$22/year | $2/copy | Volume 72 No. 05 | MAY 2020
THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY
VEGETABLES & FARM SAFETY/ INSURANCE ISSUE
INTERVIEW:
ROD GUMZ WPVGA Board of Directors President Co-Owner, Gumz Muck Farms LINEAGE LOGISTICS Connects People to Food OUTSTANDING WOMEN Of Wisconsin Ag, Part II WHY THE SECURE Act Matters to You GROWERS SHARE TIPS ON Buying & Handling Potatoes Onions are lifted to field dry before harvest on Gumz Muck Farms, Endeavor, Wisconsin.
Chris Lockery Jim Stefan
Inventory • Replenishment Services • Handle all freight concerns • Long-Range Planning •
Bob Dobbe • Paul Hegewald John Hopfensperger • John Eckendorf Jerome Bushman (FL - WI) • Nic Bushman Mike Gatz, Jim Stefan and Chris Fleming (Milwaukee) Sam Saccullo (All fruits and vegetables) Mike Whyte (Michigan) Transportation: Denise Moze • Nate Sohns Mike Carter CEO
800-826-0200 715-677-4533 • Fax: 715-677-4076 Rosholt, Wisconsin
On the Cover: Onions are lifted and lying out under the sun to field
dry before harvest on Gumz Muck Farms in Endeavor, Wisconsin. Gumz Farms raises yellow onions for retail. Rod Gumz, this issue’s interviewee, says most onions in Wisconsin, Michigan and New York are grown in muck soil, which holds water and is high in organic matter.
8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: Gumz Muck Farms co-owners Rod (left) and Richard Gumz pose in a carrot field, July 2016, near Endeavor, Wisconsin. The carrots they hold are a slicer variety for canning. In addition to carrots for processing (canned and frozen), the farm also grows, stores and packs red potatoes and yellow onions for retail, as well as field corn, soybeans and over 1,000 acres of mint (primarily peppermint).
DEPARTMENTS: AUXILIARY NEWS............... 44 BADGER BEAT.................... 34
18 LINEAGE LOGISTICS HELPS FEED WORLD
Cold chain facility provider connecting people to food
32 NPC NEWS
#EssentialAg campaign recognizes those keeping country’s food supply safe
MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6
53 ALI’S KITCHEN
These French Farmhouse Potatoes are delectable little nuggets of golden goodness
MARKETPLACE................... 42 NEW PRODUCTS.............. 30 NOW NEWS....................... 38 PEOPLE.............................. 45
FEATURE ARTICLES: 24 OUTSTANDING WOMEN of Wisconsin Agriculture, Part II, features impressive duo 36 U.S. POTATO GROWERS provide tips for purchasing, storing and cooking spuds 47 SECURE ACT CHANGES age when one must start to withdraw from retirement plan 4
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PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6 POTATOES USA NEWS........ 50 WPIB FOCUS...................... 41
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WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Rod Gumz Vice President: Bill Guenthner Secretary: Wes Meddaugh Treasurer: Mike Carter Directors: John Bustamante, Dan Kakes, Charlie Mattek & Alex Okray Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Richard Okray Secretary: Bill Wysocki Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: John Bobek, Andy Diercks, Cliff Gagas, John T. Schroeder & Tom Wild WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Kenton Mehlberg Vice President: Paul Cieslewicz
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Secretary: Julie Cartwright Treasurer: Rich Wilcox Directors: Chris Brooks, Kristi Kulas, Sally Suprise & Justin Yach
visit our blogs at blueinklaw.com
Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Jeff Fassbender Vice President: J.D. Schroeder Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Suchon Directors: Roy Gallenberg & Matt Mattek
WPVGA Staff Executive Director: Tamas Houlihan Managing Editor: Joe Kertzman Director of Promotions & Consumer Education: Dana Rady Financial Officer: Karen Rasmussen Executive Assistant: Julie Braun Program Assistant: Jane Guillen Spudmobile Education & Outreach Administrator: Doug Foemmel Spudmobile Education and Outreach Coordinator: Dale Bowe
Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Kathy Bartsch Vice President: Devin Zarda Secretary/Treasurer: Datonn Hanke Directors: Jody Baginski, Brittany Bula, Deniell Bula & Marie Reid
WPVGA Office (715) 623-7683 • FAX: (715) 623-3176 E-mail: wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes.com Website: www.wisconsinpotatoes.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/WPVGA
Mission Statement of the WPVGA: To advance the interests of WPVGA members through education, information, environmentally sound research, promotion, governmental action and involvement. Mission Statement of the WPVGA Associate Division: To work in partnership with the WPVGA as product and service providers to promote mutual industry viability by integrating technology and information resources. Badger Common’Tater is published monthly at 700 Fifth Avenue, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
Subscription rates: $2/copy, $22/year; $40/2 years. Foreign subscription rates: $35/year; $55/2 years. Telephone: (715) 623-7683 Mailing address: P.O. Box 327, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409 Or, subscribe free online: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe/ ADVERTISING: To advertise your service or product in this magazine, call (715) 630-6213, or email: Joe Kertzman: jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com. The editor welcomes manuscripts and pictures but accepts no responsibility for such material while in our hands. BC�T May
5
MARK YOUR
Calendar
JUNE
4-5 16-19 19
WPVGA PROMOTIONS RETREAT Kalahari Resort and Convention Center Wisconsin Dells, WI UNITED FRESH San Diego Convention Center San Diego, CA WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI
9 11 14 16 21-23
RHINELANDER AG RESEARCH STATION FIELD DAY Rhinelander, WI PARDEEVILLE TRIATHLON Chandler Park, 8 a.m. Pardeeville, WI ASSOCIATE DIV. PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Bull’s Eye Country Club Wisconsin Rapids, WI HANCOCK AG RESEARCH STATION FIELD DAY Hancock, WI FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS POSTPONED until 2021 due to COVID-19 coronavirus Eau Claire, WI
6-16 8 28-29
WISCONSIN STATE FAIR West Allis, WI ANTIGO TATER TROT Antigo City Park Antigo, WI POTATO DAYS FESTIVAL Barnesville, MN
12 29-10/3
ALSUM TATER TROT 5K Alsum Farms & Produce Friesland, WI POTATO BOWL FESTIVAL Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, ND-MN
15-17 26-27
PMA FRESH SUMMIT Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, TX RESEARCH MEETING West Madison Ag Research Station Verona, WI
6-7
2021 POTATO EXPO Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center Grapevine, TX
2-4
2021 GROWER ED CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW Holiday Inn Convention Center Stevens Point, WI
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
Planting Ideas The seed was planted. In a conversation one day, Alicia
Pavelski of Heartland Farms in Hancock, Wisconsin, suggested I write a magazine feature on some of the outstanding women working in the state’s potato and vegetable growing industry. It was an unselfish request, too, as Alicia suggested women working outside of Heartland Farms and other than herself, including Lynn Leahy (above), the head research agronomist for Heartland Farms. Not only did all five women I contacted agree to participate in the article, but true to the conscientious nature of each of them, their answers to my questions were so thorough, I was forced to break the story into two parts, the first of which ran last issue and the second herein.
Response to the article has been tremendous. More than one reader took time to contact me and say they enjoyed the feature, and the information that’s packed into Parts 1 and 2 is truly remarkable. The resources these women provide to the industry, their knowledge, experience and integrity, are worth noting. It was great interviewing and getting to know them. I hope you enjoy the article in this issue as much as I liked writing it. Two years ago, I took it upon myself to visit a friend and industry comrade, Les Dobbe, at his place of business, Service Cold Storage, in Stevens Point. Since then, the company has joined with and is now named Lineage Logistics. Though I arrived unannounced, Les greeted me with open arms, gave me a tour of the impressive (in size and scope) facility and allowed me to take a few photos while I was there. I’ve been holding them ever since, waiting for an opportunity to write a story.
JANUARY 2021
The opportunity presented itself with the recent emphasis on connecting people to food, feeding the world and keeping the supply chain moving. Not only is Lineage Stevens Point a modern, state-of-the-art, temperaturecontrolled warehouse, but it’s now an integral part of the largest multinational cold storage facility provider in the world. The company’s business development director, Les is as gracious as ever and provided tremendous insight into modern-era cold storage, traceability and food delivery. Please see the detailed feature article within this issue and thank you for reading.
FEBRUARY
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.
OCTOBER
6
BC�T May
Joe Kertzman
Managing Editor jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com
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Interview ROD GUMZ, co-owner, Gumz Muck Farms By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
NAME: Rod Gumz TITLE: Co-owner COMPANY: Gumz Muck Farms LOCATION: Endeavor, Wisconsin HOMETOWN: North Judson, Indiana TIME IN PRESENT POSITION: 25 years PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Richard Gumz Farms SCHOOLING: Bachelor of Science in economics, Purdue University, and grad school at the University of WisconsinMadison ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: President of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board of Directors; president of Wisconsin Muck Farmers Association; finance council chairman of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception & St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Portage, Wisconsin; past director of Divine Savior Healthcare; and past director of Greater Portage Youth Education Foundation AWARDS/HONORS: WPVGA Young Farmer Award FAMILY: Wife: Michelle, Children: Brandon (25), Jason (23) & Alexandra (21) HOBBIES: Basketball, CrossFit and traveling with family 8
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“In 1892, my great-grandfather bought his first 40 acres in northern Indiana. When my grandfather started farming, he
gradually acquired land, expanding into Wisconsin in the 1940’s,” says Rod Gumz, who co-owns Gumz Muck Farms in Endeavor, Wisconsin, with is brother, Richard. There, they grow, store and pack red potatoes and yellow onions for retail. The farm also raises carrots for processing, field corn, soybeans and over 1,000 acres of mint (primarily peppermint). The Gumz family has been raising mint in Indiana and Wisconsin for 90 years. “In the late 1950’s, my dad began managing the main farm in Indiana, while my grandfather oversaw the satellite farms in Indiana and Wisconsin,” Rod explains. “Since there were management opportunities in Wisconsin, it was logical for Richard and me to move here after graduating from Purdue University.” Rod and Richard’s father and two
brothers, Kevin and Dan, stayed in Indiana and bought the home farm. “Looking back, it was a big step for us, but with family involved, the risk was strategic,” Rod surmises. “We were fortunate to have had the opportunity.” “Since that time, we have been able to grow the farm both in size and in a vertical business model to where Above: Promoting onions fresh from the field where they pose, in 2016, and kneeling in front are Gumz Muck Farms co-owners and brothers Rod (left) and Richard Gumz, along with Doug Bulgrin (standing, left) and Tom Bulgrin (right) who handle sales and marketing for the operation.
