January 2024 Badger Common'Tater

$28/year | $2.50/copy | Volume 76 No. 01 | january 2024

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

WPVGA INDUSTRY SHOW PREVIEW & TRUCKS ISSUE

FOOD + FARM EXPLORATION Center Holds Grand Opening BADGER PLASTICS & SUPPLY Meets Needs of Area Farmers COMPLETE 2024 GROWER Education Conference Schedule POTATOES PROVIDE IMPORTANT Nutrients Beyond Carbohydrates

INTERVIEW:

JOE EBBEN

Kriete Truck Center

Kay Nicklaus enjoys an immersive experience in an ag simulator tractor cab at the Food + Farm Exploration Center Grand Opening, in Plover, Wisconsin.

FITS TO A The Perfect Fit for CPB Control With Torac ® Insecticide, you get control of Colorado Potato Beetle and a broad spectrum of other troublesome pests including aphids, psyllids, leafhoppers, and thrips. Torac works quickly, causing rapid feeding cessation, and it is effective on all life stages of target pests. Additionally, the unique mode of action of Torac makes it an excellent rotational option to manage pest resistance in potato, onion, and vegetable crops. With all this, you’ll want to fit Torac in your CPB spray program this season. To learn more, contact your distributor or local Nichino America sales representative.

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Please join us for a Seed Cutting Class • Thursday, February 8

Milestone and more vendor reps will be present • 1:00 p.m. at Sand County Equipment Lunch will be served beforehand, at noon, with beverages!

On the Cover: Surrounded by flatscreens in a U-shape around the exhibit, Kay Nicklaus enjoys an immersive experience in an ag simulator tractor cab, November 30, at the Food + Farm Exploration Center Grand Opening in Plover, Wisconsin. “It was such a real feeling,” Nicklaus says. “I was thrilled to be in there.” Kay’s late husband, Ron, was founder of Incredible Bank and a long-time successful bean farmer and owner of a bean harvesting operation.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: Currently operating 10 locations across Wisconsin, Kriete Truck Centers offers the full lines of Mack, Volvo, and Hino heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks, Autocar terminal tractors, and seven equipment/trailer lines. This issue’s interviewee, Joe Ebben has been with the dealership for 22 years, having spent the last decade in new Mack, used truck and Cross Country Trailer sales.

Joe’s father, Bob, is known in the Wisconsin ag industry, having serviced customers with Edward Jones for the past 25 years.

DEPARTMENTS: BADGER BEAT.................... 30 EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 28 MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6

16

36

73

GRAND OPENING SEES ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD

NOW NEWS

ALI’S KITCHEN

Food + Farm Exploration Center buzzes with activity

TOMRA garners FoodTec Award for foreign material identification using Insight

Hunter’s quarry equates to delicious Pheasant Pot Pie (or substitute chicken)

FEATURE ARTICLES: 22 BADGER PLASTICS & SUPPLY adapts to changing needs of its longtime customers 42 LINEUP OF RESEARCHER presentations set for 2024 Grower Education Conference 58 CARBOHYDRATE FOOD Quality Score aligns with Dietary Guidelines for Americans 4

BC�T January

MARKETPLACE................... 71 NEW PRODUCTS................ 63 NPC NEWS......................... 69 PEOPLE.............................. 50 PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6 POTATOES USA NEWS........ 48 SEED PIECE........................ 54 WPIB FOCUS...................... 68

WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Randy Fleishauer Vice President: Charlie Mattek Secretary: John Bustamante Treasurer: Alex Okray Directors: Mike Carter, Wendy Dykstra, Bill Guenthner, Josh Knights & J.D. Schroeder Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Andy Diercks Secretary: Nicola Carey Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: John Bobek, John Fenske, Jim Okray, Eric Schroeder & Tom Wild WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Matt Selenske

Vice President: Andy Verhasselt Secretary: Sally Suprise Treasurer: Paul Salm Directors: Melissa Heise, Ethan Olson, Scott Scheer, Morgan Smolarek & Brandon Taylor Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Matt Mattek Vice President: Jeff Suchon Secretary/Treasurer: Clover Spacek Directors: Charlie Husnick & Andy Schroeder Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Heidi Schleicher Vice President: Datonn Hanke Secretary/Treasurer: Becky Wysocki Directors: Jody Baginski, Erin Meister, Dakotah Smiley & Misti Ward

Mission Statement of the WPVGA: To serve the potato and vegetable industry of Wisconsin through education, research, promotion, governmental action and sustainability leadership.

Mission Statement of the WPVGA Associate Division: To work in partnership with the WPVGA as product and service providers to promote mutual industry viability by providing technology and information resources.

Badger Common’Tater is published monthly at 700 Fifth Avenue, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409

WPVGA Staff Executive Director: Tamas Houlihan Managing Editor: Joe Kertzman Director of Promotions & Consumer Education: Dana Rady Financial Officer: Karen Rasmussen Executive Assistant: Julie Braun Program Assistant: Jane Guillen Spudmobile Education and Outreach Administrator: George Neuber

WPVGA Office (715) 623-7683 • FAX: (715) 623-3176 E-mail: wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes.com Website: www.wisconsinpotatoes.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/WPVGA

Subscription rates: $2.50/copy, $28/year; $45/2 years.

Foreign subscription rates: $35/year; $55/2 years.

Telephone: (715) 623-7683 Mailing address: P.O. Box 327, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409 Or, subscribe free online: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe/ ADVERTISING: To advertise your service or product in this magazine, call (715) 630-6213, or email: Joe Kertzman: jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com.

The editor welcomes manuscripts and pictures but accepts no responsibility for such material while in our hands.

BC�T January

5

MARK YOUR

Calendar JANUARY 2024 10-11

POTATO EXPO 2024 Austin Convention Center Austin, TX

FEBRUARY 6-8

2024 GROWER ED CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW Holiday Inn Convention Center Stevens Point, WI

21-22

INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO Washington Marriott at Metro Center Washington, D.C.

26-29

2024 NPC WASHINGTON SUMMIT Washington Marriott at Metro Center Washington, D.C.

MARCH 26-28

62nd ANNUAL WPS FARM SHOW Experimental Aircraft Association grounds Oshkosh, WI

MAY 18-21

NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SHOW McCormick Place Chicago, IL

JUNE 21

WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI

23-26

12TH WORLD POTATO CONGRESS Adelaide, South Australia

JULY 10

2024 PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI

11

HARS FIELD DAY Hancock Agricultural Research Station Hancock, WI

31

RARS FIELD DAY Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station Rhinelander, WI

AUGUST 23-26

WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Country/Rock Fest Grounds Cadott, WI

OCTOBER 17

5TH ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT Wausau Skeet and Trap Club Wausau/Brokaw, WI

17-19

GLOBAL PRODUCE & FLORAL SHOW Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta, GA

6

BC�T January

Planting Ideas Ah, the unbridled joy of a dog,

in this case a Wirehaired Vizsla nuzzling Ali Carter’s daughter, Alayna, in the ear during a recent photo opportunity. What an incredible photo—the family, their dogs, and, of course, pheasants taken during a fall bird hunt. From left to right in the image are Michael, Alayna, dogs Jarod and Tietge, and Mike Carter. Mike and Ali are well known in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry, with Mike being the chief executive officer and coowner of Bushmans’ Inc., in Rosholt, and Ali a Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary member and author of the monthly Badger Common’Tater column, “Ali’s Kitchen.” Ali shared the image when she submitted this month’s recipe for a Pheasant Pot Pie! Don’t worry, you can substitute chicken or even turkey that’s leftover from the holidays. See “Ali’s Kitchen” in this issue.

Mike also happened to make celebratory remarks at the Grand Opening of the Food + Farm Exploration Center (FFEC), November 30, in Plover, Wisconsin. The FFEC was a hub of activity, November 30-December 2, during three Grand Opening events befitting of the brand-new facility. The activities kicked off with a Ceremonial Grand Opening Program, November 30, for FFEC Board members and monetary donors, Wisconsin state legislators, industry professionals, growers, and media representatives. Mike is a Farming for the Future Foundation cabinet member, and Bushmans’ Inc. made a sizable donation toward the FFEC. The state-of-the-art FFEC facility is a science and technology center where visitors have the chance to learn about Wisconsin’s rich agricultural industry and innovative practices through an immersive experience.

It is a destination for learning, exploring, and celebrating agriculture, as well as being home to the world’s largest potato masher. The 50,000-square-foot center sits on 24 acres generously donated by Worzella & Sons, Inc., and includes 60 hands-on, immersive, interactive exhibits, four acres of demonstration farm fields, a kitchen lab, Colorful Plate Café, meeting, events and exhibit space, an agriculture lab makerspace, farm technology shed, and Ag Grand Hall. See the complete feature article about the FFEC Grand Opening Ceremony along with a plethora of photos in this issue.

Please email me with your thoughts and questions. If you wish to be notified when our free online magazine is available monthly, here is the subscriber link: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe.

Joe Kertzman

Managing Editor jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com

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NAME: Joe Ebben TITLE: New Mack, used trucks and Cross Country Trailer sales COMPANY: Kriete Truck Center LOCATION: Stevens Point and Tomahawk, WI HOMETOWN: Hancock, WI YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: 10, with 22 years at the dealership PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Oshkosh Truck Corp. and Heartland Farms SCHOOLING: Tri-County Schools and one-year certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Agriculture Short Course Program ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association and Central Wisconsin Cheese and Butter Makers Association FAMILY: Two sons, Michael (19) and Matthew (17) HOBBIES: Downhill skiing, volleyball, golf, do-it-yourself projects, camping, hunting, fishing, and always up for a drink with a friend.

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BC�T January

Interview JOE EBBEN, sales representative, Kriete Truck Center

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

Family owned and operated since its inception in 1951, Kriete Truck Centers has been earning customer trust through honesty and proven expertise in product, service, and support for more than 70 years.

Currently operating 10 locations across Wisconsin, Kriete offers the full lines of Mack, Volvo, and Hino heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks, Autocar terminal tractors, and seven equipment/trailer lines.

With 500-plus employees spread throughout the 10 Wisconsin dealerships and Milwaukee corporate office, Kriete offers an allencompassing suite of truck services, from financing and full-service lease programs to rental, sales, service, and parts.

Trailer, body, and loader options include equipment and implements from Barko, Cross Country

Manufacturing, Great Lakes, Kesla, Palfinger, and Serco.

“Kriete Truck Centers has a foundation built on family and trust with people in and out of its dealerships,” says Joe Ebben, who works in new Mack, used truck, and Cross Country Trailer sales for the company. “That message is passed on to our employees and customers by showing, not telling.”

Above: Joe Ebben specializes in sales of new Macks, used trucks, and Cross Country Trailers for the Kriete Truck Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he’s built a 22-year career at the dealership.

Above & Left: Kriete Truck Centers is one of the top five Mack truck dealers in the nation.

school and high school, and working for Heartland Farms, in Hancock, after high school.

“It impresses me that, when the owner of our company, David Kriete, comes to visit, you can truly see he has ties to every single person, knowing their names and backgrounds,” Ebben says. “He will reflect on a past conversation about something going on in their lives.”

How and when did you start working for Kriete Truck Center, Joe? I started at the Stevens Point store a little over 22 years ago, in October 2001.

I was working in the Glider shop at Oshkosh Truck while dating a girl from Stevens Point. I made the transition to Stevens Point to avoid the two-and-a-half hours a day of driving to and from work.

Like many area farming operations, Kriete Truck Centers is a thirdgeneration family business with roots dating back to 1951. Does that appeal to you, and if so, why?

Yes, it does. Since the dealership transitioned into the Kriete organization, in 2021, I feel the family atmosphere within the group.

Is your father, Bob, still a financial advisor with Edward Jones, and did you ever work with or for him? My father is retiring at the end of the year (with this interview occurring in December 2023) after servicing customers with Edward Jones for the past 25 years.

Do you have a background in agriculture or ag business? My ag background is a mix of visiting my grandpa’s farm, in Stanley, helping during haying seasons, working on a hog farm in Hancock during middle

N V S

continued on pg. 10

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9

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

Since we have been working in sales in different industries, we’ve had booths across the hall from each other at the WPVGA Industry Show each February.

During that show, I’ve enjoyed listening to and seeing my father’s interactions with connections he has made over his career and how the relationships have evolved. His clients

are truly friends and always ask for his advice.

I believe Kriete Truck Centers is one of the largest Mack (and Volvo) truck dealers in the United States. Do you have many potato and vegetable grower customers or ag companies that you work with? Kriete is definitely one of the largest Mack and Volvo truck dealers in the

Above: In its Cross Country Manufacturing (CCM) trailer line, Kriete Truck Centers offers anything from end dump, belly dump or belt trailers to 55-ton Lowboys, tilt-deck tag trailers, and 45-ton, hydraulic-tilt, lowdeck trailers, all with some of the strongest frames and lowest ramps and load angles in the industry.

United States in annual sales and number of service locations.

I have serviced several of our local vegetable growers, and as a dealer group, we have a strong customer base throughout the state serving many different areas of agriculture.

Including equipment—cranes, lifts, loaders, hydraulics, and trailers—what specifically do you offer growers and ag industry professionals that perhaps other trucking companies don’t? Kriete Truck Centers offers a wide variety of products like you mentioned. We service and sell everything from new and used trucks to a wide variety of trailers such as tag trailers, low boys and end dumps, as well as hydraulic loaders from Serco and Palfinger, and Autocar spot tractors.

The Kriete Sales Summit, held in Madison the first week of December 2023, included sales staff; service, parts, sales, and accounting managers; the marketing and communications departments; and corporate representatives—about 150 people in all, shown here in front of the capitol building. During the four-day summit, the team analyzed the year in business, shared ideas on creating a better environment for staff and clients and set goals for the following year and beyond. Break-out sessions delved into products and recent updates.

10 BC�T January

One additional benefit we have is our Kriete Leasing & Rental division. We offer many different rental and lease units, such as dump trucks, dry vans and storage trailers, sleeper trucks, day cabs (some with wet kits) and continued on pg. 12

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 10

medium-duty box trucks.

during planting or harvest seasons.

If you have a short-term need for a rental, chances are we have it or can look into providing it. This works great, especially for short-term needs

Can the Stevens Point location also help with parts and/or service? Yes, we have a staff of seven people in our Stevens Point Parts Department

that provides parts support for our customers covering both 1st and 2nd shifts and Saturday mornings.

We have $850,000 of parts inventory in Stevens Point, along with our parts inventory at nine other locations and our new Central Parts Warehouse housing an impressive $1.9 million in parts inventory.

We have two route delivery drivers who deliver ordered parts daily to our customers. We also offer 24-hour service for truck and trailer repairs in Stevens Point, remaining open from 7 a.m. Monday until noon on Saturday.

Our Stevens Point store and all our Mack dealer locations are Certified Up Time Dealers. This program is targeted to have an unscheduled truck repair diagnosed and length of downtime determined within four hours of reaching the dealership.

Above: In addition to Mack, Volvo, and Hino heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks, Kriete Truck Centers offers trailer, body, and loader equipment and implements from Barko, Cross Country Manufacturing, Great Lakes, Kesla, Palfinger, and Serco.

Left: Kriete offers full lines of Mack, Volvo, and Hino heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks.

12 BC�T January

Are there advantages to Kriete Truck Center having 10 locations throughout Wisconsin? Many of our customers have routes that go throughout the state. Having a 10-rooftop footprint helps us service our customers if they happen to have a problem with a truck or piece of equipment when they are away from their home dealership by being serviced at another location.

“It impresses me that, when the owner of our company, David Kriete, comes to visit, you can truly see he has ties to every single person, knowing their names and backgrounds.”

This helps them avoid unwanted downtime. Our rooftops work as one team with one goal, customer satisfaction.

– Joe Ebben

Kriete Truck Center sales, Stevens Point

What are your specific duties throughout the day, and how can you help our potato and vegetable or ag business members? My dayto-day duties vary depending on customer needs. I work my schedule around my clients.

I might be working on a truck specification for a customer and get a call from another customer that has a pressing need, whether it’s a temporary truck or help getting a part or service schedule. I look at my position as an account manager, doing whatever I can to help get done what is needed.

Customizing equipment to fit your needs for over 25 years!

Do you use your experience and contacts in the agriculture industry?

I do have clients in agriculture.

Many of these relationships were developed long ago, whether from past employment or even from them being an old classmate, or parent or sibling of a classmate. Some of those relationships have introduced me to new people in the industry.

Also, having my dad, Bob, and one of my brothers, Jim, with direct ties to local agriculture has increased my contact and presence in our community.

Are there certain brands of trucks and equipment that are most suited to the needs of the ag industry?

I do feel that our Mack Truck product continued on pg. 14

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BC�T January 13

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 13

provides some of the best reliability compared to competitors, especially when referring to the new emissions reduction demand and the systems it takes to accomplish that goal.

Some of the big factors of a decision should be based on our support after the sale. My support and the supporting staff from our parts and service departments are a huge part of how we shine above the rest.

Do the growers or associated businesses take advantage of leasing and rentals? As we are now part of Kriete Truck Centers, as of 2021, word of our capacity for rental offerings is still hitting the streets, and I am seeing this segment growing. We have rented a few day cab units to a couple cranberry growers in the past couple of seasons.

Are there still such things as handshake deals, and loyalty and trust in the truck and ag industries?

Agriculture is an industry that I feel strongly about as far as doing handshake business. To me, it seems that the industries that mandate hard work and getting your hands dirty do have more trust and power in a handshake.

However, in today’s fast-paced world and all the information that happens in day-to-day business, I feel the paperwork should be drawn up and signed. This places accountability on the client and salesperson,

clearing up all expectations of what is being provided.

Can growers and ag businesses take their trucks and equipment to be serviced at one of your other locations, or do service technicians travel to Stevens Point? Kriete Truck Center of Stevens Point has a fullservice offering by our 16 trained and certified technicians, 24 hours a day from 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday at noon.

We can handle anything from an oil change service to a DOT [Department of Transportation] inspection, alignment, engine diagnostics or wiring repairs. We do offer roadside repair in the event of a failure on the road and work with towing service providers when that need arises.

What’s the newest and most exciting truck or equipment that Kriete is offering today that might appeal to WPVGA members? Our Mack product has aways been one of

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14 BC�T January

Above: Joe Ebben says he believes the Mack Truck product provides some of the best reliability compared to competitors.

our solid platform offerings. Mack has proven to be a strong, reliable product with a duty cycle that is second to none.

One product category that is coming on strong is our Cross Country Manufacturing (CCM) trailer line.

Through CCM, we can offer anything from an end dump trailer to a belt trailer, 55-ton Lowboy, tilt-deck tag trailer or 45-ton, hydraulic-tilt, lowdeck trailer.

These trailers offer some of the strongest frames with the lowest ramp and load angles in the industry.

Can Kriete Truck Center help with financing and insurance? Yes, we have staff dedicated to aid customers in all needs of a purchase, including financing. We have flexible plans to work with several industries and competitive rates.

What do you hope for your and Kriete’s future in Stevens Point?

One of Kriete’s goals is to provide the best experiences to our clients.

We are a team that wants to provide a great atmosphere for everyone, whether you are coming in our door for employment, to pick up a part, to purchase our product offerings or get a truck serviced.

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Food + Farm Exploration Center Grand Opening Draws Enthusiastic Crowd Board members, donors, legislators, growers, and the media got a first-hand look at the center

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater Above: Food + Farm Exploration Center Executive Director Andy Reitz gives celebratory remarks at a special Grand Opening ceremony, November 30, for donors and board members, legislators, industry professionals and representatives of the media. “It’s an amazing facility, a space where we can share agriculture successes, create lesson plans, and bring education to students through state-of-the-art exhibits and demonstration fields. This is a place for common ground,” Reitz remarked, “where the community and even tractors of different colors can come together.”

Left: Wisconsin potato growers Carole and Cliff Gagas (left) chat with Wisconsin Sen. Joan Ballweg (right) during the Ceremonial Grand Opening program, November 30, of the Food + Farm Exploration Center (FFEC).

On October 25, 2023, the Wisconsin State Building Commission approved the release of $3 million in state grant funds, through a joint effort that included Sen. Ballweg, to support construction of the FFEC, in Plover, a monetary sum that was recently enumerated in 2023 Wisconsin Act 19 for the Farming for the Future Foundation Inc. 16 BC�T January

The Food + Farm Exploration Center (FFEC) in Plover, Wisconsin, was buzzing with activity, November 30-December 2, during three Grand Opening events befitting of the brand-new facility.

The activities kicked off with a Ceremonial Grand Opening Program, November 30, for FFEC Board members and monetary donors, Wisconsin state legislators, industry professionals, growers, and media representatives.

That was followed, December 1, by a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Portage County Area Business Council that included a private open house.

Last, but certainly not least, was a public Grand Opening, December 2, which officially kicked off the Exploration Center’s regular business hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Thursdays. The center is closed on Mondays.

The state-of-the-art FFEC facility is a science and technology center where visitors have the chance to learn about Wisconsin’s rich agricultural industry and innovative practices through an immersive experience.

It is a destination for learning, exploring, and celebrating agriculture, as well as being home to the world’s largest potato masher.

The 50,000-square-foot center sits

on 24 acres generously donated by Worzella & Sons, Inc., and includes 60 hands-on, immersive, interactive exhibits, four acres of demonstration farm fields, a kitchen lab, Colorful Plate Café, meeting, events and exhibit space, an agriculture lab makerspace, Farm Tech Shed, and Ag Grand Hall.

RECONNECT PEOPLE TO AG The FFEC focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Math) and literacy initiatives, and helps address the challenges of fewer students choosing agricultural professions.

“There is a profound need to reconnect people to agriculture, continued on pg. 18

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Left: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers attended the Ceremonial Grand Opening of the FFEC, where he said, “It’s wonderful to see the finished project. What you’ve accomplished is incredible. I’m happy to support such an innovative project that, in turn, supports the ag industry. I want to thank Dick and Barb Pavelski, the Farming for the Future Foundation [FFTFF] and PepsiCo for supporting farmers.” Gov. Evers signed a $3 million grant for the FFTFF to be used toward building and operating the FFEC. Right: Michelle Peariso (left), FFTFF founding member, secretary, and treasurer, and Mike Carter (second from left), FFTFF cabinet member and co-owner and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bushmans’ Inc., present Michelle’s parents, Barb and Dick Pavelski (right) with a framed rendering of the FFEC during the Grand Opening Celebration. Dick is the FFTFF founder, and Bushmans’ Inc. made a sizable donation toward the FFEC.

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Food + Farm Exploration Center Grand Opening . . . continued from pg. 17

for them to understand really where their food is coming from,” says Dick Pavelski, founder and president of the Food + Farm Exploration Center.

“We are bringing everyone to the table here to learn about how we farm sustainably, the technology we use, how food gets to the grocery store and how that can help in feeding the world,” Pavelski remarks.

Planning for the exploration center began four years ago. The Farming

for the Future Foundation identified a need to reconnect people to their food and the farmers who grow it.

After a $41 million fundraising campaign and state-of-the-art facility and exhibit design, the exploration center is now complete.

“After years of planning, we are so excited for this dream to become a reality,” FFEC Executive Director Andy Reitz says. “Wisconsin and its farms feed the nation and the

world, and now this one-of-a-kind facility will allow current and future generations to learn about innovation and sustainability in the agriculture industry.”

Learners of all ages are invited to visit the exploration center.

It is a place to learn, play, explore, and discover. Come and see the incredible technology and sustainability used in modern production agriculture.

Above: Seated in the front row at the FFEC Grand Opening, November 30, are the visionaries behind the FFTFF and FFEC, the Pavelski family, including, from left to right, Barb, Dick, Charlotte, Eleanore Davisson, and Jeremie and Alicia. Directly behind Dick in black dress with maroon scarf is his daughter—FFEC Founding Member and Emeritus Director Andria Davisson. Seated directly behind Jeremie (in blue collared shirt) is Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza and his wife, Chris (to Mike’s right).

Left: Posing for a photo opportunity at the FFEC Grand Opening are, from left to right, FFEC Executive Director Andy Reitz, FFEC Founding Member Michelle Peariso, Wisconsin Sen. Patrick Testin, Gov. Tony Evers, PepsiCo Senior Director of North American Potatoes Steven James, FFTFF Founder Dick Pavelski, and Bushmans’ Inc. CEO and FFTFF Cabinet Board Member Mike Carter.

18 BC�T January

Learn more and purchase tickets for your visit at www.explorefoodandfarm.org.

Pre-purchasing tickets is strongly encouraged.

Above: During the FFEC Grand Opening Celebration, Great Northern Distillery Founder Brian Cummins (wearing vest and facing camera in the first image) gave a hands-on mixology lesson on crafting a signature Fall Frangipane cocktail in the Kitchen Lab. Seated in the front row during the mixology lesson (second image) are, from left to right, Theresa and Eric Schroeder of Schroeder Brothers Farms, Mark Finnessy of Okray Family Farms, and Kevin Schleicher and John Bustamante of Wysocki Family of Companies.

Right and Below: Hands-on agricultural exploration at the FFEC includes a Soil and Water exhibit generously sponsored

by Worzella & Sons, Inc., and a children’s grocery store and food truck. continued on pg. 20

BC�T January 19

Food + Farm Exploration Center Grand Opening . . . continued from pg. 19

“We are bringing everyone to the table here to learn about how we farm sustainably, the technology we use, how food gets to the grocery store and how that can help in feeding the world.”

– Richard Pavelski,

president and founder of the Food + Farm Exploration Center

Left: Taking advantage of a hands-on crop irrigation tool at the FFEC Grand Opening Celebration are, from left to right, Luke Wickman, Valley Irrigation territory sales manager, Scott Polzin of North Central Irrigation, and Jay Warner of Warner & Warner, Inc. and Warner Packaging.

Above: The FFEC Farm Tech Shed houses a rotating exhibit of modern precision agriculture equipment, including the John Deere See & Spray™ Ultimate sprayer available from Riesterer & Schnell.

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Above: Kay Nicklaus sits in a realistic ag simulator that places FFEC visitors behind the wheel of a modern tractor where they can plant and harvest potato crops.

The tractor cab where she sits is set into the floor where it is accessible to all and surrounded by flatscreens in a U-shape

around the exhibit for a 360-degree total immersive experience. Kay’s son, Todd Nicklaus, is president of Incredible Bank, which made a large donation to the FFEC. Her husband, Ron, who recently passed away, was founder of Incredible Bank, as well as being a long-time, successful

bean farmer in Northcentral Wisconsin, owner of a bean harvesting operation that spanned the area and five other states, and the subject of a nice feature article in the November 2019 issue of the Badger Common’Tater.

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BC�T January 21

“We Do Truck Liners” Badger Plastics & Supply adapts to technological advances and the changing needs of customers

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater There was a time, 25 years ago, when Badger Plastics & Supply of Plover, Wisconsin, was no longer certain how the company fit into the rapidly evolving agriculture industry, and what materials or supplies it could provide to fill modern needs.

But like any successful company, it adapted to change, turning challenges into opportunities, and finding ways to service its valued

customers in Central Wisconsin and beyond.

“What I take most pride in is the fact that we’ve been in business since 1984 and have experienced a lot of good and really down economies,” says Roger Nelson, Jr., outside sales representative for Badger Plastics & Supply.

“Through it all, we haven’t had to lay anyone off for lack of work, and we

have some long-tenured employees around here,” Nelson continues.

“We’ve remained diverse without being pigeonholed or stocked only in certain industries or product lines,” he explains.

Located in the heart of Central Wisconsin, Badger Plastics & Supply is a full-line distributor of mechanical and industrial plastics, as well as a reputable supplier and installer of truck and industrial liners.

Services include custom machining and fabrication, field service, and installation, and divisions within the company encompass manufacturing, sales, and parts.

“Twenty-five to thirty years ago, Left: In the words of Roger Nelson, Jr., outside sales rep for Badger Plastics & Supply, “My business partner’s son, Kaden Stanczyk, did this drawing when he was young. I’m not sure if this will work for the article, but I thought it was cute.” It works just fine, Roger, and “out of the mouths of babes” come simple truths. Badger Plastics & Supply of Plover, Wisconsin, does, indeed, do truck liners … and much more.

22 BC�T January

the product we provided to the agriculture industry was considerably different than what we carry today due to changing methods of farming and operation,” Nelson says.

“For example, we were providing plastic liners for mold board plows, mangers, and barn gutters. Well, I don’t know if anyone has used a mold board plow in 20 years now,” he

says, “and not every barn has a gutter where waste is scraped into anymore.

It’s an antiquated process.”

FINDING OPPORTUNITIES “We found other opportunities,” he says. “We developed a line of heavy-duty augers to serve the dairy industry and got deeper into truck lining and other bin and hopper liners.”

Above: Badger Plastics & Supply is a reputable supplier of truck liners such as the Quicksilver premium liners shown here that the company installed in 18.5-foot quadaxle dump trucks typical of those utilized by growers in the area.

As far as those old gutter liners, with new free-stall barns undergoing a constant cleaning process using automated scrapers, Nelson says continued on pg. 24

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“We Do Truck Liners”. . . continued from pg. 23

Badger Plastics & Supply’s top-ofthe-line augers are necessary to move manure from barn entryways to the pits.

The company assembles parts from several different manufacturers to create a heavy-duty auger system that is sold and installed through a dealer network.

“Twenty-five to thirty years ago, the product we provided to the agriculture industry was considerably different than what we carry today.”

– Roger Nelson, Jr.,

Badger Plastics & Supply

The liners, on the other hand, are made from UHMW-PE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene), HMW-PE (high molecular weight polyethylene) and HDPE (high density polyethylene), depending on the application, needs, budget and what is being lined, hauled, or installed.

The liners are made for dump trucks, end dump trailers, forage wagons, chopper boxes, flumes, bins, chutes, and hoppers, and can be used for such applications as when potatoes are flumed from temporary storage to a washing, sorting, grading, and packaging facility.

“We don’t manufacture the sheets here, but rather buy material from a manufacturer, fabricate liners from those materials, and offer on-site sales and installation. We do all the fabrication in our shop,” Nelson says.

“We have one UHMW-PE product for hauling hot asphalt. Where usually a maximum temperature for a truck liner is 180 degrees, by putting additives in the material, we boosted that so operators can haul hot

24 BC�T January

asphalt for approximately two hours before it will degrade the liners,” Nelson details.

RELEASING LOADS Typical uses for truck liners are for releasing loads out of dump trucks easier without having to tilt the beds up as high before the product flows or slides out, for corrosion resistance in hauling fertilizer, as an example, or in protecting the steel beds from other corrosive materials. continued on pg. 26

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“We Do Truck Liners”. . . continued from pg. 24

They can be used equally to protect produce like potatoes from damage, so they slide on the plastic liners rather than become bruised against steel, or even to line rusty truck boxes to get a few more years’ use out of them.

This year alone, Badger Plastics &

26 BC�T January

Supply provided liners to Plainfield Trucking for 14 dump trailers.

In addition to being an industrial plastics distributor, the company performs plastic fabrication and welding, as well as plastic machining, and provides parts to several large agriculture OEM’s (Original

Left: The company stocks big 100’x10’ rolls of polyethylene material, fabricates truck, implement and other industrial liners from those materials, and offers on-site sales and installation Right: Though Badger Plastics & Supply lined the belt-bottom trailer in 2012, the picture was taken in 2022, making the liner approximately 10 years old and illustrating how well the installation held up over time.

Equipment Manufacturers)— H&S Manufacturing, Steinberg Manufacturing Company, and Oxbo.

The Badger Plastics shop includes seven vertical CNC (computer numerically controlled) machining centers, a 5’x10’ gantry mill, three CNC turning centers, CNC beam saws,

and plastic welding.

The company provides plastic modular conveyor belting, and industrial and food-grade lubricants.

“If someone needs help with a conveyor belt, we’ll go to where they are and look at it,” Nelson concludes.

“Our installation in the field includes

Above: A Badger Plastics & Supply truck and trailer are set up at a farm show and outfitted for on-site installations.

truck, trailer, flume, bin, chute, and hopper liners. We’ve managed to keep the work in the family, so to speak, and we’re locally owned since 1984!”

Above: One advantage of liners is in releasing loads out of dump trucks easier without having to tilt the beds up as high before the product flows or slides out.

Above Right: The company performs plastic fabrication and welding, as well as plastic machining, and provides parts to several large agriculture OEM’s—H&S Manufacturing, Steinberg Manufacturing Company, and Oxbo.

BC�T January 27

Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Div. President Matt Selenske, Allied Coop’s Pest Pros Division

Happy New Year! I hope

everyone got what they wanted for Christmas and spent some quality time with the people they wanted to spend time with.

Speaking of spending quality time, I want to encourage everyone to attend the WPVGA Grower Education Conference & Industry Show,

February 6-8, at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

As always, there will be two and half days of informative presentations given by researchers from Wisconsin and other states addressing many topics that affect our industry.

We are also continuing the “Bringing

Value to Agriculture” breakout session with vendor presentations, but this year it is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, so attendees have an opportunity to visit those vendors afterwards in the tradeshow.

I encourage everyone to spend time visiting tradeshow booths at the Industry Show. For many of us in the WPVGA Associate Division, it is a great time to visit with growers and customers, and network with our competitors and friends.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP There is a new opportunity at the Grower Ed Conference & Industry Show this year—the inaugural Student Leadership Development Workshop. The brainchild of Mike Copas of RPE, Inc., selected university and technical college students have been invited to attend the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, on Tuesday, free of charge.

Taking place February 6-8 at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the 2024 WPVGA Grower Education Conference will feature informative presentations by researchers from Wisconsin and other states addressing many topics that affect the industry.

Dr. Alfred Hartemink, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor and chair of soil science, presents “Water and Carbon Dynamics in Soils of the Central Sands” at the 2023 Grower Education Conference.

28 BC�T January

On Tuesday, they will enjoy breakfast, opening remarks, speaker and researcher presentations, and be escorted onto the tradeshow floor to meet with industry show exhibitors, growers and agricultural professionals to learn about the vast business and career opportunities afforded through the Wisconsin potato and

vegetable growing industry.

The students will also attend the Bringing Value to Agriculture sessions and “Agriculture 101” presentations

by University of Wisconsin-Madison base-funded researchers in the areas of disease management, soil health and fertility, weed management, potato breeding, potato agronomics, and agricultural economics.

Not only is the inaugural Student Leadership Development Workshop a great opportunity to expose developing professionals and the future workforce to the Central Wisconsin agriculture industry, but also a chance for ag business leaders and university researchers to showcase their companies, areas of focus and career opportunities.

We encourage exhibitors to be ready to meet with the students on Tuesday of the Industry Show and showcase their ag businesses, possibly even having one-page career opportunity and company overview sheets available to hand out with business cards.

CAREER CHOICES IN AG Designed to encourage emerging student leaders in developing the skills needed to make career choices in the agricultural industry and ag sciences, the complimentary oneday invitation to the Conference and Industry Show is a solid step in the right direction.

eligible for reelection—myself, Andy Verhasselt, and Paul Salm—and no one is in their final term. As always, breakfast will be served at the Annual Meeting.

Last, but not least, is the Industry Show Awards Banquet on Wednesday night.

There will be excellent food, refreshments, and good camaraderie.

There are multiple Industry Awards presented, as well as the WPVGA Hall of Fame induction, cash door prizes and this year’s entertainment,

Above: Justin Dagen (left) of Dagen Heritage Farms chats with Cliff Gagas (right), Gagas Farms, at 2023 Industry Show. Rick Hafner of RPE, Inc. and John Mattek from J.W. Mattek & Sons are in the background at right.

the Mat Chapman Quintet, a local jazz group from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The night is a celebration of our industry and everyone who’s involved.

We hope to see you there.

Matt Selenske

WPVGA Associate Division President

On Tuesday night, the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and WPVGA Associate Division will once again co-host a reception on the tradeshow floor with free hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.

On Wednesday morning, all Associate Division members are invited to our Annual Meeting. We will go over a few agenda items and hold our board elections. We will also vote on updating the Associate Division Bylaws.

Three board members are concluding their first terms on the Board and are BC�T January 29

Badger Beat Potato Crops Fared Well Despite Dry Conditions

By Yi Wang, associate professor and Extension potato and vegetable production specialist, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences

Above: Yi Wang, UW-Madison Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, reports on nitrogen management and remote monitoring during the 2023 Langlade County Agricultural Research Station Field Day.

Overall, Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest were hot and

at good levels and didn’t cause any substantial leaching risk. On the flip side, more irrigation water could mean higher nitrogen credits from irrigation water, if groundwater nitrate-N levels were high.

But growers were able to catch up with good irrigation management, and spotty rainfall events could keep potato crops in good condition.

a decent amount of moisture to the soil. Warm days and cool nights in August greatly helped the tubers achieve their bulking potential.

For example, a greater than 1.2-inch rainfall event in mid-August supplied

With proper irrigation management practices, the soil moisture was kept

Our calculation shows that our full season potatoes in a field with 33.3 ppm (parts per million) of nitrate-N in the well have received 22.65 inches of irrigation water and a total of 173 lb./acre of extra N from the groundwater.

dry most of the 2023 growing season. The month of May was the fourth driest on record in Wisconsin. By late July, 93% of the state was in a moderate to severe drought.

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For commercial production, this season’s potato crop is in good to excellent condition, which should be associated with above average yields with a larger size profile, and quality is excellent.

Average yield statewide is 435 hundredweight (cwt.)/acre from 66,000 acres. This results in an increase of 1.94 million cwt., or an increase of 7% compared to 2022, for the state’s production. The increase in production is associated with the increase of planting acreage by 3,000

acres from last year and yields up by about 10 cwt./acre.

1.4

100 80

1

70 60

0.8

50

0.6

40

0.4

30

Daily Rainfall ('')

1.2

90

Soil Temperature (°F)

Particularly, russets showed an average yield between 450 and 475 cwt./acre, with some fields hitting 500-550. Some Russet Burbank yields achieved 550 cwt./acre, but the average was closer to 475 on Russet Burbank and Umatilla.

Weather Conditions at UW Hancock Ag Research Station 2023 110

4/ 15 /2 02 4/ 3 25 /2 02 3 5/ 5/ 20 23 5/ 15 /2 02 5/ 3 25 /2 02 3 6/ 4/ 20 23 6/ 14 /2 02 6/ 3 24 /2 02 3 7/ 4/ 20 23 7/ 14 /2 02 7/ 3 24 /2 02 3 8/ 3/ 20 23 8/ 13 /2 02 8/ 3 23 /2 02 3 9/ 2/ 20 23 9/ 12 /2 02 3

The size profile on Burbanks was 20 0.2 larger than last year, but smaller on 10 Silvertons. Caribou was reported to 0 0 have good size and yields, with a high average yield of 575 cwt./acre. Reds and yellows had very good yields and Daily Rainfall Soil Max Temp Soil Min Temp quality, too. Some scab issues were reported on red potatoes. So far, storage facilities are full and reporting Forincrease commercial season’s potato crop Russet, is in good which to excellent condition, which more should be associate of production, Frito-Lay this seed area and tend to produce above average yields with a larger size profile, and quality is excellent. no major issues. large tubers under high N fertilization a 167-acre increase in other chip Wisconsin’s 2023 certified seed conditions. potato varieties.

Average yield statewide is 435 hundredweight (cwt.)/acre from 66,000 acres. This results in an increase of 1.94 m cwt., or an increase of 7% compared to 2022, for the state’s production. The increase in production is associated potato area encompasses 9,725 Several growers were up across the increase of planting acreage byboard 3,000 acres from last year and yields upreported by about 10yields cwt./acre. acres. This is an increase of 380 acres theYields ranging from 400-500 cwt./acre. with some varieties hitting 600 cwt./ (4%) compared to 2022. The seed Particularly, russets showedreported an averageayield 450 and 475 cwt./acre, withpotato some fields hitting 500-550. S average seed yields acre. Seed growers lot betweenOverall, area for major chip potato varieties Russet Burbank yields achieved 550 cwt./acre, but thewere average was closer to 475 on Russet Burbank and Umatilla about 425 cwt/acre. of oversized tubers, particularly on increased by 355 acres, or 6.3%, to 5,955 acres. That included a 189-acre The Plover Russet, Atlantic and Reveille continued on pg. 32 to have go size profile on Burbanks was larger than last year, but smaller on Silvertons. Caribou was reported

Seed Potatoes

and yields, with a high average yield of 575 cwt./acre. Reds and yellows had very good yields and quality, too. Som issues were reported on red potatoes. So far, storage facilities are full and reporting no major issues.

Wisconsin’s 2023 certified seed potato area encompasses 9,725 acres. This is an increase of 380 acres (4%) comp 2022. The seed area for major chip potato varieties increased by 355 acres, or 6.3%, to 5,955 acres. That included acre increase of Frito-Lay seed area and a 167-acre increase in other chip potato varieties.

Yields were up across the board with some varieties hitting 600 cwt./acre. Seed growers reported a lot of oversiz tubers, particularly on Plover Russet, Atlantic and Reveille Russet, which tend to produce more large tubers unde fertilization conditions.

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Several growers reported yields ranging from 400-500 cwt./acre. Overall, average seed potato yields were about cwt/acre.

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Badger Beat. . .

continued from pg. 31

Weed Management: a Tale of Two Seasons

By Jed Colquhoun, professor and Extension specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Horticulture In many ways, weed management in 2023 Wisconsin potato and vegetable production was a tale of two seasons.

Soil moisture was adequate in very early planted crops, even on most non-irrigated ground, and preemergent soil residual herbicides performed quite well.

However, as drought settled in, crop emergence, early season growth and herbicide performance all struggled, even on irrigated ground, where the pivots couldn’t keep up with the pace of evapotranspiration.

Soil residual herbicides that weren’t incorporated into the weed emergence zone (typically the top ½ to ¾ inch of soil) via irrigation or precipitation were less effective than desired, keeping in mind that these herbicides need to be in soil solution around weeds as they germinate, but before they emerge.

The resulting compromised weed control added a lot of pressure to post-emergent herbicides for “clean up,” but in several common specialty crops, growers simply don’t have a full arsenal of tools, such as in carrots. In some fields, weeds were troublesome throughout the season.

We also ran across an alarming observation in the Central Sands during the 2023 growing season—a waterhemp population that survived multiple herbicide applications from a variety of herbicide sites of action (see photo).

This population survived a preemergent metolachlor application, two post-emergent glyphosate applications and an application of 2,4-D, all at rates that would be anticipated to provide excellent control.

32 BC�T January

DENSE WEED POPULATION The population was dense, and all other weeds except waterhemp were completely controlled.

Above: The waterhemp pictured in Central Wisconsin survived multiple pre- and postemergent herbicide applications, as well as clipping, during the 2023 growing season.

While we have not confirmed resistance to these herbicides for this population, it has been observed elsewhere and attributed to a combination of traditional target site resistance as well as metabolic resistance.

the refined use and registration process. Thus far, these tools have provided season-long control with excellent crop safety across potato varieties and anticipated use patterns.

Metabolic resistance, where a weed can resist an herbicide site of action that it has never been exposed to, is particularly concerning. This population was aggressively handweeded and removed, and we’ll continue to monitor and study it in the 2024 growing season.

Despite the droughty season, we had a very productive research year in Wisconsin specialty crops.

We continue to shepherd a few new herbicide tools for potatoes through

A highlight of our research season included several studies on the agronomic feasibility of using inseason cover crop inter-seedings in potato to protect groundwater quality below the crop root zone.

Most importantly, we had no issues with weed management, potato desiccation or harvestability, and crop yield, tuber size distribution and quality were not compromised in any way compared to conventional plantings. We look forward to expanding this work to include sweet corn in 2024.

Delay in Foliar Disease Development Across the State

By Amanda Gevens, professor, Extension specialist and chair, UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology In sum, the 2023 growing season in Wisconsin was generally hot and dry with delay in foliar disease development across most of the state.

irrigation. Resulting yields were higher than average, and aside from some later season early dying due to a spike in temperatures, the potato crop was quite successful.

As a result, potato foliage grew nicely and responded extremely well under

We experienced no late blight in Wisconsin tomato or potato crops

A Changing Climate and Insects

By Russell L. Groves, professor and department chair, UW-Madison Department of Entomology Insect populations in 2023 were regarded as above average, which included significant numbers of striped cucumber beetles, flea beetles, and onion thrips.

Not all insect populations, however, were regarded as above average, and some migratory insects and their associated damage remained below average.

This included both aster leafhopper (vector of Aster Yellows phytoplasma) and potato leafhopper, an insect that can cause direct damage to alfalfa, succulent bean, and potato.

Recall, migratory insects are most often influenced by the major weather systems that move across the United States and enhance (or diminish) the opportunity for insect movement.

Diamondback moth is another migrant into the state, but populations of this insect are also quite high this year and this may have been due to infested transplants being moved into Wisconsin during the spring and early summer transplant season.

MILD & DRY WINTER The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) does predict a more mild and dry winter for 2023-’24, which will be

dominated by the effects of what could be a powerful El Niño.

This suggestion of a mild and dry winter for the northern tier of the country could translate into greater overwintering survivorship for insects that persist through winter in Wisconsin.

Populations of Colorado potato beetle, European corn borer, corn earworm and imported cabbageworm are all examples of insects that could be positively influenced by a mild winter.

These oscillations in annual winter conditions will undoubtedly continue to vary in future years, but the threat of a changing climate is becoming increasingly evident, and the risks in terms of insect populations should be considered using online decision support tools and migratory risk prediction tools.

in 2023, which made for the second year in row that we did not need to face this potentially destructive disease.

The stored crop continues to hold quite well given the healthy production season of 2023.

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A changing climate can have various impacts on insects in Wisconsin, as it can alter temperature and precipitation patterns, affect habitat availability, and disrupt the timing of biological events.

The potential impacts on pest insects in our vegetable production systems include shifts in distribution and phenology (timing) of emergence and continued on pg. 34

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BC�T January 33

Badger Beat. . .

from pg. 33 phic andcontinued Atmospheric arrival.aWarmer may oes predict moretemperatures mild and dry allow select insect species to expand h will be by the effects theirdominated ranges northward, bringing new rful El Niño. species to Wisconsin.

INSECT LIFE STAGES Changes in temperature and seasonal and dry winter for the northern tier patterns can affect the timing of slate into greater overwintering insect life stages, such as emergence, hat persist through in reproduction, andwinter migration.

Warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons may lead to increased reproductive rates and potatopopulation beetle, European corninsect borer, growth of certain ted cabbageworm are all examples pests, and prolonged warm seasons mayinfluenced allow for extended ositively by a periods mild of activity for insects, leading to greater impact on crops and ecosystems.

A changing climate can also disrupt the delicate balance of predatorprey relationships and symbiotic https://www.weather.gov/arx/winter2324outlook#:~:text=Winter%202023 interactions among insects and other insect species over others, potentially Above: Visit https://www.weather.gov/ %2D24%20Temperature%20Outlook,shifted%20to%2040%20to%2050%25. arx/winter2324outlook#:~:text=Winter%20 leading to shifts in community species. Changes in temperature 2023%2D24%20Temperature%20 and precipitation can favor select structure.

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Insects play crucial roles in ual winter conditions will undoubtedly continue to vary in future years, but the threat of a pollination, but changes in their The most W iscinon sin’s ghpopulations est ming increasingly evident, and the risks terms of Hi insect should and be considered abundance behavior may impact crop yields.

The introduction of new Yieltools. port tools and migratory risk prediction popular ding Corn and

insect species or increased activity of

existing pests can pose challenges for Soybean Varieties varieties agricultural practices. ave various impacts on insects in Wisconsin, as it can alter temperature and precipitation Ar e At Insects may face challenges in ofandthese vailability, disrupt the timing of biological events.

adapting to rapidly changing climatic conditions, especially if the changes outpace their and abilityphenology to evolve pest insects in our vegetable production systems include shifts in distribution or migrate. Understanding and d arrival. Warmer temperatures may allow select insect species to expand their monitoring theseranges impacts are crucial for developing effective conservation species to Wisconsin.

Visit with Wayne, Ann, Julie, and management strategies to Sammi, Mike and Brady mitigate the negative effects on today to secure the top Wisconsin's insect populations.

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’t delay, and seasonal patterns can affect the stages, suchFinally, as emergence, we look forward to a great thetiming se seedsof areinsect growinglife fast! program for the 2024 WPVGA and ion.

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Education Conference planned for 6-8 at the Holiday Inn of and nd longer growing seasons may lead to increased reproductive rates February and population growth Convention Center in Stevens Point, www. Jay-Mar.com prolonged warm seasons may allow for extended periods of activity Wisconsin. for insects, leading to We have an impressive set Plover (715) 341-3445 of invited guests presenting this year, and ecosystems.

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34 BC�Tthe January so disrupt delicate balance of predator-prey relationships and symbiotic interactions species. Changes in temperature and precipitation can favor select insect species over others,

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Now News TOMRA Wins FoodTec Award Silver medal won for foreign material identification in sorting and grading The foreign material identification accuracy of TOMRA Food’s sorting and grading solutions has won a prestigious International FoodTec Award for “using artificial intelligence and cloud technology to improve food safety, quality, and traceability while increasing process efficiency.”

Presented tri-annually by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), the International FoodTec Awards honor “groundbreaking developments in innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in the food technology sector.”

A panel of judges from research, academia, and the food industry awards gold medals for products with a new concept and silver medals for “existing products that have been developed to such an extent that a substantial improvement in their function and their process is achieved.”

TOMRA received a silver medal for foreign material identification, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and TOMRA Insight.

AI is hugely helpful for the potato market because of the highly variable

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nature of factors such as weather and incoming raw materials.

When assisted by AI, sorting and grading machines can make more accurate “accept” or “reject” decisions, recover good product from compromised raw material, and more precisely classify the products on the line into different grades.

TOMRA’s solutions attain these advantages by adopting the AI method of deep learning. This uses pre-trained models to teach computers how to process data, such as complex patterns in photos.

In combination with different sensor technologies, the images of foreign material captured via TOMRA sorters are analyzed by a deep learning model. They help to constantly

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Above: TOMRA’s Foreign Material Identification solution is integrated with the cloud-based data platform TOMRA Insight.

This automatically extracts data from sorting machines to provide real-time and retrospective insights into raw materials and machine performance.

improve the solution by continuously retraining the model.

TOMRA INSIGHT TOMRA’s Foreign Material Identification solution is integrated with the cloud-based data platform TOMRA Insight. This automatically extracts data from sorting machines to provide real-time and retrospective insights into raw materials and machine performance.

Machine operators can respond instantly to TOMRA Insight’s live data via a user-friendly dashboard to make adjustments that improve product consistency. Stored data can be analyzed to obtain higher-level insights.

This enables trend monitoring and comprehensive analyses across a single or multiple seasons within a specific region and across regions.

These insights empower users to optimize processes, drive efficiencies, and enhance overall performance.

Felix Flemming, head of digital at TOMRA Food and Recycling, comments, “We are pleased that the jury of the International FoodTec Award has recognized TOMRA’s industry-leading innovations continued on pg. 38

Above: “We are pleased that the jury of the International FoodTec Award has recognized TOMRA’s industry-leading innovations in AI and cloud-based technology, and the importance of these solutions to customers,” says Felix Flemming, head of digital at TOMRA Food and Recycling.

BC�T January 37

Now News . . .

continued from pg. 37

in AI and cloud-based technology, and the importance of these solutions to customers.”

“Digital solutions and AI are set to play an increasingly important role in meeting the needs and desires of food consumers,” Flemming adds, “and in helping to feed the world’s growing population. This will require more food production and less food waste.”

Marco Colombo, global category

director for potatoes at TOMRA Food, says, “AI redefines the sorting game by improving precision and setting a new standard for crop sorting technology.”

“New AI features are embedded in our sorting machines, as recently announced for our TOMRA 3A unwashed potato sorter,” Colombo notes, “enhancing image processing by evaluating pixels in a more sophisticated way.”

“While the objects are assessed down the line,” he says, “we are able to evaluate how pixels are shaped against each other and we can classify clusters or an object as a whole.”

Follow TOMRA Food on Facebook @ TOMRA.Food, Twitter @TOMRAFood, Instagram @TOMRAFood, LinkedIn at TOMRA Food and YouTube at TOMRA Food. For further information about TOMRA, visit www.tomra.com.

Compeer Gives Grants for Emergency Equipment Fund for Rural America benefits departments in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the farm credit cooperative’s giving program, has granted 177 awards through its Emergency Response Equipment Program, including 15 collaboration grants for shared equipment across multiple departments.

rural America.

These grants are designed to alleviate the financial burden of essential equipment for community emergency response departments serving

“We understand that rural departments often pool resources and critical life-saving equipment,” says Karen Schieler, senior corporate

The Emergency Response Equipment Collaboration Grant, now in its second year, underscores the importance of teamwork among volunteer fire, rescue and ambulance departments when responding to emergencies.

giving specialist with Compeer Financial.

“The spirit of collaboration is strong among emergency departments within Compeer’s territory,” she explains, “and we aspire to make a positive impact on more lives. First responders selflessly give their all when people are in distress, and these tools and resources will prove invaluable in crucial situations.”

In addition to the grants, Compeer Financial completed a cooperativewide service project in partnership with Operation Gratitude as a thank you to first responders.

Team members created more than 4,200 notes of thanks that included paracord lanyards to show appreciation for those who serve their communities as first responders.

The 2023 Emergency Response Equipment Collaboration Grants, each for up to $10,000, directly impact 33 collaborating departments, involving 816 department members.

The departments receiving the Emergency Response Collaboration Grants include: Wisconsin • Alma Fire Department, Tri-Community Fire Dept: battery-operated cutters

38 BC�T January

• Chetek Fire Department, Weyerhaeuser Fire Department: portable water pump • Fredonia Fire Department, Belgium Fire Department: enclosed trailer, safety vests, traffic cones, warning signs, flares, and lights • Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad Inc., LaFarge Area Ambulance: monitor/ defibrillator • Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Dept Inc., Hollandale Fire Department, Barneveld-Brigham Fire District: rescue air cushions with a regulator Illinois • Carthage Fire Department, Augusta Fire Department: grain bin rescue wall, gas meters, rescue auger, fan, and rotary saw • Elizabeth Community Ambulance Service, Elizabeth Fire Protection District, Hanover Fire Protection District: automated CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) compression device

• Kaneville Fire Protection District, Big Rock Fire Protection District: respirator fit testing system • Lexington Fire Protection District, Towanda Fire Protection District, Hudson Fire Protection District, Gridley Fire Protection District: shipping container for training and a set of hand tools • MABAS Division 25, Naplate, Wallace, Marseilles: rope rescue equipment Minnesota • Brewster Fire Department, Worthington Fire Department: extrication lift bags with controller and hoses • Ceylon Community Fire Department, Dunnell-Lake Fremont

Fire Department: air tank fill station • Ellendale Ambulance Service, Geneva Fire Department: mechanical chest compression system • Le Center Volunteer Ambulance, Le Center EMS Rehab/Le Sueur County Rehab: 12-Lead • Rockville Fire/Rescue, Cold Spring Fire/Rescue: grain bin rescue equipment Additionally, 162 individual departments received Emergency Response Equipment Grants of up to $4,000 each. Since the program’s establishment in 2018, the Fund has distributed 970 Emergency Response Equipment Grants totaling $3 million. continued on pg. 40

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BC�T January 39

Now News . . .

continued from pg. 39

Vive Crop Protection Named Top-Growing Company Canadian leader places Number 139 on The Globe and Mail’s fifth annual ranking Vive Crop Protection, Inc. (Vive) is pleased to announce it placed Number 139 on the 2023 Report on Business ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies.

Canada’s Top Growing Companies ranks Canadian companies on threeyear revenue growth. Vive earned its spot with a three-year growth of 342%.

Vive addresses the challenges of precision agriculture with revolutionary technology designed to maximize performance, efficiency, and profitability on the farm.

Powered by Allosperse® Delivery Technology, Vive’s Precision Chemistry™ solutions are designed

for optimal compatibility and performance, allowing each active ingredient to reach its full potential and bring real results to the grower.

protection application.”

“We are thrilled to be named as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies for the fourth year in a row,” says Darren Anderson, chief executive officer (CEO) of Vive Crop Protection.

“This recognition just goes to show the impact Vive’s Precision Chemistry solutions are having on the acre to ease and simplify a grower’s crop

BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS Canada’s Top Growing Companies is an editorial ranking that was launched in 2019. It aims to bring the accomplishments of innovative businesses in Canada to the forefront.

Vive has released five Precision Chemistry solutions over the past three years with plans for new product launches over the next five years, setting the company on a path to achieving its mission of having a Vive solution on every acre of cropland globally.

To qualify for this voluntary program, companies had to complete an in-depth application process and fulfill requirements. In total, 425 companies earned a spot on this year’s ranking.

The full list of 2023 winners along with editorial coverage is published in the October issue of Report on Business magazine. The list is out now and online at https://www. theglobeandmail.com/business/robmagazine/top-growing-companies/.

“Canada’s Top Growing Companies acknowledges the drive and ingenuity displayed by Canadian business,” says Dawn Calleja, editor of Report on Business magazine. “This year’s ranking serves as an inspiration for future business owners.”

“This year’s Report on Business magazine’s list of Top Growing Companies shows how innovative ideas always rise to the top, perhaps even more so in times of uncertainty,” says Andrew Saunders, CEO of The Globe and Mail. “The Globe and Mail congratulates this year’s winners for meeting and surpassing those economic challenges.”

40 BC�T January

Ewald Automotive to Host AgRally Live Broadcast Truck dealer welcomes America’s national springtime farm show celebration Certified Agriculture Dealer (CAD) Program, The Certified Agriculture Group (TCAG), and their partner RFD-TV are pleased to announce the selection of Ewald Automotive in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, as the first of 10 local AgRally live broadcast location sites.

Ewald Automotive is no stranger to serving as a host for AgRally, as this will be its second time broadcasting live from the dealership.

“The team at Ewald Automotive is thrilled to host this live broadcast location,” says Tom Ewald, dealer principle for Ewald Automotive. “This event holds great significance for the farming and ranching community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to show our support for agriculture in our community.”

“Plus, being Certified Ag Dealers enables us to offer AgPack to our customers to help them save up to $32,000 [based on using every AgPack benefit to its maximum value] in operating dollars for their farm or dairy operations,” Ewald notes.

AgRally will take place on March 19, 2024, and aims to bring a local perspective to the celebrations in Washington, D.C. in honor of National Agriculture Day. NATIONAL AG DAY “This year marks the 51st anniversary of National Ag Day, celebrated not only in Washington, D.C., but also in classrooms and communities nationwide,” says Jenni Badding, chair for National AgDay. “AgRally will undoubtedly help us reach a larger audience and increase awareness through local venues.”

America’s only national springtime farm show/celebration event,” notes Patrick Driscoll, CEO of The Certified Agriculture Group. “From calves dropping everywhere between both coasts to the season’s first seeds hitting the soil in the south, AgRally signifies the beginning of agriculture’s new year.”

“And just like ‛Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve’ celebrates the lunar new year, AgRally is the celebration of Agriculture’s New Year!”he adds.

Certified Agriculture Group, RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel and National Ag Day.

“Complete with new product reveals, updates, and in-depth discussions on emerging technologies from either the Cowboy Chanel host studio or live cameras at the local events, they all come together during the three-hour broadcast to help create a national agriculture celebration!” Driscoll says.

This fourth-year event remains the only national farm show in agriculture that offers both live local and national broadcast attendance options, allowing farmers and ranchers to participate in a way that best suits their operation.

With AgRally’s title sponsor being John Deere, the national springtime farm show/celebration is being presented in partnership with The

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“This marks AgRally’s fourth year as BC�T January 41

Science to Be Shared at 2024 Grower Education Conference WPVGA funded research informs growers and ag industry on best practices moving forward Packing as much information into three days

as possible, the University of Wisconsin Division of Extension and Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Grower Education Conference places emphasis squarely on topical researcher presentations.

Landing top-tier researchers and timely subjects, as well as overall planning for the event begins months in advance for the Grower Education Conference that runs concurrently with Wisconsin’s Industry Show,

February 6-8, 2024, at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point.

A quality lineup of speakers and the issues covered have proven crucial to the industry over the years, and

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to the successful daily operations of potato and vegetable growers.

WPVGA member growers take the opportunity to talk business with Industry Show exhibitors and Associate Division company representatives, visiting booths to see the latest in everything agriculture.

Industry Show exhibitors showcase their products, implements, technologies, tools, devices, and services, while gaining insight into the potato and vegetable growing industry and the chance to build relationships.

The Grower Education Conference & Industry Show helps growers get a head start on the season with expert market analysis and outlooks, research reports, information on new technologies and agribusiness updates.

Above: University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate and research assistant, Lin Song, presented “Breeding and Genetics of Tuber Shape in Diploid Potato” at the 2023 Grower Education Conference.

2024 researcher presentations cover issues such as potato breeding, agronomics, and storage management; disease, weed and insect management; soil health; water quality and quantity; and agricultural fundamentals.

TIMELY TOPICS Ever on growers’ minds are challenges and opportunities such as groundwater nitrate pollution and nitrogen use efficiency, emerging pests and pathogens, fungicide resistance, tuber quality and storability, controlling early blight of potato, phosphorus monitoring, evapotranspiration, and increasing productivity and quality with more accurate seed placement.

Dr. Jed Colquhoun, professor in the University of Wisconsin (UW)Madison Plant and Agroecosystem Science Department, will present “Enforcing the Endangered Species Act May Soon Limit Pesticide Use,”

and Dr. Paul Mitchell, professor and associate dean of academic affairs, UW-Madison Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, is to discuss “Maximum Return to Nitrogen for Potatoes.”

The brainchild of Mike Copas of RPE, Inc., selected university and technical college students have been invited to attend the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, on Tuesday, free of charge.

This year’s researchers hail from such far stretches as Oregon State University-Hermiston, North Dakota State University, Cornell UniversityIthaca and Cornell Cooperative Extension-Albion, Washington State University and University of Minnesota-St. Paul.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES On Tuesday, they will enjoy breakfast, opening remarks, speaker and researcher presentations, and be escorted onto the tradeshow floor to meet with industry show exhibitors, growers and agricultural professionals to learn about the vast business and career opportunities afforded through the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growing industry.

The goal is for farmers and agribusiness professionals to gain the edge they need in today’s tough business climate by attending the Grower Education Conference and engaging with well-informed speakers.

One new opportunity at the Grower Ed Conference & Industry Show this year is the inaugural Student Leadership Development Workshop.

The students will also attend the Bringing Value to Agriculture sessions and “Agriculture 101” presentations

by University of Wisconsin-Madison base-funded researchers in the areas of disease management, soil health continued on pg. 44

The UW-Madison Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station would like to thank all our cooperators for helping make 2023 a success. Thank You! BC�T January 43

2024 Grower Education Conference . . . continued from pg. 43

and fertility, weed management, potato breeding, potato agronomics, and agricultural economics.

The WPVGA Associate Division Banquet, Wednesday evening, is the premier social event in the Wisconsin potato industry, including a nice social hour, dinner, awards and entertainment.

In addition to the annual Industry Awards and WPVGA Hall of Fame induction, there will be drawings for cash prizes, with $1,500 to be given away, including more than 10 individual cash prizes and a $500 grand prize winner (must be present after the awards banquet and during the evening’s entertainment to win).

The WPVGA Associate Division successfully booked UW-Stevens Point jazz group, the Mat Chapman Quintet, to provide up-tempo

entertainment for the evening.

REGISTER NOW! To register for the conference, please complete the Individual Registration Form by visiting: https:// wisconsinpotatoes.com/wp-content/ uploads/2023/09/Registration-FormIndividual.fillable.pdf and return it with payment to WPVGA, P.O. Box 327, Antigo, WI 54409.

If more than one person from the same company is attending, please use the Group Registration Form (https://wisconsinpotatoes.com/ wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ Registration-Form-Group.fillable.pdf).

If you have questions, please contact the WPVGA Office at (715) 623-7683.

ROOM RESERVATIONS There is a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center reserved for conference and

show attendees. The room rate is $114.99 for a single or double room.

To reserve your room and take advantage of this rate, visit https:// wisconsinpotatoes.com/events/2024grower-education-conferenceindustry-show/ and scroll down to the Holiday Inn Booking Link.

For those who prefer to make reservations over the phone, please call 715-344-0200, press 3 and reference the group name Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers, or refer to group block code PAV. You must book under the block, and the room block will expire on January 28, 2024.

Make plans now to attend this incredible event. Please note that conference registration rates will increase after January 19, so register today!

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2024 WPVGA & UW Division of Extension Grower Education Conference Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, Stevens Point, WI General Session - Moderator Expo 1 and 2

Time 7:30 - 8:20

Registration & Visit Associate Division Industry Show (Show opens at 8:00 a.m.)

8:20 - 8:30

Welcome and opening remarks - Tamas Houlihan, Executive Director, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Antigo, WI

8:30 - 9:00

Leverage points to decrease nitrate leaching from potato cropping systems - Dr. Steven Hall, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison

9:00 - 9:30

Maximum Return to Nitrogen for Potatoes - Dr. Paul Mitchell, Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics , University of Wisconsin-Madison Morning Break - Visit Exhibit Hall/Poster Session

9:30 - 10:30 10:30 - 11:00

Enforcing the Endangered Species Act may soon limit pesticide use: making sense of a complex situation - Dr. Jed Colquhoun, Professor, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison

11:00-11:30

Adapting leaf spot management strategies in the face of fungicide resistance - Dr. Julie Pasche, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University-Fargo

11:30-12:00

Using image analysis to breed for potato quality traits - Dr. Laura Shannon, Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota-St Paul

12:00 - 1:15

Lunch Break: National Potato Council Update - Mike Wenkel, COO, NPC | WPVGA Awards

Breakout Sessions

Expo 1 Agricultural Fundamentals (101)

1:30 - 1:40

Dr. Amanda Gevens Disease management

1:40 - 1:50

Dr. Matt Ruark Nutrient management

1:50 - 2:00

Dr. Jed Colquhoun Weed management

2:00 - 2:10

Dr. Jeff Endelman Potato breeding

2:10 - 2:20

Dr. Yi Wang Potato agronomics

2:20 - 2:30

Dr. Paul Mitchell Asset depreciation

Sands/Spruce Soil Health

Chuck Bolte - Water Flow & Phosphorus Monitoring in the Antigo Flats

Shan Shan & Richard Lankau - Investigating soil microbiomes that increase post-fumigation soil nutrient retention

Haoran Wei - Rapid prescreening of trace imidacloprid in drinking water using concentrationdependent, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic patterns

Afona Irabor, Amanda Gevens & Matt Ruark - Effects of cover crops on potato soil health in the Central Sands of Wisconsin

Ankur Desai - Monitoring evapotranspiration in the Central Sands

Tracy Campbell & Matt Ruark - How are we assessing the value of soil health in Wisconsin potato production?

Afternoon Break - Visit Exhibit Hall/Poster Session

2:30 - 3:30 Breakout Sessions

Expo 2 Water Quality and Quantity

Expo 1 Bringing Value to Agriculture

Expo 2 Potato Breeding

Sands/Spruce Disease Management

Paul Bethke - Diploid breeding for potato variety development

Julie Pasche - Exploring the roles of Verticillium Wilt and Black Dot in the Early Die Complex

Laura Shannon - Improving nitrogen use efficiency in potato

Jason Ingram - The technical aspects of tuber testing, where are we and where do we go from here?

Kenji Asano - Molecular breeding for potato cyst nematode and PVY resistance

Ken Frost - Potato soil health – challenges and opportunities

3:30 Craig McCloskey, Bluefield Seeding

3:30 - 3:50

Solutions - Increase productivity and quality with more accurate seed placement

3:42 Tommy Roach, Nachurs - Practices which contribute to nutrient balance in potato production

3:54 Amanda Wilder, Provision Analytics 3:50 - 4:10

- Digital Documentation in Agriculture

4:06 Chris Hunsaker, Acuitus Ag Finding and fixing inefficiency in your harvest operations 4:18 Brian Manley, GreenLight

4:10 - 4:30

4:30 - 8:00

Biosciences - Calantha™: a new bio-insecticide for effective, precise and environmentally friendly Colorado potato beetle control

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and WPVGA Associate Division Reception BC�T January 45

2024 WPVGA & UW Division of Extension Grower Education Conference Wednesday, February 7, 2024 Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, Stevens Point, WI

Time

General Session - Expo 1 and 2

7:30 - 8:15

Registration & Visit Associate Division Industry Show (Show opens at 8:00 a.m.)

8:15 - 9:00

Potatoes USA updates and market summary - Blair Richardson, President, Potatoes USA, Denver, CO

9:00 - 9:30

Species diversity of Dickeya and Pectobacterium causing blackleg and soft rot in potato - Dr. Ken Frost, Associate Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University - Hermiston.

9:30 - 10:00

Work with your potatoes, not against them - Dr. Paul Bethke, Research Geneticist and Professor, USDA-ARS and Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison Morning Break - Visit Exhibit Hall/Poster Session

10:00 - 11:00 11:00 - 11:30

Building access to make dormant tuber testing a routinely available tool; What’s needed? - Mr. Jason T. Ingram, USDA-ARS, Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Cornell University-Ithaca

11:30 - 12:00

What’s new in the Wisconsin State Climatology Office - Dr. Steve Vavrus, Center for Climatic Research Assistant Director, Senior Scientist, and State Climatologist, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

12:00 - 1:15

Lunch Break WPVGA/State Legislative Issues Update - Jordan Lamb, Attorney, The Welch Group

Breakout Sessions

Expo 1 Potato Agronomics

Expo 2 Water Quality Management

1:30 - 1:50

Yi Wang - Testing Elite Fresh Market Varieties in a Low Nitrogen Environment

Russ Groves and Ben Bradford Patterns of pesticide detections in Wisconsin's Central Sands

1:50 - 2:10

Deana Knuteson - Healthy grown long-range planning and links to national sustainability programs

Emma Schmidt - Emerging remediation strategies for groundwater nitrate pollution

2:10 - 2:30

Ophelia Tsai & Yi Wang - Evaluating effects of nitrogen "spoon feeding" on common seed potato varieties

Jim Drought - Methods for estimation of nitrate leaching and groundwater recharge

Ms. Christy Hoepting, Senior Regional Vegetable Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Albion, NY - Managing stemphylium leaf blight of onion with emerging fungicide resistance in New York.

Afternoon Break - Visit Exhibit Hall/Poster Session

2:30 - 3:30 Breakout Sessions

Expo 1 Potato Storage Management

Expo 2 Disease and Insect Management

3:30 - 3:50

Mike Copas - Tuber storage and packability of fresh market cultivars: challenges, impediments and disease development

Sean Schoville - Spatiotemporal modeling of insecticide resistance in Colorado potato beetle

3:50 - 4:10

James Busse - Plant development stage and variety are important for 2,4-D red skin color enhancement

Dennis Halterman & Mehdi Kabbage Strategies to improve control of early blight

4:10 - 4:30

Amber Walker - Screening for sustainability of new and upcoming fresh market clones

Aurelie Rakotondrafara Optimizing the delivery of virus-derived proteins to control fungal pathogens

5:15 - 6:00

Social Hour

6:00 - 10:00

WPVGA Associate Division Banquet

46 BC�T January

Sands/Spruce Wisconsin Muck Meeting

Sands/Spruce Wisconsin Muck Meeting

Dr. Lindsey du Toit, Distinguished Professor of Vegetable Seed Pathology & Extension Plant Pathologist , Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Mt. Vernon WA Applied outcomes and practical solutions emerging from the 'Stop the Rot' onion bacterial project

2024 WPVGA & UW Division of Extension Grower Education Conference Thursday, February 8, 2024 Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, Stevens Point, WI

Time

General Session - Expo 1 and 2

8:00 - 8:30

Potato Breeding and Variety Development

8:30 - 9:00

Using precision agriculture practices in sustainable vegetable production

9:00 - 9:30

Evaluating early generation seed potato production

9:30 - 10:00

Managing risk of PVY spread in seed potato: avoidance in space

- Jeff Endelman, Associate Professor, Department of Plant & Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Yi Wang, Associate Professor, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Brooke Babler, Associate Research Program Director, WSPCP Program, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

- Russ Groves, Professor and Chairperson, Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

10:00 - 10:15

Morning Break

10:15 - 10:45

Integrated weed mananagement and water quality research update

10:45 - 11:15

Assessing the value of fungicide programs for potato early blight in Wisconsin

11:15 - 11:45

Preliminary results from the national soil health project

11:45 - 12:00

Thank you and concluding remarks

12:00

Adjourn - and Thanks for your Attendance and Participation

1:00

WPVGA Annual Meeting

- Jed Colquhoun, Professor, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Amanda Gevens, Professor and Chair, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Matt Ruark, Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Tamas Houlihan, Executive Director, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association

BC�T January 47

Potatoes USA News Research Into Neonic Alternatives Receives Funding Potatoes USA-supported project to evaluate optional tools to protect potato crops

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) recently announced funding for a four-year, Potatoes USA-supported project to develop and evaluate potential alternatives to neonicotinoids for pest management of potato crops.

Why it matters: Neonicotinoids

(commonly called “neonics”) make up a type of insecticide that has seen widespread usage in the United States for 25 years. Neonics have been a critical tool for potato growers given their ease of use and low application cost.

However, environmental concerns have shifted companies and

consumer demand away from purchasing potatoes that use neonics.

Critics have linked widespread neonic usage with rising resistance among pest populations, harm to pollinators and environmental contamination.

For example, major retailers like Walmart and Costco have encouraged fresh produce suppliers to phase out

OUR

PASSION IS POTATOES

48 BC�T January

the use of neonics in recent years.

on the research outcomes identified.

Goals: The long-term goal of the research project is to develop and adopt new pest management strategies in the U.S. potato industry that serve as an effective alternative to neonics.

Impressively, this project demonstrated robust outreach efforts. In the 2022 growing season, the team held three field days in Maine, Wisconsin, and Washington.

Demonstration plots were set up to show visual symptoms of three PVY strains in about 30 potato cultivars.

The selection of potato cultivars reflected regional preferences for each of the three locations.

To accomplish this, the project— called “Enhancing integrated insect pest management strategies for U.S. potato production systems” and nicknamed “Potato IPM”—has four objectives: • Objective 1: Develop and evaluate non-neonic pest strategies in ware and seed potatoes.

• Objective 2: Develop pest prediction and decision-making tools.

national organizations, regional and state associations, processors, regulators, research entities and growers in 12 states.

• Objective 3: Evaluate the socioeconomic influences and impacts associated with transitioning from neonics to new pest management strategies.

PRAC meets each year to discuss research proposals submitted to various funding sources, with SCRI being one of the most popular submission sources.

• Objective 4: Facilitate the adoption of new strategies among growers.

Since 2016, PRAC’s efforts have helped six projects led by potato scientists win $38.8 million in funding for the industry.

Potatoes USA’s Potato Research Advisory Committee (PRAC) selected the Potato IPM project to submit to USDA’s SCRI. In the Potato IPM submission, PRAC included 51 letters of support from

GROWER EDUCATION Consistent with PRAC’s overarching objective, this project aims to integrate grower education based

These demonstration plots were popular with the growers and generated much interest and attention from the industry.

Additionally, the project’s research findings have been presented and discussed at national, regional, and state meetings across the country.

Information, articles, videos, and updates are available on the project’s website and social media, including Instagram and Twitter.

In the future, the team anticipates developing a series of recommendations to mitigate the in-season spread of PVY and PMTV, enhance detection and diagnostic methods for certification agencies, and identify new sources of resistance to PMTV and powdery scab for the benefit of the industry.

BC�T January 49

People Wilfert Serves As Farm Management Outreach Specialist As part of the UW-Madison Division of Extension, Kelly focuses on farm legal risk management The University of Wisconsin (UW)Madison Division of Extension is pleased to announce Kelly T. Wilfert as its new Extension farm management outreach specialist focused on farm business legal risk management.

Profitable, healthy farm businesses are essential to Wisconsin’s $100 billion agriculture economy.

Farmers must continually identify and evaluate opportunities and challenges to enhance their competitive position.

Through her new, exciting position, Wilfert will identify needs and provide outreach and education for solutions to the most critical issues facing Wisconsin agricultural producers, particularly in the farm legal risk management area.

Legal risk is part of any beginning, transitioning or succession of farm business.

Risk also results from uncertainties surrounding policies and regulations related to tax laws, the legal liabilities

Kelly Wilfert started with the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Division of Extension on August 21. Photo courtesy of UW–Madison Division of Extension

of a variety of litigious issues faced by farms, food safety, labeling and marketing, environmental issues, or markets such as clean air and water, solar and carbon credits, and government commodity and income support programs.

Successful farms depend on skillful business management, requiring information, resources, and analysis for informed decision-making.

As the new farm management outreach specialist, Wilfert will leverage her experience in the legal field to enhance the competitiveness of farms and the agricultural industry across Wisconsin.

IMPROVE FARM ACCESS She will focus on legal issues impacting farms, agribusinesses, and rural communities. While Wilfert does not provide legal advice, her programming aims to improve farm access to legal services by helping interpret legal concepts, regulations, and case law.

She identifies strategies for managing legal risk and maintaining or improving the success of implemented legal tools.

50 BC�T January

Wilfert previously assisted farms and business and banking clients with a variety of legal issues, including entity formation, contracts, real estate, limiting liability, regulatory compliance, farm transfers, farm succession, and estate planning.

She has also worked with Extension and partner organizations on risks related to farm succession and emerging agricultural opportunities, including carbon credit and energy contracts.

Wilfert grew up on a 700-acre farm in northeastern Wisconsin raising fresh market fruits and vegetables, cash grain, and processing vegetables. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Applied Economics from UW-Madison and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School.

She is licensed to practice law in the state of Wisconsin and is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the American Agricultural Law Association.

Kelly started as a state outreach specialist on August 21. Her work will add value to that of partner organizations and community members through collaboration to develop and deliver educational programs for agriculture commodity and specialty crop industries across Wisconsin.

Her office is located at the Sheboygan County Extension Office, 5 University Dr., Sheboygan. Please feel free to contact Kelly Wilfert via kwilfert@ wisc.edu or phone 608-263-5798.

Learn more about Kelly at https:// farms.extension.wisc.edu/people. continued on pg. 52 BC�T January 51

People . . .

continued from pg. 51

Timothy Alsum Passes Away He had worked for the family business, Alsum Farms & Produce, as IT manager Timothy Paul Alsum, age 45, of Markesan, Wisconsin, passed away at his home unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Though we are completely heartbroken that Tim is no longer with us, we do rejoice that he is now fully healed and resting in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tim was born on August 7, 1978, in Madison, the son of Larry and Paula (DeYoung) Alsum. He was a graduate of Randolph Christian School and Central Wisconsin Christian High School, class of 1997.

After graduating high school, Tim attended Dordt University in Sioux

Center, Iowa, graduating in May 2001 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Computer Science.

While attending Dordt, Tim married Angela Vink and they welcomed their daughter, Alexia Rae. Tim worked for Superior Redi-Mix in Escondido, California, for two years, from 2001-2003. While living in California, he and Angela were blessed by adding Grant Newton to the family.

he welcomed another daughter, Khammi Elizabeth (daughter of Missy Lewandowski).

Tim then joined the family business, Alsum Farms & Produce, for 10 years as the IT (information technology) manager, and during this time,

In 2013, Tim took a year off to travel to the Philippines. He returned to Wisconsin a year later and held a couple of database developer

Timothy Paul Alsum August 7, 1978 – November 15, 2023

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positions at Beaver Dam Community Hospital and the National Association of Tax Professionals.

In 2016, he embraced his youngest child, Lucas Phan (son of Lan Nguyen). He then started his own business, in 2018, Rapid Solutions Design, Development, and Deployment Corporation, where he contracted as a database developer and IT solutions provider.

Friesland; as well as many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Newton and Theresa Alsum and Eugene DeYoung, Martin Cupery and Ruth DeYoung Cupery, his uncle, Steve Mulder, and cousin, Travis Mulder.

A visitation and funeral service were

held at the Friesland Community Church on Monday, November 20, with Pastor Carl Boersma officiating, and burial took place at the Friesland Cemetery.

Memorials may be established in Tim’s name to Randolph Christian School, 457 Second Street, Randolph, WI 53956.

Tim dealt with health issues most of his life and he lived his life learning to persevere through many trials and challenges.

INVOLVEMENT & HOBBIES Tim was a member of the Friesland Community Church. He loved to race motorcycles, hunt, fish, play basketball and soccer, snow ski, water ski, wake surf and spend time with family. He had a love for airplanes and took flying lessons, but Tim had to give up his dream of getting his pilot’s license due to medical restrictions.

He adapted by switching to flying model airplanes and spent many hours with his son, Lucas, flying model airplanes the past couple of years. It brought Tim great joy to make memories with his children and nieces. Tim, along with his sister, Wendy, coached Lucas in the Randolph youth soccer program.

Tim is survived by his four children, Alexia Alsum of Lexington, Kentucky, Grant Alsum (fiancé Tessa Breems) of Pella, Iowa, Khammi Alsum of Grand Marsh, Wisconsin, and Lucas Alsum of Madison.

He is also survived by his parents, Larry and Paula Alsum of Friesland, Wisconsin; siblings and their children, Heidi (Mark), Morgan, Madison, and Aubrey Randall of Cambria, Wisconsin, Wendy (Neil), Reagan, and Riley Dykstra of Rio, Wisconsin, and Chad Alsum and Noah Alsum of BC�T January 53

Seed Piece

Potato Varieties: A Vision for 2030 McCain Foods develops a robust pipeline for new seed varieties Reprinted with permission of McCain Foods, as seen in Spudman, October 2023

When it comes to potato varieties, McCain Foods’ widely

shared goal for 2030 is to replace most of the standard varieties that have been grown for many years with new strains that will drastically reduce nitrogen inputs, and improve water use, efficiency, and yield.

To achieve this goal, McCain is committed to developing a robust seed pipeline for new potato varieties that will help growers meet sustainability goals while maintaining high yields and quality.

“You must look five years out when planning a potato seed pipeline,” says Nicole Nichol, McCain Foods director of variety development and seed supply. “Seed multiplication of potatoes takes a very long time compared to other crops.”

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To address this, McCain brought on a team that includes an agronomist and two potato seed representatives working with seed growers to contract volume. The seed team aims to provide guidance and financial backing to growers.

Above: McCain Foods conducts potato seed variety trials across North America to evaluate traits like disease resistance, nitrogen use efficiency, yield, and quality.

The team’s aim is to de-risk and diversify potato seed across North America, expanding westward to be closer to the consumer.

INNOVATION HUBS McCain Foods conducts variety trials across North America to evaluate traits like disease resistance, nitrogen use efficiency, yield, and quality. High potential potato seed varieties are advanced to pre-commercial trials on farm fields.

reduce inputs like nitrogen fertilizer while maintaining productivity.

Other varieties in development offer traits like resistance to diseases such as verticillium that could allow for reduced fumigation needs.

By providing a portfolio of climateresilient varieties, McCain aims to help growers meet sustainability targets while ensuring supply reliability for customers.

Growers who visited the Innovation Hubs are enthusiastic about the top two varietal options. Several of the growers have Caribou Russet and King Russet in their fields already and are keen to get more.

McCain is also encouraging conversations with researchers examining diseases. Most of all, the company is looking to continue sharing learned continued on pg. 56

The current pre-commercial trial at the Idaho Innovation Hub is testing varieties selected for their potential to thrive in sustainable farming systems.

Nichol points out, “A healthy new variety pipeline will provide flexibility for our end consumers and help ensure supply reliability. By working with customers and seed growers, I believe we can gain approval for new variety options across North America by 2030.”

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Two top varieties highlighted in Idaho were King Russet for long-term storage and Caribou Russet for its early maturity, resistance to nematodes, and moderate resistance to verticillium.

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Caribou reduces the need for fumigation and improves EIQ (Environmental Impact Quotient) score, which is aligned with McCain’s Regenerative Agriculture Framework.

Scott D. Scheer, MSFS, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®

Burbank is not a control at the Hub since Caribou Russet offers better yields and uses 20% less nitrogen than Burbank to achieve the same yield and quality.

GROW MORE WITH LESS “By running these pre-commercial trials within the Innovation Hub, we are readying for the future when we will have to grow more with less —gain more yield, keep consistent, great quality, and navigate climate challenge,” Nichol says.

These varieties could help growers

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BC�T January 55

Seed Piece . . .

continued from pg. 55

insights with customers.

“The bottom line is supply assurance,” Nichol says. “There is a need for climate-resilient varieties to continue to deliver the volume and quality that customers expect, and we believe we have those varieties.

DIVERSIFY THE RISKS “They have plasticity, heat stress tolerance and more,” she adds.

“There is no one variety that will solve all the North America challenges. Like a financial portfolio, we need to diversify the risks with multiple varieties.”

Customers are increasingly engaged in conversations around varieties and the importance of flexibility to assure supply for the long term.

McCain is working to increase potato seed availability of promising new varieties by coordinating with seed growers.

With continued variety development, McCain’s goal is to have largely replaced standard varieties by 2030, while gaining full customer approval for new options. This will drastically reduce nitrogen inputs, reduce EIQ scores, and move growers along the Regenerative Framework to achieve the commitment of 100% regen acres by 2030.

“Seed and varieties will help McCain and growers deliver on sustainability commitments and continue striving into the future,” Nichol states.

If growers have questions about varieties in their regions or if they want to grow a new potato variety, McCain encourages them to connect with a local company representative who will facilitate a conversation.

To learn more about McCain, visit www.mccain.com/sustainability/ smart-sustainable-farming.

Above: Growers who visit the McCain Foods Innovation Hubs are enthusiastic about the potential of having new potato varieties in their fields.

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Carbohydrate

Food Quality Score is Culturally Inclusive Tool is the only carbohydrate quality index that aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Submitted by the Alliance for Potato Research & Education When it comes to carbohydrate food guidance, prevailing approaches have historically focused on only three

components—total carbohydrates, sugar, and dietary fiber—while ignoring other important nutrient

and cultural considerations.

