According to results of a survey funded by the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, 29% of 2009 grain sorghum production will be used to produce ethanol. Demand for sorghum will remain steady at 136 million-plus bushels, while the percent of the U.S. sorghum crop included in ethanol will increase slightly in 2010 because total U.S. production will be lower this crop year.
According to USCP Board Chairman, Bill Greving, this study shows that sorghum ethanol yields are comparable to corn. "In the past year, the price differential has greatly benefited the bottom line of ethanol plants using sorghum as a feedstock," Greving said. "This means the use of sorghum by ethanol plants has influenced the increased demand for sorghum in these areas where ethanol plants are co-located with sorghum production."
Less sorghum is expected to be harvested in 2009 because of crop losses in some areas. As a result, ethanol plants are aggressively moving to secure their sorghum supplies early for 2010 production. The Checkoff has a strategic goal of increasing the use of sorghum in the ethanol industry by 50% by 2011.
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