December 2020 Badger Common'Tater

$22/year | $2/copy | Volume 72 No. 12 | DECEMBER 2020

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

ANNUAL REVIEW & 2021 GROWING SEASON PREVIEW ISSUE INTERVIEW:

SLY KRAUTKRAMER Swiderski Equipment Inc.

AGRI TAX PLANNING Factors to Consider CAN HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING Assess Potato Nitrogen Needs?

HEAT STRESS CAUSES Tuber Second Growth WHITE POTATOES FUEL Performance & Recovery

Open house events are held, each March, at all five of Swiderski Equipment’s Wisconsin stores.

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DEFOREST, WI 53532 800-523-2350 WWW.HEARTLANDAG.COM ©️2020 Heartland Agriculture, LLC dba Heartland AG Systems. All Rights Reserved.

Chris Lockery Jim Stefan

Inventory • Replenishment Services • Handle all freight concerns • Long-Range Planning •

Bob Dobbe • Paul Hegewald John Hopfensperger • John Eckendorf Jerome Bushman (FL - WI) • Nic Bushman Mike Gatz, Jim Stefan and Chris Fleming (Milwaukee) Sam Saccullo (All fruits and vegetables) Mike Whyte (Michigan) Transportation: Denise Moze • Nate Sohns Mike Carter CEO

800-826-0200 715-677-4533 • Fax: 715-677-4076 Rosholt, Wisconsin

On the Cover: With five Northcentral Wisconsin locations—Mosinee,

Wausau, Thorp, Antigo and Waupaca—Swiderski Equipment hosts annual open houses, in March, at each store. Swiderski COO Sly Krautkramer has been with the company for 40 years, starting in parts, then sales, and as manager of the Mosinee location and currently of the Wausau store.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW:

Swiderski Equipment COO Sly Krautkramer (left) says it is important that the company supports our agriculture community, including local FFA chapters and kids who are the future of the industry. In addition to annual open houses held at all company locations to show customer appreciation, Swiderski Equipment Inc. has been an Associate Division member of the WPVGA for years and participates in many events like the Industry Show in Stevens Point.

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN.................... 64 AUXILIARY NEWS............... 53 BADGER BEAT.................... 58

16 HIGH-TECH IMAGING TOOLS AID RESEARCH

Can hyperspectral imaging help limit use of fertilizer?

44 MARKETPLACE

Chicago Jewel Osco stores participate in impressive Wisconsin potatoes promo

48 NPC NEWS

For safety of attendees, families and farms, 2021 Potato Expo goes virtual

EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 24 MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6 NEW PRODUCTS................ 50 NOW NEWS....................... 30

FEATURE ARTICLES:

PEOPLE.............................. 36

20 HEAT STRESS CAUSES physiological disorder known as potato tuber second growth

PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6

40 WHITE POTATOES FUEL athletic performance according to series of recent studies

POTATOES USA NEWS........ 62

55 AGRIBUSINESS TAX PLANNING is much different in 2020’s COVID-19 environment

WPIB FOCUS...................... 49

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BC�T December

YOUR PARTNERS ON THE JOB! FROM PREPARATION & PLANTING TO HARVEST & STORAGE...

GUIDANCE & AUTO-STEERING

WATER MANAGEMENT

APPLICATION SOLUTIONS

DATA MANAGEMENT

SUPPORT & SERVICE HARVEST SOLUTIONS INCREASED PROFITS GPS ACCURACY SOLUTIONS

PL ANTING TECHNOLOGY

WE HAVE THE SOLUTIONS TO MAKE YOUR OPERATION MORE PROFITABLE! Learn more at swiderskiequipment.com/precisionfarming CommonTater_PF_TelematicsMesh_AD_October_2020_V1.indd 1

WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Rod Gumz Vice President: Bill Guenthner Secretary: Wes Meddaugh Treasurer: Mike Carter Directors: John Bustamante, Randy Fleishauer, Dan Kakes, Charlie Mattek & Alex Okray Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Richard Okray Secretary: Bill Wysocki Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: John Bobek, Andy Diercks, Cliff Gagas, John T. Schroeder & Tom Wild WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Kenton Mehlberg Vice President: Paul Cieslewicz

10/12/20 12:37 PM

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Jeff Fassbender Vice President: J.D. Schroeder Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Suchon Directors: Roy Gallenberg & Matt Mattek

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 & Outreach Administrator: Doug Foemmel Spudmobile Education and Outreach Coordinator: Dale Bowe

Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Kathy Bartsch Vice President: Devin Zarda Secretary/Treasurer: Datonn Hanke Directors: Jody Baginski, Brittany Bula, Deniell Bula & Marie Reid

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

Secretary: Julie Cartwright Treasurer: Rich Wilcox Directors: Chris Brooks, Kristi Kulas, Sally Suprise & Justin Yach

Mission Statement of the WPVGA: To advance the interests of WPVGA members through education, information, environmentally sound research, promotion, governmental action and involvement.

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 integrating technology and information resources.

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

Subscription rates: $2/copy, $22/year; $40/2 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 December

5

MARK YOUR

Calendar

JANUARY 2021

5-7

2021 POTATO EXPO VIRTUAL FORMAT due to COVID-19 coronavirus

2-4

17-18

22-24

22-25

2021 GROWER ED CONFERENCE VIRTUAL FORMAT due to COVID-19 coronavirus INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO CANCELED due to COVID-19 coronavirus POTATO D.C. FLY-IN VIRTUAL FORMAT due to COVID-19 coronavirus NPC ANNUAL MEETING VIRTUAL FORMAT due to COVID-19 coronavirus

8-11

30-4/1

POTATOES USA ANNUAL MEETING The Brown Palace Hotel Denver, CO 60th ANNUAL WPS FARM SHOW Experimental Aircraft Association grounds Oshkosh, WI

31-6/3

11th WORLD POTATO CONGRESS & EUROPATAT 2021 POSTPONED one year due to COVID-19 coronavirus Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland

18

24-26

WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI UNITED FRESH CONVENTION & EXPO 2021 Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA

13

20-22

PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Silver Spring Foods, Huntsinger Horseradish Farm Eau Claire, WI

11

ALSUM TATER TROT 5K & FALL FESTIVAL Alsum Farms & Produce Friesland, WI

11

PMA FRESH SUMMIT 2021 Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA

30-6/2

11th WORLD POTATO CONGRESS & EUROPATAT 2022 Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland

FEBRUARY

MARCH

MAY

JUNE

JULY

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

MAY 2022

6

BC�T December

Planting Ideas A picture is worth a thousand words, and I

love the above image because of all the things it says. The photo speaks of nurturing the soil and plants, working with your hands, growing food, the fruits of labor, bounty of the harvest, eating healthy and feeding the world.

It conjures up images of small and large farms alike, growers and their families. The visual, shared by Chad Malek of Specialty Potatoes & Produce, is especially welcome at a time when a virus threatens to limit what we can do and who we can invite to our houses for the holidays, how many people we can safely break bread with and whether we see our families.

The agricultural industry has much to be proud of and has consistently adapted and progressed. In this issue of the Badger Common’Tater is a feature article on the potential for using hyperspectral imaging to help limit fertilizer use, and specifically, to assess true nitrogen needs. Another article discusses the exciting prospect of potatoes fueling athletic performance and being as effective as commercially available sports supplements at positively impacting exercise, muscle building and post-workout recovery.

Other features include advice on agribusiness tax planning in a volatile marketplace, taking into account potential impacts from COVID-19, and an in-depth article on how heat stress causes potato tuber second growth, manifesting itself as sprouts, chaining and malformations.

In her “Marketplace” column, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education Dana Rady lets readers know about how Jewel Osco stores are displaying Wisconsin potatoes in Chicago. In addition to potato displays in the Windy City’s 188 Jewel Osco stores, the promotion includes T-Shirts touting the “Wisconsin Potato Harvest,” in-store banners, and roadside billboards and digital posters encouraging drivers-by to “Enjoy Wisconsin Potatoes, Eat Well. Live Well.” The promotion is an attempt to shine a light on the nutrition that our state’s spuds naturally provide.

Despite the pandemic forcing restaurants and bars to limit capacities or close, in lieu of conferences, tradeshows and meetings going virtual, and regardless of the inability of people to connect face-to-face or go about their daily lives as normal, potato and vegetable growers have persevered as contributing members of society, promoting healthy lifestyles and nutritious food. Recognition should go to the growers and entire industry.

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

Schroeder Bros. Farms, Inc. WISCONSIN “ONLY THE BEST” CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES REDS

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Interview

SLY KRAUTKRAMER,

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Swiderski Equipment, Inc.

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

NAME: Sly Krautkramer

From humble beginnings training and selling workhorses to farmers

COMPANY: Swiderski Equipment Inc.

in the area until today, Swiderski Equipment Inc. has been a fixture in the Central Wisconsin agricultural community.

LOCATION: Five Northcentral Wisconsin locations—Mosinee, Wausau, Thorp, Antigo and Waupaca

In 1925, the Swiderski family opened a horse dealing business on their Mosinee homestead, and by the late 1930’s, Swiderski Implement was proudly selling New Holland and Minneapolis Moline tractors and implements.

TITLE: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

HOMETOWN: Marathon, Wisconsin TIME IN PRESENT POSITION: Ten years as COO, but with the company for 42 years PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: None SCHOOLING: Northcentral Technical College, Wausau FAMILY: Wife, Nancy, three married children and five grandkids HOBBIES: Spending time with grandkids and family, camping, traveling and playing in the woods on his property Above: Swiderski Equipment Inc. COO Sly Krautkramer stands in front of the Mosinee, Wisconsin, store.

Right: As the youngest son of the company founder, Alex Swiderski (left) and his wife, Dianne, continue as sole proprietors of the business and take great pride in treating their employees well.

8

BC�T December

The 1940’s saw expansion into agricultural equipment, and by the 1950’s and ’60s, several of the Swiderski sons were involved in the family business. They expanded to two dealership locations, one in Mosinee and one in Bonduel.

In 1959, the youngest son, Alex, joined the family business, and in 1964, became sole proprietor at the Mosinee location.

“The Swiderski family has always been made up of entrepreneurs and innovators,” says company COO Sly Krautkramer. “Through the years, the family adapted to changes and advancements in the equipment industry.”

“Alex and his wife, Dianne, are still sole proprietors of the business and take great pride in caring for their

employees,” Krautkramer states.

Swiderski Equipment expanded in the late ’80s with the acquisition

Above: A tracked New Holland Genesis T8 tractor from Swiderski Equipment is employed during potato harvest at Jesse James Teal Farms, owned by Jesse Teal, in Antigo, Wisconsin.

Right: The Swiderski team, from left to right, Rich Meyer, Kevin Belott and Scott Doyle, was present and accounted for at the WPVGA Industry Show in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

of Marathon Implement, just north of Wausau, and saw significant expansion in the ’90s with the addition of locations in Thorp (1992), Antigo (1995) and Waupaca (1997).

“Alex worked tirelessly to build the business up through the years,” Krautkramer stresses, “and our success today is based on many of his core principals—his aggressive yet fair approach to business and his willingness to take a risk here and there.”

Does Swiderski Equipment Inc. still have a family business feel? Alex and all the managers take a lot of pride in putting employees first.

Knowing every employee’s name and making them feel they are important members of the team, not just numbers in our business, is extremely important to us.

We have a great team of people, several with 35-plus years of service to our business, which we feel speaks volumes about the opportunities and leadership of the company.

