1903_Badger Common'Tater

$22/year | $2/copy | Volume 71 No. 03 | MARCH 2019

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

PLANTING & WPVGA INDUSTRY SHOW ISSUE

COVERAGE OF THE 2019 GROWER Ed. Conference & Industry Show DR. KELLING ENTERS WPVGA Hall of Fame QUANTIFYING NITRATES Found in Irrigation Water RPE SENIOR AGRONOMIST GIVES Update on Organic Potato Market Josh Mattek plants potatoes using an 8-row Grimme planter on J.W. Mattek & Sons land.

INTERVIEW:

Charlie Mattek J.W. Mattek & Sons Inc.

N ATTENTAIO C T IV E

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• Our organization works for you, providing the information you need to make the best decisions and return profitability to your farm.

• Enjoy membership access to complete data packages including critical supply and demand usage.

• Wisconsin does a wonderful job of marketing and keeping grower returns at a premium.

• We offer communications for marketers, which are a crucial tool and a by-product of United of Wisconsin.

• The Grower Return Index (GRI) you receive will pay for your dues tenfold.

• We hold weekly marketing calls!

• Grower-only communication calls provide you with inputs, ideas and opinions. Everyone stays in tune.

Balancing supply with demand generates positive returns.

Plan your 2019 plantings wisely!

United Of Wisconsin Thanks Our Grower Members For Their Continued Membership & Support: • Alsum Farms • Coloma Farms • Fenske Farms • Gagas Farms • Gumz Muck Farms

• Hyland Lakes Spuds • Isherwood Co. • J-J Potatoes • J.W. Mattek & Sons • Okray Family Farms

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• Ted Baginski & Sons

• Worzella & Sons • Woyak Farms • Wysocki Produce Farm • Yeska Brothers

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On the Cover: If only all days were as clear and beautiful, and all rows

as straight, as shown on the cover. Josh Mattek of J.W. Mattek & Sons Inc. plants potatoes using an 8-row Grimme planter. Josh and his cousin, Charlie, this issue’s interviewee, are part of a sixth generation of growers in Antigo, Wisconsin, carrying on the tradition of providing quality seed potatoes to their customers.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW:

Charlie Mattek says, like most farmers, he does a wide variety of things around J.W. Mattek & Sons Inc., a sixth-generation certified seed potato operation in Antigo, Wisconsin. Charlie’s duties range from shop work and welding to operating equipment and planning for the upcoming growing season. Here he’s shown hilling and applying fertilizer during planting, lights on in the John Deere

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN.................... 65 AUXILIARY NEWS............... 64 BADGER BEAT.................... 40

24 MARKETPLACE

Spudmobile gets brandnew exterior wrap with more updates yet to come

30 NOW NEWS

Lindsay and Nutrien Ag Solutions partner/expand reach of FieldNet Advisor

44 WHAT IS THE ORGANIC POTATO MARKET LIKE? RPE, Inc. Agronomist Mike Copas provides an update

EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 54 MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6 NEW PRODUCTS................ 52 NPC NEWS......................... 60 PEOPLE.............................. 62

FEATURE ARTICLES:

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

14 WISCONSIN UNITES for 2019 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show

POTATOES USA NEWS...... 56

22 UW-MADISON Soil Scientist Keith Kelling inducted into WPVGA Hall of Fame

SEED PIECE........................ 36

58 QUANTIFYING NITRATE in irrigation water across multiple sites in Central Sands 4

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

®

Treasurer: Rich Wilcox Directors: Chris Brooks, Julie Cartwright, Kristi Kulas & Nick Laudenbach Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Dan Kakes Vice President: Jeff Fassbender Secretary/Treasurer: Matt Mattek Directors: Roy Gallenberg & J.D. Schroeder Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Kathy Bartsch Vice President: Devin Zarda Secretary/Treasurer: Datonn Hanke Directors: Jody Baginski, Brittany Bula, Deniell Bula & Marie Reid

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

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

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

Mulchers Rock Crushers

WPVGA Staff Executive Director: Tamas Houlihan Managing Editor: Joe Kertzman Director of Promotions & Consumer Education: Dana Rady Financial Officer: Karen Rasmussen Executive Assistant: Julie Braun Program Assistant: Jane Guillen Coordinator of Community Relations: Jim Zdroik Spudmobile Assistant: Doug Foemmel

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

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

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

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

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

BC�T March

5

MARK YOUR

Calendar MARCH

11-14

20

21-22

26-28

POTATOES USA ANNUAL MEETING Hilton City Center Denver, CO AG DAY AT THE CAPITOL Madison, WI WPVGA PROMOTIONS RETREAT Great Wolf Lodge Baraboo, WI WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE FARM SHOW Experimental Aircraft Association grounds Oshkosh, WI

27

38TH ANNUAL CRAZYLEGS CLASSIC Library Mall, 9:50 a.m.

Madison, WI

APRIL MAY

14 JEFFREY A. WYMAN MEMORIAL GARDEN GOLF OUTING University Ridge Golf Course Madison, WI

JUNE

1

10-12

15

21

WALK WISCONSIN Pfiffner Park Stevens Point, WI UNITED FRESH McCormick Place Chicago, IL SILVER LAKE TRIATHLON Silver Lake Park, 7 a.m.

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

6

10-12

13

16

18

23-25

25

PARDEEVILLE TRIATHLON Chandler Park, 8 a.m.

Pardeeville, WI NPC SUMMER MEETING Chula Vista Resort Wisconsin Dells, WI POINT DUATHLON Stevens Point YMCA Stevens Point, WI ASSOCIATE DIV. PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING The Ridges Golf Course Wisconsin Rapids, WI HANCOCK AG RESEARCH STATION FIELD DAY Hancock, WI WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Walter Grain Farms Johnson Creek, WI ANTIGO FIELD DAY Langlade County Airport and Research Station Antigo, WI

JULY

Planting Ideas In the above image, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable

Growers Association (WPVGA) Executive Director Tamas Houlihan welcomes attendees to the 2019 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, February 5-7, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point.

As I mention in this issue’s feature covering the Industry Show, the resolve of Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers was on display at the Industry Show after one of the toughest harvest seasons in state history. Houlihan also addressed the situation in the 2018 Annual Report he puts together and distributes to WPVGA Board members at the Annual Meeting. In it, he had some heartfelt things to say about the growers he represents.

“I was encouraged and impressed with the positive outlook displayed

by WPVGA members. As I talked to one grower after another during an incredibly difficult harvest season, I was struck by the resolve shown by our members, who remained upbeat and optimistic in the face of severe adversity,” Houlihan wrote. “We have a remarkable group of talented farmers in Wisconsin, and it is your strength and fortitude that makes our industry great.”

Tamas went on to talk about the many WPVGA initiatives and industry highlights in 2018, including the organization holding an informative Business Seminar, as well as a Research Summit charting the course for the next five years. He mentioned growers and associate members of the WPVGA conducting a successful political funding effort in Wisconsin, the association winning a “Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment” award and the University of Wisconsin moving forward with re-hiring of a crucial position to lead the Seed Certification Program.

Other highlights are the groundbreaking of the Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project, the WPVGA implementing a Member Development/Leadership Training Program and the expansion of the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Program.

The WPVGA, the potato and vegetable growers and the entire industry did itself proud in 2018, and there are good things on the horizon for the state.

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

Joe Kertzman

Managing Editor jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com

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Foundation & Certified Seed Potatoes

Interview

CHARLIE MATTEK, SIXTH-GENERATION GROWER, J.W. MATTEK & SONS INC.

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

NAME:Charlie Mattek TITLE: Sixth-generation potato grower COMPANY: J.W. Mattek & Sons Inc. LOCATION: Deerbrook, WI HOMETOWN: Deerbrook, WI YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: 8 SCHOOLING: Agribusiness at Fox Valley Technical College and welding at Northcentral Technical College

A sixth-generation family farm that carries on the tradition of providing quality seed potatoes to its customers, J.W. Mattek & Sons Inc. has a strong customer base with friendships formed over many years.

Since the 1800’s, farming has been a way of life for the Mattek family. James W. Mattek operated a dairy and potato business. His sons, Eugene and James J. Mattek, concentrated their efforts on potatoes and were early pioneers in the certified seed program.

ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board of Directors, and just completed term as president of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA) Board of Directors

In 1960, the farm became

“My dad and uncles have brought the

incorporated and continued to raise

farm to where it is now by increasing

quality foundation and certified seed

potato acres over the past 40 years,”

potatoes.

Charlie Mattek says.

James J. Mattek’s sons, John, Jim

The future of the Mattek farms

and Joe, currently own and operate

looks bright, with the family’s sixth

FAMILY: Wife, Kelly

the 1,500-acre potato farm on a

HOBBIES: Hunting, ice fishing and snowmobiling

three-year crop rotation with oats and clover. The Matteks are always looking for new and promising varieties.

8

BC�T March

generation fully invested in the certified seed potato operation.

Above: Charlie Mattek hills a potato field and applies fertilizer during planting.

Charlie’s wife, Kelly, designed the J.W. Mattek & Sons Inc. logo for the farm.

Charlie’s uncle, Joe Mattek, harvests potatoes with a 4-row Lenco Airhead Harvester.

How does your generation fit in, and has there been a changing of the guard so to speak? I would say that my generation fits in very well. We all work as a big team, so to speak, to produce quality seed potatoes.

I would say that we are kind of split, where the generation before mine manages more of the business side of things and the younger generation manages more of the employees and equipment side of things.

loading trucks, we can be preparing

What do you specifically do on the farm—your specialties or what you’re good at? Like most farmers, I do a wide variety of things around the farm ranging from shop work and welding to operating equipment and planning for the upcoming growing season.

Are you already getting ready for planting, or are you still working on storage/shipping? We are doing some of both—the planters are in the shop along with the seed cutter.

That way when we get time between

be ready for planting and not always

season.

How do you prepare for planting in the spring? What needs to be done?

There are a lot of things that need to a lot of time to get it done.

We usually shift right from shipping seed into hauling in some of our own seed and cleaning everything up to continued on pg. 10

Is there enough work for all your family members to be on the farm?

There is always plenty of work to be done around the farm and it is nice being able to work with family that you can depend on, especially considering the challenges we all face in today’s workforce.

Who from your generation and the one before you still works on the farm, and in what roles? So, my dad, Jim, and my two uncles, John and Joe, along with my Aunt Beth are from the generation before mine. My generation includes my cousins, Josh, Matt, Mitch and Corey.

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9

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

Above: Potato plants show full purple blossoms during the 2018 growing season on J.W. Mattek & Sons farm.

Right: Jim Mattek windrows potatoes using an 8-row, self-propelled Lenco windrower.

prepare for seed cutting. Also, we

growers, there are a few things

all equipment is free of one variety

need to make sure that all the tillage

that we really need to be mindful

before changing to another.

and planting equipment is ready to go

of, cleanliness probably being

so we can minimize downtime when

number one. We spend many hours

the weather is right.

washing and disinfecting along with

As a certified seed potato grower, what are your unique challenges or requirements that other potato growers don’t necessarily need

minimizing foot traffic to ensure we

to consider? Being certified seed

variety mixtures, always making sure

keep disease off our farm.

We also pay careful attention to

An important part of seed growing is keeping the virus levels in our crops to an absolute minimum. We do this by incorporating many oil sprays into our spray program.

What certified seed potato varieties are currently grown at J.W. Mattek

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& Sons? Currently we are growing Snowdens, Pikes, Lamokas, Atlantics, Megachips, Hodags, Manistees, Silvertons, W6609-3’s and Frito-Lay varieties.

Do you grow for the chip market as well, and what variety or varieties?

No, we do not grow for the chip market. We grow a lot of chip varieties, but we exclusively sell them for seed.

Is there pressure on you as a sixthgeneration grower to perform and maintain a certain level of quality? Explain. As a seed grower?

Absolutely there is, we have always been committed to producing the highest quality seed and we intend on maintaining that quality in the future. continued on pg. 12

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 11

You just finished your term as president of the WSPIA, you are on the Board of Directors of the WPVGA, and Josh completed his term as WPVGA Board President.

Why is it important to be involved?

My cousin, Matt, has recently been elected to the Seed Board as well.

We feel that it is important to be involved, not only to stay up to date on what is happening in the industry, but it’s also a great way to meet and network with other people involved in the potato industry.

Why did you decide to stay on the farm, and what are your favorite aspects of potato and vegetable growing? I always enjoyed being around the farm while growing up and it just seemed to be the right fit as I got older. I like that, in the farming industry, you are very rarely

If you look close enough, at far right, you’ll see Jim and John Mattek discussing the potato harvest plan.

Matt and Charlie Mattek windrow a potato field employing two 4-row Lenco windrowers.

