Kernels that are too dry will not pop properly. Remove dirt, cobs, and other foreign material at harvest. Marketing Popcorn is mainly produced under contracts which specify the hybrids and the acreages to be planted. The grower usually buys the seed through the contracting company. In 1988 there were nine popcorn processors in Nebraska located at Imperial, North Platte, Chapman, Aurora, North Bend, Neligh, North Loup, Bartlett, and Ainsworth.
Some popcorn produced in Nebraska is processed in western Iowa.
Popcorn seed grown without a sales contract is difficult to market and is risky for farmers who do not have appropriate storage with good aeration. In 1988, about 16 million pounds or 10 percent of Nebraska's popcorn crop was sold on the open market. It is a cheaper protein source than field corn since it is usually cheaper than corn when sold on the open market as a feed grain. Usually the yellow kernel hybrids are preferred for this purpose. The quality of popcorn is expressed as popped volume, shape of the popped kernels, tenderness, and flavor.