We work hard to maintain the same company culture that Alex created over the years, one that empowers our people to make decisions and take care of their customers and the business.

What is your own personal history in the agriculture industry, and at Swiderski Equipment? I grew up on my family’s dairy farm outside of Marathon, so I have been in agriculture my whole life.

I have been with SEI (Swiderski Equipment Inc.) for over 40 years, starting in parts, then sales at what was then known as Marathon Implement Co., which was acquired

by Swiderski Equipment, in 1987, and

became our Wausau store.

I am still also currently manager of the Wausau store and previously had been store manager of the Mosinee location.

As the company COO, tell me how the five Swiderski locations and employees work together to accomplish quality sales and service. Our stores have a unique relationship. We are one continued on pg. 10

Create Opportunities

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BC�T December

9

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

Above: Swiderski Equipment co-sponsors a plot where equipment, like the New Holland machinery shown at harvest, is put to the test through various technology and field trials.

Right: Company COO Sly Krautkramer (right) and a group of Swiderski Equipment employees learn about New Holland Forage Harvesters during a training session.

organization, and our sales staff can sell equipment from any location.

We have full parts and service departments and staff at each location to ensure we can efficiently serve our customers’ needs. Each can also help the other stores out when needed.

Our Precision Farming Division supports all stores, along with our trucking division that works with the

five locations.

But there is a healthy level of competition between the stores, too. It is like a family; there is a bit of competitiveness between them all.

What are your main manufacturing lines? Our main lines are New Holland; AGCO, which includes Massey Ferguson tractors, White planters, Gleaner combines, Sunflower tillage and Hesston hay

tools; Kuhn; Great Plains; Bobcat; Doosan; Kioti and a host of short lines. Those are Meyer, H&S, Brillion, Woods and others.

We carry everything from tractors and tillage to planters, self-propelled choppers, combines and sprayers. We also carry a full line of light and heavy construction equipment.

The diversity and variety of brands and lines allows us to find almost any piece of equipment a customer is looking for.

What equipment does Swiderski carry that fills the needs of potato and vegetable growers? Potato and vegetable growers are incredibly important to our business and we highly value those customers and being able to serve their needs.

We carry all sizes of tractors, from compact and utility to mid-range, high-horsepower and four-wheel drive (4WD).

Alex Swiderski (with back to camera) shares some stories and tips with Team Swiderski members.

10 BC�T December

White Planters have progressed through the years and offer the ability to plant over 14 different crops with 99 percent accuracy, so that has opened opportunities for vegetable and specialty crop growers. continued on pg. 12

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 10

On display at the Swiderski Equipment booth during the 2017 WPS Farm Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was a New Holland T7.290 tractor (which one pair of little siblings particularly liked) and a historic company timeline posterboard, below.

We also offer a full precision farming division to service the technology side of things. Our precision farming team sells, installs and services Trimble, Precision Planting, Greentronics, DigiFarm, 360 Yield Center and Farmer’s Edge.

12 BC�T December

Our parts and service teams can get parts and provide service for all brands, regardless if we sell them or not. We truly are a full-service stop for equipment and technology needs, as well as parts and service.

How far does the Swiderski customer base stretch? Our primary customer base is in Wisconsin, and we take a lot of pride in working with growers and farms of all sizes, from the small hobby farmer up to the large-acreage operator.

Our sales team is truly a team of consultants who want to understand all aspects of our customers’ businesses so we can help find the right solutions for their individual needs.

is where we can differentiate ourselves from other dealers.

We provide 24/7 service, parts and precision farming support for customers from April through November.

The internet has opened opportunities for us to sell equipment across the country and even occasionally internationally. Owning our own trucking company, Swiderski Transport, also makes it easier for us to schedule deliveries and pick-ups with customers, whether they are in Wisconsin or across the country.

We understand the demands our customers face and know their timelines can be short, so when something does go wrong, we want to see them back up and going as quickly as possible.

What services does Swiderski Equipment provide to potato and vegetable growers in the area? Our service departments work on all brands of equipment, regardless if we sold it or not. Each store has a fleet of service trucks so we can easily send techs out to the field for on-site service.

We also can work with the customer to arrange trucking for those larger jobs that need to be brought in for work.

We offer 24/7 support from planting through harvest so we can help minimize downtime for our customers.

Why is service after the sale important? Service after the sale

Right: Swiderski Equipment was recognized

by New Holland as one of the top dealers in the country, in 2018, with company COO Sly Krautkramer (center) accepting the award.

Left: At its own plot where Swiderski Equipment often gives tours and does field and technology trials, a Massey Ferguson 8730 tractor pulls a White Planter equipped with precision planting capabilities.

our customers and help them find solutions that improve their operations’ profitability.

We want to be consultants to

N V S

continued on pg. 14

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EGETABLE

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TORAGE

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YSTEMS INC.

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• FRUIT GUARD APPLICATIONS • SMART BLOCK APPLICATIONS • CIPC, CLOVE OIL APPLICATIONS

AGRI-VENTILATION SALES AND SERVICE 24 HR. EMERG. SERVICE BC�T December 13

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 13

Do you or some of your sales and service guys get out in the field and get your/their hands dirty? We certainly are not afraid to get out there and get our hands dirty; that’s an everyday occurrence in some areas of our business! Our service techs and precision farming team are routinely in the field with customers.

We have several sales team members who gladly jump in a tractor on the weekends or after hours to help a customer. We have a lot of employees who grew up on farms and still enjoy the opportunity to stay active in the industry or help when they can.

We have co-sponsored our own field plot the past three years where we put our equipment to the test through various technology and field trials. It has been a great learning experience for customers and employees alike to be involved from

The company leadership team includes, from left to right, Rick Baeseman, Sly Krautkramer, Dianne and Alex Swiderski, Tom Nitschke, Gary Lemmer and Mike Witzeling.

planting through harvest.

What does Swiderski provide that other implement and equipment dealers in the area do not? We feel we offer a tremendous opportunity for customers with the variety of brands we carry as well as the amount of used inventory our stores carry.

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Few dealers carry the amount of inventory that Swiderski Equipment does, and that translates into opportunity and more options for our customers.

We also have some of the most talented employees in the industry.

From our parts and service staff to our precision farming team members and our sales staff, you won’t find more knowledgeable, helpful people in the business anywhere!

Are there any exciting new products or expansions coming? Our precision division has seen some great growth and is projected to continue growing.

The demands of the growers for precision solutions is out there, so we have invested in responding to their high-level needs with additional staff.

Really, all other segments of our business have seen growth and expect to continue growing. Because of our great service, growers and producers are turning more to SEI to become a partner.

What do you appreciate about the potato and vegetable growing industry in Wisconsin? I see this industry as a group of great professionals that frankly are fun to work with! They value a good partnership with each other and dealers alike.

They are good business-minded and family-orientated people.

14 BC�T December

Swiderski Equipment is an Associate Division member of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA). Why is it important to be involved? We have been an Associate Division member for years and the association gives us a chance to connect with growers and better understand industry demands, changes and opportunities.

We appreciate the work the association does to advance and keep the industry thriving.

Our success depends on the success of our customers, so it is important that we do what we can to help support the industry as well.

“We offer 24/7 support from planting through harvest so we can help minimize downtime for our customers.”

– Sly Krautkramer to offer solutions that improve each operation to be as efficient and profitable as possible.

more profitable.

We only have 24 hours in a day, and we know our customers must utilize those hours as efficiently as possible.

We have participated in many events like the winter Industry Show and appreciate the opportunity every year to reconnect with customers and showcase new solutions and opportunities from our end.

What do you want them to know about Swiderski Equipment?

Swiderski Equipment Inc. is the leading ag equipment dealer in Northcentral Wisconsin. We are strong, being in business for over half a century. Most of our staff has been with us for decades and is rich with knowledge and understanding.

How can you help the growers farm more efficiently? We are a solutions-based company. We want

We pride ourselves in keeping up with trends and products/services that help make the grower/producer

What do you hope for the future of Swiderski Equipment? My goal is to continue as the leading ag equipment dealer in Northcentral Wisconsin with staff to provide solutions for our professional customers to be the most profitable they can be in whatever business they are in.

Is there anything I have missed, Sly, that you’d like to add? We feel blessed as a business to be working with the agricultural community. It is the most important industry in our area. We thank you and all the growers and producers for your hard work and for feeding the world.

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W9751 HIGHWAY I BRYANT, WISCONSIN 54418 BC�T December 15

Can Hyperspectral Imaging Help Limit Fertilizer Use?

Research project employs hightech tuber tools to assess true nitrogen needs of potato crops

and sometimes the results can be misleading because a lot of factors that affect petiole nitrate numbers such as weather conditions, or the time of day when a sample was collected,” she explains.

By Nicole Miller, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Office of External Relations

“Plus, the results don’t catch spatial variation [of nitrogen needs] within the field,” Wang notes.

During certain stretches of the growing season, potato farmers must monitor the nitrogen status of their crops on a regular basis to fertilize in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.

The system works, but it could be better, notes Yi Wang, assistant professor and extension sustainable vegetable production specialist in the UW-Madison Department of Horticulture.

This is often done by collecting petioles that connect leaflets to stems from numerous plants in each field and mailing them in for a fast turn-around lab analysis of nitrates.

Within a few days, growers receive results that indicate if more nitrogen fertilizer is needed.

“There are downsides to this common approach,” says Wang, whose research and outreach efforts focus on the needs of Wisconsin’s potato and vegetable growers.

16 BC�T December

“Collecting the petioles is timeconsuming and labor-intensive,

TRUE NITROGEN NEEDS To address these issues, she is leading an effort to develop a set of high-tech tools that will give potato growers a potentially easier, faster, more comprehensive way to assess the true nitrogen needs of their crops.

Above: Yi Wang, assistant professor and extension sustainable vegetable production specialist in the University of WisconsinMadison Department of Horticulture, poses in one of her team’s potato plots at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station.

The project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture, involves collecting and processing data from a hyperspectral camera mounted to a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) or lowflying airplane.

The UAV or airplane is flown over potato research plots grown at different nitrogen levels, and computer-assisted models are developed to link the imagery with in-season plant nitrogen status and end-of-season yield, quality and economic return.

“The ultimate goal of the project is to assist potato growers with their nitrogen management using a platform that blankets the entire field in a timely manner, unlike the traditional petiole nitrate testing,” Wang explains.

“My collaborators and I hope to develop an online program that will translate the hyperspectral images into information about when to apply Above: Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the project being conducted by Yi Wang’s research team involves collecting and processing data from a hyperspectral camera mounted to a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) or low-flying airplane.

fertilizer and how much to apply, so that maximum profitability can be achieved for the growers with minimum environmental impacts,” she says.

Hyperspectral cameras are powerful pieces of equipment, able to capture

images that detect hundreds or thousands of spectral bands of sunlight reflected from the crop canopy, explains Trevor Crosby, a graduate student in Wang’s laboratory who works on the project. continued on pg. 18

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Can Hyperspectral Imaging Help Limit Fertilizer Use?. . . continued from pg. 17

“Factors that cause variation in canopy health, such as nutrient and water status or disease pressures, are all related to the spectral reflectance and can be visualized in hyperspectral images,” Crosby says.

“We use image processing to extract the most useful information for our research project,” he notes.

PILE OF DATA There is certainly a pile of data to process. One flight over a 70-by150-meter research field can collect dozens of images, each with hundreds of spectral bands. It takes a lot of time to crunch the resultant data, so the research team is looking to expedite image processing.

