National Sorghum Checkoff Program opened Commodity Classic with a big announcement– their partnership with DuPont Pioneer has yielded results.
“Today I’m pleased to share with you that, as a result of that partnership, we’ve made a discovery that is the first step, the first hurdle cleared in accelerating the sorghum breeding process,” said Cleve Franks, sorghum research scientist at DuPont Pioneer. “We’ve discovered two sorghum haploid inducers, which could ultimately lead to double haploids in sorghum. From a breeding perspective this could be a game changing discovery.”
Revolutionary could also describe the effects a double haploid could have on breeding. Currently it takes about 5 years to develop a commercial hybrid; the new system could bring that down to 1 year.
Listen to the National Sorghum Checkoff Program’s press conference here to learn more: National Sorghum Checkoff Program
Several members of the National Association of Wheat Growers addressed their top political priorities as well; issues like the upcoming Farm Bill, exports and trade with North American and Asia, and a national safety net in the form of crop insurance.
It’s a hard time for farmers across the country, says Vice President, Jimmie Musick. It’s very important that legislatures understand how critical these topics are to our country.
Listen to the full press release for the National Association of Wheat Growers here: National Association of Wheat Growers
2017 Commodity Classic Photo Album
