation Reduction Act, WaterSMART Initiative, Watershed Programs, and Climate Smart Ag with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
-    Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
-    Water Resources Development Act with Senator Deb Fischer’s Legislative Staff.
-    Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
-    Waters of the United States (WOTUS) with American Farm Bureau Federation and National Corn Growers Association.

Gigstad, who has served on the Nemaha NRD board since 1993, also serves as chairman of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Northern Plains Region on behalf of Nebraska’s NRDs.

NACD provides a unified, national voice for the more than 3,000 conservation districts across the U.S. including Nebraska’s 23 NRDs. NACD’s member-driven board of directors selects conservation policy priorities, which are used to develop and review environmental and natural resources legislation and to secure adequate federal funding for natural resources conservation programs.

On March 21, National Water Resources Association (NWRA) Executive Vice President and Nebraska-native Dale Nellor spoke to NRD attendees. His career in Washington, D.C. started with an internship in 2000 and 2001 sponsored by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts. Nellor went on to work for Sen. Chuck Hagel and several agriculture organizations on Capitol Hill.

“Elected officials and government agencies get the greatest value from the relationships and conversations with constituents that can provide a real-time perspective on the challenges being faced at home,” said Nellor, whose father, Lloyd, served on the Lower Loup NRD board. “That value is what the NRDs bring each time they come to Washington and share their story.”

Back in Nebraska, advocacy efforts will continue by hosting elected officials in the Natural Resources Districts and engaging in public outreach.
 
“Locally, NRDs will continue to share our successes and concerns with our elected officials to ensure more informed decision making,” Gigstad said. “It is important that our members of Congress know what the needs of locally led conservation are so that NRDs can receive adequate support to continue protecting lives, property and the future.”

Established in 1972, Nebraska’s 23 NRDs are local government units involved in a variety of projects and programs to conserve and protect the state’s natural resources. Today, the unique system of locally controlled, tax-funded, watershed-based conservation is widely admired throughout the nation.



Soy Good: National Soyfoods Month Celebrates Powerful Protein, Iowa Farmers Who Grow It

As personal health and sustainability continue to rank among the top considerations driving consumer food choices, Iowa soybean farmers are uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality protein and fat in a sustainable way.
 
That’s why this April, in celebration of National Soyfoods Month, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), alongside The Soyfoods Council, United Soybean Board and the Soy Nutrition Institute, encourages consumers to make room in their grocery carts for nutritious, delicious soy.
 
“Like many farmers, my focus is on healthy soils, a healthy environment and healthy foods,” says April Hemmes, ISA district 2 director and soybean farmer from Hampton. “U.S. soybean growers have a great story to tell. The more we can get the positives of soyfoods and soy production to consumers, the better.”
 
In addition to being a valuable protein source, soy is packed with other nutrients including B vitamins, fiber, iron, calcium and phytonutrients – all of which are critical for growth, good health, and disease prevention.
 
Public and private entities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and American Cancer Society, have cited many health benefits that may be linked to routine soy consumption, including:
    lowered levels of blood cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease;
    lowered blood pressure and improved artery health;
    increased cognitive function;
    reduced risk and reoccurrence of breast cancer;
    improvements in bone health;
    aid in weight management and complexion; and
    decreased frequency and severity of hot flashes.

Soy popularity remains high among consumers, according to the Food Industry Insights’ “Consumer Attitudes about Soyfoods and Health” 27th annual survey, which reveals Americans’ attitudes about diet, fats, oils and purchase drivers. Sixty percent of consumers surveyed in the checkoff-funded research indicated that soy-based food is, “somewhat/very healthy” and 26% had a “neutral” view of soy.
 
“With a variety of soy-based foods available for purchase, incorporating plant protein into your favorite recipes is easier than ever,” says Linda Funk, executive director of The Soyfoods Council.
 
To learn more about soyfoods, visit thesoyfoodscouncil.com.