The challenges of this complex project led Wang to bring on two key collaborators. Phil Townsend, professor in the UW Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, is a national leader in utilizing remote sensing technologies.

Paul Mitchell, professor and extension specialist in the UW Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, will help with the economic analysis that informs the computer model’s nitrogen application recommendations.

“Dr. Townsend’s group has created a program that makes image processing efficient,” says Wang. “We are excited about plugging into that.”

Crosby is taking the lead on collecting

ground measurements for the project, gathering a wide array of data from the field research plots at different potato growth stages.

The data includes leaf area index, leaf and vine total nitrogen content, and environmental factors such as soil moisture and temperature, solar radiation and wind speed. At harvest, he will measure total tuber yield and size profile.

Crosby will then go on to develop advanced models to link the hyperspectral imagery with the ground measurements.

CROP NITROGEN STATUS There are two steps of modeling.

First, Crosby will use the in-season

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Above: Mack Naber (left) and Trevor Crosby, shown here working in a kidney bean field at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station, are two members of Yi Wang’s laboratory working on the project. Crosby says factors that cause variation in canopy health, such as nutrient and water status or disease pressures, are related to spectral reflectance and can be visualized in hyperspectral images.

imagery to predict real-time crop nitrogen status. This work will be co-advised by Wang and Townsend.

Second, with guidance from Mitchell, Crosby will use the modeled inseason crop nitrogen status, together with the environmental factors data, to predict end-of-season tuber productivity and economic return.

“With all the issues in the state around nitrates in groundwater, we need to find ways to make better use of our fertility inputs, and we are hopeful that Yi’s new project can help direct those efforts,” says Andy Diercks, a fourth-generation potato grower at Coloma Farms, LLC. “The potential is significant,” Diercks stresses. “Yi’s new project represents an opportunity to leap forward [in nitrogen management].”

Wang shares the findings of her research efforts widely with the state’s potato and vegetable growers via the UW Vegetable Crop Update e-newsletter, grower meetings, farm visits, field days and her “Proud to be a Spudbadger!” YouTube channel.

She has developed good working relationships with farmers around the state, and many eagerly await her research findings and applications.

“With all the issues in the state around nitrates in groundwater, we need to find ways to make better use of our fertility inputs, and we are hopeful that Yi’s new project can help direct those efforts.”

– Andy Diercks, Coloma Farms

“Hyperspectral imaging has the potential to show the plant’s response to deficiencies in inputs before the human eye can see that response,” says Diercks.

RESPONSE TIME “If we can gain a few days in responding to nutrient stress, the impact to the health of the plants would be quite significant, not to mention the possibility of using less inputs to remedy the situation, which would be a serious win-win,” he adds.

This project is just one part of Wang’s efforts to help support the profitability and sustainability of Wisconsin’s potato and vegetable growers.

Her program focuses on using cutting-edge technologies such as remote sensing, computer-assisted modeling, variable rate irrigation and other precision agriculture approaches to manage irrigation, nitrogen and storage for common Wisconsin vegetable crops.

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Such crops include potatoes, green beans, dry beans and sweet corn.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed or unsupported. Wang, who has been with the university for three years, was recently honored with a Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 award by the Great American Media Services, as well as a Toepfer Faculty Fellow Award from the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).

Since joining CALS, her program has received funding from state and federal agencies, the college and the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry.

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BC�T December 19

Heat Stress Causes Potato Tuber Second Growth Secondary growth often manifests as heat sprouts, tuber chaining and malformations

By Andy Robinson, associate professor and extension potato agronomist, North Dakota State University/University of Minnesota, and Eugenia Banks, potato specialist, Ontario Potato Board Reprinted with permission from the North Dakota State University Extension Potato tubers are the result of plant genetics and the environmental conditions in which they are grown.

Potato varieties are selected carefully for tubers that have desirable appearance to maximize sales and reduce waste.

However, some years can cause more environmental stress than others, resulting in tuber secondary growth.

Secondary growth often manifests as heat sprouts, tuber chaining and tuber malformations.

This physiological disorder decreases yield and quality of the tubers in the field. The most common condition leading to secondary growth is heat stress, specifically soil temperatures.

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Wisconsin’s long dry spell and heat in late July through August of this past year caused some second growth problems on certain varieties.

Soil temperature as low as 75 degrees Fahrenheit can stimulate this disorder, while soil temperature held at 82 degrees for a month or 90 degrees for one week has resulted in consistent and significant second growth of tubers.

The development of second growth can also be attributed to other conditions that interrupt or temporally halt growth, such as moisture stress or nutrient imbalance.

A combination of stresses, such as heat and moisture, will exacerbate plant stress and cause more pronounced second growth.

STRESS INTENSITY The size, shape and amount of second growth depend on the growth stage, variety, and the duration and intensity of the stress.

Second growth reduces tuber quality and marketable yield by consuming plant energy for heat sprouts, resulting in misshapen, unmarketable tubers, while not providing any benefit to the grower.

elongated (Figure 5).

Late-bulking growth disruption can cause pointy bud end tubers (Figure 6). Tubers with pointy ends, generally those receiving the early bulking stress, may develop jelly end rot (Figure 7) or an accumulation of sugars in the stem end, rather than starch, that appears translucent.

Accurate Accurate Seed Seed Placement Placement Pays Pays Speed while increasing Speed up up planting planting while increasing Jelly end rot results in soft, jellylike, slightly watery ends.

In a stressful period, normal potato seed placement accuracy. seed placement accuracy. tuber growth is interrupted or Fusarium can infect jelly ends and stopped,Pays and then normal tuber like1 rot. The affected area for itselfappear in year or less Pays for 1dry growth resumes. This change initself mayin extend upyear to an inch oror more less growth can affect how tubers from the stem end. develop.Accurate Seed Placement Pays As the tubers age or dry out, the Early bulking stress can constrict affected tissue dehydrates, Speed up planting whileshrivels, increasing stem end growth, resulting in pointy and turns light brown and papery. stem end (Figure 1) or bottleneck seed placement BUDS tubers (Figure 2). Mid-bulking growth LATERALaccuracy.

Heat stress can also stimulate growth Heat sprouts and chaining of tubers disruption leads to tubers that look are an outcome of renewed growth resulting in protruding Pays itselfof lateral in buds, 1 year or less like dumbbells (Figurefor 3), or those that are kidney-shaped (Figure 4) or

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BC�T December 21

Heat Stress Causes Potato Tuber Second Growth. . . continued from pg. 21

following a stress period.

to harvest.

Heat sprouts (Figure 9) grow from stolons or tubers and will grow above ground into leafy stems (Figure 10) or below ground as stolons (Figure 11).

Storing these potato tubers can be difficult because they are physiologically old and often will develop secondary tubers in storage (Figure 13).

Tuber chaining (Figure 12) can occur when multiple tubers are set on one stolon. Varieties with short dormancy seem to be more prone to develop heat sprouts and chaining of tubers.

This can result in dormancy being broken, causing tubers to sprout prior

22 BC�T December

Potato second growth is a difficult disorder to avoid because of the strong environmental influence on plant growth and development.

To minimize second growth, look for varieties that are less prone to having

second growth and try to maintain ideal conditions for uniform plant and tuber growth.

Cultural management practices may include promoting uniform stands, ensuring adequate plant nutrition, and promoting uniform soil moisture to meet crop demand.

Irrigation can be used to cool the soil, but do not overwater because this can lead to lenticel enlargement and pathogen entry into tubers.

Eyes On Associates 1st Annual Sporting Clays Shoot a Resounding Success Associate Division holds event for WPVGA members and guests at Wausau Skeet & Trap Club

By WPVGA Associate Div. President Kenton Mehlberg, T.I.P. / Ag Grow Solutions

On a crisp, cool October afternoon, the WPVGA

Above: There was no better place to be on a nice, crisp, cool late-October afternoon than the Wausau Skeet & Trap Club for the 1st Annual WPVGA Associate Division Sporting Clays Shoot.

Eleven teams navigated the 75-target course, October 29, with registration beginning at 1 p.m. and a shotgun

start at 2 p.m. Registration included one round of sporting clays, dinner, a drink ticket and entry in a door prize drawing.

assist novices, make those with experience comfortable at the event and to answer questions. Eye and ear protection were required.

Most shooters brought their own 12- or 20-guage shotguns, and up to three boxes of shells were provided for each registered participant.

In addition to the 17-station course, participants could enter shooting games on the side for prizes and bragging rights.

Shooting vests and shell bags were available at the course, and 20 volunteer coaches stood ready to

Regarding bragging rights, the top two male trophy winners—Keith Wolter and Bill Zelinski—both hit 52 clay targets, so it went down to a tiebreaker for 1st place. Wolter hit six clays at a predetermined tie-breaking station—Station 2—and Zelinski hit three. So, Keith edged Bill out and

Associate Division held its 1st Annual Sporting Clays Shoot at the Wausau Skeet & Trap Club. Feedback from shooters and sponsors alike indicates it will be the first of many sporting clays shoots for years to come.

Left: Brandon Taylor of Central Door Solutions shoots a clay at one of the 17 stations set up around the course at the Wausau Skeet & Trap Club.

24 BC�T December

did not let him forget it for at least another day after the event.

2nd Place – Male: Bill Zelinski, 52 (tiebreaker: three hits on Station #2)

Chris Fleming also shot a 52 but was not present for the trophy presentation.

1st Place – Female: Michelle Peterson, 25

Trophy Results: 1st Place – Male: Keith Wolter, 52 (tiebreaker: six hits on Station #2)

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2nd Place – Female: Jessica Groholski, 22 1st Place – Youth: Lily Trzebiatowski, 5 (under age 19)

Left: Jeff (left) and Jared Suchon of Bushman’s Riverside Ranch are outfitted for of day of shooting sporting clays.

Right: Eye and ear protection as well as positive attitudes were three requirements for the sporting clays shoot. From left to right are Craig Rogan, Cory Chrudisky, Mike Baginski, Tyler Knutson and Charlie Husnick.

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Eyes on Associates . . . continued from pg. 25

2nd Place – Youth: Luke Zelinski, 52 (under age 31) Top Team – Kenton Mehlberg, Steve Tatro and Andy Verhasselt (team average 50.5) Dinner, sponsored by Volm Companies and provided by Ed & Sharon’s Catering, was served in a tent outside to give shooters more room to spread out and socially distance.

A fundraising event for the Associate Division of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, with money effectively used to support the industry throughout the year, the 1st Annual Sport Clays Shoot netted nearly $2,000.

Judging by feedback from shooters and participating companies, that number will grow exponentially as more people from the industry become involved and enjoy a nice annual day in the woods shooting sporting clays for years to come.

Above: Keith Wolter, shown shooting at left and posing with his trophy at right, tied with Bill Zelinski and Chris Fleming for first place in the sporting clays event. Keith took the overall 1st Place trophy in a tiebreaker by shooting six clays at Station 2.

Above: The 1st Place Female award went to Michelle Peterson, shown shooting at left and posing with her trophy at right, for hitting 25 clays on the course.

Above: For her efforts in hitting 22 clays on the course, Jessica Groholski of JayMar, Inc., took home the 2nd Place Female trophy.

Right: Taking aim is Tim Worzella of Worzella & Sons, Inc. 26 BC�T December

Above: Bill Zelinski, shown shooting at left and posing with his trophy at right, of Big Iron Equipment, tied with Keith Wolter and Chris Fleming for first place in the sporting clays event. Keith took the overall 1st Place trophy in a tiebreaker by shooting six clays at Station 2, and Bill, who shot three at the same station, garnered the 2nd Place trophy.

RIght: Wes Meddaugh of Heartland Farms, Inc., had a bead on the clay target. continued on pg. 28

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BC�T December 27

Eyes on Associates . . . continued from pg. 27

Top Left Representing BMO Harris Bank, Paul Salm shot from a particularly wooded station at the Wausau Skeet & Trap Club.

Top Right Mick (left) and Marty Kolpack, of Bushmans’ Inc. and Thorpack, LLC, respectively, showed up prepared for the sporting clays event.

The 1st Place Youth award (under age 19) belonged to Lily Trzebiatowski, shown shooting at left and posing with her trophy at right.

Above: Taking home 2nd Place Youth (under age 31) with a score of 52 is Luke Zelinski, representing Big Iron Equipment.

Left: The 1st Place Team trophies were awarded to, from left to right, Steve Tatro, Kenton Mehlberg and Andy Verhasselt of T.I.P., Inc. for hitting a team average of 50.5 clays each.

28 BC�T December

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Rich Wilcox was dressed for the cool autumn temperatures as he took care of the First State Bank sponsored station during the sporting clays shoot.

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Now News Volm Adjusts to Twists of 2020

Year began with new types of environmentally sustainable packaging

By Tad Thompson, reprinted with permission from The Produce News In the spring, Volm Companies, Inc., indicated to The Produce News that it was matching consumer demand by supplying new types of packaging materials that are environmentally sustainable.

Then the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic overtook the nation.

“While there may have been a short break in conversations regarding the sustainability of packaging this spring, the topic has certainly resurfaced with our customers,” says Marsha Pozza, Volm director of marketing and communications.

“That break was largely due to the shift in priority to meet the increased demand for traditional fresh produce packaging,” Pozza states. “PreCOVID, retailers had already started to develop and communicate their new packaging standards to align with their sustainability goals and initiatives.”

“So far in 2020,” she notes, “we’ve had commercial success with both paper and bio-based mesh products.”

“COVID most certainly affected sales of fresh products at the retail level,”

Pozza continues, “which resulted in a level of demand for single-use packaging unlike any we’ve ever seen before.”

“There was heavy pressure on the suppliers of product, our customers, to bring shelf-ready pre-packaged product to the stores. That, in turn, has had an impact on nearly every product line in our portfolio,” she indicates.

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SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES Volm, which is based in Antigo, Wisconsin, continues to work on several products “that address the need for more sustainable alternatives to common packages, including paper varieties for vertical form, fill and seal applications.”

“We have also recently introduced a line of case packing equipment to our portfolio,” Pozza informs. “This is a completely new equipment solution that we recognize there is a need for in the market.”

“Another exciting change this year was the introduction of the Volmstack line of conventional palletizing. We feel that having our own line, rather than distributing another brand, will be the best way to assure the best in service,” she explains.

“This change allows us to directly service equipment the Volm way,”

Pozza remarks, “rather than depend on another provider. This advantage is sure to benefit our customers greatly.”

Pozza says the cancelation of 2020 produce conventions impacted Volm’s marketing efforts.

“For the company, as a whole, we have always used tradeshows as an opportunity to build on our existing relationships with our customers,” she states.

“We also use that as our stage for introducing new products to the

market,” Pozza concludes. “With the move to virtual events, it forces us to divert resources accordingly to deliver the best experience we can. We’ll roll with it, as I’m sure this is, sadly, going to be the case for a while.”

Insight FS Using New Technology

Digital tools for farmers improve management systems With pressures increasing every day on farms across the Midwest to become more efficient and sustainable, Insight FS is creating new digital tools for farmers across Wisconsin and Northern Michigan to improve their management systems.

AgValidity is a collaboration between Insight FS, GROWMARK and technology companies. In this program, new and cutting-edge

agronomic tools are evaluated through on-farm testing, helping farmers use data to be more efficient and profitable.

The MiField program relies on applied research to deliver analytics from individual fields. The data is used to develop management plans focused on minimizing environmental impact, optimizing nutrient utilization and maximizing yield.

A division of GROWMARK, Inc.

Precision Ag Acres and FS AIS. Approximately 14 million acres are associated with some precision ag tool. Nine million acres are enrolled in FS AIS, a tool to help farmers specifically address challenges of providing optimum fertility on the diverse soils throughout the market area. continued on pg. 32

BC�T December 31

Now News. . .

continued from pg. 31

Ben Huber, Insight FS agronomy department manager, says helping farmers become more efficient and profitable, all while increasing environmental sustainability, is especially critical in a state like Wisconsin where urbanization and agriculture often cross paths.

“The more efficient we can make ourselves and our customers, the better,” Huber remarks. “Whether it’s aerial imaging, nutrient stewardship technologies or other innovative practices, our priority within the Agvalidity and MiField programs is to mitigate risk for our customers.”

“We vet these products and practices,” he informs, “and partner with our customers to learn what works and what doesn’t before attempting to scale these things to the whole field or farm level.”

“There is so much new technology in the marketplace, it can be hard for farmers to separate what can generate real ROI from what’s just another cost,” Huber says.

“We can test the best of this technology out on a broad basis and help identify the advantages and challenges,” he concludes. “That way farmers aren’t losing a whole season

by testing something that may not provide them the best solution.”

About Insight FS: With 22 locations throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Insight FS provides feed, agronomy, precision equipment, propane, fuels and lubricants, agri-finance, seed and turf products and grain marketing to customers throughout the region.

Insight FS is part of the GROWMARK System.

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative with annual sales of $8.7 billion (FY 2019 data), providing agronomy, energy, facility planning and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services throughout North America.

Crystal Green Boosts Potato Yields

Solubility characteristics have advantages over phosphorus fertilizers Crystal Green®, a fertilizer produced

by Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc., began field and market testing over 10 years ago.

Commercial potato trial research began in 2013 and commercial sales in the crop year soon after.

Derived from magnesium ammonium phosphate, with an analysis of 5-28-0-10Mg, Crystal Green is a key component to boosting potato yields and quality.

32 BC�T December

Crystal Green is a struvite-based, controlled release, Root-Activated™ phosphorus fertilizer that provides nutrition throughout the growing cycle. Its unique solubility characteristics mean that Crystal Green provides advantages that typical phosphorus fertilizers do not have.

In replicated trials conducted by the University of Wisconsin, in the Wisconsin Central Sands region

(applied at pH 7.2, OM 0.7 percent, P 60 parts per million) a Crystal Green-supplemented program outperformed standard grower practice in terms of yield, phosphorus economic efficiency, and yield quality.

“In the treated plots, 25 percent of the applied MAP phosphorus was replaced by Crystal Green phosphorus,” says Roland Leatherwood, Director of Agronomy and Innovation for Ostara.

In addition, per recommendation for grower practice, P2O5 was applied at 120 pounds/acre-1, yet for the Crystal Green treatment, P2O5 was applied at 90 pounds/acre-1.

MARKETABLE YIELD INCREASE “The result was that marketable yield increased 32 percent for the Crystal Green treatment,” Leatherwood states. “Also, relative to grower practice, grades 13- to 16and greater than 16-ounce potato yield increased 34 and 66 percent, respectively. Culls were reduced by 14 percent.”

In the trial described above and many others, Crystal Green delivered not only greater yield and better quality, but also improved phosphorus efficiency.

Incorporating Crystal Green into a crop program can give growers better returns on their fertilizer dollars, as well as better land and water stewardship claims.

Crystal Green is manufactured to the highest standards at Ostara’s plant in Florida and available from most agricultural retailers.

Ostara announced in November that it signed a letter of intent to purchase a fertilizer production facility in

St. Louis, Missouri, which will significantly increase the availability of Crystal Green to meet demand.

Please contact your local agricultural retailer or info@ostara.com for more information. continued on pg. 34

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Now News. . .

continued from pg. 33

John Deere Celebrates Resiliency of Farmers “The Farm Must Go On” virtual benefit concert will help hundreds in need Deere & Company announces its further commitment to Farm Rescue, a nonprofit partner, by hosting a virtual country music benefit on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Since its inception in 2005, Farm Rescue has helped hundreds of farmers suffering from major illness, injury or natural disaster to plant, hay or harvest their crops.

Today, among the U.S. population of 330 million, there are 3.4 million farmers, or just one percent of the population. Those few rise to the challenge of providing food for each of us every day.

On average, each farm feeds 166 people, so even one missed planting season or harvest due to an unexpected event has a ripple effect.

Farm Rescue does just what its name implies. When a farmer faces an unforeseen crisis, the organization

and its volunteers step in to help farmers get their crops planted or harvested, ensuring food on tables across the country and the livelihood of that family. Farm Rescue’s mission is more important today than ever.

“The impact of COVID-19 has been felt by everyone

throughout the country and around the world. Farmers are no exception,” says Bill Gross, president and founder of Farm Rescue, which provides the necessary farm equipment and volunteer manpower to farmers in need.

“COVID highlights the vulnerability of family farms— when something unpredicted happens, not only is the family carrying that health burden, but also the pressure to produce and the stresses of maintaining a viable operation,” Gross states.

THE FARM MUST GO ON “‘The Farm Must Go On by John Deere’ virtual benefit concert, open to the general public, will honor how innovative, industrious and resilient farmers are, a side most have never seen, while shining a spotlight on all that they do for our country,” he says.

“John Deere and Farm Rescue share something special. Our work is driven by a commitment to empower the livelihoods of farmers. For John Deere, it’s about the machines, technologies and services that enable farmers to become more

34 BC�T December

profitable and sustainable, despite the challenges and uncertainty they face,” says Nate Clark, president of the John Deere Foundation.

“For Farm Rescue, it’s providing a rich system of support, including machines and volunteers that lend a hand when farmers and their families face an unexpected situation that threatens their very livelihoods,” Clark outlays.

Deere” will broadcast on December 9 at 7 p.m. CST and will be streamed to the general public on YouTube.

vehicles and machinery to allow them to do what they do best: support those who can never push pause.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to Farm Rescue to provide its volunteer workforce with meals and lodging, as well as putting fuel in

The concert lineup includes Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Travis Denning and Tyler Farr.

“We are excited to host this event, which allows us to celebrate and amplify the important work of farmers, their families and Farm Rescue,” he adds.

The experience will broadcast live from the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville and feature a musical lineup of Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Travis Denning and Tyler Farr.

It will be live streamed on YouTube at no cost to viewers. Donations are encouraged.

For more information on how to livestream the concert, as well as to make a donation and support farmers in need, visit TheFarmMustGoOn. com.

ABOUT “THE FARM MUST GO ON BY JOHN DEERE” John Deere is committed to ensuring all farmers have access to the vital resources they need to leap forward and sustain their farms for generations to come.

John Deere’s work with Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that serves farmers and ranchers who have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster, has helped many overcome adversity and continue their farming and ranching operations.

“The Farm Must Go On by John BC�T December 35

People

Donald Gagas Sadly Passes Away

Farmer and steward of the land, he was devoted to his cattle and kitties Donald H. (Henry) Gagas of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, died early Sunday morning, October 25, 2020, at Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital.

Heart Church in Polonia. He served the church in various committees and volunteered and supported the food stand at the annual picnic.

