China’s Retreat Reshapes Sorghum Trade
USDA’s August trade outlook highlights the steep decline in U.S. farm exports to China, and sorghum is very much part of that story. Sorghum exports to China today are down 97% year-over-year. This underscores the importance of China and new trade agreements.
USDA Weighs “Bridge” Payments for Farmers
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden said this week at the Farm Progress Show that USDA is considering “bridge” assistance to help farmers make it into 2026. He noted that many of the most significant provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill, including improvements to PLC and ARC, do not take effect until October 2026, leaving growers without additional support in the near term.
Vaden pointed to USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation authority, which typically refreshes in November, as a possible avenue for short-term aid. He emphasized that commodity prices remain under pressure and that the department is looking both at ways to sustain farmers in the short run and to expand markets for U.S. commodities longer term. He also highlighted new trade enforcement actions against Brazil, arguing that subsidized production tied to deforestation is undercutting U.S. farmers in China. For sorghum producers, the conversation reflects both the immediate need for financial certainty and the longer-term importance of fair market access abroad.
70 Years Together, Growing America’s Sorghum
This year, in December, marks National Sorghum Producers’ 70th anniversary — seven decades of standing shoulder to shoulder with America’s sorghum farmers. From our earliest policy wins to today’s trade negotiations, our history is rich with stories of resilience, innovation, and hard-fought victories.
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing some of those stories, highlighting the people who shaped our industry, and looking ahead to what the next 70 years will bring.
We’d also love to hear from you. What has NSP meant to you, your operation, or your community? Share your stories, memories, and reflections by reaching out to ericw@sorghumgrowers.com. Stay tuned. The celebration is just getting started.