12 BC�T March

A drone shot captures the J.W. Mattek & Sons field harvest operation.

Parting shot—the sun sets over J.W. Mattek & Sons in September.

doing the same tasks day after day,

see? I wouldn’t say that I’m super

Anything you’re particularly proud

each day bringing new challenges and

“techy,” but I do enjoy seeing more

of? Accomplishments? I am very

rewards.

technology coming to the farm. Often

proud to have the opportunity to

Are you a techy person, and are there any advances in technology that you see or would like to

the use of technology can make

continue the growth of our family

farming tasks become more efficient

farm and pass it on for many

and sustainable.

generations to come.

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Wisconsin Unites for 70th Annual Grower Ed Conference & Industry Show The show floor was abuzz, the luncheons, dinners and banquets full, and presentations informative

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater The resolve of Wisconsin potato growers was on full display at the 2019 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, February 5-7, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point. It is one resilient group of hearty people.

The potato and vegetable growing industry came out in full force to support the growers and each other after one of the toughest planting, growing and harvest seasons in state history.

The Industry Show is a teaming in and of itself—a collaboration between

the University of Wisconsin (UW)Extension and the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), and in its 70th year, the organizations have gotten it right, down to the very last details.

Thanks to the efforts of WPVGA staff members, particularly Executive Assistant Julie Braun and Financial Officer Karen Rasmussen, and the Associate Division Board, there is a waiting list for booth space, an Industry Show teeming with crowds and high attendance—400 registered attendees—for the Grower Education Conference.

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But it was the growers who were to be commended this year and admired for always using best practices, experienced techniques and boots on the ground, putting in incredible hours and pushing through to harvest and beyond. That’s where the credit belongs.

And it didn’t go unnoticed. Everyone from booth holders to researchers presenting agricultural topics paused to reflect on what was a potentially disastrous season and give respect to those who persevered.

Occupying booths were irrigation companies and implement dealers; banks and insurance agencies; the technology sector; fertilizer plants and chemical companies; credit unions; parts dealers; building and roofing contractors; seed suppliers; crop consultants; equipment manufacturers and much more.

Above: The Holiday Inn Convention Center— home to the 2019 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show in Stevens Point, Wisconsin—is seen through the discs of a Great Plains 7323DH Double-Fold Disc Harrow, available from Big Iron Equipment.

The WPVGA Associate Division offered a “Bringing Value to Agriculture” session, Tuesday, February 5, consisting of five 10-minute presentations given by select exhibitors. Anna Baldwin of Exacto Inc. introduced attendees to AquiMax soil moisture management technology.

EXPERTS ADD VALUE University researchers did what they do best—researched what topics would be of most value to growers prior to the Grower Education Conference and lined up experts to address those areas.

After an extremely difficult year for Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers, it was appropriate for Penney Hammer and Ray Grabanski of Progressive Ag to give an overview of insurance subsidies, claims, payouts, losses and deductibles. After her presentation, Penney (left) discussed such matters with attendee Bill Guenthner (right) of Guenthner Farms Inc. in Antigo.

Topics ranged from management of potato virus Y (PVY), bacterial blackleg and soft rot to launching of the U.S. Department of AgricultureSCRI (Specialty Crop Research Initiative) potato soil health project, and included pesticide use, fungicides

as inadvertent drivers of insecticide resistance, and breeding for late blight resistance.

Managing seed risk in variable environments was a timely topic, as was managing nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, an update on continued on pg. 16

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Industry Show. . . continued from pg. 15

Our sincere thanks to all sponsors who made the 2019 UW Extension & WPVGA Grower Education Conference & Industry Show possible!

PLATINUM SPONSORS Bio-Gro, Inc. Compeer Financial Exacto— makers of AquiMax® Gowan USA M3 Insurance McCain Foods, USA Nichino America— makers of Torac Insecticides Nutrien Ag Solutions Thorpack, LLC Volm Companies, Inc.

As part of the 2019 Grower Education Conference, Dr. Dan Kunkel, IR-4 Program Associate Director, Food and International Programs, Rutgers University, reviewed pesticide use, residues and their impact on export markets.

GOLD SPONSORS Ag World Support Systems AgCountry Farm Credit Services AMVAC Big Iron Equipment, Inc. Above: Chad Glaze, BMO Harris Bankowner/agent for Vine Vest North, Inc. Crop & Ag Insurance, proudly stands in Jay-Mar, Inc. front of his booth at the Industry Show.

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From left to right, Dale Bowe of Wisconsin Public Service, and Dianna Kessler and Clover Spacek of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program enjoy lunch Tuesday, February 5, at the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show.

the Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project and chronic diseases eroding seed and crop quality.

One presentation tackled “GM Tomatoes to CRISPR Cows: How Consumers Make Sense of Modern Agriculture.” Another focused on improving forecasts of crop water demand with ET (evapotranspiration) measurements over irrigated potatoes.

If interested in accessing the 2019 Grower Education Conference proceedings, as well as those of previous years, visit http://wpvga. conferencespot.org/.

For the third consecutive year, the WPVGA Associate Division conducted a “Bringing Value to Agriculture” session, Tuesday, February 5,

consisting of five 10-minute presentations given by select exhibitors.

The exhibitors applied for the opportunity to discuss new technologies, tools, services and approaches their companies offer in agricultural management of potato and vegetable production systems.

The Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and WPVGA Associate Division hosted a reception Tuesday evening, and the WPVGA and Associate Division held an excellent banquet Wednesday night, complete with hors d’oeuvres sponsored by McCain Foods, dinner and drinks, an industry recognition and awards program, cash prizes and entertainment by a fun five-piece band, The Drovers.

A Logan 12-ton Load Pro truck bed from Sand County Equipment and a Great Plains 8333 Disc-O-Vator available by Big Iron Equipment were just two pieces of heavy machinery parked outside of the 2019 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show in Stevens Point.

While, from left to right, Paul Bethke, Steve Diercks, Wes Meddaugh and Mike Copas discuss managing seed risk as part of a researcher and grower panel at the 2019 Grower Education Conference, an engaged crowd listens, asks questions and generally participates in the discussion. continued on pg. 18

BC�T March 17

Industry Show. . . continued from pg. 17

Throughout the course of the WPVGA and Associate Division Awards Banquet, Wednesday evening, February 6, a fun five-piece band, The Drovers, provided background music and entertained the crowd.

As part of the “Bringing Value to Agriculture” session, Tuesday, February 5, Edwin Suarez of Midwestern BioAg describes TerraNu Technology for nutrient use efficiency, reactivating soil and plant uptake, as well as the manure-based, nutrient-rich carbon matrix of TerraNu Calcium for potatoes.

Renowned albeit retired potato grower Dennis Zeloski (right), formerly of Felix Zeloski Farms and Eagle River Seed Farm LLC, visits the 2019 Industry Show where he talks with Tyler Faldet (left) and Jake Hansen (center) of Wilbur-Ellis.

Mike Carter (left) and Mike Gatz (second from left) of Bushmans’ Inc. enjoyed a visit to their booth from Ron Krueger (second from right) of Eagle River Seed Farm and Steve Diercks (right) from Coloma Farms.

Dr. Dietram Scheufele, distinguished achievement professor, Life Science Communication, UW-Madison, gives his presentation “From GM Tomatoes to CRISPR Cows: How Consumers Make Sense of Modern Agriculture” during the Grower Education Conference, Wednesday, February 6.

18 BC�T March

Improving forecasts of crop water demand with direct ET (evapotranspiration) measurements over irrigated potatoes was the top of discussion for Dr. Ankur Desai, professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, UW-Madison, at the Grower Education Conference.

A little boy named Leland Timm attended the Industry Show with is mom, Melissa, and was proud to show the photographer his toy skid steer. Melissa, who works for Vantage North Central and North Central Irrigation along with her husband and co-owner, Sean, proudly sported an “American Farmer Proud to Be Both” shirt that’s part of a line available from Patrykus Farms Inc. at www.americanfarmerproud.com, or by contacting Patrykus Farms at 715-366-2424, or americanfarmerproud@gmail.com. continued on pg. 20

Accounting for Agribusiness • • • • • Helping round out the Grower Education Conference on Thursday, February 7, Jed Colquhoun, professor and Extension specialist, UW-Madison Department of Horticulture, gives potato weed and vine management updates.

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BC�T March 19

Industry Show. . . continued from pg. 19

WPVGA Presents Annual Industry Awards

2019 Awards Banquet especially meaningful after difficult growing season The WPVGA and Associate Division Awards Banquet is a fun and effective way to cap off the Industry Show each year.

After two days of researcher presentations, visits to exhibitor booths and business networking, it’s a refreshing change of pace to relax and enjoy the company of friends and industry peers, partake in some food, refreshments and socializing, and applaud recipients of the coveted Industry Awards.

The fun Awards Banquet is the highlight of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show.

Held the evening of February 6, a social hour with hors d’oeuvres sponsored

by McCain Foods was followed by a nice meal and the much-anticipated Industry Awards and Hall of Fame induction.

Throughout the course of the Awards Banquet, a fun five-piece band, The Drovers, provided background music and entertained the crowd. Cash prizes were awarded attendees lucky enough to have their names drawn during the evening’s fun.

Eric Schroeder of Schroeder Brothers Farms, Antigo, was named the WPVGA Volunteer of the Year. Schroeder is a current board member and past president of the WPVGA and is a past president of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association. He currently serves on the WPVGA Chip and Research Committees.

20 BC�T March

The WPVGA bestowed J.D. Schroeder with the Young Grower of the Year Award. The son of John T. and Judy Schroeder, J.D. works at Schroeder Brothers Farms and offers an astute perspective on issues based on his knowledge and experience as a lawyer.

He has helped the WPVGA on legal issues and testified at State Senate hearings on a high-capacity well bill, the new certified seed law, the late blight abatement bill, and testified before the State Assembly on the implements of husbandry bill.

The WPVGA Associate Division “Business Person of the Year Award” went to a deserving Cathy Schommer of Compeer Financial. A senior focused lending specialist, Schommer has worked for the Farm Credit system for over 32 years, the past 15 primarily with potato and vegetable growers, grain producers and some dairies.

Dr. Matt Ruark, an associate professor and Extension specialist in the UW Department of Soil Science, took home the WPVGA Researcher of the Year Award. Dr. Ruark’s Nutrient Cycling and Agroecosystems Laboratory works to improve nitrogen and phosphorus management in potato and processing crop production systems. Matt is a base-funded researcher for the WPVGA in fertility management.

THE 2019 AWARD RECIPIENTS Associate Division Business Person of the Year: Cathy Schommer WPVGA Volunteer of the Year: Eric Schroeder WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (left) presented Josh Mattek (right) with a golden gavel plaque for six years of dedicated service on the WPVGA Board of Directors, including his most recent service as Board President. Mattek, of J.W. Mattek & Sons, later presented the President’s Award to his lovely wife, Anita (inset), for all her love and support.

A special WPVGA Industry Appreciation Award was presented

by WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (right) to Chuck Bolte (left) of AgSource Laboratories.

For the past three years, Bolte has worked closely with many Antigo potato growers on water flow and phosphorus monitoring in the Antigo Flats potato and vegetable production area.

WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (right) presented the AgriCommunicator Award for excellence in communication and dedicated service in presenting a positive message about the agricultural industry to National Potato Council Executive Vice President and CEO John Keeling (left). John has had a transformational impact on the potato industry since he was hired in late 2001, leading efforts to enhance potato exports, boost the potato’s role in nutrition programs and working as a key lobbyist for specialty crop interests in the Farm Bill.

Mark Finnessy of Okray Family Farms (left) received a golden gavel plaque from WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (right) for Mark’s six years of dedicated service on the WPVGA Board of Directors, including a term as president.

WPVGA Young Grower of the Year: J.D. Schroeder WPVGA Researcher of the Year: Dr. Matt Ruark President’s Award: Anita Mattek WPVGA Industry Appreciation Award: Chuck Bolte Agri-Communicator Award: John Keeling Recognition of out-going WPVGA Associate Division Board Members: Casey Kedrowski, Cathy Schommer and Joel Zalewski Recognition of out-going WPVGA Board Members: Mark Finnessy and Josh Mattek WPVGA Hall of Fame Induction: Dr. Keith Kelling

continued on pg. 22 BC�T March 21

Industry Show. . . continued from pg. 21

Dr. Keith Kelling Inducted into the WPVGA Hall of Fame Dr. Kelling was a longtime professor and Extension soil scientist at UWMadison. A native of Edgerton, Wisconsin, Kelling completed his B.S. degree in 1966, his M.S. in 1972 and his Ph.D. in 1974, all at UW-Madison.

He is a member of the Soil Science Society of America and a member and Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy. He was a platoon leader and Brigade Plans Officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone from 1966 to 1969.

