Stay ConnectedThe newly reimagined Milo Matters Podcast builds on the success of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, delivering a modern, focused platform to share the sorghum story.
Each monthly episode highlights the voices and ideas advancing the industry — from policy and markets to innovation and sustainability — reaching growers, industry partners and influencers across U.S. sorghum.
Copyright: © National Sorghum Producers 2021
In this episode of Milo Matters, we sit down with David Drinnon, General Manager of Nufarm North America Seeds and a member of the National Sorghum Producers Board of Directors, to discuss the people, partnerships and innovations driving the sorghum industry forward. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience, David shares his journey from Richardson Seeds to leading one of the industry's most recognized seed platforms.
From the importance of sorghum seed production to the value of strong industry partnerships, this conversation explores how collaboration between growers, seed companies and organizations like National Sorghum Producers helps strengthen the future of the crop. We also discuss how seed innovation continues to evolve and what growers can expect from the next generation of sorghum genetics.
David also reflects on his recent trade mission to China and Mongolia, sharing firsthand insights into global markets, the importance of maintaining international relationships and why trade remains a critical piece of the sorghum industry's success.
Whether you're interested in seed innovation, market development, advocacy or the future of sorghum, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the opportunities ahead for growers and the industry as a whole.
In this episode of Milo Matters, we sit down with Dr. Scott Staggenborg and Shane Halfmann from Advanta Seeds to talk about the innovations shaping the future of sorghum production.
From advancements in hybrid development to the rollout of the igrowth system, this conversation breaks down how new genetics and production tools are helping growers improve weed control, protect yield potential and adapt to rising input costs.
We also dive into what's happening in the field right now, including key agronomic considerations for the season, shifting market dynamics and why sorghum continues to stand out as a resilient, low-input crop in uncertain conditions.
Plus, we explore how Advanta's global footprint and research investment are driving new solutions for U.S. growers and what's coming next in the sorghum pipeline.
Whether you're making planting decisions or just looking to stay ahead of the curve, this episode delivers practical insights you can use on your operation.
This week on Milo Matters, we sit down with Bryan Thomas of DEKALB, a valued industry partner of National Sorghum Producers, to talk about pushing sorghum yields to the next level.
Bryan shares his background in agriculture, DEKALB's approach to performance-driven sorghum genetics and how innovation continues to equip growers for today's production challenges. We also dive into the National Sorghum Yield Contest and why it remains such a powerful platform for showcasing what's possible in the field.
Strong yields don't happen in isolation. They're built through research, management and the partnerships that support growers every step of the way. This episode highlights how DEKALB's commitment to sorghum, and its partnership with NSP, helps move the industry forward.
If you care about yield, innovation and collaboration that delivers results, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Ethanol plays a critical role in America's fuel supply—but what does that mean for sorghum growers? In this episode of Milo Matters, Eric Washington sits down with ethanol policy expert John Duff to break down what ethanol is, why it lowers fuel costs, and how sorghum fits into today's and tomorrow's energy markets. The conversation covers year-round E15, export growth, and what emerging policies like the 45Z clean fuel tax credit could mean at the farm gate. A practical, plain-language discussion on one of the most important demand drivers for U.S. sorghum.
Welcome to the launch of Milo Matters, the new podcast from National Sorghum Producers, created to bring farmers, industry partners, and policymakers timely conversations about the issues shaping sorghum today.
In our first episode, NSP CEO Tim Lust kicks things off with a look at where the industry has been, where it's headed, and how sorghum's 70th anniversary sets the stage for a milestone year. Tim reflects on early days at NSP, major policy wins, emerging opportunities in global markets, and why the future has never been brighter for sorghum producers.
Whether you're a longtime grower or new to the crop, this episode sets the tone for what Milo Matters will deliver—clear insight, real stories, and a direct line to the people moving the sorghum industry forward.
In this engaging episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, Episode #019, join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of sorghum policy and its pivotal role in shaping the agricultural landscape. Delve into the annals of history with our NSP CEO, Tim Lust, a visionary who has championed sorghum policy since the early '90s. Unearth the impactful moments that have defined our industry, culminating in where we stand today. With the anticipation of the upcoming farm bill, we'll provide an insightful glimpse into the path forward. Moreover, meet our dynamic new policy analyst, Sydney Lundberg, and explore her pivotal role in deciphering economic and market factors that will drive future sorghum policy. This episode is your compass to navigate the rich history, promising future and our mission to advocate for sorghum farmers. Sponsored by Richardson Seeds.
For more information and to explore the backdrop of our topics, visit: https://sorghumgrowers.com/our-impact/
This story originally appeared as the Editor's Desk in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared as in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
This story originally appeared as the Editor's Desk in the Summer 2023 Issue of Sorghum Grower magazine.
In a three-part series of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, National Sorghum Producers Government Affairs Director Adam York is hosting Jim Wiesemeyer and Jeff Harrison - two farm policy titans - for a discussion on the history of farm policy. We cover the gamut of farm policy from the founding of our nation and issues facing farmers then to the farm bill being crafted today. Together, we'll explore critical moments, challenges, and transformations that have shaped the agricultural landscape over the years.
In final episode of the series, we take you into the farm policy landscape of the 2000s, where modern farm policy stands today and a look into what the 2023 farm bill might hold.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Podcast Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In a three-part series of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, National Sorghum Producers Government Affairs Director Adam York is hosting Jim Wiesemeyer and Jeff Harrison - two farm policy titans - for a discussion on the history of farm policy. We cover the gamut of farm policy from the founding of our nation and issues facing farmers then to the farm bill being crafted today. Together, we'll explore critical moments, challenges, and transformations that have shaped the agricultural landscape over the years.
In part two of the series, we delve even deeper into the world of farm policy, starting from the 1970s and journeying all the way through the late 90s. Together, they'll explore the impact of crucial moments like the infamous 80s farm crisis and other pivotal events during that era.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Podcast Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
For the next three episodes of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, National Sorghum Producers Government Affairs Director Adam York is hosting Jim Wiesemeyer and Jeff Harrison - two farm policy titans - for a three-part series on the history of farm policy. We cover the gamut of farm policy from the founding of our nation and issues facing farmers then to the farm bill being crafted today. Together, we'll explore critical moments, challenges, and transformations that have shaped the agricultural landscape over the years.
As we jump into part one of this series, we look into the farm policy established by our founding fathers in the late 1700s all the way to issues facing farmers and the policy developed to mitigate those problems in the early 1970s.
Join us on through this series for an informative and engaging conversation as we uncover the fascinating history of farm policy.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Podcast Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, NSP Sustainability Director Adam York hosts Verity Ulibarri, a sorghum farmer from Melrose, New Mexico. Verity recently attend the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, speaking to the climate-smart benefits of sorghum and showcasing how U.S. sorghum farmers are poised to preserve our world and conserve resources with the help of NSP's $65 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant initiative.
View the panel Verity participated alongside moderator U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and other agriculture leaders here. The panel begins at 5:39:30.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Podcast Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, John Duff hosts Scott Staggenborg, product marketing manager for Sorghum Partners, to discuss weed control in sorghum and Sorghum Partners' product Double Team. Learn more about this herbicide tolerant sorghum technology and the path our industry is taking to provide farmers more weed control options in sorghum.
Learn more about herbicide-tolerant sorghum here.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Podcast Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust is joined by Triazine Network Co-Chair and Kansas Corn CEO Greg Krissek to discuss the EPA's recent proposal on atrazine and what growers can do to engage in the fight to keep this important tool.
Farmers can comment on the proposal by visiting SorghumGrowers.com/fightepa.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Podcast Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, National Sorghum Producers Executive Vice President John Duff is joined by Martin Barbre, vice president of engagement and government relations for RIPE, a producer-led nonprofit working to advance a bipartisan climate policy plan that works for producers and the public.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, National Sorghum Producers Executive Vice President John Duff is joined by Chris Cogburn, NSP senior policy adviser and manager of Sustainable Crop Insurance Services, to discuss potential changes for sorghum crop insurance and details of the recently announced Emergency Relief Program (ERP).
