Grain sorghum may give corn a run for its money as ethanol feedstock

In Illinois, grain sorghum appears to be increasingly popular as an ethanol feedstock, sidelining corn somewhat. A recent USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report showed corn demand for ethanol falling by 75 million bushels, making some experts predict that demand is being replaced by sorghum that is available even cheaper than corn in some areas. That figure runs close to the 105 million fewer bushels the WASDE expects to be exported this year, as Chinese demand for the grain slips and leaves the market oversupplied in return. That has weighed on prices for sorghum, making it potentially attractive for ethanol.