Now, a series of expert panel reports, the latest of which was just published in “Nutrients,” shows that a new tool called the Carbohydrate Food Quality Score (CFQS) is more culturally inclusive and aligns more closely with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) than prior approaches.

Despite the broad diversity of the U.S. population, dietary recommendations often overlook the positive contributions of cultural foods to build healthy dietary patterns.

“Unlike other approaches to evaluating carbohydrate quality, Above: The new Carbohydrate Food Quality Score (CFQS) clearly recognizes that carbohydrate foods are not homogenous, and nuance is needed when communicating this to consumers.

58 BC�T January

the CFQS evaluates the contribution of both under-consumed dietary components like potassium, dietary fiber and whole grains, and overconsumed nutrients like sodium, predominantly found in carbohydratecontaining foods, especially grains,” explains Judy Rodriguez, Ph.D., RDN, professor emerita in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Florida, and coauthor of the study.

“The new CFQS clearly recognizes that carbohydrate foods are not homogenous, and nuance is needed when communicating this to consumers.”

– Judy Rodriguez, Ph.D., RDN,

professor emerita in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Florida, and coauthor of the study

“This nuance is significant, as it sheds light on the fact that carbohydratecontaining foods contain many important nutrients beyond carbohydrates,” Dr. Rodriguez says.

“Furthermore, this tool is the only carbohydrate quality index that aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”

HOW CFQS WORKS The development and validation of the CFQS is described in two previously published articles.1,2 In brief, this new system is based on similar foundations of previously published approaches that focus on fiber, sugar, and total carbohydrate content of foods.

However, CFQS also acknowledges the heterogeneity, nutrient, and cultural diversity across the carbohydrate food category by: 1. Including other nutrients like sodium, potassium, and whole grain (for grain-based foods) in the scoring system; and 2. Creating two distinct scoring systems: one for non-grain foods (CFQS-4), and one for grain-based foods (CFQS-5).

CFQS-4 is scored on a 4-point scale based on the amounts of carbohydrates, sugar, sodium, and potassium. CFQS-5 is scored on a 5-point scale, using the same four components as CFQS-4, plus whole grains.

“The new CFQS clearly recognizes that carbohydrate foods are not continued on pg. 60 BC�T January 59

Carbohydrate Food Quality Score is Culturally Inclusive . . . continued from pg. 59

homogenous, and nuance is needed when communicating this to consumers,” Dr. Rodriguez states.

healthy dietary patterns continue to categorize individual foods as good or bad.

“For example, while potatoes and grain-based foods are considered ‘carb foods’ and contribute important nutrients to the diet,” she says, “their nutrient profiles and quality vary. The CFQS can help identify those foods that can be chosen frequently as dietary staples.”

The CFQS is meant to break this cycle by providing a spectrum of carbohydrate food choices rather than assigning binary classifiers to food choices (e.g., good/bad, eat/avoid) and simplistic food classifications such as ‘eat a rainbow’ (e.g., dark green, red, and orange, etc. foods).

Not only do the metrics help to clarify and quantify carbohydrate food quality, but they also support health equity among all Americans as they can be applied across a variety of budgets, lifestyles, and cultures.

WHY IT MATTERS Dietary guidelines continue to emphasize the importance of total dietary patterns and overall diet quality. However, many tools intended to help people build

While such systems can be helpful, they are confusing when it comes to foods with neutral colors such as white cauliflower, daikon, jicama, potatoes, brown mushrooms, and black beans.

Not only can the CFQS help eliminate confusion, but it also aligns with the DGA as it recognizes other essential nutrients that are under- or overconsumed in the American diet and

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predominately delivered through carbohydrate-containing foods.

“The CFQS provides a vehicle that affirms with each individual’s values, socioeconomics, and food and cultural traditions, and provides a scale to help address nutritional concerns about the diet,” explains Julie Miller Jones, Ph.D., LN, CNS, professor emerita in the Department of Family, Consumer and Nutritional Sciences at the St. Catherine University in St. Paul, and coauthor of the study.

HEALTHY EATING PATTERNS “The CFQS can reassure consumers of the role of carbohydrate foods for constructing healthy eating patterns and while affirming equitable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food choices to influence health,” Dr. Miller Jones says.

The Quality Carbohydrate Coalition

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60 BC�T January

(QCC) is a multi-stakeholder engagement of commodity groups across the food industry.

of the CFQS models when selecting carbohydrate foods as part of a healthy dietary pattern.

Guided by the work of its Scientific Advisory Council (SAC), this group aims to support a collaborative, scientific dialogue around the unique and diverse roles that foods containing carbohydrates play in healthful eating.

Menu models adhered to nutritional requirements outlined in the following dietary patterns established by the 2020-2025 DGA:

The council is made up of six worldrenowned experts in carbohydrate research, nutrient profiling, cultural competency, and epidemiology: Dr. Rodriguez; Adam Drewnowski, Ph.D.; Dr. Miller Jones; Joanne Slavin, Ph.D., RDN; Siddhartha Angadi, Ph.D.; and Yanni Papanikolaou, MPH. Potatoes USA provides the funding to support the research being conducted by the SAC. MENU MODELS Three one-day menu models were developed to demonstrate the utility

• Healthy U.S. Diet • Healthy Mediterranean-Style • Healthy Vegetarian A fourth menu model was developed in alignment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Thrifty Food Plan to demonstrate the utility of the CFQS in budget-conscious healthy eating.

All four menu models were created using ESHA Research’s Food Processor menu modeling software, and each menu adhered to a 2,000 kcal (kilocalorie) diet, including three meals and two snacks. continued on pg. 62

Carbohydrate-containing foods such as potatoes contain many important nutrients beyond carbohydrates.

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Carbohydrate Food Quality Score is Culturally Inclusive . . . continued from pg. 61

While carbohydrate foods with a CFQS of 3 or greater were prioritized, scores of 1 and 2 were also included to demonstrate their nutritional contributions to healthy, diverse, affordable, and culturally appropriate food patterns.

Finally, four tables were created to reflect carbohydrate foods commonly found across the largest recorded ethnic groups in the United States: • African American • Latino/Latin America • Asian American • Native American The purpose of these tables was to demonstrate how culturally inclusive food patterns can be integrated with DGA-recommended dietary patterns and the CFQS models.

The present modeling exercises demonstrate the feasibility of using carbohydrate food quality score

models (CFQS-4 and CFQS-5) to better understand the value and variability of carbohydrate food quality across different food groups and different dietary patterns.

The models were previously validated, and the current work demonstrates their applicability and utility across culturally and economically diverse eating patterns.

However, the current work cannot show the effects of implementing CFQS models on specific health outcomes. Thus, future research will need to examine the health impacts of consuming higher scoring CFQS dietary patterns compared to lower scoring patterns.

Furthermore, while the CFQS metrics emphasize nutrients of public health concern, the scoring system omits other key factors associated with health, such as bioavailability of

nutrients, content of other nutrients, and contributions from bioactive phytonutrients (e.g., antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics).

Future research will inform further development of the existing models to reflect these important components.

References 1. Comerford KB, Papanikolaou Y, Jones JM, et al. Toward an Evidence-Based Definition and Classification of Carbohydrate Food Quality: An Expert Panel Report. Nutrients. 2021; 13(8). doi: 10.3390/NU13082667 2. Drewnowski A, Maillot M, Papanikolaou Y, et al. A New Carbohydrate Food Quality Scoring System to Reflect Dietary Guidelines: An Expert Panel Report. Nutrients. 2022;14(7). doi: 10.3390/NU14071485

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New Products Kayser Chrysler Center Offers AgPack Benefits

Benefits to farmers can quickly add up to thousands of dollars in real operational savings Farmers helping farmers find a return on their truck investments is how AgPack® was born. Now, 10 years later, AgPack benefits to farmers can quickly add up to over $30,000 in real operational savings based on a customer using every AgPack benefit to its maximum value.

Kayser Chrysler Center in Sauk City, Wisconsin, recently renewed its eligibility in the Certified Ag Dealer Program (CAD) allowing the dealership to continue offering AgPack to farm customers.

Farmer benefits from AgPack can quickly add up to nearly $30,000 in real farm operational savings, based on the customer using every AgPack benefit to its maximum value. Kayser Chrysler Center of Sauk City, Wisconsin, recently renewed its eligibility to offer AgPack 01-24 Badger Common'Tater (7.25x4.75).v1.pdf 1 2023-12-08 2:13 pm continued on pg. 64 through the Certified Ag Dealer Program.

What exactly is AgPack? It is a collaboration of agricultural

BC�T January 63

New Products . . . continued from pg. 63

companies that have collectively organized a specialized package of discounts and rebates, not obtainable elsewhere, on inputs producers need to buy anyway.

new or pre-owned farm truck, or SUV, from a Certified Agriculture Dealership,” notes Pat Driscoll, chief executive officer of Certified Agriculture Dealers/AgPack.

Below is the line-up of the current AgPack partners and their offers.

Farmers and ranchers can cash in on one or use them all; it is totally up to them.

The process is quite simple:

“Plus, AgPack can be stacked on top of any incentive, rebate, fleet or VIP program the local dealer can offer,” Driscoll adds.

And they can take their time on any one or all, as AgPack offers are valid for at least one full year from the original date of the vehicle purchase.

In select cases, the offers are valid even longer.

1. Register for your AgPack ID at https://www.AgTruckTrader.com 2. Provide your AgPack ID Number when ordering or purchasing any qualifying new or used truck at any Certified Agriculture Dealership 3. Redeem your options.

Approximately one week after your order or purchase, an AgPack redemption specialist will help you redeem any of the over $30,000 in additional valuable options with AgPack partners.

“Believe it or not, AgPack is free with the purchase or lease of a qualifying

64 BC�T January

“More than anything, farmers and ranchers want, no, need, the most durable vehicle money can buy,” Driscoll says. “We know because we’re ranchers and farmers, too. And that’s what we want.”

“The focus is to make sure our agriculture family gets an honest to goodness return on their truck investments,” he concludes, “from a dealer that actually understands and cares about who they are, and what they need.”

AgPack includes: • E xclusive rebates on Michelin & BF Goodrich® tires – from tractors to trucks to toys, potential savings worth more than $4,500 •2 5% off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) on Rhino Ag™ Products, plus a gift card valued between $100-200 • E xclusive pricing of 5-10% under Minimum Advertised Pricing (MAP)

direct from Dixie Chopper® on the entire line of commercial mowers • $2,000 credit towards AgroLiquid® Crop Nutrition, free agronomy consultation and an annual soil test • $1,000 toward a new Reinke® Irrigation system and $500 towards parts on any existing Reinke system • 25% exclusive discount on many Gallagher® Livestock scales and fencing products • A $150 gift card after the purchase of a two-year Viasat® Internet Service subscription • $500 product credit after $2,000 of combined Mystik® Lubricant products purchased, and the offer also includes lifetime oil condition monitoring of the AgPack purchased vehicle, plus a choice of a Mystik-branded gift offer

• 15% off MSRP on any purchase of Tarter® Farm & Ranch Equipment with a minimum purchase of $3,500 before discount • A $1,500 rebate on the purchase of a Walkabout Mother Bin, a 20% rebate on accessories like a scale, vibrator, display, low unload option, or an auger sock, plus a $500 gift card/store credit for Outback Wrap Hydraulic hose products • A 20% storewide discount from Outback Wrap for hydraulic hose identification and management products • 10% off MSRP for the entire line-up of PUTCO truck accessory products plus free shipping • 5-10% savings on multiple Vanair® products including the all new EPEQ™ Welder140, Start•All Jump•Packs®, Pro35 Reciprocating

Air Compressor Series, compressor/ generator packages and multiple other products •D TN Progressive Farmer Magazine offers a free 1-year subscription of the DTN Ag Weather Tool app at no charge, plus a choice of either: 1) three months of My DTN, a mobile app helping make fast, effective commodity buying and selling decisions; or 2): three months of Instant Markets (delayed) farmer version of Profit X •1 5% discount on the monthly fees for Ford Pro’s Telematics Software Services • E arn up to $1,000 in savings off purchases of Perpetuo® Herbicide, Excalia® Fungicide, and Senstar® Insecticide by Valent continued on pg. 66

Nutrien Ag Solutions would like to thank our growers for your support in 2023.

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New Products . . . continued from pg. 65

• Regional Bonus Offer - $20 off per bag of Dairyland hybrid seed Now, accessibility to AgPack for farmers in the Sauk City area is being maintained.

This nationwide program will continue to be available at Kayser Chrysler Center, which had previously completed stringent training when it became an official CAD. That training helps the dealership better understand the specific demands ranchers, farmers and growers have for their farm vehicles.

“While trucks are a critical tool on the farm, the bottom line for farmers is also critical,” notes Don Griffin, general manager at Kayser Chrysler Center. “Being able to provide our customers with access to AgPack through a new or used vehicle is

game changing.”

“We can literally help the agriculture buyer save thousands of dollars in their daily operations through the AgPack exclusive rebates and discounts on products and services from some of agriculture’s leading brands,” he says.

“And it’s not just about working with a specialty agriculture truck dealership when buying a new truck,” Griffin adds. “It’s also about making sure farmers have a truck dealership they can trust for parts and service when the truck isn’t so new, and a specialty store they can rely on to help keep things running like they do their tractor, fertilizer or fencing dealer.”

Becoming a Certified Agriculture Dealership lets 64,800 Wisconsin

farm families know their dealership understands the uniqueness of agriculture and is committed to providing the best total truck solution to meet their needs.

To learn more about the Certified Agriculture Dealership Program and AgPack, go to www.certifiedagdealer. com/. To stay connected and learn about new AgPack program enhancements, Like us on Facebook.

When ready to purchase or lease the next farm truck or SUV, visit Kayser Chrysler Center at 866 Phillips Rd., Sauk City, WI 53583, call 608643-8581 to gain access to the free AgPack benefits, or visit https:// www.certifiedagdealer.com/certifieddealers/Kayser.

Protecting Farms is in Our Roots

As the #1 farm insurer in Wisconsin, leave it to us to ensure your crops are properly protected. Insurance protects from unavoidable loss due to a range of natural causes.

Learn more and request a quote at www.RuralMutual.com 66 BC�T January

Bayer Velum Rise Fungicide/Nematicide Approved

Two active ingredients offer early-season protection to help establish potato crops and enhance yield potential Bayer announces the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of Velum® Rise fungicide/nematicide for the suppression of Rhizoctonia, black dot, nematodes and other soilborne diseases.

With two active ingredients, penflufen and fluopyram, Velum Rise offers early-season protection to help establish potato crops and enhance yield potential.

Soilborne diseases such as Rhizoctonia and black dot can have serious implications for continued on pg. 68

Photos from one of four trials conducted by Bayer CropScience and Atlantic Agritech in 2020 and 2021. All treatments shown were inoculated with Rhizoctonia solani to represent a high disease-pressure environment.

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BC�T January 67

New Products . . . continued from pg. 67

growers’ profits, as the diseases result not only in yield losses, but also in damage to the quality of the potatoes.

The two active ingredients in Velum Rise help protect the tubers from damaging effects such as lesions, leaving fresh market growers with cleaner and healthier potatoes.

“We are excited to add Velum Rise to our Bayer 75-day IPM [integrated pest management] potato portfolio, providing a new tool for potato growers to maximize their yields,” says Jeff Baxter, Bayer product manager, fruit and vegetables.

“This product was designed specifically for potato growers to address some of the key diseases they face like Rhizoctonia and black dot,” Baxter adds. “As a fully tradeenabled product, this new tool is ready for the 2024 planting season

to combat nematodes and suppress key diseases.”

POTATO GROWER BENEFITS Velum Rise can be used as an infurrow application, or it can be soil applied pre-plant. Its efficacy has been field tested, and the results have shown just how beneficial Velum Rise can be for potato growers.

“Field trials have demonstrated consistent increases in total and marketable yield with Velum Rise applied in-furrow compared to nontreated controls,” says Mitch Bauske, technology development representative for crop protection at Bayer.

“Our product is aimed at providing growers with the biggest possible boost in yield, tuber quality, and economic return,” he notes.

“This formulation provides these benefits through early-

season disease management and nematode suppression with a single application.”

Additional trial data has determined that Velum Rise fungicide/nematicide can suppress both plant and tuber symptoms of Rhizoctonia and black dot, resulting in effective management of multiple phases of disease.

Velum Rise is an eligible product within the Bayer PLUS Potato program, helping growers earn cash-back rewards.

Visit https://www.cropscience.bayer. us/bayer-plus-programs/bayer-pluspotato to learn more. Go to www.

VelumRise.com to discover more about the science behind Velum Rise and learn how to start your potato growing season on the rise.

WPIB Focus

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

Month

Jul-22

Aug-22

Sep-22

Oct-22

Nov-22

CWT

1,672,188.74

1,652,461.65

1,253,802.65

2,220,884.60

2,839,864.67

9,639,202.31

Assessment

$133,812.37

$132,196.95

$100,304.10

$177,635.82

$227,110.48

$771,059.72

Month

Jul-23

Aug-23

Sep-23

Oct-23

Nov-23

CWT

1,313,762.07

1,528,723.01

977,118.59

2,045,401.98

2,686,018.96

8,551,024.61

Assessment

$105,353.00

$122,297.83

$78,169.48

$163,634.01

$214,877.01

$684,331.33

68 BC�T January

Dec-22

Dec-23

Jan-23

Jan-24

Feb-23

Feb-24

Mar-23

Mar-24

Apr-23

Apr-24

May-23

May-24

Jun-23

Jun-24

Year-to-Date

Year-to-Date

NPC News Kam Quarles Meets with PepsiCo President Company shares goals and how they align with production agriculture The last week of November, National Potato Council (NPC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kam Quarles traveled to Dallas for a meeting with PepsiCo North American Foods President Steven Williams.

Quarles was joined by the leaders of the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, and the National Association of Wheat Growers as part of PepsiCo’s meeting of its Farm and Food Council.

“We appreciate the efforts of Steven and his entire PepsiCo team in sharing information on their goals and how those align with production agriculture,” Quarles says. “At the Potato Expo, in Austin, we are excited to further amplify this information exchange as Pepsi presents its vision to attendees and hears feedback from producers.”

Quarles is hosting a Potato Expo 2024 panel discussion featuring Laura Maxwell, senior vice president of supply chain, PepsiCo Foods North America, and Ashin Parikh, senior vice president and market supply officer, PepsiCo Foods North American Sourcing and Procurement, on January 10. For more information, visit https://www. nationalpotatocouncil.org/potatoexpo/.

Above: National Potato Council Chief Executive Officer Kam Quarles (fourth from left) joined members of PepsiCo’s Farm and Food Council, including PepsiCo North American Foods President Steven Williams (center), to learn about the company’s goals and how they align with production agriculture.

ADJUSTABLE AUTOMATIC MASTER POTATO BALER Bag Sense “no bag, no dump” Works with poly and paper master bags!

Two year limited warranty

Features Include:

• OMRON P.L.C. (programmable logic control) • User Friendly Touchscreen • Infeed mechanism & discharge gates • Baler pusher with bag transport grippers • Bag inflation system • Two way adjustable accumulating chamber • Handles 3-20 lbs product bags

• Variable speed accelerator conveyor assembly with JMC Space Saver Incline • Product decelerator to eliminate bounce • NEMA 12 electrical “swing-away” control panel with interloc • Motorized Bag Saddle Conveyor (150 fpm) • High speed intermediate take away conveyor with horizontal alignment

continued on pg. 70 BC�T January 69

NPC News . . .

continued from pg. 69

New Potato Wart Management Plan Canadian Food Inspection Agency lays out year-long process During the November 30-toDecember 1 Potato Association of America Certification Section Meeting, in Washington, D.C., representatives from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the process for developing, finalizing, and implementing plans to mitigate the risk of spreading Prince Edward Island (PEI) potato wart to the United States.

Over the next year, the agency expects to complete a review of the risk management documents (which were made available for public comment on December 4), draft a replacement for the current Long Term Management Plan, finalize

a new Long Term Management Plan, and negotiate a change in import regulations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Above: Representatives from the Canadian Food Inspection agency announced the process for developing, finalizing, and implementing plans to mitigate the risk of spreading Prince Edward Island potato wart to the United States.

“Based on the comment periods and time it will take to review and write new planning documents, we are looking at January 2025 at a minimum before implementation begins on the CFIA side,” says NPC CEO Kam Quarles.

“January 2025 will be more than three years after the current crisis began in November 2021. That’s three years before any durable changes will be made by the federal government in Canada or by USDA to mitigate this ongoing risk,” Quarles stresses.

“In the meantime, potatoes from PEI continue to be shipped to the U.S. without any additional measures in place to address the threat APHIS has identified,” he concludes.

The documents made available to the public on December 4 can be accessed by visiting: https:// inspection.canada.ca/about-cfia/ transparency/consultations-andengagement/eng/1566414558282/ 1566414728048.

70 BC�T January

Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

Promotions Committee Focuses on Strategic Planning Concise process helps streamline discussions to create a long-range marketing plan Strategy is defined as “a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim.” While the word itself and definition are relatively straightforward, the work that goes on behind the scenes to implement strategy is much more complex.

Strategic planning is a process that develops over the course of time.

It requires diligence, patience, perseverance and perhaps most importantly, an openness to accept and think about possibilities and future goals.

This can sometimes require that we step outside the norm and challenge current/traditional thought processes as opposed to staying with what we Above: A concise strategic planning process will help streamline discussions at the 2024 Promotions Retreat to create a marketing plan. Willing and eager participants of the 2023 Promotions Retreat include, from left to right, Dianne and Nick Somers of Plover River Farms, Mike Gatz from Bushmans’ Inc., and WPVGA Executive Assistant Julie Braun.

know and where we’re comfortable.

Such has been and continues to be the journey of the WPVGA Promotions Committee.

Earlier in 2023, the committee

approached John Toaspern for help with a new outlook on and approach to strategic planning.

Toaspern had recently retired from continued on pg. 72

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mcgowanrice.com

BC�T January 71

Marketplace . . .

continued from pg. 71

Potatoes USA, in June 2022, as the organization’s chief marketing officer. He served the industry for 23 years, and in that time, had become a wealth of knowledge on both domestic and international marketing efforts.

He has also maintained a high-level rapport and close relationships with growers across the nation in all facets of the potato industry, so his inclusion in Wisconsin’s discussions was a natural fit.

While the request for Toaspern to participate may not have been ideal timing, as he had not yet enjoyed a full year of retirement when he received the call from WPVGA Director of Promotions Dana Rady, it was impeccable timing for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA).

LONG-RANGE PLANS Year 2023 happened to be when the association and all boards and committees falling under its umbrella were due to set their long-range plans for 2024-2029.

Toaspern graciously accepted the challenge and began working closely with Rady and the committee on creating a strategic foundation, not only for the year ahead, but also for the next five years.

With the strategic framework in place for the year, committee members could dive into the program specifics and evaluate each opportunity in the budget.

What does each line item entail, how much has been expensed to date, what are the results thus far, what challenges were encountered and what might a recommendation be going forward?

Toaspern knows from experience that this work is intense and timeconsuming. However, it’s a highly important step that shouldn’t be overlooked.

72 BC�T January

“The strategic planning carried out by the Promotions Committee in the spring was invaluable in developing the new 2024-2029 long range plan as part of the overall WPVGA effort,” Toaspern says.

“The committee members did an excellent job of applying the strategic planning framework to this long-range effort and keeping the objectives and strategies consistent and at a very high level,” he adds.

VITAL TIME INVESTMENT Toaspern says this time investment is vital in seeing the strategic planning process through. “These efforts will now inform the rest of the review of activities and budget for 2024,” he notes.

He refers to February 2024 when the committee will explore this program review once again during a “start, stop” and/or “grow, maintain or shrink” exercise. In other words, what are some new ideas to start, and which ones should we grow, maintain, or shrink?

It’s a challenging yet necessary exercise that will provide a clear pathway into the next budgeting cycle while also helping the committee stay true to the goals set.

Each opportunity, be it new or

Above: John Toaspern took time from his retirement as the former Potatoes USA chief marketing officer to help the WPVGA Promotions Committee with a new approach to strategic planning.

continued, will be measured against the strategic foundation. Is this in line with the approved objectives, strategies, performance measures and activities?

As a one- to two-day meeting, the Promotions Retreat is intense and full of information. Doing a lot of this legwork in advance will help simplify the process and provide the committee with a more apparent vision when setting the budget.

Overall, a concise strategic planning process helps streamline discussions to create a plan. It also provides an opportunity to challenge traditional ways of thinking that pave the way for creativity from a higher playing field to elevate the Wisconsin potato industry and continue putting the Badger State on the map.

The positive effects of this are mind blowing and truly limitless. The WPVGA Promotions Committee members are ready to continue seeing this challenge through and excited for what lies ahead.

Ali's Kitchen Hunters’ Quarry Equates to Delicious Pot Pie

Whether you use pheasant, chicken or even turkey, the dish will surely satisfy your appetite Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary For full disclosure, while it may be January, this recipe was concocted and enjoyed last October.

We are a family of bird hunters and own two crazy, hyper, need-attentionalways bird dogs, also known as Wirehaired Vizslas. Each autumn, I am blessed by my family’s efforts, through the help of the pups, with a freezer full of pheasant.

INGREDIENTS: Chicken (or Pheasant or Turkey) Pot Pie • 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes

One autumn evening, I found myself with leftover cooked pheasant and some unused sheets of phyllo dough that hadn’t quite fit into the previous week’s pan of baklava.

Add in a couple russet potatoes from the pantry and I had the beginnings of the perfect pot pie. It turned out to be delicious!

Knowing that not everyone enjoys, or has access to, pheasant, I wrote the recipe to be made with chicken.

However, I chose to share this recipe now with the idea that pot pie would also be an ideal way to use up any leftover turkey you may have from holiday gatherings.

And one more little tidbit of disclosure ... you might have noticed that carrots are listed in the recipe ingredients, yet there is a lack of carrots in the photos of my pot pie.

• 1 3/4 cups sliced carrots • 1 Tbsp. butter • 2/3 cup chopped onion • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Yes, it was a carrot-less pheasant pot pie, and I missed their color and flavor.

Unfortunately, the carrots I had planned to use were a mushy mess in my produce drawer. Yuck! They went into the garbage instead of our dinner.

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place potatoes and carrots in a large saucepan and add water to cover.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook

• 2 tsp. salt • 2 tsp. dried thyme • 1 tsp. pepper • 3 cups chicken broth • 1 1/2 cups milk • 4 cups shredded, cooked chicken • 1 cup frozen peas • 1 cup frozen corn • 10 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed • 1⁄4 cup butter, melted

continued on pg. 74 BC�T January 73

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Ali's Kitchen…

continued from pg. 73

covered until crisp and tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.

In a large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until tender. Stir in the flour and seasonings until blended. Stir in the broth and milk gradually (a little at a time will help you avoid lumps). Bring to a boil, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until thickened.

Add the chicken, peas, corn, and potato-carrot mixture to the skillet and stir to combine.

Pour the chicken and veggies into an oven-safe casserole dish.

Top with layers of phyllo*, layer by layer, and place the phyllo dough on top of the chicken and veggies, brushing each layer with a bit of melted butter before layering on the next sheet of dough (this will give you a nice flaky crust). Once the last sheet of dough is in place, brush the entire top with a bit more butter.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the crust is lightly browned.

Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Serve hot. Enjoy! *Tips for working with phyllo dough: Allow the dough to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature before using. Carefully unroll phyllo sheets onto a smooth, dry surface. Cover the phyllo dough completely with a damp towel. Keep the sheets of dough covered until needed.

BINFRONT BARRIERS …a better barrier

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Contact Pete Schroeder • 715-623-2689 Email: farm@sbfi.biz • Web: https://binfront.biz/ 74 BC�T January

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See you at the 12th World Potato Congress 23-26 June 2024, Adelaide, Australia

COME MEET THE LOCALS AND “SAY G’DAY”

Pre-Congress Golf Tournament

Tours of Local Potato Production and Leading Research Facilities

Partner Programs and Winery Tours Speakers from around the Globe

Trade show and Exhibition

POTATOES AND ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA JUNE 23-26, 2024 South Australia is home to 40% of Australia’s Potato Production. Adelaide is nestled between world famous wine regions and magnificent beaches of white sand. It is a vibrant and colourful destination which offers a range of unique experiences for all delegates of the WPC.

Over three days, plenary and keynote speakers will provide insight and knowledge on a range of topics. See the Potatoes Australia website for more details at https://potatoesaustralia.com.au/wpc-2024/.

Thank you to the World Potato Congress Sustaining Partners for their ongoing support PLATINUM Level Sustaining Partners

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