Robert Daugherty, an Omaha investor, founded Valley Manufacturing. After buying the patent for Zybach's irrigation system, Valley became the leader in center pivot sales. Valley is now a division of Valmont Industries. Daugherty contributed millions of dollars to the study of irrigation, the conservation of water and food production.
Courtesy of Valmont Industries
“[Robert Daugherty] saw an opportunity to progress agriculture by introducing the first center pivot.He led agriculture into a new, superior direction in irrigation technology..." Pivot Point Spring 2010