Age 87, Don was born March 21, 1933, in Chicago. He was the son of the late Henry and Theresa (Lehman) Gagas.

Don was a farmer to the bone.

He was a steward of the land and devoted to his cattle and kitties. He loved to grow things, strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb and a full vegetable garden along with flowers and fruit trees. All Gagas family members had to can the fruits of his labor that he enjoyed all winter long.

He married Irene Repinski on October 2, 1954, at St. Peter Catholic Church.

After their marriage, the couple settled on the family farm in the Town of Sharon.

Don farmed until becoming ill on October 4, 2020. His wife, Irene, preceded him in death on February 11, 2015.

Don was a lifetime member of Sacred

He received many farming awards, including Portage County Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture, in 1983, and was involved in June Dairy Days for many years, hosting the event on his farm, in 1985.

LONGTIME WPVGA MEMBER A longtime member of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), Don received the Portage County Holstein Association Outstanding Service Award, in 1989, was an FFA Honorary Farmer and was past president of the Izaak Walton League Bill Cook Chapter, in Stevens Point, from 19841985.

Don loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting and fishing, and also loved to travel the United States. The last two years, he went on a mission trip with his son, Cliff, and daughter-in-law, Carole, to St. Lucia, where they built homes for the residents. Last year, the home was built in honor of Don and Irene Gagas.

Representing three out of four generations that have worked the land on Gagas Farms Inc., in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, are, from left to right, Cliff, Don and Curtis Gagas. Don recently passed, in October 2020.

36 BC�T December

Survivors include his children, Gene (special friend Brenda) Gagas, of Rosholt; Clifford (Carole) Gagas, of Custer; Marilyn (Jack) Wierzba, of Rosholt; Patricia (John) Kleman,

Donald H. Gagas 1933 – 2020

of Stevens Point; Carol (John) Wanserski, of Madison; and Dale (Trudy) Gagas, of Penrose, Colorado.

Don is further survived by 16 grandchildren and 17 greatgrandchildren, and one brother, Henry Gagas Jr. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, daughter-in-law, Barb Gagas, and two sisters, Renetta Pezewski and Grace Wood.

A private mass of Christian burial was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Polonia, with Rev. Alan Guanella officiating. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery.

Please say a prayer or rosary in remembrance of Don. The Pisarski Funeral Home, of Stevens Point, was honored to serve the family. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Ascension Hospital for doing all they could to help Dad during his illness.

Randy Fleishauer Joins WPVGA Board

Plover River Farms general manager grows fresh and process potatoes The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) welcomes Randy Fleishauer, general manager for Plover River Farms, in Stevens Point, onto its Board of Directors.

Randy serves as the Vegetable Grower At-Large on the Board, replacing Eric Wallendal of Wallendal Supply, Inc., Grand Marsh.

Fleishauer grew up on a small dairy farm in Pepin County (western Wisconsin). He currently lives in Iola with his wife, Anna, and has two children, Tara, in Eau Claire, and Rick, Rice Lake, as well as two granddaughters.

“In 1992, I started in potatoes with R.D. Offutt Company as farm manager. For 25 years, I worked in

several of their locations,” Fleishauer relates, “including Nekoosa and Menomonie in Wisconsin, Park Rapids, Minnesota, and Fort Pierre, South Dakota.”

In 2017, Fleishauer moved back to Wisconsin to serve as general manager at Plover River Farms Alliance Inc. There, for the past three-and-a-half years, he has been growing fresh and process potatoes, sweet corn, corn, peas and soybeans.

“I am happy to be back in Wisconsin growing potatoes and vegetables,” Fleishauer remarks.

“The commitment of the growers, as a collective group involved in all the aspects of the industry by way of the WPVGA, is impressive. They have placed and kept Wisconsin

Randy Fleishauer, general manager for Plover River Farms, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, joins the WPVGA Board of Directors.

at the leading edge of innovation, adaptation, sustainability, and progress.” continued on pg. 38

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People . . . continued from pg. 37

“WPVGA’s involvement at the local, state and federal levels keeps information flowing in all directions, enabling the dialog that puts

important issues at the forefront and works toward meaningful long-term solutions at all levels,” he adds.

“If I’m able to funnel my background,

along with ideas and experiences of others, to contribute to the WPGVA, then I’m happy to do so,” Fleishauer concludes.

Carol Guenthner Dies of Age-Related Causes

Working at Guenthner Potato Company, she found time to have fun with kids Carol Dawley Guenthner, 94, died of age-related causes on Friday, October 23, at Evergreen Terrace, in Antigo, Wisconsin, where she got wonderful care from the staff.

Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader. She taught her kids how to swim at the old Antigo “mud hole,” Mueller Lake, in Polar, and at her Uncle Steve’s resort near Eagle River.

Carol was born to Paul Dawley and Blanche Jewell Dawley on August 12, 1926, in Antigo. Her grandparents— Dr. John and Anna (Couch) Dawley and Hollis and Caroline (Schaefer) Jewell—were long-time Antigo residents.

Carol also played ball with her kids and the neighbor kids. She taught them how to find the right cowpies to use as bases so they could play ball in cow pastures.

Carol’s husband; parents; twin sister, Carolyn Richards; and older sisters, Betty Zittel and Jewell Byrne, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jeannette Guenthner.

Carol and her sisters grew up in the family home on South Superior Street, Antigo. In 1944, she graduated from Antigo High School. After graduation, during World War II, she moved to Milwaukee to work for CutlerHammer, a military supply company.

Later, she moved back to Antigo to work for her aunt, Eva Jewell, who owned an automobile dealership.

There she met Joe Guenthner, whom she married on December 13, 1948.

Their wedding reception was at the Hitching Post in the town of Ackley.

Carol and her husband raised five children in their home on West Fifth Avenue. She is survived by four of the children: Bob (Cheri), Joe (Terri), Jack (Tammy) and Carolyn (Dan) Krimmer.

One daughter, Margaret, is deceased.

Although she was busy working at Guenthner Potato Company, she found time to have fun with her kids and their friends. She served as a 38 BC�T December

ENRICHED LIFE Carol’s life was enriched by grandchildren Bobbi, Jackie, Amanda, Megan, Hayley, Courtney, Hillary, Josh, Jake, Andrew, Brie, Brandon and Danielle, who are now scattered across the globe from Japan and England to Washington, Minnesota and Wisconsin. She was also greatgrandmother to 26, and the 27th will be born soon.

Carol loved laughter, sports, music, friends and family. She embraced and encouraged uniqueness. She delighted her family with imaginary characters, such as Louis Boozhwah and Solomony Gorkfinkel.

Following sports by radio, TV, newspapers and in person was an important part of her life. She loved the Cubs, Brewers, Packers, Bucks, Robins and any team that had a friend or family member on it.

As a granddaughter of a music store owner and a former Antigo High School band member, Carol had a lifelong love for music. Well into her later years, she enjoyed attending music events at Antigo City Park.

Elvis Presley was her favorite singer. In her Evergreen Terrace apartment, she had two life-sized images of Elvis.

Carol Dawley Guenthner August 12, 1926 – October 23, 2020

Carol also loved to eat, especially Dilly Bars. She shared one with her daughter, Carolyn, the day she died.

One favorite meal was her special order of a “ham and cheese omelet without the ham and without the cheese” at the Country Kitchen.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, October 29, at Faith United Church of Christ. Reverend Wes Jedras officiated.

In remembering Carol’s love of sports, some of those attending wore attire representing their favorite sports teams.

Donations in memory of Carol can be made to the Antigo Athletic Department.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol Dawley Guenthner, please visit: https://strasserroller-funeral-home. tributecenterstore.com/.

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White Potatoes Fuel Performance and Recovery Study shows spuds to be as effective as commercially available sports supplements By the Alliance for Potato Research & Education Lab-manufactured sports products are a go-to supplement for many athletes today to maximize performance. But as consumers seek out simpler foods, there is an opportunity to find more diverse, whole food options for athletes.

A series of recent studies published in Nutrients, Journal of Applied Physiology and European Journal of Applied Physiology shows promising results for one whole food option— the potato.

These three studies demonstrate that whether consumed before, during or after workouts, potatoes positively impact performance and recovery as effectively and sometimes more effectively than traditional commercial sports products, such carbohydrate gels.

Nicholas Burd, Ph.D., primary 40 BC�T December

investigator of the study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, explains, “While ingestion of concentrated carbohydrate gels is commonplace, my study indicates that whole food alternatives like potatoes, when fed during exercise, are equally effective in supporting athletes’ performance.”

“These promising results complement two studies from my peers,” Dr. Burd continues, “demonstrating that potatoes can also support muscle building and recovery. Collectively, these are important findings as they provide a new wholesome, nutrientdense and cost-effective option for athletes.”

Together, these studies are a foundational turning point for both the sports and nutrition research worlds, opening new fueling and

recovery sources for active people and novel research hypotheses for scientists.

Specifically, the studies found that: • As a significant part of a high protein diet (above the Recommended Dietary Allowance, or RDA), consuming potato protein isolate throughout the day for two weeks, including before resistance exercise, increased muscle protein synthesis in women (Oikawa et al., Nutrients, 2020) • Russet potatoes consumed during a cycling trial improved performance and sustained blood glucose concentrations of trained athletes equal to that of a commercial sports gel (Burd et al., J App Physiol, 2019) • Potato-based products consumed after a 90-minute cycling trial helped replenish muscle glycogen stores and support subsequent exercise as effectively as common sports supplements (Flynn et al., Eur J App Physiol, 2020) According to Brent Ruby, Ph.D., Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and the lead researcher of the study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, finding effective and agreeable foods to fuel exercise is important, and potatoes can fit this bill.

“Evidence shows many athletes, especially women, have lower

Dr. Brent Ruby

Dr. Nicholas Burd

Dr. Stuart Phillips

energy intakes and consume less than the recommended amount of daily carbohydrates during intensive segments of training and competitions,” Dr. Ruby says.

potato-based feeding plan,” he notes.

PLANT-BASED LIFESTYLES Stuart Phillips, Ph.D., lead researcher for the study published in Nutrients, further added that his research is important for consumers leaning towards plant-based lifestyles.

“In our study, there were no differences in post-exercise muscle glycogen recovery and time trial performance when we compared Badger Common'Taterwith (7x5).v1.pdf common20-12 sport supplements a

“Moreover, participants rated the post-exercise potato meals as more tasty, satisfying and acceptable compared to commercial sports supplement foods,” Ruby stresses.

“This indicates that potatoes may be a viable and more economical option to help athletes meet their recovery 1 2020-11-10 fueling needs,”11:55 RubyAMexplains.

According to Dr. Phillips, “Plantbased diets are certainly growing in popularity. But compared to animalcontinued on pg. 42

BC�T December 41

White Potatoes Fuel Performance and Recovery . . . continued from pg. 41

derived proteins, we know much less about how plant-based proteins can support muscle protein synthesis.”

“Our study demonstrates that potato protein, which is a high-quality protein comparable to animal-based sources and better than many plant sources, is an effective option for exercise regimens and muscle protein synthesis,” Phillips relates.

While choosing potatoes as an optimal performance food may seem odd and difficult to execute, the trials demonstrate that various potato forms can be used to support athletes’ needs, ranging from a simple puree to potato pancakes or hash browns.

According to Dr. Burd, “Potatoes are a versatile ingredient and there are many different forms of this vegetable for consumers today.”

“While we tested a potato puree in our study,” Burd says, “athletes can opt for different potato recipes and on-the-go products as their exercise fuel.”

