Our CEO Emily Skor joined National Sorghum Producers (NSP) Strategic Business Director John Duff on their podcast “Sorghum Smart Talk” to discuss the relationship between sorghum and ethanol, as well as the numerous benefits of ethanol-blended fuel, like E15.
Sorghum is a grain that is consumed used to produce ethanol. Typically, 20-30 percent of the U.S. sorghum crop is used to produce ethanol, and ethanol is the second largest market for sorghum. Ethanol producers purchase approximately $20 billion worth of grain from family farmers in the U.S., including more than $300 million worth of sorghum. Twelve ethanol plants regularly use sorghum, including all three of the facilities in Texas and nine of the 11 facilities in Kansas, underscoring its critical role in U.S. agricultural economy.
During the podcast, Skor underlined the significance of this partnership and of achieving year-round sales of E15 for our industry and for drivers across the nation.
“We just achieved a huge milestone on June 1st when the president cleared away one of the last regulatory hurdles to allow for the year-round sale of a blend of fuel with 15 percent ethanol,” Skor said. “[Independent retailers] offer E15 because its good for their business and because consumers like choice. And they see when a consumer drives up to the pump and they can get a fuel that saves them 5 to 10 cents per gallon, that’s what gets consumers in. When you tell them that the fuel their saving money on is also better for the environment, that just seals the deal.”
Sorghum Smart Talk is a joint podcast between the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and National Sorghum Producers. Sorghum Smart Talk exists to feature useful information and provide credible resources relating to the sorghum industry in order to benefit sorghum growers and industry stakeholders. Sorghum Smart Talk is available on numerous platforms for listeners to access. Download or listen now on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube or Libsyn.
Hear more from Skor and NSP Director John Duff’s podcast interview by clicking the link below: