Nebraska Agriculture and You 2014

NEBRASKA
STATES TOP INDUSTRY IMPACTING YOUR DAILY LIFE
AGRICULTURE AND YOU
Farming for Generations
HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS CARRY ON THE FAMILY TRADITION

Sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture // www.NEagriculture.com // 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEBRASKA
AGRICULTURE AND YOU
2014
7 Governors Welcome 9 Directors Welcome 10 Nebraska Agriculture Overview 13 Top Agricultural Products 14 Farming for Generations
High school sweethearts carry on the family tradition
20 Food Myths, Busted
Answers to common food-related questions
Livestock & Poultry

24 Breaking out of the Shell 30 The Meat of the Matter
Nebraskas egg industry focuses on value-added products Nebraska farmers, university researchers collaborate on more nutritious beef and pork
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE 2014

Crops & Plants
36 Amber Waves of Grain 42 Confection Perfection 47 Comeback Grain
Wheat grown in Nebraska is found in many foods and products Sugar beet production thrives in Western Nebraska Sorghum becomes more popular as the demand for gluten-free grows
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Global Appeal
68 Local Growers, World Providers
International trade puts Nebraska farmers on the map
Agricultural Education
48 School Smarts
FFA and agricultural education prepare students for careers in agriculture Nebraska college graduates pursue non-traditional agriculture careers
52 Think Outside the Farm
Local Food & Beverages

72 From Vines to Wines 78 The Time is Ripe
Nebraskas cold-hardy grapes produce award-winning wines Fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful in Nebraska
Renewable Fuels
56 Pump It Up
Ethanol stands out as renewable fuel alternative Cargills Blair campus produces more than ethanol with the states corn crop
61 The Whole Kernel
Consumer Protection
62 Safety First
States restaurant inspections help protect consumers while they are dining out Nebraska dairy products go through rigorous testing to ensure quality and freshness
Agricultural Technology
84 Drop by Drop
Nebraska farmers make large strides in conserving water
67 Wholesome Milk
On the Cover The Cantrells of Merna, Neb., represent the fourth and fifth generations of their family to continue the farming legacy.
PHOTO BY FRANK ORDOEZ
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GOVERNORS WELCOME
Welcome to
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NEBRASKA
AGRICULTURE AND YOU
WELCOME TO NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE AnD YOU
magazine. We hope the information throughout these pages will help you discover more about Nebraskas No. 1 industry agriculture. From Omaha to Valentine and Scottsbluff to Alma, agriculture is important. Our cities and towns, no matter how large or small, no matter how urban or rural, are tied to the farms, ranches and agribusinesses that power our economy. As youll learn in stories on these pages, over a quarter of our economic activity comes from the production of food, fuel and fiber. One of every four jobs is somehow related to agriculture, including jobs in sectors that you might not think to be agriculturally related, such as transportation, warehousing and logistics, banking, tourism, research/development and biosciences. This interconnectedness is why a successful agriculture industry should matter to all of us. In fact, Nebraskas agricultural strength and position as a national and international leader in agriculture is one of the key reasons our state has been financially stronger than many other areas of the country over the past several years. We have a rich base of natural resources that make agriculture a natural fit for our state. After years of traveling Nebraska and meeting hundreds of farmers and ranchers, I can tell you our success is about our people. Its their stories that can be found in this magazine, and I hope youll join me in learning more about what they do on a day-to-day basis 365 days a year to benefit all of us. Enjoy Nebraska Agriculture and You.
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NEagriculture.com

2014
Dave Heineman Governor of Nebraska
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NEBRASKA
AGRICULTURE AND YOU
2014 EDITION, VOLUME 2 JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Project Manager KIM NEWSOM HOLMBERG Marketing Director SARA QUINT Agribusiness Content Team RACHEL BERTONE, HANNAH PATTERSON, JESSY YANCEY Contributing Writers CATHY LOCKMAN, KIM MADLOM, JESSICA MOZO, BLAIR THOMAS, BETSY WILLIAMS Senior Graphic Designers STACEY ALLIS, LAURA GALLAGHER, JAKE SHORES, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS Graphic Designers JACKIE CIULLA, LINDSEY HIGGINS, KACEY PASSMORE, MATT WEST Senior Photographers JEFF ADKINS, BRIAN MCCORD Staff Photographers MICHAEL CONTI, WENDY JO OBARR, FRANK ORDOEZ, MICHAEL TEDESCO Color Imaging Technician ALISON HUNTER Ad Production Manager KATIE MIDDENDORF Ad Traffic Assistants KRYSTIN LEMMON, PATRICIA MOISAN Chairman GREG THURMAN President/Publisher BOB SCHWARTZMAN Executive Vice President RAY LANGEN Senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing KIM NEWSOM HOLMBERG Senior V.P./Agribusiness Sales RHONDA GRAHAM Senior V.P./Operations CASEY HESTER Senior V.P./Journal Digital MICHAEL BARBER V.P./External Communications TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./Sales HERB HARPER Controller CHRIS DUDLEY Senior Accountant LISA OWENS Accounts Payable Coordinator MARIA MCFARLAND Accounts Receivable Coordinator DIANA GUZMAN Sales Support Coordinator CHRISTINA MORGAN IT Director DANIEL CANTRELL Web Creative Director ALLISON DAVIS Web Services Team DAVID DAY, NELS NOSEWORTHY, RICHARD STEVENS Photography Director JEFFREY S. OTTO Creative Services Director CHRISTINA CARDEN Creative Technology Analyst BECCA ARY Executive Secretary KRISTY GILES Human Resources Manager PEGGY BLAKE Integrated Media Manager STEVE MURILLO
DIRECTORS WELCOME
Welcome to
NEBRASKA
AGRICULTURE AND YOU
IT iS MY PLEASURE TO wELCOME YOU TO THiS iSSUE OF THE
Nebraska Agriculture and You magazine. This publication is designed to showcase Nebraskas agriculture industry our states No. 1 economic driver. As the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, I have the extreme privilege of working with farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses across the state. I can tell you we as Nebraskans are fortunate to have such dedicated and innovative people raising the food, fuel and fiber that we all use in our everyday lives. Our agricultural industry is diverse, probably more so than many Nebraskans realize. For example, we lead the nation in the production of red meat, Great Northern beans and popcorn. We also rank near the top in the production of corn, soybeans, wheat, pinto beans, alfalfa hay, grain sorghum, millet, cattle, hogs, eggs, and ethanol and have a thriving specialty crop sector that grows seasonal fruits and vegetables. Why does this matter to you? Thats what this magazine is about. It will help you, as a consumer, get to know more about how these products are raised, the people who are doing the work, and why its important to us all that agriculture in Nebraska is successful. While its my honor to serve as Director of Agriculture, I also am a farmer. With the help of my family, I raise corn, soybeans and cattle in the central part of the state. Those of us involved in agriculture understand that these days consumers are bombarded with information about farming and food production. With this magazine, we hope to remove some of the mystery, providing you with access to information about how food, fuel and fiber are produced right here in Nebraska. Enjoy this edition of Nebraska Agriculture and You.
Nebraska Agriculture and You is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.
NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

Director GREG IBACH Assistant Director BOBBIE KRIZ-WICKHAM Special thanks to all Department staff for their support. For more information about the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, contact: Christin Kamm P.O. Box 94947, Lincoln, NE 68509-4947 (402) 471-2341 or by email at agr.webmaster@nebraska.gov No public funds were used in the publishing of this magazine. Copyright 2014 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member Member The Association of Magazine Media Custom Content Council
Greg Ibach Nebraska Director of Agriculture
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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Agriculture
Story by Blair Thomas
Connected to
Nebraskans past, present and future relate to the states top industry
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NebrasKa Agriculture and You
NEBRASKA HAS A nUMBER OF PROSPERinG
industries, but none are so interconnected to the states economy and future success as agriculture. I cant foresee a time when Nebraskas principle industry is not going to be agriculture, says Eric Thompson, associate professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Ag is a complex cluster of other industries, and together they comprise a huge part of the state economy. On average, the agriculture sector contributes $22.6 billion to the state economy each year, which is about 27 percent or more than a quarter of Nebraskas gross state product. It provides around 289,000 jobs comprising 23.6 percent of the states workforce. Its a diverse industry, so youre talking about a lot of different kinds of employment opportunities, Thompson says. Agriculture in Nebraska doesnt begin and end with the farmer. The industry is made up of many components that contribute to its success and make it a thriving enterprise. Processors, manufacturers, transportation and industry service providers all have a role in the various sectors of agriculture and contribute to the state economy. Id say about five to seven percent of the annual agriculture revenue is from actual ag production, Thompson says. But because we have such an abundance of agriculture products in Nebraska particularly livestock we have drawn other industries to the state. Agriculture service providers include seed and chemical companies, as well as farm equipment sales and repair, among others. Transportation, both trucking and railroad, provides an important service as a distributor of farming supplies and products. Processors include operations that finish crops and livestock into other products, from food, to feed, to fiber, to fuel. This includes food companies, large livestock feed mills, animal health nutrition companies and biofuels. Greater Omaha Packing Co. processes cattle for markets across the United States and in more than 50 countries. So with about 900 employees, its a part of the agricultural industry, even though it is located in the city of Omaha. This state thrives due to agriculture, says Angelo Fili, executive vice president of Greater Omaha Packing. I believe a vast majority of Nebraskans are in a job that is in some way related to agriculture. From careers in railroad, to selling real estate, to purchasing UNL football tickets, many dollars

circulating in the state arrive in Nebraska originally as a result of agriculture, Fili says. Its easy for people to think agriculture and just see a farmer or a field of corn, says Ernie Goss, a Creighton University economist who specializes in agricultures influence on the Nebraska economy. But agriculture is in every single thing that we do. Its in how we sell our state as a brand, in how we attract new businesses and people to the state, and its something we rely on for success here. In 2010, Eric Thompson and other scholars from the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics put together a study on the economic impact of Nebraska agriculture and its supporting industries for that year. These numbers are still the most accurate gauge of agricultures impact on the state in recent years. 2011 and 2012 were unique years in Nebraska agriculture because they had uncommon conditions, Thompson says. In 2011, the world saw a surge in the prices of agriculture products as a result of global conditions. Weather and other factors contributed to less-thanaverage years across the globe, but Nebraska was different. All over the world, farmers were having a bad year, Thompson says. But in Nebraska, the weather was great, we had high outputs and products had a high value. We had record farm income in some areas. In contrast, 2012 brought a considerable drought to the state, and agriculture sectors, particularly livestock, suffered. It will be interesting to look at the numbers for 2013, Thompson says. It will be the first year in the last few that we will really get a look at how agriculture is doing and what we can predict for the coming years. The technology of farming and agriculture is constantly changing and improving, as are the needs and economies of communities around the globe, Thompson says. Nebraska will continue to evolve to meet those needs and that will mean good things for Nebraskans, both urban and rural alike. The number of producers in the state may not grow, he says, but agriculture will continue to. It will continue to play a critical role in the state and will continue to stay on the cutting edge of developments in order to better serve the world. As the world income increases and demands for products like meat grow, Nebraska will be a key player in producing food for an increasing global demand. The future of Nebraska is dependent on agriculture, Fili says. In my opinion, completely and inseparably.
NEAGRICULTURE.COM
AN UNPREDICTABLE INDUSTRY
DIVISIONS OF AGRICULTURE
THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IN NEBRASKA
AGRICULTURE WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT
Photo by J. Patrick Phelan
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Banking on Nebraska
www.nebankers.org Supporting Agriculture
Nebraska banks loan nearly $10 billion annually to finance ag production and farm real estate. Producers have always been able to depend on their Nebraska banker.
Strengthening Our Communities

On Main Street Nebraska, your strong, local bank stands ready to serve your financial needs. Our local customer focus continues for today and for the tomorrows that lie ahead.
Serving Our State

Nebraska banks are making a positive impact on our states economy, with access to capital, a safe place to save, and numerous community contributions.
Before you make any major financial decision, visit with your local banker. Our financial strength gives us the ability to ride out tough economic times, and were committed to your future!
Top Agricultural Products

