1612 Badger Common'Tater

Badger Common’Tater

December 2016

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

2017 GROWING SEASON & ANNUAL REVIEW ISSUE

Volume 68 Number 12 $18.00/year $1.50/copy

FULL CROP REPORT Wisconsin Potatoes MANAGE pH LEVELS Get Nutrient-Rich Soil TRANSITION THE FARM Using Profit Interest GAINING GROUND Analytics & Technology

INTERVIEW:

Brad Igl Igl Farms LLC

Don Theisen (left) and Paul Grey (right) of Trig’s help harvest potatoes at the Rhinelander Ag Research Station.

Photo courtesy of Trig’s

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On the Cover: Each year, the Rhinelander Ag Research Station invites the public to help harvest potatoes, donating them to the local food pantry. This year, Don Theisen (left on cover) and Paul Grey (right) of Trig’s helped dig spuds and then hosted a Wisconsin potatoes promotion at the store the next day. Photo courtesy of Trig’s Rhinelander

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: BRAD IGL

Brad Igl of Igl Farms, LLC plants potatoes on a beautiful day in May. Brad and his brother, Brian, operate the Antigo potato farm that their grandfather, Herman, started in 1934, and their father, Tom, has operated all his life. In a timely interview, Brad talks about why Brian and Tom transitioned the farm to organic in 1997, why it is a good niche market for them and what the challenges have been.

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN................... 65 AUXILIARY NEWS.............. 60 BADGER BEAT................... 40

16

22

TRANSITON THE FARM WITH PROFIT INTEREST

FROM HARVEST TO RETAIL OVERNIGHT

Let kids earn ownership of farm through sweat equity

Trig’s offers freshly harvested potato samples

34 NOW NEWS UW researchers showcase potato varieties and update growers and industry pros

FEATURE ARTICLES: 18 30 48 56 4

POTATO CROP REPORT ’16: State/regional acreage, harvest and yield MANAGE pH FOR SOIL: Nutrient effectiveness and control DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS: Growers use analytics and technology REGISTER NOW for the WPVGA Grower Education & Industry Show

BC�T December

EYES ON ASSOCIATES....... 61 MARK YOUR CALENDAR..... 6 NEW PRODUCTS............... 62 NPC NEWS........................ 46 PEOPLE ............................ 42 PLANTING IDEAS................ 6 POTATOES USA NEWS...... 58 SEED PIECE........................ 53 WPIB FOCUS .................... 64

We are grateful for the special people in our lives.

We thank you for your business and hope that you are surrounded by family and friends at this most joyous time of year. All of us wish each of you a very Merry Christmas.

Plover (715) 341-3445 • 1-800-236-2436 • Antigo (715) 627-4321

www.Jay-Mar.com WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Mark Finnessy Vice President: Eric Schroeder Secretary: Gary Wysocki Treasurer: Josh Mattek Directors: Steve Diercks, Rod Gumz, Ron Krueger, Wes Meddaugh & Andy Wallendal Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Richard Okray Secretary: Bill Wysocki Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: John Bobek, Cliff Gagas, John T. Schroeder, Tom Wild and Andy Diercks WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Wayne Solinsky Vice President: Zach Mykisen

Secretary: Cathy Schommer Treasurer: Casey Kedrowski Directors: Dale Bowe, Nick Laudenbach, Sally Suprise & Joel Zalewski Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Eric Schroeder Vice President: Bill Guenthner Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Fassbender Directors: Dan Kakes & Charlie 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: Danielle Sorano Coordinator of Community Relations: Jim Zdroik Spudmobile Assistant: Doug Foemmel

Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Paula Houlihan Vice President: Ali Carter Secretary/Treasurer: Gabrielle Okray Eck Directors: Kathy Bartsch, Deniell Bula, Marie Reid & Jody Baginski

WPVGA Office (715) 623-7683 • FAX: (715) 623-3176 E-mail Address: wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes.com Website: www.wisconsinpotatoes.com Like Us On Facebook: www.facebook.com/WPVGA

Mission Statement of the WPVGA: “To assist WPVGA members to be successful through education, information, environmentally sound research, promotion, governmental action, and involvement.”

Mission Statement of the WPVGA Associate Division: “Our mission is 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: $1.50/copy, $18.00/year; $30/2 years. Foreign; $30/year; $50/2 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 2017 2-3 POTATOES USA WINTER MEETING San Francisco, CA 4-6 POTATO EXPO 2017 & NPC ANNUAL MEETING San Francisco, CA 10-12 WISCONSIN AGRIBUSINESS CLASSIC Alliant Energy Center Madison, WI 25

ANNUAL SEED MEETING NorthStar Lanes Antigo, WI

FEBRUARY 7-9 WPVGA GROWER EDUCATION CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW Holiday Inn, Stevens Point, WI 13-16 POTATO DC FLY-IN The Mayflower Hotel Washington, DC 22 NPPGA (NORTHERN PLAINS POTATO GROWERS ASSOCATION) ANNUAL MEETING, BANQUET AND RESEARCH REPORTING CONFERENCE Grand Forks, ND 22-23 INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO Grand Forks, ND

MARCH 13-15 MIDWEST FOODSERVICE EXPO Wisconsin Center Milwaukee, WI 13-16 POTATOES USA ANNUAL MEETING Marriott City Center Denver, CO 28-30 WPS FARM SHOW (57th ANNUAL) EAA Grounds, 1001 Waukau Ave. Oshkosh, WI

JUNE 17 FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN MOBILEPACK EVENT Noel Hangar Stevens Point, WI 23

SPUD SEED CLASSIC WSPIA GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI Contact Karen Rasmussen, krasmussen@wisconsinpotatoes.com or 715-623-7683 to reserve space and/or sponsor the event

Planting Ideas Problem solving, managing, transitioning, analyzing, preventing and protecting—these are just some of the qualities and character traits that 21st-century growers possess and display daily to survive and thrive.

They are skills learned on the job and by necessity.

A coworker of mine used to recite the annoying mantra, “There are no problems, only opportunities.” I always thought that sounded like corporate mumbo jumbo if I’d ever heard it. But it’s true, and no one knows it better than people trying to grow potatoes and vegetables for a living, or those who supply farmers with the tools they need to get the job done, on time, and with limited resources and equipment.

Features in this December issue of the Badger Common’Tater include an informative piece about managing pH levels for soil nutrient effectiveness, as written by Andrea Klahn of AgSource Cooperative Services. More active verbs cropping up in headlines include “Transitioning,” as in “Transitioning the Farm Using Profit Interest.” This article, penned by Rod Mauszycki, a principal in the Agribusiness and Cooperatives division of CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, explains how growers can let their children earn ownership of the farm through sweat equity. Now there’s a novel idea, and one people who work for a living can relate to.

“Gaining Ground Using Analytics & Technology” is something Madhu Jamallamudi, CEO of Agrometrics, proposes farmers seriously consider to stay ahead of the game when it comes to data-driven decision making and ensuring their economic sustainability. And just when some Wisconsin growers finally received permits for high-capacity wells, the environmental group Clean Wisconsin filed nine lawsuits against the state’s Department of Natural Resources for issuing them. See “Now News” for more information.

Maybe my coworker was right and problems can be changed into opportunities. In this issue’s Crop Report, the news is relatively good, with average Wisconsin potato yields and good quality. In fact, there’s good news throughout, with reports of well-attended functions and events, awards ceremonies and expositions. The crops are in and the dirty work is done as we look ahead to the 2017 growing season with renewed energy.

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.

JULY 12 ASSOCIATE DIV. PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI

Joe Kertzman Managing Editor jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com

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

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Foundation & Certified Seed Potatoes

Interview Brad Igl, Igl Farms LLC

By Joe Kertzman, Managing Editor

NAME: Brad Igl TITLE: Co-Owner with father, Tom, and brother, Brian COMPANY: Igl Farms LLC LOCATION: Antigo, WI HOMETOWN: Antigo, WI YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: 12 PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Design engineer for John Deere for 10 years SCHOOLING: BS/MS in agricultural engineering, UW-Madison ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative board member FAMILY: Single HOBBIES: Hunting, fishing, hiking with his black Labrador and being outdoors

Top: Two generations of the Igl Farms, LLC family include, from left to right, brothers Brian and Brad Igl, and their father, Tom, the trio wearing their matching “Igl Farms Organic Spuddies” jackets and standing in front of a Massey Ferguson 5465 tractor.

Right: The Igl Farms “Organic Spuddies” retail packaging comes in brown (Garden Russet Potatoes), red (Antigo Red Potatoes) and gold (Autumn Gold Potatoes).

8

BC�T December

In north central Wisconsin on the outwash plain known as the

Antigo Flats sits Igl Farms, a family-owned and operated potato farm just north of Antigo. Herman Igl bought the farm in the 1930s and became one of the first commercial potato growers in the area.

Igl Farms was a dairy and potato farm until the early 1990s when the dairy herd was sold. Today the operation is owned by Tom Igl and his sons, Brad and Brian, and is a certified organic potato and vegetable farm.

Several crops are grown in rotation, including potatoes, oats, clover or alfalfa hay, with pastureland for a small herd of beef cattle and horses, and field peas for seed. Lately the Igl family has been selling oats for organic food products.

They grow biologically following

the program and biological farming principles of Midwestern Bio-Ag of Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. This consists mainly of balancing the soil minerals, increasing soil biology and improving soil tilth and structure to create healthier soil, plants and food for animals and people.

How were the harvest and yield this year? Any problems or successes to share? Harvesting took a bit longer and was a bit challenging due to rain delays throughout the harvest. Yields overall were good for us, with some varieties doing extremely well, and others being average for us.

How many acres of potatoes did you plant, and was it a successful growing season? We generally plant 65 acres of potatoes, with oats and clover/grass in rotation for hay and green manure crops. We try to get cover crops in if possible to help build and protect the soil. We also have a small grass-fed beef herd.

It was a pretty good growing season, with a more normal spring and timely rains during the summer, much better than compared to the extremes we have seen over the last several years.

Fall has been wet and made getting field work done a challenge.

We rely on fall tillage to help control weeds for the following season. We wanted to plant some cover crops also, but just ran out of time and good weather.

You began transitioning to organic farming in 1997. What was the reasoning, and is the reasoning the same today or has it evolved?

Explain. There were several reasons my dad and brother made the transition to organic. Being a smaller farm, it was difficult to compete and make a living on conventional market prices. Organic was a good niche

market for us and fit our farm size well, I believe.

I think it is a more sustainable way of farming for us and the environment in the long term. Overall it has been a good way to farm for us, and we have many people and customers that like that we have stayed a small family farm and appreciate the way we do farm and the product we can provide to them.

Do you still have approximately 185 tillable acres that’s certified organic?

What does “certified organic” mean exactly, even if it’s just in layman’s terms? Currently we have approximately 240 tillable acres, and all our land is certified organic. We

N V S

ELSON’S

Right: A field of russet potatoes is watered in mid-July on the Igl Farms, LLC, farm that has been certified organic since 1997.

are certified through MOSA (Midwest Organic Service Association), and they inspect our farm and records every year.

Being certified organic means that we do not use any synthetic inputs, chemicals or fertilizer and that we are required to follow certain rules on how we farm. Anything we use on continued on pg. 10

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Left: Cultivating and weeding an Igl Farms, LLC, potato field in June before hilling, the tined weeding implement on the back of the cultivator is used to remove small weeds in the row before hilling.

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BC�T December

9

Interview. . . continued from pg. 9

our crops needs to be approved for organic use. It takes a minimum of 36 months without synthetic inputs to become certified.

What regulations need to be met?

We are required to meet the NOP (National Organic Program) and USDA Organic standards to be able to use the USDA Organic seal on our products.

I’ve been hearing that a large percentage of grocery store shelves are saved for organic foodstuffs today, and that the percentage of organic sales is up. Does your business reflect this trend, and if so why do you think more people are buying organic? I do believe

that organic sales are increasing.

We have sold all our crop on the organic market for several years now, and have not had to move anything conventionally. I believe that there is a larger number of people becoming more concerned about what they are putting in their bodies or what they are feeding their children.

Being certified organic is a good way for them to know how the food they consume was grown. It is a personal choice that they make for one reason or another.

What is biological farming? Biological farming revolves around working with nature, the relationship between creating a good healthy biologically

active soil, and how it relates to good healthy plants and animals. We try to do things that promote biology in the soil and try to reduce inputs or things that may harm it.

Is the outwash plain or Antigo Flats a good area to practice biological farming, and why or why not? The soil we have in the Antigo area is excellent for biological and organic farming due to its good organic matter content and ability to hold nutrients and moisture. I think it is evident by seeing the soil life, like earthworms in our fields throughout the season.

Are problems like weather, pests and even equipment challenges compounded when trying to grow organic, and why or why not? I think that we have seen positive effects on our soils—they are easier to work, and seem to handle the extremes of too much rain or not enough rain better. We have seen a larger number continued on pg. 12 Above: Workers unload freshly dug potatoes into storage at the third-generation operation, Igl Farms, LLC. Bottom: Brian Igl uses a Howard Rotavator to till clover and cover crops in August. The rotovator does a good job of terminating the crops and working them into the soil to help break down the residue.