UW-Madison Soil Scientist Dr. Keith Kelling was inducted into the WPVGA Hall of Fame at the industry’s annual Awards Banquet, February 6, in Stevens Point.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Soil Scientist Dr. Keith Kelling was inducted into the WPVGA Hall of Fame at the industry’s annual Awards Banquet, February 6, in Stevens Point.

The WPVGA Hall of Fame honors lifetime achievement in the development of the state’s potato industry. It is the intention of the WPVGA to continue to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the potato industry in Wisconsin with annual Hall of Fame inductions.

Dr. Kelling was an assistant professor in the Department of Natural Resources at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, for three years before joining the faculty at UWMadison in 1977.

He established a large research program that addressed practical nutrient management issues in potato production systems. Potato research comprised less than half of his activities, yet his program had impacts on nutrient management throughout Wisconsin, the surrounding region and beyond.

Research programs in potato were targeted at management of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and other essential nutrients for optimal

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yields and minimal impacts on the environment.

LEADING RESEARCHER Kelling was a leading researcher in the development of nutrient management systems for potato nationwide for over 20 years.

Topics on nutrient management included optimizing timing of nitrogen fertilizer applications on the sandy soils of Central Wisconsin, calcium fertility, phosphorus and potassium fertility in potato, and using nitrogen tissue sampling for adjusting nutrient management after leaching events.

Kelling also evaluated countless nontraditional fertilizers and nutrient amendments for their impact on crop growth, yield and quality.

He summarized the evaluations of non-traditional materials in an easyto-read format that was frequently updated to reflect the flood of materials being marketed throughout the United States.

He also evaluated the influence of manure applications on potato productivity and paid special attention to the impact on potential defects such as common scab. He has continued to publish much of his potato work in scientific journals.

Kelling was well known for his dedication, service and honesty with the potato and vegetable industry of Wisconsin and across the country. He was a firm believer and practitioner of utilizing research-based information to support his Extension program and recommendation system.

As one potato grower stated, “Dr. Kelling’s work on N management in potato systems is well documented, as is his work on P and K. His program on evaluating non-conventional soil

additives has saved growers a lot of money over the years and made some salesmen very unhappy.”

CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC Keith was invited to speak across the country on this topic, which was summarized by a colleague, “I recall inviting Keith out to Idaho back in the mid 1980’s to speak on the topic of ‘non-conventional amendments,’ which was a very controversial topic at the time.”

“Unlike most rhetoric on the topic at that time,” the colleague continued, “Keith gave a very balanced, professional presentation based on facts and scientific experimentation, which went a long way to calming the controversy and allowing reason to prevail.’”

The 1999 WPVGA Researcher of the Year, Kelling has been a member of the Potato Association of America (PAA) for more than 35 years.

(including 18 on potato topics) in scientific journals. The overriding goals of improving nutrient use efficiency, increasing farm profitability and ensuring environmental protection have remained consistent throughout his career.

Keith and his wife, Andrea, have two adult children. They reside in Middleton, Wisconsin, but they also have a lake home in Rhinelander and spend winters in Naples, Florida.

He enjoys hunting and fishing (especially walleyes) and is an avid golfer. He and his wife are big fans of UW football, basketball and hockey, attending many of the Badgers’ home games in Madison.

Congratulations, Dr. Kelling, on your 2019 induction into the WPVGA Hall of Fame.

He was a key member of the potato and vegetable Extension team at UWMadison and received an Industry Appreciation Award from the WPVGA in 2004.

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He helped organize the 2004 PAA Symposium on “The Future Role of Extension in the Potato Industry” and served on the local arrangements committee for the 2006 PAA meeting.

He was a member of the Extension and Production Sections of PAA and is still a regular participant in the annual meeting and the annual golf outing.

In 2008, Kelling received one of the highest honors in the potato industry when he was awarded with Honorary Life Membership in the PAA. PHOSPHORUS MANAGEMENT In addition, he coordinated the 2012 PAA Symposium on Phosphorus Management and Utilization.

He has received numerous awards over the years for excellence in research, Extension and education.

Since his retirement in 2004, he has published an additional 23 papers

The newest member of the WPVGA Hall of Fame, Dr. Keith Kelling, shown here with his wife, Andrea, established a large research program that addressed practical nutrient management issues in potato production systems.

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Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

Wisconsin’s Traveling Billboard Receives New Look Wisconsin’s traveling billboard and mobile education unit officially has a facelift! The 37.5-foot recreational vehicle that is appropriately called “The Wisconsin Spudmobile” is showing off its brand-new exterior

wrap, which debuted in none other than the potato country of Stevens Point.

The vehicle was parked at the Holiday Inn Convention Center for the Grower

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The updated wrap continues to tell a “field to fork” story, showcasing an image of a Wisconsin potato field and medley of fresh red and golden potatoes across the bottom, and exhibiting a prepared dish of roasted red and golden potatoes seasoned with rosemary.

On the driver’s side, the Wisconsin potato field and medley theme continue, with loaded baked russet potatoes as the prepared dish.

Both sides feature the call to action “Ask for Wisconsin Potatoes” and the name of Wisconsin’s sustainable and environmentally friendly grower program, “Healthy Grown.” The words “Mobile Education Unit” aptly describe the vehicle for people as Above: Darci Laudenbach of CC Graphics in Wisconsin Rapids carefully installed the updated Spudmobile wrap in January 2019.

they see it driving down the road.

The Spudmobile’s social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are also highlighted with access information for anyone who wants to follow the vehicle on its journeys throughout the year.

On the back of the vehicle is a “Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes” logo over a black background with “Wisconsin Spudmobile” in red letters and a white outline. Red and white represent the team colors of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgers, with the industry having strong ties to the school through potato research and education.

ANOTHER YEAR ON THE ROAD This update is a great way for the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry to celebrate the vehicle being blessed with another year on the road. The Spudmobile is truly one of our most valuable assets in communicating directly with consumers about where their food comes from.

The back of the Spudmobile, which is a 2012 Holiday Rambler Ambassador, is now a classy black that makes the name, website and “Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes” logo stand out for all to see.

Updating the wrap helps keep the vehicle’s vitality alive as it continues to successfully educate people about potato nutrition, how and where potatoes are produced and the many ways to prepare healthy, easy and delicious Wisconsin potato dishes.

It’s very exciting that the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers as well as the Associate Division members received a firsthand look at the new wrap this week in Stevens Point.

With such a classy look, it did not disappoint.

Darci Laudenbach of CC Graphics in Wisconsin Rapids designed, printed and installed the new wrap. She says the Wisconsin potato industry has always been an important part of her family and family business.

The WPVGA Associate Division, of which Laudenbach’s CC Graphics is a member, generously decided to foot the bill for the updated wrap project, just as the Board did in 2014 when the vehicle was featured for the first time at the August Farm Tech Days in Portage County that year.

“Having the opportunity to be part of the Spudmobile was such an honor,” Laudenbach says. “A lot of work happens behind the scenes to make something like this come to life. It’s exciting to see the final product and I can honestly say I am happy with the results!”

Laudenbach and her team spent about a week removing the current wrap while also printing and installing the new one. The Wisconsin Potato

& Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Promotions Committee members couldn’t be happier with the results.

Darci Laudenbach and her team, Todd Olaff (left) and Russ Voigt (center), are proud to have the vehicle ready for its debut at the WPVGA Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, February 5 and 6.

continued on pg. 26

SUPPORTING MEMBER BUSINESSES The Promotions Committee appreciates having the Associate Division’s participation in and contributions to the WPVGA and Wisconsin’s traveling billboard, and it believes in supporting members’ businesses whenever possible.

While Laudenbach has owned CC Graphics for about 1 ½ years, she is BC�T March 25

Marketplace. . .

continued from pg. 25

no stranger to the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry. As the daughter of Butch Fencil of Fencil Urethane Systems Inc., Laudenbach has been involved in various ways for some time.

“Growing up, the WPVGA has always been an important part of my family and family business,” Laudenbach says. “I really appreciate the association supporting their members’ businesses.”

WPVGA Promotions Committee Chairman Chris Brooks agrees. “I think it’s important to maintain the circle of business between growers and Associate [Division] members in the WPVGA,” he says.

“This industry is unique in the fact [that] the Associate Division has found value and committed a lot of time and funding to the health of our industry.

The passenger side of the vehicle shines in the sun with its updated wrap. The prepared dish features roasted red and yellow potatoes that are prevalent in the state.

The only return those associates get is the improved profitability for growers creating a stronger business climate for those companies.”

It’s a team-oriented approach that not only strengthens local businesses and economies, but also a valuable

agricultural industry.

With more updates for the vehicle on their way in 2019, the entire industry is happily celebrating another milestone and looking forward to many more.

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Wysocki Produce Farm is committed to sustainable practices, so partnering with Healthy Grown fit its goal to improve product quality (in this case, potatoes) and the environment.

benefits consumers and can help them understand the important role agriculture plays in their everyday lives.

There are many growers in the history of Healthy Grown who have stood the test of time and several have been featured in previous Healthy Grown spotlight articles.

“Wisconsin Healthy Grown” is a message Wysocki Produce Farm felt strongly enough about to put it on potato bags, boxes and packaging.

Sticking with something “through the long haul” isn’t always easy, especially if someone isn’t seeing an immediate return. Sometimes however, the biggest rewards come from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (even when it isn’t easily visible) and “traveling the distance” with a project despite all the ups and downs a journey may have in store.

Wisconsin’s Healthy Grown program has seen its share of fluctuations over the years. Yet despite all of them, there are many Wisconsin growers who have remained focused on the

“bigger picture” since day one and continue to see it today.

This is especially true as it relates to the positive story growers’ customers are receiving about the benefits of agriculture and the importance of growing sustainable and environmentally-friendly crops.

In this light, being a Healthy Grown grower is more than a program that involves researchers and tells a good story. It’s a partnership with researchers and with customers, like retail stores, that ultimately

This month, we turn our attention to Wysocki Produce Farm. Andrew Pribramsky is the agronomist at Wysocki Produce Farm (WPF), Paramount Ag Division, and sheds some light on the value the program has provided WPF. When did you join the Healthy Grown program? Wysocki Produce Farm has been involved with the Healthy Grown program since its infancy and was one of the early members to participate.

Why did you decide to join the Healthy Grown program? Our farm is committed to sustainable practices, so partnering with Healthy Grown fit our goal to improve the quality of our product and the environment. continued on pg. 28 BC�T March 27

Marketplace. . .

continued from pg. 27

How much time do you spend on the program each year? The Healthy Grown program is really a year-round commitment; it involves planning and good management practices to ensure a healthy product for the consumer.

Many of the practices that we perform for the program are already in place as typical management.

What is the “value-added” you see coming back to your farm and to you as a grower? The value of the program is it helps keep our farm committed to sustainable practices. This program gives us access to university resources to fulfill sustainability projects.

The Healthy Grown program helps keep Wysocki Produce Farm committed to sustainable practices, and it gives the operation access to university resources for fulfilling sustainability projects.

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Why would you encourage other potato/vegetable growers to become Healthy Grown practitioners? It is a great opportunity to connect with other growers and for them to utilize resources that are available to improve their processes and procedures.

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What are some challenges you have experienced as a Healthy Grown grower/with the program? Our largest issue has come from the time commitment to report the information for the audit. It is another obligation at a very busy time.

What do you think about expanding the Healthy Grown program?

Expansion provides extra opportunity for the Wisconsin growers to find new markets and have more resources available to them.

If applicable, why do you think expanding the program is essential for the program itself, as well as for Wisconsin potato growers? The program needs to grow so the name becomes more recognizable and will help to boost its branding power.

Does expanding the program give the growers and the state a good image, and if so, how? The Healthy Grown program shows that our state is committing to better practices, so we can continue to farm our fields in the future.

What advice do you have for growers not currently part of the program in encouraging them to participate? This program allows for the opportunity to work with university professionals to improve crop production and sustainability practices while offering the grower potential for increased market access.

The Healthy Grown program is expanding as a result of adding approximately 3,000 acres in 2018.

There is also additional interest among growers to join in 2019, which is helping to accomplish the goals of expanding the program and marketing Wisconsin as a Healthy Grown state.

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Now News

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division of Nutrien Ltd., the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, announce a partnership.

Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, and Nutrien Ag Solutions, the retail

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(the company has over 3,500) to leverage Lindsay’s remote irrigation management and scheduling platform to supplement Nutrien’s offerings.

Through this partnership, Lindsay and Nutrien Ag Solutions will also automate the transfer of as-applied data from Lindsay’s FieldNET Advisor to the Nutrien Ag Solutions digital platform to strengthen growers’ ability to optimize water application amount and timing at every point throughout their fields.

