June 2021 Badger Common'Tater

$22/year | $2/copy | Volume 73 No. 06 | JUNE 2021

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

HARVEST & SPECIALTY VEHICLES/TRACTORS WILD POTATOES PULL Late Blight Guard Duty DETERMINE CRITICAL Petiole Nitrate Levels OWNERSHIP TRANSITION of the Farm is Inevitable RESEARCH TECHNOLOGIES Advance Potato Production

INTERVIEW:

STEVE DIERCKS Coloma Farms, Inc.

Coloma Farms Inc. Vice President Steve Diercks conducts a tour of the multi-generation potato and vegetable operation in Coloma, Wisconsin.

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The scientific explanation.

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On the Cover: Steve and Andy Diercks have been sharing and touting

the “Wisconsin Idea” for years as owners and operators of Coloma Farms in Coloma, Wisconsin. They put the principle behind the Wisconsin Idea— that education should influence people’s lives beyond the classroom—into practice by having the University of Wisconsin Extension conduct research on their farm, and through educational tours, such as one Steve is conducting on the front cover.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: Wagonloads of potatoes are a common sight during harvest on Coloma Farms in Coloma, Wisconsin, which encompasses 2,700 acres of potatoes, corn, soybeans and other vegetable crops. This issue’s interviewee, Steve Diercks, vice president of Coloma Farms, says he just really likes growing crops.

His son, Andy, specializes in working on precision equipment and the marketing end of the business, so it works out well between the two of them.

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN.................... 61 AUXILIARY NEWS............... 43 BADGER BEAT.................... 40

18 WILD POTATOES KEY TO LATE BLIGHT FIGHT

Scientists expose 72 wild species to stubborn disease

35 MARKETPLACE

CrazyLegs Classic run/walk participants are “Powered By Wisconsin Potatoes”

39 POTATOES USA NEWS

Men’s Health magazine article touts nutritional value of delicious potatoes

FEATURE ARTICLES: 22 NEW FRONTIERS explored in growing and breeding the superfood known as potato

EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 56 MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6 NEW PRODUCTS................ 58 NOW NEWS....................... 30 NPC NEWS......................... 48 PEOPLE.............................. 46

44 THINGS TO CONSIDER before an inevitable farm/agribusiness ownership transition

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

52 DETERMINING CRITICAL petiole nitrate levels can enhance potato yield and quality

WPIB FOCUS...................... 50

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WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Bill Guenthner Vice President: Alex Okray Secretary: Wes Meddaugh Treasurer: Mike Carter Directors: John Bustamante, Wendy Dykstra, Randy Fleishauer, Charlie Mattek & J.D. Schroeder 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: Chris Brooks Vice President: Julie Cartwright

6/9/20 9:09 AM

Secretary: Sally Suprise Treasurer: Rich Wilcox Directors: Paul Salm, Matt Selenske, Andy Verhasselt & Justin Yach Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: J.D. Schroeder Vice President: Roy Gallenberg Secretary/Treasurer: Charlie Husnick Directors: Matt Mattek & Jeff Suchon Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Kathy Bartsch Vice President: Devin Zarda Secretary/Treasurer: Datonn Hanke Directors: Jody Baginski, Brittany Bula, Deniell Bula & Marie Reid

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MARK YOUR

Calendar

JUNE

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24-26

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

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13-15

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20-22

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27-30

VIRTUAL PARDEEVILLE TRIATHLON For event information, visit https://pardeevilletri.com/ PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI PILI ALUMNI SUMMIT Virtual Potato Industry Leadership Institute Alumni Summit UNITED POTATO GROWERS OF AMERICA’S CROP TRANSITION CONFERENCE In-person and Virtual Event Holiday Inn near West Acres Fargo, ND RHINELANDER STATE FARM FIELD DAY Lelah Starks Elite Foundation Seed Potato Farm Rhinelander, WI MK TRIATHLON AND SPLASH-N-DASH Jack Lake Veterans Memorial Park Deerbrook, WI FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Silver Spring Foods, Huntsinger Horseradish Farm Eau Claire, WI HARS FIELD DAY Hancock Agricultural Research Station, 1 p.m.

Hancock, WI ANTIGO FIELD DAY Langlade Agricultural Research Station Antigo, WI NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL SUMMER MEETING Virtual EventI

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POTATOES USA SUMMER MEETING In-person and Virtual Event Louisville, KY 40th ANNUAL ANTIGO TATER TROT Antigo City Park, 8:30 a.m.

Antigo, WI WAUPACA AREA TRIATHLON South Park-Downtown, 7 a.m.

Waupaca, WI

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

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

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Planting Ideas Connections with people

are so important, particularly now as we emerge from COVID-19 lockdown and can get back to having in-person events, meetings, tours and fun. More value and emphasis are placed on making those personal connections. It was so nice to have a conversation with Steve Diercks of Coloma Farms for this harvestthemed issue of the Badger Common’Tater, and to get to know him better through our question-and-answer session. He invited me to come out to the farm during harvest of Creamer potatoes for The Little Potato Company to see how that operation works with the small spuds, and I look forward to doing so. Steve and his son, Andy, have been as involved as any members of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association over the years, each having volunteered in numerous capacities and on multiple boards.

Over the last five years, I’ve gotten several chances to visit and talk with Jerry Bushman, shown in the image above on his cellphone in a potato field. In 1974, Jerry founded Bushmans’ Inc. to facilitate creative national potato and vegetable distribution, packing and marketing efforts on behalf of regional farmers, all with the goal of “putting the potato and the person together.” Bushmans’ Inc. is a mile from my house, in Rosholt, Wisconsin, and Jerry has invited me to his office a few times for chats. He was recently honored by Potato Grower magazine as part of its celebration of 50 years in publication. See “Now News” in this issue to read more about why Jerry was named in the “50 for 50” list of innovative and influential individuals.

I received an email from Yi Wang, a University of Wisconsin assistant professor and state extension specialist/researcher who I have also made several connections with over the years. She offered an article for publication that she penned on “Determining Critical Petiole Nitrate Levels” in potato. Yi is a consummate professional who makes her team’s research available to me and readers on a regular basis, and, thus, the magazine more interesting and informative. See the feature article herein.

I feel blessed to work in an industry driven by science and research, hard work and tradition, and people who have been working the soil of family farms for generations. I look forward to reconnecting with all of you.

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

Joe Kertzman

Managing Editor jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com

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Interview STEVE DIERCKS,

vice president, Coloma Farms Inc.

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater NAME: Steve Diercks TITLE: Vice president COMPANY: Coloma Farms Inc. LOCATION: Coloma, WI HOMETOWN: Antigo, WI TIME IN PRESENT POSITION: 52 years (being 72 years young) PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: None SCHOOLING: Antigo High School and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board of Directors and Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (past president of both), as well as having served on the Water Task Force, and WPVGA Government Affairs and Storage Research and Research committees; the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (serving in many capacities); U.S. Potato Board (Potatoes USA); National Potato Council; Village of Coloma president; and past president of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Coloma FAMILY: Wife, Pat, of 52 years; children, Andy and Kate; grandchildren, Jackson and Cameron; and five sisters HOBBIES: Golf sometimes, snow skiing, water skiing “when I was younger,” travel and, “I fool around with Corvettes when I have time,” having 1959, 1967 and 1971 models 8

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It would be difficult to think of a father-and-son team more involved in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growing industry than Steve and Andy Diercks. There are others, and perhaps those just as dedicated, but the Diercks family and Coloma Farms Inc. have been an industry institution, serving and having served on numerous boards as lifelong supporters of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA).

When Andy was elected president of the WPVGA, in 2002, he became the fourth generation in his family to serve in that position. Steve served as WPVGA president, in 1989; his father, Robert Diercks, was president from 1975-’76; and Robert’s father, Ben H. Diercks, was the Association’s first president in 1948-’49.

In 2013, Steve was the third generation inducted into the WPVGA Hall of Fame, which honors lifetime achievement in the development of the state’s potato industry, following his father and grandfather.

