Press Release from Graze Master Group
Nate Belcher, co-founder of Hybrid85, and a leader of the Graze Master Group, will be presenting in York, Neb. on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the York County 4-H building from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with leadership from Meristem Crop Performance, Streamline ag programs, and Agoro Carbon Alliance US. The presentations will include discussion about inputs and new carbon programs that save farmers money and help them become more profitable.
The Hybrid85 team likes to talk about the farmers and ranchers they serve, not about themselves. But the Graze Master Group thought it was time to highlight the company’s corn breeding program that has positioned itself strongly against some major industry players.
It’s an advantage rooted in history, said Belcher. It’s also an advantage that takes out the waste and unimportance of too many “middlemen,” he added.
Hybrid85 is leading in innovation because of their ability to adapt hybrids to specific environments and their deep understanding of what they describe as the highly competitive and sometimes ruthless seed industry that seems to want to leave many farmers and ranchers with vital businesses and vision behind.
Belcher has been genuinely surprised by some of the reactions in the countryside, “There are some farmers truly being left behind. It’s so humbling when they just thank me for giving them the time. Sometimes, they are even apologetic about it. That really illustrates a major problem in the ag industry when it comes to service, and we want to correct that. Everyone deserves a conversation and a chance to ask questions. We don’t care about the size your farm or ranch is. We care about the interest you have in making your farm better and more profitable.”
That’s part of the conundrum, Belcher admitted, “A lot of times people think our price point is too good to be true or not top quality. We aren’t going to waver on fair pricing, though, because that’s what we can deliver to the marketplace, and that drives us. We are ultra-conservative in our business operations and want to invest in the quality of our seed and the ability to build solid business relationships without all the unnecessary extras. We know farmers are smarter than the gimmicks.”
“We won’t touch an inbred that hasn’t proven itself on at least a million acres and most often significantly more acres than that. We will tell you exactly what we are learning about performance from the actual field and from the actual experiences of the farmers using our products,” he said about their pathway to proven performance.
Because of their efficient size and streamlined processes that use industry-leading facilities to bag and prepare their seed for the marketplace, Belcher noted they are able to be nimble enough to grow smaller amounts of many hybrids, “Nebraska guys and gals want different hybrids than a Wisconsin dairy farmer. Our customers truly dictate what we are growing because we are talking to them.”
Hybrid85 started because they are visionary and can be nimble in a world where big companies can’t move quickly for a host of reasons: “We’re direct to the farm. No trait fees, and we’re never going to send anyone on a cruise. We’re in the corn and crops business. We’re cutting the fat and growing quality corn so you can make money to do all the other things you want to do. We don’t need to decide where you spend your money or time. We just need to get you the seed that grows well where you farm or ranch.”
They are getting phone calls, too, and a lot of orders. Larger farmers know changes are coming, and smaller farmers know they will be treated the same as anyone else. The examples of changes coming down the pike are all over. The U.S. farmer and rancher remembers the strength and vigor of hybrid corn. The label of “regenerative agriculture” is also springing up all over the place.
The “labels” are indicating a need to reach back and recall something we used to know, said Belcher, “My goal, from the very beginning, has been to help agricultural systems start producing more food and higher-yielding crops that are healthy for us, but also extremely profitable. Who wants to argue about doing what’s best for the environment? We want to help them by offering better corn at an honest price. We know farmers who are still in business didn’t get there overnight. They need to know they can make their own decisions like their ancestors did. In some ways, ‘big ag’ disrupted that decision-making process. It’s simple: we don’t want to tell them what to do. We want to provide a great product and tell them about a host of options and ideas out there – take them or leave them, but ask away.”
Hybrid85’s corn breeding program is powered by a mindset trained in the fast-paced, aggressive, and sometimes cutthroat industry-leading global seed companies. They have team members who have “been there, done that” in other larger models. But, they took the leap to go their own way.
“I am the descendant of entrepreneurs, and all of us at Hybrid85 believe in the spirit of entrepreneurism this nation still presents to us if we take advantage of it,” Belcher said. “We just care. We really do. It was time for a change for all of us and we know that feeling is out there in farm country. We don’t want to be told what to do any more than the farmer. That’s what Hybrid85 is all about – freedom to grow great crops the way you want to at a price that is not inflated for a bunch of stuff we just don’t need to grow great corn and make a great living.”
The corn breeding program at Hybrid85 is always innovating for the future, but also is bringing back some powerhouse, rockstar hybrids. They are doing this while helping producers also remember what’s most important – caring for the soil where crops and livestock are growing so future generations can make the decisions they want on healthy farms for years to come.
These topics and more will be presented from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with time left for lots of questions and discussion.
Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. with coffee, juice, and cinnamon rolls prepared by local baker Cristy Richters.
Head to: 2345 North Nebraska Ave. In York, Neb. The 4-H Building is right across from the York County Extension Office.
R.S.V.P by calling or texting Kerry Hoffschneider, co-founder of the Graze Master Group, at: 402-363-8963.
Do you want to order or learn more about Hybrid85? We want to make things as simple as possible. If you order online, make sure to use this link: hybrid85.com/grazemaster
Give Kerry a call/text at 402-363-8963 and she can connect you with Nate and team too.