10 BC�T December

K File #1259

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PROTASSIUMPLUS.COM *Lower salt index has higher level of safety. ©2016 Compass Minerals. All rights reserved. 1 “Potatoes + K.” Potatoes: Surveying the Need. Compass Minerals. protassiumplus.com/surveying-the-need-in-potatoes 2 “Proof Is in the Potatoes.” Field Trial Emphasizes Benefits of Potassium for Potatoes. Holland Agricultural Services. protassiumplus.com/knowledge-center/post/proof-is-in-the-potatoes 3 “How to Win the Potato Storage Loss Battle.” Colorado State University. protassiumplus.com/knowledge-center/post/how-to-win-the-potato-storage-loss-battle 4 “The Interaction of Sulfur and Scab Disease.” The Roles of Sulfur in Nutrient – Disease Interactions. Purdue University Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. protassiumplus.com/knowledge-center/post/the-interaction-of-sulfur-and-scab-disease in 5 “Proof Is in the Potatoes.” Field Trial Emphasizes Benefits of Potassium for Potatoes. Holland Agricultural Services. protassiumplus.com/knowledge-center/post/proof-is-in-the-potatoes

TWO ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS Protassium+ provides potatoes the necessary nutrients for optimum yield, including 17% sulfate sulfur. The sulfate sulfur in Protassium+ can help keep potatoes healthy by inhibiting the spread of powdery scab disease4.

MORE U.S. NO. 1S Results show potatoes treated with Protassium+ yield 3 Tons more U.S. No. 1s per acre than potatoes treated with muriate of potash5.

Interview. . . continued from pg. 10

of earthworms in our fields, which is very exciting for an organic farmer and tells us we are moving in the right direction.

Pests are a challenge, and we do not have a lot of options to deal with things like potato beetles or leaf hoppers. We are constantly trying new things to deal with pests and disease; some work, many don't, and it is a trial and error thing and a new lesson every year. Nothing is a given.

I think we do have new challenges since transitioning to organic, like controlling weeds for instance. We rely on row cultivation more than we would like to, but it varies from year to year. We try to time cultivating depending on how far along the weeds may be, but also look ahead at the weather.

It is stressful when you can't get into a field to deal with weeds or pests because it is too wet, with even more rain in the forecast. Having an engineering background, I am always thinking of ways to remodel equipment to better adapt to our needs.

How do food safety regulations affect you? Are they becoming more prevalent, and if so, are they driving small growers out of business?

Explain. Food safety regulations have 12 BC�T December

affected us in the last several years as more customers have been asking for them. We have done the USDA GAP audits for six or more seasons, which has been manageable and is at a good level for our farm.

But some of the requirements and audits that some customers have been requesting are much more involved and will be a challenge for us in many ways if we want to compete and stay in farming. I believe they are a big concern for smaller growers like us and do threaten our ability to stay in business.

We do not have the resources as far as being able to add additional people, or for myself, to set aside the time required to address these requirements.

Do you consider yourself a small farmer, and how are you coping? I do consider us to be a small family farm operation, although we have many friends in the business that only farm a few acres.

Above: A field of organic potatoes enjoys the August sun beating down on them at Igl Farms, LLC, in Antigo.

operations do to help? Or is it all governmental regulations? I don't think it is all government regulations that are the challenge. Potatoes are considered a low risk commodity, and are exempt from the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act), going by governmental standards.

I think it is the larger grocery store chains that are driving a lot of the safety regulations. It seems most have requirements that are much more stringent than what the government is requiring.

There seems to be no standard from what one large grocer chain is asking for compared to another, and I am not sure if some of the requirements they are asking for have research, data or history to base them on or back them up.

Being a small farm does have many challenges, but I enjoy it, and it is what I remember always enjoying growing up as a kid on the farm and seeing my dad and grandpa do.

I do believe that food safety is important, so let’s address the things that are a true concern and a risk without asking for all the extra things that are not a risk. The audits should be more commodity specific instead of one requirement fits all.

What can the potato and vegetable growing industry or large farm

I think the industry should work together to determine what the real

safety concerns for potatoes are, and write a set of standards that makes sense for us that we can all follow for our operation and that our customers will accept as being legitimate.

We know our farms and industry better than anyone else, and where and what the real risks or concerns are, and should have some input in educating and working with our customers on what is important when it comes to food safety.

Even though you’re growing organic, are you also advancing technologically in your farm operation, and if so, how? Even though I am interested in technology and would like to invest more in it, our focus has been on what we can do to improve our soil and grow a better crop.

We have been trying several different products to improve the biology in the soil to help make nutrients we do have in the soil more available to the

plant during the growing season. We have also been trying foliar products to address issues during the growing season to keep the plant healthy.

Above: Tom Igl (right) works with a friend of the farm, Bob (left), on the potato grading table after grading an order of potatoes. Tom farmed with his father, Herman, and now with his sons, Brian and Brad.

We’ve been working with the university by trialing many different potato varieties to see which ones perform better using organic growing methods. Unfortunately, most of the

technology relating to equipment is a bit out of our price range right now, but hopefully in the future we continued on pg. 14

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Interview. . . continued from pg. 13

will be able to incorporate it into our operation.

Do you have to diversify? Explain.

We have seen in just the last several years bigger farms and operations get into the organic market, which has made it more competitive, and we have seen prices to us start to decline.

I think you always need to be thinking what the next step might be for your business when what you are currently doing does not become as profitable anymore.

We are limited to the amount of land we have. Getting bigger is not the answer for us, and I don't want to make up for lower prices by having to manage more acres and people.

What is the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative (WFHC) and how has it benefited your business? The WFHC was started about three years ago to help connect small farms with larger retailers, and has been a great resource for us to get more of our products into local stores.

We have access to sell our products to places that would have been more challenging to connect with on our 14 BC�T December

own, and gives the customers a way to connect with many farms through a central organization instead of having to deal directly with each farm to order product.

The WFHC is made up of farms that want to sell their product through the co-op. The co-op does the marketing work for us, and promotes the farms it represents, and we can keep our identity with the products that come off our farm by using our own packaging.

What does the future hold for Igl Farms LLC? My brother and I plan on continuing to keep the family farm running as long as we can make a living at it. Transitioning to organic has had many challenges, but overall has been a good option for us.

work with the land and help ensure it will remain productive for us in the future.

It is evident that there is a growing population of consumers that want to support this method of production, and I think it has many long-term benefits to our health and to the environment over time.

We need to take care of the land that provided for our ancestors and will provide for our families for many years.

We will continue to try to make improvements to our operation and try new things to produce a product that we are proud of and consumers can enjoy.

Is there anything you’d like to add, Brad? Brian and I are the third generation of farmers to operate the farm that our grandfather, Herman, started in 1934, and that our father, Tom, has operated all his life. We are a small family operation that started the transition to organic production in 1997, and have been certified organic on all our land ever since.

What does the future hold for organic or biological farming in your opinion? I hope that we can learn a lot more on how to successfully farm using biological and organic methods. I think it is a good way to

We are very proud of the challenges we have overcome and the progress we’ve made over these years, having become well known in the Midwest for producing local organic potatoes.

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0 % #$ % ) % ) &! ) (* !, '%

Transition the Farm Using Profit Interest as a Planning Tool Let your children earn ownership of the farm through sweat equity

Above: Many growers have worked hard for everything they have, so they like the idea of their children earning the farm while providing a taxefficient way to transfer it to the next generation.

By Rod Mauszycki, Principal, Agribusiness and Cooperatives, CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC

transition, and that’s to give the children a profit interest.

When I meet a client, one of my first questions is, “How many more years do you want to work?” Typically, the answer is a few years, but on occasion I have a client who indicates a longer transition out of farming.

As someone who helps farmers transition to the next generation, my eyes light up. It is no secret that the more time you can allow to transition, the more options are available.

Time is money … and flexibility. Time provides you with the opportunity to think through your upcoming transition and potentially fix past 16 BC�T December

financial sins that might burden your children.

A PLANNING TOOL

For example, I’m meeting with a client today about a transition plan.

Unfortunately, the partnership has a substantial negative capital account, so right now the client could not gift (or part sale/part gift) the partnership to the children.

A profit interest is a planning tool for farmers that begins their transition well in advance of retiring. I could describe the intricacies of a profit interest, but it all boils down to this: It lets your children earn ownership of the farm through their sweat equity.

Given some time, the client could work through the negative capital account and allow a more tax-efficient transfer to the next generation. And as we work through the issue, there is something we can do to immediately to start the

Many of my clients have worked hard for everything they have, so they like the idea of their children earning the farm while providing a taxefficient way to transfer it to the next generation. And it helps keep profits in the partnership.

So how does a profit interest work?

If you are farming in a partnership (most commonly a limited liability company [LLC]), you can allocate the profits and losses among the members, assuming the allocation is not a sham. That is, the allocation of profits and losses must be grounded in reality and not be for the purpose of tax avoidance.

The reason a profit interest works in a partnership setting is that allocation of profits and losses does not have to be identical to ownership percentage (like in an S corporation).

So, if a 10 percent equity owner does 50 percent of the work, he may be allocated 50 percent of the profits and losses.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP Here is a tangible example. Frank is Nathan’s and Eric’s father. When Nathan and Eric decide to return to the farm and help their dad, Frank gives each son a 20 percent profit interest.

The farm is valued at $1,200,000 and profits are historically $130,000 per year (assume 3 percent growth in profits per year to keep up with

inflation). Frank takes distributions, but Nathan and Eric only take out enough to cover their tax liability.

As Frank winds down his level of responsibility in the business over the next 10 years, the children will take on a gradually increasing role in the farm. However, the children have a choice each year: They can take a distribution of the profits or opt to keep them in the farm partnership.

If they opt for a distribution, their ownership percentage does not change (they are pulling out the earned equity). If they opt to keep the profits in the farm partnership, they effectively contribute money that increases their ownership percentage.

A positive aspect of a profit interest is that if children decide they are not interested in being owners, they can take distributions and not increase their ownership. This benefits the child who wants to be an owner without punishing the child who does not want increased ownership.

Nathan Capital Investment

Eric Capital Investment

$17,680

97.14%

1.43%

1.43%

$18,210

$18,210

94.36%

2.82%

2.82%

$1,200,000.00

$18,757

$18,757

91.65%

4.17%

4.17%

4

$1,200,000.00

$19,319

$19,319

89.03%

5.49%

5.49%

5

$1,200,000.00

$19,899

$19,899

86.47%

6.76%

6.76%

6

$1,200,000.00

$20,496

$20,496

83.99%

8.00%

8.00%

7

$1,200,000.00

$21,111

$21,111

81.58%

9.21%

9.21%

8

$1,200,000.00

$21,744

$21,744

79.24%

10.38%

10.38%

9

$1,200,000.00

$22,396

$22,396

76.96%

11.52%

11.52%

10

$1,200,000.00

$23,068

$23,068

74.75%

12.63%

12.63%

Frank

Nathan Eric

1

$1,200,000.00

$17,680

2

$1,200,000.00

3

With enough time, a profit interest can be a useful tool for a tax efficient transfer of a farming partnership.

It also provides parents with an opportunity to see if their children are truly interested in owning the family farm.

CliftonLarsonAllen agribusiness professionals understand how difficult decisions about the family farm can be—some of us have been through this transition in our own families. We understand this situation on a business level, on an industry level and on a personal level. And we know how to help.

For more information, contact Rod Mauszycki at rod.mauszycki@CLAconnect.com, or call 612-376-4840.

As you can see in the table below, Nathan and Eric have a combined ownership of 25 percent after 10 Frank Capital Investment

Year

years. There are ways to speed up ownership transfer, but the basic premise is that the children earn their ownership by working in the farm business.

BC�T December 17

2016 Potato Crop Report Shows Average Yields & Good Quality ACREAGE & YIELD The WPVGA has estimated the harvested acres of Wisconsin potatoes at 61,000 in 2016. The average yield in Wisconsin is estimated to be 430 cwt./acre. That puts Wisconsin’s potato production at 26,230,000, a decrease of 2,290,000 cwt., or 8 percent compared to 2015.

This estimation is a result of conversations with growers and is close to estimates made by the North American Potato Market News.

Total planted acres are similar to the 2015 crop, which were reported to be 63,000, but due to heavy rains in August and September, approximately 3 percent of the potato acreage could not be harvested.

18 BC�T December

Fresh and processing potato acreages are stable, while certified seed potato acreage declined by 58 acres to a total of 8,874 (a change of less than 1 percent).

GENERAL REPORT The growing season was very good overall, with average conditions throughout most of the state until extremely wet weather arrived late in the season. The planting season began early in Central Wisconsin, as a very warm spring allowed a few growers to get into the fields in late March and early April.

Other areas planted potatoes within the typical timeframes of mid-April through mid-to-late May. Wisconsin experienced excellent growing conditions from April through August,

followed by one of the wettest Augusts in Wisconsin’s history.

Heavy rains fell in the Central Sands production area in August and September, causing a delay in harvest. Fortunately, there were no issues with frost, giving fields an excellent opportunity to dry out prior to harvesting.

We experienced no hard, freezing temperatures throughout the entire harvest season. There were very few days of extreme heat this growing season, and very mild late-summer and early-fall temperatures. Overall, the Wisconsin potato crop showed average yields and good quality.

Above: Spring planting and fertilizing at Heartland Farms meant tractors were out in full force. Photo courtesy of Brian Wysocki

There were virtually no issues with late blight, though the disease was found in six counties in the state.

Most finds were on tomatoes, with just three counties having late blight of potato (Polk, Dane and Crawford).

Conditions for late blight became favorable early in the season, causing full-season plant protection applications in most areas. No outbreaks were experienced, indicating appropriate crop treatments.

The first confirmed late blight reports were in mid-August. As of this time, however, no evidence of late blight problems has been reported as the crop went into storage. There are reports of rot due to high moisture levels, which have growers concerned about some potatoes in storage.

The crop loss could be as high as 15 percent for some Central Wisconsin growers, but overall the crop should

be manageable in the storage facilities.

AREA REPORTS Northwest Wisconsin—In western Wisconsin, including Rice Lake, yields are very similar to previous years at 445 cwt. per acre. This yield is an average of fresh and fry acres grown in that area.

Some growers also reported an 8 percent decrease in their yields compared to last year. The size profile is smaller than last year, with russet Burbanks reported at 20 percent over 10-ounce, which is around average.