Highly regarded for their support of industry research, particularly on sustainability and conservation issues, Steve, Andy and Coloma Farms have been active participants in the Healthy Grown program.

A partnership between the WPVGA, University of Wisconsin (UW) College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, World Wildlife Fund, International Crane Foundation and Defenders of Wildlife, Healthy Grown farmers

improve potato production using environmentally sound practices.

Steve was instrumental in arranging industry financing for the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station, and he has made his own farm available to UW scientists for countless field studies.

As a tribute to his father who began the effort, he worked tirelessly raising funds for the establishment of a Above: A Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Hall of Fame member, Steve Diercks is a third-generation potato grower working with his son, Andy, on Coloma Farms in Coloma, Wisconsin.

potato research endowment known as the Wisconsin Potato Industry Distinguished Fellowship at UWMadison.

Proudly hanging in the Coloma Farms office among other plaques are two environmental stewardship awards received from state and national organizations.

Steve, your grandfather, Ben’s, original farm, in White Lake— Diercks and Sons—grew seed and fresh potatoes. Why did you and your father, Robert, branch off and start the operation in Coloma, Wisconsin? Did you want to get out of the certified seed business?

The farm started in Bryant and then White Lake. The farther south you go, the earlier you can start growing potatoes, so that is what we did.

Harvested potatoes are sorted as they come down the conveyor—a welcome sight at Coloma Farms, which participates in the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Program. Healthy Grown is a partnership between the WPVGA, University of Wisconsin (UW) College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, World Wildlife Fund, International Crane Foundation and Defenders of Wildlife designed to aid farmers in growing produce that is economically profitable and ecologically sound. ©UW-Madison University Communications, photo by Bryce Richter

My dad split off from my uncle. We got this farm and stayed here, so that was our branch off. We got out of the seed potato business, picked up a couple of chip contracts, and started washing and grading potatoes.

to get away from the farm at the end of the day or we would have people knocking on the door all night, if a truck came in late or if something went wrong or needed fixing.

The first year we were down in Coloma, we were all done harvesting and fulfilling our contract by August.

That was the last time that ever happened.

What was it like working with your dad? It really was quite interesting.

My dad farmed with my grandfather, so the farm and tradition were 21-06 aBadger Common'Tater (4.7x3.5).v1.pdf passed down couple times. One

time, it didn’t go very well; my dad wanted to do it differently from when he and his three brothers were working the farm.

Just like my dad and his father, if I did something and my dad came back to check on it a couple days later and didn’t like what happened, well, that’s how I learned.

1

2021-05-06

7:36 AM continued

on pg. 10

We are lucky to have acquired most of our farmland close to our operation. Most of our land is continuous and it has limited the amount of road travel.

My dad used to drive back and forth from Antigo. He would drive to Coloma on Monday, drive back to Antigo on Tuesday, golf and attend a bank meeting on Wednesday, come back Thursday and return to Antigo Friday.

Since this is pre-cell phone era, I learned to make decisions, right or wrong, at a young age.

I know Andy didn’t grow up on the farm, having lived in town, but did you spend a lot of time on the farm growing up? I lived in town, too. My dad always told us that we needed BC�T June

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

Andy and I have worked much the same way. You keep giving them rope so they learn, letting them make decisions. That is the hardest part; accepting that the way you do things is not the only way to do them.

While my dad had three brothers, I had five sisters. At the time, my sisters weren’t very much interested in the farm, but I enjoyed it because you could learn a lot and I’ve always viewed farming as an interesting profession.

While Andy would rather work on precision equipment and the marketing end of the business, I

enjoy growing crops, and it works out well. He had to learn it all because no one is around forever.

He knows that and has learned more over the last number of years.

Many grower members of the WPVGA have done a fine job of transitioning their operations from one generation to the next. They have a good handle on it.

I believe that you farm about 2,700 acres. Is it still potatoes, corn and soybeans? Those crops make up about two thirds of our acres. We also rent land to Seneca Foods, Heartland Farms and Heath Farms

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Above: Potatoes are harvested on Coloma Farms, Inc., September 2017, in Coloma, Wisconsin. Images by Pierce Johnson

every year to grow peas, snapbeans, peppers, pickles and other specialty crops.

We occasionally work with Paul Miller on carrots, and there is a heifer operation that we grow alfalfa and corn silage for.

What potato varieties does Coloma Farms grow? I guess we grow roughly 15-20 percent chipping varieties, and processing potatoes for McCain Foods.

Our potato acreage changed recently, with The Little Potato Company coming to Wisconsin. We used to grow 400 acres of fresh potatoes, and now that is more like 150-200 acres, with little potatoes being around 300 acres. We don’t go to fresh market with the little potatoes, but rather contract directly to The Little Potato Company.

We grow Red Norlands, Superiors, Goldrush, Algiers, these are mostly continued on pg. 12

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 10

fresh, and four different varieties for The Little Potato Company. Ringle and Burbank are varieties for McCain’s.

What kind of rotation are you on and with what other crops?

We are on a three-year rotation.

Starting with potatoes, the second year is corn. With all those other crops I mentioned, we like to rotate soybeans ahead of potatoes. We like the way a soybean crop leaves the soil—soft and easy to work, and we don’t have to put nitrogen on them.

Do you have storage and shipping facilities? We can store about

350,000 cwt. (hundredweight) of potatoes. We put up a pretty nice shed across the street from the farm and converted a couple of other buildings to Little Potato storages.

Like everyone else, we pack in 5and 10-pound bags, 3’s and 1’s, and cartons. We have a pretty extensive background in fresh packing.

Right: Generational supporters of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Andy (left) and Steve (right) Diercks pose with Ron Krueger and Steve Rosenthol at the 2019 Spud Seed Classic, a fundraiser for the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, which, in turn, puts money back into the industry.

I remember packing potatoes forever when I was young. The growers down here do a good job of packing, and most potatoes are sold through large shippers—Bushmans’ Inc., RPE, Inc. and Alsum’s.

We don’t have enough volume to do the 365-days-a-year thing and don’t want to compete on that stage. We like to be done by Thanksgiving or Christmas.

An aerial view of Coloma Farms shows the layout of the office, barns, sheds and storages.

12 BC�T June

Left: Steve Diercks, third from right, facing camera in blue shirt, leads a tour of a potato storage facility on Coloma Farms.

We still have little potatoes left right now, so we don’t get much of a break. The crew gets smaller after harvest, and that’s when I try to take my vacation, but there’s always things to do, that’s for sure.

Andy has an agricultural engineering background. How does he use those skills on the farm? He put together the whole packing line, laid it out. It is really quite efficient. He has taken over a lot more responsibilities in everything from planting to harvest.

I like to help out, driving tractor, doing what I like to do. Sons can’t holler at their fathers if they take a day off. We’ve earned it.

What is your favorite part of the day or what do you most enjoy? I like the tractor and sprayer. I just like looking at crops. Spraying allows me to see what’s going on while the crops are growing. I like fall because that’s when harvest takes place, and you see how well you have done.

How did planting go this year? It went well. We plant half the potato crop in April and don’t start the other half until the middle of May or even into June when we plant little potatoes. In between, we have time to get our corn and soybeans planted.

It was as dry of a spring as we’ve seen in a while. Most people would rather have it too dry than too wet. We always have something to complain

about. You should know that by now.

Does Coloma Farms still employ seven full-time and 8-10 part-time employees? We still employ the same amount of people but are always looking for new employees. I think there are four of us who are pushing 70 years or older. Everyone that age who works here enjoys it or they would have quit a long time ago.

It is a struggle to find good help— people who want to work on the farm. Those we find are older, 50-60 years on up. We have some younger guys, in their 40’s, and others have

Left: Coloma Farms donates five semiloads of potatoes a year to Ruby’s Pantry, a charitable organization providing food to families in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Right: Andy Diercks (center) attends a retail promotion that includes a potatoes display and Harley-Davidson motorcycle giveaway at Trig’s grocery store, in Rhinelander, along with, from left to right, Dana Rady, Paula Houlihan, Tamas Houlihan and Spudly, the WPVGA promotions mascot.

been working for us 30 or 40-plus years.