SPORTS NUTRITION These three studies provide exciting new evidence to the field of sports nutrition, but they are just a start.

According to Dr. Phillips, “Our study is the first, to our knowledge, to examine effects of potato protein supplementation in any capacity in humans, and it clearly showed the inadequacy of the protein RDA.” “Given that recommendations and

At the 2020 Potato Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jill Rittenberg, global marketing manager of the ingredients program for Potatoes USA, touts the idea of eating potatoes to fuel athletic performance.

personal preferences are shifting to more plant-based, whole food options,” Phillips continues, “we need more research around diverse fuels for athletes and active people alike.”

“Researchers should continue this important work and consider other ways in which potato-derived ingredients, in various forms and situations, can support exercise performance,” he advises.

All three studies were funded by the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE).

APRE is a not-for-profit organization funded by the potato industry, including potato growers and

“Participants rated the post-exercise potato meals as more tasty, satisfying and acceptable compared to commercial sports supplement foods.”

– Dr. Brent Ruby processors, dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of the role potatoes play in nutrition and health.

Learn more at www.apre.org.

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42 BC�T December

Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

Chicago Jewel Osco Stores Display Wisconsin Potatoes When you hear the phrase “Buy Local,” what comes to mind? Do you think of products only from Wisconsin or is it broader than that?

For Wisconsin potatoes, the “buy local” market extends well into the Midwest and certainly into states that include our neighbors to the south.

That is why the WPVGA Promotions

Committee is partnering with a major retail chain in Illinois, just as the new 2020 crop hits the market.

If you are from or familiar with the Chicago area, then you have probably shopped at Jewel Osco stores from time to time.

As of October 14, the dominant retail

chain in the “Windy City,” with 188 stores, began a Wisconsin potatoes promotion that will last several weeks.

The promotion includes in-store banners that decorate potato displays, T-shirts for the employees, highway billboards and digital posters, as well as social media posts/ mentions and advertisements to consumers.

The T-shirts sport “Wisconsin Potato Harvest” messaging with the Jewel Osco and Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes logos. The green shirts are sure to stand out as consumers walk through stores.

POTATOES ON DISPLAY In-store banners showcasing the same design sit on top of a beautifully organized display of Wisconsin potatoes, encouraging consumers to Above & Left: Jewel Osco employees pose near a well-designed display located at one of the 188 stores, in Chicago, where the chain is promoting Wisconsin potatoes before the holidays.

44 BC�T December

A billboard stands proud on Chicago’s I-294 where it showcases a delicious prepared red potato dish next to the words, “Enjoy Wisconsin Potatoes. Eat Well. Live Well.” What better way to focus on buying local and the benefits of nutrition?

buy local and support area growers who provide the highest-quality potatoes and vegetables for families.

Above: Illustrated is the front and back of the T-shirts Jewel Osco employees are wearing at 188 stores in the Chicago area during the Wisconsin potatoes promotion.

On the static billboard and two digital posters, a bold call to “Enjoy Wisconsin Potatoes, Eat Well. Live Well” message shines light on the nutrition our state’s spuds naturally provide.

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Additionally, with this verbiage next to a beautiful image of prepared baby red potatoes that are “Available at Jewel Osco,” it’s the perfect way to touch the tastebuds of passing drivers.

The billboard is located on I-294 north of Grand Avenue, in Chicago, continued on pg. 46

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Marketplace. . .

continued from pg. 45

The two digital posters located at Addison Street as well as at Clark and Diversey, in Chicago, provide the repetition needed to make an impact on consumers in the Chicago market to look for Wisconsin potatoes!

and the two digital posters are at Addison Street as well as at Clark and Diversey in the city. All three will be posted through the end of November.

hub for the Wisconsin potato industry, so the potential for positive impacts from this partnership is great.

Chicago is a significant transportation

Overall, the collaboration is a new

venture for the WPVGA Promotions Committee and is sure to make a lasting impact in encouraging other Midwestern states to purchase products from Wisconsin farmers and support their local economies.

Growing Farm Safety Traditions Safety never takes a break. We believe in protecting the families and children in our farming communities.

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46 BC�T December

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WPVGA Participates in Virtual Tradeshow Where would we be without technology? As we continue to wade through this global pandemic, that question continues to come to mind.

Can you imagine going through this year without technology, like they did during the 1918 flu pandemic about 100 years ago? While still challenging at times, technology has allowed for many to continue with their work and normal everyday activities.

The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) took advantage of technology and held its annual Innovation Expo virtually, ensuring the health and safety of attendees and participants.

The WGA really went above and beyond to host the organized virtual conference and tradeshow, October 20-22. For those registered, the educational presentations were available online in the morning followed by a one-hour time slot, at 1 p.m., for the live booths accessed virtually via Zoom Video Communications.

Connecting to the booths was quite convenient and simple.

WGA used its website and placed logos of all Innovation Expo sponsors on one page. These logos were linked to individual company pages WGA created that were complete with Zoom links for each day the company was scheduled to have a booth.

giveaway items just for visiting their booths!

When attendees visited the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) booth, their names were recorded to be entered into a drawing for a handcrafted cutting board with the “Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes” logo engraved on it.

When the show was complete, WPVGA drew the lucky winner— Kevin Harvey of the Campbellsport, Wisconsin, Piggly Wiggly.

As this was WGA’s first attempt at a virtual event, many likely went into it not knowing what to expect.

Was it the same as a regular in-person event? Perhaps not. But considering that this was the first of its kind, and in understanding what a rollercoaster year 2020 has been, the Expo was well organized and a great way to adapt to the current circumstances amidst so many unknowns.

What will the future hold? Will virtual events eventually become a “thing of

Kevin Harvey, of the Campbellsport Piggly Wiggly, is the winner of WPVGA’s handcrafted cutting board given away during the virtual 2020 Wisconsin Grocers Association Innovation Expo.

the past” if/when we near the end of the pandemic, or will the term “hybrid” forever be in our vocabulary?

The big guy upstairs is the only one who really knows the answer to that question. But WPVGA was certainly grateful to have the experience of a virtual event under its belt.

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Each company could also provide contact information, supporting documents and a link to a short video on its pages that provided information and education about services and products.

MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS Once attendees were admitted into a specific booth, they could have meaningful conversations and enjoy some level of camaraderie, even if through the internet. Many companies also offered special

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BC�T December 47

NPC News Potato Expo 2021 Goes Virtual

NPC approach is safest for attendees, families, farms and colleagues In light of on-going developments with COVID-19 and after thoughtful discussions with its Executive Committee and supporting companies, and through feedback via attendee surveys, the National Potato Council (NPC) has decided to hold the Potato Expo 2021 as a Virtual Experience, exclusively online.

The show will take place on Tuesday, January 5 through Thursday, January 7, 2021. We believe this is the safest approach for the well-being of our attendees, along with their families, farms and colleagues.

Hollee Alexander, NPC vice president

of industry relations and event organizer of Potato Expo, says, “We’ve reimagined the design of the Potato Expo 2021 so, in this exclusively virtual format, it continues to be

the place where the potato community can ‘Come Together Right Now. Over Potatoes!’”

We are excited about the

Potato Expo 2021 will look and feel different than in past years, with the show going virtual yet still providing insights into new technology and innovation in the potato industry. Shown at the 2020 Potato Expo in Las Vegas, from left to right, Dan Sklarczyk, Stewart Gray and A.J. Bussan give a presentation titled “It All Starts with the Seed—Changes to Seed Certification Programs.”

48 BC�T December

opportunities a virtual event offers in providing insights into new technology and innovation in the potato industry and facilitating the engagement and connections for which the Potato Expo is known.

Networking is a cornerstone of the Potato Expo, and attendees will be able to partake in interactive and engaging experiences through a dynamic virtual conference platform.

In addition, an interactive exhibit hall will allow exhibitors to showcase their products and services and connect with attendees, all from the comfort and safety of their homes or offices.

EXPLORE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Attendees will hear from leaders, connect with peers and explore business solutions to address unique challenges, and prepare their organization for a new level of success.

The conference agenda will now be spread out over three tight days to

ensure that content is delivered in more digestible segments. Best of all, sessions will be easily accessible on-demand for conference attendees to view at their own convenience through the end of March.

Registration opened Monday, November 2. Visit potato-expo.com or email questions@potato-expo. com if you have questions about attending, or exhibit@potato-expo. com with questions on exhibiting or sponsoring.

Fresh Potato Access Dispute with Mexico Continues The Washington, D.C.-based news outlet, Politico, featured a detailed report, in October, on the ongoing challenges with gaining full access to the Mexican market for fresh U.S. potatoes.

Politico writes that the failed deal with Mexico has cost the U.S. potato industry “tens of millions in lost sales, while Mexican avocados flooded the U.S. market with few barriers.”

The report goes on to note that, “The situation has alarmed lawmakers and advocates who have

called for the Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to create greater market access in Mexico for American potatoes. Their pleas have been unsuccessful, but they hope with the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in place, the U.S. will step in if Mexico does not resolve the issue soon.”

“The active interest of key members of Congress, USDA and USTR is essential in gaining the access to Mexico that these agreements

demand,” says NPC CEO Kam Quarles.

“The Mexican Supreme Court is the fastest way to put this issue to rest once and for all,” Quarles adds.

“Regardless, we are fully committed to pursuing other mechanisms, if necessary, to enforce our rights.”

WPIB Focus

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

Month

Jul-19

Aug-19

Sep-19

Oct-19

Nov-19

Dec-19

Jan-20

Feb-20

Mar-20

Apr-20

May-20

Jun-20

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,737,634.84

616,558.70

888,994.00

2,231,926.08

5,475,113.62

Assessment

$139,082.75

$42,984.69

$77,501.87

$178,514.78

$438,084.09

Aug-20

Sep-20

Oct-20

Month

Jul-20

Nov-20

Dec-20

Jan-21

Feb-21

Mar-21

Apr-21

May-21

Jun-21

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,267,472.18

1,275,285.84

1,290,414.89

2,235,567.48

6,068,740.39

Assessment

$101,400.66

$102,092.25

$103,233.2

$178,773.99

$485,500.10 BC�T December 49

New Products The Little Potato Company Unveils Fresh Packaging

Updated pouch better showcases ease and versatility of cooking with Creamer potatoes The Little Potato Company is unveiling a packaging refresh of the company’s trademark pouch to better showcase the ease and versatility of cooking with Creamer potatoes.

By using on-pack copy and graphics, the new packaging reinforces what families love about The Little Potato Company Creamer potatoes—they are comforting, delicious and family friendly with time-saving cooking benefits.

The new packaging, which is on shelves now and will continue rolling out later this fall: • Contains 23 percent less plastic than previous packaging, addressing the 91 percent of consumers who are either aspiring to or making efforts to reduce the plastic they throw away

• Features new simplified icons that highlight quick cook times and product benefits • Has a more prominent see-through window to better view Creamer potatoes. This was influenced by consumer research that revealed that shoppers associate clear bags with freshness.

“Little Potato Company has always delivered the easiest and

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most delicious Creamer potatoes to help families get dinner on the table faster,” says Sanford Gleddie, executive vice president of sales, marketing and business development.

“As we maintain rapid growth, we’re confident that our new packaging will continue to attract households to the brand and grow the segment for our retailers,” Gleddie adds.