Overall, quality has been good with minimal hollow heart and good gravity, a result of this region avoiding large amounts of heavy rainfall compared to other areas.

Disease pressure occurred early in the season with little or no insect problems experienced during the

growing season. There is also little concern with the crop’s storability, as everything is holding up well.

Growers continue to express an interest in stretching their rotation in an effort to improve yields and reduce pest pressure.

Antigo—The 2016 crop has good quality and yielded variably compared to 2015. Some growers reported higher yields than last year while others said they were average and even slightly below average by about 4 percent.

Others said size was somewhat smaller than last year, but would produce a good seed potato crop.

Acres remain steady to down slightly from the previous year.

Recognizing differences by variety, yields again ranged between 325 and 400, with the most commonly continued on pg. 20

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2016 Crop Report. . . continued from pg. 19

reported yield being 350 cwt. per acre. Antigo growers’ planting dates were early to right on schedule, and the crop matured with good growing conditions and a late fall.

The Antigo area had some issues with rain delaying harvest, but it was not as big a problem as in Central Wisconsin. While some potato types showed silver scurf, everything in storage is holding up nicely, leaving little concern for the crop’s storability.

Central Wisconsin/Stevens Point— The Central Sands had a long window of opportunity at planting time.

While many areas of the state were waiting, Central Wisconsin growers planted the potato crop early.

The early, warm spring gave way to a warm summer with plenty of moisture. Yields reported during 2016 are somewhat dependent on variety and type. Early dig yields reported

were between 325 and 350 cwt. per acre, down more than 10 percent from 2015.

Above: Hilled rows and plenty of potatoes spelled harvest time at Paramount Farms.

Many process/frozen yields have been reported at 525+ cwt. per acre. Early results at the McCain plant indicate good quality with an

average-to-small size profile. The biggest quality issues appear to be related to low specific gravity.

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Color has not yet become an issue at the plant. There could be some issues with storability due to the wet harvest. Profitability of fry potatoes is expected to be down slightly from last year’s levels.

Lenticels are a slight concern in some russet varieties, and a few acres of russets were left in the field due to the rainfall. Also, the heavy rains exposed some potatoes in the field and caused green spots, which mostly occurred in reds.

Reds didn’t set skin as well as was hoped for either. Growers continue to monitor the crop’s storability due to excessive rainfall late in the growing season.

Central Wisconsin/Hancock—Yields in this area were down by about 10-15 percent on potatoes and better than normal (by about 10-15 percent)

on other vegetable crops like sweet corn and green beans, while carrot yields were below average.

Heavy rains late in the season are to blame for this as well. While the weather was ideal for growing corn and soybeans, it was less than desirable for root crops.

Number 1 size potatoes were down and the gravity was lower than usual.

There were also fewer 10-ounce potatoes than last year, again a result of difficult and wet weather patterns late in the growing season.

Central Wisconsin/Plainfield—Chip stock yields were average to above average on both the early dig and the storage crop. The Burbank yields are slightly lower than the record yields of 2015. Payable yield estimates are at or above 450 cwt. per acre again this year.

Central Wisconsin - Coloma/Grand Marsh—The growers in this area are reporting a crop slightly smaller in both yield and tuber size than in 2015. While yields are down slightly from last year, they are right on a 5-year trend. Burbank yields are reported at well over 450 cwt. per acre.

Chip potatoes are experiencing less stem end discoloration again this season. The chip crop dug for storage in late September and in October appears to be of very good quality, with good storability attributes.

Other growers report some below average quality due to excessive rainfall late in the season, leaving questions about storability.

as a result of multiple rainfalls in the 6-inch range. This challenging weather pattern caused a 3-week delay in harvest, a significant amount of rot from the moisture and an inability for the crop to store for some growers.

The rains also delayed some growers from getting in to the fields to harvest until October. Yields here are down from 2015 (about 15 percent below last year, and 5-10 percent below normal.

We expect potatoes to yield as low as 200 cwt. per acre for fresh and as high as 475+ cwt. per acre for processing potatoes. They are also reporting a lower specific gravity for chip and fry potatoes and more soft rot than normal.

Size was slightly below normal, producing a range across various varieties. Other growers reported a larger profile on russets with good overall quality and a size profile that

is slightly larger than previous years.

Growers expect the red market to remain strong given the reduced supply out of North Dakota and a russet market comparable to last year.

CROP USAGE BREAKDOWN The WPVGA puts the crop at approximately 61,000 acres, and 430 cwt./acre for a crop weight total of approximately 26,230,000 cwt. (includes storage shrink). The usage breakdown for this crop is as follows: Seed Potatoes 2,623,000 10% Chip Potatoes 6,295,200 24% Frozen/Fry 4,983,700 19% Fresh Potatoes 12,328,100

47%

Total 26,230,000 100%

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Spring Green/Nekoosa—Overall, the growing season was good until heavy and frequent rains hit this region in September, followed by heat as the crop approached harvest. This heat and rain affected the quality on some reds and yellows, causing growers to run off the field and avoid potential storage issues.

Other growers are reporting as high as a 50 percent loss of their crop BC�T December 21

Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

Potato Harvest to Retail Store Overnight!

What better way to draw attention to Wisconsin potatoes than by digging some of them and then featuring the first part of the state’s 2016 crop at a nearby retail store the next day?

No need to imagine this scenario because it’s exactly what happened two months ago in Rhinelander.

handpick 6.5 tons of potatoes at the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station (RARS) off of County Highway C in Hodag Country on September 16. A few years ago, RARS began this event as a way of donating the harvested potatoes to the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry.

More than 150 people converged to

And some of those who came to lend

Above: Customers look through the Wisconsin potatoes being sold, on September 17, at Trig’s in Rhinelander during a Wisconsin potato promotion.

a helping hand in picking potatoes were part of the Trig’s grocery store team in Rhinelander, where, the very next day, a large Wisconsin potatoes promotion would be on display featuring spuds from local growers.

The promotion, which included the Spudmobile, was complete with an in-store Wisconsin potatoes display showcasing a John Deere tractor amongst the Healthy Grown quartersized bins in addition to featured recipe tear pads.

SAMPLING THE SPUDS There were also potato variety cards that explained each variety available for purchase, their flavors, uses, growing area and a QR code that links Far Left: Kids age 12 and under had the chance to compete in a coloring contest for the best-colored “Spudly,” WPVGA’s newest healthy potato mascot.

Left: Trig’s in Rhinelander provided their employees with T-shirts featuring the WPVGA Home Grown logo on front and “Buy Local Buy Wisconsin” on back for the Wisconsin potato promotion. And potato samples were in abundance for customers.

22 BC�T December

up to other recipes online. Trig’s also arranged in-store potato samples that included potato cake, potato soup, baked potato nachos, and the selling of loaded baked potatoes.

Trig’s even had fun for kids 12 years old and under with the incorporation of a coloring contest of Spudly, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) healthy-looking potato mascot.

Inside the store, shoppers were greeted by Trig’s employees wearing

shirts that said “Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin.” And whether they were walking into or out of the store, they had the chance to visit the eyeappealing Wisconsin Spudmobile, enter their name for a chance to win a grill and meet Spudly as well as Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.

All in all, the promotion was quite successful in raising awareness in the Northwoods community about the Wisconsin potato industry to such a degree that Trig’s is already planning ahead for next year and will

Left: Spudly is good at “playing it cool” during a Wisconsin potato promotion at Trig’s in Rhinelander. From left to right, he’s pictured with Doug Foemmel (WPVGA Spudmobile assistant), Don Theisen (Rhinelander Trig’s store director) and Jim Zdroik (WPVGA coordinator of community relations).

Right: Tater Toss was a big hit with kids as they and their parents visited the Spudmobile before and after shopping at Trig’s in Rhinelander.

Bottom: Spudly takes a seat next to Easton Rady, son of WPVGA’s Dana Rady, at a potato promotion at Trig’s in Rhinelander.

be including its other locations in the process.

continued on pg. 24

BC�T December 23

Marketplace. . . continued from pg. 23

Meat and Potatoes

Above: Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is ready for sampling at the Metro Market in Brookfield on November 1. The set-up is complete with beef and potato nutrition brochures and recipes.

There’s something about the word “free” and the concept of food, that when combined with a little bit of fun provides a recipe for success. This “recipe” has become quite a popular concept at retail stores in recent years and is one they continue to utilize.

of Flexible Nutrition Solutions in Stevens Point is contracted with the Wisconsin Beef Council as well as with the WPVGA to reach consumers with nutritionally sound facts surrounding beef and its favorite counterpart, potatoes.

For example, it’s no longer an odd sight to see various kiosks at grocery

stores offering free food samples and the accompanying recipe. Rather, it’s quite welcoming and is usually a good way to get me (and my kids) to want to go over to that area and check things out.

At various Metro Markets in November, free samples of a beef and potatoes recipe were the focus.

Registered Dietician Sarah Agena

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24 BC�T December

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Agena provided a “Crockpot Cowboy Casserole,” sample by sample, to consumers who stopped by Metro Markets in Brookfield (November 1, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); Mequon (November 1, 4-7 p.m.); Shorewood (November 2, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); Van Buren (November 2, 4-7 p.m.) and Cottage Grove (November 9, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.).

Agena says handing out nutrition information brochures and recipes set this sample event apart from the rest. “About 50 people stopped and sampled at each grocery store and grabbed potato nutrition information and recipes. It gives [them] the opportunity to sample a new recipe and get information from both industries,” she explains. continued on pg. 26

Protect the perimeter.

Your potato crop could be under attack, and you don’t even know it. A major underground threat to potato plants, Rhizoctonia can creep in, causing uneven plant emergence and inconsistent tuber sizing resulting in poor quality of the crop. Seed treatments can be effective, but once young roots, stolons and stems grow out of that perimeter of protection, they’re totally vulnerable. Unless you treat in-furrow with Elatus® fungicide. Because of its two active ingredients, one of which Rhizoctonia has never faced, Elatus provides long-lasting protection from soil borne diseases throughout the mound. To learn more, visit SyngentaUS.com/Elatus

©2016 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Elatus,® the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

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Marketplace. . . continued from pg. 24

Fans Revved Up The Packers may be forgetting to show up to some of their games lately, but their fans sure haven’t, nor have those who came to promote the Wisconsin potato industry at the game, November 6, in Green Bay. With a 3:25 p.m. kickoff, the potato industry festivities began at the corner of Armed Forces Drive and Oneida Street around 10 a.m. on the arrival of the Spudmobile, Mad Dog and Merrill, and the racecar that is Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes!

26 BC�T December

The car, a Super Late Model sporting the Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes logo, participated in TUNDRA series races throughout the state this season. It also drew quite a crowd when the race team revved its engine. And although the Pack didn’t pull off a win, it was a definite win for Wisconsin potatoes and those who stopped by to see the car and go through Wisconsin’s traveling billboard—the Spudmobile!

Above: WPVGA Promotions Committee Chairman Chris Brooks of Central Door Solutions proudly stands next to the TUNDRA Super Late Model sporting the Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes logo at Lambeau Field before the Packer game on November 6. The car, driven by Jordan Thiel, finished 3rd in the TUNDRA Series races this year.

Bottom Left: The Super Late Model racecar and the Wisconsin Spudmobile together showcase the Wisconsin potato industry at Lambeau Field on November 6 before the Packers took on the Indianapolis Colts.

Bottom Right: Nutrition is important for racecar drivers, too, as registered dietician Sarah Agena can attest. Agena took her turn to sit in the Super Late Model that finished 3rd in the TUNDRA series this year. The car was featured at Lambeau Field with the Spudmobile on November 6.

Left: Mad Dog prepared parmesan potatoes to hand out to those who toured the Spudmobile and took some time to learn more about the Wisconsin potato industry at the November 6th game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Above: Admiring this Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes car is hard not to do, especially when it’s blessed

by St. Vince Lombardi! Pictured from left to right: St. Vince, WPVGA Promotions Committee Chairman Chris Brooks of Central Door Solutions in Plover, Wyatt Brooks (driver), Chris Adams and Jordan Thiel (driver).

Top Left: WPVGA Spudmobile Assistant Doug Foemmel happily educates these two Indianapolis Colts fans about the Wisconsin potato industry, and likely about the benefits (normally) of being a cheese head! continued on pg. 28

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Marketplace. . . continued from pg. 27

Art of Negotiation You are looking to buy a classic car you saw advertised on Craig’s List for $20,000. Naturally, you have it in mind to purchase it for less, especially since you know the market is weak. You’ve also investigated a similar car, make and model that will be featured at an upcoming car show, yet you drive 65 miles to take a look at the one on Craig’s List.

Scenario 2: You are selling the classic car you advertised on Craig’s List for $20,000. Naturally, you would like to sell it for more, but you know the market is weak and there is an upcoming car show in the area. You’re in a hurry to sell the car, however, because you need immediate money to help out your family and you figure selling the car

is the best way to get it. You have a potential buyer coming by and want to make sure you close the deal.

Negotiation is an interesting concept and one that takes skill and knowledge to produce desirable results for buyers and sellers alike.

On the first two days of November, 48 professionals from the Wisconsin potato industry heard buyer/seller scenarios like those listed above and ways to approach similar situations from negotiation trainer Dave Westerholm. About 10 years ago, Westerholm conducted a similar training course, and his return was encouraged by some of those attendees who found the skills he shared to be highly beneficial.

Many growers attended the class in

Above: Dave Westerholm presents “Persuasive Under Pressure” to the class on Tuesday, November 1, at the Heartland Farms Farm Operations, Technology & Training Center in Hancock, Wisconsin. WPVGA hosted the training for anyone connected to the Wisconsin potato industry as a means of education and a way of improving negotiation skills.

