Mike Pearson takes a look at the growing demand for ancient grains and how sorghum producers may be able to cash in on it.
Over the past decade, the ancient grains tory has opened the door for quinoa and couscous .
Now it's sorghum's turn.
The United Sorghum's Checkoff has launched the first human whole grain trial of sorghum to see the health benefits.
The trail conducted by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and funded by the USDA takes a cross over design involving adults with obesity.
Each participant will consume two whole grain sorghum varieties: A traditional white sorghum or Sumac sorghum.
The goal will be to measure insulin resistance, inflammation and gut microbes. In addition, they will be looking at body weight, blood pressure and more.
Now that this could do to producers is significant.
If the trial shows a positive outcome, then the sorghum industry will purse health qualified promises with the Food and Drug Administration.
It could also mean it could be used to create sorghum-based products to share with others.
This could mean new market demand at potentially high premiums for producers looking for a stronger market differentiation like whole grain or specialty variety sorghum.
On the agronomy side, this shifts the conversation.
For years, the idnustry has concentrated on drought tolerance and crop rotation as well as yield risk management alternatives. But this trial adds new dimensions.
Analysts say the extra work could be worth it as the market for ancient grains continues to grow quickly.
Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.