A new report by CoBank's Knowledge Exchange says the use of grain sorghum in U.S. ethanol production has more than doubled as ethanol producers increasingly adopt the drought-tolerant crop as an alternative feedstock. The shift comes as sorghum exports have slowed, encouraging greater domestic utilization and creating new market opportunities for growers.

The report highlights that ethanol producers have significantly increased sorghum consumption while reducing corn use in some facilities. Ethanol plants located in major sorghum-producing states such as Texas, Kansas, and South Dakota are well positioned to expand sorghum use, supported by existing processing infrastructure.

CoBank notes that the growing role of sorghum in biofuel production could strengthen long-term demand for the crop, particularly as clean fuel policies and low-carbon fuel initiatives continue to evolve. Expanding ethanol use offers sorghum farmers an additional domestic market while reducing reliance on export demand, improving market stability and supporting the crop's future growth.