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WGA Innovations Expo & PMA Fresh Summit Every year, the month of October presents a “double-whammy” when it comes to trade shows, and it’s also the perfect time to feature freshly harvested spuds from the Badger State.

This year, the Wisconsin Grocers

Association Innovations Expo in Milwaukee, October 11-12, and the national PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando, Florida, on October 15-16, occurred within the same week.

Both are fantastic venues at which to feature everything the Wisconsin potato industry has to offer.

With the WPVGA handing out potato chips at both shows, visitors to the booths did not go away hungry.

Plastic footballs, which have become staple items in recent years, were also provided at the PMA Fresh Summit.

Top Left: WPVGA Promotions Committee Chairman Chris Brooks (left) and Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (right) showcase all that Wisconsin potatoes have to offer at the WGA Innovations Expo on October 11-12 in Milwaukee.

Top Right: The Wisconsin potatoes booth was close to the entrance at PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando this year, so there was plenty of foot traffic for the two-day show. Pictured from left to right are Jerry Bushman and his wife, Barbara, of Bushmans’ Inc.; WPVGA Director of Promotions Dana Rady; WPVGA Board President Mark Finnessy of Okray Family Farms; and Michael Gatz and Chris Fleming of Bushmans’ Inc. Left: WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (left) stops by the Mad Dog and Merrill booth to visit with Rod Kolash (center in blue) and Mad Dog and Merrill (far right) at the WGA Innovations Expo in Milwaukee.

BC�T December 29

Manage pH for Nutrient Effectiveness A soil pH of less than 6.5 affects nutrient availability and may lead to toxicity

By Andrea Klahn, marketing and communications, AgSource Cooperative Services Is low pH limiting nutrient availability in your soil? A soil pH between 6.5 and 7 is ideal for agronomic crops, but a soil pH of less than 6.5 affects nutrient availability and may lead to toxicity.

“Understanding what causes soil acidity and how to correct it is essential to nutrient management,” said Steve Frack, vice president of laboratory operations for AgSource Laboratories.

First, a quick reminder of the pH scale: pH ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 0 is extremely acidic and a pH of 14 is extremely alkaline. A soil with a pH of 7 is neutral.

In some situations, soil pH can be as low as 3 and as high as 9.5, which is severely yield-limiting for most crops.

30 BC�T December

Soil pH normally ranges between 5 and 8.5. See Table 1 for a list of pH ranges for common crops.

Managing the soil pH maximizes the effectiveness of the nutrients in the soil. Here are some examples:

At soil pH values that are higher than 7.5, manganese, iron, zinc and copper become insoluble and unavailable, resulting in micronutrient deficiencies.

Availability of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus is optimum at 6.5 to 7.5.

Plant Species

pH Range

Alfalfa

6.5 to 8.5

Barley

5.5 to 8.5

Phosphorus availability decreases at pH levels lower than 6 because of aluminum and iron tie-up.

Blueberry

4 to 6

Corn

6 to 7.5

Cotton

5.5 to 8.5

Clover

6 to 7.5

Potato

5.5 to 6.5

Soybeans

6 to 7.5

Sugar beet

6.5 to 8.5

At pH levels higher than 7.5, phosphorus availability decreases again because of calcium tie-up.

Aluminum and manganese become toxic to plants at soil pH values lower than 5.

Table 1: pH Ranges for Common Crops

“There are a variety of factors that can affect soil pH,” Frack says. “Soil acidity originates from rain, microbial activity and nitrogen fertilizers.

Therefore, soils naturally become acidic with time. Of these three origins, only nitrogen fertilizer can be easily controlled by growers.”

Rain is intrinsically acidic (6.5) and often carries small amounts of nitric, sulfuric and carbonic acid absorbed from the atmosphere. Also, when an area receives more than 25 inches of rain per year, basic nutrients such as calcium and magnesium are leached from the topsoil, creating acidic

Left: Steve Frack, vice president of laboratory operations for AgSource Laboratories Right: Soil samples are tested for pH levels in the AgSource Cooperative Services laboratory, where plant tissue and water are also tested. AgSource provides nutrient management services and GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) water sample pickups as well. continued on pg. 32

Baginski Farms Inc. Yellows:

Reds:

Whites:

Russets:

Fingerlings:

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Manage pH. . . continued from pg. 31

conditions, Frack adds.

Microbial activity also results in soil pH values of less than 7. In the same way that plants remove nutrients from the soil for plant growth, soil organisms utilize nutrients from the soil, plant residue, organic matter and manure for their growth.

This microbial growth releases carbon dioxide into the soil. Carbon dioxide makes up 3 to 5 percent of soil atmosphere, compared to .038 percent of the atmosphere we breathe. Because carbon dioxide does not easily escape the soil atmosphere, it remains there to react with soil moisture, creating more carbonic acid.

Table 2: Lime required to neutralize the soil acidity produced by fertilizers if all ammonium-N is converted to nitrate-N

Nitrogen source Composition Anhydrous ammonia 82-0-0 Urea 46-0-0 Ammonium nitrate 34-0-0 Ammonium sulfate 21-0-0-24 Monoammonium phosphate 10-52-0 Diammonium phosphate 18-46-0 Triple super phosphate 0-46-0 Adapted from Havlin et al., 1999.

Lime required (lb CaCO3/lb N) 1.8 1.8 1.8 5.4 5.4 3.6 0.0

Table Source: Nebraska Guide G1503 Management Strategies to Reduce the Rate of Soil Acidification, found at: http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g1503/build/g1503.htm.

Nitrogen fertilizers containing ammonium also lower the soil pH. Ammonium creates acidity during nitrification (see Table 2.)

On the average, 1.8 pounds of lime is needed to neutralize the acidity from 1 pound of ammonium nitrogen.

Soil pH is the measurement made to determine if the crop will benefit from an addition of lime.

It is also important to account for the type and depth of tillage. It is usually assumed that limestone will be incorporated to a depth of 6 inches.

“Fortunately, this can be anticipated and it is possible to manipulate soil pH with lime,” Frack says. “Growers can also control this source of acidity by using nitrogen fertilizers that do not contain or convert to ammonium.”

The quantity of lime to apply is determined by the Buffer pH. This Buffer pH measurement determines how the soil will respond to a lime application. Soil type and the cropping rotation determines what the optimum pH range should be.

If anhydrous ammonium is injected down to a depth of 8 inches and the grower performs no tillage, all the lime in the world will never reach where the soil acid is being produced.

Lime does not leach through the soil.

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32 BC�T December

TILLAGE REQUIRED

“Thorough tillage is required to activate the lime reaction,” Frack stresses. “Anything less will not be efficient.”

In intensive crop production, with proper fertilizer applications, it’s easy to see and measure the positive effects of nutrient applications. But this is not the case when applying lime.

It may take three to five years for all the lime from an application to react with the soil.

“Plant responses to lime are slow, of long duration and not easily spotted when harvesting,” Frack notes.

“However, when soil pH drops below 5.5, lime must be applied before fertilizers

to achieve maximum fertilizer efficiency and yields.”

Fall is a good time to soil sample and test for soil pH levels. Most laboratories offer pH and Buffer pH in a basic soil test package. And general soil sampling procedures apply, whether your sampling plan calls for grid, zone or composite samples.

AgSource is a leader in agricultural and environmental laboratory analysis and information management services. A subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International, AgSource provides services to clients in the United States and across the globe.

BC�T December 33

Now News Group Challenges Permits for High-Capacity Wells Clean Wisconsin files lawsuits against Wisconsin DNR over agency granting permits One of the state’s most active environmental groups filed nine legal challenges Friday, October 28, against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The lawsuits are over the agency’s recent granting of high-capacity well permits, mainly in the Central Sands region in Central Wisconsin.

Clean Wisconsin says the lawsuits

are in response to the DNR’s decision to rely on the opinion of Attorney General Brad Schimel, which stated that the DNR lacks broad authority to impose conditions on high-capacity irrigation wells based on their cumulative impact on state waters.

In nine petitions filed in Dane County Circuit Court, Clean Wisconsin argued that the DNR’s failure to review

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cumulative impacts violates the agency’s obligation to protect the natural resources entrusted to the agency by the citizens of Wisconsin.

The Pleasant Lake Management District is co-petitioner on one of the nine petitions.

As Wisconsin Ag Connection reported in June, the DNR revised its policies regarding high-capacity well applications after Schimel issued an opinion in May, which concluded that the DNR does not have the legal right to regulate such wells based on how they could potentially affect nearby bodies of water.

Various farm organizations in Wisconsin praised Schimel’s conclusions last summer, stating that the opinion makes clear that state agencies have only those powers delegated to them by statute or an administrative rule. High-capacity wells are defined as wells that can pump at least 70 gallons of water per minute.

Above: The environmental group Clean Wisconsin is challenging the issuing of high-capacity well permits after Attorney General Brad Schimel stated his opinion that the DNR lacks the authority to review the individual and cumulative effects of high-capacity irrigation wells (such as that pictured) on nearby waterbodies.

Red Potato Prices Reflect Shortage in Red River Valley In November, red prices remained strong with production off by more than a third

By Ted Kreis, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association Communications Last year 25 percent of all red potatoes shipped in the United States came out of the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. The other 75 percent were spread out among 11 other shipping regions, with Florida coming in at number two at roughly 12 percent and the Big Lake region (Minnesota) third with a nine percent share.

Being the largest red potato shipping area in the nation carries a lot of weight in determining red potato prices nationally. The strong communication facilitated by the United Potato Growers of America lets other red growers around the country know ahead of time the crop will be short and to market and price accordingly.

Due to heavy rains and wind damage during harvest season, thousands of potato acres were lost north of Grand Forks to the Canadian border. Overall, the red crop in the valley is expected to be down by more than one-third compared to last year's big crop and 20 percent behind the five-year average.

River Valley fresh crop, the most ever.

When the Valley started shipping red potatoes in October, they inherited strong prices as did other red shipping regions around the country like Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho and the Skagit Valley. A month into the Red River Valley shipping season, red prices remained strong with #1 size-A reds in totes going for $20 and B-size reds at $32 per hundredweight. Last October size-A reds were going for almost half of today's price at just $10.75.

The red market would be even stronger were it not for the flood of cheap Idaho russets on the retail market. Red promotions are hard to come by when a 50-pound bale of Idaho russets can be delivered for around $4.

Bruce Huffaker pointed out in North American Potato Market News that last year's national red shipments exceeded 2011-’12 shipments by 1.7 million cwt. or 14 percent. Red River Valley potato prices during the past four years have been 23 percent lower than they were during the previous four years, a period in which red potato movement was declining. continued on pg. 36

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Much above average fall temperatures and dry conditions allowed the potato harvest to extend into mid-November, which added a few more potatoes to the end count.

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YELLOWS FARE BETTER Yellow production in the Red River Valley is estimated to only be down slightly (2.4 percent) in eastern North Dakota, as expanded yellow acres nearly offset yellow acres lost to wet conditions. Yellow potatoes now make up 17 percent of this year's Red

This year's higher red prices are welcome for those that have any to sell, especially since red prices have suffered the past five years as increasing demand has been overcompensated by increased production in other growing regions.

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BC�T December 35

Now News. . . continued from pg. 35

Researchers Hold Potato Variety Expo The Hancock Agricultural Research Station showcased the latest potato varieties University of Wisconsin researchers, growers and guests converged on the Hancock Agricultural Research Station (HARS), November 2-3, where over 100 varieties of potatoes were on full display for viewing, and many for tasting.

The Potato Variety Expo, held in conjunction with a SPUDPRO Board meeting, is a chance for university researchers to showcase their work over the past year and update

growers and industry professionals on their progress in breeding new potato varieties.

Left: Willing taste testers were out in full force at the Potato Variety Expo, including, from left to right, WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan, UW-Madison Assistant Professor of Horticulture Jeff Endelman, J.D. Schroeder of Schroeder Brothers Farms Inc. and SPUDPRO Committee Chairman and RPE Senior Agronomist Mike Copas.

Right: Becky Eddy, associate researcher at the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station, takes photos of an advanced breeding line of potato that could potentially go onto a variety card and be printed out.

Attendees were given the chance to ask questions and taste test several potato varieties. Also on display were potatoes infected with the common scab disease and compared to those with common scab resistance. Many growers send potatoes to HARS for testing.

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Above: More than 100 potato varieties from several locations were on full display during the Potato Variety Expo held November 2-3 at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station in Hancock, Wisconsin.

Above: Sam Perez makes potato chips at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station (HARS) during the Potato Variety Expo. A grower sent Superior potatoes to HARS for testing. “We have so many growers sending us potatoes for testing, we’ll be doing this daily, testing for sugars, texture and color,” Perez said.

“We test every day until the bins are empty.”

WPVGA Recognized in National Good Food Org Guide The guide highlights organizations doing exceptional and dedicated work The following information is reprinted with permission from the Wisconsin Gazette, www.wisconsingazette.com.

The James Beard Foundation (www. jamesbeard.org) and Food Tank (www.foodtank.com), along with an advisory group of more than 70 food system experts, developed the third annual Good Food Org Guide, which features 1,000 food-related organizations across the United States.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) is among 14 Wisconsin-based groups listed in the annual Good Food Org Guide, as announced the week of October 10.

The guide highlights organizations that are “doing exceptional and dedicated work” in the areas of food and agriculture, nutrition and health, hunger and obesity and food justice.

Other Wisconsin-based groups featured in the Good Food Org Guide are: Hunger Task Force; Wellspring; Wisconsin Local Food Network; Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems; REAP Food Group; Central Rivers Farmshed; Community

GroundWorks; FairShare CSA Coalition; FRESH Food Connection; Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative; Madison Waste Watchers; Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and Milwaukee Urban Gardens.

