Sorghum exports by bushel and percentage of total production
worldwide , and the U . S . Grains Council projects an estimated 73.6 percent of global sorghum exports during the 2016- 2017 marketing year .
Domestic markets
Though export markets consume a large volume of the total sorghum grown in the U . S ., the United Sorghum Checkoff Program never loses sight of opportunities to develop greater domestic markets . The domestic ethanol industry typically ranks as the second largest marketplace for sorghum grain , and the Sorghum Checkoff continually challenges that industry to utilize sorghum as much as possible . In 2016 , demand for sorghum for ethanol production , a major biofuel used for auto fuel and energy production , consumed 21 percent of the total amount of sorghum grown in the U . S .
Other areas the Sorghum Checkoff continues to develop include the livestock industry , particularly pork and poultry , and the pet food industry . In fact , an impressive 13 different brands use sorghum in more than 130 pet food products . Plus , the Sorghum Checkoff is continuing to
learn how to best use sorghum for the aquaculture industry .
In the U . S ., sorghum also has exploded in popularity as a consumer food . In fact , demand for sorghum as a food product stands at its highest level in history . The Sorghum Checkoff launched its first consumer-facing brand in 2016 , Sorghum . Nature ’ s Super Grain™ , with a digital campaign , featuring a consumer website that contains a wealth of valuable information about sorghum grain , its variety of forms and an abundance of healthy recipes . The campaign educates consumers , the food industry and health professionals about the wholesome goodness of sorghum in a healthy diet . Today , sorghum is present in more than 1,000 retail food products , and that number continues to grow . In addition , sorghum is now included on 1.6 percent of restaurant menus across the country — an eightfold increase over the past three years .
A daily commitment to profitability
The primary goal of the Sorghum Checkoff is a commitment to increasing producer profitability , which requires demand , value enhancements and productivity . To achieve our goal , most Sorghum Checkoff dollars are invested in research to supply producers with information about relevant topics , such as identifying ways to increase yield and most recently , discovering methods to control sugarcane aphids .
For example , 480 million bushels of sorghum were harvested in 2016 , and the Sorghum Checkoff helped sorghum producers reach a national yield record of 77.9 bushels per acre . Also , the Sorghum Checkoff has invested $ 350,000 in 2016 to study the sugarcane aphid and its effects on sorghum in an effort to provide producers with guidance and best-management practices to protect their sorghum acreage against the tiny yet devastating pest .
Overall , sorghum retains very strong demand in both global and domestic markets , and that demand continues to expand . The Sorghum Checkoff is working diligently to discover and share knowledge with sorghum producers to help make sorghum a reliable , cost-effective and viable crop option with the optimal profit potential that producers want for their acreage .
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