About the Sorghum Checkoff

What is a checkoff program?

In the United States, a checkoff organization collects funds, sometimes called checkoff dollars, from producers of a particular agricultural commodity and uses these funds to promote and do research on the commodity. Checkoff programs attempt to improve the market position of the covered commodity by expanding markets, increasing demand and developing new uses and markets.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for overseeing the formation of checkoff organizations uder the authority of Commodity, Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996.

What is the United Sorghum Checkoff Program?

Declining sorghum acres and production over the past years have led to decreased private investment in sorghum. These declines brought about a “technology gap” between sorghum and other crops. The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) is working to overcome this gap with a national Sorghum Checkoff. USCP will work to improve the profitability of the sorghum industry through research, promotion and information.

Click here for a map of harvested sorghum acres in the United States.

Vision:

Sorghum producers profit from a progressive, competitive and adaptive industry.

Mission Statement:

Investing your Sorghum Checkoff dollars to increase profitability for the sorghum industry.

Strategic Plan:

A strategic plan has been developed that focuses investments of Sorghum Checkoff funds on research, market development and education.

History:

The Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 allows an organization to collect assessments on the production of a commodity.

The money collected by a checkoff must be used to enhance the industry through research, information and promotion. The money may not be used for lobbying efforts.

The approval process began for the Sorghum Checkoff in February 2006. The proposed order was published in the Federal Register for public comment on November 23, 2007. The final order was published on May 6, 2008.

Sorghum Checkoff collections began July 1, 2008, and the USCP Board’s first meeting was held in November of 2008. Projected collections for 2009 are approximately $7 million.

Within three years of the start of Sorghum Checkoff collections, a referendum must be held for producers to vote on the checkoff. The Soghum Checkoff program is managed by the National Sorghum Producers.

USCP Program management has been hired, and programs began in March 2009.

There are currently 27 research projects funded by the Sorghum Checkoff, and foreign market development programs are underway.

Grower education and communication programs have also begun.