Producers Address China Pullback, Big Crop at Export Sorghum 2025

With China’s pullback, U.S. sorghum producers must broaden their export markets. Building connections now could help stabilize prices and demand for the upcoming larger crop.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (RFD-TV) — With U.S. sorghum exports to China down nearly 70 percent this marketing year and USDA projecting a 402 million bushel crop—17 percent larger than last year—industry leaders gathered in San Antonio for Export Sorghum 2025.

The United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Texas Sorghum, Kansas Sorghum, and industry partners organized the event to connect producers with new global buyers and highlight opportunities beyond China.

More than 130 producers, exporters, government officials, and international delegations attended the three-day program. Sessions covered sorghum grades and standards, sustainability, supply chain reliability, and uses in livestock and pet food. USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg joined to underscore export opportunities. Structured business-to-business meetings linked buyers directly with U.S. companies, while tours across the sorghum belt showcased production and logistics from farm to port.

The event underscored the Checkoff’s role in diversifying markets and securing future demand for sorghum.

Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: With China’s pullback, U.S. sorghum producers must broaden their export markets. Building connections now could help stabilize prices and demand for the upcoming larger crop.
Related Stories
Smaller cow numbers and a declining calf crop point to prolonged tight cattle supplies, limiting near-term herd rebuilding potential.
Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, provides new updates on winter storm impacts and the outlook for rural power reliability.
Jessi Grote from the AgriSafe Network provides winter safety guidance for rural communities still recovering from the recent winter storm.
CattleCon 2026 officially kicks off Tuesday and continues through Thursday, bringing producers together to shape the future of the U.S. cattle industry.
Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.
The changing political climate in America is leading to a drop in migrant crossings near the U.S.-Mexico border, where ranchers like Dr. Mike Vickers say they witnessed horrors from death to child trafficking.
Record milk output looks strong today, but shrinking replacement numbers mean future supply adjustments could be faster and more volatile.
Brent Graves of StockShowAuctions.com takes us to Grayson County to see the damage from a historic winter ice storm and what it will take to rebuild.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Cheaper freight is helping exports move, especially corn, but weaker soybean demand looms large.
Disease risks remain a key factor to watch heading into fall.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch explains how the Emergency Livestock Relief Program application process differs from other USDA aid programs.
According to the National Council of Farmers Cooperatives (NCFC), President and CEO Chuck Conner says, there is only one other option besides addressing ag labor shortages.
For rural communities, this shift could mean new housing options for farmworkers and young families priced out of metro markets.
The modest cut should slightly reduce borrowing costs on operating loans, land notes, and equipment financing for agriculture, giving some relief to producers under heavy debt loads.