Nutrien Ag Solutions provides crop input products and services that help growers make informed agronomic decisions.

Above: Lindsay and Nutrien Ag Solutions will automate the transfer of as-applied data from Lindsay’s FieldNET Advisor to the Nutrien Ag Solutions digital platform to strengthen growers’ ability to optimize water application amount and timing.

This collaboration means that Nutrien can now add FieldNET Advisor to its digital and agronomic offerings, enabling growers to better streamline water usage as part of their overall field management plan.

REAL-TIME INSIGHTS “Our partnership with Lindsay means growers can augment their knowledge and experience with realtime digital insights from FieldNET Advisor,” Goldfarb adds.

The Nutrien Ag Solutions digital platform leverages deep agronomic data science and leading-edge technology to solve real world problems for growers.

FieldNET Advisor, a solution available through Lindsay's FieldNET remote irrigation monitoring and control platform, is the world’s first cloudbased irrigation scheduling tool that delivers automated, daily irrigation recommendations, helping growers decide precisely when, where and how much to irrigate.

“Because growers depend on us to deliver solutions that optimize outcomes in the most sustainable way, we are committed to finding industry partners that share our mission of applying the best science and technology towards complex agricultural issues,” says Sol Goldfarb, vice president of digital strategy at Nutrien Ag Solutions.

“We are excited and honored to be partnering with Nutrien Ag Solutions,” says Brian Magnusson, vice president of technology and innovation at Lindsay.

“This collaboration will demonstrate the utility and effectiveness of FieldNET Advisor, not only at the individual grower level, but also for the ag retail business,” Magnusson relates. “Due in large part to FieldNET Advisor’s versatility, we expect to continue to see meaningful results across the precision ag value chain.”

The data connection between the Nutrien Ag Solutions digital platform and FieldNET Advisor will save growers time by streamlining data collection and entry, further improving precision of the resulting crop zones, agronomic models and variable rate prescriptions.

This data connection is expected to be available later in 2019.

For more information about Nutrien Ag Solutions, visit www.nutrienagsolutions.com. For more information about FieldNET technology, visit www.myfieldnet.com. continued on pg. 32

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Now News. . .

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Midwestern BioAg Becomes a 4R Partner Partnership strengthens company’s position as a leader in soil health Midwestern BioAg (MBA), a leader in soil health and sustainability, has become a 4R Partner in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program through The Fertilizer Institute.

“As we continue to grow and expand our wholesale division, we are looking for new and effective ways to validate what we bring to the table,” says Jim Krebsbach, Midwestern BioAg vice president of sales.

“Midwestern BioAg becoming an official 4R partner was a natural step forward for us to continue strengthening our position as a leader in soil health within the industry,” he explains.

The goal of 4R Nutrient Stewardship is to achieve economic, social and environmental performance objectives in relation to nutrient management and growth in sustainable agriculture.

4R Nutrient Stewardship includes key contributing factors to sustainability such as profitability, soil health, reduced losses to the environment, rural development and food security, land conservation and habitat protection.

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been an industry leader in promoting balanced fertilizer blends, including micronutrients, calcium, sulfur and carbon.

The company’s focus on soil health engages practices and products that stimulate soil biology. MBA’s philosophy on soil health fits right inline with 4R Nutrient Principles.

The company’s systems approach to soil health promotes using the right products at the right time and rates, and most importantly, from the right source to improve nutrient-use efficiency and enhance overall crop performance.

To learn more about Midwestern BioAg and the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program, please visit: https://www.midwesternbioag.com/ or www.nutrientstewardship.com/ partners/.

Environmental Quality Incentive Programs Open to State Wisconsin landowners can take advantage of the USDA’s EQIP incentives program The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative that promotes agricultural production, forest management and environmental quality.

EQIP offers financial and technical assistance to farmers and landowners to install or implement conservation practices on their land that protect soil and water quality.

Applicants develop a conservation plan with the help of NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) for acreage enrolled in EQIP. Conservation practices must meet NRCS technical standards.

NRCS evaluates and ranks each application, with higher priority given to practices that address local resource concerns and provide the most environmental benefit.

The NRCS offers skilled professional staff to help you plan and design conservation improvements to your farm.

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Landowners or producers who farm agricultural land are eligible.

Projects are selected on addressing resource concerns and providing environmental value. EQIP offers payments for over 100 conservation practices to help all types of farmers and landowners.

• Historically underserved farmers*

Landowners or ag producers can apply by contacting their local NRCS Service Center in the county in which the land is located.

EQIP applications are accepted throughout the year. Cutoff dates are scheduled to allow for current year ranking and selection of applications for funding.

NRCS, with advice from the State Technical Committee, local working groups or both, as appropriate, will rank and select applications received up to the cutoff dates.

EQIP offers assistance for all types of Wisconsin agriculture, including the state’s priorities: • Specialty crops • Organic farming

*Higher payment rates available

Some of the eligible practices include: • Grassed waterways • Cover crops • Nutrient management • Prescribed grazing plans • Forest management • Buffer strips • Contour strip cropping • Watering systems • Stream exclusion • Critical area plantings • Pollinator habitat • Manure management systems, including storage structures and barnyard runoff protection Visit the website to review current EQIP cutoff dates, eligibility information and special initiative opportunities. For more information about EQIP, visit, www.wi.nrcs.usda. gov/programs. continued on pg.34

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BC�T March 33

Now News. . .

continued from pg. 33

Altmann Construction Honored Company wins Gold Projects of Distinguished Excellence in Construction Award “This is an opportunity to recognize the professionalism of our contractor members who perform outstanding work for a wide variety of clients in areas like manufacturing, hospitality and education,” says John Mielke, ABC of Wisconsin president.

OUT OF THE ORDINARY “What makes the Projects of Distinction Awards program so special is that none of these awardwinning projects are ordinary,” Mielke continues. “Each one is unique and interesting.”

“Altmann Construction is both proud and truly grateful to receive this award,” says Tom Altmann, vice president and general manager at Altmann Construction.

Built by Altmann Construction Company, the Welcome Center at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Rudolph, Wisconsin, spans over 4,400 square feet sitting at the entrance of the Rudolph Grotto Gardens.

Altmann Construction Company, Inc. is being recognized for construction excellence in 2018.

Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin honored Altmann Construction Company, Inc. with a Gold Projects of Distinction Excellence in Construction Award for the Welcome Center project in Rudolph.

The Welcome Center at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Rudolph spans over 4,400 square feet sitting

at the entrance of the Rudolph Grotto Gardens. Beginning as a memorial to the former St. Philip’s Catholic School, it has now become a beautiful community building.

The project was judged in a rigorous process by a panel of construction experts based on several criteria, including safety, quality, owner satisfaction, execution and coordination, budgeting, difficult and unusual challenges and overall distinctiveness.

“We thank them for recognizing our work on this unique and challenging local project. We are truly honored to receive such a distinguished award and be recognized alongside so many quality companies and individuals in the construction industry who have such an impact on the building community,” Altmann adds.

The Projects of Distinction Awards recognize projects that are built on merit. The awards were presented at a banquet, February 14, in Wisconsin Dells.

A full list of the award winners can be found at www.abcwi.org/pod2018.

Altmann Construction is both proud and truly grateful to receive this award — Tom Altmann, vice president and general manager at Altmann Construction.

34 BC�T March

Bill Introduced to Make Farms Safer Sen. Patrick Testin and Rep. Bob Kulp reintroduce tractor rollover bill Tractor rollovers are the leading cause of death on farms, but one group of Wisconsin legislators is trying to eliminate the hazard.

Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Rep. Bob Kulp (R-Stratford) are reintroducing a bill to provide state funding for Wisconsin’s farm tractor Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) Rebate Program. Joining them as co- authors are Sen. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls) and Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc).

“A farmer’s workplace doesn’t always have four walls and a ceiling— sometimes it’s up in the tractor,” says Rep. Kulp. “This bill will help make that workplace safer.”

Rep. Kurtz, an organic farmer, agreed that now is the right time for this

legislation. “Small farmers are being hit hard by low commodity prices.

Making safety features affordable is the right thing to do,” he says. “I was fortunate to survive a tractor rollover, and I want my neighbors to be able to say the same thing.”

The ROPS program was founded by the National Farm Medicine Center, part of Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, in 2012. Since then, the program has helped fund the installation of more than 245 ROPS on tractors.

FARM FAMILY HEALTH “For nearly 40 years, the National Farm Medicine Center has been doing a great job of addressing the health and wellness needs of farm families,” says Sen. Bernier. “I’m proud to help

them make working conditions safer for our farmers.”

Last session, the agricultural committees in both houses of the Legislature passed the bill unanimously, but session ended before the bill could be voted on by the full body. Sen. Testin believes that with an early start, the bill has a good chance of success.

“By starting the process now, we can hopefully put this program to work in the next few months,” says Sen. Testin. “The sooner we can make life on the farm safer, the better.”

The bill is currently circulating for co-sponsors prior to its official introduction.

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BC�T March 35

Seed Piece Seed Was the Star at 59th Annual Meeting Seed Meeting carries on tradition of sharing information and initiatives

Varietal purity and capacity

to be disease free are two of the main focuses of the Seed Potato Certification Program of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA).

Clover Spacek, a field inspector for the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP), said, when other states saw the Wisconsin potato winter test plots in Oahu, Hawaii, their managers were impressed.

The WSPIA held its 59th Annual Meeting at North Star Lanes, in Antigo, January 30, and Program Director Alex Crockford welcomed attendees before launching into the year’s expenses and revenues.

“The Idaho rep said it was the best Wisconsin winter plot he’s ever seen,” related Spacek, who credits quality varieties, timely rains, good irrigation, ideal growing conditions, warm weather and cool nights.

Revenues for the program are generated from potato seed sales, acreage fees, winter test fees and miscellaneous lab services and inspections that his crew conducts.

“We talked to Mike Baginski of Baginski Farms Inc. and used one of his reefer trailers with a heating unit, which warmed samples,” Spacek added, “and it worked amazing.

The transfer of air helped, we didn’t notice any corrosion to the trailer at all, and we noticed a better sprout.”

Crockford also explained a current necrotic virus management plan and changes in the post-harvest winter test in cooperation with the University of Hawaii Agrosecurity Laboratory.

QUALITY SEED Russ Groves, University of Wisconsin-

Above: With Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA) Outgoing President Charlie Mattek having served his term on the board, and Matt Mattek voted on as the newest member, the 2019 WSPIA Board is, from left to right, J.D. Schroeder, Roy Gallenberg, Jeff Fassbender (vice president), Matt (secretary/treasurer) and Dan Kakes (president).

Madison professor and associate chair, Department of Entomology, said the WSPCP continues to be successful in the amount of seed tested and quality of seed.

“The program has evolved and evolved well,” Groves remarked.

“Disease diagnostics has improved.”

As many of the state’s potato growers could relate, Keith Heinzen, seed potato farm manager for the State Farm in Rhinelander, explained that several of the 30,000 hundredweight

Let your motto be good seed, true to name and type, free from varietal mixture and from disease, and all other good things of life will be added unto you 36 BC�T March

— William Stuart, USDA researcher, 1913

As many of the state’s potato growers in attendance could unfortunately relate, Keith Heinzen, seed potato farm manager for the State Farm in Rhinelander, says several hundredweight (cwt.) of potatoes harvested on the farm were damaged by frost.

(cwt.) of potatoes harvested on the farm were damaged by frost, with the program losing 18 percent of Snowdens and some reds.

Likewise, Spacek said, “We had great emergence minus the Snowdens and a few frost lots. The majority of them were fine.”

Guest speakers included Chuck Bolte, a GPS and nutrient management program (NMP) manager for AgSource Laboratories, who discussed the water quality of the Spring Brook and Eau Claire River and how the Antigo Flats plays a role in the Wisconsin River TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load).

Eric Cooley, co-director of the University of Wisconsin Discovery Farms, explained the farmer-led, on-farm water quality research and educational program his team is heading. It includes edge-of-field monitoring, runoff and testing for nitrogen and phosphorus leaching. continued on pg. 38

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Seed Piece. . .

continued from pg. 37

WSPIA Program Director Alex Crockford (left) chats with Kyle Zarda (center), shop manager for Wirz, Inc., and his wife and Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Vice President Devin Zarda (right) during a break at the Annual Seed Meeting

WSPIA Program Director Alex Crockford welcomed attendees to the 59th Annual Seed Meeting before launching into the year’s expenses and revenues, as well as explaining a current necrotic virus management plan and changes to the post-harvest winter test in cooperation with the University of Hawaii Agrosecurity Laboratory.

Michelle Marks reviewed her postdoctoral research initiative titled “Potato Soil Health National Project: An Introduction & Overview.” The project is funded by an $8 million

grant and encompasses 10 states, 24 collaborators, technical advisory committees and industry, all led

by Carl Rosen of the University of Minnesota.

