The U.S. Sorghum Assurances Protocol, a document outlining the sustainability efforts of U.S. sorghum producers, was officially launched for public use at Export Sorghum 2025, held in San Antonio, Texas in September.
The protocol, jointly developed by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP), is a reference for international customers to be confident in the responsible production of their purchase.
“The Council and its partners are committed to providing current and potential users of U.S. sorghum with tools to better understand how sorghum can be harnessed as an eco-friendly input for food, feed and fuel supply chains in both mature and emerging markets,” said Carlos Suárez, USGBC director of global sustainability.
The document compiles 13 impact categories, ranging from air quality to water consumption to environmental biodiversity, and assesses those factors throughout the entire process of production and supply chain compliance and logistics.
“The U.S. sorghum industry aspires to be a leader in the development of standardized guidelines that effectively showcase the best practices that drive sorghum production and its positive impact across social, economic and environmental spheres,” said Shelee Padgett, USCP Director of Emerging Markets & Grower Leader Development.
“By providing both domestic and international supply chain partners with clear information and tools, stakeholders can more easily assess and validate that U.S. origin sorghum can meet the highest industry and public standards that are vital to market access in developed economies.”