Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission highlights market, research and conservation benefits

Kevin Kneebel, vice chair of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, told the Senate Agriculture Committee that sorghum remains a vital Kansas crop and that the commission supports research, promotion and market development.

“Kansas is the number 1 sorghum state in the nation, growing over 58% of the crop nationwide,” Kneebel said, adding that sorghum residue and root systems help retain snow and reduce wind erosion, particularly in western Kansas.

The commission’s work includes funding and partnering on research through the Collaborative Sorghum Improvement Program (CSIP), housed at Kansas State University. Kneebel said CSIP and related programs leverage commission funds with university, state and federal resources and private matches to commercialize research and expand markets. Adam York, commission administrator, described CSIP as a vehicle that “takes those producer dollars… and works with those researchers to commercialize that research.”

Committee members asked about new uses for sorghum. Kneebel pointed to food uses, ethanol and experimental bio‑based films that could replace some plastics. He said delegations from China and India visited Kansas farms and K‑State facilities to learn how to use sorghum in poultry feed and processing.

Kneebel also noted administrative matters included in the packet: an annual report and the commission’s 2024 audit. He said an accounting issue identified as a material weakness related to accrual recognition of pass‑back revenues from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program had been adjusted to the correct fiscal year and that the commission could provide the audit letter to the committee.

The presentation concluded with an invitation to senators to review the commission’s packet for detailed program lists and research summaries.