Established in 1948, the WPVGA is one of the oldest organizations to be included in the guide, which states the following criteria for the association’s inclusion: “Wisconsin is the third largest potato producing state in the country and this coalition of 140 farmers aims to educate Wisconsinites on their practices, research more sustainable growing methods and create a social network of farmers where information can flow easily.” “ The group also operates the Spudmobile, a mobile potato farm that travels around the state educating children on the art of growing potatoes.”

Expanded for 2016, the guide

Above: Vegetables image courtesy of Lisa Neff, senior news editor for the Wisconsin Gazette.

incorporates new initiatives from across the nation and was released at the seventh annual James Beard Food Conference in New York City, Oct. 17-18.

“Working in collaboration with the James Beard Foundation, we are proud to bring the total number of listed organizations to the 1,000 mark. It is a testament to the tremendous amount of growth and support we have seen in the ‘good food’ sector,” says Danielle Nierenberg, president of Food Tank. continued on pg. 38 BC�T December 37

Now News. . . continued from pg. 37

McCain Awards Top Growers at Banquet Food and frivolity didn’t outweigh recognition of dedicated growers Sentry World in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was the classy setting for the McCain Foods USA Grower Awards Banquet, November 10, celebrating the final close of crop year 2015.

After a social hour, guests were greeted by Kerry Larson, Field Department Manager for McCain Foods USA, Inc., and treated to very brief speeches by Bob Hyra, McCain Director of Agriculture NA-Central,

Jim Waugh, Director of OperationsNA Central and Ryan Malone, Director of Marketing for McCain Foods.

The difficult 2016 harvest, with warm and wet conditions, was discussed, as was the possibility of a tough storage season (though it’s important to note that the awards were given for the 2015 growing season.) Other topics included Wisconsin’s high-quality crops, food safety, delivery, yields

Top: Honored growers include, front row, from left to right: Jeff Somers of Wysocki Produce Farms; Kevin Sigourney, Kevin Sigourney Farm; Gary Woyak, Taterland Farm; Bob Woyak, Woyak Farms; Steve Bartsch, Steve Bartsch Farm; and Mike and Lonnie Firkus, Firkus Farms. The McCain Foods USA, Inc. team is, back row, from left to right: Dave Stephens, Field Rep.; Huan Xia, Manager of Ag. Operations; Ryan Malone, Director of Marketing; Rodney Norquay, Plant Manager; Christine Wentworth, V.P. Agriculture NA; Kerry Larson, Field Dept. Manager; Dale McCarthy, V.P. Operations; Jim Waugh, Director of Operations, Central NA; Mary LeMere, Agronomy Manager, NA Central; and Bob Hyra, Director of Agriculture, NA Central.

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.

38 BC�T December

and efficiency, cost, waste reduction, storage capacity, and supply and demand.

Malone mentioned the importance of McCain’s Plover facility to the future of supplying consumers. He also stated some facts about French fries now being the number one food item in restaurants, with a quarter of all restaurants now serving fries, beating out hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and chicken nuggets.

The food service industry is picking up, Malone noted, but frozen food sales, including fries, are down, with millennials shopping fresh.

Top Left: Gary Woyak of Taterland Farms was all smiles as he shook the hand of Ryan Malone, Director of Marketing for McCain Foods, after Woyak took the 2nd Place Award for Grower Storage (less than 70K cwt.).

Malone concluded that McCain Foods is proud of its new Smiles line of smile-shaped frozen potatoes that have a crispy outside and mashed potato inside. With no artificial colors or flavors, Smiles are seasoned with sea salt and can be oven baked or deep fried.

Top Right: Bob Woyak of Woyak Farms won the Grower Storage, Bruise Free Award, as well as the 3rd Place Award for Grower Storage (less than 70K cwt.) and took another 3rd Place for Direct Delivery (less than 70K cwt.).

Awards were then presented to growers in celebration of the 2015 crop year. And the winners were:

Direct Awards

Grower Storage Awards

Direct Delivery, Bruise Free, 92%:

Grower Storage, Bruise Free:

Hetzel Farms, Roger Hetzel Wohlfeil Farms, Randy Wohlfeil

Woyak Farms, Bob Woyak

Direct Delivery less than 70K cwt.

3rd Woyak Farms, Bob Woyak 2nd Taterland Farms, Gary Woyak 1st Steve Bartsch Farms, Steve Bartsch

3rd Woyak Farms Inc., Bob Woyak 2nd Jon Jacobs 1st Oak Grove Farms, Jerry Hetzel

Direct Delivery greater than 70K cwt.

3rd Kevin Sigourney Farms, Kevin Sigourney 2nd Steve Bartsch Farms, Steve Bartsch 1st Helback Farms LLC, Mike and Corky Helback

Grower Storage less than 70K cwt.

Grower Storage greater than 70K cwt.

3rd Wysocki Produce Farms, Inc., Jeff Sommers, Wysocki Partners and Ag Team 2nd Firkus Farms, Lonnie and Mike Firkus 1st Gary Bula Farms, Gary and Lynda Bula

BC�T December 39

Badger Beat Glyphosate Resistance Documented in 35 Weed Species

By Jed Colquhoun, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Horticulture

Many readers are likely aware that agronomic crops such as corn, soybean and cotton with resistance to synthetic auxin herbicides are in various stages of development and commercial release.

Research focus is primarily on plants with resistance to 2,4-D and dicamba herbicides, and new product formulations have recently been discovered that reduce the risk of off-target movement to nearby sensitive sites, such as through reduced volatility (the conversion from a liquid to a vaporized state that can travel long distances).

The primary driver for these new traits and herbicide formulations is glyphosate-resistant weeds. Globally, glyphosate resistance has been documented in 35 weed species.

Wisconsin has not been left out— we now have resistant species such as common water hemp, Palmer amaranth, horseweed and giant ragweed. In some cases, such as with common water hemp in soybean, practical management options are limited by resistance to multiple common herbicide modes of action in 40 BC�T December

a single plant.

Unfortunately, the temptation to address these issues before all parts of the solution were legal may have been too great. It’s important to note here that as of the time when this article was written, there is no legal use of dicamba herbicide at planting or over the top of soybeans or cotton.

However, dicamba-resistant cotton and a limited amount of soybean seed were available and planted in the 2016 growing season in multiple

Above: Simulated off-target synthetic auxin herbicide damage is evident on a potato plant in recent field research. Note the curled leaves and stems near the growing point.

states.

ALLEGATIONS ABOUND Allegations regarding dicamba use over the top of cotton and soybeans and off-target herbicide movement to susceptible crops (including nearby cotton and soybeans without the resistance trait) began flying around the coffee shop and social media in late spring and early summer.

In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a compliance advisory regarding the “high number of complaints related to alleged misuse of dicamba.” The advisory cites 117 dicamba-related complaints in Missouri alone by August, with grower estimates of

more than 42,000 acres of affected crops.

Damage was reported on peach, tomato, cantaloupe, watermelon, pea, peanut, alfalfa, soybean, cotton and rice. In total, allegations of misuse were received by 10 states, including nearby Illinois and Minnesota. In October, the EPA executed federal search warrants in Missouri as part of a criminal investigation.

While there are many lessons to be learned from this situation, regardless of whether the alleged misuse is confirmed or not, two rise to the top.

One is a logistical production concern that relates to potatoes, and the other is related to the bigger picture of farming in an information world.

The logistical production concern: while new formulations of various pesticides may be offered that reduce the risk of off-target pesticide

movement, these favorable product characteristics will never overcome poor judgment.

Likely the three most common ways that off-target pesticide movement occurs are particle drift at the time of application, volatility of the product after application and tank contamination. New formulations won’t overcome excessive winds or skipping out on proper tank cleaning.

LABEL STILL THE LAW As always, the label is still the law, and we need to protect and maintain the few tools that we have available in specialty crops through good stewardship.

Farming in an information world: as author Richard Llewellyn once said, “Bad news has good legs.”

That couldn’t be more true in our news-hungry digital society, and this situation is a great example.

News of the alleged illegal herbicide use and execution of search warrants as part of a federal criminal investigation traveled like wildfire, from Twitter and Facebook to Reuters, The Wall Street Journal and many other media outlets, pitting neighbors against each other and pointing fingers once again at farmers.

Unfortunately, news that a rural potato grower is the town chairperson, donates to the foodbank or invests in land conservation doesn’t have legs nearly as good.

This is particularly concerning given that barely 1 percent of our nation’s population is involved in agriculture, but nearly everyone has access to news at warp speed.

We’ve got a great story to tell from behind the farm gate, but sometimes it feels like one small step forward and two jumps backward.

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People

Donald Hamerski Passed Away Surrounded by Family Potato and vegetable industry lost a loving family man and beloved friend of the potato industry Donald “Donnie” George Hamerski, age 77, of Plover, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by family. He was born in Polonia on January 6, 1939, the son of the late Joseph Dennis Hamerski and Johanna

Francis (Kaminski) Hamerski.

Donnie served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was called up for active duty in 1958 and 1961. He was released from active duty and returned to Wisconsin to serve out his remaining service obligation.

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He married his beautiful bride, Mary Piorkowski, on November 30, 1968, at St. Bronislava Catholic Church in Plover.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Mary, children, Jon (Dawn) Hamerski and Lori (Daniel) Hoerter, and his grandchildren, Trent and Taylor Hamerski, and Ashley, Katie, Gabriel and Elijah Hoerter. He is also survived by his sisters, Gerry (Larry) Stuczynski and Irene O'Brien. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Hamerski Jr., and sisters, Marlene Hamerski and Rita Bannach.

Donnie was the proud owner of Hamerski Farms, headquartered in Plover, and was extremely honored to receive the Century Farm Award from The Rural Life Committee of the Diocese of Lacrosse, in September 2013, for being in business for 100 years.

A graduate of P.J. Jacobs High School, he received a scholarship from Citizens State Bank and graduated from the UW-Madison Agriculture Short Course program.

A member of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), Donnie was an active member of the WPVGA Legislative and Water Resource Committees, the Research Administrative Committee of the United States Potato Board (now Potatoes USA), the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, and served as the Portage County Drainage Commissioner for 27 years, as well as on the Portage County Planning and Zoning Committee.

POTATO BEETLE PICKING Donnie grew up working on a farm, and liked to tell how, when he was only four or five years old, he worked six to seven hours a day picking

Colorado beetles off potatoes and dropping them in a pail to kill them.

After the potatoes were debugged, he picked cucumbers and beans, and then helped tend to the cows, chickens, ducks, geese and other animals.

In 1961, he formed a partnership with his father, eventually taking over Hamerski Farms in 1964. He farmed with his son, Jon, and his nephew, Dale O’Brien. Constantly evolving, Hamerski Farms includes 2,300 acres of farmland extending into the Bancroft area and employs 22 people between mid-July through the end of February. In addition to potatoes, crops include sweet corn, snap beans, field corn, sweet peas and beans.

Donald served as a Eucharistic minister and committee member of St. Bronislava Parish, and was instrumental in getting the new church built. He was a board member for Mount Morris Insurance

Company, a member of the Elks Lodge and a previous Lions Club member.

Donnie was a very loving family man and beloved friend. He was known to many as a generous contributor to countless charities in Wisconsin.

He enjoyed bowling, was a die-hard Green Bay Packer fan and a great storyteller.

He never missed an opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face. His most treasured accomplishment was the farm. It not only allowed him to work with and provide for his family, but truly gave him peace and joy.

A mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, August 15, at St. Bronislava Catholic Church. Rev. Edward Shuttleworth and Rev. James Trempe officiated. Donnie was buried in the parish cemetery with full military honors. continued on pg. 44

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People. . . continued from pg. 43

UW-Stevens Point Honors Two in Potato Industry The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored seven alumni on homecoming weekend, including four from Central Wisconsin and two who are recognized names in the potato and vegetable growing industry.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards on Saturday, October 15, recognized alumni from each of four colleges: Dick Okray, a 1982 graduate, of the College of Professional Studies; Mari Regnier, who holds a 1986 master’s degree, of the College of Fine Arts and Communication; Brig. Gen. Mark E. Anderson, 1986, of the College of Natural Resources; and Pat Fortune, 1969, of the College of Letters and Sciences.

Above: Dianne Somers, who owns Plover River Farms with her husband, Nick, garnered the UW-Stevens Point Mary Ann Nigbor Volunteer of the Year Award for her service to the potato industry. Photo courtesy of Lori Wysocki

Above: Dick Okray took home a UW-Stevens Point Distinguished Alumni Award on Saturday, October 15, during the university’s homecoming weekend.

President of Okray Family Farms, Okray is active in the potato industry at the state, national and international levels.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jim King, a 1968 graduate, and his wife, Jean, for their commitment to the Stevens Point and Pointer communities. The Trailblazer Award went to Lee Meyer, a 2008 graduate, for exceptional achievement within 10 years of graduating. The Mary Ann Nigbor Volunteer of the Year Award was bestowed upon Dianne Somers, who graduated in 1968, for service to the potato industry.

potato industry for many years and served on several committees for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA). In 2015, she won the WPVGA AgriCommunicator Award. Somers lives in Stevens Point and majored in music at the university.

PACIFIC RIM CLIENTELE

General for the U.S. Army. He also serves as the special assistant to the Chief of the National Guard Diversity. He is responsible for advising the chief on matters relating to Department of Defense policy or programs that affect diversity in the Army and Air National Guard. He majored in water resources at UWStevens Point.

Okray is president of Okray Family Farms, Inc., Plover, which was originally founded by his grandfather in 1905. He is active in the potato industry at the state, national and international levels, traveling to Beijing, China, in 2015, to attend the World Potato Congress.

Okray has worked with UW-Madison on biomass projects and opens his home to UW-Stevens Point international students. He majored in economics.