it is today,” he adds. “Richard and I work well together to accomplish this. Our combined skills complement each other and have allowed us to be successful.” Is Gumz Muck Farms on the same fertile land that your grandfather bought in the 1940’s? Yes and no. Some of the land that now comprises Gumz Farms was my grandfather’s, but we purchased more land when we acquired other operations. In 1978, our grandfather initially bought the farm from Buller Brothers, which is the current location of our office and packing shed. We then purchased our Baraboo farm, in 1996, from our great-uncle and went on to purchase the Lewiston Corporation in 1998. Additionally, we bought the remaining third-generation familyowned land in 2008. Our most recent acquisitions were P&R Packing and Shiprock Farms just a few years ago. Are all your Wisconsin farming operations on muck soil? Most of our farming operations are done on muck soil. However, we do have some sandy muck with about 1,000 acres that we have irrigated. What, in your own words, is muck soil, and what are its advantages for potato and vegetable farming, as well as for peppermint and spearmint? Disadvantages? Muck soil is a type of soil that is very high in organic matter. Rather than utilizing irrigation, we have improved moisture levels by adding tile that drains excess water, since muck soil has great water holding capacity. This can be a disadvantage when we have a year with excessive rainfall, like in 2016, 2018 and 2019. On the contrary, this can be an advantage in dry years like 2012. Most onions in Wisconsin, Michigan and New York are grown on muck soil. Additionally, red potatoes get great color when grown on muck soil.
Peppermint and spearmint require a lot of water, so they also do well on muck soil. Growing crops on muck soil can be very challenging, but in the end, rewarding. What types of potatoes and vegetables are you growing, and how many acres of each? What’s the total acreage of Gumz Muck Farms? We farm over 6,000 acres of cropland. We grow and market about
Above: Lifted onions are taken up with a Shuknecht double-row harvester, in the fall of 2018, at the Baraboo location of Gumz Muck Farms. Wagons are used to transport the onions to storage.
20 percent of the fresh market reds in Wisconsin and a few yellow potatoes. We also grow and market about 40 percent of the onions in Wisconsin. We grow slicer and dicer varieties of
continued on pg. 10
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Interview. . .
continued from pg. 9
Above: With muck soil not only being high in organic matter, but also having great water holding capacity, Gumz Muck Farms has improved moisture levels by adding tile that drains excess water. Right: Rod Gumz (right) poses with his kids, from left to right, Alexandra, Brandon and Jason, at the St. Mary Golf Outing. Rod is finance council chairman of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception & St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Portage, Wisconsin.
carrots for processing (canned and frozen), field corn and soybeans, as well as peppermint and spearmint. How do you market your potatoes and onions? An important part of our business is supplying the retail market. In order to maximize our marketing opportunities, we have a packing shed that we’re very proud of.
We are fortunate to have two great people who run this side of the business—Doug Bulgrin manages the marketing of the onions, and Tom Bulgrin, the potatoes. We pack year-round, so we have modern storage facilities to keep supply for an extended time throughout the year. When necessary, we supplement with
products from other growers. We raise carrots that go to canning companies, and we distill mint for the oil, which is then used for flavoring in various industries. Tell me about the peppermint and spearmint, starting with perhaps why your grandfather decided to grow it and why you and Richard continue today? Our great-grandfather started growing mint almost 100 years ago. He then expanded the acreage in the 1930’s and ’40s when other growing areas were struggling with disease. That is one of the reasons he expanded into Wisconsin, to plant mint on soil that had never grown mint. Mint thrives with water, so muck soil can produce a great mint crop.
Rod Gumz (center) and two of his kids—Jason (left) and Alexandra (right)—walk through a carrot field north of Endeavor, Wisconsin, in August 2018. 10 BC�T May
How many full- and part-time people does Gumz Muck Farms employ? It varies throughout the year, but our goal is to provide full-time work. We have diversified our crop mix and our marketing plan to achieve this. We have close to 100 people working for us now.
continued on pg. 12
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Interview. . .
continued from pg. 10
What do you take most pride in regarding the operation, Rod? We have tried to create a workplace environment that is positive and rewarding. We have a great team of employees who will do what it takes to keep us successful. I hope our reputation is one of having integrity and being fair. What’s your favorite part of the year? I am always nervous just before planting. There is a lot of pressure to take care of a crop from planting to harvest, to storing it. But once we start, it’s nonstop until next season. I probably enjoy it the most when we
are busy. It’s rewarding to see what can be accomplished when everyone is working together. Tell me about onions and their challenges. Growing onions takes a high level of management. Timing is critical with many of the steps throughout the growing process. The crop is weak at first and sensitive to wind and other stresses. There are
numerous opportunities throughout the growing season to hurt yield or quality. Like everything else, the greatest potential that a crop has is when the seed is in the bucket. Rod, you’re the president of the WPVGA Board of Directors, president of the Muck Board, and Richard is president of the Mint Board. Why is being involved in continued on pg. 14
Top: The onion packing shed and a bin of Healthy Grown onions are shown at Gumz Muck Farms. Left & Above: Mint plants are shown being grown and harvested—with cut mint being chopped into a tub prior to the oil distillation process—on Gumz Muck Farms, in 2017. 12 BC�T May
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Interview. . .
continued from pg. 12
not only the industry, but also the WPVGA important to you? I feel fortunate that I’m able to be involved. It is rewarding to do my part in giving back to a community and industry that I am a part of and that I support. Besides, being involved gives me a different perspective that allows me to work and learn from some very talented people. You’re also a WPVGA Healthy Grown member. Why is that important to you? A positive image of agriculture is becoming a more critical message to convey to the public. The general population is further removed from farming and are presented with a lot of information. Healthy Grown is a program that unites Wisconsin growers and helps to bridge that gap, giving consumers a transparent look into our operations. Wisconsin farmers are good stewards of the land. They are conscientious and progressive. Healthy Grown is a standard that has been branded to convey this to the public. What do Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers do well as an industry? The WPVGA has helped to foster communication among growers in our industry, which is important for market stability, crop
14 BC�T May
health and more. The industry has been a great advocate for farmers. How has technology changed or advanced Gumz Muck Farms in the past 26 years? We have made a lot of improvements over the past couple of decades. The packing shed has become more automated to provide a consistent quality with the additional capacity. In the field, we use GPS technology to guide and monitor operations. Along with this, we use multiple apps to monitor storage, field operation, irrigation, weather condition, etc. Weather forecasts are more accurate. Technology has allowed for more
Top & Bottom: After onions are harvested at Gumz Muck Farms, they are conveyed into a storage bay with slotted floors and fans to allow for humidity and temperature control until time to pack and ship.
efficient communication and better coordination of people and resources. This has allowed us to farm more acres more efficiently over time. What changes do you see on the horizon for potato and vegetable growing, and your operation specifically? I think there will always be opportunities as time goes on. We will continually look for ways to evolve and grow. continued on pg. 16
The scientific explanation. Calcium is a required element for tuber development. A calcium deficiency in plants results in dividing cells being unable to stay bound together. This causes poor quality potatoes such as reduced size, growth cracks and hollow heart.
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Interview. . .
continued from pg. 14
Gumz Muck Farms also stores and packs potatoes. You have a lot on your plate. Does this make you a fullservice operation? Yes, we are proud to be able to operate year-round and provide high-quality potatoes and onions to our customers.
It is beneficial for us to be able to pack and sell the produce that we grow. We control all aspects from planting to harvest and packing to ensure quality. We strive to give our customers what they want, when
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Above: Rod Gumz poses in a potato field about a mile from the main office, in 2015; potatoes are windrowed in Endeavor, Wisconsin, using a Double L windrower during the 2016 harvest; and potatoes are graded for size and quality prior to getting packed in consumer bags.
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they want it, at a fair price. What do you hope for the future of the operation? I hope that we can continue to grow and adapt to the changing environment, such that we will provide an opportunity for the next generation to be successful and to want to continue the family farm. Is there anything you’d like to add, Rod, that I might have missed? We are thankful to be part of an industry that still has opportunities for success. We have been very fortunate to be able to work with great farmers, customers and suppliers throughout the nation. We are grateful and attribute much of our success to our employees who eagerly continue to learn and grow.
Rod (left) and Richard Gumz (right) walk through the storage, in spring 2018, where seed potatoes are delivered in the spring and cut prior to planting.
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Connecting People to Food Lineage Logistics helps feed the world, particularly as delivery mechanisms evolve By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater Many potato and vegetable growers in the Central Sands area and beyond know Les Dobbe, the business development director for Lineage Logistics in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He has a storied history in the industry, beginning in 1983 with his work at Bushmans’ Inc., a farmerowned producer and marketer of potatoes in Rosholt. “My family and I had been lifelong friends and business acquaintances with the entire Bushman family. Jerome and Barb gave me the opportunity of a lifetime,”
Dobbe relates. Throughout his tenure at Bushmans’ Inc., Dobbe’s responsibilities and roles changed from being a potato and vegetable broker to taking on a leadership position. “Due to the incredible support we had from growers throughout the U.S. and Canada, Bushmans’ was able to grow its business to become a national player,” he says. “That confidence in our organization was truly a testament to the team we had assembled.”
“Bottom line, we were entrusted with their product, and really their livelihood, to provide the best marketing solution available the industry had to offer,” Dobbe stresses. “Thank you to the potato growers of the U.S. and Canada!” Dobbe left the potato industry, in 2001, to pursue a lifelong dream of being a full-time cruiser/sailor. “My wife and I bought a sailboat in Europe and started our odyssey from there,” he says. “We were able to explore for the better part of eight years. Fifty-five countries of land and sea exploration later, I needed to see what the next adrenaline rush would be.” COLD STORAGE BUSINESS After several years in leadership positions with startup companies,
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Above: Lineage Logistics Business Development Director Les Dobbe stands in front of racks of pallets reaching 45 feet tall. A multi-national cold storage provider, Lineage Logistics in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is a 420,000 square foot facility.
Dobbe and his wife, Rose, were given the opportunity to move back to Wisconsin, in 2014, where he embarked on a new career with Service Cold Storage. A modern, state-of-the art, temperature-controlled warehouse in Stevens Point, Service Cold Storage emphasized service and commitment to customers, community and truck drivers. The company was eventually joined by, and is now named, Lineage Logistics, still calling Stevens Point home.
