The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, November 07, 1979, Page page 9, Image 9
Wednesday, november 7, 1979 daily nebraskan page 9 Cornhusker fans munch Nebraska kernels By Kevin Field The Nebraska Cornhuskers are not the only ones headed for a first place national ranking. If the fall harvest continues to produce favorable results, the cornhusker state will be top rated in the production of that old game time favorite: Popcorn. s The state grabbed top honors in 1978 with 39,000 acres planted in popcorn with a total production of 129,200,000 pounds. That figure was down from production in 1977, when the state produced 136,500,000 pounds, according to Kirby Cavett, an agricultural statistician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With 57,000 acres planted in popcorn this year, Cavett said Nebraska is again expected to be the top producer. The acreage increase is caused, in part, by a shift from popcorn to soybeans in other states, Cavett said. That has put pressure on popcorn acreage in those states, he said, making it more advantageous for farmers to grow popcorn here. , A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT of popcorn is eaten during home football games in Lincoln, but the amount depends on the outside temperature. .Bill Fisher,, the athletic business manager, said that more popcorn is sold when it is cool outside. During the Penn State game, 5,229 boxes of popcorn were sold. It was 90 degrees that day. During the Kansas game, which was the coolest this season, 1 1 ,196 boxes of popcorn were sold. In all, 41,467 boxes of popcorn have been sold during home football games. Much of that corn was grown in Nebraska. Garry Smith, vice president of American Popcorn Company, said that about 40 percent of the popcorn they purchase is grown in Nebraska. American Popcorn Company supplies UNL concessions with popcorn. THE OTHER 60 percent is grown in Western Iowa and Northwestern Ohio, he said. The American Popcorn ( SP1R0 AOIIBU'S DIB?flDH? j "Ctrrapt" Tnriill Uith SO' Cans SO' CiDalls lERN D017M PARKA KITS Go western with the luxury of down body and sleeves & the practicality of polyester in yolk and collar where you're most likely to get wet. Three layer construction assures extra warmth. Velcro hip tabs for extra fit. Nylon taffeta fabric. Western Kits reg. $55.00 CO ho: or ly & ( o While supply lasts. SEW 423-6767 A a CREATIVE 5600$5.4C!h us every year. Others won't even talk to us " Smith said. There is no real difference in growing popcorn or field corn, he said. The decision to grow popcorn is not usually made in competition with the decision to grow field corn. Popcorn is usually a second crop and must compete with the farmers decision to grow something else like soybeans, Smith said. - ' There are many types of hybrid popcorns available. The most noticeable difference to consumers is whether the kernel is white or yellow. The yellow kernel tends to be larger and pops bigger than the white, but usually has a tougher texture and taste, Smith said. The white kernel though it will pop smaller, tends to have a tender texture and taste. Company, based in Sioux City, Iowa, distributes its product nationwide and handles "millions of pounds" of popcorn, Smith said. The firm usually contracts with various farmers in the Spring to grqw a set number of acres in popcorn and then guarantees the farmer that they will buy whatever is produced. ' . "Some farmers love to grow popcorn and come back to OVA COMMON DINOWNATCX : JZED BLOOD. ooo O '"SI' H 'J1 iv H O yv'!"ii'fM.1i;if m ; O 1 - Vis ViVi"v . -.1 m Mi i . Its Happening At The Hilton I .SANDY CREEK PICKERS' NOV. 7-10 BIG RED BREAKFAST EVERY FOOTBALL SATURDAY Exiled Soviet Dissident o o speaks on "HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE U.S.S.R." TODfiV! Wednesday, Nov. 7 8:00 pm Nebr. Union Centennial Room FREE ADMISSION WITH STUDENT I.D. ($1.00 General Admission) Contributions to the voluntarily funded speakers program will be accepted. 0 talks & topics' ""ft V. . 1 A 7 X -1