We’re trying to work less, to spread it continued on pg. 14

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 13

out and work fewer weekends if we can, even though everyone is putting in 10-hour days. You have to realize that people have life outside of work.

Technology helps a lot, the GPS’s and newer equipment make it easier to sit in tractor all day. You’re not constantly looking backwards. The new equipment to remove foreign material from the crop going to storage is a real labor saver as well.

Andy mentioned that you are running lean and extremely busy—is that by choice or is the labor market that tight? We are not in a place, Coloma, where we get a huge influx of people. Even though we’re on Highway 21 and Interstate 39/51, it’s a lot different when you don’t have grocery stores and clothing retailers. We still have a school, which helps, but Coloma is 430 people and there has not been a big jump in population. It has been that way a long time.

Andy is a member of the WPIB Board, as have you been, and four generations of the Diercks family have been presidents of the WPVGA Board of Directors. Why is it a family tradition to be so involved with the

WPVGA? I think we want to give back to the industry. It’s been good to us and a lot of people for a long time.

I remember when I was just a little kid, my grandfather would stop and measure the depth of a river in the area. They put a gauge in the river, and I don’t know what it was for, but it impressed me that he was checking the water level.

There have been some interesting WPVGA annual meetings over the years. When I first got out of college, we had some annual meetings with 200-plus people. One year the meeting was in Stevens Point and the

Above: Steve Diercks, second from right, leads a public tour of Coloma Farms.

next year it was Antigo.

There were some interesting, lively discussions. The industry has gotten a lot more mature; growers have cooperated with each other more than ever before. They found out they couldn’t dominate the industry.

Of course, there were a lot more growers back then.

Andy has always had some interest in politics, the DATCP Board and other things he’s been on. I like it, too, but I’m getting a little tired of it. I like things that will help the industry, and

Potatoes are shown in trucks, going into storage and packed in sacks on Coloma Farms. Each sack holds 2,000-2,400 pounds of spuds.

14 BC�T June

people who have gotten involved with the WPVGA in recent years seem to like doing it. That is a good sign of things to come.

Coloma Farms is a Healthy Grown grower—why is that important?

Healthy Grown is a great idea that came out way too early. It was ahead of its time, and with great people like Jeff Wyman involved. We were ahead of the curve and kept getting copied.

They say that is the best form of flattery, right?

We have done a lot of research, learned things like more sustainable ways of farming and created positive publicity. It would be great if we could get a premium for Healthy Grown potatoes, but it seems like there won’t be anything monetarily.

Being part of the Healthy Grown program is a great thing. It entails a little more paperwork, but they have streamlined a lot of it. It is a great group of people, a lot of fun. You get good people helping when you have problems, from the university to other growers.

Any new machines or machinery purchases? I don’t think we’ve bought anything new. That’s terrible, isn’t it? We made some upgrades to packing equipment, but no big, fancy new harvesters or anything. We converted some harvesters over four or five years ago when we started growing little potatoes.

Speaking of harvest, how do you foresee it going for you? I’m looking forward to having enough people around. It always gets stressful when you are shorthanded. Things get tough. On the other hand, with enough help, things get done in a timely manner and you can always do it.

People who put in most of hours are those who have been around a long time, and it is harder on them than people who are part time or those who miss a day here or there. continued on pg. 16

“I like to help out, driving tractor, doing what I like to do. Sons can’t holler at their fathers if they take a day off.

We’ve earned it.”

– Steve Diercks

Dawson Knutson (right side of control panel in black shirt) traveled to Nebraska for Zimmatic by Lindsay’s New Dealer Training, in October 2020. He was able to make connections with industry personnel and other dealers. Kathy Jo Knutson says the connections have been useful as she and Dawson continue to learn the business.

continued on pg. 16

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Interview. . .

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We have been lucky with people who come back each year for harvest.

They get older, and we don’t get the kids like we’d like to.

Harvest has gotten much more efficient, faster. Harvesting

equipment and cleaners to clean up have made it a lot easier. Harvest is always a fun time of year, and then you get to harvest corn and soybeans, which makes it really nice for Andy and I because you only have two or three guys doing it.

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“Coming Through for You!” RandS.com 16 BC�T June

Above: Andy Diercks, right, judges a potato dish at the 2018 WPVGA Chef’s Competition, held during the “Celebrate Plover” village festival in Wisconsin.

What are your hopes for the coming years and future of Coloma Farms, Steve? At my age, Andy is going to be running it by himself pretty soon. He’s got two nephews out in California talking about wanting to come work in the summer. If they want to try it, that’s great.

I have stopped making guesses. We have had a long run of it, so it’s up to Andy and Crystal. I won’t tell them what to do or how to do it.

Anything you’d like to add that I’ve missed, Steve? Farming is a good way to live, a good life. It is work, but you can get a lot of satisfaction, too. In one way, you can do what you want; you are your own boss. But if it you screw it up, it’s your fault. It is hard to fail if you keep working at it, though.

WPVGA Associate Division 21st Annual Golf Outing & Barbeque

WPVGA Associate Division

Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, Tuesday, July 13, 2021 We will golf rain or shine!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 25, 2021

The WPVGA Associate Division will host the 20th Annual Golf Outing at the Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa. The golf outing is followed by a splendid dinner barbeque and raffle prize drawings.

The golf format is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start limited to the first 42 foursomes and sign up is on a first-come basis, so sign up soon! Don’t miss out! Registration will start at 9:00 a.m. and the scramble will begin with a shotgun start at 10:00 a.m. Cost is $80/person which includes 18 holes of golf with cart. Proper golf etiquette is expected.

Lunch is available for all golfers that day courtesy of an associate sponsor. The dinner barbeque is held immediately following golf and is open to everyone in the industry whether you choose to golf or not.

Tickets are required. ‘Barbeque only’ ticket price is $20/person.

Make checks payable to WPVGA. Please contact Julie Braun, 715-623-7683, if you have any questions.

GRAB ATTENTION!

SIGN UP TO BE A SPONSOR For more details call Julie Braun at 715-623-7683 or email jbraun@wisconsinpotatoes.com

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

June 25, 2021

✁ ❑ Yes! I will golf. I am registering ______ golfers.

Group Leader Name: _____________________________

(Fee for golf only is $80 per person. This does not include barbeque.)

Company Name: _________________________________

❑ I wish to order _______ Barbeque Tickets at $20.00 per ticket.

Address: ________________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________

❑ I would like to sponsor a hole at the golf outing.

My donation of $_________ is enclosed.

Phone: __________________________________________ These are the people in my group: 1. ______________________________________________

Golf Fee: Number of Golfers x $80

$_________

Barbeque Tickets: Number of Tickets x $20

$_________

+ Hole Sponsor/Donation

$_________

Total Amount Enclosed:

2. ______________________________________________

$_________

Please return completed form and payment to: WPVGA • P.O. Box 327 • Antigo, WI 54409-0327

3. ______________________________________________

Wild Potatoes Pull Late Blight Guard Duty Distant cousins of cultivated potato may hold key to resisting crop’s most devastating disease Provided by Jan Suszkiw, U.S. Department of Agriculture ARS (Agricultural Research Service) Distant cousins of cultivated potato may hold the key to unlocking new sources of resistance to the tuber crop’s most devastating disease, late blight.

That is the hope of a team of U.S. Department of Agriculture ARS (Agricultural Research Service) scientists affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life 18 BC�T June

Sciences (CALS).

The scientists conducted laboratory trials in which they exposed the leaves of 72 species of wild potato to spores of the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans—the same culprit that triggered the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840’s.

Late blight remains a worldwide threat today to not only potato,

but also tomato crops, inflicting an estimated $6.7 billion annually in yield losses and control costs.

In susceptible varieties, the funguslike pathogen causes dark lesions and other disease symptoms that rapidly destroy the plant’s leaves, stem, fruit or tubers, noted Dennis Halterman, a plant geneticist with the ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit in Madison, Wisconsin, who is also an honorary associate in the CALS Department of Plant Pathology.

