A central Nebraska organic crop business can continue to buy grain only to be used as seed, as the Nebraska Public Service Commission approved an agreement with Roberts Seed of Axtell.
The Nebraska Public Service Commission issued the order Tuesday and dismissed a formal complaint that had alleged unlicensed activity by the specialty grain company.
The agreement follows a PSC investigation last fall into whether the company was buying and storing grain without the required grain dealer and grain warehouse licenses.
Under terms of the agreement, Roberts Seed commits to:
• Buying grain only for the purpose of selling it as seed – activity that does not require a PSC-issued license and that is overseen by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The company is prohibited from conducting traditional grain dealer and warehouse activity without obtaining the proper licenses.
• Paying a $2,400 civil penalty
• Submitting to periodic site and records inspections by the PSC’s Grain Department
“This agreement reinforces our commitment to maintaining the integrity of the grain marketplace,” Commission Vice Chair Kevin Stocker said in a news release. “We will continue to closely monitor operations to ensure compliance, protect grain producers and uphold public safety.”
Roberts Seed, Inc. specializes in organic seed from its operations in Kearney County. The Roberts family sells cover crops and forages as well as non-GMO corn and soybeans among other products.
In 2018, Roberts Seed, Inc., was fined by the PSC and was prohibited from engaging in grain dealer activities without obtaining a Grain Dealer License.
The PSC encourages producers to verify that grain dealers and warehouses are properly licensed before conducting business. The lists of licensed dealers and warehouses are available at https://psc.nebraska.gov/grain.