NCBA Grateful for Senate Passage of Resolution to Stop WOTUS Rule

Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer, released a statement commending the U.S. Senate for passing a resolution to stop the Biden administration’s latest Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule:

“The bipartisan passage of this resolution sends a clear message to the Biden administration that this is not how Congress intended to implement the Clean Water Act. Now, President Biden has a choice: he can sign the resolution and pull back the unlawfully vague WOTUS rule, or he can veto it and turn his back on rural America. I am especially proud of my fellow cattle producers from across the country speaking up to make our voices heard. Together, we wrote more than 1,900 letters to senators calling for a vote on this resolution. Our advocacy made a crucial impact.”



U.S. Cattle Producers Support Senate Legislation to Repeal Death Tax

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) strongly supports legislation introduced today by Sen. John Thune (R-SD) to repeal the federal estate tax, commonly referred to as the Death Tax.

“No cattle producer should ever be forced to sell their family’s farm or ranch to pay a tax bill due to the death of a family member. Repealing the Death Tax is a commonsense way to keep the farm or ranch in the family,” said NCBA President and South Dakota cattle producer Todd Wilkinson. “As a land-based, capital-intensive industry, most cattle producing families are asset-rich and cash-poor, with few options to pay off tax liabilities. It is unacceptable that some families are forced to sell off land, farm equipment, parts of the operation, or the entire ranch to pay the estate tax. We need a tax code that promotes the continuation of family-owned businesses instead of breaking them up.”
 
Ensuring a farm or ranch can be passed to children or grandchildren is a priority for family-owned farms, ranches and agricultural businesses. It is critically important that producers and business owners have permanent relief from the Death Tax. Current Death Tax relief is set to expire at the end of 2025, and it is vital that Congress takes immediate action to provide permanent relief for agricultural families. NCBA is committed to working with Senator Thune and members of the Senate and House, those who support American cattlemen and women and rural communities to kill the Death Tax.



House Members Reintroduce Next Generation Fuels Act

The Next Generation Fuels Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today. The National Corn Growers Association applauded the development, saying the legislation would help address the country’s most pressing energy issues through a transition to cleaner fuels and vehicles.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) led the bipartisan reintroduction of the bill along with Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.).

“We’re very grateful to Rep. Miller-Meeks, along with Reps. Craig, LaHood and Budzinski for taking the lead on this priority legislation for corn growers,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “Advancing the Next Generation Fuels Act is timely for Congress’s work on energy and environmental issues, offering solutions that lower fuel costs, reduce emissions and help shore up America’s energy security for the long run.”

The Next Generation Fuels Act would clean up the nation’s fuel supply and transition new vehicles to use cleaner, more efficient fuels that also lower costs for drivers. By establishing a clean, high-octane standard for fuel and requiring that sources of additional octane result in at least 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, the legislation would allow automakers to significantly improve vehicle fuel efficiency through advanced engines.

The legislation builds the nation’s clean energy progress by advancing higher ethanol blends and new vehicles that work together to deliver greater emission reductions, cost savings and consumer choice.

As NCGA has called on the Biden administration to act to prevent a disruption in access to higher blends of ethanol this summer, the Next Generation Fuels Act would also permanently remove regulatory barriers, allowing for higher ethanol blends and advanced vehicles that maintain a wider range of competitive fuel and vehicle choices.

In addition to the four lead House sponsors, Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), James Comer (R-Ky.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), Mike Lawler (R- N.Y.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Eric Sorenson (D-Ill.) also joined the legislation as original cosponsors.

A companion bill was introduced in the Senate last week.



NFU Supports Reintroduction of Next Generation Fuels Act in the House

Today, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks reintroduced the Next Generation Fuels Act in the United States House of Representatives, which increases gasoline octane to a minimum standard through low-carbon, renewable fuels, like ethanol. Farmers and consumers stand to gain from the economic and environmental benefits brought about by this legislation.

“When it comes to renewable energy, there’s no time to waste. America’s family farmers and ranchers are ready to be part of the solution,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “NFU is hopeful that the Next Generation Fuels Act will move forward to allow higher-level blends of ethanol –– sowing rewards for farmers, consumers and the planet we share. It’s a win-win-win.”