There, Halterman specializes in the genetic “arms race” that potato Above: A research associate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture ARS, Hari Karki prepares to crossbreed plants to move late blight resistance from a wild species into cultivated potato.

plants engage in with the pathogens that attack and sicken them, often forcing growers to retaliate with chemical controls like fungicides that can ratchet up production costs and concerns over environmental harm.

HARD-SCRABBLE RELATIVES Halterman set his sights on the hard-scrabble relatives of cultivated potato growing wild in Central and South America, and Mexico, where late blight originated and co-evolved with the plant, a member of the nightshade family.

The collaborative project involved Shelley Jansky, retired ARS scientist and CALS professor emeritus of horticulture, and Hari Karki, ARS research associate and CALS honorary associate in the horticulture department.

“Although most wild species make small potatoes that you would not want to eat—they could actually make you pretty sick—they exist in

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The wild potato species kept by the U.S. Potato Genebank, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, all produce tubers like the cultivated crop, but usually smaller. The idea is to find and transfer the disease resistances of wild species into the cultivated crop.

harsh natural environments without fertilizer, irrigation or pesticides,” notes Halterman in an educational video on his efforts.

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In addition to adapting to diverse growing conditions, many wild potato species boast formidable defenses continued on pg. 20

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Wild Potatoes Pull Late Blight Guard Duty continued from pg. 19

against diseases like late blight.

This makes them an especially valuable resource for resistance genes that can benefit farmed varieties, and more broadly, contribute to world food security.

“Once we identify a species that contains resistance, our goal is to transfer that resistance into cultivated potato so that farmers can grow healthy crops using less pesticide,” Halterman explains.

Left: The natural origin of potato relatives stretches from the Southwest United States to southern Chile.

Right: A late blight lesion has formed on the leaf of a potato plant.

Wild stocks are kept for just such research at the U.S. Potato Genebank in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, so that scientists do not have to go out into the wild lands to search for them.

Some of the oldest stocks with known late blight resistance have been housed in the U.S. Potato Genebank collection since 1957. A few samples were kept there for years before their novel late blight resistance was discovered.

The wild potato species bulbocastanum (left) and microdontum (right) have long been known as sources of late blight resistance, but there are more sources to be discovered.

20 BC�T June

NEW RESISTANCE SOURCES The need for new sources of late blight resistance is a constant one. Partly, this is because of the pathogen’s uncanny ability to mutate into new variants that can overcome a potato variety’s existing genes for protection against the disease.

Among those are US-23, the most common variant circulating in U.S. potatoes, and NL13316, an even more potent variant that can “neutralize” a valuable potato gene known for conferring broad-spectrum late blight resistance, namely RB. Of the 72 total species the researchers examined, 12 of them showed high levels of leaf resistance that had never been documented before, opening the door to entirely new defense mechanisms against late blight.

“Once we identify a species that contains resistance, our goal is to transfer that resistance into cultivated potato so that farmers can grow healthy crops using less pesticide.”

– Dennis Halterman

That said, developing new potato varieties with new traits is a lengthy process, taking 10-15 years before they are ready for market.

But Halterman is hopeful that with new approaches like marker-assisted selection, genome mapping and the ability to clone (copy) and insert specific genes of interest, prized traits like late blight resistance can be passed into promising new varieties faster and more efficiently.

Five of 12 stand-out species, namely, S. agrimonifolium, S. albornozii, S. chomatophilum, S. hypacrarthrum and S. piurae, can be used in potato breeding programs immediately without a critical first research step that is necessary to overcome chromosomal incompatibilities typical of wild potato, the researchers reported in the December 2020 issue of the journal “Plant Disease.ˮ Note: This CALS news release is a modified version of an ARS news release. The original ARS release is posted online at https://www. ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/ research-news/2021/wild-potatoestapped-for-late-blight-guard-duty/.

The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific inhouse research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $17 of economic impact.

BC�T June 21

The New Frontiers of Potato Tech Hyperspectral imaging and diploid research play roles in advancing potato production

By Nicole Miller, Caroline Schneider and Nik Hawkins, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Grow magazine It is the number one vegetable crop in the United States.

Wisconsin happens to be its third largest producer (after Idaho and Washington), with 3.1 billion pounds and 68,000 acres harvested in 2019.

It comes in russet and red, yellow and purple, in fingerlings and petites. It can be frozen or fresh, dehydrated or refrigerated, roasted or grilled, scalloped or au gratin, mashed or smashed.

That is right—it is the nutritious and delicious, versatile and delectable potato.

Despite its many virtues, this vegetable gets a bad rap as a junk food. That is because one of the most common cooking methods—frying— 22 BC�T June

depletes nutrients while upping the calories.

There are also the less-than-healthy fixings we often heap upon them.

But on their own, prepared properly, potatoes boast high levels of fiber, antioxidants and several vitamins.

And they contain zero fat and cholesterol, little sodium and less than 10 percent of the recommended daily intake for carbohydrates.

The potato is a near-complete source of nutrition, and many now tout it as a superfood, one that the developing world relies upon. Potatoes also have untapped potential for the United States and beyond.

This is why the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison College of

Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) scientists are working hard to find better ways to grow and breed them.

Here are two examples of horticulture experts breaking new ground on the sandy soils of potato research fields.

HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING This is a potato farming fact of life: During critical stretches of the growing season, nitrogen levels in potato plants need to be closely monitored.

By keeping careful track of nitrogen status in their crops, growers can make sure they apply fertilizer in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.

The most common monitoring approach involves collecting large numbers of petioles, the parts of the Above: Yi Wang, UW-Madison assistant professor of horticulture, and graduate students Guolong Liang (left) and Trevor Crosby (right) are shown in a potato research plot at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station, in July 2019. Photo by Michael P. King

plants that connect leaflets to stems.

The samples are mailed to a lab for a quick nitrate analysis, and within a few days, results tell growers whether they need more nitrogen fertilizer to get a proper yield.

The system works, but it has its downsides, says Yi Wang, assistant professor in the UW-Madison Department of Horticulture.

“Collecting the petioles is timeconsuming and labor-intensive,” Wang says. “And sometimes the results can be misleading because a lot of factors can affect petiole nitrate numbers, such as weather conditions or the time of day of sample collection.”

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

NO STATUS QUO Wang, who focuses her research on sustainable vegetable production, is

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

– Andy Diercks also an extension specialist, so she pays close attention to the needs of farmers. And she knows the status quo is not ideal for them.

Insisting there must be an easier, faster and more comprehensive way for potato growers to assess the true nitrogen needs of their crops, Wang and her team have set out to find one and prove its effectiveness.

She is leading a new project, funded by a $475,000 grant from the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture, that involves collecting data with a hyperspectral camera mounted on a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) or low-flying airplane.

The camera gathers images as the plane passes over research plots with potato plants grown at different nitrogen levels.

Researchers then process and use the data to develop computer-assisted continued on pg. 24

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BC�T June 23

The New Frontiers of Potato Tech continued from pg. 23

models that link the imagery with inseason plant nitrogen status and endof-season yield, quality and economic return.

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

“My collaborators and I hope to develop an online program that will translate the hyperspectral images into information about when to apply fertilizer and how much to apply,” she relates, “so that maximum profitability can be achieved for the growers with minimum environmental impacts.”

Hyperspectral cameras are powerful pieces of equipment, able to capture images that detect hundreds or thousands of spectral bands of sunlight reflected from the crop canopy, explains Trevor Crosby, a graduate student in Wang’s laboratory.

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

Above: An unmanned aerial vehicle carrying a hyperspectral camera collects data from potato fields at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station. The goal is to develop computer-assisted models that help farmers better manage fertilizer applications. Photo

by Beckett Hills

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

There is certainly a sizeable pile of data to process. One flight over a 70-by-150-meter research field can collect dozens of images, each with hundreds of spectral bands.

It takes long hours to crunch the numbers, so the research team is looking to expedite the image processing.