MAKING SEASON BRIGHT With people eating more potatoes during the holidays than any other time of year, The Little Potato Company is supporting retailers with a holiday marketing campaign that will inspire the use of Creamer potatoes by providing seasonally relevant content including: ✓ Print and digital advertising showcasing festive recipe ideas ✓ Influencer content

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LAFORGE Systems Adds Guidance Solution

DynaTrac pack includes implement guidance hitch and vision control system Benefits of the LAFORGE Vision Pack DynaTrac interface and camera guidance system lie in its ability to guide row crop cultivators. Such benefits include: Universal • Can be used with any row crop cultivator brand Profitable • Can be used with a new, previously owned or second-hand row crop cultivator • Guidance function is purchased only once and can be used with several crop implements with different row spacing (corn, sugar beet, wheat, etc.). Avoid paying for a guidance function embedded in each tool.

continued on pg. 52

PEACE, HOPE & PROSPERITY To our old friends with gratitude, and to our new friends with hope, may the coming year be full of prosperity and joy.

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BC�T December 51

New Products . . . continued from pg. 51

• Long-lasting: allows for upgrading or changing of implements without having to buy an embedded guidance function again by keeping the Vision Pack (DynaTrac and camera) Performance • Optimal performance allowed by the sway function of the DynaTrac arms (LAFORGE exclusive) • Working accuracy increased with no interference of tractor and implement movements: less correction of implement position required • Less wear of working elements, as row crop implement movement is not lateral like standard interfaces in the market. Position adjustment is obtained by changing the direction of the implement, therefore allowing working units to always move to the front even when position is corrected.

Flexible Once guidance benefits are validated with camera-guided row crop implement, user can switch to GPS guidance, allowing the whole range of equipment (bedder, planter, etc.) to be guided accurately. By keeping the DynaTrac interface, it limits the investment of a GPS interface.

CAMERA GUIDANCE A reliable and mature package, more than 1,000 guidance systems are active worldwide with more than 18 years of experience built into them.

The combination of modern hardware, including very bright highcontrast touchscreen displays with tried and tested software, provides users with an easy-to-use interface and simple setup.

High-quality images from the latest CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) cameras, analyzed by advanced image processing 52 BC�T December

and tracking algorithms, provide unsurpassed performance, even in challenging conditions.

Features Include: • CMOS ethernet camera with high dynamic range for improved performance in high-contrast lighting • Compact console with bright, high-contrast, 9-inch touchscreen and single cable connection for a clutter-free cab and clear information presentation, including live video • Robust implement-mounted control module with individual connectors to sensors and valves for simple installation and maintenance • Several color options facilitate operation on virtually any colored crop • Crop rows tracked to within 1 centimeter (.4 inch) • Crop row tracking can be maintained at speeds exceeding 9 miles per hour • Speed measured from camera, displayed on cab console A second camera option allows users to work with the most reliable source of data when needed.

Second Camera Keeps Track Of: • Headlands • Misses/uneven emergence • Short rows: second camera allows system to keep guiding while

automatically lifting working units in sequence on one side • Better guidance capability with high weed density For more information, contact LAFORGE, POB 940, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, 855-408-3332, salesna@laforgegroup.com, www.laforgegroup.com.

Auxiliary News

By Devin Zarda, vice president, WPGA

Hello, friends! It is finally

December, which makes me look back and reflect on the year, and 2020 has been one for the books, hasn’t it? Between COVID-19 and crazy weather, it feels like 2020 has fought us from the start.

Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes Like every other year, we shipped out potatoes to all our participating classrooms in January. The classes started growing their potatoes, but, unfortunately, many of the schools and students transitioned to online learning from home.

But, as time went on, we were able to shift, modify and keep pushing forward. So, let’s look back at everything the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary accomplished during this past year!

We have not heard much from teachers if they took the plants home with them to continue the program or not, but regardless, we are so proud of the educators for innovating and pivoting to keep their students safe.

HERE TO HELP YOU GROW

Now into the 2020-’21 school year, we are getting ready to start our next round of shipping learning materials and potatoes to classes. I will do an article shortly about how we are modifying our program this year.

Potatoes in the Classroom This new program is just getting off the ground. We are aiming to have educational videos out to the classes shortly. As we finalize how this program looks, we’ll be updating you with more information. continued on pg. 54

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BC�T December 53

Auxiliary News . . . continued from pg. 53

Wisconsin State Fair Well, this year was interesting! We were notified in early summer that the fair would be cancelled due to COVID-19. Then, the Wisconsin State Fair decided to try something new.

Vendors set up, and carhops and many volunteers participated in a drive-through fair food event.

We participated in two of the four weekends, selling Wisconsin baked potatoes. Going into the event without knowing what to expect, we soon discovered that the people of Milwaukee and Wisconsin showed up! After our first weekend, we realized we were going to need many more volunteers.

We are so thankful for everyone who showed up to make this event successful, even if it looked different from a normal year.

Baked Potato Booth at the WPS Farm Show The WPS Farm Show, traditionally held at the end of March, was cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. We will be back in 2021 if it is possible to have the show.

Scholarships We were able to help the children of some of our members offset the financial costs of secondary education like we have for the past few years.

SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW WPVGA MEMBERS When you need goods or services, please consider asking our Associate Division Members for quotes or explore what they have to offer. Together, we make a strong organization and appreciate how wonderful we are as a group.

54 BC�T December

Above: The Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes program has historically hinged on handson learning—growing potatoes in the classroom, Spudmobile visits and harvest parties. During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, that was, unfortunately, an impossibility. The Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes program is currently being modified for the 2020-’21 school year.

Membership Events The Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary held a few events, including the annual meeting, before COVID-19 really took hold of our area. We scaled back quite a bit when it came to membership events because our goal is to keep our members safe.

Members will be updated when it is safe to get together again. The goal is to keep not only members, but also volunteers safe and healthy.

While this is not as robust a list like in most years, 2020 has been anything but a normal year.

Despite everything that we have faced, I am quite proud of the impact we were able to have. Hang tight, friends, we are not going to let COVID-19 stop us!

Talk with you soon,

Devin

Agribusiness Tax Planning: Factors to Consider

A volatile marketplace and impacts from COVID-19 make 2020 a memorable year

By Austin Burby and Pat Sturz , CliftonLarsonAllen Tax planning will likely look different for most taxpayers this year.

For some, the normal volatility of the agriculture marketplace, in addition to the economic impacts of COVID-19, makes it a year that many would like to forget.

For others, economic relief from government programs, including U.S. Department of Agriculture purchases, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), payroll tax credits and state or local initiatives, may actually bring a year of taxable income that producers haven’t seen in a while.

Regardless of your individual experience, intentional and proactive tax planning continues to be a priority.

PREPARE FOR PLANNING As a starting point to tax planning,

take the time to sit down and look at the financial results of your operation.

Are the results accurate? Do the results feel accurate?

If the answer to either question is “no,” address the issue before you proceed with planning. Next, think through your expectations for the remainder of the year.

Consider the following: • What income streams do you expect?

• What do your expenses look like?

• Are there major purchases to make prior to year-end?

Once you have a clear direction, consider several factors that might impact your tax planning this year:

Austin Burby, CPA

Pat Sturz, CPA

Capital Expenditures and Accelerated Depreciation You’re likely familiar with the use of capital expenditures and accelerated depreciation as a planning tool.

Proper use of accelerated depreciation or immediate expensing can be a great strategy, but improper use can be fiscally irresponsible and shortsighted.

For example, a deduction created in Year One might leave you in need of another big deduction in Year Two to avoid the tax whipsaw. Instead, consider making intentional purchases and using depreciation strategically to create a long-term tax planning strategy.

continued on pg. 56

Above: Farm income averaging allows a producer to spread a certain amount of farm income over the prior three years’ tax returns.

BC�T December 55

Agribusiness Tax Planning: Factors to Consider . . . continued from pg. 55

Qualified Business Income Deduction The qualified business income deduction, also known as 199A, is another newer area of consideration for tax planning.

This deduction came out of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and can provide a deduction of up to 20 percent of qualified income for taxpayers other than a C-Corporation. There are several mechanisms available that could help maximize the deduction.

• Consider income limitations.

Taxpayers with relatively low wages (or whose PPP forgiveness already came through) and taxable income below the threshold amount of $160,700 for a single taxpayer (double for a couple filing a joint return) could potentially receive a higher deduction.

If a taxpayer exceeds that income threshold, the deduction cannot be higher than 50 percent of W-2 wages for the year.

“Much of your income from different government programs this year will not be treated as qualified income for purposes of calculating the Wisconsin Agricultural Credit.”

– Austin Burby and Pat Sturz • Consider how entity planning comes into play. A taxpayer is allowed aggregate activities from related entities if certain conditions are met. Since there are additional considerations, review the nuances of 199A with your certified public accountant or tax advisor.

Prepays and Deferral of Crop Insurance Payments Prepays and deferral of crop insurance payments received are frequently used as planning tools. Use prepays intentionally to defer income. Focus

on balancing the needs of the farm with the desire to reduce taxes.

Simply stated, prepay for the inputs needed. Consider deferring crop insurance proceeds to push income into next year. Keep in mind the risk of potentially doubling up on that income if the following year also produces a crop insurance payout.

Income Averaging Even with all these tools available, sometimes taxable income is just a reality.

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Consider income averaging as a mitigation tool. Farm income averaging allows a producer to spread a certain amount of farm income over the prior three years’ tax returns.

If you were in lower tax brackets in those years, this can help reduce the tax burden in the current year.

Keep in mind, however, farm income averaging will not reduce selfemployment taxes.

Consider Tax Traps Review potential tax traps when planning. One common example is net operating losses and self-employment tax.

Many producers could have generated significant losses over the last few years. Do not be lulled into thinking these losses will offset all types of taxable income you have.

Net operating losses do not reduce income for purposes of the selfemployment tax calculations. It can be easy to overlook that fact and then be left with an unexpected tax bill.

Another trap involves depreciation differences between federal and state law.

Most states do not have the same favorable rules for depreciation.

Many require additions to income for the difference between bonus depreciation and normal tax depreciation. Review your state’s rules to avoid unexpected surprises.

For Wisconsin returns, specifically, review the Wisconsin Agricultural Credit.

You might think the credit simply washes out the tax owed on any leftover income. However, much of your income from different government programs this year will not be treated as qualified income for purposes of calculating the credit.

Consult an Advisor There are many factors to consider as you begin or finish tax planning for the year. Utilize a knowledgeable tax advisor to help manage tax liability over the long haul and maximize your after-tax wealth.

For more information on agribusiness

in Wisconsin, contact Austin Burby, austin.burby@CLAconnect.com, 608662-8660, or Pat Sturz, patrick.sturz@ CLAconnect.com, 715-852-1120.

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting, investment, or tax advice or opinion provided

by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP to the reader. For more information, visit CLAconnect.com.

Above: Utilize a knowledgeable advisor to help manage your tax liability over the long haul and maximize after-tax wealth.

CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, people and communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax and consulting services. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.

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BC�T December 57

Badger Beat

Reducing Groundwater Contamination at Field Level

Researchers study holistic potato production systems to protect groundwater

By Jed Colquhoun, professor and extension specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Without rehashing the obvious, there are many reasons why

coarse-textured soils with low organic matter are optimal for growing highquality potatoes.

However, it is also well-known that such soil can be leaky—there is simply not much to prevent water from moving through its profile to groundwater.

In recent years, this situation has been made worse by a shallow groundwater table and variable but frequent high-precipitation weather events.