MANAGING PVY Groves gave an update on a multistate collaboration, currently in its fifth year, focused in predicting risk for PVY transmission in potato and understanding ways to manage for the plant pathogenic virus.

A dinner and Annual Meeting sponsor, Darrel Daniels represented Syngenta and gave an overview of new products and label changes,

concentrating on MaravisPrime, a new potato fungicide premix that controls early blight and white mold.

Later in the Annual Meeting, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Executive Director Tamas Houlihan said, regardless of 2018 encompassing some of the most challenging growing and harvest seasons in state history, he was “struck by the resolve of our members who remained upbeat.”

Despite all difficulties with the crop, the WPVGA had a successful year, Houlihan noted, explaining many

59th Annual Seed Meeting Sponsors Premier Dinner Sponsor: Syngenta Crop Protection Goldrush Sponsors: Bayer CropScience Gowan USA Insight FS Kretz Truck Brokerage LLC Nutrien Ag Solutions - Great Lakes Syngenta Crop Protection Volm Companies Silverton Sponsors: Altmann Construction Co., Inc. Bio-Gro 38 BC�T March

River Valley Bank Roberts Irrigation Company, Inc. Southside Tire Co., Inc. T.I.P., Inc. / Ag Grow Solutions TH Agri-Chemicals, Inc. Valent U.S.A. LLC Superior Sponsors AgCountry Farm Credit Services AgSource Laboratories AMVAC Chemicals Corp.

BASF Big Iron Equipment, Inc. BMO Harris Bank

CoVantage Credit Union Jay-Mar, Inc. Quinlan’s Equipment, Inc. Riesterer & Schnell, Inc. Ron’s Refrigeration Rural Mutual Insurance Co. - Antigo Sand County Equipment, LLC Swiderski Equipment, Inc. Warner & Warner, Inc.

WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES

Newly elected as President of the WSPIA Board, Dan Kakes (left) presents Outgoing President Charlie Mattek (right) with a plaque in appreciation for his four years of service to the association through membership on the Board of Directors.

of the seminars, summits, awards, programs, research projects, field days, promotions and more falling under the WPVGA umbrella.

“It’s impressive how many of you take a ‘glass half full’ approach,” Houlihan said. “I’m happy to work on your behalf.”

With that, the WSPIA Board held its annual business meeting, including election of officers, one new board member, Matt Mattek of J.W. Mattek & Sons, and the presentation of a Leadership Award to James Meyer (the “Potato Doctor”), who unfortunately could not be in attendance.

Chuck Bolte, a GPS and nutrient management program (NMP) manager for AgSource Laboratories, discussed the water quality of the Spring Brook and Eau Claire River and how the Antigo Flats plays a role in the Wisconsin River TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load).

Meyer, a field inspector for the WSPCP, devoted an incredible amount of time to the Wisconsin seed industry, with five years spent serving on the WSPIA Board and 33 years devoted to seed certification.

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BC�T March 39

Badger Beat Abundant Pollinator Diversity in Wisconsin Specialty Crops Study looks at 1,233 bees representing 86 species and five families collected from field sites

By Russell L. Groves, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology, and Kathryn J. Prince

Many Wisconsin specialty crops

rely on pollinators for fruit and seed production, and the plants, in turn, provide resources in the form of nectar and pollen to these pollinators.

By doing so, specialty crops contribute positively to pollinator health and it is our hope that current crop culture and plant protection strategies do not interfere with this positive contribution.

Wisconsin currently ranks seventh among U.S. states for farm-gate vegetable sales, and a vast majority

of the sales go to processors for freezing, canning, drying and pickling. As a result, Wisconsin now ranks second among states for both harvested acreage and total production of processing vegetables and third for production value.

Moreover, the production and processing of Wisconsin specialty

The current reliance on a single pollinator— the domesticated European honey bee (Apis mellifera)—exposes U.S. crop production to potentially serious risks.

crops benefit the statewide economy in multiple ways.

In a direct sense, each sector creates economic activity and jobs within its own industry. Additionally, crop production and processing also benefit nearly every other Wisconsin industry based in the regional food sector.

INSECTICIDE USE Wisconsin specialty crop producers continue to rely on insecticides for the control of damaging, early-season pest insects including seed maggots (Delia spp.) in snap bean, sweet corn and peas, as well as potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae Harris) and bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcate Forster) in these same crops.

Prior to the registration of the neonicotinoid mode-of-action (MoA) class 4A insecticides (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee: www.irac-online.org) in the late 1990’s, the processing industry used combinations of both carbamate (MoA Class 1A) and organophosphate (MoA Class 1B) insecticides to limit early-season damage.

The registration of Cruiser® 5FS (thiamethoxam), Poncho® 600F (clothianadin) and Gaucho® 480F

40 BC�T March

and 600F (imidacloprid) as seed treatments in the early 2000’s, were regarded as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated, organophosphate alternatives, and highly significant in their capacity to increase the overall sustainability of the processing crops industry.

Reported at-plant applications of soil-applied neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments had the effect of collectively lowering the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ: Lowenstein et al. 2008) scores of snap beans from a high of 4.8 to .7, where it resides today, and was regarded as a very successful pest management transition.

This transition has also been widely adopted in many other specialty crop systems, but the largest measurable increases in use have occurred in the field and forage crop industries where an estimated 85 percent of all

neonicotinoid seed treatment uses are focused.

POLLINATORS & SPECIALTY CROPS Pollinators are essential to our environment and to agriculture.

This is especially true for specialty crop production, which relies almost exclusively upon pollinators for fruit and seed production.

The ecological services provided by pollinators are critical for the establishment, reproduction and persistence of nearly 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants, including crop and non-crop species.

An estimated 30 percent of the food composing the American diet depends on insect pollination.

Nevertheless, the current major reliance on a single pollinator—the domesticated European honey bee (Apis mellifera)—exposes U.S. crop production to potentially serious risks.

Some of the 4,000 species of wild bees native to North America can provide, at a minimum, a complementary source of pollination services and an insurance policy against fluctuations in honey bee supply. In addition, native pollinators are keystone species in many terrestrial ecosystems.

In the case of processing vegetables in Wisconsin, these systemic insecticide uses are almost exclusively used as at-plant seed treatments. And such uses typically provide 14-21 days of post-emergence control, after which time concentrations of insecticides in the vascular system are presumed to decline well below effective doses to result in acute toxicity.

UNLIKELY EXPOSURE So potentially, foraging pollinator species would unlikely be exposed, at a large scale, to insecticide residues present in floral structures continued on pg. 42

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Badger Beat. . .

continued from pg. 41

or nectary’s present on snap beans, sweet corn or peas, which develop considerably later in plant development.

At the current time, however, we do not have sufficient or comprehensive survey data to inform us of the identity or seasonal sequence of pollinator species that frequent processing crops, especially during the critical flowering periods of crop development.

Therefore, we sought to determine the pollinator species present in selected processing crops at different times during crop development.

A total of 1,233 bees representing 86 species and five families were collected from all field sites in this study. Of these, 347 individual bees (28 percent of all individuals captured) were domesticated honey bees, Apis mellifera (Fig. 1).

Bees obtained from each of the organic farms were replicated across time (n = 10). All collection sites were located within the Central Sands region of Wisconsin.

Within the 53 conventional vegetable fields sampled in 2014 and 2015, 498 individual bees were collected representing 28 species.

Of these, 294 honey bees were captured, representing 59 percent of all individual bees collected from conventional vegetable fields (Fig. 1).

The overall presence of bees within crop fields was not significantly correlated with time, surrounding land use or field size. However, the presence of more than one species of bee in crop fields was significantly affected by field size, with smaller fields tending to have more bee species.

The species richness of bees was significantly affected by the

proportion of natural land within 2,000 meters (1.24 miles), regardless of crop type (Fig. 2).

Of Wisconsin’s roughly 400 bee species (Wolf & Ascher 2008), 86 were found in the Central Sands, including one new regional record, and 49 species were found within conventional processing vegetable fields.

In-field bee species were most affected by the surrounding land uses at scales of 1,000 and 2,000 meters (.62-to-1.24 miles), particularly the proportion of natural land, which suggests that lesser distances are within the average foraging range for the bee species found in the Central Sands area.

Since bee species tend to favor seminatural, marginal lands, the seasonlong suitability of margins on a smallscale and a large-scale organic farm were compared to each other and to semi-natural conventional margins, all within the Central Sands area.

Conventional field margins yielded a more robust community than vegetable fields themselves, while organic margins were relatively equivalent to conventional margins, regardless of scale.

BEE PASS-THROUGH? Many bees were recorded actively foraging in field margins, but few, if any, foraged within conventional fields, suggesting that most of the bees captured from within fields were merely passing through.

Figure 1. A comparison of individual honey bees (Apis mellifera) and individual wild bees representing five different families that were captured in conventional processing vegetable fields (n = 53), conventional processing vegetable field margins (n = 13), two organic farms, and all sites taken cumulatively.

42 BC�T March

Thus, smaller field sizes were most correlated with the presence or absence of multiple bee species in processing crops.

All the study’s conventional field sites were privately owned by growers contracting their irrigated land with Del Monte Foods to grow the aforementioned processing crops.

This relegation of crop management to an outside party allows conventional farmers to successfully grow crops on many separate land parcels. Cooperation across property lines is imperative to ensure that crops and bees alike continue to thrive in this area.

References Lowenstein, D.M., Huseth, A.S., & Groves, R.L. (2012). Response of wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) to surrounding land cover in Wisconsin pickling cucumber.

Environmental Entomology, 41(3), 532-540.

Figure 2. The effect of the proportion of natural area within 2,000 meters on bee species richness within conventional vegetable fields grown in the Central Sands region of Wisconsin in 2014 and 2015.

Wolf, A.T. & Ascher, J.S. (2008). Bees of Wisconsin (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila). The Great Lakes Entomologist, 41, 129-168.

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Update on the Organic Potato Market An interview with RPE Inc. Senior Agronomist Mike Copas sheds light on growing organic potatoes

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater Organic potato production is a developing area of the potato category that has grown substantially over the past five to 10 years.

Wisconsin growers and shippers of potatoes have responded to demand by increasing acres and packing options for retail customers who continue to seek out more choices.

Producers and packers began to explore organic development of Wisconsin potatoes many years prior,

but the market remained relatively small.

Even large percentage growth of the category was still minimal in volume during this time. By 2010, the growth of the organic market led a few larger producers to take their first steps into the organic potato arena.

WADING INTO ORGANIC From 2010-2015, there continued to be steady growth of new farms willing to wade into organic production.

Above: Weed management is one of the more prevalent challenges in an organic vegetable system. Growers must promote rapid crop development with irrigation and fertility to gain an edge over competing weeds. Cultivation strategies rely heavily on understanding weed identification and the critical stages in weed development (often by species) to provide the most effective control.

Further requests from retailers who were struggling to meet demand by their customers encouraged more growers to push acres into the organic certification process and pursue the premiums that organics offered over conventional production.

Incremental growth in organic potatoes has continued at the customer level, but grower supply has closed the gap rapidly.

Newly certified organic acres came online over the past 18 months that resulted in oversupply and suppression of the market premiums that existed for the past 10-plus years in organic potatoes.

44 BC�T March

Organic premiums relative to the conventional potato market were substantial in the early 2010’s, in some cases 30-50 percent above the conventional market price.

Recent oversupply has reduced this to a 12-15 percent premium above the conventional market. Much of the oversupply situation in potato was created three to four years ago when prices were good, and growers put land into the organic certification process.

Organic certification requires that land is managed under the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Organic process for three years prior to a crop being sold as certified organic.

The oversupply is not the only factor in the current market scenario. Retailers have continued to support the commoditization of organic potatoes from a previous niche market to provide lower costs to their customers.

Nick Somers of Plover River Farms is one of many Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers that have developed organic crop rotations over the past several years. Nick cites the redevelopment of traditional farming methods as one of the lures and challenges of getting into organic potato production. Plover River Farms has also produced sweet corn, peas and green beans for processing customers as part of their organic rotation.

The once high shelf price of organic potatoes has come down to be more competitive with conventional potatoes, and consumers are willing to spend the reduced premium on the belief that they are getting a healthier option.

SMALL FARMS, LOCAL DEMAND Organic potato production was initially focused within smaller farms.

Those were typically producers capitalizing on existing niche markets or specialty products. Organic farms were uniformly distributed across continued on pg. 46

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Update on the Organic Potato Market. . . continued from pg. 45

the major potato production states, taking advantage of local demand.

Larger retail customers began to carry organic potatoes and the need for more regional and national sourcing drove larger farms to enter organic production.