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

These processed aerial images of potato research plots show the reflectance of certain spectral bands, which indicate the nitrogen sufficiency or deficiency of different varieties.

Image by Beckett Hills 24 BC�T June

Paul Mitchell, UW-Madison professor and extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and

Applied Economics, is helping with the economic analysis that informs the computer model’s nitrogen application recommendations.

Crosby is taking the lead on collecting ground measurements for the project, gathering a wide array of data from the field research plots at different potato growth stages over the course of several seasons.

He is looking at leaf area index, leaf and vine total nitrogen content, and environmental factors, such as soil moisture and temperature, solar radiation and wind speed.

TUBER YIELD At harvest, he measures total tuber yield and size profile. Using the measurements, Crosby will develop advanced models to link hyperspectral imagery with ground measurements.

Finding optimal fertilization levels through these models could lead to positive outcomes in the real

world, and not just in terms of farm profitability.

Excess fertilizer often finds its way into groundwater, leading to nitrate contamination. High nitrate levels are linked with numerous health problems in people and aquatic plant overgrowth that can cause ecological damage.

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

This is just one of Wang’s ongoing efforts to support potato and vegetable growers in Wisconsin. continued on pg. 26

Jeffrey Endelman, associate professor in the UW-Madison Department of Horticulture, stands in front of the Walnut Street Greenhouse where he conducts potato research on campus.

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BC�T June 25

The New Frontiers of Potato Tech continued from pg. 25

RESEARCH PORTFOLIO Her portfolio of research focuses on cutting-edge technologies that can improve irrigation, nitrogen and storage management for common vegetables in the state.

This includes potatoes, of course, but also green beans, dry beans and sweet corn.

She shares her findings with farmers through the UW Vegetable Crop Update e-newsletter, grower meetings, farm visits, field days and her “Proud to be a Spudbadger!”

YouTube channel.

For the hyperspectral imaging project, Wang’s team plans to provide results online through a publicly available spreadsheet, at least in the near term.

But with additional funding, they hope to develop a free app that growers can use on smartphones and tablets. Many, including Diercks, eagerly await these next steps.

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

Above: From left to right, Lin Song, UW-Madison Ph.D. student, and, from the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station, research gardener Jaden Olski and Superintendent Becky Eddy prepare slices of diploid potatoes for frying in the kitchen at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station. Their work is part of an assessment of different chipping varieties. Photo by Michael P. King

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

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26 BC�T June

which would be a serious win-win.”

POTATO 2.0 Although potatoes may be a superfood to some, they are far from perfect. For one, they present a big challenge for plant breeders who are trying to develop more savory, sustainable, storable and growable varieties.

“Potato may be the world’s leading vegetable crop, but it hasn’t realized the genetic gains needed to keep pace with industry and consumer demands,” says Jeff Endelman, associate professor in the UWMadison Department of Horticulture and leader of the university’s potato breeding program.

started at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station around eight years ago.

DIPLOID VARIETY Although all major potato varieties worldwide are tetraploid, the Jansky team created a diploid potato variety by crossing a cultivated potato with a wild one and discovered that it displayed desirable characteristics.

“At harvest, the potatoes looked

just like what you’d see in a regular breeding program,” says Jansky.

“They were the same size and had the same yield.”

“So that really made me think, boy, why are we working so hard to go up to the tetraploid level when maybe we can just do this at the diploid level and still get the same quality?” she reasons. continued on pg. 28

One of the main hurdles when breeding potatoes is its tetraploid genome. Tetraploids inherit two sets of chromosomes from each parent, instead of just one set like humans and most animals.

“Tetraploidy is common enough among flowering plants that scientists believe it has advantages on evolutionary timescales,” says Endelman. “But for plant breeders, it makes it difficult to understand the genetics of traits and get rid of unfavorable genes through selection.”

To circumvent the challenges of tetraploidy, potato breeders around the world, in an effort informally known as Potato 2.0, are working to reinvent cultivated potato as a diploid crop.

“One reason to do this is the simplicity,” says Shelley Jansky, a USDA Agricultural Research Service scientist and professor emeritus of horticulture who has spent her career working with wild potatoes to identify genes for traits that breeders deem important.

“Another reason is that most wild potatoes are diploid, so it’s just easier to make the crosses on the same level,” she notes.

Potato 2.0 builds on groundbreaking breeding work Jansky and others BC�T June 27

The New Frontiers of Potato Tech continued from pg. 27

Given this prior work, it is no surprise that UW-Madison is now serving as the lead institution for Potato 2.0, which is funded through a $3 million award from the USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative and $3 million in matching funds from PepsiCo (the parent company of potato chip and snack food producer Frito-Lay) and eight collaborating universities and research institutions.

The first step of the project is to produce diploid potatoes that still have the optimal genetics of their tetraploid relatives. This is done by pollinating tetraploid potato with existing special diploids that can act as “haploid inducers.”

The next step is to create lines that can be maintained as “true seed,” which is potato jargon for what everyone else simply calls seed.

Haploid induction is a technique used in many crop species to reduce chromosome numbers. It results in an embryo without the chromosomes of the pollen donor.

“Our goal is to create and sequence the genomes of 100 diploid potatoes, representing the russet, chip and red market types that make up most of U.S. potato production,” explains Endelman.

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“It takes about 2,000 pounds of seed tubers to plant one acre, but the amount of true seed needed would fit in the palm of your hand,” says Endelman.

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BULKY & EXPENSIVE The seeds currently used in potato production are whole or pieces of tuber with at least one eye, from which sprouts develop to generate the next crop. But seed tubers are bulky and expensive to transport.

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Above: The color of crushed diploid potato chips is analyzed by a spectrometer. Photo

by Michael P. King

Seed tubers also act as vectors for diseases, such as Verticillium wilt, soft rot, silver scurf, common scab and Potato Virus Y. It is another problem the use of true seeds could address.

“Nearly every major disease the potato gets is carried in seed tubers,” Jansky says. “None of them are in true seeds.”

Another major focus of the project is to produce inbred, or self-pollinated, lines. Although it may sound trivial, this is actually a big challenge in diploid potatoes, which typically lack the ability to self-pollinate.

But self-pollination is key to creating hybrid lines with big boosts in yield.

That crossbreeding process took decades in the early 20th century for corn breeders, but Endelman hopes to do it more quickly in potato now that researchers have the genomic tools needed.

Endelman is excited to see the future impacts of the project across the potato industry, in Wisconsin and beyond.

“This project marks a turning point for Potato 2.0 in the U.S.,” he promises, “and everyone is enthusiastic about the potential to more efficiently deliver genetic improvements for disease resistance, climate resilience, nutritional value and more.”

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Now News

Potato Grower Magazine Recognizes Bushman Jerry Bushman named in “50 for 50” list of innovative and influential individuals Reprinted with permission from Potato Grower magazine and www.potatogrower.com

Throughout 2021, as part of Potato Grower’s celebration of its 50th year in publication, the magazine and affiliated website (www. potatogrower.com) are honoring 50 of the potato industry’s most innovative and influential individuals, companies and organizations over the past half-century.

This “50 for 50” series includes researchers, salesmen, packers, processors and, of course, plenty of potato growers.

A lot of them are familiar names. To some, the feature might be a fresh introduction. Regardless, each has had an outsize impact on the U.S. potato industry, and each deserves thanks and recognition.

Jerry Bushman began his potato industry career in September 1961, working for his father, John, and his uncle, Harry, at Bushman Brothers, in Rosholt, Wisconsin.

He proved a quick study and realized early on that a vital link in the supply chain was missing: People wanted every potato at any time of year.

In response, Bushman set out on his own and established Bushmans’ Inc., in 1974, to facilitate creative national distribution, packing and marketing efforts on behalf of regional farmers, all with a goal of “putting the potato and the person together.”

9,000 ACRES OF POTATOES He became an owner and partner of A&W Farms, raising 9,000 acres of potatoes and vegetables in Central Wisconsin.