“The most notable change that occurred is the inclusion into a much larger network,” Dobbe says. “The Lineage brand took us to an entirely new level of integration into the food delivery system.” Lineage Stevens Point secures product primarily from a 150-mile radius within Central Wisconsin. Transportation, Dobbe explains, is a huge expense in the food industry, and the company needed to source
regionally in order to compete. “That radius covers a lot of food from the Midwest—appetizers, French Fries and protein such as pork, beef and poultry—that fill store aisles,” Dobbe says. With Lineage Stevens Point now covering 420,000 square feet, racks of pallets reach 45 feet tall. “We just acquired an additional
continued on pg. 20
Service Cold Storage was the brainchild of Milton Austin, the original CEO, who asked Dobbe to review the company’s sales strategy and market its services to national accounts. Shortly after returning, Dobbe assumed the president and CEO positions. “We opened in 2014 with 150,000 square feet and the ability to handle 18,000 pallets, around 900 full truckloads [FTL’S],” Dobbe says. “It was a daunting experience to start from scratch without any customers.” Fortunately, Dobbe was able to capture the attention of some large regional concerns. With a customer service mantra and the byline of “Exceeding Your Expectations,” they expanded in 2016, adding 100,000 square feet, which equates to 13,000 pallets and 650 FTL’s. This was repeated in 2018, with an additional 190,000 square feet, or 28,000 more pallets and 1,250 FTL’s. The facility now encompasses approximately 60,000 pallet spaces. LINEAGE LOGISTICS During the expansion in 2018, Service Cold Storage was approached and eventually acquired by Lineage Logistics, the largest multi-national cold storage facility provider in the world.
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BC�T May 19
Connecting People to Food . . . continued from pg. 19
13 acres to our east, so we have the ability to explore expansion or a partnership with a production facility,” Dobbe notes. “Lineage Logistics customers are generally national and international producers,” he says. “They are all names we are familiar with. To put it into perspective, as part of the Lineage network, we participate in handling a 30 percent volume of all food produced in the United States!” VOLUME & VELOCITY “We do have a few local producers,” he adds, “but our business is built on volume and velocity. We are open 24/7 and load/unload 125-150 FTL’s per day.” When asked about the company’s advanced temperature control and traceability capabilities, Dobbe explains that Lineage Logistics Stevens Point is fortunate to have begun in the not too distant past. Most facilities in the world, he says, are family-owned entities that have been around for generations. “Only extremely progressive legacy firms would have advanced their technology to our level,” he states. “Our operational efficiencies in cold chain handling put Stevens Point in the top 10 Lineage facilities out of 275 worldwide.” Agricultural readers know exactly
At Lineage Stevens Point, every dock door, staging position and rack position is digitally linked to each pallet, box and/or tote that is scanned, and in real time. When frozen product arrives, it is scanned, and the digital management system tells the lift driver at which location to put the pallet.
what that means when it comes to reducing workforce and having the output per person increase to a multiple of what it was 10 years ago. “Regarding temperature control,” he says, “it’s the same story. We have the most efficient compressors and air handlers in the industry.” “As far as traceability, since we catch product direct from the producers and forward to food service and retailers,” Dobbe remarks, “we become the main interface for any recall event.” “I have often referred to our facility as 10 percent structure and 90
percent data based,” he explains. PAPERLESS FACILITY A paperless facility, inbound and outbound truck drivers leave Lineage Logistics with a bill of lading, but that is the only paper in the process. Every dock door, staging position and rack position is digitally linked to each pallet, box and/or tote that is scanned, and in real time. “Our lead workers can easily see the workflow from their SurfacePro’s,” Dobbe says. Food is produced and generally frozen at point of production, then shipped directly to Lineage Logistics.
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20 BC�T May
When frozen product arrives, it is scanned, and the digital management system tells the lift driver at which location to put the pallet. “The customer has a real-time vision of their inventory through a customer portal,” Dobbe remarks. When asked if cold storage space is currently at a premium, he notes that the buying public continues to seek out “fresh, natural, organic and fast,” and that frozen food continues to capture more shelf space to meet those demands. “So, while frozen foods continue to capture more square footage at retail, and food service offers more frozen options to restauranteurs, the capacity lags,” Dobbe reasons. With cold space at a premium, Lineage Logistics is running flat out to meet demand and looking ahead to such modern conveniences as online shopping.
A 2018 building expansion added 190,000 square feet, equating to 28,000 more pallets and 1,250 full truckloads. The Lineage Stevens Point facility now houses approximately 60,000 pallet spaces.
DIRECT STORE DELIVERY In short, food delivery mechanisms are changing faster now than ever before. Dobbe opines that Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods is the precursor of what the future holds for retail.
“DSD, or direct store delivery, is another aspect of moving items that need to be kept at a similar temperature from producer, or at least the warehouse, direct to the store,” he says.
continued on pg. 22
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Dobbe takes pride in the fact that Lineage Logistics has the directive to Help Feed The World (https://www. lineagelogistics.com/our-story/helpfeed-the-world). Building on an existing partnership with Feeding America, Lineage Logistics has launched a campaign alongside global influencers, philanthropists and food chain leaders to provide 100 million meals to those in need worldwide. The “Share a Meal” campaign goes to support Feeding America, the Global FoodBanking Network and foodbanks around the world in their vital work connecting those in need with safe, healthy meals. “Since we work with food banks year-round, and volunteer thousands of hours locally, we are constantly reminded of how important our work is,” Dobbe says. “Our team members have worked shoulder-to-shoulder with recipients of those donated products. They have a connection. It doesn’t get any closer than that,” he remarks.
Regarding temperature control, Lineage Stevens Point has some of the most efficient compressors and air handlers in the industry.
“Who better to fill the gap? We have the expertise, the facilities, the connection with producers, and most important, the desire to make sure nobody goes hungry,” Dobbe emphasizes. “It really isn’t whether we can do, it’s why wouldn’t we?” he reasons. FOOD QUALITY SAFETY Dobbe describes what he calls “Food Quality Safety” as the major thread running throughout the entire
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Lineage Logistics operation. “While there are many mandated quality and safety directives given to the facility for compliance reasons,” he begins, “our customers have much higher expectations.” “The dedicated food safety personnel on staff assure the facility has impeccable standards,” Dobbe states. “Food safety ranks as the number one control point for all of our customers.” “It not something we also do besides storage,” he qualifies, “it is the number one process we complete.” The week prior to interviewing Dobbe, Lineage Logistics hired 14 employees, putting their staff at close to 115 full-timers. Nationally, the company planned to hire 2,000 additional employees in the coming weeks. Total team members would shortly exceed 15,000. “We are working extremely hard to make sure our customers can lean on us,” Dobbe concludes. “Whether that is Easter, the 4th of July, Christmas or during whatever COVID-19 hands us, we are committed to the job.”
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Outstanding
Women of Wisconsin Agriculture Part 2 of a 2-Part Series That Began in the April 2020 issue
An impressive group continues to further potato and vegetable production in the state By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater Continuing a feature that began in the April Badger Common’Tater, two more spectacular women were interviewed this time, each of whom fills an important position or positions in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growing industry.
HEIDI ALSUM-RANDALL
Chief Operating Officer, Production, Sales, Human Resources and Purchasing, Alsum Farms & Produce President of the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board The first female president of the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB), Heidi Alsum-Randall is chief operating officer of Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland, Wisconsin, concentrating on the production, sales, human resources and purchasing sides of the business.
On a state level, she has served as a director of the WPIB since July 2011 and as president beginning in 2014. Randall has been involved in the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Promotions & Consumer Education Committee since 2006.
“I currently share the chief operating officer role with my sister, Wendy Alsum-Dykstra,” Randall says. “She oversees our logistics and maintenance divisions and is involved in the finance department.”
Beginning in 2015, she’s represented Wisconsin on the Potatoes USA Board of Directors, serving in various capacities, including on the Domestic Marketing Administrative Committee.
Randall, who has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management degree, worked as a recruiter for WPS Health Insurance Company and then as a fleet manager for deBoer Transportation. 24 BC�T May
In 2018, at the March Annual Meeting, she was elected to serve on the Potatoes USA Executive Committee as co-chair of the Industry Outreach Committee and continues to work in this capacity. “I have one year left of my six-year term on the Potatoes USA Board and
Not only is Heidi Alsum-Randall the firstever female president of the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board, but she also currently represents the state on the Potatoes USA Executive Committee.
have really enjoyed the opportunity to serve and interact with other growers, packers and shippers throughout the United States,” she says. When asked about being the first female president of the WPIB, Randall replies, “I’m humbled that I was able to earn the respect of the other WPIB directors to be asked to serve in this capacity.” PROGRESSIVE INDUSTRY “I think it also shows how progressive the potato industry and farmers in
“In general,” she suggests, “potato growers are collaborative, and this is especially true in Wisconsin where we have earned a reputation in the potato industry because of how well we work together.” Another reason Randall says she enjoys being part of the industry is that things are constantly changing, and every day is different.
Heidi Alsum-Randall, standing at far back-left facing the camera, addresses international chefs who visited the Alsum Farms & Produce offices and packing shed during a 2019 Potatoes USA Reverse Trade Mission.
general are,” she adds. “I appreciate how the potato industry recognizes the need to continually develop the next generation of leaders, whether female or male, and provides opportunities for younger leaders to serve.”
“I absolutely love being part of our family farm and business and the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry,” Randall says. “I feel privileged to work alongside my dad, sister, brothers, aunt and so many other passionate individuals.”