Over the past few years, the number of organic acres has increased in

western potato production states, and they have held an advantage from the input cost and quality standpoint.

Wisconsin growers, organic or conventional, face higher costs of production due to increased demand on fungicide and fertility programs. As the market premium for

organic potatoes slowly decreased, input costs and pack-out numbers remained constant.

How many acres is RPE Inc. growing organically now? RPE currently represents organic growers across three states, with 440 acres in Wisconsin, 100 in Colorado and 1,600 acres in California.

To maintain supply to our customer base, RPE will also source organic potatoes from other states, including North Dakota, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Are you only growing potatoes organically, or other vegetables as well? RPE has primarily focused on potato sales within organics but has also sourced organic onions and sweet potatoes for our customers.

RPE growers in Wisconsin are usually raising one or more vegetable crops during the remainder of their threeto-five-year crop rotation.

The rotation vegetable crops range from processing/canning crops of cabbage, sweet corn, peas and green beans, to fresh-shipped crops of peppers, pumpkins and sweet potatoes.

Are grocery stores increasing their organic space? Is the market primed? This is based on the retailer.

We have seen some retailers expand their space and create a designated area for organics. Retailers are making it easier for consumers to identify organic versus conventional items.

The trend of increasing sales in the retail sector is expected to continue for the near future similar to the pace it has maintained over the past few years. Much of the growth at the retail level is expected to be volume within the existing SKU’s rather than diversification of the category.

Who is the target consumer for organics? Market research has

46 BC�T March

shown that the purchasers of organic products typically have incomes and educations higher than the median in their region.

The highest movement of organic produce is in the Central and South Atlantic states, and on the West Coast of the United States. The largest growing sector of organic produce buyers is within the millennial generation, but this growth is predominantly within canned and frozen vegetables.

Fresh organic produce buyers are uniformly distributed across age demographics similar to buyers of conventional fresh produce.

The main organic buyers have concerns over environmental responsibility, transparency in how the food is produced and the purity of the products they purchase.

Shoppers who purchase both organic and conventional produce have their largest concerns over food safety, with the application of “harmful chemicals” as the main deterrent on conventional items.

(Research by: The Hartman Group: Organic & Natural 2018) What types of chemicals, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides can or can’t be used? USDA-certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing factors like soil quality, pest and weed control, and use of additives.

Organic producers must rely on naturally derived substances and physical, mechanical or biologically based agricultural management practices to supply the needs of their crop.

Produce can be deemed organic if

it’s certified to have grown on soil that had no prohibited substances, determined by the accrediting agency, applied for three years prior to harvest.

Prohibited substances include most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

The organization that registers products for approval in organic production systems is the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).

Once products are approved by OMRI, they are still subject to the discretion of the individual certifying agency on whether they will be approved for use.

In instances when a grower must use a synthetic substance to achieve a specific purpose, the substance must go through a pre-approval process to examine its effects on human health and the environment.

continued on pg. 48

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 that you have come to 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 March 47

Update on the Organic Potato Market. . . continued from pg. 47

What does it take to be certified? According to the USDA, certifiers are responsible for making sure that organic products meet all organic standards. There are five basic steps to organic certification: 1. The farm or business adopts organic practices, selects a USDAaccredited certifying agent and submits an application and fees to the certifying agent.

2. The certifying agent reviews the application to verify that practices comply with USDA organic regulations.

3. An inspector conducts an on-site inspection of the applicant’s operation.

RPE Inc. supplies fresh Certified Organic U.S. #1 potatoes in red, yellow and russet categories. Sales of organic potatoes have increased by nearly 60 percent since 2014. RPE has successfully developed a market for U.S. #2 organic potatoes through their Oddball Organics program. Growers can sell their off-grade organic potatoes at a retail level that retains the organic premium in the market. Previously, no market existed for organic #2 potatoes, and they were sold along with conventional off-grade potatoes. RPE also markets and sells over 1,600 acres of organic baby potatoes through their Tasteful Selections brand in Bakersfield, California.

48 BC�T March

4. The certifying agent reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant complies with the USDA organic regulations.

5. The certifying agent issues an organic certificate.

To maintain organic certification, your certified organic farm or business will go through an annual review and inspection process.

Any land used to produce raw organic commodities must not have had prohibited substances applied to it for the past three years. Until the full 36-month transition period is satisfied, a grower cannot: • Sell, label or represent the product as “organic” • Use the USDA organic or certifying agent’s seal

Chad Malek of Specialty Potatoes and Produce kneels in his field of organic potatoes. Chad has frequently pursued new and unique niche markets in potatoes and other vegetable crops over the years. He works closely with RPE to pack the majority of organic options offered through the company, and Chad’s packing facility outside of Rosholt packs for several growers of organic potatoes located throughout central Wisconsin and sells to retail customers all over the United States.

USDA provides technical and financial assistance during the transition period through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Growers can also access a variety of funding options, conservation programs and other programs and services for the organic sector on the USDA Organic Portal.

Are there audits? The auditing process under the USDA Certified Organic program is comparable to audits many growers need to comply with currently under food safety or sustainability (Primus GFS, GAP, etc.).

Audits mainly focus on the tracking of inputs and management tools used to produce the crop and maintain the organic status of the field throughout the crop rotation.

The audit process can be challenging for growers because, while the USDA Certified Organic program has established the parameters, auditing is conducted through private organizations.

The various auditing agencies vary in their determinations of approved agricultural inputs. Certain agricultural management products can pass certification under one agency, but if the grower hopes to sell into a different region of North America, the retailer may request a different agency.

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continued on pg. 50 BC�T March 49

Update on the Organic Potato Market. . . continued from pg. 49

If the new agency determines that same product as “not acceptable,” the grower will not be allowed to pass certification and won’t be approved to sell.

Is the paperwork daunting? The paperwork is probably more

tedious than it is daunting. Beyond inputs of fertilizers and chemicals, growers must track the cleaning of equipment, storages and handling facilities to validate that no potential for cross-contamination between conventional and organic products occurs.

John Miller Farms, Inc Minto, ND

Organic agriculture has been very successful in selling its narrative of natural input-based farming and framing itself as a healthier alternative at the store.

Conventional agriculture will continue to supply the vast majority of the potato and vegetable category from a cost of production and quality position that is typically the largest challenge in organic production systems.

North Dakota Certified Seed Potatoes 2018 Crop Year Silverton Goldrush Dark Red Norland Red Norland Viking Dakota Pearl ND7799C-1 Waneta

Is this a direction the entire potato and vegetable growing industry will eventually be going in? As of today, it is unlikely that the entire industry will shift to organic production in the future. The organic sector will continue to grow, but over the next few years start to fill the volume demanded by customers in that niche and begin to plateau from a sales standpoint.

G-2 G-2 G-2 G-2 G-2 G-2 G-2 G-4

For organic potato and vegetable systems to remain viable in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest, growers might have to rely more heavily on grain crops or vegetable crops for processing within the rotation for a more consistent return.

From an agronomist’s standpoint, what do you like about the organic program? There are typically more agronomic challenges within an organic production system when compared to the conventional production system.

Organic vegetable systems still require a large amount of chemical inputs because the pests and diseases that cause yield and quality reductions remain the same.

Because organically certified options must be naturally derived, products are typically more generalized rather than the site-specific modes of action you see in conventional insecticides and fungicides.

Contact John Miller: (701) 248-3215 50 BC�T March

Despite these restrictions and challenges, it is rewarding to

know that you can still produce a reasonably healthy crop for the duration of our Wisconsin growing season.

What do you see in the health of the plants that might be different from a non-organic production standpoint?

Most organic potato and vegetable crops’ overall health can be weaker due to lower nutrient inputs. Strict following of plant nutrient status and daily monitoring of the condition of the crop is needed to maximize yield and quality.

The yield or quality penalty in organic systems for missing an irrigation event, experiencing delays in weed management and fertilizer applications, or problems executing fungicide sprays is much greater compared to conventional.

What have you personally learned?

The most satisfying thing that I have learned in organic versus conventional systems is that the basic tenants of plant physiology, soil science, pathology, entomology and cropping systems hold true regardless of which area you operate within.

The amount of cross-over between management practices and decision-making in organic systems and conventional systems is very interesting. We see many of the same challenges in both systems, yet differing approaches in management can lead to similar outcomes.

Another observation that has been very prevalent is that organic producers tend to be the frequent target of companies peddling

their products that offer some management aspect to the organic system.

Often these companies rely on their certification through OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) that gives them approval as a certified organic input.

These companies then provide a slew of unsubstantiated testimonials as proof of their product’s success.

Producers must navigate through this stream of products to build a costeffective yet functional management program.

2018 Growing Season On-Farm Split Field Trials Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin

TerraNu Calcium trials showed the following results:

Increased potato yields between 20-80 CWT/ acre vs other sources of calcium.

Improved potato sizing between 3-10%, reducing the number of undesirable sized potatoes and increasing marketable yield.

Increased tuber uniformity, individual size and total tuber counts.

BC�T March 51

New Products Oro Agri Offers Encourage Nano Cal Product Research trials with six potato growers in northern Maine show positive results There are many calcium products on the market today, and most do not work all that well. They usually do not work well because calcium is not the most mobile nutrient and the sources are usually too large to be plant available.

the results of the other Oro Agri products, agreed to conduct research trials on Encourage Nano Cal.

active liming program. Only one grower showed a tissue deficiency of calcium.

Currie Chemical Company (CCC) has been selling Oro Agri Products for more than 15 years with great success. These include Prevam, an insecticide, fungicide and miticide; Wetcit, the best spreader and sticker on the market today; and Oro RZ, a soil surfactant that increases the uptake of nutrients and pesticides.

ATC Labs conducted the research trials with six potato growers in northern Maine and had some interesting and positive results.

Most of the trials showed:

If interested in reviewing the data presentation online, visit http:// oroagriusa.com/wp-content/uploads/ ENCOURAGE-NANOCAL-2018-MainePotato-Trials.pdf.

Oro Agri products are known to be effective, so when the company asked CCC/ATC Labs to consider a new calcium product, it didn’t take long to accept. ATC Labs has reviewed and trialed more than half a dozen calcium products, and given 52 BC�T March

• An increase in number of tubers • An increase in tuber weight • An increase in tubers and weight per plant All the trials showed: • An increase in yield • An increase in specific gravity • An increase in dry weight • An increase in tuber calcium All potato growers had good-toexcellent soil calcium levels and an

This product data impressed Currie Chemical Company so much, ATC Labs is changing all calcium recommendations to Oro Agri Encourage Nano Cal. If you think your crop fertility program would benefit from the addition of a quality calcium product, or if you are not sure and would like a review of your soil data, please contact Noel@CurrieCompany.com, or call 207-768-0681 (cell) or 207-762-5771 (office).

LAFORGE Awarded SIMA Gold Medal DynaTrac® interface ensures accurate rear implement positioning At times when precision farming becomes an opportunity for farmers to increase yields, improve profitability and reduce inputs (fertilizers, seeds, chemical products, tillage), LAFORGE innovates and creates a universal guidance interface.

The DynaTrac® interface is positioned on the tractor rear hitch.

It slides laterally, controlled by the guidance system (Global Positioning System [GPS] or camera) to ensure rear implement positioning with an accuracy close to 1 inch.

It allows decoupling of the implement’s motion from that of the tractor, eliminating constraint on the implement, easing its positioning and improving tracking of the tractor trajectory. It has been proven beneficial both on flat and hilly fields.

A DynaTrac interface coupled with a guidance system allows farms to quickly ready for precision farming with their current range of implements and others to come.

The user only needs to understand and set up one kind of interface instead of a specific one for each implement.

Compatible with all tractors and implements in the marketplace, DynaTrac adds the guidance function to standard implements. It is an economical solution instead of buying an implement-dedicated guidance function on each implement.

Agronomic advantages include: • Strip-till implement guides to only till area that’s to be seeded, reducing fuel consumption and limiting soil disturbance.

• Places seeds at a later stage accurately by guiding planter with DynaTrac.

• Plants with regular spacing between rows on the whole field, allowing mechanical termination of weeds (cultivator).

• Possibility of working either at earlyor late-stage of plant growth, in windy or in poor lighting conditions, because of GPS signal.

• Harvest optimized and fast with no guess rows, and harvester guided by seeding line.

• Efficient bedding and planting of vegetables thanks to accuracy preventing overlaps and poor

positioning, which generate yield losses.

• Fertilizer applied as close as possible to the roots, whatever the growth stage of the plant, which equates to savings for the farmer and a decrease of fertilizer application, rating positive for the environment.

• Positions drip irrigation tapes precisely and plants close to them to boost yields while limiting water consumption.

• Allows subsequent operations without damaging irrigation tape grids.