Nebraskas leading ag commodities, based on cash receipts
1. CATTLE & CALVES
With a total of 6.3 million head, Nebraska raises 7.1 percent of the nations cattle herd. Beef cattle can be found in every county in the state. The sector earned $10.3 billion in cash receipts in 2012.
6. MILK & DAIRY PRODUCTS

A total of 55,000 head of dairy cows generated milk worth $231 million in cash receipts in 2012. Nebraska is home to approximately 200 dairy farms, with most located in the central and eastern parts of the state.
2. CORN
The 2012 harvest of 1.29 billion bushels earned $8.52 billion in cash receipts. Nebraska generally ranks third in the nation in corn production. Corn for grain is usually planted from April to June.
7. HAY
Farmers generated $211 million in cash receipts on 2.57 million harvested acres of hay in 2012. Alfalfa and grass hay are produced in every county in the state.
3. SOYBEANS
Nebraska farmers harvested 4.9 million acres in 2012 and generated $ 3.02 billion in cash receipts. The state annually ranks in the top five in the nation for soybean production.
8. CHICKEN EGGS
Nebraska is home to 9.3 million chickens that lay about 2.7 billion eggs annually. This commodity generated $180 million in cash receipts in 2012. The state ranks 12th in the nation for egg production.
4. HOGS
The pork sector earned $ 888 million in cash receipts in 2012. Nebraska generally ranks sixth in the nation for pork production, and the sector supports more than 11,000 jobs.
9. DRY BEANS
In 2012, the dry beans sector brought in about $111 million in cash receipts. Varieties grown in Nebraska include Great Northern, Pinto, Black, Light Red Kidney, Navy, Pink and Garbanzo.
5. WHEAT
Farmers harvested 53.3 million bushels in 2012. Cheyenne County, in the Panhandle, ranked No.1 for production. The states wheat sector earned $414 million in cash receipts in 2012.
10. SUGAR BEETS

Sugar beet producers generated $105 million in cash receipts in 2012. In Nebraska, sugar beets are generally planted in April and harvested in October.
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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Story by Jessica Mozo
Staff Photos by Frank Ordoez
High school sweethearts carry on the family tradition
Kyle and Gina Cantrell with son Owen, two-year-old son Kipp and daughter Grace at their home.
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We eat what we grow, so its got to be the best. Food safety and quality are top priority on our farm.
KYLE AnD GinA CAnTRELL
KYLE CANTRELL, NEBRASKA FARMER

Fourth-generation farmers Kyle and Gina Cantrell of Merna, Neb., balance farm responsibilities with family life. A typical day might include helping son Owen and daughter Grace with school work, or taking son Kipp along when feeding cattle or moving grain. The couple hopes their children will one day carry on the familys farming legacy.
of Merna are no strangers to hard work or hard times. When the high school sweethearts graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2002 and returned home to farm on Kyles familys land, they operated at a loss their first year. That was an eye-opener, Kyle says. That year was extremely hot and dry, and the price of corn was terrible. I think that year has always been in the back of our minds and has helped keep us grounded. Today, Kyle and Gina have three kids Grace, Owen and Kipp and they continue to raise corn, soybeans and Angus cattle with Kyles father, Don, on 5,200 acres. Im a fourth-generation farmer, and God willing, my kids will be the
fifth, Kyle says. My great-grandpa started farming some of the same land we still farm today over 80 years ago. During the 1930s, he almost lost our farm in the Great Depression. Later in the 1980s when interest rates skyrocketed, my dad was barely able to hang on to the farm. The past couple years have been the most profitable years on our farm ever. Despite the hardships of farming, the Cantrells wouldnt choose any other occupation. I always knew I would farm, says Gina, who grew up on a farm 10 miles from Kyle. I loved my childhood and helped Mom and Dad on the farm. I had six siblings, and I wanted to be like my mom and raise my kids in that setting.
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Nebraska Agriculture and You
We make sure our animals are healthy because we feed the meat to our own kids, too.
GINA CANTRELL, NEBRASKA FARM MOM
Kyle and Gina Cantrell take their young son Kipp along to feed cattle.
Kyle says he has always loved playing in the dirt, even as a little guy. He laughs, Im still playing in the dirt. My toys are just bigger. Though fewer than 2 percent of Americans farm today, the Cantrells arent that different from citydwelling families. Gina wakes up the kids at 6:40 a.m. to get them ready for the school bus. Kyles day begins before dawn during planting and harvest, and every morning he meets with his dad and their three full-time employees to give everyone their tasks for the day. Kyle likens it to a meeting of office employees around a conference table. The neat thing about farming is every day is different with its own interesting challenges, Kyle says. Whether it be the crops, or the livestock, something new is always popping up. For the growing season, we plant the seeds in spring and then spend all summer taking care of the crops. We have 34 irrigation pivots that water our crops, and it takes a lot of time to make sure theyre

running properly and efficiently. I try to be home by 7 every night so we can have a sit-down meal. Like in most families, some nights that doesnt happen. I do a lot of cooking, but Kyles hours are so sporadic. Sometimes he works so much in harvest that the kids joke, Dad moved out, Gina says. There are days I think hell be home by a certain time, but things happen like a cow gets out so you never really know. Gina runs the household, gardens during the summer and chauffeurs the kids to and from activities in the school year. She also helps with the farm. I have our 2-year-old with me all the time, and sometimes Kyle will call me to go out and check the heifers, bale, feed cows, or take him lunch whatever he needs, she says. One thing the Cantrells would like consumers to understand is that they are consumers, too. We eat what we grow, so its got to be the best, Kyle says. Food safety
and quality are top priority on our farm. Every year the family processes one of their 300 cows and freezes the meat for their own consumption. We make sure our animals are healthy because we feed the meat to our own kids, too, Gina says. This is how we make our living, and the better care we take of our land and animals, the more we prosper. Kyle hopes at least one, if not all three, of their kids come back home and farm in the future. Our kids are so observant they learn about farming every day, he says. I love working with my dad. His positive attitude and work ethic has made farming fun. I hope my kids enjoy working with their dad as much as I have.
Whats Online
Meet more Nebraska farmers at NEagriculture.com.
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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Food Myths,
BUSTED
Story by Rachel Bertone
Answers to commonly asked foodrelated questions
IMPROVEMEnTS in TECHnOLOGY
occur every day. The horse was replaced by the automobile, rotary phones were replaced by smartphones, and black-and-white televisions were left on shelves in favor of high-definition flat screens. Todays food production is no different. In every sector you will find new products and techniques that boost yield, improve efficiency, increase safety, and grow more food with less land, water, pesticides, and fertilizer. With change comes questions. Here are three major food related topics that consumers seem to want to know more about organic foods, natural foods and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). The answers below come from experts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Organic foods have seen a rapid rise in popularity over the past 10 years. Once hard-to-find items, major retailers have picked up on the trend and offer a wide variety of organic products ranging from fruits and vegetables to meat, ready-to-eat meals and everything in between. Sales during this time period have grown from $3.6 billion to $21.1 billion and now account for over 3 percent of all U.S. food sales. What does organic really mean? Lets start with the fact that there is a difference between products marketed as organic and those that are actually certified and marketed as organic. Stop at any local farmers market, and youll be able to find foods marketed as organic. In this case, the farmer may be using organic practices on his or her farm, but perhaps has chosen not to seek official certification. Official certification comes through the USDAs National Organic Program (NOP). USDA established a set of regulations that a grower or processor must follow in order for the product to be certified organic. Operations are inspected on a yearly basis to ensure
ORGANIC FOODS
compliance with NOP regulations. The terms organic or certified organic can only be used, in a commercial retail setting, by operations that meet the regulations. What is the key difference between organic and non-organic foods? The main difference between organics and non-organics is that organics use no synthetic fertilizers or conventional pesticides, says Sarah Browning, extension educator at UNL. Organic farmers still use fertilizers and pesticides, but they have to be certified (NOP approved) and follow specific guidelines. In order to be USDA-certified organic, a farm has to follow organic practices for at least three years before it can go through the certification process. Are there proven health benefits to eating organic foods? Many consumers weigh choosing the supposed nutritional benefits of organics to paying a higher price, but Browning says that research hasnt given a conclusive answer on nutrition. Several studies have been done to determine health benefits of organic foods, including a recent one by Stanford University. The Stanford study suggests there is no significant difference in nutrition between organic and conventional crops. Other studies suggest that organics may contain more antioxidants and that organic produce has a 30 percent less chance of containing pesticide residues. In my opinion, organics are going to grow in importance and production, Browning says. There is a rising demand, and it comes back to the local connection that consumers want. However, there still needs to be more research about the exact benefits of organics. How has the rise in organic foods impacted the relationship between farmers and large-chain food suppliers? Its a tricky balance for large-chain food suppliers to keep up with organic demand because farmers cant provide the amount they need, according to USFRA. Organic farms are typically smaller, and there arent as many. But this is changing as farmers have recognized the increased marketing
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opportunities that can come from being certified organic. More farms are applying every year, including many large farms that can supply larger quantities. The problem for organic farmers in supplying big grocery stores is that they want a year-round supply, which farmers cant produce, says Charles Shapiro, soil scientist in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at UNL. Just as USDA certified organic products have experienced rapid growth, the demand for products labeled natural is also on the rise. But, when found on a food label, what does the term natural mean? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all foods except for meat and eggs (those are regulated by USDA). Both agencies enforce rules that the labels on food items must be truthful. What is a natural product? While neither USDA nor FDA have developed a definition of natural, the term loosely means that the product has, at most, had minimal processing and does not contain any added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances. Minimal processing allows the product to be cut into consumable sizes, such as cutting steaks from a side of beef. This does not alter the product, only the size of the product. Are natural products regulated? There is not a formal process a farmer and/or food processing company has to go through to label a product natural. However, under the truth in labeling regulation, a product that is processed beyond the minimum or has artificial ingredients added to it could not be labeled as natural. What other types of labels can be used on food? There are several other words that can be used to describe meat or egg products. According to the USDAs website, these are some popular labels and their definitions: Free-range The flock is provided shelter, food, water and continuous access to the outdoors. The outdoor area may be fenced. Staff Photos by Jeffrey S. Otto
NATURAL AND OTHER LABELS
Whats Online
Read more questions and answers about food production at NEagriculture.com.
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Cage-free The flock is freely able to roam a building, room or enclosed area with unlimited access to food and water. Grass-fed Animals receive a majority of their nutrients from grass or hay but their diet may be supplemented with grain. Pasture-raised Due to the large number of variables, the USDA has not developed a definition for pasture-raised. Humane Many companies offer to verify that animals are raised humanely but the criteria can vary widely. These labeling programs are not regulated under a single USDA definition. One other label that has become increasingly popular is local. Local is not defined or regulated by the USDA or FDA. Even among farmers the term is not clear. However, often times the farmers nearest city or town is listed, and then the consumer can determine if that is local enough for them.
as part of the regulatory process that is required before those crops can be grown commercially. Another important thing to remember is that almost all GMO traits can be found naturally. Just because we do genetic engineering doesnt mean its not natural, Mackenzie says. For these changes to occur naturally is extremely time consuming. GMOs are designed to expedite the natural occurrence faster. How are GMOs beneficial? Cahoon notes that GMO crops can
help farmers reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticides they need to use. Mackenzie says plant breeders continue to look at GMO technology as a way to enhance the health benefits of certain crops. She says one trait that scientists are working on is the modification of the oil composition in soybeans. Soybean oil is widely used in cooking and is generally labeled vegetable oil. The oil will have more nutritional benefits, similar to olive oil. This adds value to the crop, benefiting the farmer and the consumer.
GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are crops that have been developed by the introduction of genes; this improves specific qualities of the crop, such as resistance to insects, herbicide tolerance and nutritional qualities, according to Dr. Ed Cahoon, director of the UNL Center for Plant Science Innovation. Many consumers are asking questions about the safety of these crops. Can GMOs have an effect on human health, either harmful or helpful? Dr. Sally Mackenzie, professor in the UNL Center for Plant Science Innovation, says that GMOs have been on the market for 15 years. Currently, with the traits that are on the market, there have been zero reports of new allergies or health concerns that are caused from transgenic traits, she says. There are proteins in plants that can behave as allergens, but GMOs have never provided any concern in that arena. Cahoon adds that GMO crops go through extensive testing for safety to both humans and the environment
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GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOS)
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LIVESTOCK & POULTRY
SHELL
Story by Kim Madlom
Breaking OUT OF THE
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Illustration by Kris Sexton
9 million
BIRDS POPULATE NEBRASKAS COMMERCIAL LAYING FACILITIES AND PRODUCE MORE THAN
Yolks are separated from egg whites during processing at Michael Foods in Wakeeld, Neb.
MORE THAN
Nebraskas egg industry focuses on value-added products

NEBRASKA HAS 9 MiLLiOn
hens, and they produce more than 2.7 billion eggs annually, yet you wont find many sold by the dozen in the grocery stores. Thats because a vast majority of those 2.7 billion eggs become further-processed egg products, according to Susan Joy, former manager of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Poultry and Egg Division. Joy explains that further-processed eggs can be found in many everyday food products, from your home pantry to fast food restaurants. Further-processed egg products is a fancy way of saying our eggs go into cake and pudding mixes, ice cream and mayonnaise, for example, Joy says. These products are used in every aspect of food preparation and consumption, from the home cook to bakeries to the military.