Somers and her husband, Nick, own Plover River Farms, a 3,200-acre potato farm in Portage County. She has been active in the Wisconsin 44 BC�T December

Regnier, who now resides in Chicago, is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP and works with clients from the Pacific Rim who do business in the United States and overseas. A native of Japan, she received her law degree from Indiana University Law School and completed a master’s in communication at UW-Stevens Point.

Fortune, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a partner at Boston Millennia Partners, a health care and life sciences venture capital firm with more than $700 million under management. He has nurtured startup activities from idea to prototype to standalone business, and has been involved in more than 30 merger and acquisition transactions throughout his career. He majored in chemistry and math at UW-Stevens Point.

Anderson, Wisconsin Rapids, serves as Wisconsin’s Deputy Adjutant

The Kings have served Stevens Point since starting their school software company, Skyward, Inc., in 1981. With more than 550 employees, hundreds of whom are UW-Stevens Point graduates, the Kings committed to keeping Skyward in Stevens Point and growing its workforce. Jim majored in math and economics at UW-Stevens Point. He and Jean are loyal Pointer athletic and arts fans.

Meyer, of Trenton, New Jersey, is an athletic trainer with the New York Yankees AA affiliates and has worked as an athletic trainer with baseball teams since 2006. After receiving his bachelor’s in athletic training from UW-Stevens Point, he completed his master’s in sports management from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP: PROS • Removal of Tariffs on U.S. Exports • $1 billion+ of ag products to Japan alone

NPC News

The NPC Supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership Tariff reductions are critical to dehydrated and frozen potato exports The National Potato Council (NPC) supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and believes that passage is necessary during the final days of the 114th Congress.

The TPP includes tariff reductions that are critical to growth in exports

of fresh, dehydrated and frozen potato products. Without those tariff reductions, competitors that have or are currently negotiating deals with the TPP trading block have a strong competitive advantage.

“The U.S. potato industry can

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compete with worldwide growers, processors and distributors if the playing field is level,” said NPC Vice President for Trade Cully Easterday.

“The TPP tariff reductions in our key markets, including Japan and Vietnam, allow us to go head-to-head with our foreign competitors and successfully win the business.”

The International Trade Commission’s report this summer confirmed that lower tariffs on exports would allow potato growers and exporters to meet the rising demand in the Asia-Pacific region by making U.S. potatoes and potato products more competitive in those markets.

NPC applauds the hard work done

by U.S. trade officials to complete this landmark trade deal. The potato industry will benefit greatly from the opportunities the agreement provides. “The time is now to finally approve this historic agreement. Let’s not allow the work done to this point to fade away,” said NPC Executive Vice President and CEO John Keeling.

The NPC signed on to a letter spearheaded by the U.S. Coalition for TPP, a broad-based and diverse group of companies and associations representing the principal sectors of

the U.S. economy.

The letter urges support for the TPP and was delivered to all members of Congress. Any effort to move

TPP within the lame duck session of Congress now seems unlikely given the President-elect's strong opposition to TPP as currently drafted.

Omnibus Bill May Help Secure Funding for Potato Research The election is over and Donald J. Trump is the President-Elect. In a surprise outcome, he received the Electoral College votes needed to win. The oldest candidate ever elected, he is also the first to be new to serving elected office.

Romney in 2012.

Senate Republicans will control at minimum 51 seats, as Louisiana's race will go to a run-off. In the House, Republicans will maintain the majority.

On Monday, November 14, Congress returned to address the budget, as the current Continuing Resolution (CR) ends on December 9. The options are an Omnibus bill or extending the CR, and the latter is most likely.

Many have attributed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s loss to a lack of enthusiasm from President Barack Obama’s prior supporters.

Newly elected President-Elect Trump was able to claim 29 percent of the Hispanic vote, more than Mitt

With these changes, the Senate will be called upon to consider one Supreme Court nomination next year and the Democrats will not have the opportunity to filibuster due to rule changes initiated when they controlled the Senate.

NPC prefers the Omnibus bill to secure funding for potato research.

However, with the incoming control transferring to the Republicans, they may wish to wait until the new President is in place to complete a comprehensive spending bill.

It takes a lifetime to build a farm. But just a few short weeks or months after you’re gone the whole thing could be gone. Which is why planning for your succession calls for a legal partner that understands farming, and farmers. Contact Ruder Ware and talk with one of our experienced ag attorneys. They understand that your farm is not just a business, it’s the accomplishment of a lifetime.

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BC�T December 47

Gaining Ground Using Analytics & Technology A suite of services is available to help growers improve profitability, quality and productivity

By Madhu Jamallamudi, CEO, Agrometrics Industries are embracing technology and data-driven decision making to ensure their continued economic sustainability. Different segments of the produce industry are also rapidly adopting analytics and technological solutions to stay competitive in the business.

IBM research has found that organizations that apply data analytics are four times more likely to outperform others.

Despite the above facts, many potato and vegetable growers have yet to take full advantage of technological innovations and analytics to improve their operations and profitability.

Agrometrics has leveraged the latest technology to develop a suite of services to aid growers, packers and other stakeholders in improving profitability, quality and productivity.

Here are the solutions being offered

by Agrometrics along with details about the problem(s) being solved: 48 BC�T December

1. Potato Markets monthly publication 2. Analytics solutions 3. Risk management solutions 4. Technology solutions Potato industry stakeholders are in need of accurate market analyses and forecasts. Growers need to keep an eye on the market trends to better plan and maximize returns. Packers need to understand the demand and supply for various categories to plan sales and promotions.

Potato Markets covers critical market information such as volumes, prices, imports and exports for all the segments of potato industry, i.e. seed, fresh, chip, fry and dehydrated.

The magazine also provides a price forecast for finished potato products, and it benchmarks grower performance across North America.

An interactive Web portal is also

provided to the subscriber who wants to utilize the information immediately without having to wait for the next edition of the publication.

Additionally, prices of alternate Above: Madhu Jamallamudi, CEO of Agrometrics, outlines his company’s services for leaders of the Potato Marketing Association of North America in Las Vegas.

crops, crop inputs and exchange rates are analyzed and forecasted to help growers plan production and marketing activities.

ANALYTICS SOLUTIONS Agriculture is rapidly becoming a technology driven business just like many other industries. Artificial intelligence (AI) is finally moving from science fiction to reality with some of the AI systems outperforming the best human minds in key subject areas.

While many farmers are successful with the traditional approach, it is vital that growers and packers have the option of upgrading their gutfeeling-driven decision making to a data-driven decision making model and adapt to the changing market conditions.

Blockbuster and Kodak are examples of very successful businesses that became obsolete as they failed

to employ the technology to stay competitive in business.

more growers across the country and in Canada.

Agrometrics has significant experience in working with agribusinesses in optimizing various aspects of production, storage, packing and marketing products through data-driven decision making using various technological solutions.

When a grower sends a truckload of potatoes to a French fry processing plant, samples are taken and a report generated providing details on quality parameters such as bruisefree percentage, specific gravity, etc.

The grower gets paid based on this information as per the contract.

Often, businesses fail to collect the needed information or have fragmented datasets that prevent gleaning useful insights for decision making. These problems can be solved through our custom analyses solutions that integrate all pieces of data for a company and deliver key performance indicators to the decision makers in real time.

An example of such a solution is a real-time analyses and reporting system built by Agrometrics for process potato growers in Wisconsin that is also available immediately to

Growers can take steps to maximize the returns if this report is available in real time. For example, bruising can be minimized by adjusting settings on the harvesting equipment if a live inspection report indicates high bruising. Additionally, the benchmarking feature allows a grower to know where he stands on each of the quality parameters within the state/province or country.

This powerful information helps a grower in becoming aware of quality

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BC�T December 49

Gaining Ground. . . continued from pg. 49

issues and potential corrective measures to improve the quality and corresponding returns.

BIG PICTURE PERFORMANCE The system allows individual growers to access their own information in a confidential manner while providing a bigger picture of the state/provincelevel organizations to understand their collective grower performance level and take steps to improve the potato industry in their area.

Within minutes from receiving a sample grade slip or inspection data, the system analyzes the data and color-coded quality issues based on historical performance and makes an automated phone call to the grower immediately, so that operational adjustments can be made in real time, if needed.

The grower with the highest quality rating is assigned rank Number 1. When any grower logs into the system, their information is highlighted with a red bar for ease of reference, while the identity of other growers is kept confidential.

This is only a first step, and the system has the potential to evolve as a collaborative platform for the potato industry, while making analytical sophistication accessible

and affordable to the average growers.

Agrometrics is a neutral third-party consulting firm aimed at improving the global agriculture sector through

application of technology and analytics. The company maintains the highest data confidentiality and has signed non-disclosure agreements with customers. The data shared by growers is strictly used to help improve their operations, quality of the products and returns.

Top: The captured screenshot is an example of the real-time analyses and reporting system for a grower, including how they rate in various quality parameters.

Middle: The “Benchmarking� feature ranks the growers using an overall performance ranking derived by assigning weights to individual quality parameters. Such a rank is also provided for each individual quality parameter.

Bottom: Agrometrics CEO Madhu Jamallamudi, second from left, meets with Andy Diercks of Coloma Farms (left), Clark Camilli of RD Offutt Company (second from right) and WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (right) to discuss application of analytics for improving potato grower returns in Wisconsin.

50 BC�T December

“Real-time inspection reports from Agrometrics will be instrumental in delivering better quality product to our customers,” predicts Andy Diercks of Coloma Farms. “Benchmarking of quality parameters allows us to focus on the areas that need to be improved to perform better on contract incentives, in turn generating better returns.”

RISK MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Growers take a big risk when they plant a crop and sink a lot of money into the ground in the form of inputs.

Commodity prices are cyclical and the price discovery mechanism involves a lot of wealthy speculators from Wall Street that can cause significant price swings.

A grower is taking a big gamble if he/she does not have a hedging/ marketing program in place, and depends on the mercy of the markets continued on pg. 52

Above: Charts show that the prices of corn and soybeans hit their peak around the middle of June at $4.50 and $11.70 per bushel, respectively. Such swings are caused by various factors such as weather, demand and speculation.

From Mattek Farms N5798 STAR NEVA RD, DEERBROOK, WI 54424 Telephone: (715) 623-6963 • FAX: (715) 627-7245 • Email: jwmattek@gmail.com BC�T December 51

Gaining Ground. . . continued from pg. 51

to receive a good price. We all know that the prices typically hit their lowest point in a given crop year at the time of harvest. So, growers without a hedging/marketing program in place would likely end up receiving the low prices.

A grower with a hedging program in place could lock up peak prices by selling a crop in advance of it being ready for harvest. Through strategic management of the hedging program, it is even possible to receive an effective price higher than the peak price recorded.

Additionally, many of the vegetable growers (peas, beans, sweet corn, etc.) who receive contracts from food processors get an offer around the first week of March and have only a week to accept the contract.

Often the contract prices are based on the field corn price at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).

Agrometrics successfully developed a full-service hedging program to help contract vegetable growers lock in high prices using corn futures as a proxy for canning-vegetable contract prices.

Agrometrics helped its grower clients this year receive an effective soybean price greater than $12 per bushel.

“Our board decided to employ risk management services from Agrometrics this year,” says Eric Wallendal of Wallendal Supply, “and Madhu’s forecasting and execution abilities were amazing and 100 percent accurate, resulting in October 2016

Badger er Common’Tat THE VOICE

S POTATO OF WISCONSIN'

& VEGETABLE

INDUSTRY

Volume 68

K AGING & BAGGING, PAC ECTORY DIR ASSOCIATE

Number 10

$18.00/year $1.50/copy

ICT DRAIN AGE DISTR le Possib Makes Farming BADGER BEAT Storage: Management to Soft Rot & Potato Blackleg

GRAD ER AGRAY’S X-RAY Dream Is a Researcher’s

significant financial benefit for us.

We are excited about working with Agrometrics in taking our operation to the next level.”

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS Many industries today essentially run on Cloud-based technology platforms that offer tremendous operational efficiencies as well as high-quality standards.

On the operational side, much of industry’s communication with customers and suppliers is now through automated electronics, such as EDI (Electronic Data Interchange).

Given the additional costs involved in dealing with farming regulations, personal communication can be highly unreliable and expensive.

In this environment, some of those operating in a traditional manner could be at a competitive disadvantage. It is a fact that technology is a bit cost prohibitive for many of the small businesses in agriculture and growers lack the resources and expertise to employ IT professionals. Poor selection or

Badger Common’Tater

THE VOICE OF THE WISCONSIN POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

INTERVIEW:

Above: Agrometrics CEO Madhu Jamallamudi has a lunch meeting with the Wallendal Supply team.

From left to right are Megan Wallendal, Madhu, Rich Wilcox (vice president of BMO Harris Bank, Stevens Point branch), Chad Wallendal, Rachel Kosler, Eric Wallendal and Andy Wallendal.

execution of IT solutions can be fairly costly.

Agrometrics leverages its industry expertise and experience in designing and implementing custom software solutions to help its customers move to the next level in a smooth manner without getting exposed to the IT complexities and challenges.

With the help of services from Agrometrics, companies can focus on using the information to maximize profits instead of worrying about execution of technology solutions or incurring cost overruns. Most importantly, Agrometrics provides Cloud-based technology solutions so that agribusinesses don’t have to deal with technical difficulties themselves.

For more information, contact Agrometrics at sales@agrometrics.com, or visit Booth 739 at Potato Expo 2017 in San Francisco to discuss services and benefits.

Subscribe Today!

Whether you are a grower, industry partner or simply enjoy rural life, sign up to receive this prestigious publication in print version, delivered direct to your mailbox for $18/year (12 issues).

Mike Copas

RO Committee, Chairman, SPUDP mist RPE Senior Agrono

r of Wysocki general manage potatoes.