For more information, contact Kyle Frazier, kylefrazier@laforgegroup. com, phone: 319-268-1112, or visit www.laforgegroup.com/en.

LAFORGE Systems, Inc. has locations in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Concord, California.

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.

BC�T March 53

Eyes on Associates

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

Hello, everyone. The rollercoaster continues this month. We have gone

from bare fields two weeks ago to receiving over 15 inches of snow in the last 24 hours. The only thing constant about the weather this year so far has been change. I suppose I should be used to it by now, but it never ceases to amaze.

With the 2019 WPVGA Grower Education Conference & Industry Show recently completed, it is customary for the Associate Division Board of Directors to bid farewell to those who have served their term and to elect new members to serve in their place.

promote causes that benefit our industry.

I am honored to serve as president of the Associate Division, and I will be joined by returning members Nick

Laudenbach, Paul Cieslewicz, Chris Brooks and Rich Wilcox. We welcome three newly elected board members, Sally Suprise, Julie Cartwright and Kristi Kulas.

Next time you see our board members, please thank them for their commitment.

SUCCESSFUL SHOW Despite less than ideal weather

Before I introduce myself, let me sincerely thank the outgoing board members for their service and contributions. Cathy Schommer, Joel Zalewski and Casey Kedrowski have all done a fantastic job on the Board and will be missed.

With that said, let me introduce myself. My name is Kenton Mehlberg and I was elected to serve as the president of the Associate Division for the next year. I have worked with T.I.P. Inc. in my current position as agronomist and sales manager of our Ag Grow Solutions Division for nine years.

I have served two years on the Board and am looking forward to my third year as president. As a Board, we will continue to support, foster and 54 BC�T March

Your new 2019 WPVGA Associate Division Board is, from left to right, Kristi Kulas (M3 Insurance Solutions); Kenton Mehlberg (T.I.P. and president of the Associate Division); Sally Suprise (Rural Mutual Insurance and secretary); Julie Cartwright (Jay-Mar Inc.); Paul Cieslewicz (Sand County Equipment and vice president) and Chris Brooks (Central Door Solutions). Inset are Rich Wilcox (Portage County Bank and treasurer) and Nick Laudenbach (Fencil Urethane Systems Inc.).

conditions for this year’s Industry Show, attendance was good again, with well over 400 people participating in the Grower Education Conference. The success of the show would not be possible without the dedication and efforts of growers, educators and associates alike. Thank you to everyone involved.

The Associate Division and Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary raise funds each year to present high-caliber students with scholarships. In 2016, the Avis M. Wysocki Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of its namesake, who was a founding member of the Auxiliary and an integral part of the Wisconsin potato industry.

One of seven scholarships awarded to outstanding students whose immediate families are WPVGA members, the Avis M. Wysocki Memorial Scholarship is funded not only by the Associate Division through proceeds from the silent auction at the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, but also from a special contribution made by the Auxiliary.

This year, the Associate Division raised over $1,300 for the scholarship

via a silent auction. Thank you for all the generous bids that support a great cause.

To help Industry Show vendors provide information about their products and drive more traffic to their booths, we conducted the “Bringing Value to Ag” presentation session again this year, selecting five vendors to each give a 10-minute presentation on something that is new or newly relevant to the industry.

This can be valuable to associates and growers, so please consider taking advantage of this opportunity in future years.

OVERFLOW PARKING On a side note, in a continued effort to improve the parking situation at the show, I would like to thank Slumberland Furniture for allowing us to use a portion of their parking lot during the show. If you were not aware the space was available for parking, please keep it in mind for the future.

Hopefully everyone noticed the new wrap on the Spudmobile parked in front of the Holiday Inn Convention Center during the show. The Spudmobile serves as the focal point

of the WPVGA’s promotional efforts.

The Associate Division understands the importance of this to the industry and contributed $20,000 toward the cost of the new wrap. It turned out great and the Spudmobile will continue to make stops throughout the state and neighboring states to promote Wisconsin potatoes and the industry.

It is our goal as a division to continue to increase research grants, scholarships, promotions and any other good will for our industry.

We are in this together, and by supporting each other, we are all stronger as an industry.

If anyone has thoughts on the Industry Show or other ideas for us to consider, please contact myself or one of our board members.

As we move into a new year, please consider this: If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do stay positive and keep moving forward.

Stay warm and see you next month.

Kenton Mehlberg WPVGA Associate Division President

WPIB Focus

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

Month

Jul-17

Aug-17

Sep-17

Oct-17

Nov-17

Dec-17

Jan-18

Feb-18

Mar-18

Apr-18

May-18

Jun-18

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,396,699.63

728,925.87

1,091,193.52

2,115,859.48

3,758,248.10

1,577,177.03

2,869,518.15

13,537,621.78

Assessment

$97,708.18

$51,117.39

$76,383.31

$148,116.20

$263,042.39

$110,407.00

$200,922.03

$947,696.50

Jul-18

Aug-18

Sep-18

Oct-18

Nov-18

Dec-18

Jan-19

Month

Feb-19

Mar-19

Apr-19

May-19

Jun-19

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,631,620.99

1,724,518.33

1,223,827.03

2,489,512.74

2,711,563.12

2,010,017.18

2,053,551.54

13,844,610.93

Assessment

$114,203.25

$125,436.11

$95,267.11

$199,179.55

$216,890.04

$160,823.98

$164,271.78

$1,076,071.82 BC�T March 55

Potatoes USA News Convenience and Familiarity Were Kings at School Taste Testing Event Potatoes USA partnered with the school foodservice team at Elk Grove Unified School District in California for a customized potato recipe taste tasting event.

56 BC�T March

Students of Elk Grove Unified School District in California sampled four potato recipes and used emojis to vote for their favorites.

During each lunch hour, students had the opportunity to sample four potato recipes: a hash brown breakfast burrito, huevos rancheros con papas with potato rounds, a build-your-own breakfast bar with crisscross cut fries and a Denver omelet with diced potatoes.

The students rated each recipe using an emoji scale to choose their favorites. With that information, the school foodservice staff was able to choose which items to put on the menu this coming fall.

While all the recipes were a hit with students, the favorites were the breakfast burrito and buildyour-own bar.

A popular morning show, Good Day Sacramento, covered the event and captured a major takeaway from the day—familiarity was king. Elk Grove

also loved these recipes for their ease of preparation.

Large school districts present tremendous sales potential for the potato industry. School operators want to stay current with the everchanging wants and needs of their students, and a lot of factors come into play when deciding whether to

add a new item to the menu.

Conducting recipe tasting with schools allows foodservice operators the opportunity to try something new while receiving confirmation from the students. Events such as these take the guessing away for operators and help get more potatoes on the menu.

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BC�T March 57

Quantifying Nitrate in Irrigation Water Growers could save on fertilizer costs and reduce groundwater contamination

By Tracy Campbell, Kevin Masarik and Chris Kucharik, University of Wisconsin Across the Wisconsin Central Sands, farmers could have the chance to save money on fertilizer costs while potentially reducing groundwater contamination.

Significant amounts of nitrogen end up in groundwater as nitrate when a fertilizer application or mineralization is leached past the root zone of plants.

Some of this leaching occurs during the growing season, but most takes place when there is no active plant growth to take up water and nutrients following harvest up through planting the following spring.

As irrigation wells are turned

1 Irrigation water applied (inches) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

on during the following growing season, some of this nitrogen will be recaptured and reapplied to fields.

Nitrogen (N) found in irrigation water is readily available to crops and might represent a significant portion of annual N needs of crops.

through irrigation. Water quality samples must be taken, which can be sampled straight from well water or from the field as irrigation is applied.

Once analyzed, NO3-N levels are typically reported in values of mg/L (nitrate-nitrogen concentration) or ppm (parts per million) of nitrogen, which then can be converted to pounds (lbs.) per inch of irrigation water by multiplying by 0.226.

Moving forward, crediting nitrate in irrigation water would provide an opportunity to create efficient nitrogen management strategies that are more profitable and have potential for reducing nitrate concentrations in groundwater.

The resulting value multiplied by annual inches of irrigation estimates the nitrogen applied through irrigation water (pounds nitrogen per acre). Table 1 works out example calculations.

CREDITING N A few steps and simple calculations can be utilized to determine the amount of nitrate entering a field

NITRATE-NITROGEN CONCENTRATION (MG/L) 5 10 15 20

30

40

6.8 13.6 20.4 27.1 33.9 40.7 47.5 54.3 61.1 67.8

9.0 18.1 27.1 36.2 45.2 54.3 63.3 72.4 81.4 90.5

lbs. of Nitrogen per acre

0.2 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.3

1.1 2.3 3.4 4.5 5.7 6.8 7.9 9.0 10.2 11.3

2.3 4.5 6.8 9.0 11.3 13.6 15.8 18.1 20.4 22.6

3.4 6.8 10.2 13.6 17.0 20.4 23.7 27.1 30.5 33.9

4.5 9.0 13.6 18.1 22.6 27.1 31.7 36.2 40.7 45.2

Table 1. The table shows an example of converting between nitrate-nitrogen concentration (mg/L) or ppm of NO3-N to lbs. per acre in order to determine the N applied through irrigation water. Lbs. N per acre = NO3-N (mg/L or ppm), which can be converted to pounds (lbs.) per inch of irrigation water by multiplying by 0.226.

58 BC�T March

CURRENT RESEARCH Thanks to funding from the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, our current research is utilizing a similar approach.

The purpose of our research is to quantify the amount of nitrate found in irrigation water across multiple sites in the Central Sands.

Over the 2018 growing season, we were able to collect weekly samples of irrigation water from 23 Central Sands fields. To account for potential spatial differences, four sites were selected to represent a gradient of north to south.

During the spring and summer of 2018, water samples were collected weekly to assess the nitrate found in irrigation water. Off-field samples, or samples outside of the pivot reach, were collected to determine background levels of nitrate associated with precipitation.

Precipitation volumes were used to determine a dilution factor that allows for determination of nitrate concentration and nitrogen delivered in irrigation water.

Water collection was conducted using an inexpensive, easily repeatable system. This involved attaching a funnel to a fence post, and then routing water using PVC pipe to a 1-gallon container (see accompanying photo).

For each field, three funnels were installed, and for each site, three offfield funnels were used to measure precipitation only.

RUDUCE N APPLICATION It is our goal that farmers could utilize N found in irrigation water as a means of reducing crop N application in other forms, and as a result, increase economic return.

Additionally, we hope this research, as well as a plan for continued measurements in the long term, will add to the expertise of growers, researchers and University of Wisconsin Extension agents to

Water collection involved attaching a funnel to a fence post, and then using PVC pipe to route it to a 1-gallon container.

improve nitrogen management for both economic and environmental benefits.

These improvements will be crucial as increased weather variability associated with climate change poses greater water and nitrogen management challenges to farmers.

As we continue our research, we aim to involve more farms in the study in order to increase our understanding of N variability in irrigation water across the Central Sands.

In the future, in addition to nitrate, we will analyze water to look for other forms of nitrogen, which would

allow growers to understand how much nitrogen is applied (irrigation + fertigation) compared to what was planned (fertigation).

As more data across field seasons becomes available, we will focus on fine-tuning nitrogen recommendations, considering both variation in space and time in nitrate concentrations.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about nitrate concentrations in irrigation water used on your farm, please contact Tracy Campbell at tacampbell@wisc.edu.

BC�T March 59

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), shown speaking at the D.C. Fly-In, Washington, D.C., a longtime Senate Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman, will not be seeking re-election when his term expires in 2020.

NPC News Senate Ag Chairman Roberts Announces Retirement Pat Roberts will not seek re-election when his term expires in 2020 Though the majority leadership in the U.S. Senate remains the same, there is one notable development in its ranks with regards to agriculture.

Longtime Senate Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) announced that he will not be seeking re-election when his term expires in 2020.

60 BC�T March

“For nearly 40 years, Senator Roberts has been a powerful force in Congress on behalf of the American farmer. Just one recent example is that we would not have the 2018 Farm Bill without his leadership and relentlessness. We thank him for his service and will miss his wisdom and humor,” says National Potato Council (NPC) CEO John Keeling.

Chairman Roberts began his Senate career in 1997 after previously serving 16 years in the House of Representatives. He has been a strong advocate for the Farm Bill, expansion of U.S. exports across the globe and investments in agricultural research to ensure American producers enhance their competitiveness against foreign competition.

Congress Wants Potatoes in China Talks exports,” the letter stated.

In early February, 14 senators and 25 House members joined together on a bicameral letter to the Trump Administration urging that U.S. potatoes be included in any trade negotiations with China.

“This would result in new jobs in communities throughout the country and ensure the U.S. potato industry remains competitive in the international marketplace. For this reason, we ask that the USTR prioritize the potato industry in any trade negotiations with China,” the senators and House members said.