Career-driven by nature, Randall has worked in some capacity since she was 12 years old, such as grading potatoes many summers and throughout the fall in elementary and high school. In college, she waitressed as well as worked with adults who had developmental disabilities, and Randall would return home on weekends to work in the office. “My parents instilled a strong work ethic in my siblings and I,” she says, continued on pg. 26
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Outstanding Women of Wisconsin Agriculture . . . continued from pg. 25
“and I am extremely grateful for that. I knew I wanted a career that was purposeful, and for me, that was either working with children or adults who have developmental disabilities or working for the family business.” BEING A GOOD LEADER In her career at Alsum Farms & Produce, she sets small goals for herself related to different areas of
the job, trying to be the best leader that she can. Randall also set goals with each of her team leaders and reviews them throughout the year to make sure she is challenging each employee in the areas that are important to them for personal and professional growth. “I enjoy interacting with all
departments of our company,” she says. “Each day brings different challenges and opportunities as I continue to learn more about our company and the industry.” “I appreciate the fact that I’m given an opportunity to challenge myself and grow professionally and personally,” Randall relates. “As a whole,” she continues, “I feel agriculture has advanced through the decades, embracing women working in the industry. I respect leaders, whether male or female, for their skills and abilities and appreciate working with all growers to advance the industry.” Randall says she’s also proud of the collective strength of the Wisconsin potato industry, pointing out that the state’s growers were leaders in bringing IPM (Integrated Pest Management) standards and practices in potato farming in the mid-1990’s, remaining committed to the program today. She references the WPVGA Promotions Committee, which, after several years of planning, was able to launch the Spudmobile as an educational tool for the Wisconsin potato industry to utilize at a variety of different events (school, retail, community, etc.). The purpose of the Spudmobile is to educate consumers about farming and where their food comes, making meaningful connections from field to fork. “Looking to the future,” Randall concludes, “with discussions of joining the Madison Public Market, I am excited about possibilities and venues to introduce new consumers to the healthy and nutritious products that we grow with a yearround presence.”
26 BC�T May
LYNN LEAHY
Research Agronomist, Heartland Farms, Inc. Lynn Leahy, who grew up on a typical small Wisconsin dairy farm in Argyle, Wisconsin, knew by middle school that she wanted to work in agriculture off the family farm. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a degree in dairy science, and while there, played in the marching band. “I was looking for an internship during the summer between my senior year of college and final semester,” she relates. “I stumbled upon a Heartland Farms internship posting on the university student job site.” “I completed my bachelor’s degree in 2010,” Leahy says, “and the rest is history! I attribute where I am in my career to a lot of hard work, grit
and commitment to life goals, as well as the farm managers at Heartland willing to take a chance on me.” “I had the opportunity to obtain my master’s degree in horticulture while at Heartland Farms, which I completed in 2016 on stem-end defect in potato chips,” she explains. Leahy has been active in many organizations, such as 4-H, FFA, the Association of Women in Agriculture, Sigma Alpha and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, allowing her to connect with agricultural professionals, and grow and develop leadership skills essential to progressing in her career. As the head research agronomist at Heartland Farms, she is responsible for managing small-plot field trials
The head research agronomist at Heartland Farms, Inc., Lynn Leahy attributes success in her career to hard work, grit and commitment to life goals, as well as the farm managers at Heartland Farms taking a chance on her.
from inception to the final data reports. “A large portion of my responsibilities involves collecting samples and data and maintaining the spreadsheets for a portion of the data,” she explains. continued on pg. 28
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Outstanding Women of Wisconsin Agriculture . . . continued from pg. 27
DATA COLLECTION Some of the main categories for which she collects samples and data include emergence, canopy cover, stem counts, bulking curves, new varieties, bruise-free numbers during harvest and sugars in storage. “As an agronomist, I strive to keep up with all current research being published,” Leahy notes. She served on WPVGA’s research and SpudPro committees, and in 2017, was selected as a participant in the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI). “I was able to have great exposure to Maine and Maine’s potato industry during the institute. It opened my eyes to the similarities and differences between our states’ industries,” she says. As part of PILI, Leahy attended the Potato D.C. Fly-In, where she learned about the National Potato Council and all the individuals who help lobby for grower-friendly legislation. “In the future, I would like to be a member of the WPVGA Board,” she says. “I am proud to be able to push the envelope and the boundaries and show that women can be involved in the industry,” Leahy remarks. MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY “I hope that I give confidence to the many women who follow me,” she adds, “that you not only can work in a male-dominated industry, but also thrive. You can learn anything and do many more things than you think possible!” With a dairy background, Leahy says the potato industry is a smaller, more tightknit group. “I have enjoyed getting to know many people in the potato community, and because we have a tightknit relationship with researchers and professors, ideas flow from farm to 28 BC�T May
researchers and back,” she notes. As a result, the research being completed is pertinent to the industry. With potatoes being an intensive crop to raise, store and market, Leahy says she enjoys the challenge of finding solutions to problems that arise daily. “We always have new varieties and equipment, and different consumer trends and weather every year,” she exclaims. “All of these issues require adaptation, and it keeps the job fresh and interesting.” “I like to feel as though I’ve accomplished something at the end of the day—to have contributed to something that is helping society,” Leahy says. “In my case right now,” she adds, “it’s knowing that everyone who wants delicious potato chips has them available to buy whenever they want. Granted, eating a family-size bag every day is not recommended.” HURDLES FOR WOMEN When asked if there are hurdles women face in agriculture that guys don’t, Leahy explains, “One of the big obstacles we as women are still overcoming is being taken seriously as the primary decisionmaker and farmer on an operation.” “According to the 2018 Census of Agriculture,” Leahy continues, “38 percent of the primary producers and farmers are women. In another 25 years, I believe this hurdle will be eliminated.” “I know many women who are my age and younger that manage a farm while their significant other brings in outside income. Even in my 10 years in the workforce, I am seeing more women out in the field or at meetings,” she notes. “It is a very exciting time in agriculture.”
As part of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute, Lynn Leahy, shown standing in front of the U.S. Capitol, attended the D.C. Fly-In, where she learned about the National Potato Council and individuals who help lobby for grower-friendly legislation.
Out of the nine interns Heartland Farms has hired since 2016, Leahy says only two have been men. “The other obvious barrier we face is having to take time off to have and raise children,” she reasons, “which can be minimized if everyone works together, coworkers and spouses, to share the responsibility of the workload and parenting.” “Raising our next generation of Americans is also a very important job in addition to working in agriculture,” Leahy surmises. When she landed an internship in the potato industry, Leahy admits knowing nothing about potatoes beyond that there were different kinds in the grocery store. She acknowledges being proud of everything she has learned over the past 10 years working in the field. “Taking advantage of the opportunities I have been given in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growing industry has allowed me to live the life that I envisioned for myself when I graduated from college a decade ago,” she concludes.
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Nachurs Receives Potassium Acetate Patents Method of fertilizing crops makes use of versatile high-potassium liquid fertilizer
Nachurs Alpine Solutions® (NAS), a division of Wilbur-Ellis, announces it has received two patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its potassium acetate technology. This technology is a method of fertilizing an agricultural crop using an environmentally friendly and versatile high potassium-content liquid fertilizer. Specifically, these patents pertain to the use and application of potassium acetate, either alone or mixed with other nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate. Plants extract a variety of nutrients from the soil to maintain healthy growth and development. With vital nutrients becoming less plentiful in soil, it is important to provide supplemental nutrients to the crop throughout its stages of development. Potassium is required by a growing plant to stimulate early growth,
increase protein production and activate enzyme and hormone systems within the plant. IMPROVED RESISTANCE These systems impact the plant’s ability to withstand biotic and abiotic stress and improve its resistance to diseases and insects. Potassium also increases the efficiency of water use and transforms sugars to starch. Additionally, potassium acetate results in lower phytotoxicity damage compared to other sources of potassium for liquid fertilizer products. It also may be applied in a variety of ways, including in-furrow, foliar, side-dressed, soil injected, broadcast, fertigation or other applications. Lab tests and field trials have proven potassium acetate to be an effective and safe source of potassium for crop production. NAS potassium acetate technology is branded in the U.S. as NACHURS Bio-K® and in Canada as ALPINE K-Tech®.
To learn more about NAS’ full line of potassium acetate products, call 800-622-4877, Extension 233, or visit www.nachurs.com or the ALPINE® website at www.alpinepfl.com. About the Wilbur-Ellis Companies Founded in 1921, the Wilbur-Ellis companies are leading international marketers, distributors and manufacturers of agricultural products, animal nutrients and specialty chemicals and ingredients. By developing strong relationships, making strategic market investments and capitalizing on new opportunities, the Wilbur-Ellis companies have continued to grow the business with sales of over $3 billion. For more information, please visit www. wilburellis.com. About Nachurs Alpine Solutions® Nachurs Alpine Solutions (NAS) became a division of Wilbur-Ellis in 2019. NAS is a 73-year-old specialty chemical business that pioneered the low salt liquid starter fertilizer industry by introducing the first true solution liquid NPK fertilizer. Today, NPK liquid fertilizers sold by NAS are marketed under the NACHURS brand in the United States and under the ALPINE brand in Canada. For more information, visit www. nachurs-alpine.com.
Potatoes from two side-by-side plantings are shown. Both crops had a NACHURS in-furrow fertilizer applied at 9 gallons/acre during planting. However, the potatoes on the left also received a foliar treatment of 2 gallons/acre of NACHURS Bio-K®, as well as 1 quart per acre of NACHURS Finish Line product at tuber initiation. As the photo illustrates, the crop on the left shows more weight, tubers and marketable yield as a result of the foliar application. (Note: Finish Line is a unique, micronutrient-enriched premium foliar fertilizer containing proprietary organic acids, compatibility agents and a higher level of micronutrients). 30 BC�T May
Jet-Oxide Sanitizer Fights Coronavirus Marrone Bio Innovations product allowed for use on industrial hard surfaces Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., a leading provider of effective and environmentally responsible pest management and plant health products, announces that its Jet-Oxide® 15% post-harvest sanitizer and industrial disinfectant product is now allowed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against human coronaviruses to sanitize industrial food and agricultural hard surfaces.
Scientific studies have suggested that coronaviruses, a group of related viruses that cause respiratory diseases in humans, are spread most often by respiratory droplets in a cough or sneeze. VIRUS ON HARD SURFACES Depending on the strain of coronavirus, this virus can survive up to several days on hard surfaces such as glass, metal or plastic. This may pose a threat to humans, particularly when the hard surface is not properly disinfected.
The allowed use was based on a study conducted by the EPA with Human Coronavirus Strain 229E (one of the viruses associated with human colds) on the effectiveness of spreading of diseases on hard surfaces. The study, conducted at a sanctioned EPA laboratory, met all requirements for 40CFR 160—yielding a 99.99 percent reduction of Human Coronavirus Strain 229E. The study was conducted using a dosage of approximately 1,300 parts per million (.130 percent) of the active ingredient with a contact time of 60 seconds at an ambient temperature of 72 degrees 20-05 Badger Common'Tater .25page Fahrenheit.