2.7 billion
EGGS EACH YEAR.
The products provide nutrition in space and to children in school cafeterias. Nebraska is a national leader in the production of further-processed egg products, based on the work of two major Nebraska companies Michael Foods Egg Products Company in Wakefield in northeast Nebraska and Henningsen Foods Inc., based in Omaha. These companies take shell eggs, break them, and then turn the yolks and whites into pasteurized refrigerated liquid, frozen, dried or other specialty products. These products are sold to national and international markets. These are labor-saving products and they are safe products, and thats very important, Joy says. Plus, eggs and egg products are packed with the highest quality protein available and
EGGS WITH A SPECIFIC PURPOSE

A national leader in furtherprocessed eggs, Nebraskas hens lay eggs with an important purpose. The eggs they lay will be broken open, and then the yolks and whites will be further processed and used in food production. Examples include use in cake mixes, ice cream and mayonnaise.
A NATIONAL LEADER
EGG PROCESSING: MICHAEL FOODS
Processed eggs are comparable to shell eggs in flavor and nutritional content.
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The NU TR ITI O NA L
CO NTE NT O F E GGS
Eggs are an important source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which lower the risk of heart disease, cancer and arthritis.
70 calories
Since 2002, cholesterol in eggs has decreased by
ONE LARGE EGG HAS APPROXIMATELY
14%
while vitamin D has increased by
64%
EGGS PROVIDE THE HIGHESTQUALITY PROTEIN OUT OF ANY FOODS. THIS HELPS YOU STAY FULL LONGER AND PROMOTES A HEALTHY WEIGHT.
One egg contains six grams of protein. The yolk is responsible for half of this.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, American Egg Board
EGG PROCESSING: MICHAEL FOODS
are perfect to provide nutrition to countries around the world. Diane Sparish, vice president of corporate communication for Michael Foods, says the company is the largest processor of eggs in North America and provides a wide range of products, such as liquid eggs, hard-cooked eggs, dried eggs, and pre-cooked eggs, such as patties, omelets and French toast. We provide products to food service, retail and food ingredient customers, Sparish says, so valueadded eggs produced in Nebraska are likely to be found in foods, baked goods, grocery stores and restaurants across the United States.
Joy notes that not only does the Nebraska egg industry serve as an important food source for Nebraska consumers, the industry also supports many jobs in the state, thereby playing a positive role in Nebraskas overall economy. Both Michael Foods and Henningsen Foods employ hundreds of people in the eastern part of the state. Michael Foods, for example, employs more than 800 people in Nebraska. In addition, there are a number of egg farms in Nebraska that provide eggs to Michael Foods and Henningsen Foods, and those farms
CREATING NEBRASKA JOBS
Michael Foods in Wakeeld, Neb., employs more than 800 people to further process eggs.
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Hens at this barn in northeast Nebraska lay eggs that will be further processed into products for restaurants, military and school food.
buy feed ingredients, such as soybeans and corn, from countless other Nebraska farms. We purchase corn from Nebraska farmers to feed our hens, Sparish says. Michael Foods buys about three and one-half million bushels of corn each year for our companyowned farms. The vast majority of that corn is purchased locally. Its important to our company to support the communities where our employees live and work. In fact, Nebraska egg-laying hens consume more than 8 million bushels of corn and about 70,000 tons of soybean meal annually. Our state is extremely fortunate to have these major international egg companies that employ hundreds of people, Joy says of Michael Foods and Henningsen Foods. Its wonderful to have these dynamic companies in Nebraska.

White versus Brown Eggs

1. There is no difference in nutrition, cooking or quality. 2. Usually hens with white earlobes lay white eggs, while hens with red earlobes lay brown eggs. 3. Brown eggs can be more expensive because they are usually produced by larger, dual-purpose breeds, which can be used for both meat and egg production. This usually results in higher feeding costs and larger eggs.
Source: American Egg Board
MICHAEL FOODS EGG PROCESSING: MICHAEL FOODS
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LIVESTOCK & POULTRY
The
Matter
Story by Jessy Yancey
Meat
of the
Fourth-generation farmer Todd Eggerling, at left, raises beef cattle near Martell, Neb. The state is a national leader in both beef cattle and swine production. Both industries have made signicant strides in recent years to increase the nutritional value of beef and pork products.
Nebraska farmers, university researchers collaborate on more nutritious beef and pork

NEBRASKAS BEEF AnD PORK PRODUCERS
have heard the call for healthier choices at the meat counter. In addition to caring for their livestock, they are also taking care to raise more nutritious options for consumers. Pork used to be considered a fattier meat, but today its a completely different product, says Jane Stone, domestic marketing director for the Nebraska Pork Producers Association. Pork producers have changed the way they breed and feed their animals to make a leaner product. Likewise, beef producers have partnered with university researchers to bring better beef to consumers tables. Weve greatly improved the nutritional value of meat over the past 50 years, says Dr. Chris Calkins, a meat scientist at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Beef the states top industry contributes more than $12 billion to Nebraskas economy each year. About one in five steaks comes from Nebraska, so beef has a huge economic impact, Calkins says. In the late 1990s, Calkins and colleagues at the University of Florida and the National Cattlemens Beef Association embarked on a muscle-profiling project.
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RAISING THE STEAKS
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We found that some muscles being ground into hamburger were the quality of good steak, he says. This study led to the introduction of the flat iron steak in 2002. Today, restaurants sell 80 to 90 million pounds of the cut each year. By focusing on individual muscle cuts of meat, shoppers are presented with much healthier options. Of 21 cuts of steak, 15 are designated lean, including T-bone, sirloin and strip steaks, which are great for the grill, and flank steak and three kinds of round steaks, perfect for marinating. In fact, any beef cut with the word round or loin in the name signifies a lean option. The amount of fat being sold by grocers is much reduced, Calkins says, but all that has happened behind the scenes where the customer doesnt see. Most customers are also unfamiliar with how the animals are raised on the farm. Fourth-generation cattle farmers Kristen and Todd Eggerling of Bluestem Valley Farms near Martell are working to dispel some common myths. People have the misconception that farming is all corporate, Kristen Eggerling says, but here in America, 98 percent of farms and ranches in the U.S. are owned by families like ours. The Eggerlings, who have a 150-head cow herd, have created YouTube videos to help consumers understand cattle care.
GRAIN-FED NEBRASKA BEEF IS KNOWN WORLDWIDE FOR ITS FLAVOR AND QUALITY.
Pork is the most widely consumed meat worldwide. 46.6 percent of the worlds population eats pork products.
Beef cuts like these found in a Lincoln, Neb., Super Saver represent lean, nutritious protein options for consumers.
Whats Online
Confused by the cuts and grades of meat offered at your local butcher counter? Visit NEagriculture.com to learn more about the grading system for beef and a rundown of all the different lean cuts of beef and pork, as well as how to prepare them.
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All lean beef cuts have less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3.5-ounce serving.
Students at the University of Nebraska Lincoln research meat science to continue to improve the nutritional quality of beef products.
Cattle arent like pets theyre made to live outside in the elements like raccoons or deer, she says. As beef producers, we follow protocol for how we manage our cattle, because healthy animals make healthy food. We know exactly what each animal needs each day, from how much feed to what nutrients. Almost all cattle feed is locally grown, says Dr. Galen Erickson of the University of Nebraska Lincoln. In addition to being produced in Nebraska, the feed contributes to higher quality beef. High-energy feeds, such as corn, milo or grain sorghum, wheat and barley, are very good at increasing marbling of cattle, he explains. Marbling refers to the specks of fat in meat but not necessarily the bad kind of fat. Stearic, a fatty acid very prevalent in beef, actually lowers blood cholesterol and LDLs. Marbling also ties into the different quality grades such as prime and choice, which predict the tenderness of steak. Visit NEagriculture.com to learn more about the beef grading system. Higher quality cattle also dont get sick as much, they perform better and theyre more efficient, meaning it takes less pounds of feed to put on weight, Erickson says. Theres a tremendous incentive for producers to keep cattle healthy and thriving. Nebraskas pork industry generates about $775 million in cash receipts annually, and the state ranks sixth in the

PORKS HEART-HEALTHY BENEFITS
nation for pork production. Like their cattle-owning counterparts, hog farmers have worked steadily to offer healthier and more flavorful choices for consumers. If you go into a modern hog barn, youll find producers are consulting nutritionists about feed and rationing, says Jane Stone with Nebraska Pork Producers. Terry and Diane ONeel raise hogs on their 750-acre farm near Friend, Neb. Today they have more than 500 sows (female pigs) in their birth-to-market operation. Like most pig farmers, they raise their animals indoors to protect them from predators, parasites, sunburn, rain and snowstorms, Terry ONeel explains. Innovations in breeding and feeding have also evolved on the familys farm. Pork has been made much leaner over the last 20 years by the use of genetic lines that have less back fat and more lean muscle, ONeel says. We also have modified the pigs diet to allow the pig to express its genetic potential. That, in turn, means more nutritious pork for the public. A 2006 USDA study found that six common cuts of fresh pork are, on average, about 16 percent lower in total fat and 27 percent lower in saturated fat than they were in 1991. These cuts are the boneless top loin chop, top loin roast, center loin chop, sirloin roast, rib chop and tenderloin. Pork tenderloin recently received the American Heart Associations seal of approval, Stone says. Its considered a heart-healthy food that is actually lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than a boneless, skinless breast of chicken.
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CROPS & PLANTS
Wheat grown in Nebraska is found in many foods and products
Waves of Grain
Amber
Photos by J. Patrick Phelan
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IF YOU GOT OUT OF BED THiS
Wheat acres are harvested in Cheyenne County, Neb., using large combines, then the grain is loaded into large trailers to be taken to storage or an elevator.
morning, chances are youve encountered wheat multiple times already, whether in the cereal you had for breakfast, the soap you used in the shower or the make-up you applied to your face. Wheat is one of the three mostconsumed grains in the world and the third-largest crop grown in Nebraska, bringing more than $414 million to the states economy in 2012 alone. Wheat is hugely important to Nebraska and to the world, says Caroline Brauer, ag promotion coordinator for the Nebraska Wheat Board. It plays an important role in providing dietary fiber and grains we need. Wheat is found in many of the foods we eat, from breads, cereals and pasta to pizza dough and hamburger buns. Besides dietary fiber, wheat is a good source of energy-providing
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carbohydrates, major B vitamins such as thiamin and folic acid, and iron. Wheat is not only used in food it is also found in everyday products such as glue, paper, cosmetics, soaps and pet food. The United States is one of the worlds largest exporters of wheat, and according to the United States Department of Agriculture, Nebraska has about 8,000 of Americas wheat farms. About half of wheat produced in the United States is used domestically, and the other half is exported internationally to countries including Mexico, Nigeria, Taiwan, Japan and China. The process of getting wheat from the fields onto grocery store shelves involves many people. But it all starts with the farmer. Rick Larson and his wife Diane raise 800 acres of wheat on a farm his grandfather bought in the 1940s. They are located in Banner County, a county
OF NEBRASKAS WHEAT IS ANNUALLY EXPORTED TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
50%
AS MUCH AS
largest crop grown in Nebraska.
3rd
Wheat is the
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CROPS & PLANTS
Wheat Exports, From Planting to Milling
1. Growing & Harvesting

