The $7.5 million investment of the grower-owners of NC+ Hybrids is paying dividends this harvest season. The independent seed company is processing its 2000 seed corn crop at the new Seed Conditioning and Distribution Center located at the NC+ facilities near Hastings, Nebraska with increased operating efficiency and product quality.

"The grower-owners of our company continue to show their commitment to our customers and employees by investing in this facility that is truly state-of-the-art," NC+ President Larry Schuett said. "By continuing to provide the highest quality and purest seed products possible, we will remain among the leaders in our industry."

Construction of the plant began in October of 1998. The dimensions of the building are 80 feet wide by 84 long and 100 feet tall and include five floors. Warehouse office and conditioning plant space occupies approximately 49,000 square feet. At full capacity, the plant will be able to condition an estimated one million bushels of seed corn annually.

During the seed-conditioning season (approximately 90 days during late summer and fall), the plant will be operated up to 24 hours a day, five days a week. Two crews, each comprised of six full-time NC+ employees, will work 12-hour shifts conditioning and bagging the seed crop.

"Product quality, purity, sizing, versatility, speed and the ability to adapt to future demands are the real features of the plant," said NC+ Director of Operations Charlie Harrold. "All of the equipment in the plant is designed for gentler handling of the seed. We also have a lot more options in terms of sizing and packaging. The plant is very customer and user friendly."

Some of the features of the plant that will provide benefits to NC+ customers include:

• Gentle Handling – The elevator legs have continuous plastic cups so there are no abrasion points. The cups provide a softer pouring action, as opposed to a throwing or dumping action that can sometimes damage seed.
• Purity – State-of-the-art computer technology provides the plant with virtually
  100 percent cleanout capabilities. This ensures precise purity levels that are critical when switching from conditioning conventional and biotech seed lots.
• Seed Sizing – The plant is designed to meet both current and future seed sizing demands. It is capable of separating seed into ten different seed sizes.
• Seed Treatment – The precise equipment capabilities allow for treating at milligrams per seed and custom over-treating.
• Packaging – Faster bagging speed means increased order accuracy and ease of providing seed in paper bags, bulk bags or bulk boxes.

The new NC+ Conditioning and Distribution Center also meets four primary employment and company goals: 
1) Double per hour output of production, 
2) Eliminate need for part-time manual labor, 
3) Improve seed quality, and 
4) Create a clean, safe and work-friendly environment.

NC+ Hybrids, based in Lincoln, Neb., is one of the largest independent seed companies in the United States. Farmer-owned for more than 40 years, NC+ nationally markets corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, forage sorghum, sudangrass and alfalfa. For more information visit www.nc-plus.com.

Company news release
N2971