Sorghum Connection Winter Series Scheduled for Dec. 2–4
Kansas grain sorghum producers and agricultural professionals are invited to attend the 2026 Sorghum Connection Winter Series, scheduled for December 2–4 at three locations across Kansas. The meetings will feature the latest sorghum research, production management recommendations, and market outlooks to help growers prepare for the 2027 growing season.
The series is hosted by the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission in collaboration with K-State Extension and the K-State Department of Plant Pathology. Each one-day meeting will feature presentations from K-State specialists, industry representatives, and growers, with topics tailored to regional production challenges and opportunities.
Dates and Locations
The same general program format will be offered at three locations, with some topics and speakers varying by site.
- Wednesday, December 2 – El Dorado: Butler County 4-H Community Building, 200 N. Griffith St.
- Thursday, December 3 – Great Bend: Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St.
- Friday, December 4 – Liberal: Seward County Fairgrounds Ag Building, 1501 W. 8th St.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and the program concludes at 2:35 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
Program Topics
Each meeting will include a grower panel moderated by Sarah Sexton-Bowser, Director of the Center for Sorghum Improvement. Rodrigo Onofre, K-State Research and Extension Plant Pathology Row Crop Specialist, will discuss stalk rot, seed treatments, and foliar fungicides. Bruce Steward with FMC Corporation will also provide an update on products for protecting sorghum yield potential.
Additional presentations will focus on regional production and marketing considerations.
El Dorado – December 2
Topics will include precision agriculture and emerging technologies, advancements in sorghum seed genetics, regional markets, and a listening session focused on rethinking sorghum production.
Great Bend – December 3
Presentations will cover precision agriculture, nitrogen fertility management in grain sorghum, the sorghum end-user perspective, export markets and logistics, and strategies for optimizing limited water with forage sorghum.
Liberal – December 4
Topics will include water management and water-stable cropping systems, sorghum performance testing, the implications of the 45Z tax credit for biofuels, and the use of sorghum in dairy rations.
Registration Information
There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided. However, participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance.
Full agendas, speaker information, and registration are available at:
https://ksgrainsorghum.org/commission/sorghum-connection-2026
For additional information, contact Rodrigo Onofre, K-State Plant Pathology Row Crop Extension Specialist, at onofre@ksu.edu.