Editor’s note: Husker Harvest Days is Sept. 10-12 in Grand Island, Neb. Visit HuskerHarvestDays.com.

By Charlotte Brockman

Building networks and adding value is essential to ag success. At Husker Harvest Days, Nebraska’s corn, sorghum, soybean and wheat producers are partnering to showcase the Nebraska-raised products and the farmers who grow them.

Learn about the latest homegrown crop developments at the Ag Commodities Building on Main Street in the northwest quadrant next to Bayer Crop Science. Enter to win a custom Nebraska-made and Nebraska-themed cornhole board set, courtesy of the commodity groups’ partnership.

Sorghum on worldwide market

Sorghum exports represent a large portion of the U.S. sorghum market, although domestic markets for sorghum as an ingredient in human and pet foods are steadily increasing in value.

“Stop by our booth to try some popped sorghum and talk about new possibilities within the sorghum industry,” says Kristine Dvoracek-Jameson of St. Paul, who is the executive director of Nebraska Sorghum.

Trade policy, international market development and domestic consumer education are, therefore, a top priority in the commodity’s efforts to achieve greater profit opportunities for producers.

Adding value to soy

Since its inception, the Nebraska Soybean Board and soy checkoff have existed for one reason: to grow value for the state’s soybean farmers.

The group is taking the lead in finding more opportunities for soybeans. NSB is also growing value for the crop through strategic investments in the areas of production research, farmer support, community engagement and demand.

Nebraska-raised soybeans are used in a variety of products — food, feed and industrial uses — anywhere there is a need for meal and oil.

Be sure to stop by the Nebraska Soybean Association booth to engage with other farmers. Learn about membership benefits, then join on-site and receive a free seed coupon offer. For current members, don’t forget to enter to win a Goodyear soy tire.

Corner conversations with corn

Farmers representing the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association will be on hand throughout Husker Harvest Days to discuss key initiatives that are enhancing demand, adding value and ensuring sustainability for the state’s corn industry.

Nebraska Corn is comprised of more than 21,000 corn farmers who invest in the Nebraska corn checkoff through the NCB and the 2,400 producers who are dues-paying members of the NeCGA. These Nebraska farmers represent the state’s corn industry. Stop by and meet a few of them.

While at the booth, be sure to grab an ice-cold can of Coca-Cola (one of the many uses of Nebraska corn) and sign up or renew your NeCGA membership to further advocate for the state’s corn industry.

Breeding wheat for the future

Wheat is a key ingredient in human nutrition, providing 20% of the daily protein and food calories for billions of people worldwide, making it an important part of a well-balanced, healthy diet.

This fact drives the Nebraska Wheat Board and the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association to develop international and domestic markets, increase variety potential, and support legislation that benefits the state’s wheat producers.

Visit the Ag Commodities Building at Husker Harvest Days to discuss trade prospects for Nebraska wheat, determine how to integrate wheat into a sustainable cropping system, join the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association and spin the wheel for exciting prizes.

Brockman writes from Lincoln, Neb.