NFU has been a strong supporter of higher-level blends of ethanol and welcomes the reintroduction. NFU supported this legislation earlier in March of 2023 when it was reintroduced in the Senate.



USDA Expands Margin Protection for Corn and Soybean Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its Margin Protection insurance plan, adding more than a thousand counties to the insurance option that provides coverage against an unexpected decrease in operating margin for corn and soybean producers. This expansion, which is in direct response to growing interest among producers, will be available by June 30, 2023. Interested producers will need to purchase their coverage by Sept. 30, 2023, to be eligible for the 2024 crop year. 

“Increasing the availability of a program is sometimes the best way we can improve upon an effective program and serve our farmers with more risk management resources,” said Marcia Bunger, Administrator for the Risk Management Agency (RMA). “This expansion of Margin Protection will provide a viable insurance option for so many more farmers across the country, giving them greater protection possibilities, and helping us continue our commitment of increasing the availability and effectiveness of Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool.” 

Margin Protection, first implemented for the 2016 crop year, protects against decreases in margin caused by reduced county yields, reduced commodity prices, increased price of certain inputs or any combination of these issues. It is area-based, using county-level estimates of average revenue and input costs to establish the amount of coverage and indemnity payments. 

RMA’s expansion of the Margin Protection plan will add 1,255 counties for soybeans and 1,729 counties for corn. This will add coverage in 22 states for soybeans with 34 states being covered in total. It will also make Margin Protection available for corn in the contiguous United States (see maps). The plan is available in select counties for rice (Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas), and wheat (Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota). 

In the 2022 crop year, there were 1.7 million acres of corn and 1 million acres of soybeans insured under the Margin Protection insurance plan. 

Margin Protection can be purchased by itself, or in conjunction with a Yield Protection or Revenue Protection policy purchased from the same Approved Insurance Provider that issued the Margin Protection policy. Margin Protection cannot be purchased with the Supplemental Coverage Option or the Enhanced Coverage Option. 



Sorghum Checkoff Taps Into Google's Expertise to Grow Consumer Awareness and Drive Demand

The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) has announced its strategic partnership with Google to increase sorghum consumer awareness through innovative marketing strategies. USCP is a producer-funded national organization dedicated to improving the sorghum industry and representing sorghum farmers across the United States.

USCP will leverage Google's expertise in digital marketing to create consumer awareness campaigns that promote the sustainability and health benefits of sorghum and its versatility as a food ingredient. USCP recently led efforts to develop and launch a new campaign for this partnership, titled “Sorghum. Food’s Best Kept Secret.” to showcase and offer a new whole-grain option for consumers. The campaign's ads can be viewed on The Sorghum Checkoff’s Youtube channel, Sorghum. Nature's Super Grain and are powered by Google Ads, leveraging Google's expertise in digital marketing.

"Our partnership with Google will allow us to take sorghum consumer awareness campaigns to the next level," USCP Director of Communications Clint White said. "Sorghum is a powerhouse grain with so much to offer consumers who value nutrition, sustainability and versatility in the kitchen. By leveraging Google's expertise in digital marketing, we can raise awareness about sorghum's benefits and offer a viable solution to individuals seeking healthier alternatives."

In addition to working with Google, USCP partnered with public relations agency, Padilla Speer Beardsley, Inc. (Padilla), to help USCP make the most of resources in making sorghum the go-to grain for everyday cooks. USCP will lead the charge by accelerating sorghum’s position from ancient to high-performance grain for sustainable, healthy meals and snacks. Padilla is a leading PR agency with extensive experience in the food and agriculture industry.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Sorghum Checkoff on this exciting new project," Padilla President Matt Kucharski said. "Together, we’ll let consumers in on the secrets of sorghum – from its high-protein, gluten-free and antioxidant-rich nutrition benefits to its role as a water-saving, climate-resilient crop – and make it the go-to grain for everyday cooks."