Nebraska farmers grow hard red winter and hard white winter wheat. The states producers harvested 53.3 million bushels of wheat in 2012, with as much as 50 percent to be exported.
2. Storage & Inspection

After harvesting, wheat is stored in an elevator or in grain bins on family farms. Wheat to be exported internationally is inspected by the Federal Grain Inspection Service.
3. Transportation
Most Nebraska-grown wheat is transported by train or barge to a port. Major ports are located in the Pacic Northwest, the Great Lakes Region and the Gulf of Mexico.
WHOLESOME
SQUARES
4. Global Transport
Nebraska exports wheat internationally to countries like Taiwan, South Korea, Colombia, Panama and the largest importer of U.S. hard red winter wheat, Nigeria.
5. Milling & Products

Wheat is milled and then used in a variety of products, including food, cosmetics, paper, pet food, soap, shampoo, insulation, trash bags and particle board.
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that is on the western-most edge of the state in the Panhandle. We plant hard red winter wheat in the fall, and it comes up and reproduces in the spring, Larson says. It is harvested in early summer, usually July. Brauer says there are two classes of wheat grown in the state. The hard red winter wheat that Larson plants is the most common type grown in Nebraska. It is generally used for the flour that goes into loaf bread, hamburger buns and other foods. Hard white winter wheat also is grown in Nebraska, but to a much lesser extent because it needs a more arid climate and therefore can only be grown in the western part of the state. Brauer says it is growing in popularity because it can be milled into a whole wheat flour that retains more whole grain characteristics, while providing the color, texture and taste of a refined white flour. It is popular for use in Asian noodles and flat breads. While some Nebraska farmers harvest their wheat using their own equipment, Larson says he hires crews called custom harvesters to do it for him. These crews generally start their harvesting in Texas, move to Oklahoma and continue north, harvesting for farmers as wheat matures in Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas and up into Canada. Americans today are three or four generations removed from the farm, and people dont realize the technologies and costs involved in the food we produce, says Larson. Most people associate wheat going into flour to make bread, but tortillas are a huge market for us today, and so are noodles. Once the grain is harvested, farmers generally deliver it to a grain elevator. The grain elevator tests the wheat for various characteristics, such as how dry it is and how much protein is in it. The wheat then is shipped to a mill, usually by train. (Wheat that is to be exported internationally is shipped by rail to the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Northwest.) Mills convert the grain into flour that is then used by commercial and artisan bakers, and general consumers, to create a wide

variety of foods. Manufacturers use the by-products of flour production to make other everyday items. The majority of Nebraskas wheat is raised along the southern border and in the western part of the state, where it is more arid. It is a droughtresistant crop that can grow well with limited rainfall or irrigation. Larson says the wheat industry today is creating a safe, wholesome product using science-based technology. Our seed selection has improved, resulting in higher yields and better milling quality, he says. We use less
tillage, more crop rotations and were making our inputs work more efficiently and effectively. For Larson, raising wheat and farming in general is more than a job its a way of life. Agriculture is a very blessed occupation, he says. We get to plant seeds and watch the miracle of food being produced. Theres nothing else like it.
Whats Online
Learn more about Nebraska-grown crops at NEagriculture.com.
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CROPS & PLANTS
Confection
Perfection
Story by Betsy Williams
Sugar beet production thrives in Western Nebraska

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SUGAR BEETS ARE A SwEET
crop for Nebraskas Panhandle farmers, contributing more than $165 million to the local economy. But it is also a sweet crop for Nebraska consumers, literally, because the sugar beets western Nebraska farmers grow can become the granulated sugar, powered sugar and brown sugar consumers use in baking, or the sugar that sweetens candy bars and a vast array of other goodies. Approximately 300 western Nebraska farmers grow 1.3 million tons of sugar beets a year on 50,000 acres, with an end product equal to about 4.5 million hundred-pound
bags of crystallized sugar. This sugar is packaged and sold under 35 different labels, including Great Western (GW), Roundys, Surfine and Walmarts Great Value brand. Not only are sugar beets grown in the Panhandle of Nebraska, they also are processed there. In 2002, farmers joined forces and formed the Western Sugar Cooperative (WSC), purchasing five midwestern processing plants, including one in Scottsbluff. Across a four-state region, WSC has approximately 1,100 farmers whose production makes up about 10 percent of the nations sugar beet market. The United States produces 70 percent
Sugar beets are unloaded from trucks into large piles for processing at Western Sugar Cooperative in Scottsbluff, Neb.
Photos by Michael Smith
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THE STATES SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY IS ALMOST ENTIRELY LOCATED IN THE NEBRASKA PANHANDLE.
50,000
ACRES OF SUGAR BEETS ARE PLANTED ANNUALLY BY NEBRASKA FARMERS.
When fully grown, a sugar beet is about one foot long and weighs between two and five pounds.
APPROXIMATELY
of the nations sugar consumption, and about 55 percent of that is derived from sugar beets. We are a cooperative, so we are grower-owned, says Jerry Darnell, ag manager for Western Sugar in Nebraska and Colorado. This creates the opportunity for the farmer to raise the crop, put it through the mill and then it goes to grocery store shelves, so the farmer has a stake through the process. For Scottsbluff native Jim Darnell Jerrys father raising sugar beets is in his genes. Jim is a thirdgeneration sugar beet farmer, whose grandfather hand-dug sugar beets. My grandfather let me pull my first beets with him, Jim says. At that time, they were harvesting one row at a time, 22 inches wide. Now we harvest six rows, 30 inches wide at a pass. Its changed from the trucks I drove that held six or seven tons to trucks that now haul 30 tons. Sugar beets are planted in midApril and have two harvest periods, one early harvest that starts in midSeptember and another regular harvest that starts at the beginning of October. Harvested beets are stacked into large piles that have
From Beet to Sugar

GROWING & HARVESTING
In Nebraska, sugar beet seeds are planted in the spring, and the mature crop is harvested in the fall, usually October. Sugar beets are hardy plants that can be grown in a variety of climates, but require a great deal of water for growth. In Nebraska, most sugar beets are irrigated. Harvesting is mechanical, and a typical harvester can cover six rows at a time. The harvester chops the leaf and crown from the root, lifts the root, and removes excess soil from the root in a single pass over the field.
Source: Western Sugar Cooperative
STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION
Once the beets are harvested, they are left in piles at the side of the field. A conveyor system loads the beets into a trailer to be delivered to the factory. Sugar beets are typically grown within a 60 mile radius of a processing factory, but can be grown up to 100 miles away. After the beets are delivered, they are dry screened, sampled and weighed. Large machines called pilers stack the beets in piles as large as 18 feet tall by 180 feet wide by several hundred feet long. The beets are stored there until needed by the factory.
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the look of a pile of gravel. For the early harvest, only enough beets are pulled that can be processed prior to the October harvest, because beets will spoil in the warmer weather if left in piles too long. For the regular harvest, the piles are stacked large enough to keep the beets from freezing in Nebraskas frigid winters. The processing plants will run for 24 hours a day, seven days a week until all the beets are processed, usually by the end of February in Scottsbluff and the other plants owned by WSC. The beets are cleaned and pass through a variety of processes in order to get to the granulated state as the bagged sugar with which most consumers are familiar. The beets are generally about 75 percent water, 20 percent sugar and 5 percent pulp. The pulp and molasses left over from processing arent wasted; they are sold as feed. Even the green top that is cut when the beets are pulled out of the ground is used as fertilizer. What is the difference between sugar refined from beets and sugar refined from cane? None, says Jerry. Sugar is sugar, he says, it all comes from sucrose.
Sugar beet production has greatly improved over the years, with better seed that is more resistant to pests and disease. This creates a better quality and higher yielding crop, says Jim, who utilizes 750 acres of his 4,000-acre farm for sugar beets. This is better for consumers, but also for the economy of western Nebraska. It makes us feel good as growers to know we are getting treated fairly, Jim says, noting that at the time the co-op was formed in 2002, it was doubtful the states sugar beet industry would survive. It was a very good time to purchase, and we have had great leadership. Its good to be in a strong position now. Because it is grower-owned, Nebraskans can feel good about supporting this aspect of the states economy, Jerry says. And its easy to know if the sugar they are buying is local. Simply check the label, and if there is an F in the code, it came from the Scottsbluff factory.
NEBRASKA IS THE #1 PRODUCER OF GREAT NORTHERN BEANS IN THE U.S.
NEBRASKAS DRY EDIBLE BEANS ARE NATURES SUPER FOOD. Although dry beans vary considerably in flavor, size, color and shape, their composition is remarkably similar. They are packed with protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and are low in fat. One half cup of cooked dry beans contains approximately 115 calories and provides 8 grams of protein. Dry beans contain several types of phytochemicals such as lignans, flavonoids and phytosterols. Their compounds may play a role in preventing osteoporosis, heart disease and certain cancers.
Whats Online
See more photos of sugar beet harvest and processing at NEagriculture.com.
PROCESSING & CRYSTALLIZING
Processing requires multiple steps, beginning with washing, separating the beets from any rocks or trash, and then cutting the beets into strips. Sugar is diffused from the beets, and the wet pulp thats left is dried to be used as livestock feed. The liquid, or raw juice, is purified, filtered and clarified to create a clear juice. Crystallization involves evaporation and separating the finely ground sugars. The sugar is stored in bags of various sizes, depending on the end customer.
4502 Ave. I Scottsbluff, NE (308) 632-1258 Visit www.nebraskadrybean.com for tasty recipes and detailed nutritional information.
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CROPS & PLANTS
Comeback Grain
F
rom animal feed to ethanol to tasty food products including flour and cereal safe for people living with celiac disease Nebraskas grain sorghum is an extremely versatile crop. There has been lots of success in the sorghum industry, and were getting outstanding yields, says John Dvoracek, a sorghum farmer located northwest of Farwell in the central part of the state. Its been really great to see all the renewed interest in the crop. Dvoracek has been farming as long as he can remember and has served on the state sorghum board for a number of years. He says you can make just about anything with sorghum, and his favorite snack is to pop it like popcorn. Its better because it doesnt have the hulls, he says. Categorized as a cereal crop, archaeological findings confirm the ancient grain has been around since 8000 B.C., originating in eastern Africa. Its also commonly referred to as milo. Barbara Kliment, executive director of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, says sorghum is generally cultivated in areas that are too dry or too hot for corn production. In Nebraska, this means production is mainly in the southeast-central to west-central area and south of the Platte River. Sorghum is planted mainly on dry land acres, but recent restrictions on water available for irrigation have brought renewed attention to sorghum as a wateruse-efficient rotational crop with corn, soybeans and wheat, Kliment says.
Sorghum becomes more popular as the demand for gluten-free grows
Just as wheat and corn are used for many different things, sorghum also has a wide variety of uses, with the most common being an ingredient in livestock feed. The grain is also incorporated into pet food for dogs and cats, and used frequently in birdseed. The commodity can be found in a number of industrial products, such as ethanol, plywood and gypsum board manufacturing, and the production of packing peanuts. Approximately one-third of the U.S. sorghum crop goes into production of biofuels, Kliment says. Livestock feed takes another 33 percent, and the export market consumes about 20 percent of the crop. These three comprise the core market for sorghum farmers in Nebraska and the United States. But despite its relatively small market saturation, one significant and fast-growing use of sorghum is in food for humans. The grain is inherently gluten-free, making it safe for people with celiac disease and other food allergies. People who have celiac disease are unable to digest gluten that is found in wheat, barley and rye, which restricts their diets. Dvoracek says about 2 percent of the total
U.S. sorghum crop is used for human consumption. Sorghum is also high in protein and is a great source of energy, containing 75 percent complex carbohydrates. It contains a high amount of vitamins, minerals and cancer-fighting antioxidants. Dvoracek says recent research has found that the bran part of the grain, when ingested, helps to balance digestive activity, can lower cholesterol and helps with Crohns disease, which is a form of inflammatory bowel disease. Because sorghum plays a prime role in the diets of those with celiac disease and other allergies, Kliment adds that demand for the crop from food companies increases each year, in both domestic and international markets. And sorghum tastes good, Kliment says. One does not have to be celiac or have a food allergy to enjoy and benefit from the wholesome goodness of sorghum. It can be substituted for wheat, barley or rye flour in a variety of baked goods. When cooked as whole or pearled grain, it can also be eaten as a hot cereal or used to replace pasta in salads, casseroles and soups. Rachel Bertone
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AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Norris High School student Ashley Florer examines a poinsettia plant in the schools greenhouse.
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Smarts
School
Nebraska FFA and agricultural education prepare students for local careers in agriculture
with the ability and motivation to maximize their potential in college and the workplace. Of Nebraskas 268 high schools, 150 offered agricultural education programs during the 2013-2014 academic year. Over the last four years, 20 Nebraska high schools added ag education programs, Kreifels says. Agricultural education is reaching a higher percentage of Nebraska students than ever. Kreifels notes students dont need to come from a farm or rural setting to benefit from an agricultural education program. More than 13,000 students are enrolled in agricultural education courses statewide, and those classes are preparing them for more than 300
BRAin DRAin iS A
challenge in many Midwestern states, as highly skilled high school and college graduates flock to large metropolitan areas to pursue their careers. But here in Nebraska, where one in four jobs is related to agriculture, FFA and agricultural education programs are helping reverse that problem. We see agricultural education as an avenue to address brain drain in Nebraska, says Matt Kreifels, state director of Nebraska agricultural education for the Nebraska Department of Education. Students who fully participate in an agricultural education program become college- and career-ready. They have the academic and technical background coupled