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NPC News
NPC Launches #EssentialAg Campaign Initiative recognizes those keeping America’s food supply safe
Growing and packing nutritious potatoes for families, and employing over 200 workers who live in Wisconsin, Alsum Farms & Produce is one in hundreds of operations across America that are #EssentialAg.
In recognition of National Agriculture Day, March 24, the National Potato Council (NPC) launched a new social media campaign to thank all of those working to keep America’s food supply safe, secure and abundant.
aims to thank the men and women of the U.S. food supply chain who are rightfully considered “essential workers” every day, but particularly so during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign, called #EssentialAg,
NPC CEO Kam Quarles said, “In normal
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times, Americans are fortunate to see their grocery store shelves wellstocked throughout the year. That security exists due to the men and women of American agriculture.” “It is particularly valuable now in this time of crisis to highlight these proud individuals who are working relentlessly to see stores full again,” Quarles maintains. “The President and Secretary Perdue have rightfully stated that American agriculture is essential in this time of crisis, and indeed it is.” Examples of #EssentialAg social media posts can be found on the NPC Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds. How you can get involved: • Send NPC a photo that the organization can post of you or your operation and include a description of how your work is essential to the U.S. food supply chain. Email info@ nationalpotatocouncil.org. • Post a photo on your social media channels with the tag #EssentialAg and tell us how you’re helping feed America.
Organizations Urge Relief Under Stimulus Bill On April 6, NPC joined 74 specialty crop organizations in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recommending strong relief measures under the Phase 3 Stimulus Bill dedicated to the fruit and vegetable industry. Joining on the letter were potato state associations including the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee; Idaho Grower Shippers Association; Idaho Potato Commission; United Potato Growers of Idaho; Maine Potato Board; Michigan Potato Growers, Inc.; Minnesota Area II Potato Council; Northern Plains Potato Growers Association; Empire State Potato Growers; North
Carolina Potato Association; Oregon Potato Commission; Pennsylvania Co-operative Potato Growers; United Potato Growers of America; Virginia Potato & Vegetable Growers; Washington State Potato Commission; and Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. “NPC has been working with our potato industry allies and the broad specialty crop industry on a plan for USDA to support our growers. A priority is to quantify the size of the likely losses and secure a substantial portion of the agriculture relief funding to fill that hole,� says Kam Quarles, NPC CEO. In April, the President signed the
“CARES� Act (also referred to as the Phase 3 Stimulus Bill). That bill provides $2.2 trillion overall in increased federal spending. Within the bill is $9.5 billion for the agriculture industry. There will be fierce efforts by various commodities to secure that funding. It is very likely that the U.S. Congress and the Administration will need to provide additional relief beyond the $9.5 billion. For example, the fresh produce industry estimates that $1 billion per week is lost just in that sector due to the pandemic shutdown and the impact inflicted largely on the food service sector at this time.
Disaster Loan Program Excludes Ag Businesses NPC joined 30 agriculture organizations and businesses calling on the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to include agricultural businesses in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, as intended by Congress in the CARES Act. The notice on the SBA website currently states applicants must certify they are “not an agricultural enterprise [e.g., farm], other than an aquaculture enterprise, agricultural cooperative or nursery.� Yet, the actual text of the CARES Act does not exclude agriculture producers and states all businesses with fewer than 500 employees can participate in the program. In a letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza, NPC and the agriculture organizations wrote, “Agricultural producers and businesses are critical elements of this nation’s economy and food system.� “Prior to COVID-19,� the letter continues, “farmers and ranchers had already experienced a drastic 24 percent decline in net farm income
from highs experienced just six years ago. With the further downturn in the economy, agricultural businesses are at risk of closure and may be required to lay off employees.�
available to farmers, who especially now are so critical to our nation, is essential and must occur immediately to avoid more losses and insecurity in our food supply.�
“This is an unprecedented crisis facing the United States,� says NPC CEO Kam Quarles. “Making this support program
For more information on SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, visit covid19relief.sba.gov.
We are here to support you.
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BC�T May 33
Badger Beat
Controlling Common Scab of Potato Growers face challenges with the disease that reduces crop quality, and at times, yield By Dr. Amanda Gevens, chair, associate professor and Extension specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Plant Pathology Department
Globally, potato growers face challenges with control of common scab,
a disease caused by members of the soilborne bacteria genus Streptomyces that reduces crop quality and, at times, yield.
Tubers with extensive lesions, especially pit scabs, can be unmarketable and are typically rejected across multiple markets. The economic impact of potato common scab in the United States is still not well documented, however yield losses due to the disease are likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually. Although often a highly variable disease concern from year-toyear, common scab has become increasingly troublesome in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest due to the limited efficacy of cultural and chemical control options, and seemingly increased
disease pressure. The unmistakable and highly anticipated smell of freshly turned soil in the spring comes from two small molecules, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol, which are mostly produced by Streptomyces bacteria. Of this rich-smelling genus, just a small number of species can cause common scab on potato tubers, and tap roots of radish, parsnip, carrot and beet. Streptomyces scabies remains the primary causal species affecting potato, but outcomes from our Wisconsin research have revealed multiple potato-disease-causing species, including Streptomyces
stelliscabiei, europascabiei and glauciniger. FACTORS OF INFECTION Many factors influence infection and severity of common scab symptoms, including diversity of soil microbial populations, soil pH, temperature and soil moisture. Potato tubers develop common scab during the tuber initiation phase and symptoms develop into three distinct lesion types at maturity: 1) russeted superficial lesions; 2) raised corky patches that are erumpent; and 3) pitted scabs that can vary from shallow to deep pits. It remains unclear as to what factors decisively influence lesion type, whether cultivar, pathogen species, soil type or other agroecological factors. Some of our recent work also indicates an association with pathogen species. Management strategies have included use of cultivar resistance, crop rotation, management of water during tuberization (low moisture promotes disease), management of soil pH to ≤5.2 and pesticides. However, even combined, these approaches often provide inconsistent control of common scab. Over the past several decades, growers and researchers have explored management programs for common scab. Control results are typically variable for most pesticides. However, pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) fungicide and chloropicrin Left: Potatoes show symptoms of common scab, a disease caused by members of the soilborne bacteria genus Streptomyces.
34 BC�T May
fumigant have provided some of the most consistent and repeatable positive results in problematic fields with susceptible cultivars. In just the past 10 years, here in Wisconsin, we have evaluated over 40 conventional and organic pesticide inputs, as well as compounds to reduce pH and auxins for common scab control. COMMON SCAB CONTROL PCNB (BlockerÂŽ) applied as a preplant soil treatment and chloropicrin applied as a soil fumigant prior to planting have both resulted in good and consistent common scab control across trial replications and years. While the microbial biopesticides contain beneficial microorganisms that can inhabit the soil and have been shown to provide some common scab reduction in controlled environments, these materials were highly variable in control performance during multiple years of trialing. Aside from pesticides and commercialized biologicals or biopesticides, we have investigated other treatments for common scab management. We focused on reducing pH at planting with sulfur application for four years. Our goal was to apply enough sulfur (Tiger-Sul 90CR) to reduce pH from field average to 5.2. Unfortunately, these treatments gave poor common scab control.
The disease cycle of potato common scab includes vegetative mycelium, sporogenous hypha, that hypha breaking into spores, germinating spores, the pathogen growing between and through cells, the cork layer pushing the infected area outward and scab formation.
We plan to continue investigating novel approaches and treatments for common scab control in one or more locations within Wisconsin. For further information on potato disease management and fungicides, please refer to the following sources. Our Potato & Vegetable Pathology website can be sourced at: https:// vegpath.plantpath.wisc.edu/. The 2020 A3422 Commercial
Vegetable Production in Wisconsin guide is available for purchase through the University of Wisconsin Extension Learning Store website: https://learningstore.extension.wisc. edu/products/commercial-vegetableproduction-in-wisconsin. And, a pdf of the document can be downloaded or is available at: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/ files/1/0145/8808/4272/files/A34222020.pdf.
Auxins, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (Rejuvenate) and indole 3 butyric acid (Hortus) were trialed in our Langlade County Airport common scab nursery over several years with inconsistent results. We aimed at targeting applications to key times in crop development, including planting (either seedapplied or in-furrow), hooking and two weeks post hooking. Outcomes of these controlled studies did not indicate reduction in common scab incidence or severity.
BC�T May 35
Tips for Purchasing, Storing and Cooking Potatoes U.S. potato growers provide unique insight into buying, handling and preparing spuds Many consumers are stocking up on potatoes during these uncertain times, and it’s important to make the most of these purchases. Heidi Alsum-Randall, a potato farmer and mother from Wisconsin, provided the following thoughts:
sense to us as potatoes are a nutrient-dense vegetable with a long shelf-life,” Randall remarks.
“We know many people are spending more time in their homes right now, looking for ways to prepare easy and nutritious meals for themselves and their families,” she says.
“Potato farmers, packers and processors are doing what it takes to keep potatoes supplied to grocery stores and restaurants around the country,” she adds. “Now more than ever, we are committed to our life’s work—raising food for families here and around the world.”
“We are hearing from grocery retailers that people are stocking up on potatoes. That makes perfect
Here are some tips from America’s potato farmers on how to purchase, store and prepare potatoes at home:
Buying Potatoes •V egetables are often described as perfect and imperfect. As you are stocking up, imperfect potatoes are just as good as those without imperfections. If cuts, bruises or discoloration are present, just cut these off before cooking. • Y ou can also find dehydrated and frozen potatoes in the center of the store and they require minimal preparation. •A lso available are freshly cut and ready-to-eat products in the deli and prepared foods aisles. •A nd don’t forget the potato chips, as everyone could use a bit of joy. Above: Potato farmers, packers and processors are doing what it takes to keep potatoes supplied to grocery stores and restaurants around the country. Left: Vegetables are often described as perfect and imperfect. As you are stocking up, imperfect potatoes are just as good as those without imperfections. If cuts, bruises or discoloration are present, just cut these off before cooking.
36 BC�T May
Potatoes can be baked, boiled, roasted, mashed, fried, air fried (here is a chance to use that new appliance from the holidays), microwaved and grilled.
Storage & Handling of Fresh Potatoes • Do not refrigerate or freeze fresh potatoes before cooking. • Store in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place, avoiding high temperatures such as below sinks or next to appliances. • Be sure air can reach your potatoes. Either store loose or in plastic or paper bags with holes. • Don’t wash potatoes before storing as dampness will lead to early spoilage. • Check potatoes regularly and remove any that show signs of spoilage, as this will spread to the others.