Jeff Sommers, of checks the crop Produce Farm,

52 BC�T December

wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe

Seed Piece Management to Storage: Potato Blackleg and Soft Rot

By Alex Crockford, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Plant Pathology

Our Wisconsin state motto is “Forward!” It’s a charge that reflects the optimistic character of Wisconsinites. We can’t help but embrace it. Whether it be a Wisconsin winter or challenges of farming, we believe in moving forward.

We’ve scratched some major potato pathology problems off the to-do list over the decades. Potato spindle tuber viroid, potato leaf roll virus, potato virus X and bacterial ring rot are just a few examples. We continue to chip away at the remaining challenges, with optimism and science as our allies.

The story of Wisconsin’s seed potato program embodies this motto. For more than 100 years, our mandate has remained unwavering and our resolve for quality seed and service still moves us forward.

Our mandate for all these years is this: to steward seed potatoes into the market with freedom from disease and varietal purity. It was a charge given to us in 1913. At that time, few would have believed

we could have virtually eliminated bacterial ring rot, which 50 years ago caused 30 percent of rejections in seed lots.

LESS INFECTION, MORE PRODUCTION Now the number of rejected lots averages around 5 percent for all lots, comprised mostly of infections with PVY, variety mixture and other human errors. And who would have imagined that some of the very same varieties that yielded 70 cwt at the dawn of certification are now capable continued on pg. 54

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Seed Piece. . . continued from pg. 53

of 700 cwt. production levels?

Certification is working in Wisconsin.

It is working to limit productivityrobbing problems from affecting our diverse market classes of potatoes.

This stewardship remains the focus of the staff in the lab who are cleaning and testing, maintaining and producing disease-free plantlets.

And this stewardship is on the minds of the staff on our farm who run one of the most complex farms in the United States. We partner with our growers every day within the certification program and help them maintain the multiplefield generations of 9,000 acres of Wisconsin seed.

We are leading this tall challenge by continually growing and updating practices, adapting to pathogen evolution and aggressively managing new emerging pathogens.

Growing. In the five years that I’ve worked in the program, we’ve seen much change in both certification and the seed potato market. The Rhinelander-based University of Wisconsin State Farm is now growing 60 varieties (up from 30). The fresh market is diversifying and exploring many opportunities in emerging markets and consumer trends.

Long storage chip and scab-resistant varieties are changing the seed profile in the chip industry. Our certification program has grown from 515 to 652 lots. This has certainly made our roles more complex in responding to agronomics of new varieties, associated disease susceptibility of new varieties, disease symptom expression in varieties and trueness to type.

Adapting. Long a problem for certification everywhere, Potato Virus Y (PVY) has had a resurgence

nationally. In recent years, we have been adapting to change in the genetics of PVY. New virus strains are asymptomatic, a shift that has made the pathogen more difficult to see in some varieties and growing environments.

The ordinary strain of the virus (PVYO) has been supplanted by new genetically recombinant strains, including PVYN:O and PVYNTN. Seeing the once ordinary strain is now as rare as hen’s teeth.

This genetic change, and the growing popularity of varieties like “Silverton,” has the program on its toes. The Seed Program now anticipates that half of its 650 seed lots in 2016 will be tested for PVY as part of the PostHarvest Test in Hawaii.

Our farm production maintains a “zero tolerance” policy, and our approach to virus management is based on the latest research-based information obtained in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin’s potato team.

Managing. As you read in October’s “Badger Beat” column, a new bacterial disease challenge has emerged in potatoes. Dickeya dianthicola is a soft-rot bacterium not previously known to exist in U.S. seed potatoes, and recently it has been particularly problematic. Our staff, in collaboration with researchers, is aggressively working on developing testing protocols and management recommendations for this emerging pathogen.

CHARKOWSKI DEPARTURE It is with sadness that we bid farewell to Dr. Amy Charkowski as she leaves UW-Madison and assumes the position of professor and head of bio-agricultural sciences and pest management at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Wisconsin growers have profited from her leadership of the seed 54 BC�T December

program and her scholarship. She is truly a national leader in plant bacteriology, transmission dynamics of plant pathogens, and early generation seed production and crop protection. We will certainly miss having her creative and analytic talents moving forward.

In the interim, UW potato researchers Drs. Amanda Gevens (UW Plant Pathology) and Russ Groves (UW Entomology) have agreed to serve as co-directors of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program.

The Department of Plant Pathology is working with UW-Madison administrators, as well as with Wisconsin growers, to sustain this program with an affiliate faculty researcher.

SPACEK JOINS PROGRAM The program welcomes Clover Spacek of Merrill as an outreach specialist.

She fills the recent vacancy created

by Rick Hafner’s retirement and has

New grading line!

Accurate sizing to meet your needs!

Above: Clover Spacek, an outreach specialist in the UW Department of Plant Pathology who is filling a recent vacancy created by Rick Hafner’s retirement, literally gets her feet wet in a storm that blew over during a field inspection.

spent the summer attending training sessions, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency seed potato inspectors training course in Ridgetown, Canada and potato virus training in Othello, Washington.

certification. Clover has a keen eye for details and brings many years of experience from cranberry and commercial agriculture. If you have the opportunity, please welcome her to potatoes.

Clover has been job shadowing our seasoned inspection team, who have 104 years of combined experience, and has already made many important contributions to

Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the certification program. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Forward!

David J. Fleischman Farms Wisconsin Certified Seed Potatoes

B-size Seed Available! w, Stored in brand ne ty. ili fac ge ra sto e B-siz

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WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES BC�T December 55

Register Now for the WPVGA Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Nominate a deserving individual as the 2016 WPVGA Associate Division Business Person of the Year Please either photocopy these forms, fill them out and fax, mail or email them to the addresses given in each

56 BC�T December

form, or visit www.wisconsinpotatoes. com/events/2017-grower-educationconference-industry-show/ and scroll

down to download Individual or Group Registration Forms.

BC�T December 57

POTATOES USA NEWS Training Videos Help Retailers with Potato Handling & Display

Fresh Potato As

sociate

ules Training Mod

le information ates with valuabiona l potato videos.

Arm your associ ruct rtaining and inst with these 5 ente

res To view, go to: usf

hp ota tot rai nin

g.c om

king Harvest & Pactoes arrive at your store Discover how pota

g Storage & Hand dlin life a potato’s shelf Learn how to exten

Potatoes USA has been actively involved in the retail industry and has heard from retailers their desire to have properly trained produce associates. Due to the consistent turnover that is common in produce departments, Potatoes USA has developed retail training videos.

display of potatoes in grocery stores.

Each video includes a quick quiz and a certificate of completion for verification. The videos are energetic and quickly teach associates everything from “the farm to the sale.”

The training is a free online tool that can be used by retailers to provide associates with education on five important areas of selling potatoes.

Not only can training increase sales, but proper storage and handling of potatoes will help maintain quality and deliver more dollars to the bottom line.

The videos discuss the harvesting and packing of potatoes, storage and handling, types and varieties, nutrition and marketing strategy, the latter including merchandising and

Potatoes USA also created a onepage training guide to use in sales presentations and communications with retail partners. This is a fantastic opportunity to leverage the videos to become a trusted partner with retailers.

Each module is a short, entertaining and informative video followed by

es ty Types & Varieti fits of each varie customers the bene Communicate with

Nutrition

g potato facts pers with fascinatin Empower your shop

y Marketing Strateg effectively ay your potatoes displ Merchandise and

can be used free online tool that This training is a education on e associates with by retailers to provid selling potatoes. Not only of five important areas r storage and se sales, but prope quality can training increa ain maint help es will line. handling of potato dollars to your bottom and deliver more

g, a short, entertainin Each module is by video followed and informative of all modules, a quiz. At the end out a certificate associates can print d the potato passe e showing they’v training course.

This certificate is awarded to

Spud Wonder For successfully completing mpleting the Potatoes USA online Produce Associate Training Modules covering Potato Harvest rvest & Packing, Storage & Handling, Types & Varieties, Nutrition, and Varie Marketing Strategies.

09-28-2016 Date

Above: With the high employee turnover rate in retail, Potatoes USA recognized a need for training videos to educate those in produce how potatoes are harvested and packed to arrive at grocery stores, how to handle and store potatoes, what their shelf life is, the types and varieties of potatoes, their nutritional value, and how to merchandise and display fresh market potatoes.

a quiz. At the end of all modules, associates can print out a certificate showing they’ve passed the potato training course.

Potatoes Considered a Performance Food As part of Potatoes USA’s continued commitment to understand marketplace sentiment and evaluate messaging, a research study was conducted to understand how food attributes impact overall health and performance perceptions.

This study consisted of a series of one-on-one interviews and largescale quantitative research with consumers, nutrition professionals and performance athletes. The goal of this research was to identify where the opportunities lie for future nutrition messaging by Potatoes USA. One of the key research findings identified that, while consumers experiment with different ways to increase physical performance, 50 58 BC�T December

percent agreed that potatoes have a positive effect.

Nutrition influencers reacted positively and enthusiastically to

om

PotatoGoodness.c

potatoes as a performance food, agreeing that adding this vegetable to your diet will help those looking to increase physical performance.

Adding to this praise, potatoes received credit for providing pre-workout fuel and recovery with post-workout energy.

POTASSIUM ENTHUSIASM While the above attributes rose to the top of the list in terms of why nutrition influencers and performance consumers were eating potatoes, there was another level of excitement and enthusiasm around potassium.

Many were surprised to learn just how much potassium is in a potato, especially one consumer who stated, “I didn’t realize potatoes provided all of those nutrients. I would have had a potato before my latest bike ride instead.” The appeal, believability and motivation to eat potatoes seem to increase with this added knowledge.

Potatoes USA sees great potential in this messaging moving forward, as

Above and Left: Spudly, the WPVGA Promotions Division mascot, knows the nutritional value and health benefits of potatoes, as does Mike Carter of Bushmans’ Inc., shown here with Spudly at the 2016 PUTT-TATO Open.

both food enthusiasts and athletes have similar attitudes regarding diet and how it impacts their performance and health and wellness.

The excitement around good

carbohydrates and potassium demonstrates just how motivating these attributes can be when speaking to these groups and will become the foundation for Potatoes USA’s nutrition messaging.

The Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station, part of the University of Wisconsin – Madison College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, would like to thank the following companies for their support and collaboration during the 2016 field year: • AgGrow Solutions by TIP, Inc. • AgSource Laboratories • AMVAC • Benzel Soil Services • Case IH/Service Motor Company • Crop Production Services— Plainfield • Crop Production Services— Great Lakes • Eagle River Seed Farm • Environmental Scholars of Rhinelander • Gaber Electric

• Insight FS • Merry Crop Care • Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems • Northwoods area food pantries • Nortrax—Monico • Oneida County Master Gardeners • Reisterer & Schnell • RPE, Inc. • Sowinski Farms • T & H Agri-Chemicals • Tasteful Selections • TIP, Inc. • United Greenhouse

• UW CALS • UW Department of Horticulture • UW Kemp Natural Resources Station • WPVGA Associate Division • WI DATCP • WI Dept. of Natural Resources • WI Seed Certification Program • WI Seed Potato Improvement Association • WI Spudmobile • Wisconsin Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Protection Services

BC�T December 59

Auxiliary News

By Ali Carter, Vice President, WPGA

Last month I shared with you why

I had returned to the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board. This month I'd like to encourage you to step up and become an active part of your Auxiliary.

There are many opportunities to use your personal talents and skills to share the incredible impact our potato industry has in our communities.

I know that asking you to voluntarily give of yourself and your time is not easy. We all have families, jobs and responsibilities, and it is not often that we find extra hours to add one more "to-do" to the list. The beauty of being a part of the WPGA is that you can offer your time when and where you are able.

The WPGA is active in a wide variety of community outreach programs, and there are many opportunities from which to pick and choose. If you are someone who adores kids and likes to teach and share, then perhaps volunteering at one of our Harvest Parties in the spring is the perfect fit for you!

If you enjoy coordinating and organizing, then assisting with behind the scenes prep work for the annual Feed My Starving Children event may

be just what you're looking for. Do you like people and being a part of a team?

Then joining a group serving baked potatoes at the State Fair is something you would enjoy!

If you simply do not have the extra time to commit, you can still support the WPGA by becoming a member of the Auxiliary. Anyone involved in the potato industry is welcomed and our annual dues payment is extremely reasonable at $10.

PERSONAL FULFILLMENT Becoming a WPGA member and being a part of a committee or volunteering at Auxiliary events is personally fulfilling in a way that exceeds knowing you are

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60 BC�T December

Above: Do you like being part of a team? Then joining a group serving baked potatoes at the State Fair is something you would enjoy. Shown with Sen. Ron Johnson at the 2016 State Fair are, from left to right, WPGA Board members Jody Baginski, Kathy Bartsch and Marie Reid.

giving back to the industry. Being a member also allows you the chance to build community around yourself with likeminded and honorable people.

The potato industry is unique and our Wisconsin potato industry is even more so. Competitors are friends and everyone is ready to lend a hand to anyone who may need it.

We will continue to host networking events in the next year that will offer you a chance to get to know others in the industry and serve as an ideal opportunity for you to come and meet WPGA members and board members.

You will be able to ask others how they feel about being a part of the WPGA and learn more about how you can become involved and what activities may be a good fit for you.

Watch your mailboxes and the Badger Common'Tater for more information on upcoming events.

Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Div. President, Wayne Solinsky, Jay-Mar, Inc.

Hi everyone, I am writing this a little early since I will be sitting in a tree bow hunting when this is normally due. The weather cooperated for growers as well as could have been expected while digging potatoes. We got off to a very late start, and it might have been terrible, but the frosts held off and it ended up not being the potential disaster it could have been.