13,000
STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION COURSES STATEWIDE.
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possible careers in agribusiness, animal and plant systems, natural resources, environmental systems, food science and more. Agricultural education in Nebraska consists of three components: classroom instruction, experiential learning through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and leadership development through FFA. FFA is typically the image of an ag education program because it serves as the recognition and achievement arm of our programs, Kreifels says. Students have the ability to test the skills and knowledge they acquire through the classroom, laboratory and their SAE projects in competitions with other FFA members. FFA is also known for
giving students opportunities in leadership development as they experience what its like to serve on committees and as officers in their local chapter, practice parliamentary procedure and communicate through public speaking events. Nebraska had more than 6,600 FFA members in 2012-2013, and that number grows every year. As you can imagine, a cohesive program that spans a students entire high school career has the ability to impact an individual on a deep level, Kreifels says. Ag education provides opportunities for students to excel in our state and nations largest industry, and we help them do that through a unique and transformational model of instruction.
A unique and highly regarded aspect of agricultural education is its focus on hands-on learning opportunities. Students at Norris High School visit local farms, work in the schools greenhouse and plan their own projects, or supervised agricultural experience programs.
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Norris High Schools successful agricultural education program has been preparing students for career success since 1969. Two full-time agriculture instructors and FFA advisors Doug Malone and Kristyn Harms teach 500 students each year about everything from greenhouse management and floral design to landscaping, welding and animal science. The Norris FFA Chapter has 100 members who are active in their school and community. Our school sits on 270 acres and represents seven towns, Malone says. We have our own 110-acre test plot where our students raise soybeans and corn, as well as our own greenhouse. Were only 10 miles from Lincoln, so we diversify our program to show kids the various careers in agriculture. Out of 100 kids, only about 15 are actual farm kids the rest are interested in leadership and FFA. Spalding Public Schools FFA chapter was established in 2006 and has 34 members, but despite its small size, it has had a huge impact on the surrounding community. The chapter hosts a fun annual community event called the Blue Rock Shoot, a 5K Run/Walk, 1-mile Kids Fun Run, and a petting zoo, during FFA Week. Elementary students and community members enjoy visiting all the animals, and it gives members a chance to do a little agricultural literacy as well, says Abby Knobbe, Spalding FFA advisor. Spalding FFA also raises vegetables and flowers in a greenhouse, collects and recycles the communitys aluminum cans, and landscapes at a local park. Knobbe says its rewarding to see students blossom from shy, quiet individuals to accomplished speakers and leaders. As an FFA advisor, its my goal to help each student become as successful as he or she can be in whatever his or her interest area is, Knobbe says. It means so much when a student says, I wouldnt be where I am now if it werent for you pushing me. FFA has so much to offer to such a wide range of students, and thats one thing that makes it so great and the largest student organization in the country.
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AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
University of Nebraska Lincoln graduate Kristin Norwood Beede works in the eld of genetic testing for cattle.
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FARM
Outside the
Nebraska college graduates pursue non-traditional agriculture careers
YOUnG PROFESSiOnALS ACROSS NEBRASKA ARE PROVinG YOU
dont have to come from a farm to pursue a career in agriculture. In fact, the diverse and ever-changing agriculture industry is attracting more and more individuals who are science, math and technology minded. A student does not need to come from a rural background to obtain a degree in agriculture and natural resources. We are looking for students who want to change the world and be a part of finding the solution, says Dr. Ronnie Green, vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. The frontiers of technology and science are opening up completely new avenues and approaches for us to think about how we maximize our efficiency in agriculture, while employing less land, natural resources and external inputs.
Think
Staff Photo by Frank Ordoez
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Nebraska native Austin Zimmerman is now a design engineer for Grain Systems Inc., in Illinois.
Projections are that by 2050, there will be 2.5 billion more people in the world than today, requiring current food production rates to nearly double. Todays students will be at the peak of their professional careers in 2050, and they will be the ones responsible for fulfilling that increased demand, Green says. Without a doubt, we need to attract the very best thinkers and doers to our industry. Instead of the medical, engineering, finance and law sectors having ruled the roost of professional careers during the baby boomer generation, this next era will also be ruled by the food and food system engineers, broadly speaking. Job opportunities for agriculture graduates are endless and diverse, including opportunities both on and off the farm. Kristin Beede graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2010 with a Bachelors degree in animal science and in 2013 with a Masters degree in animal science. She now works as a laboratory technician at GeneSeek,
Alyssa Dye, of Alliance, Neb., works at the University of Nebraska Lincolns Educational Media ofce, where she promotes the agriculture industry through video and radio production.
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a subsidiary of Neogen and one of the largest animal genotyping companies in the world. I took a job in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory on campus, and it was working there and for an animal science professor that I learned I really enjoy doing laboratory work, Beede says. We have cutting-edge technology to be able to inform clients of genetic traits of their livestock or domestic animals. We aid in the herd screening of a number of different diseases that impact the beef and pork industries. Beede says its rewarding to work in agriculture because the industry is comprised of many different people working together to create healthy products that positively impact the world. Its rewarding when I am able to help someone be more informed about their operation, whether that is finding a disease they do not know is on their farm and being part of stopping what would have been a large outbreak or informing producers of recessive traits that may be passed to offspring if not tested for by our lab, she says. Austin Zimmerman also graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2013 with a degree in agriculture engineering. He now works as a design engineer for Grain Systems Inc., the worlds largest manufacturer of grain storage bins, silos and tanks. In a typical day, I run through grain bin requests that customers from all over the world are looking to buy. Then I check to see if they will need special structural engineering for the location that bin is going, and if so, I structure it heavy enough to withstand conditions at that location, Zimmerman explains. After that I add accessories or components the customer wants and quote the price. I quote several bins a day, and no two are ever the same, so that is part of the fun of this job. Ryan Clausen graduated from Northeast Community College in 2011 with an ag transfer degree before attending the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where he received a degree in agronomy in

2013. One week after graduating, Clausen began working as a claims adjuster for ADM Crop Risk Services, a crop insurance company he had interned for during college. I love working outside with farmers and their crops, Clausen says. There are tons of opportunities in agriculture, and you dont have to work on a farm. You could do marketing, sales or crop insurance like I do. Zimmerman enjoys agriculture because it affects the entire world. Agriculture is vital to every person in your family, community
and our world, even though many dont realize it, he says. I enjoy making the lives of farmers easier, even if that just means designing equipment that is more reliable and safer, because they are the same farmers who provide food for my table.
Whats Online
Learn about the 300-plus careers in agriculture at NEagriculture.com.
Diversied Agriculture Horticulture Crops
Livestock
Golf Turfgrass Management
and Agribusiness!
900-Acre Farm Beatrice, NE 402-228-8258 www.southeast.edu
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RENEWABLE FUELS
Pump It Up
Staff Photo by Brian McCord
More than 700 million bushels of corn are used for ethanol production in Nebraska.
Ethanol stands out as renewable fuel alternative

ITS An AGRiCULTURAL
product that consumers who drive a vehicle use every day. Its good for the environment, its good for the pocketbook and its good for the Nebraska economy. Ethanol, a novelty fuel in the 1970s, is now a staple at convenience stores and gas stations across the state. It is found most commonly in fuel blends that contain 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. Blended at this rate, any vehicle can safely burn it. But modern automotive technology has grown by leaps and bounds, according to Todd Sneller with the Nebraska Ethanol Board, opening up new opportunities for consumers to use higher blends of ethanol in their vehicles. Consumers deserve a choice at the fuel pump, Sneller says. Ethanol provides more fuel options and a price advantage to motorists. The ethanol blends are consistently less expensive than gasoline, and they provide economic, environmental and health benefits which appeal to many consumers. Sneller says in addition to the 10 percent ethanol blend, commonly called E10, consumers in Nebraska also can find blends of E15 and E85. E15 is 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, and it can be used in vehicles manufactured in 2001 or later. According to Sneller, E15 typically has a higher octane rating and lower cost than E10. At present, E15 is somewhat hard to find, but gaining in popularity, he says. Retailers are seeing more demand for E15 as consumers search for fuel options that offer higher octane at a lower price than gasoline, Sneller says. E85 is growing in popularity as more Nebraskans purchase vehicles with flex-fuel technology. Its easy to tell if you have a flex-fuel vehicle, Sneller says, because the gas cap, or ring around the gas port, is colored a
BLEND DIFFERENCES
Grain sorghum, also known as milo, is harvested. About one-third of U.S. grain sorghum is used in ethanol production.
bright yellow, the same color as the kernels of corn that make the fuel. Consumers also can look for a flexfuel emblem on the back of the vehicle or check the owners manual. There are over 140,000 flex-fuel vehicles licensed in the state of Nebraska. Kim Clark, director of biofuels development with the Nebraska Corn Board, says as the number of flex-fuel vehicles in the state has increased, more convenience stores and gasoline retailers have added E85 to their fuel mix. We are starting to see retailers in large cities such as Lincoln and Norfolk install flex-fuel infrastructure, Clark said. Consumers with flex-fuel vehicles can find E85 retailers by visiting the website E85prices.com or by downloading a flex-fuel location app on their smart phones. Existing pumps are mostly found in Omaha and along the Interstate 80 corridor. Clark says the number of pumps and the locations are growing each month. Ethanol is a renewable fuel that can be made from corn or other crops grown each year. In Nebraska, ethanol is mostly made from a commodity crop called field corn, or more specifically, No. 2 yellow corn. This is the kind of corn that is grown in the vast majority of corn fields across the state, says Clark, but should not be mistaken for the kind of corn that people eat. People do get confused by it, Clark says. Most of the corn you

