May's Combine Sponsor of the Month is the Nebraska Corn Board. Nebraska Corn Board is a Visionary Sponsor of The Combine, and from the whole crew here at The Combine, we thank the Nebraska Corn Board for supporting the future of agriculture technology in Nebraska.
The Nebraska Corn Board's mission is to promote the value of corn by creating opportunities. They are Nebraska's Corn Checkoff Program...
You may be asking... "What is the Nebraska Corn Checkoff?"
The Nebraska corn checkoff is an investment program designed to help develop, carry out and participate in programs of research, education, market development, and promotion to enhance profitability (viability) and expand the demand and value of Nebraska corn and value-added corn products.
The corn checkoff was established in 1978 via the Corn Resources Act, which was passed by the Nebraska Legislature. The effort was led by Nebraska corn producers themselves — most notably members of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. The legislation gives the Nebraska Corn Board the ability to lobby at the national level on issues of importance to Nebraska corn farmers, but prohibits the Board from lobbying on local issues within Nebraska.
How does the Nebraska Corn Board fund the promotional activities for Nebraska Corn? A checkoff rate.
Since October 2012, the Nebraska corn checkoff rate has been 1/2 of a cent per bushel ($0.005/bu.) The rate was originally set at 1/10 of a cent per bushel ($0.001/bu.) when the checkoff was established in 1978 and was increased to 1/4 of a cent per bushel ($0.0025) in 1988.
Nebraska is the nation’s third-largest corn-producing state. However, Nebraska’s checkoff rate is tied with four other states for the lowest in the nation.
Nebraska Corn Board's Leadership:
The corn checkoff funds are administered and invested by the Nebraska Corn Board, which is made up of nine farmer directors who serve three-year terms. Eight members represent specific Nebraska districts shown in the map and are appointed by the Governor. The Board elects the ninth “at large” member. An executive director and staff serve at the pleasure of the board.
Impacts of Nebraska Corn Board's Sponsorship of The Combine:
Because of the Nebraska Corn Board's generous sponsorship, AgTech is becoming more prominent in Nebraska. Invest Nebraska’s Combine Incubator is a statewide initiative focused on supporting high-growth agri-food entrepreneurs through mentoring, commercialization support, physical incubation space on Nebraska's Innovation Campus, and a network of supporting farmers and ranchers across the state. Here are examples of some of the technology created within The Combine:
Grain Weevil's Robot can save farmers lives by not having to climb into a grain bin
TreadSure's Equipment Tire Appraisal App can help farmers get a fair trade for equipment.
TerraceAg's Land Appraisal Software assists in eliminating paperwork so more land appraisals can get done quicker.
CropX's Software helps optimize and automize farm management.
New innovations are impacting the ag industry to help farmers. The Combine and the companies in The Combine are gracious to Nebraska Corn Board for being a Visionary Sponsor.
What is The Combine?
Invest Nebraska’s Combine Incubator is a statewide initiative focused on supporting high-growth agri-food entrepreneurs through mentoring, commercialization support, physical incubation space on Nebraska's Innovation Campus, and a network of supporting farmers and ranchers across the state. Invest Nebraska is a private, non-profit statewide venture development organization focused on high-growth companies in Nebraska and growing the state’s entrepreneurial economy. Invest Nebraska works directly with entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies to help commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses, and access needed capital.