30 BC�T June

As part of Potato Grower’s celebration of its 50th year in publication, the magazine is honoring 50 of the potato industry’s most innovative and influential individuals, companies and organizations over the past half-century. The list includes Jerry Bushman of Bushmans’ Inc. No matter what decade or era, it seems Jerry can always be found on the phone “putting the potato and the person together,” which was his goal in establishing Bushmans’ Inc., a company that facilitates national distribution, packing and marketing efforts on behalf of regional potato and vegetable growers.

“Probably the fondest memory I have of those early days,” Bushman says, “is that the loyalty of a man’s word was golden. We did more with phone calls and handshakes than most people can do on a computer today.”

Today, Bushmans’ Inc. works with some 25,000 acres of farmland and ships thousands of loads of potatoes and onions each year to retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and Canada.

“Three things make a successful market,” says Bushman, “acreage, quality and frame of mind. You must maintain a positive attitude. There

are many times when you can’t control the acreage or the yield, but you can always control the quality you ship, as well as your service and your frame of mind.”

Bushman has always believed in the high value of a potato crop and says that one of the biggest reasons growers don’t always realize a high return is a failure to properly market their product.

“I have tried not to treat potatoes as a commodity,” he states. “To get the most value out of the crop grown, you have to use marketing skills … and think outside the box.”

Valley® Acquires PivoTrac®

Acquisition increases number of connected agricultural devices Valley Irrigation, The Leader in Precision Irrigation®, has acquired PivoTrac®, an ag tech company based in the Texas panhandle. PivoTrac offers solutions focused on remote monitoring of center pivot irrigation machines.

“We are proud to welcome PivoTrac customers to the Valley family,” says Andy Carritt, vice president and general manager, global irrigation technology for Valley Irrigation.

“As the market leader, this acquisition advances our technology strategy and solidifies our leadership position by increasing our number of connected agricultural devices to more than 123,000,” he states, “the most in the irrigation industry.”

In addition, Valley gains additional talented team members, as all PivoTrac employees will be staying on.

Karlyle Haaland, president and owner of PivoTrac, says he would never make a move that would not be a benefit to the company’s customers.

resources,” he relates.

pivots from anywhere at any time.

Carritt explains that an average farmer drives 20 miles round trip for a single pivot check, so through the Valley user base of 123,000 connected devices, about 890 metric tons of carbon dioxide has been saved through the ability to manage

Plus, compared to traditional irrigation methods, Valley solutions conserve 3.9 trillion gallons of fresh water per year, which is enough water to fill Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming. continued on pg. 32

“PivoTrac customers will gain the resources of the most trusted irrigation brand and leading dealer network,” he remarks. “Valley shares our goal of helping growers do more while expending less water, energy and effort.”

AG SUSTAINABILITY Carritt says that each connected device adds to the cumulative, positive effect that Valley solutions are having toward the company mission of conserving resources and improving life.

“Ever since we founded the center pivot industry, we have been advancing agricultural productivity, helping growers produce greater yields with fewer water and energy

BC�T June 31

Now News

continued from pg. 31

“We have admired Karlyle and the PivoTrac business from afar for the past several years,” says Darren Siekman, vice president, water delivery and aftermarket parts for Valley Irrigation.

leader and our superior dealer network. But equally as important to their decision is our customer-first culture at Valley. We pride ourselves on meeting grower needs, and they share that commitment.”

the resource efficiency and return on investment that technology provides, and more growers trust Valley to deliver the most advanced, reliable technological solutions on the market.”

“But he joined forces with Valley for several reasons,” Siekman explains.

“First is our status as the market

“The future of agriculture is sustainable technology,” Carritt stresses. “More growers are trusting

For more information, please visit www.valleyirrigation.com.

WPVGA Growers Work Toward Long-Term Water Solutions

Comprehensive approach empowers farmers and other stakeholders to take cooperative action In reaction to the Wisconsin DNR’s recently released Central Sands Lakes Study, Tamas Houlihan, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), provided the following statement:

Water Management The WPVGA and its member growers have shown that, with combined efforts and a variety of conservation practices, they can effectively manage outstanding water resources, such as the Little Plover River.

“We appreciate the opportunity to carefully review the Central Sands Lakes Study and value the DNR’s recommendation for a comprehensive approach that empowers farmers and other stakeholders to work cooperatively to take appropriate actions, which is a strategy we have successfully used with the Little Plover River.”

“The Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project [LPRWEP] has been a resounding success and a shining example of how collaboration can produce positive results for all stakeholders,” Houlihan says.

BACKGROUND: WPVGA Supports Farmer Led

The LPRWEP is a multi-party collaboration convened by the Village of Plover and the WPVGA to improve the health of the Little Plover River and the quality of life of the surrounding community.

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.

32 BC�T June

The Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Portage County Land Conservation Department and Wisconsin DNR make up the core team of project advisors.

Since the project started in 2017, the Little Plover River has been flowing above the minimum 4cfs (cubic feet per second) rate as set by the DNR as the public rights stage.

Central Sands Lakes Study The WPVGA supports the concept of empowering farmers and community stakeholders to develop a cooperative plan to manage groundwater in the Central Sands region.

WPVGA appreciates that the DNR has committed to identifying impacted resources and “envision[s] a flexible, economically reasonable and sciencebased approach” to Central Sands groundwater management.

A key point in the DNR’s study “found that precipitation is the primary factor affecting lake level fluctuations.”

In an average year, the Central Sands gets over 32 inches of precipitation, and even the highest-use vegetable crop only uses about 22 inches of water. Accordingly, the vast majority of the time, agricultural irrigation will not have an adverse effect on lake levels.

All of the lakes in the study are currently at historically high water levels. Long Lake, which shows the most susceptibility to the effects of

irrigation, is over four feet above the historical average and it would take several years of continually dry conditions before the lake level would fall back to even average levels.

Wisconsin’s Irrigated Agriculture Industry: No Small Potatoes Wisconsin’s irrigated agriculture industry, which is a national leader in processed vegetables and ranks third in potato production, is essential to the state’s economy.

Specialty crop production in Wisconsin is valued at over $1 billion annually with an additional $5 billion value and 35,000 jobs estimated from economic activity associated with the food processing industry.

The Central Sands area is one of the most critical irrigated agricultural areas in the United States and, since it is wholly dependent on groundwater, any disruption in the aquifer is of critical concern to the country’s food security.

The Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project [LPRWEP] has been a resounding success and a shining example of how collaboration can produce positive results for all stakeholders. Since the project started in 2017 (image taken in 2016), the Little Plover River has been flowing above the minimum 4cfs (cubic feet per second) rate as set by the DNR as the public rights stage.

“The WPVGA will continue to work diligently with all concerned parties to develop long-term, sustainable approaches to water use that will benefit everyone,” Houlihan stresses.

“Potato and vegetable farming in the

Central Sands is a nationally critical food production area and the natural resources that sustain it are of great value to the nation and the State of Wisconsin,” he says. continued on pg. 34

BC�T June 33

Now News . . .

continued from pg. 33

Vive Crop Protection Celebrates 15th Anniversary Company focuses on helping farmers be more efficient through precision chemistry Vive Crop Protection is pleased to celebrate its 15th anniversary. During Vive’s 15 years, it has focused on helping farmers be more efficient using nanotechnology and other precision chemistry tools.

Since its inception in 2006, Vive Crop Protection has: • Commercialized the first use of nanotechnology in crop protection—the Allosperse delivery system • Leveraged Allosperse technology as the basis for eight insecticide and fungicide products currently available in the U.S. market • Based on grower case studies, Vive products are estimated to have saved 34 million gallons of water, 189,000 gallons of fuel and 15,000 hours of farm labor by enabling applications with in-furrow liquid starter

• Reached a milestone of one million crop acres treated with Vive-branded fertilizer-compatible products in 2020 • Achieved a 97 percent satisfaction rating from growers who use Vive products • Collaborated with major biologicals providers to develop industryleading chemistry and biological combination products • Named Life Sciences Ontario “Company of the Year” for 2021 • Ranked #27 on the 2020 Globe and Mail’s “Canada’s Top Growing Companies” list Vive Chief Executive Officer and Cofounder Darren Anderson says, “Our purpose is to create products that provide a real benefit to farmers.