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, NSP CEO Tim Lust is joined by the Kansas Big First Representative Tracey Mann to discuss his roots in the sorghum industry, what drew him to service, his work to represent agriculture on the Hill and projections for the 2023 Farm Bill.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, NSP CEO Tim Lust is joined by Cornerstone Government Affairs representative Joe Bischoff to discuss the role of crop protection tools in farm sustainability and NSP's work with EPA to assure farmers continue to have access to these tools.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, NSP VP of Communications Jennifer Blackburn is joined by NSP Sorghum PAC Chairman Shane Ohlde of Palmer, Kansas, to discuss his farming operation, his agricultural businesses and the importance of the Sorghum PAC.
More information about the Sorghum PAC can be found at SorghumGrowers.com/sorghum-pac.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode, NSP Executive Vice President John Duff is joined by Chris Cogburn, manager of Sustainable Crop Insurance Services, to discuss the sorghum crop insurance price election for reinsurance year 2022, which has been set at a historic high.
Text "NSP TEXT" to 52886 or visit SorghumGrowers.com/advocacy to sign up for future action alerts regarding issues impacting the sorghum industry.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
This month we have a two part episode discussing the nuances of cover crops in the Sorghum Belt based on both research and on-the-ground experience. Guest host Dan Atkisson, National Sorghum Producers past chairman and farmer from Stockton, Kansas, is joined first by Katie Lewis, Associate Professor of Soil Chemistry and Fertility at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, covering long-term research that has been conducted on cover crops in the Texas High Plains. After the break, Dan and Doug Keesling, NSP board of directors member and farmer from Chase, Kansas, have a candid discussion of the viability of cover crops on their own operations.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
Join us for the final episode of our three-part series on ethanol marketing, policy and sustainability. In this episode NSP Executive Vice President John Duff discusses sustainability in the ethanol industry with American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
Tune into the latest episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition for the second episode in our three-part series on ethanol marketing, policy and sustainability. In this episode, John Duff discusses the history of ethanol policy and what the future holds with John Fuher, vice president of government affairs at Growth Energy.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
Enter the 2021 Sorghum Yield Contest at SorghumGrowers.com!
Tune into the latest episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition for the first episode in our three-part series on ethanol marketing, history and policy. In this first episode, John Duff discusses ethanol marketing wins and what's to come with Robert White, Renewable Fuels Association vice president of industry relations.
Sponsored by: Richardson Seeds
In this episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, National Sorghum Producers Executive Vice President John Duff is joined by Billy Tiller and Todd Janzen of Ag Data Transparent to discuss data transparency in agriculture and how farmers can protect and utilize their data.
On this week's episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, Danielle Beck, Senior Executive Director of Government Affairs at National Cattlemen's Beef Association and a leading member of the Tax Aggie Coalition, and National Sorghum Producers representative Tom Sell, co-founder and manager of Combest, Sell & Associates discuss the impact proposed tax policy changes could have on farmers across the nation.
In this episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust is joined by Congressman Jodey Arrington who represents the 19th Congressional District of Texas to give an inside look on what is happening on Capitol Hill, his expectations for upcoming legislation and what Congressional action is being taken to help producers struggling with drought and other natural disasters.
NSP Executive Vice President John Duff is joined by NSP Chairman Kody Carson and NSP Past-Chairman Terry Swanson to discuss how the ongoing drought in the Plains has impacted their operations and how government programs, such as WHIP+, have helped offset their losses.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX) have introduced H.R. 1692 to re-authorize the USDA's Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) to aid farmers and ranchers in recovering from natural disasters in 2020 and 2021 and extend coverage to losses incurred due to derechos, high winds, polar vortexes, freezes and other major causes of loss experienced by producers in these years. To send a message to your Representative in support of this legislation click here.
In our inaugural episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, NSP CEO Tim Lust, NSP Board Chairman Kody Carson and our Washington, D.C. representative, Tom Sell of Combest, Sell & Associates cover a new Congress, a new Administration and what to expect on Capitol Hill this year.
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