We have finalized a few more details for the WPVGA Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, and they are as follows. The entertainment will be Piano Fondue again, but we are asking them to vary their performance a bit this year to include more audience involvement and participation.

I have been to an event where the audience was more involved with the performance, and it greatly added to the fun, with people getting out of their seats, genuinely excited and having fun.

Along with audience participation, song requests will still be taken.

We are changing the banquet layout this year to make it more centrally located near the stage, with two bars close by on either side so they are not so far back and disconnected.

As far as the raffle prizes, they’ll be awarded similarly to how they were in the past, but with more winners, namely 15 $100 awards and one grand prize winner of $500. Here’s the twist— only those who decide to stay after the awards banquet for the entertainment are eligible to win the raffle prizes.

STAY TO PLAY The tickets will be given to those who will be sticking around for the entertainment, and the prizes will be given out throughout the evening while

Piano Fondue performs. You must be present to win. Our hope is that we will encourage more people to stay for the entertainment because all the planning is for you, the WPVGA members. So please stay and have a great time.

We will hold a silent auction again this year during the Grower Education Conference, but we have not finalized the auction items. Rest assured it will be quality merchandise, with all money generated going toward the Avis M. Wysocki Scholarship to be given to a top applicant voted on by the board. The name of the applicant remains unknown or anonymous while voting, with the board considering only candidate qualifications, essays and achievements.

We are in the process of planning a free skin cancer screening again this year at the industry show. It was well accepted

last year, but had to be cut short due to inclement weather and some people missed the free cancer scan. If all goes well, our hope is to offer the screening on Tuesday of the conference.

Well, that is all I have for now. We the WPVGA Associate Division are here to help the industry, so if you have any questions, comments, ideas or concerns, please contact me or any of our board members so we can better assist and best represent you, our members.

Thanks for reading everyone. Be safe, be at peace, and try to find joy in everything that you do. There is no better place to be than at peace with yourself.

As always, from me to all of you,

Wayne Solinsky

WPVGA Associate Division President

Growing Quality Seed for 63 Years!

Left to right: Sid, John, Jonathan, Carl, Nick and Cliff.  Derived from Meristem Culture Try our  Very Uniform and High Producers  Rigid Sanitation Program in Field and Storage LINE SELECTIONS  Long Rotations on Isolated Fields on Russet Burbanks,  Modern Air and Humidity Control in All Storages All available Seed Generation II & Generation III Umatillas and Teton Russet   A beautiful, smooth crop

SCHUTTER SEED FARM 3627 Wooden Shoe Rd., Manhattan, MT 59741 Sid: (406) 539-6478  John: (406) 580-6446 Nick: (406) 539-6125  Cliff: (406) 580-6818

BC�T December 61

New Products RPE Gets the Party Started with Old Oak Farms Party Potatoes.

Fingerling potatoes are gaining popularity across the country, yet many consumers are still uncertain how to prepare them. That’s why RPE, Inc. has created Old Oak Farms® Party Potatoes. Quick and easy to prepare, Party Potatoes are fingerling potatoes that transform ordinary dinners into extraordinary parties!

Fingerlings are a versatile option for any household, whether a new grilling favorite added to your game-day snacks, a fresh finger food paired with dipping sauces or a classically roasted side dish. Party Potatoes are perfect for any meal.

Offered in a high-graphic, 24-ounce, poly-mesh bag, the Party Potatoes package includes three Kwik-Lok tags with unique recipes and recipe inspirations. In another effort to share the party and spread the word about fingerlings, Party Potatoes recipes and tips are also available online at www.oldoakfarms.com/ partypotatoes.

Display bins, customized point-ofsale materials and promotional opportunities are also available.

“We are very excited about the launch of Party Potatoes,” said Kevin Wright, RPE vice president of new product development and sales. “Specialty potatoes have seen stable growth and fingerlings are no different. Party Potatoes are a great vehicle to allow the consumers to feel comfortable on how to use fingerlings and have the best experience with our product.”

Party Potatoes made their debut at PMA Fresh Summit. Make your potato category the life of the party! Learn 62 BC�T December

more about Old Oak Farms Party Potatoes and RPE’s brands at www. oldoakfarms.com/partypotatoes or www.rpespud.com.

RPE, a second-generation family farm, is a

category leader and key grower/shipper of yearround potatoes and onions. RPE prides itself on maintaining a high level of business integrity that includes commitments to environmental sustainability, as well as category innovation and retail solutions.

BiOWiSH Fruit & Vegetable Wash is an organic, enzyme-based product that prolongs the lifespan of fresh produce.

While modern refrigeration units, transportation methods and scientifically researched packaging help prolong the shelf life of highly perishable crops, the reality is a significant portion of perishable food still ends up in the garbage.

A new, all-natural product has been proven in a variety of studies to help prolong the lifespan of fruits and vegetables, while eliminating the need for chemicals in the postharvest wash process.

Prolonging the lifespan of fruit and vegetables adds time to the supply chain, allowing produce to make it to market while still fresh. BiOWiSH™

Fruit & Vegetable Wash is an organic enzyme-based product that keeps produce looking fresh for weeks longer than untreated produce.

& Vegetable Wash, which consists of active microbial cultures and dextrose, was used to treat bananas after harvest.

Safe for everyday use in all commercial produce wash systems, the benefits of BiOWiSH Fruit & Vegetable Wash include increased crop storage life; cleaner fruits and vegetables; elimination of latex issues; reduced wash process chemicals; improved wash and discharge water quality; reduced wash odors; reduced water and energy use and reduced cleaning and labor.

One group of banana clusters was treated with a traditional aluminum sulfate wash to eliminate latex and dust. Nine days after treatment, the bananas washed with aluminum sulfate were yellowed and had brown spots. The bananas treated with BiOWiSH Fruit & Vegetable Wash were green and had less post-harvest defects.

In a recent case study, BiOWiSH Fruit

For more information, contact BiOWiSH Technologies, Inc., 2724 Erie Ave., Ste. C, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208, phone: 312-572-6700, www.biowishtechnologies.com. continued on pg. 64

What do you expect from the seed potatoes that you buy?

The varieties that yo

u need.

The early generation that you want.

The quality and yie ld you have come to that expect.

Wisconsin has it!

For a directory of Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers or a free video, contact:

WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Inc. P.O. Box 173, Antigo, WI 54409 715-623-4039 www.potatoseed.org

View a directory of the Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers on your smartphone.

BC�T December 63

New Products . . . continued from pg. 63

Pessl Instruments Integrates Yara Water-Sensors into its existing hardware platform and system of smart farming solutions Yara International ASA (Yara) and Pessl Instruments announce a new partnership to market the Yara Water Solution as part of the Pessl Instruments’ eco-system of smart farming solutions.

fruit production, proper water management is important. The Yara Water-Sensor measures the difference between magnetic pressure and turgor.

WATER-SENSORS KIT

With increased water scarcity, demand is surging for agricultural solutions. The new partnership will offer improved crop management for farmers by optimizing the use of water and crop nutrition.

The move is another step in strengthening Yara’s precision farming offering, adding improved solutions to allow real-time monitoring of crop, soil and weather data to ensure optimal use of scarce resources.

This new method is a continuous, nondestructive measurement of changes in turgor pressure in the leaf. Turgor pressure is the pressure caused by fluid pushing against the cell wall of plant cells.

As the turgor pressure is the driving force for plant growth and

A Yara Water Solution Kit consists of 10 Yara Water-Sensors to be installed on five different trees (within a range of 550 yards) and is optimal for irrigation plots up to approximately 37 acres.

Farmers will be able to access realtime recommendations for irrigation and recommendations for crop nutrition, in addition to historical information of evapotranspiration and weather forecast data displayed through “MyYara,” Yara’s farmer engagement portal for crop management.

The Yara Water Solution is currently available for olives and citrus.

Research and trials for additional crops like grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, nuts and

coffee are ongoing.

“The Yara Water-Sensor data, together with weather and soil data, are sent wirelessly via Pessl Instruments’ proprietary radio network and their API to the MyYara platform,” explains Gottfried Pessl, CEO and founder of Pessl Instruments.

For more information, contact Pal O. Stormorken, Yara’s head of Application & Crop Management Systems, pal.oystein.stormorken@yara.com, phone: +47 406 20923; or Kristina Peklar, public relations for Pessl Instruments, kristina.peklar@metos.at, phone: +43 3172 5521.

WPIB Focus

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

Month

Jul-15

Aug-15

Sep-15

Oct-15

Nov-15

Dec-15

Jan-16

Feb-16

Mar-16

Apr-16

May-16

Jun-16

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,679,466.61

553,089.04

813,734.14

2,731,844.59

5,778,134.38

Assessment

$100,717.55

$33,240.32

$48,851.85

$163,910.77

$346,720.49

Aug-16

Sep-16

Oct-16

Month

Jul-16

Nov-16

Dec-16

Jan-17

Feb-17

Mar-17

Apr-17

May-17

Jun-17

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,596,377.06

706,549.40

1,283,527.92

2,874,985.48

6,461,439.86

Assessment

$96,214.65

$46,392.12

$87,862.17

$200,067.53

$430,536.47

64 BC�T December

Ali's Kitchen Cuddle Up with Steaming Hot Soup

Column and photos by Ali Carter, Vice President, WPGA Auxiliary My husband doesn’t consider soup a “meal.” To him a bowl of soup is more like a side dish, or an appetizer before the real meal is enjoyed.

However, while Mike is away on his work travels and I find myself husband-less, I tend to indulge in my desire to create a big pot of soup.

I, on the other hand, think that there is nothing better than a big bowl of steaming hot soup for dinner on a winter’s day.

SOUP INSPIRATION

Because of our soup differences, I do not make it all that often unless I plan to serve the soup alongside something that Mike will consider to be more fitting of a dinner. Mike is typically not a picky eater and is quite complimentary about my cooking, so I indulge him in his mistaken opinion of soup.

Spicy Sausage Potato Soup

This is exactly the situation I found myself in recently. I had little creamy yellow potatoes in our pantry, spicy pork sausage in the fridge, and bitterly cold winds blowing against my window panes. This was all the inspiration I needed, and an hour later I found myself cuddled up on the couch with a glass of wine and a bowl of soup in my hands. continued on pg. 66

INGREDIENTS: 1 pound ground hot Italian sausage 1 medium onion, diced 2 pounds yellow potatoes, washed and cut into bite-sized cubes 1 large carrot, sliced into “coins” 5 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup canned full-fat coconut milk 3 cups chopped spinach 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves Salt and pepper to taste BC�T December 65

Ali's Kitchen. . .

Advertisers Index

continued from pg. 65

AG Systems - Brute II........................... 27

This soup is comforting and hearty while being full of veggies and goodfor-you ingredients. I have made versions of this soup many times over the years and the kids and I love it.

Occasionally I’ll use kale instead of spinach or toss in some diced sweet potato rather than carrots. It all depends on what we have access to.

Directions

AG Systems - Sprayer Parts.................. 53

In a large pot, over medium heat, add the onion and sausage. Stir just until sausage is cooked through and onions are somewhat translucent.

AgSource Cooperative Services........... 35

Once sausage is cooked, drain most of the fat, but be sure to leave just a little in the pot for the added flavor.

Big Iron Equipment.............................. 13

Today I am sharing this recipe using coconut milk as the “cream,” and honestly I prefer this soup that way.

But I have prepared it in the past using 2 percent milk or with heavy whipping cream (remember, it’s ok to veer from a recipe ... that's the fun of cooking!).

Add in the potatoes, carrots, salt and pepper and chicken broth to the pot.

Go with what your tastes dictate, but if you haven’t tried coconut milk, I hope you do not shy away from using it in this recipe. You may be pleasantly surprised at the light creamy feel it offers your soup.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Simmer for about 15 minutes over medium heat, or until potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Turn the heat to low, add the coconut milk, spinach and thyme and simmer all for another 5 minutes.

Serve while hot.

Enjoy … maybe even snuggled up on the couch with the bowl of soup and a glass of wine!

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©2016 AGCO Corporation. Sunflower is a worldwide brand of AGCO Corporation. AGCO and Sunflower are trademarks of AGCO. All rights reserved. *On select models with approved credit from AGCO Finance, LLC. Down payment required. Restrictions may apply. Contact your participating dealer for more details. Offer expires December 31, 2016 and may be subject to change without notice.

WPVGA - Support Our Members......... 39

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66 BC�T December

Warner & Warner................................ 23 Wick Buildings LLC............................... 54

WSPIA.................................................. 63

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Distributor in Wisconsin & Upper Michigan IN-PLANT PRODuCTS Offices-Portable & Prefab Pre-assembled Portable Buildings Racking Mezzanines/Coveyors Work Positioning Lifts Pneumatic Tube Systems Hydraulic Work Position Tables Energy Recovering Make-up Air Systems Vertical Material Handling Lifts HVLS Fans DOORS Industial Hi-speed Roll-up & Bi-parting Traffic Strip Cooler & Freezer

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THE LINDSAY ADVANTAGE

THE BEST LINE OF IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS. PERIOD.

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SOLUTIONS THAT ADD VALUE, REDUCE RISK & INCREASE PROFITS. Lindsay’s rugged equipment, integrated technologies, and plug-and-play add-ons will make the most of your operation – from a single, reliable source.

Pumps, pivots, filtration and remote control all work together to maximize your yields.

Visit your local Zimmatic ® by Lindsay dealer to customize the right system for your needs. www.lindsayadvantage.com

Oasis Irrigation LLC 715-335-8300

N6775 5th Avenue • Plainfield, WI 54966

Separators and Filtration Solutions

© 2014 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic, FieldNET, Growsmart, Watertronics and LAKOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Lindsay Corporation and its subsidiaries.