A NEBRASKA PRODUCT
see in fields is field corn, the kind of corn used for livestock feed and ethanol. Nebraska farmers raise about 10 million acres of this kind of corn every year. Sweet corn, which is the variety that is palatable to people, is raised on about 1,000 acres in Nebraska. Ethanol plants also make ethanol from another Nebraska crop called grain sorghum. According to Barb Kliment with the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, about a third of the grain sorghum grown in the United States is used for ethanol production. Nebraska has 24 active ethanol plants in the state that directly employ nearly 1,200 Nebraskans and generate an additional 7,000 indirect jobs. Sneller says together those plants produce more than 2 billion gallons of ethanol every year, which requires more than 700 million bushels of grain. This volume makes Nebraska the countrys second-largest producer of the alternative fuel. Clark notes that another reason ethanol production works well in Nebraska is because a byproduct of the process is a product called distillers grains. Distillers grains can be fed to Nebraskas beef cattle, dairy cattle and swine. There are a number of economic reasons Nebraskans should appreciate ethanol, Sneller says. The Nebraska Public Power District recently concluded a 2013 study to determine the impact of ethanol production on Nebraskas economy. Contributions
MEANINGFUL IMPACT
to the economic base of the state are $5 billion annually, with an additional $1 billion from the sales of ethanol byproducts. The ethanol plants also pay about $38 million in state and local taxes, according to the study. Consumers also benefit from having a variety of fuel blends, says Robert White, the director of market development for the Renewable Fuels Association. Weve seen annually that the cost of fuel for consumers is drastically reduced by the presence of ethanol because it adds diversity and expands the fuel supply, he says. More fuel options means less reliance on oil, which in turn gives consumers some relief from the high prices that come when oil inventories are low for weather or other reasons. If there is an event in Venezuela or the Gulf that disrupts oil production, gas prices are instantly impacted, White says. More than $1 a gallon in savings has been noted as a result of increased ethanol production. Sneller says ethanol is a significant part of the overall fuel supply in Nebraska and can be found in 85 percent of the gasoline sold here. Ethanol has been a major part of the fuel blends here in Nebraska since 1979, Sneller says. The 10 percent blends work well in any vehicle, and because ethanol is made right here in Nebraska, from Nebraska-grown corn, its a great way for Nebraskans to support the economy.
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RENEWABLE FUELS
The Whole Kernel

hrough research, experimentation and innovation over the past decade, corn has become a jack of all trades. Once mainly used for animal feed, consumers now can find the versatile crop in everything, from fuel to bioplastics, and fibers to food products. Cargill, an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services, has a campus in Blair thats a working example of these diverse uses for corn. The Blair facility was in operation in 1995, producing high fructose corn syrup, ethanol, crude corn oil, corn gluten meal and innovative feed products, says Facility Manager Matt Parsons. The Blair site continues to grow, and now has multiple businesses and site partners, making it a hub of many different products and services. Some of the co-located companies that operate from the Blair campus include Purac, a producer of lactic acid derivatives; Novozymes, an enzyme company; NatureWorks LLC, makers of corn-based biopolymers for packaging and fibers; and Evonik, the producers of an amino acid that is added to animal feed. Cargill also makes polyols, which produces erythritol, a low-calorie sugar substitute. Polyols are often used in toothpaste, mouthwash and sugar-free chewing gum. The Blair campus allows each business to achieve economies of
Cargills Blair campus produces ethanol, and so much more, with the states corn crop
COMMON USES FOR CARGILL CORN:

Cargills Blair campus grinds approximately 300,000 bushels of corn per day to be processed into multiple products, including these you might recognize: High-fructose corn syrup for foods and beverages Fuel-grade ethanol Livestock feed Polyols used in oral care products Trash bags Cell phone parts
scale that they wouldnt enjoy on a stand-alone basis, Parsons says. As for the key ingredient, the campus grinds approximately 300,000 bushels of corn per day to supply to each business, sourcing the crop from Nebraska and Iowa. All products made by the co-located companies are produced using corn. Cargill pulls starch from the corn and breaks it down into simple sugars, so that co-located companies can use it in their fermentation processes and ultimately produce their final products. In addition to showing the great potential of corn, Cargills Blair campus also plays an important role in the Cornhusker States economy. Parsons says the campus employs approximately 1,200 Nebraskans, as well as some Iowans, broken down into three categories. About 550 employees work for Cargill directly. About 250 employees work for co-located companies on the campus, and about 400 employees are contracted, working on maintenance and construction at the plant. In 2011, the campus partnered with the Greater Omaha Economic
Development Partnership to figure out the annual economic impact of the Blair campus, located northwest of Omaha. They found the complex contributes a little greater than half a billion dollars per year to local economic activity. Parsons says the impact of Cargills Blair campus has been substantial. Our partnership with Nebraska and the local Blair community has been extremely beneficial to all of us. It is amazing to look back and consider the amount of growth and change that has occurred at our facility over the last 20 years, he says. The City of Blair has been a key part of that. We believe that these strong relationships, coupled with our great employees and expanding opportunities in the bio-manufacturing space, will create many new opportunities for continued growth in the future. Rachel Bertone
Whats Online
Learn about more common uses for corn at NEagriculture.com.
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CONSUMER PROTECTION
Safety First
States restaurant inspections help protect consumers while they are dining out
IF YOURE LiKE MOST
Americans, you welcome the opportunity to skip cooking and dish-washing and dine out instead. In fact, according to the National Restaurant Association, two in five Americans say eating at restaurants is an essential part of their lifestyle. The Nebraska Department of Agricultures (NDA) Food Safety & Consumer Protection division has a role in helping ensure those restaurant experiences are good ones. The department is responsible for implementing the laws that require all food establishments be inspected once every six months, or more frequently in some cases by NDA sanitarians. Restaurant inspections are important because some certainly not the majority operators do not follow safe and sound food protection practices, says George Hanssen, Food Safety and Consumer Protection administrator for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The inspections can find and correct poor employee practices, food temperature violations and various other things to protect consumers.
Nebraska Department of Agriculture sanitarian Jere Ferrazzo checks the temperature of food products in a restaurant kitchen.
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NDA sanitarians check for cleanliness at restaurants, but also conduct several other checks that are important for food safety. Were concerned about food safety and the prevention of foodborne illnesses, Hanssen says. We check food temperatures to assure cold foods are kept at 41 degrees or below, and hot foods are kept at 135 degrees or above, once they have been properly prepared. We look for employee practices such as proper hand washing, signs of illnesses, and proper handling of foods with utensils and tongs.
The sanitarians also complete a food establishment inspection report that indicates whether the restaurant is in or out of compliance with state requirements. If a restaurant is found to be out of compliance during an inspection, the sanitarian has the authority to do a follow-up inspection, write a hearing notice or immediately close the establishment if necessary. A follow-up inspection may be scheduled for days or weeks later, depending on the severity of the violations found. Construction issues will take longer to correct than simple
Jere Ferrazzo and other Nebraska Department of Agriculture sanitarians check more than 5,000 restaurants across Nebraska.
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cleaning, for instance, Hanssen says. A hearing notice is an official document issued by the Department of Agriculture that lists the violations found and schedules a hearing in front of a hearing officer. After looking at exhibits presented by the sanitarian and the restaurant operator and hearing their testimonies, the hearing officer may recommend canceling proceedings because corrections were made, probation or suspension of a restaurants permit. An order is then issued by the Director of the Nebraska
Department of Agriculture. According to Hanssen, consumers are often surprised to learn that many things they believe are real problems in restaurants are not. For instance, money is not the vehicle to spread disease like consumers believe, Hanssen says. Although it gets soiled and money will soil the hands, paper money is treated with a bactericide, and coins are too hard to support bacteria growth, so money isnt really a good vehicle for spreading illness which is a good thing given how money travels.
Probably the most important thing for consumers and food handlers to remember is that frequent hand washing will prevent many, but not all, foodborne illnesses.
Whats Online
Learn more about how the Nebraska Department of Agriculture protects consumers at NDA.nebraska.gov.
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CONSUMER PROTECTION
Wholesome Milk
D
airy products are a staple in the diets of many American families, whether they are lovers of milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream or all of the above. But it takes some effort to safely get the milk from Nebraskas 200 dairy farms to the processors that create the dairy products consumers enjoy. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is involved in each stage of the process, conducting on-site inspections of dairy farms, milk haulers, single service plants, bulk milk trucks and tankers, manufacturing plants and fluid milk bottling plants. Most consumers are not aware of the inspection process or laboratory scrutiny the farmers and milk plants must go through to market dairy products, says George Hanssen, Food Safety and Consumer Protection administrator for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. In fact, dairy farms are inspected as frequently or even more frequently than restaurants. NDA inspectors check for basic sanitation and cleanliness of dairy barns, milking parlors and milking equipment, and monitor the use of medication for the animals, checking for proper administration. Inspectors also regularly collect milk samples from both the dairy farms and the milk plants, and those samples are analyzed for antibiotics and bacteria at the NDA Laboratory. Any milk testing positive is discarded. NDA samples the milk from every producer, Hanssen says. This process helps farmers stay on top of properly cleaning and sanitizing equipment, which in turn helps reduce the chance of problems with the milk at the processing plant. In addition to NDA testing, pasteurization at the processing plant helps ensure any pathogens that may cause food-borne illnesses are eliminated, Hanssen says. Many things happen from the time a farmer milks his cows until that milk (or other dairy product) hits grocery store shelves. A brief synopsis of the dairy process: Cows are cared for and provided ample food and water. Cows are milked two to three times daily in a licensed, inspected milk barn. The milk is stored in a bulk tank at below 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Nebraska dairy products go through rigorous testing to ensure quality and freshness
until it is picked up by a certified milk tanker driver and delivered to a milk plant. (The milk is kept in the bulk tank on the farm usually no more than 24 hours.) The milk is processed and made into dairy products, including milk for drinking, yogurt, ice cream, cheese, cottage cheese and more. The plant delivers the dairy products in a refrigerated truck either to a grocery store or a distributor. Distributors deliver products to retail stores. At the store, the products are held in walk-in coolers at 41 degrees or below, waiting for consumers. Stores are also inspected by sanitarians from NDA to assure coolers holding dairy products are kept at the proper temperature and have proper sanitation. Jessica Mozo
Nebraska Department of Agriculture Laboratory testing is part of the process for ensuring wholesome, quality dairy products at the grocery store.
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GLOBAL APPEAL
TOP NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE EXPORT MARKETS

1. MEXICO 2. JAPAN 3. CANADA 4. SOUTH KOREA 5. RUSSIA 6. HONG KONG 7. NETHERLANDS 8. CHINA 9. AUSTRALIA 10. TAIWAN
International trade puts Nebraska farmers on the map
Local Growers,
1
World
NEBRASKAS FARMERS HAVE A REPUTATiOn AS SOME OF THE
Story by Kim Madlom
most skilled and diverse in the country and that reputation is spreading around the globe. The states agricultural industry increasingly feeds the world as annual exports have grown to $7 billion, which results in a total economic impact to the states economy of $9.3 billion. The states top exports are corn and soybeans, with these feed grains and related products making up about one-third of Nebraskas ag exports, and livestock products forming another significant component of exports. Nebraska is a local producer, but a world provider, says Stan Garbacz, agricultural trade representative for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Whether its dry beans, pork and beef, popcorn or further processed agricultural products, we produce the best in the market. Garbacz is responsible for finding new markets for Nebraskas products and expanding access and demand in existing markets. Even though the
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2 4 8 6 10
Providers
9
world is increasingly digitally connected, Garbacz says building relationships with international customers is more important than anything else. We work to find the right people to talk with, the ones who make the decisions, and then we show them our products and tell them our story and encourage them to visit Nebraska to learn first-hand more about our products and our companies. Thats what works for us, Garbacz says. An example that demonstrates the value of building those relationships is when officials from Ghana visited the state to learn about high-quality beef in December 2013. Garbacz says the Ghana group became interested in Nebraska after they received a recommendation from another importer of Nebraska beef, a restaurant chain in

the United Kingdom. Customer-to-customer recommendations such as these have a great deal of influence in the global marketplace, Garbacz says. Ghanas interest in high-end beef is an indication of where the growth markets are, says Creighton University Economist Ernie Goss. These emerging markets in less developed nations offer the most opportunity, and Nebraska has been particularly effective in generating economic growth via ag exports, especially when compared to our neighboring states, Goss says. One reason for that effectiveness is Nebraskas innovative approach in finding solutions to export challenges. A notable example came from issues Nebraska had in exporting its dry edible beans. Nebraska is the nations third-largest producer of dry edible beans,
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NEBRASKAS TOTAL AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TRIPLED FROM 2000 TO 2012, AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN $4.8 BILLION.
Every dollar in agricultural exports generates $1.34 in economic activities such as transportation, financing, warehousing and production.
TOP GOODS EXPORTS, 2012

