Hergert has some good news for local chicory producers
By Rick Myers
Star-Herald
David Hergert does the math and two plus two keeps coming up five or six.
U.S. Chicory, which started operation in October of 2001, processes locally grown chicory into dried cossettes that are used by Nestle Purina.
Hergert, who will serve as chairman of the board and president of the new Chicory USA, said the business relationship between U.S. Chicory and Nestle Purina would not change.
"They are the ones who wanted to put in the factory here, and we will be able to supply the needs of both," he said.
Hergert said 800 acres of chicory were raised last year; and with the new venture that figure could double.
"This is very positive," said Torrington, Wyo., chicory farmer Ron Schlagel, who grew 290 acres of the crop last year.
Schlagel stopped raising sugar beets years ago but saw an opportunity for chicory.
"It has paid off a lot better," he said.
Four large stainless steel roasters will be disassembled at the Finaler plant and shipped to Scottsbluff where they will be installed in a new $2 million manufacturing and roasting factory that will be constructed just east of the current warehouse. Construction is expected to begin in late March.
U.S. Chicory will supply the roasted cossettes to Chicory USA, which will further roast the product according to the needs of its customers. Over 20 skilled workers will be employed at the Scottsbluff plant five days a week, year round.
Hergert said the city of Scottsbluff, Twin Cities Development Association and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development Association provided invaluable assistance in bring the business to the panhandle area.
Ongoing University of Nebraska-Lincoln Food Processing Center research and development and Panhandle Research and Extension Center research continues with a Nebraska grant to Panhandle Chicory Growers Association and USDA financial assistance programs awards to U.S. Chicory, according to a new release.
Because of the research, the feasibility of growing chicory in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming was proven and construction began on the Scottsbluff plant in April of 2001.
"The cooperation and assistance of these researchers have made this industry become a reality and offers a profitable alternative crop for Nebraska panhandle area farmers," Hergert said.
