Lincoln, Nebraska
September 30, 2003

NC+ Hybrids recently received approval to carry the Processor Preferred designation on five of its corn hybrid products that have been identified as being High Fermentable Corn (HFC).  HFC hybrids have demonstrated the ability to produce two to four percent higher ethanol yield than hybrids with lower extractable fermentable starch.

“If a corn hybrid has been positively identified as being HFC, it is going to have a higher value to ethanol processors because of its ability to yield higher ethanol production,”  NC+ Product Manager Doug Gloystein said.  “What this means to the farmer is that they have the potential of working directly with a local ethanol plant in trying to obtain a premium to grow these specific HFC hybrids.” 

Under the Processor Preferred program, corn hybrids are tested for fermentable starch and given approval if they meet specific levels.  A list of approved HFC hybrids is then given to ethanol processing plants participating in the program.  Those processors in turn list the seed companies that have Processor Preferred hybrids so that area farmers can easily find corn hybrids that match their growing conditions and possibly net them a premium.

“Our goal as a company is to constantly develop and produce products that can offer higher value to our customers,” Gloystein said.  “The ethanol industry is growing tremendously right now and is giving farmers more potential for profit.  We feel Processor Preferred corn hybrids allow our customers the opportunity to take advantage of economic benefits the ethanol industry is creating.” 

Gloystein points out that NC+ continues to pursue and develop other seed products that will offer farmers more value potential.  These include: high starch grain sorghum hybrids that would be preferred by ethanol processors; corn hybrids and silages with higher livestock digestability making them more valued as a feed source; and high extractable starch corn hybrids for wet milling processors.

The NC+ corn hybrids that have been approved for Processor Preferred designation as High Fermentable Corn are NC+ 1492RB, NC+ 2021R, NC+ 2562C, NC+ 2572B and NC+ 5193B.

NC+ Hybrids, based in Lincoln, Neb., is one of the largest independent seed companies in the United States.  Farmer-owned for 45 years, NC+ nationally markets corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, forage sorghum, sudangrass, alfalfa and sunflowers.  For more information contact their web site at www.nc-plus.com.