1. Baked potato in the oven or microwave 2. Au gratin, which sounds complicated but is simply thinly sliced potatoes baked with some cream, salt and pepper 3. Roasted by cutting into pieces and tossing with oil, salt and pepper or dried herbs and putting in the oven 4. Mashed, because is anything more satisfying and simpler than cutting up potatoes, boiling them in water until soft, adding milk, butter, salt and pepper and smashing?
•D on’t forget that many dishes, such as potato salad, can be made ahead and enjoyed later provided they are stored in the refrigerator. • L eftovers can easily be transformed into new dishes; mashed potatoes can become potato pancakes and baked wedges from dinner can be mixed in a scramble with eggs the next morning. To learn more about the potatoes you’ve purchased, please go to www.PotatoGoodness.com for more recipes, cooking tricks and tips and nutritional information.
• If potatoes begin to sprout, you can still cook them. Just remove the sprout and cut away any green areas. • Of course, you can also use sprouted potatoes as a fun kid activity by placing them in a container of water with the sprouts in the air and watching them grow. Cooking Potatoes • Potatoes can be baked, boiled, roasted, mashed, fried, air fried (here is a chance to use that new appliance from the holidays), microwaved and grilled. • Here are some of the favorite ways to prepare potatoes: BC�T May 37
Now News
CHS Larsen Announces New Agronomy Location Cooperative acquires former Pinnacle Ag/ADM facility east of Stevens Point CHS Larsen Cooperative is excited to announce its latest acquisition of the former Pinnacle Ag/ADM facility on Stockton Road just east of Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
of the Stockton facility will tie all the pieces together, allowing the cooperative to offer its complete line of products and services to area growers.
In addition to dry fertilizer, the cooperative plans on marketing liquid fertilizer, crop protection products and seed to growers in the area.
EXPANDING SERVICE AREA “As a cooperative, we are always looking for ways to help our owners grow and provide better service to them,” Neal says. “In order to do this, we’ve decided we need to expand our service area and facilities as well.”
“This facility fits well into our longrange growth plan to serve the area with a full line of agronomy products,” says David Neal, general manager of CHS Larsen. In addition to the agronomy staples of fertilizer, crop protection tools and seed, the cooperative also features a full line of precision ag products and services as well as grower input financing. In past years, CHS has only been able to offer feed, grain and energy products in the area. The addition 38 BC�T May
“By adding the Stockton facility to our existing agronomy outlets, we will be able to enhance our distribution options during the fastpaced planting season when secure supply and logistics are critical to all growers,” he states. “The physical location of the plant along the I-39 and Highway 10 corridor gives us excellent, efficient logistical options to both the central
and northeastern Wisconsin markets that we now serve,” Neal concludes. The CHS Stockton facility is well situated to earn local growers’ business by offering traditional and proprietary products that will enhance yield through personalized local service that every grower expects and deserves. About CHS Larsen Cooperative CHS Larsen Cooperative delivers agronomy, grain, energy and feed products and services to Wisconsin ag producers and other customers in 25 counties in Wisconsin and three in Upper Michigan. It is part of CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com), a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, seed, crop protection products, grain marketing services, production and agricultural services, animal nutrition products, foods and food ingredients, and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.
Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees Recognize farmers dedicated to care and management of natural resources Know a Wisconsin farmer or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2020 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award®.
inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 20 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Wisconsin, the $10,000 award is presented annually with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who
HERE TO HELP YOU GROW
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at www. sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA. The application deadline date is August 1, 2020. Applications can be emailed to award@ sandcountyfoundation.org. If mailed, applications must be postmarked by August 1, and mailed to Leopold
Conservation Award c/o Sand County Foundation, 131 W. Wilson Street, Suite 610, Madison, WI 53703. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. CONSERVATION EFFORTS “This award highlights real working farms for the conservation efforts they do on a daily basis,” says Joe Bragger, Wisconsin Farm Bureau president. “I encourage farmers to apply and be recognized for doing continued on pg. 40
AgCountry Farm Credit Services provides operating loans, home loans, real estate financing and equipment loans and leases as well as services for tax planning and preparation, farm accounting, appraisal, crop insurance and succession and retirement planning. Contact your local office to learn more.
Antigo, WI 800-324-5755 Marshfield, WI 800-324-5752 Stevens Point, WI 800-324-5754 Wausau, WI 800-324-5751
www.agcountry.com • Follow us on social media
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BC�T May 39
Now News . . . continued from pg. 39
the right things on their land for the future of their families, farms and communities.” “Dairy farmers have a long history of nurturing and protecting the natural resources within their care. The Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and the dairy farm families we represent are proud to again sponsor the Leopold Conservation Award,” says Patrick Geoghegan, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin executive vice president of industry relations. “Locally led conservation would not be nearly as effective without the hard work and collaboration with farmers across Wisconsin,” remarks Matt Krueger, Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association executive director.
“Environmental stewardship is an indivisible part of sustainable agriculture and Leopold Conservation Award nominees are models for successfully applying those practices,” Krueger adds. “Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” says Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation president and chief executive officer. The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Wisconsin is made possible thanks to the generous support of Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Land and
Water Conservation Association, Sand County Foundation, Compeer Financial, We Energies Foundation, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Whole Foods Market and McDonald’s. The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December. The first Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2006. Lake Family Farms of Boyceville received the award in 2019.
Wild Seed Farms Named Frito-Lay Supplier of Year Wisconsin grower landed award during 2020 PepsiCo Potato Supplier Summit Wild Seed Farms, Inc. was named Frito-Lay 2019 Supplier of the Year during the 2020 PepsiCo Potato Supplier Summit, February 12-13, held at The Colony, Texas. Criteria for the award is supplying contracted seed volumes, accuracy in reporting and shipping seed volumes, and customer evaluation of the seed received. Wild Seed Farms of Antigo, Wisconsin, was founded, in 1949, by Leonard Wild and his father-in-law. It started out with 12 acres of table potatoes, but shortly thereafter switched over to raising foundation and certified seed potatoes. Wild Seed Farms has been raising Frito-Lay seed for over 30 years. Frito-Lay seed comes to the farm as nuclear material and is first propagated out as FY1 (Foundation Year 1) seed. It remains on the farm until shipped out to chip stock growers throughout the 40 BC�T May
In his right hand, Dan Wild (fourth from right, white shirt), holds the Frito-Lay 2019 Supplier of the Year award that Wild Seed Farms of Antigo, Wisconsin, won during the 2020 PepsiCo Potato Supplier Summit. From left to right are Keith Ballard, Lance Knutson, Fabrizzio Cantagallo, Gerhard Bester, Wild, Jenny Touch, Craig Leafgren and Jill Olhausen.
country as FY3 seed. Dan Wild and his wife, Connie, represent the fourth generation on the farm. They attribute the farm’s success to great family, employees and customers. The Wilds maintain relationships with some customers
that the farm has worked with for over 45 years and multiple generations. The farm currently raises 500 acres of seed potatoes, the majority of which are chipping varieties. Over half of the farm’s seed acres are devoted to Frito-Lay varieties.
Growers Can Explore Paycheck Protection Program Compeer Financial says a Small Business Administration loan could help farms Compeer Financial, the memberowned farm credit cooperative based in the Upper Midwest, is working with clients considering the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, offered through the CARES Act. The program is extended to small businesses and designed to help offset the cost of payroll and other expenses for eight weeks as they deal with complications around the COVID-19 outbreak. “We understand the coronavirus may bring challenges to our clients. Compeer has always had a strong commitment to working with our clients through any situation, and we continue that support today,” says Paul Kohls, chief lending operations officer for Compeer Financial. “We hope this loan program will bring some relief to our clients as they head into spring,” Kohls adds. FRONTING PAYROLL COSTS The PPP is uniquely designed to help small businesses fund certain payroll costs, including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent and utilities.
The Paycheck Protection Program is uniquely designed to help small businesses fund certain payroll costs, including benefits, or pay interest on mortgages, rent and utilities.
The loans provided are eligible for forgiveness if the small business retains and continues to pay its employees. Applications opened April 3 to small businesses and sole proprietorships, and April 10 to independent contractors and self-employed individuals. “The well-being of our clients is
our highest priority as we face this uncertain time. Our team is working closely with them to find the best course of action for their operations, and the PPP is another tool they have to stay successful through these challenges,” said Kohls. For more information on requirements and frequently asked questions, farmers can visit compeer. com/paycheck-protection.
WPIB Focus
Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison
Month
Jul-18
Aug-18
Sep-18
Oct-18
Nov-18
Dec-18
Jan-19
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
1,941,139.54
1,484,961.43
17,270,711.90
Assessment
$114,203.25
$125,436.11
$95,267.11
$199,179.55
$216,890.04
$160,823.98
$164,271.78
$155,340.82
$118,739.00
$1,350,151.64
Aug-19
Sep-19
Oct-19
Nov-19
Dec-19
Jan-20
Feb-20
Mar-20
Month
Jul-19
Apr-20
May-20
Jun-20
Year-to-Date
CWT
1,737,634.84
616,558.70
888,994.00
2,231,926.08
2,407,229.71
2,076,049.78
3,103,420.09
1,675,525.19
2,243,789.02
16,981,127.41
Assessment
$139,082.75
$42,984.69
$77,501.87
$178,514.78
$192,575
$166,306.75
$248,238.17
$134,215.91
$179,634.18
$1,359,054.10 BC�T May 41
Marketplace
By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education
Bowe Joins WPVGA Spudmobile Team He went into retirement and back out again, well, kind of!
title of senior agriculture consultant for WPS.
After a 32-year career with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), Dale Bowe decided it was time to lay low and relax for a while. But that sentiment didn’t last long.
For years, Dale has been a WPVGA Associate Division volunteer, including two terms on the Board of Directors, and continues to serve on the Water Task Force. He’s also a member of the Spud Bowl Committee and has helped in WPVGA governmental affairs by volunteering to lobby in Madison as part of the annual Ag Day at the Capitol events.
