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
