Bill was a leading developer of the fertilizer industry in western Nebraska. He recognized zinc deficiencies in Western Nebraska and applied zinc fertilizer to correct the nutrient imbalance. Through farmer meetings, demonstration plots and personal contacts, Bill was instrumental in promoting the prudent use of fertilizers and chemicals and stressed the use of soil tests to predict fertilizer requirements to reduce excessive nutrient applications.
William L. 'Bill' Siegel of Morrill, Nebraska has devoted his life, both professional and as a volunteer, to further Nebraska Agriculture. Bill is president of Jirdon Agricultural Chemicals, Inc., a multi-state business specializing in fertilizer, chemicals and seed production and conditioning. His career has focused on many phases of agriculture including Cooperative Extension, private business, producer and agribusiness organizations and advisory boards and committees.
In 1951, Bill graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture with a B.S. in Agronomy and a major in Extension. He began his agricultural career as County Agent in Sioux County, Nebraska. In 1952, he became a part of and later purchased the John R. Jirdon Industries fertilizer business that focused on western Nebraska and Eastern Wyoming. Bill was a key leader in the development of the fertilizer industry in western Nebraska. He was one of the first to recognize zinc deficiencies in Western Nebraska and to apply zinc fertilizer to correct the nutrient imbalance. Through farmer meetings, demonstration plots and personal contacts, Bill has been instrumental in promoting the prudent use of fertilizers and chemicals. He has always stressed the use of soil tests to predict fertilizer requirements to reduce excess application of nutrients. Bill served his industry as a member of the Nebraska Fertilizer Institute Board of Directors from 1983 to 1991 and chaired the Bankers Task Force for the Institute.
In addition to the success of Jirdon Agri Chemicals, Bill has worked diligently to improve production agriculture. For example, Jirdon was one of the first to fertilize mountain meadows in Wyoming. His company provided much of the seed for highway seeding, in one year they cleaned 1,000,000 lb. of crested wheatgrass seed. Bill also helped Dow Chemical and Western Sugar Company pioneer the use of Telone Soil Fumigant to control the sugar beet nematode. Jirdon was the first to produce a lawn and garden fertilizer high in iron and sulfur to combat problems with calcareous soils in western Nebraska. This effort resulted in a line of fertilizer products that are merchandised for a variety of specific applications (lawn, garden, golf course, parks and recreation areas) that are marketed in the Central High Plains.
The marketing of Nebraska grown grass & crop seeds has always been an impo1tant component of Jirdon Agri Chemicals. Bill has long recognized the importance of seed quality and has been a strong supporter of Certified Seed. He has contracted for certified seed and provided seed conditioning services to support the use of quality seed. Bill was honored for his support of Certified Seed by receiving the Distinguished Award from the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association in 1992.
Most Saturday mornings, Bill is on the radio as producer/narrator of the KNEB and KGOS/KERM Lawn and Garden Show. Bill solves many fertilizer and pest problems for thousands of listeners who tune into his program and call-in questions to learn more about lawn and gardens.
Bill is a member of many civic, professional, and agricultural committees and organizations. He is Past President of the Morrill Rotary Club and Morrill Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Fertilizer and Ag Chemical Institute, the First National Bank of Morrill, and the United Telephone System Advisory Board. In addition, Bill has provided exemplary service to the University of Nebraska serving on faculty search committees, task forces as well as advisory committees for three University of Nebraska academic units: the Panhandle Research & Extension Center, the Department of Horticulture and the Department of Agronomy
Bill Siegel's contributions to agriculture have been recognized by the UNL Panhandle Research & Extension Center (Service to Agriculture Award), the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association, the Nebraska Fertilizer and Ag-Chemicals Institute (Industry Person of the Year, 1995), the Scottsbluff-Gering Twin Cities Development Foundation, the Valley Manufacturing, Processors & Transportation Association, the Panhandle UNL Alumni Association and the Nebraska Hall of Ag Achievement.
Bill Siegel is truly a leader in Nebraska Agriculture and is most deserving of this recognition as "Honoree".
William L. Siegel
William L. "Bill" Siegel has devoted his life to furthering Nebraska agriculture, including work in cooperative extension, private business, producer and agribusiness organizations and advisory boards and committees. He was a key leader in the development of the fertilizer industry in western Nebraska, including use of zinc to correct nutrient imbalances and soil tests for prudent use of fertilizers and chemicals. He pioneered the use of Telone Soil Fumigants to control sugar beet nematodes. Bill was a leader in grass seed production and grass seedings for highways, and production of lawn and garden fertilizer high in iron and sulfur to combat problems with calcareous soils. Recognizing the importance of seed quality, he contracts for certified seed and provides seed conditioning services. Bill is a producer/narrator of the KNEB Lawn and Garden Show. His contributions to agriculture have been recognized by the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center; the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association; the Nebraska Fertilizer and Ag-Chemicals Institute; the Scottsbluff-Gering Twin Cities Development Foundation; the Valley Manufacturing, Processors and Transportation Association; and the Panhandle UNL Alumni Association. Bill Siegel is truly a leader in Nebraska Agriculture.