(4 out of the 5 are ag-related) Oilseeds & Grains: $ 3.5 billion Meat Products: $1.9 billion Ag & Construction Machinery: $1.1 billion Pharmaceuticals & Medicines: $ 321 million Grain & Oilseed Products: $ 264 million
Source: businessroundtable.org
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS (INCLUDING OILSEEDS AND GRAINS) WAS NEBRASKAS LEADING EXPORT CATEGORY IN 2012, ACCOUNTING FOR
NEBRASKAS $6.9 BILLION IN AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS IN 2011 TRANSLATED INTO $9.3 BILLION IN ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
36.9%
OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE EXPORTS.
Nebraskas Top Five Agricultural Exports
MEAT PRODUCTS
OILSEEDS (SOYBEANS)
CEREAL GRAINS (MOSTLY CORN)
ANIMAL FEED PRODUCTS
VEGETABLES, ROOTS & TUBERS
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which includes pinto, Great Northern and black beans, and the worlds appetite for them is growing, but Garbacz says five years ago the market was on the verge of collapse. China was producing such large quantities of dry edible beans that it couldnt consume them all domestically and flooded some of Nebraskas traditional markets. They found an answer in getting China to better utilize their dry edible beans in order to build demand even more. To achieve that goal, University of Nebraska researchers demonstrated to major Chinese instant noodle companies that adding dry edible beans to popular packaged noodle dishes could improve nutrition at a very low cost. The result has been that China is consuming much more of its own dry edible beans domestically and importing greater amounts from Nebraska. Courtney Schuler, business development manager for Stateline Producers Cooperative located in western Nebraska, knows about the importance of exporting dry edible beans. Stateline, a cooperative with 350 growers, markets and exports pinto beans to the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Angola; Great Northern beans to France, Algeria and Turkey; and yellow field peas to Asia and Latin America. In midDecember 2013, Schuler traveled to Central America for a trade mission to convey to importers that Nebraska producers can provide a consistent, safe, high-quality product. Thats really our best selling point, she says. While the Nebraska Department of Agriculture is busy developing markets and growing demand for its agricultural products, it also oversees programs that ensure strict international regulations are being met. NDAs Entomology Program works with Nebraskas exporters to help them meet the import requirements of foreign countries. One of the programs chief functions is to issue federal phytosanitary certificates for plants and plant products, which state that the products meet the destination countrys quality requirements. Exporting is like an intricate puzzle, says Julie Van Meter, NDA

entomology program director. Every country can have different requirements. Shipping corn grain to France is different than shipping the same product to Mexico or South Africa. And wheat grain going to France has different requirements than the corn grain. NDA conducts inspections across the state and keeps producers informed of the ever-changing international landscape regarding exports. A lot of it is building relationships with exporters, Van Meter says. Weve worked with the same companies for years, building
trust with those firms. They know whom to call when issues arise, and they know we will be responsive. By producing only the highest quality products and helping exporters meet their requirements, Nebraska has built an international reputation centered on trust. When someone sees a Nebraska certification, there is a high confidence in the product, Van Meter says. When we talk to people who understand agriculture, and they find out were from Nebraska, they know they can trust the quality of our products.
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LOCAL FOOD & BEVERAGES
From Vines to Wines

Story by Betsy Williams
Nebraskas cold-hardy grapes produce award-winning wines
Staff Photos by Jeff Adkins
WiTH MORE THAn 400 ACRES
of grapes, 27 wineries and 11 tasting rooms (and counting), Nebraskas wine country is maturing into a full-bodied member of the states agricultural industry. And for Nebraskans who enjoy wine and are looking for local options, the growth and development of the sector is encouraging. Jennifer Montgomery, who is serving as the first full-time executive director of the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association (NWGGA), says grape growers and winery owners are working together more than ever to promote the availability of Nebraska -produced wines and help consumers understand that those involved in the sector are serious about what they do. Not only is there a growing number of wineries, but several brands also are sold in the wine
and spirits aisle of local stores, Montgomery says. In addition, youll find that some of these wineries are winning awards at national competitions. For some, growing grapes and making wine may be a hobby, but increasingly in Nebraska, I think youll find this is a serious business. Count Max McFarland among those who have made what was first a sideline into a full-fledged business. McFarland and his wife Theresa, both Nebraska farm kids whose agriculture roots date back to more than 100 years ago, are educators who didnt plan to get their hands back in the dirt. That changed after Max developed an interest in viticulture. He now owns Macs Creek Winery and Vineyards, located just outside Lexington in central Nebraska.
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Visit Our
advertisers
Nebraska Dry Bean Commission www.nebraskadrybean.com Nebraska Farm Bureau www.nefb.org Nebraska FFA Foundation www.neffafoundation.org Nebraska Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board www.sorghumcheckoff.com Nebraska Investment Finance Authority www.nifa.org Nebraska Nursery & Landscape Association www.nnla.org Nebraska Soybean Board www.nebraskasoybeans.org Nebraska State Fair www.statefair.org Nebraska Wheat Board www.nebraskawheat.com Nebraska Winery & Grape Growers Association www.nebraskawines.com Northeast Community College www.northeast.edu Platte Valley Equipment www.plattevalleyequipment.com Quality Structures www.qualitystructures.com Reinke www.reinke.com Southeast Community College www.southeast.edu University of Nebraska www.ianrhome.unl.edu/growing Valley Irrigation www.valleyirrigation.com
A-FAN www.becomeafan.org Bayer CropScience www.bayercropscience.us Central Valley Ag www.cvacoop.com Chadron State College www.csc.edu Cramer-Krasselt www.caseih.com DuPont Pioneer www.pioneer.com Farm Credit Services of America www.fcsamerica.com Farmers Cooperative www.farmersco-operative.com Lindsay www.lindsay.com Monsanto www.monsanto.com Nebraska Association of Resources Districts www.nrdnet.org Nebraska Bankers Association www.nebankers.org Nebraska Beef Council www.nebeef.org Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture www.ncta.unl.edu Nebraska Corn Board www.nebraskacorn.org Nebraska Corn Growers Association www.necga.org Nebraska Crop Improvement Association www.necrop.org
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The number of Nebraskans who visit vineyards and tasting rooms has increased in recent years, a testament to the quality of the states wines.
It started as a hobby, and I did lots of reading about grape culture, he says, noting that his original plan was to grow grapes on his 12 acres and sell them to wineries. That vision shifted about 10 years ago, and today Macs Creek Winery and Vineyards is an award-winning family affair, producing between 5,000 and 6,000 cases annually. The couples children are involved in all aspects of the business, from growing the grapes to making the wine, running the tasting room and restaurant, and planning events. Montgomery says that, like McFarland, all Nebraska winery owners and operators recognize tourism and wineries go hand in hand. Some have even joined forces in regional areas to develop wine trails. This means groups of wineries in local areas promote each other to consumers, in order to boost business for all. The NWGGA also has created the Passport Program. Consumers who visit at least 16 participating wineries and six tasting rooms can earn Winery Bucks, which can be used toward the purchase of Nebraska wines. Montgomery says promoting the purchase of Nebraska wines doesnt just help those involved in the industry. It has an overall

Nebraska grows many FrenchAmerican hybrids and American varieties. Common red varieties include Frontenac, Marechal Foch and de Chaunac. Popular white varieties grown in Nebraska are often Brianna, Edelweiss, LaCrosse and Traminett.
88,000 gallons 1.8 million

SIX-OUNCE GLASSES OF WINE!
NEAGRICULTURE.COM
MORE THAN
OF NEBRASKA WINE ARE PRODUCED EACH YEAR. THATS
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8 15
5 20 2 13 3 23 11 29 31 32 35 16 12 33 25 21 14 4 10 6 36 34 28 30 26 9 27 24 18 22 19
17 1 7
WINERIES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 17 Ranch Winery Big Cottonwood Vineyards and Winery Cedar Hills Vineyard, Gardens & Tasting Room Cellar 426 Cuthills Vineyards Deer Springs Winery Feather River Vineyards George Paul Vinegar Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery James Arthur Vineyards Macs Creek Winery & Vineyards Makovicka Winery Miletta Vista Winery 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.
MoonStruck Meadery Nissen Wine Prairie Creek Vineyards Rockin Rooster Winery Sage Hill Vineyard & Winery Schilling Bridge Winery & Microbrewery Silver Hills Vineyards & Winery Soaring Wings Vineyard Superior Estates Winery Three Brothers Vineyard & Winery Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard & Winery Windcrest Winery WunderRosa Winery
TASTING ROOMS
27. 28. 29. 30. 31. Arbor Day Farm From Nebraska Gift Shop George Spencer Tasting Room Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard Moonlight Ridge Vineyard 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. Pour House Tasting Room Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room Slattery Vintage Estates Vineyard & Tasting Room Too Far North Tasting Room Glacial Till Vineyard
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positive economic impact on the state. To acquire a farm winery license in Nebraska, a winery must source 75 percent of the fruit from growers in Nebraska, Montgomery says. Therefore, when consumers purchase a Nebraska wine, they can be assured it is a local product and they are supporting local growers. According to recent studies, the total economic contribution of the grape and winery industries has increased from $5.3 million in 2006 to an estimated $27.3 million in 2011. We are working with Mother Nature to create a viable grape and wine industry in our state, McFarland says. Yes, our winters are cold with lots of snow, but we are planning for that by planting cold-hardy grape varietals like Frontenac and Edelweiss. Our climate is very suitable for grapes, with warm summers and lots of sunshine. The biggest danger, McFarland notes, is the late frosts and freezes that sometimes present themselves in May, when the vines have started to bud. I have been involved in research that involves spraying our vines with vegetable oil, which delays bud break in the spring, he says. If we can delay bud break by a week to 10 days, we can avoid a lot of our spring frost damage. The states 200 or so grape growers start pruning their vines in December, have a bud break somewhere around the first of May, then start harvesting grapes as early as the first or second week of August, continuing into October. Good wine always goes back to good grapes and careful fermentation, and Nebraska vintners like McFarland make certain quality is a priority. We believe we need to do everything possible to make the highest quality grapes delivered to our doorstep, McFarland says. Having the perfect fruit is vital, but it doesnt guarantee you will make great wines. It takes meticulous care every step of the way, and it takes a massive team effort.
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The is
Time Ripe
Story by Cathy Lockman
Fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful in Nebraska
WHETHER YOU ARE SEEKinG
fresh sweet corn, vine-ripened tomatoes or green beans that pop when you snap them, Nebraskas farmers markets, roadside stands and U-pick operations offer consumers options as destinations for locally grown fresh produce. Casey Foster, an agriculture program coordinator with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, says the popularity of such operations has continued to increase in Nebraska each year. In 2013, Nebraska had over 81 farmers markets across the state,
an increase of 42 markets in the last decade alone, says Foster. Weve also seen a tremendous increase in the number of fresh produce growers across Nebraska, with nearly 340 growers of fresh produce, using roughly 23,000 acres of land and bringing in produce valued at about $63 million last year alone. According to Foster, the increase can be attributed to the popularity of the local food movement that continues to grow in Nebraska and across the nation. Nebraska offers fresh produce growers a perfect mix of fertile land,
Marv Fritz, produce grower in ONeill, Neb., displays a box of tomatoes. Garden Fresh Vegetables, now operating under the name Suntastic, grows tomatoes and cucumbers year-round on 24 acres of greenhouses.
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ample water and open space to grow high quality fruits and vegetables for consumers. Apples, grapes and berries of all kinds are popular fruits grown in the state and are typically available from June through October. Vegetable production in the state varies greatly and includes items like sweet corn, tomatoes, zucchini and cabbage. Some vegetables, like asparagus and rhubarb, are available in April, with the vast majority of vegetables available in June through October. There is a large range of fresh fruit and vegetables available to consumers in the summer months, but what you may not realize is that many of Nebraskas producers are looking for ways to expand their crop production year-round to satisfy consumer demand, says Foster. Producers can use various practices and technologies to extend their produce growing seasons, including the use of plastic mulches, floating row covers, greenhouses and high tunnels (hoop shaped frames covered in plastic). Foster says these methods are becoming more popular in Nebraska and are enabling local producers to raise vegetables in the months when the weather isnt suited for outdoor production. Marv Fritz is one example of a Nebraska producer who is helping to fulfill the year-round demand for fresh, local produce. Garden Fresh Vegetables, now operating under the name Suntastic, utilizes greenhouses as well as hydroponics (growing plants in water instead of soil) on its 24-acre plot in ONeill, where they grow between 6 and 7 million pounds of fruits and vegetables each year. ONeill is located in Holt County, in north-central Nebraska. Consumers can find our tomatoes, under the brand name Suntastic, in the produce department of grocery stores within 24 to 48 hours (of being picked), Fritz says. That means the consumer gets a fresher product and retailers have flexibility in shelf life and guaranteed year
Workers harvest and pack tomatoes grown at the ONeill, Neb., facility, where more than six million pounds of fruits and vegetables are grown each year.
Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association

