SORGHUM E-Notes

January 9, 2014

NATIONAL SORGHUM PRODUCERS:
the voice of the sorghum industry

Dairy Disagreements Stall Farm Bill Conference

The dawn of this week had farm bill hopefuls optimistic about significant movement toward a final resolve in the farm bill debate, but it now appears discussions have hit another obstacle over a longstanding dispute on dairy policy. Dairy production restrictions favored by House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) are strongly opposed by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH). Speaker Boehner held a press conference today and when asked about the dairy provisions within the farm bill the Speaker said, "I am confident the conference report will not include supply management in the dairy program." Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) said lead conferees have been working to find a compromise, but that remains to be an issue.

NSP Urges Members to Comment on RVO Proposal

National Sorghum Producers urges individuals to comment in opposition to the proposed renewable volume obligations under the 2014 Renewable Fuels Standards. The proposed rule, which indicates a 6 percent reduction in the conventional biofuels RVO and a nearly 20 percent reduction in the advanced biofuels RVO was released by the Environmental Protection agency Nov. 15, 2013. The EPA has been accepting comments on the proposed rule and will continue to do so until 11:59 p.m. EST Jan. 28, 2014. To weigh in on this important issue, please visit the NSP website.

Last Chance to Comment on Draft Range-Wide Plan for Lesser Prairie-Chicken

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be seeking public comment until tomorrow on the proposed listing of the lesser prairie-chicken. Individuals will also have the opportunity to comment on the revised 4(d) special rule, which includes the provision of a draft range-wide candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for lesser prairie-chickens.

On May 6, 2013, the Service proposed a special rule that, in the event the lesser prairie-chicken were to be listed as a threatened species, would encourage voluntary participation in conservation programs benefiting the species. After development of the Range-Wide Conservation Plan, the Service opted to reopen the comment period for 30 days. Friday, Jan. 10, is the final deadline to submit comments. The Service will issue its final listing determination no later than March 30, 2014.

With much of the Sorghum Belt, including Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico, largely affected by this ruling, NSP strongly encourages producers to weigh-in on this important issue by urging the USFWS to not list the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. More information on the lesser prairie-chicken is available online at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/LPC.html.

CSP Signup Deadline Extended

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service extended the deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program this week. Now producers can apply for program participation through Feb. 7, 2014, and be eligible for the 2014 Fiscal Year.

Local NRCS offices accept CSP applications year round, but applications are evaluated during announced ranking periods. To be eligible for this year's enrollment, producers must have their applications submitted by the Feb. 7 closing date.

To learn more about CSP, visit the NRCS website or stop by any local USDA service center.

Upcoming Sorghum Events

Jan. 10-11         KNID Agrifest, Enid, Okla.

Jan. 10             Oklahoma Sorghum Association and Commission Meeting, Enid, Okla.

Jan. 16             Rio Grande Valley Pre-Plant Meeting, Monte Alto, Texas

Jan. 21             Cover Your Acres, Oberlin, Kan.

Jan. 21             Sorghum U, Grand Island, Neb.

Jan. 22             New Mexico Sorghum Association Annual Meeting, Clovis, NM

Jan. 23             Sorghum U, Hays, Kan.

Jan. 28-29         No-Till on the Plains, Salina, Kan.

Market News - To view this week's Gulf export grain report, click here. Sign Up to Receive the Sorghum Checkoff e-Newsletter

Sorghum producers can also receive monthly e-Newsletters from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. To receive monthly news and information regarding the Sorghum Checkoff's efforts in sorghum research, education and market development, sign up at www.SorghumCheckoff.com/contact-us. You can also follow the Sorghum Checkoff on Twitter @SorghumCheckoff.

About Sorghum Notes

Sorghum Notes is a publication of the National Sorghum Producers. NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through education and legislative and regulatory representation. To learn more about NSP, visit our website at www.sorghumgrowers.com. Write to us at National Sorghum Producers, 4201 N Interstate 27, Lubbock, TX 79403. To unsubscribe to Sorghum Notes, please reply to jennifer@sorghumgrowers.com. If you have questions about the sorghum industry or the National Sorghum Producers, please do not hesitate to call NSP at 800-658-9808. You can also follow NSP on Twitter @SorghumGrowers, and you can find National Sorghum Producers on Facebook.

Quote of the Week:

"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time."

- Abraham Lincoln 

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