Washington, DC
July 3, 2008
Source:
USDA/AMS No. 133-08
On July 1, 2008, the Sorghum Checkoff Program began collecting
assessments from sorghum producers. The Program is authorized
under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of
1996 and Sorghum Promotion, Research and Information Order,
which was published in the May 6, 2008 Federal Register. It is
designed to increase the profitability of U.S. sorghum
producers, advance sorghum into the ethanol market and develop
foreign markets for sorghum.
Based on current sorghum prices, USDA anticipates that the
Program will generate up to $20 million annually. The assessment
for grain sorghum will be 0.6 percent of net market value and
0.35 percent of net market value for sorghum forage, sorghum
hay, sorghum haylage, sorghum billets and sorghum silage.
Imports of such products also would be assessed, although,
limited imports exist at this time.
The National Sorghum Promotion, Research and Information Board
(Board) administers the program and will be comprised of 13
sorghum producers. Membership will include five seats for the
largest production state, three seats for the second-largest
production state and one seat for the third-largest production
state. The Board also will consist of four at-large National
positions.
On June 2, 2008, USDA published a notice in the Federal Register
inviting organizations to become certified to nominate members
to the Board. The deadline for submitting certification
applications was July 3, 2008. USDA soon will notify
organizations as to their certification status and request
nominations from organizations that have been certified. USDA
anticipates having a Sorghum Board appointed by the Secretary by
November 2008.
For further information, contact R. Craig Shackelford,
Agricultural Marketing Specialist; Marketing Programs Branch,
Room 2629-S; Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; STOP 0251;
1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-0251; call
(202) 720-1115; fax (202) 720-1125; e-mail
Craig.Shackelford@usda.gov; or on the Internet at
http://www.ams.usda.gov/LSMarketingPrograms. |
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