He’s keeping one foot in the industry by joining the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) team as a Spudmobile education and outreach coordinator. Bowe, who grew up on a large dairy farm, graduated from Chippewa Falls High School, in 1974, and held several jobs before continuing his education at the University of WisconsinMadison. He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He is a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Alumni Association and FFA, and a member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Bowe serves on the International Association for Electrical Inspectors and is a graduate of the Portage County Business Council (PCBC) Foundation Leadership Program and Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program. AG CONTRIBUTIONS In 2011, he received the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award from the PCBC. He currently holds the 42 BC�T May
He’s assisted the WPVGA Promotions Committee by volunteering at Spudmobile events and does tremendous work each year in helping coordinate the WPS Farm Show held in Oshkosh. In July 2019, Dale worked tirelessly when a major storm knocked out power throughout the potato and vegetable growing region. He was instrumental in helping to restore power for irrigation systems to avert a major crop failure. Bowe anticipates using his talents to benefit the association and continuing to serve the industry he thoroughly enjoys. STAYING INVOLVED “I joined WPVGA to stay involved with the association and connected to the growers and other contacts
Dale Bowe joins the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Spudmobile team as the education and outreach coordinator.
I’ve been blessed to make throughout the years,” he says. “This opportunity allows me to continue to stay involved and give back, which I’m looking forward to doing.” Bowe’s contacts and experience in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry make him the perfect fit for Spudmobile events. He’s great at speaking with adults and kids and can help broaden consumer knowledge about where their food comes from and the importance of buying local. Bowe’s main duties for WPVGA will include driving the Spudmobile and helping at events. As the newest
member of WPVGA, he will be the Spudmobile education and outreach coordinator and will assist Doug Foemmel, education and outreach administrator. Dale and his wife, Ruth, live in Stevens Point. They have two adult daughters, Nicole and
Robyn. Dale’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, traveling and restoring old cars. Welcome aboard the Spudmobile, Dale. We hope you enjoyed your retirement.
Left: Using the Spud Gun, Dale Bowe (center in the first image) fires a T-shirt into the crowd during the 2019 Spud Bowl at Goerke Field, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Looking on are, from left to right, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) Chancellor Bernie Patterson, Curtis Gagas, Alex Okray, Nick Somers and Tamas Houlihan. Bowe then handed the honors to Patterson, who’s retiring as UWSP chancellor at school’s end this year. Watching as Patterson fires away are Gary Wysocki (left) and Bowe, who are members of the Spud Bowl Committee.
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BC�T May 43
Auxiliary News By Devin Zarda, vice president, WPGA
Hello, friends! I hope you’re
staying safe and that things have calmed down by the time you read this. Normally, using this article, I try to update you about what is going on within the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary. But right now, it feels like our whole world is on hold. Instead of writing an article, I’m writing an open, heartfelt letter. It’s scary not knowing what is going on. As farmers, farming families and businesses dependent on agriculture, our lives can be out of our control due to the weather, but this feels like more. It feels like more because it is more. At our farm, we are doing the best we can to keep employees and all the truck drivers safe. Because we as a farming community truly value our members, the Auxiliary has put many events on hold for the time being.
The 60th Annual WPS Farm Show, initially scheduled for March 31-April 2, was cancelled for everyone’s safety. In contrast, the Spudmobile was open for business at the 2018 WPS Farm Show.
With schools being out for the foreseeable (at publishing time) future, we will be putting the Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes harvest parties and school visits with the Spudmobile
on hold. The 60th Annual WPS Farm Show, initially scheduled for March 31-April 2, was cancelled for everyone’s safety. The Auxiliary postponed its April gettogether in Antigo for the time being. As for now, our annual meeting in June is still on. Fingers crossed we will be able to get together in June. I know I will be looking forward to seeing everyone’s faces again. Until next time,
Devin Left: With educational curriculums and classes being conducted online, the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary is forced to put the Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes harvest parties and Spudmobile school visits on hold. 44 BC�T May
People Bragger to Serve as Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Dairy farmer also elected president of Rural Mutual Insurance Board of Directors Joe Bragger was elected as the president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) and Rural Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors. Bragger, a dairy farmer from Independence in Buffalo County, succeeds Jim Holte, who has served as WFBF president since 2012. Bragger was first elected to the WFBF Board of Directors in 2010 to represent District 4, which includes Buffalo, Trempealeau, La Crosse, Jackson, Monroe and Eau Claire counties. Bragger farms with his wife, Noel, brother, Dan Bragger, and a team of employees. Bragger Family Dairy maintains a herd of 300 cows and 32,000 pullets, also growing 1,400 acres of crops. Joe and Noel have four children, Rosli, John, Tessa and Allison. Dave Daniels of Union Grove, in Kenosha County, was elected WFBF vice president, succeeding Kevin Krentz of Berlin, Waushara County. Brian Preder of Weyauwega, in Waupaca County, was elected to a three-year term on the Board representing District 7 (Langlade, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano and Waupaca counties). Ryan Klussendorf of Medford, in Taylor County, was elected to a three-year term on the Board representing District 8 (Clark, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Price, Taylor and Wood counties). He succeeds Don Radtke of Marathon County, who has served on the Board since 2003.
REPRESENTING BUREAUS Peter Kimball of River Falls, in Pierce County, was elected to a three-year term on the Board representing District 9 (Superior Shores, Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer and St. Croix County) farm bureaus. He succeeds former WFBF President Jim Holte, who retired after serving in this role since 1995. Nine of the 11 members of the WFBF Board of Directors are elected in each continued on pg. 46
Joe Bragger was elected as the president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) and Rural Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors. Bragger, a dairy farmer from Independence in Buffalo County, succeeds Jim Holte, who has served as WFBF president since 2012.
BINFRONT BARRIERS …a better barrier
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BULK STORAGE Barrier system walls off potatoes in bulk storage. • Interlocking Design for Stacking • Vertical Edges Prevent Gaps when Placed Together at Various Angles • Vertical Ribs Prevent Trapping of Dirt & Increase Wall Strength • Angled Barrier Ends Allow for 90-Degree Turns Using Three Barriers • Lightweight, Easy to Clean & Disinfect BinFronts can be placed in tight circumferences for corners or circles, eliminating the burden of ordering corner pieces.
Contact Pete Schroeder at farm@sbfi.biz or visit https://binfront.biz/ for more images and information. BC�T May 45
People . . . continued from pg. 45
of Farm Bureau’s nine districts. These nine individuals also make up the Board of Directors for the Rural Mutual Insurance Company. Rounding out the WFBF Board are chairs of the federation’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist, and Promotion and Education committees, both of which serve a one-year term on the Board. Darby Sampson of Melrose, in Jackson
County, was elected to a one-year term as the representative from the Promotion and Education Committee on the Board. She succeeds Andrea Brossard from Dodge County. Kelly Oudenhoven, Outagamie County, was elected to a one-year term as chair of the Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) Committee and will serve as the representative on the Board. She succeeds Julie Wadzinski of Barron
County as YFA chair. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation board members not up for re-election are: Dave Daniels of Union Grove, in Kenosha County; Arch Morton Jr. of Janesville, Rock County; Robert Nigh of Viroqua, in Vernon County; Kevin Krentz of Berlin, Waushara County; and Rosie Lisowe of Chilton, in Calumet County.
KerberRose Welcomes Abe Babler Information assurance manager oversees System and Organizaton Controls In an effort to continue with its longstanding reputation as a full-service accounting firm, KerberRose has added System and Organization Controls (SOC) reporting to its auditing services and hired Abe Babler as information assurance manager. With the rise of cloud computing and outsourcing, SOC reports emerged to provide assurance to service organizations and their customers, including a service organization’s controls over financial reporting (SOC 1). Also assured are controls over privacy and confidentiality of users’ data, and the security, availability and processing integrity of a service organization’s systems (SOC 2 and SOC 3). KerberRose will provide additional value to clients by meeting this growing marketplace demand for assurance with the addition of Babler. Abe has more than 20 years of experience in business, technology and accounting. He obtained his Bachelor
46 BC�T May
of Arts in speech communication and psychology from the University of Dubuque, Iowa, and his Master of Business in accounting from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. TRUE ASSET FOR THE FIRM He has held previous roles overseeing SOC operations, and engineering cybersecurity and compliance programs, making him an asset for KerberRose Technology. Abe will work closely alongside Karen Kerber, CPA, Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) and shareholder-in-charge of the audit team, to provide SOC audit reports. “We are excited for Abe to join the KerberRose team with his extensive background of technical experience in the SOC field,” Kerber says. “Offering this new service is a great opportunity for KerberRose to continue to build upon and expand our services to add value for our clients.” KerberRose is a Wisconsin certified public accounting firm specializing
Abe Babler
in auditing, accounting, wealth management, business strategy, human resource and technology consulting. The company was listed on Inside Public Accounting’s Top 300 Firms in 2019. With more than 160 professional staff members and offices in Antigo, Clintonville, Fox Cities, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Rhinelander, Shawano, Sister Bay, Stevens Point and Wausau, KerberRose is a trusted business advisor, combining the expertise of a leading regional firm with the convenience, familiarity and passion of a local provider.
Why SECURE Act Matters to You The age has changed at which a person must begin withdrawing from a retirement plan By Attorney Ashley L. Hawley, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C. The SECURE Act, a federal law enacted on December 20, 2019, made significant changes to how retirement assets, including 401(k) plans and other IRA’s, are treated both during our lives and for our beneficiaries after death. This article will briefly summarize the aspects of the Act that likely matter most to you. DURING YOUR LIFE One component of the SECURE
Act that will affect many people during their lives is a change in the age at which a person must begin withdrawing from a retirement plan. Pre-2020, a person was required to begin taking distributions from their retirement plans when they attained age 70 ½. Under the new law, the age is increased to 72. The Act also removes the age cap for funding traditional (non-Roth) IRA’s, meaning individuals over age 70 ½ are
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now able to make contributions so long as they are earning income. AFTER YOUR DEATH Perhaps the most significant estate planning change has to do with how retirement plans may be distributed and taxed after the account holder’s death. If you were the beneficiary of someone else’s retirement assets, you are probably familiar with the concept continued on pg. 48
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Why SECURE Act Matters to You . . . continued from pg. 47
of “stretching” the payout over the beneficiary’s life expectancy. If an account holder passed away prior to January 1 of this year, qualified beneficiaries were able stretch distribution over their life expectancy. In order to be a qualified beneficiary, the person had to either be an individual or a trust that meets specific criteria. This lifelong stretch provided incometax-free growth of the inherited assets during the beneficiary’s life. It deferred the payment of income taxes, and if distributed in a properly drafted trust, also protected the assets from many of the beneficiary’s creditors.
