Sorghum Checkoff and USDA-ARS team up to enhance sorghum genetics

The Sorghum Checkoff will fund a five-year, $1.21 million project with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) station in Lubbock, Texas, that will continue and expand research ARS has conducted on sorghum cold and drought tolerance and the identification of unique sorghum genetics.

The project will seek to continue drought and cold tolerance research, while also working to develop and mark key genes in sorghum, such as Tri-Seed. The effort will be led by Lubbock USDA-ARS Laboratory Director, John Burke, Ph. D.

“Dr. Burke and his team have become leaders in public sorghum research, working intimately with private industry and other public institutions to release game changing genetics to the sorghum industry,” said Stewart Weaver, Sorghum Checkoff chairman and sorghum grower from Edmondson, Ark. “This is another great example of how producer dollars are being used to enhance sorghum genetics.”