Since day one, our priority has been ensuring that our products provide performance first and sustainability

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Anderson continues, “Our Allosperse nano-polymer technology was initially used in our fertilizercompatible product lineup. This year we will launch our first product combining the power of Allosperse with both a biological and a chemical active ingredient.”

“This is an important milestone for Vive, as we believe that the potential of biologicals can only be fully unlocked in combination with chemical active ingredients,” he says.

“It is a difficult technical challenge to use precision chemistry to deliver both a biological and chemical in the same jug, one that Vive has solved for the first time,” Anderson states.

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34 BC�T June

second.”

“Using Allosperse technology in leading biological and chemical insecticide, fungicide and herbicide products, Vive is poised for explosive growth in the coming years,” he concludes.

More information is available by visiting www.vivecrop.com.

Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

Menards Promotes Wisconsin Potatoes When COVID-19 began impacting lives in the United States and families found themselves bound to their homes, a few other areas, perhaps unexpectedly, took off or thrived.

The great toilet paper shortage still has me stumped. And the fact that consumers were hoarding potatoes is proof there is work yet to do regarding education and awareness.

Another area that became more popular, however, was home improvement projects. While this should not come as a complete shock, knowing people were at home anyways, it was incredible how fast it became difficult to find certain items, even simple things like weights for a home gym.

In May, Wisconsin potatoes became available for sale at all Menards stores for the first time throughout the Midwest.

penetration for this “Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes” promotion is in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana.

It is the latest partnership between a grower—Alsum Farms and Produce, in Friesland—the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and a retail chain to drive Wisconsin potato sales through a new channel.

At each store, “Potatoes Have Appeal” bins showcase 10-pound bags of Wisconsin russet potatoes from Alsum Farms and Produce.

Menards anticipates strong purchases that offer convenience for consumers in the chain’s ever-growing grocery section.

340 STORES Headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Menards has 340 stores across 15 states. The greatest

But the excitement does not end there. continued on pg. 36

Nonetheless, I followed suit with projects of my own. I refinished a piece of my grandmother’s furniture, upholstered an old bench that is functional again and painted, redecorated and reorganized various rooms in our house. And, thus, began more frequent trips to home improvement stores like Menards.

But while I was scouring the aisles for the perfect length screw with the right-sized head for my refurbished bench, it did not occur to me to also pick up dinner while I was there.

Sure, certain grocery items have been available at the third-largest home improvement chain for some time.

But not anything like a healthy fresh vegetable, until now.

The national “Potatoes Have Appeal” bins are nicely visible at a Menards store, in early May, near the chain’s ever-growing grocery section during a Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes promotion. The 10-pound bags of fresh russet potatoes were supplied by Alsum Farms and Produce, Friesland, Wisconsin, which partnered with Menards and the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.

BC�T June 35

Marketplace . . .

continued from pg. 35

Menards is tying Wisconsin potatoes to its motorsports program and associated racing promotion through the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Not only does this align perfectly with the Menard’s target audience, but the timing is impeccable with summer, sports and being outside.

That is why the look and feel of the May promotion is centered around grilling, according to Alsum Farms and Produce Marketing Manager Christine Lindner.

“Warmer weather signifies the grilling season has arrived as families spend more time outdoors,” she says. “Menards is the perfect retail outlet to partner with as homeowners beautify their outdoor living spaces, fire up grills and power

their performance with Wisconsin potatoes from Menards.”

BUY LOCAL Having sports as the connection brings to light other vital elements, like the importance of buying local and the nutrition Wisconsin potatoes naturally provide!

“Not only does this promotion encourage consumers to buy local, but it also showcases a versatile vegetable that is packed full of nutrition and flavor and goes great on the grill,” Lindner continues.

“It’s more important now than ever to focus on health and wellness in being the best version of yourself, and that requires fueling your body with the nutrients it craves,” she says.

“Wisconsin potatoes supply the

energy you need to get through each day,” Lindner remarks. “They also provide 30 percent of your daily recommended value of vitamin C, which is good news for maintaining a strong immune system.”

Besides the bins in stores, NHRA fans will see online advertising, decals on the race cars, hear a commercial on the jumbotron at races thanking consumers for buying Wisconsin potatoes and learn that they can find Wisconsin potatoes at their local Menards, to name a few highlights.

It is an opportunity that is fostering a Wisconsin-based partnership emphasizing the importance of and need for consumers to buy local and buy Wisconsin potatoes. And that is something that will definitely help you “Save Big Money … at Menards!”

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36 BC�T June

Newsletter Connects with Consumers, One Byte at a Time

Above: The header image decorates a newly created consumer newsletter, “Wisconsin Potato Bytes,” that is sent to consumers every other Tuesday.

How much do you know about potatoes? Do you ever find yourself asking questions about how to pick the best potato at the store, which potato to use for what dishes or maybe even how to properly store potatoes to increase their shelf life?

yourself to how they aid in collagen production and support iron absorption along with a healthy immune system by providing 30 percent of the daily required value of Vitamin C, the possibilities are endless for America’s favorite vegetable.

The first issue was released on April 20, with future issues published every other Tuesday to start.

It is all information consumers want and need to hear, especially given the current conditions of a global pandemic.

It is one small byte that will have you craving seconds!

Or perhaps you just need recipe ideas for your next meal that are easy, healthy and delicious.

The WPVGA has all the answers and information you need, and more, that can go right to your inbox.

“Wisconsin Potato Bytes” is a newly created newsletter that features potato tips, nutrition and recipes, and will be used as a way to connect with those outside the industry.

The newsletter’s purpose is multi-faceted: engagement and communication with consumers while also gathering a database from which to monitor their trends and behaviors.

KEEP SPUDS TOP OF MIND With the ability to share each issue on social media and with friends, the goal is to keep Wisconsin potatoes top of mind for consumers.

From learning about how potatoes help you be the best version of

To subscribe, visit www.eatwisconsin potatoes.com and click on “sign up” under “subscribe to our newsletters” in the site’s footer.

continued on pg. 38

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BC�T June 37

Marketplace . . .

continued from pg. 37

2021 CrazyLegs Classic Goes Virtual The word “virtual” continues to be a constant, even 14 months into our experiences with COVID, and it likely is not going away.

For better or worse, it has certainly forced planning committees to exercise their creativity and find

alternative ways of successfully holding events.

While it was unknown even into March if the 2021 CrazyLegs Classic in Madison would occur, the decision came late to hold a virtual event as opposed to cancelling the

Above: Erin Meister, business office manager at Reabe Spraying Service, Inc., Plover, participates in the 2021 Virtual CrazyLegs Classic, April 24-May 2, with her kids, 3-yearold William (left) and 4-year-old Emmaline.

run/walk altogether.

Instead of being in person, participants used the “RaceJoy” app or the results page of the website to record their times on virtual 5k and 8k walks or runs between April 24 and May 2.

CrazyLegs Classic organizers encouraged participants to create their own courses and remain socially distanced.

Participants received their packets in the mail that each included an Under Armour Locker T’shirt, race bibs, a CrazyLegs Classic medal and sticker, as well as free tracking using the RaceJoy app.

Although not ideal as participants missed ending their race by running through Camp Randall Stadium, Badger fans from across the world were still connected, albeit virtually, to this exciting event.

There is nothing like taking a selfie while you run! Dana Williams (left) and Julie Lampert (right) are on their way to finishing the 5k run during the 2021 Virtual CrazyLegs Classic, which took place anytime between April 24 and May 2.

38 BC�T June

Illustrated herein is some of the fun had by industry members who participated.

Potatoes USA News Men’s Health Declares “The Potato Is Back” Men’s Health magazine published an eight-page feature spread on the nutritional value and delicious taste of potatoes in its recent May issue.

The article addresses long-standing myths and misinformation that potatoes are anything but a nutrientdense vegetable and good carb.