Unfortunately, at times, the water is not traveling alone. In certain conditions, it contains any number of agricultural inputs such as nitrates and pesticides.

That is all well-traveled ground, but the question is, “What can we do about it?”

There are several ways we might try to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination at the field level in 58 BC�T December

such a potato production system, including but not limited to: • Reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticide inputs or choose reducedrisk inputs that pose less of a human or environmental health hazard; • Choose inputs that are less susceptible to movement into groundwater, such as less soluble pesticides or slow release fertilizers; • Manage irrigation and input timing carefully to avoid application during high-precipitation weather events as much as possible using current sensing and forecasting tools;

Above: University of Wisconsin Extension Educator/Soil and Crops Specialist Dan Marzu explains to attendees of a previous Antigo Flats Field Day how cover crops can be used to help reduce phosphorous runoff.

• Develop and grow potato varieties that are pest tolerant or resistant, or that maintain production and quality with less nitrogen; and • Create a “barrier” of sorts between the potato root zone and groundwater that catches potential contaminants.

Much work has been done or is underway for the first four aspects listed above that tweak the current production system. The fifth piece— creating some sort of barrier that catches potential groundwater contaminants—is the boldest and most challenging. It would require a wholesale production system change.

Obviously, it isn’t realistic to line a field with some sort of synthetic filter, but is there an economical way to integrate deep-rooted intercrops or perennial filter crops within a potato field that protect against groundwater contamination in the spring and fall “shoulder” seasons, pre- and post-harvest?

In 2021, we’re going to take a shot at such an approach right where bold creativity is meant to first happen—in

a research field where the risks are low and failure is OK if we learn from it and continually advance.

And we won’t be starting from scratch. Some of the pieces have already been researched and others are already in commercial practice elsewhere.

The most important question is whether we can put them together in a holistic production system that is agronomically reasonable, economically feasible and makes a difference in protecting groundwater.

We are going to start with agronomic and economic questions first, and here is a brief background on some of the existing knowledge and practices that we’ll be pulling together in a complete system: • Cereal rye cover crop. Let’s start with the easy one. It is simply the norm in Wisconsin potato rotations to plant winter cereal cover crops post-harvest, so it won’t require

modification of current practices other than to emphasize early establishment that enhances prewinter root growth.

The ability of cereal rye to reduce nitrate leaching is well established in peer-reviewed literature.

Above: The ability of cereal rye to reduce nitrate leaching is well established in the peer-reviewed literature.

reported that a winter cereal rye cover crop reduced nitrate leaching by 37 percent compared to bare ground in a high-precipitation

For example, Brandi-Dohrn et al.

continued on pg. 60

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BC�T December 59

Badger Beat. . .

continued from pg. 59

western Oregon vegetable production system (Brandi-Dohrn et al., 1997, Journal of Environmental Quality 26:181-187).

• In-season living intercrops in potatoes. We have dabbled with between-row cover crops in potatoes over the years, looking for ways to suppress weeds without herbicides (Figure 1).

However, there hasn’t been a significant impetus to adopt such a strategy given the effectiveness of current herbicides, and it’s a fine line between suppressing weeds and growing cover crops that can act as weeds, competing for water and nutrients in particular.

However, here our objective is quite different, and we can use what we have already learned to suppress rye top growth without killing the root system that’s desired to reduce

Figure 1: A mustard living cover crop is inter-seeded into potatoes in Hancock, Wisconsin.

nitrate leaching risk.

• Reduced- or strip-tillage potatoes.

Reduced-tillage potato production systems have been studied sporadically over the years and with varying results. For example, one study reported in peer-reviewed

literature looked at reduced tillage and rye residue levels in potato (Lanconfroni et al., 1993, Weed Technology 7:23-28).

The authors reported less yield in reduced tillage systems compared to conventional tillage in one year

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60 BC�T December

when early-season weeds weren’t controlled well, but greater yield compared to standard practices in the second year when reduced tillage was implemented and weeds suppressed.

Here is a general idea and timeline of a holistic production system that we’ll begin testing next growing season, with a rough schematic at right (Figure 2): • Fall before potatoes: Plant cereal rye cover crop as usual, emphasizing early establishment.

• Pre-plant: Strip-till potato planting rows, leaving rye strips between rows (we will test various rye strip frequencies and widths, i.e. between every potato row, every other potato row, etc.).

• Plant potatoes in tilled strips.

• Hill potatoes and apply broadcast pre-emergent herbicides, choosing

products that will suppress but not kill emerged rye (we have a good sense of that from work we’ve completed on carrot nurse crop susceptibility to herbicides, most of which are also used on potato).

• Continue to suppress but not kill rye with post-emergent potato herbicide choices.

• Vine-kill and harvest potatoes as usual, with any remaining rye regrowth killed by a non-selective desiccant.

• Immediately broadcast replant rye cover crop to optimize shoulder season ground cover.

Obviously, there is still much to be hashed out in such a system and a lot of “what if’s?”, but as Mark Twain

Figure 2: The rough schematic is a vision for an innovative, holistic production system with a living uptake mechanism and a potential barrier to groundwater contamination via potato strip-tilled into an established cover crop.

said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

We certainly may fail, but innovation is needed to protect our groundwater and our ability to farm profitably.

We look forward to your assistance in refining these thoughts based on practical experience as we work together to find viable solutions.

BC�T December 61

Potatoes USA News Potato Pizza Contest Winners Announced To showcase potato versatility and inspire operators to feature more potatoes on pizza menus across the country, Potatoes USA hosted a contest for foodservice professionals.

The contest ran through the end

of September on social channels, including industry-leaders such as Pizza Today and Chef’s Roll!

Entrants could submit in two categories—potatoes as a pizza topping or potatoes as a side dish

Above: In the “Potatoes as a Pizza Topping” category, winners are, from left to right: Portuguese Potato Pizza (Grand Prize), Potato Chorizo Pizza with Pickled Red Onion and Avocado (1st Place) and Potato Vodka Cured Smoked Salmon Pizza with Crispy Potato (2nd Place).

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In the “Potatoes as a Side Dish for Pizzeria Menus” category, winners are, from left to right: Pepperoni Pizza Skins (grand prize), Loaded Pizza Baked Potatoes (1st place) and Pull Apart Potato Pizza (2nd place).

suited for a pizzeria menu. All entries were judged on the following: • Consumer appeal • Operational feasibility • Creative use of potatoes • Originality There were over 115 spectacular entries, but only six winners walked away with $2,000 each for their

culinary talent and innovative ideas.

The winning submissions from each category include: Potatoes as a Pizza Topping • Grand Prize: Portuguese Potato Pizza • 1st Place: Potato Chorizo Pizza with Pickled Red Onion and Avocado • 2nd Place: Potato Vodka Cured

Smoked Salmon Pizza with Crispy Potato Potatoes as a Side Dish for Pizzeria Menus • Grand Prize: Pepperoni Pizza Skins • 1st Place: Loaded Pizza Baked Potatoes • 2nd Place: Pull Apart Potato Pizza

Potato Sales Exceed Five-year Records Record potato sales continued at retail from July through September 2020. Total store potato sales increased by 13.6 percent in dollars and 10.6 percent in volume compared to the same timeframe in 2019.

These sales levels are the highest they have been for the past five years.

Frozen potatoes showed the greatest increase compared to a year ago, with a dollar sales increase of 23.9 percent and a 19.7 percent increase in volume sales.

The only category that declined compared to a year ago is deliprepared sides, however the drop-off slowed compared to the previous three months.

Fresh potatoes sales increased 16.4 percent in dollars and 10.6 percent in

volume despite the consumer price increasing. Medley, petite and yellow potatoes all had a volume sales increase over 20 percent.

While consumers still purchased more five-pound bags than any other package size, 10-pound bags saw the largest increase in dollars and volume sales by 22 percent and 20.4 percent, respectively. Bags larger than 10 pounds grew in dollar sales but were

the only category to fall in volume sales with a 9.1 percent decline.

These figures are compiled by IRI. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content of these reports or for the consequences of any actions taken based on information contained herein. Please reach out to media@potatoesusa.com with any questions.

BC�T December 63

Ali's Kitchen

Share the Love with Mashed Potato Ravioli

Tangy Tomato Cream Sauce adds to the warmth on a chilly winter evening Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Last month, we decided that the loved ones at my table, so courageously willing to test the concoctions of ingredients I imagine will work well together, can best be called “sensory panelists.”

I proudly wear the label of “kitchen mechanic,” a term Mike’s grandfather had given his grandmother and one Mike now passes on to me. He says the name is due to my ability to use up leftovers in ways that are creative enough for a meal to be appealing

64 BC�T December

two and sometimes three days in a row.

Although this month’s recipe features the use of leftover Rustic Horseradish Root Mash from the November Ali's Kitchen column, do not let that stop you from giving the ravioli a try!

I have also made these stuffed with buttery mashed potatoes and chives, and I am quite confident that any mashed potato will work wonderfully for the filling in this recipe.

While labor intensive, homemade

ravioli is a special way to show love for those around you. Ravioli is a decadent meal to warm you on a chilly winter evening, even if it is made from last night’s leftovers!

For the following, I recommend making your dough and then mixing up the sauce near the end of the hour that the dough needs to rest.

The sauce can sit simmering on low heat while you roll out the rested dough and assemble and boil your raviolis.

Tomato Cream Sauce Ingredients: • 3 tablespoons tomato paste • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped • small handful of fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced • 1 cup heavy cream • 1/2 cup water • salt and pepper to taste • grated Parmesan cheese

Directions: Add all ingredients to a large saucepan and allow it to simmer on very low heat while you prepare your ravioli.

Add a tablespoon or two of water as needed to thin sauce as it simmers. continued on pg. 66

BC�T December 65

Ali's Kitchen. . .

continued from pg. 65

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Homemade Ravioli Ingredients:

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• 3 cups all-purpose flour • 4 eggs • 1 teaspoon coarse salt • 2-3 tablespoons water • leftover Rustic Horseradish Root Mash (or any leftover mashed potato) for filling

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Directions: Combine the flour and salt on a clean countertop and loosely form into a mound. Create a large well in the middle of that mound and crack the eggs into the well.

Add the water to the eggs. Gently stir the flour and eggs together with a fork until a dough begins to form. Then, using your hands, continue to mix the dough until you can gather it into a ball.

Knead the ball of dough until it becomes smooth and a bit elastic. Cover the ball of dough with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for one hour.

After the dough has rested for the hour, cut it into four equal pieces.

Using your hands, flatten each piece into an equal sized rectangle, then using a rolling pin, roll each piece until very thin.

Dust the dough and surface with additional flour if you find things are too sticky.

FILLING THE RAVIOLI

Spoon the mashed potato filling in rows onto one of the sheets of dough, leaving about 1-2 inches of space around each spoonful of the filling.

Dip your fingers into water and wet the 66 BC�T December

Mid-State Truck............................ 29 National Potato Council................ 43 dough around the filling to help “glue” the second layer of dough to the first.

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Then carefully lay a second sheet of dough on top of the first sheet, lining up both sheets of dough as much as possible.

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Press the dough around the filling with a fork to seal the pieces of dough together.

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Using a knife, cut squares around the filling to create each ravioli.

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Continue with the remaining pieces of dough until you have used up all the filling.

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Cook the ravioli in well-salted boiling water for 4-5 minutes.

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TO SERVE

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Add the ravioli to the pan with the simmering sauce.

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Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.

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Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

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Enjoy!

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