Buy QUALITY Nebraska-grown products!
Grown for Nebraskas climate and conditions!
Find a business that utilizes a Nebraska-Certied Nursery Professional (NCN) for your next landscaping project. Nebraska has: 400+ nursery and tree growers and 900+ nursery dealers and landscapers Nebraska greenhouses, nurseries and oriculture production have a market value of $41.6 million To nd local nurseries, landscape services and NebraskaCertied Nursery Professionals near you, visit us online at www.nnla.org.
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round availability, all of which helps them to have less product loss and happier customers. In Nebraska, the tomatoes and cucumbers grown in ONeill can be found in many grocery stores, such as Super Saver, Hy-Vee and Wal-Mart, as well as many other locally-owned stores. Nebraska stores have been good about working with local producers to promote local consumption and to support the local community, the farmer and the agricultural economy, Foster says. That support and the support of the consumer in buying local products is important because it keeps the value of the farm dollar there in those rural communities, which is increasingly important to the well-being of small-town America.
Whats Online
Find links to more Nebraska-grown products at NEagriculture.com.
Marv Fritz grows fruits and vegetables in greenhouses, which results in high-quality produce year-round.
NEBRASKA FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION

NCIA has the only official AOSA seed laboratory in Nebraska. We offer seed certification and value-added programs for the seed, grain and feed industry. IDENTITY PRESERVED QUALITY ASSURED P.O. Box 830911 Lincoln, NE 68583-0911 (402) 472-1444 www.necrop.org
Supporting the improvement and promotion of Nebraskas fruit and vegetable industry
NEBRASKA
Investing in Our Owners Success! See us for all your needs!
GRAIN MARKETING TIRES ENERGY LUBRICANTS AGRONOMY FEED 800-642-6439 www.farmersco-operative.com
Proud Supporter of Agriculture and Ag Youth Programs
NEBRASKA
AGRICULTURE AND YOU
AGRICULTURE AND YOU
HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS CARRY ON THE FAMILY TRADITION

Sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture // www.NEagriculture.com // 2014
Tablet Edition
The special tablet edition is designed especially for use on iPads and other tablet devices.
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Nebraska, Our Best to You

he location of local, fresh produce is now available at your fingertips. The Nebraska Department of Agricultures (NDAs) Nebraska Our Best to You website is a tool for consumers to find the outlets nearest to them that provide a wide array of produce. In addition, the website features a seasonal produce availability chart, which lets consumers know when their favorite fruits and vegetables should be in season and available at local markets. In recent years, farmers have expanded the growing season through the use of new practices and technology, so some local, fresh fruits and vegetables are available for longer periods of time than in the past. Sometime in 2014, NDA will launch a new product, the Nebraska Farmers Market Online Database. It will be a reliable, functional web-based system that will make it even
easier for consumers to search and find local produce vendors and outlets. Consumers will be able to access real-time vendor information, allowing for an even greater connection between buyers and sellers. Visit www.ourbesttoyou.nebraska.gov for the release of this new database and to find additional information about local, fresh produce options.
Nebraskas 23 natural resources districts work to protect lives, protect property and protect the future of Nebraskas natural resources. These districts are unique to Nebraska. NRDs are local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect our natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond best to local conservation and resource management needs. Natural Resources Districts were created to solve ood control, soil erosion, irrigation run-off, and groundwater quantity and quality issues. To learn more about Nebraska NRDs, visit www.nrdnet.org.
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TECHNOLOGY
Drop byDrop
Story by Blair Thomas
Staff Photo by Michael Conti
Nebraska farmers make large strides in conserving water
IF YOU ASK TED TiETJEn THE
most important aspect of irrigating his farm fields, he will easily tell you it is planning. Whether it is planning which crops to use for the coming growing season, or planning how to conserve and manage water over the next decade, planning enables him and other Nebraska farmers to put food on Nebraskans tables while being the best stewards of the land. Our ultimate goal is watershed management, says Tietjen, who has a farming partnership near the western Nebraska community of Grant, and who is also the project coordinator for the Nebraska Water Balance Alliance.
Watershed management means looking at all the water resources in an area that drain into a single larger body of water, from rivers, to streams to groundwater. Watershed management helps ensure healthy water quality and quantity. Agriculture and everyone who uses water benefits from this, Tietjen says. Irrigation is a crucial part of farming around the world and in Nebraska, where half of the crop acres are irrigated from surface water such as rivers, streams and lakes, or from underground sources in the High Plains Aquifer. Nebraskas innovations in irrigation technology
With more than 8.4 million acres under irrigation, Nebraska is the top state for crop irrigation in the U.S.
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have focused on ways to help farmers manage water use more effectively for long-term sustainability, which is important to all Nebraskans. The Nebraska Water Balance Alliance is completing its second year working with crop farmers on projects that directly impact water usage on their farming operations. Last year, the group worked with experts at the University of Nebraska Lincoln to study the effects of evapo-transpiration (ET) gauges. These gauges measure the water that a crop uses by marking evaporation and transpiration (water given off by the crop through its leaves) rates. The goal, Tietjen says, is to better understand how a crop uses water throughout its growth cycle. If we measure what times during the growing cycle that crop requires more water, we can irrigate specifically and effectively and cut down on the amount of water we use and the amount of runoff we have, he says. Nebraska farmers are also utilizing center-pivot irrigation systems, which allow for precise water application. Tietjen says pivots ensure uniform coverage of crops, which allows for less runoff from fields and less energy to be used by pumps. However, soil in a field is generally not consistent throughout due to natural variations in topography. Through research, innovations such as Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) have been developed to enable a pivot system to apply varying levels of water across a field, if needed. Farmers also use soil probes that are calibrated to measure the water capacity in the top three feet of soil in a field. This data, Tietjen says, tells farmers when the soil is dry and irrigation water is needed. This type of technology is very important in helping to prevent over-watering, which would deprive the crop of oxygen, Tietjen says. Its all a very delicate balancing game. Advances in technology make it possible for farmers to access information from these probes and pivots via cell phone for efficient management. Farmers also look to the crop itself to improve irrigation water application management.

Nebraska crops are primarily irrigated through center-pivot sprinkler systems.
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The High Plains Aquifer, also known as the Ogallala Aquifer, stretches under eight states, from South Dakota to Texas. A major portion of the aquifer lies in Nebraska, underneath nearly two-thirds of the state. Nebraskas irrigated acres are mostly in areas of very productive soils and water availability.
in direct economic activity would result if Nebraska crops were not irrigated, along with 31,000 fewer jobs for Nebraskans.
Source: Nebraska Farm Bureau, Economic Impact of the Ability of Nebraska Agriculture to Irrigate, 2012
$7.1 billion
An estimated loss of
Tietjen says crop residue (leaves, stalks, seed pods) can be managed in such a way as to help conserve water. Studies have shown that leaving 50 percent of corn stalks on a cornfield is beneficial. Lying on the ground, stalks help reduce evaporation loss to a minimum of two inches, which stays in the soil until the next cropping season, he says. This protective ground cover also reduces runoff problems and keeps the ground cooler, which also aids in keeping evaporation to a minimum. The land is changing, Tietjen says, and the technologies are getting better, so we have a better chance at improving real-time water measurements being able to know on a daily basis how much water is being pumped into our fields. This water balance improves our watersheds and benefits every Nebraskan. Nebraska is home to several major irrigation equipment companies, and
that fact helps make the state a leader in crop water management research. Companies include Valley Irrigation, T-L Irrigation Company, Lindsay Corporation and Reinke Manufacturing. These companies participate in cooperative research and development activities with universities and research programs to help bring new technology and research to farmers. Our engineers and agronomists engage in research to learn ways to apply that knowledge to improve our existing products, create new products and advance precision irrigation, says Craig Malsam, vice president of global engineering and strategic technology development at Valley Irrigation. Growing more food with less water is critical for agriculture. Improving how water is applied to crops by increasing precision irrigation is essential for meeting the changing needs of the global population.
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Nebraska Agriculture and You 2014

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Nebraska Agriculture and You 2014

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NEBRASKA

STATES TOP INDUSTRY IMPACTING YOUR DAILY LIFE

AGRICULTURE AND YOU

Farming for Generations

HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS CARRY ON THE FAMILY TRADITION

20 Food Myths, Busted

Answers to common food-related questions

Livestock & Poultry

NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE 2014

52 Think Outside the Farm

Local Food & Beverages

61 The Whole Kernel

SHARE THE CONTENT

HAVE A BLOG OR WEBSITE?

Far Genming for erati ons

The digital magazine is available for tablet and phone viewing.

Dave Heineman Governor of Nebraska

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

Greg Ibach Nebraska Director of Agriculture

NebrasKa Agriculture and You

NEBRASKA HAS A nUMBER OF PROSPERinG

THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IN NEBRASKA

AGRICULTURE WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT

Photo by J. Patrick Phelan

Strengthening Our Communities

Serving Our State

Top Agricultural Products

6. MILK & DAIRY PRODUCTS

10. SUGAR BEETS

Farming for Generations

Staff Photos by Frank Ordoez

High school sweethearts carry on the family tradition

KYLE AnD GinA CAnTRELL

KYLE CANTRELL, NEBRASKA FARMER

Nebraska Agriculture and You

GINA CANTRELL, NEBRASKA FARM MOM

Answers to commonly asked foodrelated questions

NATURAL AND OTHER LABELS

NebrasKa Agriculture and You

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOS)

LIVESTOCK & POULTRY

Breaking OUT OF THE

Nebraska Agriculture and You

Illustration by Kris Sexton

Nebraskas egg industry focuses on value-added products

EGGS WITH A SPECIFIC PURPOSE

EGG PROCESSING: MICHAEL FOODS

ONE LARGE EGG HAS APPROXIMATELY

while vitamin D has increased by

EGG PROCESSING: MICHAEL FOODS

CREATING NEBRASKA JOBS

White versus Brown Eggs

MICHAEL FOODS EGG PROCESSING: MICHAEL FOODS

LIVESTOCK & POULTRY

NEBRASKAS BEEF AnD PORK PRODUCERS

RAISING THE STEAKS

Staff Photos by Frank Ordoez

PORKS HEART-HEALTHY BENEFITS

CROPS & PLANTS

Wheat grown in Nebraska is found in many foods and products

Photos by J. Patrick Phelan

IF YOU GOT OUT OF BED THiS

Nebraska Agriculture and You

OF NEBRASKAS WHEAT IS ANNUALLY EXPORTED TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.