WASHINGTON, DC, US — Changes have been made to US sorghum crop insurance, including the highest price election factor ever relative to corn, according to the Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The changes also include a silage policy that offers more support to farmers and removal of a barrier to insuring irrigated double crop in certain areas.

The sorghum price election for 2024 will be 100.2%, the highest level ever for sorghum and passing corn for the first time.

“As sorghum prices continue to strengthen, this development is poised to bring substantial benefits to sorghum farmers by enhancing the financial protection of their sorghum crop,” said Tim Lust, chief executive officer of the National Sorghum Producers. “The higher sorghum crop insurance price will serve as a significant incentive for growers to expand grain sorghum production, ultimately boosting the sorghum industry's vitality and profitability.”

The RMA also is simplifying the process for insuring irrigated sorghum silage. The previous requirement of having two years of history growing irrigated silage as a condition of insuring irrigated sorghum silage under the sorghum silage policy has been eliminated in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

This change streamlines the transition for farmers who primarily have a history of growing and insuring irrigated grain. It allows them to immediately access crop insurance for irrigated sorghum silage under the sorghum silage policy.

The written agreement process for irrigated double crop sorghum has been removed for 2024.

“These updates to sorghum crop insurance represent continued improvements for the sorghum industry,” said Craig Meeker, chairman of the NSP. “And while we recognize they are significant, we will continue to work with RMA to improve sorghum insurance for our members.”