This week on Fridays in the Field, Bryce Doeschot takes an in-depth look at seed corn production in Nebraska, from the field to the processing plant.
The journey begins near Aurora, Nebraska, where Syngenta’s Field Production Manager, Kurtis Winters, explained why the region is an ideal location for seed corn production.
“This part of Nebraska—central Nebraska—has lots of good soil, lots of good irrigation, with the Ogallala Aquifer providing us with an abundance of water,” Winters said. “We grow seed corn all the way from Chapman down to Hastings, Nebraska, and partner with a lot of local growers.”
Trucks filled with seed corn from the fields make their way to the facility, where the corn is husked, sorted, dried, and eventually packaged.
“We focus a lot on quality,” said Ryan Petr, plant manager. “We have 40 employees here who take pride in what they do. The seed corn we’re putting in bags could be planted just outside our front door here in Nebraska.”
From the fields of Nebraska to distribution centers across the U.S., the seed corn produced here will soon be sent to farmers from California to North Dakota and Texas. This attention to detail, from harvest to packaging, ensures the highest quality product makes it to farms across the country.
Fridays in the Field is brought to you by FNBO, the great big small bank.
