Earlier this month, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) Manager of Global Programs Samantha Redfern traveled to Grand Island, NE to participate in the 2026 Nebraska Sorghum Symposium, hosted by the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board.
“Collaborating with key industry stakeholders is an important way for the Council to expand awareness of how international markets affect the livelihoods of U.S. farmers,” Redfern said.
“U.S. sorghum is a high quality, versatile crop and it was exciting to share the work being done by the Council and its partners to promote its wide range of applications for humans and livestock.”
Redfern spoke on a panel with United Sorghum Checkoff Program Director of Ingredient Utilization & Pet Food Zach Simon and Renewable Fuels Nebraska President Jacki Fee. Discussions included export opportunities for grain sorghum and sorghum in ethanol production, trade deal negotiations, sustainability, high-value markets and working to educate international buyers on U.S. sorghum’s quality and reliability.
Specific markets like Vietnam, India and Mexico were covered to connect sorghum growers in Nebraska to the global agricultural market and how the Council identifies and develops opportunities for U.S. producers.
“The Council is committed to elevating U.S. sorghum on a global scale, diversifying markets and providing industry services like the U.S. Sorghum Assurances Protocol and Sorghum Harvest Quality Reports that establish U.S. sorghum as the most trusted variety in the international market,” Redfern said.
Learn more about the Council’s work in sorghum on the organization’s website.