“If access to China’s fresh potato market is granted to the United States, it is estimated that China could become a ‘top five’ market for U.S. potato

“We sincerely appreciate the strong bipartisan support of these members of Congress. Given that the Administration is working to conclude a new agreement with China, the longstanding issues surrounding market access for U.S. potatoes are achievable and can generate significant new jobs for the U.S.,” said John Keeling, NPC CEO.

NPC Joins Letter Urging End to Trade Dispute In the fourth week of January, the NPC joined a letter with 45 other affected industry associations urging an immediate end to the trade dispute with Mexico and Canada that has occurred as a result of U.S. 232 tariffs laced on steel and aluminum.

The letter states: “For many farmers, ranchers and manufacturers, the damage from the reciprocal trade actions in the steel dispute far outweighs any benefit that may

accrue to them from the USMCA ... ” It continues: “Producers of agricultural and manufactured products that are highly dependent on the Canadian and Mexican markets are also suffering serious financial losses.”

Last year, the U.S. announced, under its Section 232 authority, that a study had found that the U.S. steel and aluminum industries were high priorities due to their value for

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People David William Ames Passes Away Send donations to the John D. and Isabelle Ames Memorial Scholarship David W. Ames, 68, of Darien, WI, died Thursday, January 31, in Illinois. David was born to John D. and Isabelle Ames in 1950 and grew up on the family’s farm in the town of Darien.

He graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1968 and from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1972 with a degree in soil science.

He spent his early career as a field manager for Seneca Foods of Janesville, while also raising his own corn and soybeans.

Since 1998, he has been a farm manager for Neumiller Farms at their southern branch in Bath, Illinois.

David was an avid outdoorsman who spent what time he could hunting, trapping, fishing and taking photos.

He cared deeply about wildlife management and instilled a love of the land in his children. At work and in his personal life, he was a natural teacher and a mentor to many young people.

David is survived by his wife, Pam Meisel, of Darien; his stepdaughter, Amanda (Andrew) Noehl, of Elkhorn, and sons, Laken and Connor; his children, Ann Marie Ames (Ray Adkins), of Janesville, Robert Ames (Chelsea Karrels), of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and Andrew Ames of Bath, Illinois,

Let’s get it straight.

and their mother, Marge Ames, of Fort Atkinson; as well as his eight siblings and their spouses and children.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his infant children, William and Cindy Ames.

A private family funeral was held at Betzer Funeral Home, Delavan, on Thursday, February 7, followed by a visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those interested to make donations to the John D. and Isabelle Ames Memorial Scholarship.

Donations can be sent to: Janice Berezowitz, W8401 S & D Townline Rd., Darien, WI 53114.

You know your farm.

We know precision ag.

Together we can optimize every inch of your land with the data generated during field work. Vantage, an elite network of precision ag specialists backed by Trimble Agriculture, works closely with you to understand the unique needs of your operation. Our exclusive focus on precision agriculture technology enables us to integrate all of your hardware and software— regardless of brand—with complex machine, field, soil and weather data to provide you with answers to shape decisions year‑round.

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© 2017, Trimble Inc. All rights reserved.

Plainfield, WI | 888-368-8447

62 BC�T March AG-289A-BCT_Vantage_Brand_Print Ad_Get It Straight_7.25x4.75inch_0817.indd 1

15/09/2017 11:12:28 AM

GLC Minerals Hires Lainez as Vice President of Sales Ruth Lainez has been hired as vice president of sales for GLC Minerals, a Green Bay-based custom minerals processing company that serves both the industrial and agricultural markets.

“Ruth has an outstanding sales management and educational background,” states GLC President and Chief Operating Officer Holly Bellmund. “She has worked in leadership roles for some of the world’s largest agri-business and food and beverage companies in the U.S. and Central America.”

Previously, Lainez worked for Ajinomoto Heartland, Kraft Foods and Cargill.

She has a bachelor’s degree in industrial and business management from Universidad Technologica

Centroamericana and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Simmons School of Management at Simmons College, where she was a Fulbright Scholar.

GLC Minerals, formerly known as Great Lakes Calcium, has deep roots in the Green Bay community, having been founded in 1871.

About GLC Minerals GLC Minerals LLC is a custom mineral processing facility based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is one of the leading suppliers of custom minerals in the Midwest. For more information about GLC Minerals, go to www.glcminerals.com.

BC�T March 63

Auxiliary News

By Devin Zarda, vice president, WPGA

Hey, friends!

I need to be completely honest with you. I try to highlight each initiative that makes up the Wisconsin Potato Grower’s Auxiliary (WPGA) program, and I’ve missed highlighting one. So, let’s cover the initiative I’ve neglected, our scholarship fund. And how timely is my realization since college-bound students will have to figure out how they’re going to fund their education shortly?

Every year, we as the Auxiliary partner with the Associate Division of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) to provide scholarships to children of WPVGA members seeking to further their education.

Having put myself through college, I understand all too well just how expensive school can be. If we can help ease the financial burden so a kid can move on to higher education, then I would consider this program a success.

You might be asking yourself, “How does this fit in with the mission of the Wisconsin Potato Grower’s Auxiliary?”

We are aiming to help spread the | Volume 71 No. $22/year | $2/copy

THE VOICE OF

O WISCONSIN'S POTAT

Y 2019 01 | JANUAR

TRY & VEGETABLE INDUS

INDUSTRY SHOW PREVIEW ISSUE

INTERVIEW:

l Michael Shafe

s Inc. Sunnydale Farm

TO GROW ERS PLAN orus Reduce Phosph CORN THAT FIXES Its Own Nitrogen

NTATI ONS RESEA RCHER PRESE ence Ed Confer Set for Grower IN CAN A SINGLE PROTE ing Control Plant Flower

bed shaper, of an Eco-Ridge With the help potatoes are hills of Yukon nice, uniform e Farms. achieved on Sunnydal

64 BC�T March

Some of the profits generated by the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary through its baked potato booths at the State Fair and WPS Farm Show go to fund scholarships for children of WPVGA members. Working the baked potato booth at the 2018 WPS Farm Show are, from left to right, WPVGA Executive Assistant Julie Braun, Clover Spacek, Marilyn Wierzba, Deniell Bula, WPVGA Financial Officer Karen Rasmussen and Josie Spurgeon.

word of Wisconsin’s potato industry, so encouraging young people to seek work in agriculture is one way to accomplish this.

How do we raise the money to help fund the scholarship program? The portion that we raise is funded primarily through our baked potato booths at the Wisconsin State Fair and the WPS Show, as well as from

Badger Common’Tater

THE VOICE OF THE WISCONSIN POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

our membership dues.

If you have a student who is heading off to college or in school already, and would benefit from this scholarship fund, please reach out to the WPVGA office at 715-623-7683 to ask for more information on how to apply.

Talk with you soon,

Devin

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). wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe

Ali's Kitchen Potato Sausage Skillet: No Mere Forkful Will Do!

Though a simple recipe, there’s a lot going on, especially with the creamy Dijon Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary A one pan meal that takes a mere 30 minutes to prepare, requires only a handful of simple ingredients, and is delicious?

Yes, it is possible. And meals like this one are incredibly helpful when you’re feeling crazy hungry, slightly lazy, and want something warm and comforting.

The first time I prepared this recipe, Mike and I found ourselves home alone, no kiddos, no company, just the two of us.

It was bitterly cold outside, the sun had long ago set, the sky was black, and I was looking forward to curling up on the couch under my favorite knit blanket and watching the local news. It was the perfect night to skip the dinner table and enjoy a casual meal in front of the TV.

A LOT GOING ON I walked into the living room and handed Mike his plate. He seemed slightly unsure as he stared at the food in front of him and said, “Huh, there’s a lot going on here.”

“It’s actually a pretty simple recipe, Babe. Take a bite and tell me what you think.” I made my way back to the kitchen to gather my own plate and glass of water, and by the time I found my way to the couch, Mike was finishing his portion and looking for seconds.

“It’s good.”

A man of few words. But that short feedback, coupled with my catching him sneaking a forkful from the skillet before I could pack up the leftovers, tells me that this recipe is a hit!

…There’s a lot going on Here… It’s good.

— Mike continued on pg. 66

Potato Sausage Skillet with Creamy Dijon Servings: 4

• Olive oil • 2 tbsp. butter • 4 medium yellow potatoes • ½ medium red onion • 12-ounce package of chicken sausage • ½ cup heavy cream • 3 tbsp. Dijon mustard • 1 cup sauerkraut • Salt and pepper to taste BC�T March 65

Advertisers Index Adams-Columbia Electric Coop...........17

Ali's Kitchen. . .

Ag Systems, Inc. Ag X10.......................46

continued from pg. 65

Ag Systems, Inc. Sprayer Parts.............61 AgCountry Farm Credit Services..........28 Big Iron Equipment................................5 Bushman’s Riverside Ranch.................37 Calcium Products.................................11 Chippewa Valley Bean Co. ..................40 CliftonLarsonAllen...............................24 Compeer Financial...............................33 Contree Sprayer & Equipment Company LLC.....................................66 David J. Fleischman Farms...................31 Fencil Urethane Systems.....................22 Hammer-Lok........................................25 Harriston-Mayo...................................13 Heartland Enterprising........................14 Jay-Mar, Inc. ........................................23 John Miller Farms................................50 J.W. Mattek & Sons..............................63

Directions Dice the potatoes and place them into a large skillet with the butter and a drizzle of olive oil. Cover the skillet and cook over medium heat to allow the potatoes to soften, stirring occasionally.

While potatoes are cooking, chop the red onion and slice the chicken sausage into ½-inch-thick discs. Set aside.

Once potatoes are nearly fork tender, remove the cover from the skillet, increase the heat to medium high, add the onion and sausage to the potatoes and continue to cook for

another five minutes, or until the potatoes and sausage begin to turn a golden brown.

Whisk the heavy cream and Dijon mustard together in a small bowl and then add this mixture and the sauerkraut to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Continue cooking for another three to five minutes, stirring occasionally, until all is warmed through.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Find more recipes at www.LifeOnGraniteRidge.com.

KerberRose S.C....................................19 Lockwood Mfg.....................................29 M.P.B. Builders, Inc..............................32 Main Resource Equipment Auctions.....45 Mid-State Truck...................................10 Midwestern BioAg...............................51 Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems Inc........................................30 North Central Irrigation.......................43 Nutrien Ag Solutions...........................57 Nutrien Ag Solutions Great Lakes..........3 Oasis Irrigation....................................68 Riesterer & Schnell................................9 Rietveld Equipment, LLC......................48 Roberts Irrigation ................................39 Ruder Ware.........................................35 Rural Mutual Insurance.......................41 Schroeder Brothers Farms.....................7 Swiderski Equipment...........................15 T.I.P......................................................26

Specializing in Custom Sprayers, Tanks, Parts, Service & Accessories

United Potato Growers of Wisconsin, Inc......................................2 Vantage North Central.........................62 Vista Financial, LLC..............................49 WPVGA Spud Seed Classic

W9898 Jackson Rd. • Beaver Dam, WI 53916 • 920-356-0121 email: sales@contree.com • www.contree.com 66 BC�T March

Sponsorship.......................................67 WPVGA Subscribers.............................64 WPVGA Support Our Members...........53 WSPIA..................................................47

Spud seed classic

Friday, June 21, 2019 Bass Lake Country Club W10650 Bass Lake Road Deerbrook, WI 54424

WSPIA Golf Outing

Deadline for sponsorship commitments to be included in June Badger Common'Tater: May 10, 2019* DINNER SPONSOR $2,000 • Company name and logo on three 12-foot banners placed in prominent areas including dinner area • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for four golfers

GOLDRUSH SPONSOR $1,500 • Company name and logo on two 12-foot banners placed in a prominent area on the course • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for two golfers

SILVERTON SPONSOR $1,000 • Company name and logo on one 12-foot banner placed in a prominent area on the course • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for one golfer CONTACT KAREN RASMUSSEN for more details (715) 623-7683 Make checks payable to WSPIA *

We WILL accept sponsors after this date.

MAIL PAYMENT TO: WSPIA, P.O. Box 173 Antigo, WI 54409

SUPERIOR SPONSOR $500

• Company name and logo on one 8-foot banner placed in a prominent area on the course • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

OCCUPIED HOLE SPONSOR $300 • Company name on hole sign • Rights to occupy a hole on the course and provide giveaways* *If alcohol is being served, it must be purchased through the golf course • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

BASIC HOLE SPONSOR $200 • Company name on hole sign • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

Since 1998, this tournament raised over $95,000, which was donated to Wisconsin potato research.

BC�T March 67

P.O. Box 327 Antigo, WI 54409

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage Paid Stevens Point, WI 54481 Permit No. 480

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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