Now, with some exceptions (i.e. a surviving spouse), assets left in a conduit trust are required to be distributed to the beneficiary outright within 10 years of the account holder’s death.
In many cases, the Act has done away with the stretch-IRA. There are several exceptions.
beneficiaries who are disabled are still permitted to take distributions over their expected lifetimes, though children who are minors must take the full distribution within 10 years after reaching the legal age of adulthood.
For example, a surviving spouse, minor children (but not grandchildren) and
RETIREMENT ASSETS Retirement assets can still be left
in trust for these types of special beneficiaries, but drafters must be extremely careful not to disqualify the individual from this tax favorable treatment. All other beneficiaries must take the assets out of the retirement account by December 31 of the tenth anniversary
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of the original account holder’s death.
the beneficiary as a distribution.
types of assets.
If a beneficiary is not an individual or a qualified trust, the withdrawal must be made within five years.
Because the assets were stretched out over the beneficiary’s life expectancy, these required distributions were typically small, leaving the bulk of the assets in a creditor-protected trust for the beneficiary over their lifetime.
Not listing a beneficiary or listing your estate as a beneficiary is the most common (and most costly) mistake that people make.
Unfortunately, Congress gave us very little warning that these significant changes were coming. Accordingly, estate plans that, through the end of 2019, offered a sound approach to planning for retirement assets may suddenly no longer provide a good solution. For example, some of our clients may have current plans in place that leave their retirement assets to a “conduit trust.” FAVORABLE TAX TREATMENT When a beneficiary qualified for a lifetime stretch, these conduit trusts oftentimes provided an ideal situation—creditor protection and favorable tax treatment. Each of the required minimum distributions would be paid directly to
Now, with some exceptions (i.e. a surviving spouse), assets left in a conduit trust for a beneficiary are required to be distributed to the beneficiary, outright, within 10 years of the account holder’s death. If the account holder intended these assets to be held within the creditorprotected trust for a longer period, this sort of conduit trust language is directly contrary to his or her intentions. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT? First and foremost, check your beneficiary designations. Many people are not even aware of who is listed as the beneficiary of these
Second, review your estate plan. Even if you do not have a trust as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, you should review your estate plan and speak with a qualified estate planning attorney to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of creating a trust and naming that trust as the beneficiary of your retirement assets. And, if you have a trust as the beneficiary of your retirement assets, you should have the language of that trust reviewed to make sure it is up to date with the new terms. The best information for you to know is there are options and creative strategies to be explored in order to make the most of the new law.
Heartland Agriculture, LLC
4180 Reardon Road / DeForest, WI 608.846.9064 / 800.523.2350
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1180 State Hwy 7 East / Hutchinson, MN 320.587.4030 / 800.328.5866 BC�T May 49
Potatoes USA News
Potatoes USA Elects 2020-2021 Leadership Potatoes USA, the marketing and promotion board for the U.S. potato industry, elected its new leadership during its 48th Annual Meeting on March 11. The newly elected chairman and Executive Committee will lead the 99 board members through 20202021. Marty Myers of Boardman, Oregon, was elected chairman of the Board. Prior to this role, Myers served a sixyear term on the Board from 20102016 and co-chaired the International Marketing Committee for two of those years. He began his current term on the Board in 2017 and co-chaired the International Marketing Committee for another three years. Myers has been in the potato industry for 24 years and currently works for Threemile Canyon Farms, focusing on the chip, frozen and seed sectors. He is also R.D. Offutt Company’s 50 BC�T May
western business manager for farming and agriculture, where he oversees operations in Oregon, Washington and Nevada.
• Ed Staunton of Tulelake, California, and Steve Streich of Kalispell, Montana, co-chairs of the International Marketing Committee
“It’s all about the great people in this industry,” Myers said when asked what he enjoys most about his work. “The potato industry truly is unique; it is a young, vibrant and diverse group.”
• Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, and Heidi Randall of Friesland, Wisconsin, co-chairs of the Industry Outreach Committee
Myers said that as chairman, he is looking forward to working with the Executive and Administration Committees and the Potatoes USA staff to build on the great work that was done last year. He is also looking forward to working with growers from different regions across the U.S. In addition to Myers, Potatoes USA’s 2020-2021 Executive Committee members are: • Jeff Jennings of Camden, North Carolina, chair of the Finance & Policy Committee
• Steve Elfering of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Jaren Raybould of Saint Anthony, Idaho, co-chairs of the Domestic Marketing Committee Above: The new Potatoes USA Executive Committee is, back row, from left to right: Ed Staunton of Tulelake, California; Heidi Randall of Friesland, Wisconsin; Steve Streich of Kalispell, Montana; Chris Hansen of Bliss, New York; Steve Elfering of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Jeff Jennings of Camden, North Carolina; and Blair Richardson, Potatoes USA CEO. In the front row, seated left to right, are: Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin; Phil Hickman of Horntown, Virginia; Marty Myers of Boardman, Oregon; Jaren Raybould of Saint Anthony, Idaho; and Jared Smith of Alamosa, Colorado.
• Chris Hansen of Bliss, New York, and Jared Smith of Alamosa, Colorado, co-chairs of the Research Committee • Phil Hickman of Horntown, Virginia, past chairman Myers said that up until this month, his main goal as chairman was to increase outreach to the processing community. With the impact of COVID-19, however, Myers’ priorities are shifting gears.
“My main goal now is helping the U.S. to fulfill the potato needs of the American people, and helping the potato industry through this difficult time,” he explains. Outside of his work in the potato industry, Myers works in dairy, organic crop production and renewable energy. He also enjoys golfing and spending time with family and friends. continued on pg. 52
Left: Eric Schroeder (left) of Schroeder Brothers Farms in Antigo, Wisconsin, and Mark Finnessy, Okray Family Farms, Plover, Wisconsin, each completed six years on the Potatoes USA Board of Directors. Right: There was good attendance from Wisconsin at the Potatoes USA 48th Annual Meeting, March 11. From left to right are Shannon Finnessy, Keith Wolter, Mark Randall, Mark Finnessy, Heidi Randall, Eric Schroeder, Kevin Schleicher, Mike Carter, Ali Carter, Paula Houlihan, Tamas Houlihan, Erin Baginski and Dana Rady. Mike and Heidi were elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee.
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Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Inc. P.O. Box 173 • Antigo, WI 54409 • 715-623-4039
ViewView a directory a directory ofof the the Wisconsin Certified Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers Seed Potato Growers your smartphone. on youronsmartphone.
www.potatoseed.org BC�T May 51
Potatoes USA News . . . continued from pg. 51
COVID-19 Impacts International Potato Market The coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak is causing concern across the globe and impacting many areas of life. The virus and the resulting restrictions, travel bans and work stoppages are impacting international markets for U.S. potatoes. The hardest hit sector has been foodservice sales, where most of the U.S. fries are sold. In addition to restaurant closures in nearly all markets, the international cancellation and postponement of large events, including sports, cultural and religious programs, and business conferences, has dramatically decreased foodservice sales.
Travel restrictions and limited tourism are contributing to the loss of sales as well. In South Korea, foodservice operators reported a 40-50 percent decrease in sales. Vietnam saw an increase in foodservice delivery at the start of the outbreak, but that slowed as concerns about people handing food became more prevalent. MORE COOKING AT HOME The effects on retail are not quite as negative, however. With fewer people dining out, more are cooking at home, leading to increases in retail sales. A major e-commerce player in South Korea, SSG, said more consumers are using retail delivery to get their
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groceries and reported a 30 percent increase in grocery sales compared to the previous year. In Taiwan, retailers reported a 30 percent decrease in store visitors, but a 40-70 percent increase in sales of frozen food, instant products and daily necessities. As a result of more delivery, less consumers going into stores and increased hygiene precautions, retailers are not actively conducting in-store promotions. Refrigerated containers were backed up at ports in China and across Asia, which impacted exports of U.S. product. The lack of usage of imported foods destined for foodservice and the work stoppages at the ports resulted in containers not returning to the United States in a timely manner. Fortunately, in China, this problem is subsiding as businesses are getting back to work and port operations are resuming. With the rapid spread of the coronavirus, new updates on its effects are released regularly.
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For more information on COVID-19 impacts on Potatoes USA’s markets, please reach out to Tiffany Thompson at tiffany@potatoesusa.com.
Ali's Kitchen
French Farmhouse Potatoes Best Served Hot! In these trying times, enjoy some delectable little nuggets of buttery goodness
Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary It feels a bit strange contributing an article and recipe with everything that is going on now. And, while the coronavirus is affecting all readers in different ways, I feel better knowing that those interested have access to this recipe and the good, wholesome food that will result from it. The French Farmhouse Potatoes
recipe highlights the mild, earthy flavor of the potato and results in a fluffy, creamy texture on the inside and a crispy exterior. It’s my simplified version of an already quite simple Jacques Pépin recipe and serves up a panful of delectable little nuggets of buttery goodness.
continued on pg. 54
Ingredients:
French Farmhouse Potatoes • 6-8 small russet potatoes (washed and peeled) • 3 1/2 cups chicken stock • 3 Tbsp. butter • 2 tsp. salt (more or less to taste) BC�T May 53
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Ali's Kitchen. . .
continued from pg. 53
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Directions Place the potatoes and the chicken broth in a deep skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 10 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes. Remove the lid. There should be enough liquid remaining in the skillet to still halfway surround the potatoes; add more broth or water if need be. Increase heat to medium-high.
Simmer the potatoes until nearly all the chicken broth has evaporated (about 10 to 15 minutes). Reduce heat back down to medium.
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Add the butter to the skillet. Gently stir the potatoes to coat them with the butter and cook for another 5-ish minutes on each side so that the outsides become browned and crispy.
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Remove from heat and sprinkle with salt. Serve hot.
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Enjoy!
Find more recipes at www.LifeOnGraniteRidge.com.
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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.
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Friday, June 19, 2020 Bass Lake Country Club W10650 Bass Lake Road Deerbrook, WI 54424
Deadline for sponsorship commitments to be included in June Badger Common'Tater: May 11, 2020* 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 BUSHMAN’S RIVERSIDE RANCH
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
• Company name/logo on one 12-foot banner placed in a prominent area on the course • Company name/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
Since 1998, this tournament raised over $111,000, which was donated to Wisconsin potato research.
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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