2026 Nebraska Sorghum Producers Policy Resolutions
- Support for Bio-Products and Renewable Bioeconomy
The Nebraska Sorghum Producers (NeSP) strongly supports the development and expansion of sorghum-based bio-products that create diversified demand for sorghum and add value to farm production. This includes supporting policies and market incentives that encourage investment in biobased materials, industrial products, and renewable fuels derived from sorghum feedstocks. By expanding these markets, we aim to strengthen rural economies, enhance energy independence, and promote sustainable agricultural practices that benefit producers and end-users alike.
- Advocacy for Year-Round E15 Sales
NeSP advocates for the widespread availability of year-round E15 gasoline as a cost-effective, lower-carbon fuel choice for American consumers. We support federal and state policy initiatives that remove restrictive summertime usage bans on E15, enhance infrastructure for higher-blends at the pump, and ensure sorghum ethanol is fully recognized under relevant renewable fuel standards. Expanded E15 access increases demand for sorghum grain used in fuel production and strengthens farm-level revenue opportunities.
- Support for Free Trade and Market Access
NeSP reaffirms its commitment to open international markets and free trade agreements that expand export opportunities for Nebraska sorghum. We believe that fair and predictable trade policies are essential to maintaining competitive global market access, stabilizing prices, and ensuring that our producers can compete on a level playing field in overseas markets. Trade policy should protect agricultural interests and remove unnecessary barriers to sorghum exports.
- Efforts to Increase Sorghum Basis
The Nebraska Sorghum Producers support initiatives that improve the sorghum basis — the local cash price relative to futures markets — by enhancing market transparency, logistics infrastructure, and producer access to competitive marketing channels. NeSP encourages partnerships with grain handlers, merchandisers, and policymakers to identify and address basis challenges so that sorghum producers receive fair returns that reflect the true value of their crop.
- Support for State and National Sorghum Checkoffs
NeSP strongly supports the continued investment in and effective management of both the Nebraska Sorghum Checkoff and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. These checkoff programs fund essential research, market development, promotional activities, and educational outreach that benefit all sorghum stakeholders. We affirm the importance of checkoff programs as critical tools for expanding demand, improving production sustainability, and enhancing sorghum’s competitiveness.
- Commitment to Conservation, Regeneration, and Sustainability
The Nebraska Sorghum Producers recognize that sustainable production practices are integral to long-term agricultural viability and environmental stewardship. We support policy and incentive frameworks that encourage conservation planning, regenerative practices, soil health improvement, efficient water use, and carbon-sequestering cropping systems. By promoting and participating in sustainability efforts, sorghum farmers help conserve natural resources, build climate resilience, and demonstrate sorghum’s role as a resource-conserving crop for future generations.
How These Priorities Guide Our Advocacy
These policy priorities reflect the consensus views of the Nebraska Sorghum Producers and serve to guide our engagement with legislators, commodity partners, and stakeholders at both the state and national levels. They build on past resolutions and align with broader industry goals to support economic opportunity, market development, and agricultural sustainability.