The authors state, “One mediumsized baked potato delivers six grams of protein and four grams of fiber, as well as high amounts of boneassisting calcium, heart-helping potassium and immunity-supporting vitamin C.” Potatoes USA partner, Dr. Kathie Beals, contributes to the article by sharing which potatoes work best for different recipes and noting that all potato types are nutritionally similar.

The article also offers several recipes and ideas for nourishing baked potato toppings.

In addition to the Men’s Health coverage, the potato continues to shine across leading consumer media as a nutrient-dense vegetable and a source of key nutrients. Here is a look at some other recent media highlights: In a Real Simple article, Potatoes USA partner and registered dietician, Cara Harbstreet, highlights the nutritional value of potatoes. Harbstreet dives right into how potatoes are a great choice, from a nutrients-per-dollar stance, because they include eight important nutrients.

FRESH PRODUCE BENEFITS The article says, “The benefits of potatoes surpass their affordability and immune-boosting nutritional

A russet potato image leads off the Men’s Health eight-page feature titled “The Potato is Back.” Photograph by Paola + Murray

benefits—they also present a widely available, accessible option for those looking to consume more fresh produce.”

In yet more media coverage, Purewow rounds up 20 plant-based protein sources, including potatoes.

An article states, “All potatoes are secret protein powerhouses,” but gives red potatoes extra love, noting them as an especially good source of iron, potassium and fiber.

While highlighting that potatoes are great in a potato salad, the article shares other recipe ideas with spuds, such as loaded baked potato chips and domino potatoes.

Insider calls out 11 foods higher in potassium than a banana, with

potatoes topping the list. The article suggests eating home fries or hash browns if you are craving a savory breakfast, which will also increase your potassium intake.

Registered dietitian Amanda Nicole, who contributed to the feature, adds, “Potatoes are full of fiber and resistant starch, which can keep your blood sugar levels stable and prevent any blood sugar spikes or crashes that can leave you feeling tired and fatigued later.”

The article also notes that potatoes can be roasted or baked and then added to soups, salads and stews.

The May issue of Men’s Health is published and on shelves, as well as online at www.menshealth.com.

BC�T June 39

Badger Beat Sorting out Details of NR 151 Groundwater quality standard has implications for Wisconsin potato production

By Jed Colquhoun, professor, IPM program director and Extension specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Horticulture

We are into the heart of the growing season,

and understandably, are focused on the field and day-to-day agronomic decisions to produce high-quality crops this summer.

Meanwhile, there is also a state rule process underway this summer that could have broad implications for potato production.

These rules can be quite technical and may be off the radar right now as we pay attention to this year’s crop. So, the purpose of this article is to boil the topic down to some frequently asked questions and facts with the simple goals of awareness and informed participatory decisionmaking.

What is NR 151?

Chapter NR 151 in Wisconsin Administrative Code establishes runoff pollution standards for transportation, non-agricultural and agricultural facilities to meet water 40 BC�T June

quality standards.

In the agricultural setting, statewide performance standards and prohibitions have been established in NR 151 for several water quality related topics such as manure storage facilities, phosphorus index and nutrient management.

If the statewide standards do not achieve water quality standards, then the rule also allows for the creation of targeted performance standards specific to areas where water quality is at risk.

The performance standards might be thought of as setting the goal or desired outcome. The performance standard outcomes described in NR 151 are then met through technical standards established in ATCP 50.

The ATCP 50 rule prescribes conservation practices to meet the performance standard.

In short, one way to think about it is that NR 151 on the Wisconsin

Above: There is also a state rule process underway this summer that could have broad implications for potato production.

In the agricultural setting, statewide performance standards and prohibitions have been established in NR 151 for several water quality related topics such as manure storage facilities, phosphorus index and nutrient management.

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) side sets the goal or performance standard, and ATCP 50 on the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) side sets the technical standard for how to meet the goal.

What is proposed in the current NR 151 draft revision?

NR 151 is revised periodically to meet water quality standards. In this case, NR 151 draft revisions are to reduce nitrogen leaching to groundwater such that the concentration is less than the groundwater enforcement standard of 10 mg/L (milligrams per liter) of nitrate-nitrogen.

This enforcement standard is set to protect human health and reduce detrimental environmental effects.

The draft NR 151 revisions include the following aspects to achieve this goal: •A nitrogen leaching limit of less

than 2.2 pounds of nitrate per acre per inch of groundwater recharge.

This would be an average limit over a crop rotation for each field, and an average across all fields in a nutrient management plan.

• Nutrient management plans will need to account for all sources of nitrogen, including nitrogen in irrigation water applied to fields.

• Prohibition of liquid manure and commercial fertilizer application to fields in the fall and winter.

There are some circumstances and qualifiers outlined in the draft rule of when and where such applications could be allowed, such as for fall planted and perennial crops.

What areas of Wisconsin would be affected by the new rules?

As opposed to a statewide performance standard, a targeted performance standard only applies to certain areas where nitrate groundwater contamination is a risk.

These targeted areas include: • Nitrogen restricted soils as defined in the NRCS 590 standard • Nitrogen restricted areas based on existing groundwater quality data • Fields in a municipal wellhead protection plan when the municipal water system reaches or exceeds 5 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen.

Above: Nutrient management plans will need to account for all sources of nitrogen, including nitrogen in irrigation water applied to fields.

As drafted, the DNR estimates that the targeted area would include 6.2 million acres, representing 43 percent of Wisconsin’s agricultural land. The majority of this land (74 percent) continued on pg. 42

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BC�T June 41

Badger Beat . . .

continued from pg. 41

Committee met through 2020, and the public comment period on a draft Economic Impact Analysis closed on April 10, 2021.

14a9dd4a6f901140b05e317b6e.

includes what’s considered nitrogen restricted soils.

Where are we in the process and what is the timeline?

The process to revise NR 151 is a long one, anticipated by DNR to take 31 months before it would become adopted. This process began in winter 2019, a Technical Advisory

Specific areas and fields that would be affected can be searched and identified using an interactive map on the DNR web site: https:// wi-dnr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ webappviewer/index.html?id=fea5c0

As a next step, it is anticipated that public hearings and a public comment period on the proposed rule will happen this summer (2021).

From there, the draft rule would go to the Natural Resources Board and Governor, and then on to legislative review and hearings.

PLANT NUTRITION

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42 BC�T June 160

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Auxiliary News

By Devin Zarda, vice president, WPGA

Hello, friends! Summer

is finally here, so it means the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary annual meeting is coming shortly. I always look forward to this event so that I can see all our members and get caught up on what has happened in the last year or two, particularly now because of COVID. This year, we will be meeting in person, but are also talking about a virtual option. Keep an eye on your mailbox for details regarding our annual meeting and banquet. You may have even received your invite (since I write these about a month in advance). I really hope to see you there!

But this article is more than just informing you about our annual meeting and banquet. I want to let you all know about how you can do more for the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary. We have spots opening on our board this year, so this is your cue to come join us.

By becoming involved and sitting on the Board, you can help us spread the word that Wisconsin grows great potatoes and educate consumers | Volume 73 No. $22/year | $2/copy

THE VOICE OF

O WISCONSIN'S POTAT

TRY & VEGETABLE INDUS

M VEGETABLES & FAR ISSUE NCE SAFETY/INSURA CO. SOURCES MILWAUKEE CHIPFamily Farms Spuds from Okray ON FARM RESTRICTIO NS COVID? Gatherings During HER IN-FIELD WEAT oring And Crop Monit OF THE SUBTL E ART ement Nitrogen Manag

INTERVIEW:

CHARLES UTH HSM WAC ewa Valley Bean Chipp

’s on Mark Dombeck harvest in a field Radio a truck during Minnesota Public are emptied into reserved. beans photo from Kidney beans Minnesota. Kidney Used with permission. All rights farm near Perham, Radio®.

Minnesota Public News. ©2019

05 | MAY 2021

By becoming involved in the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary and sitting on the Board, you can help spread the word that Wisconsin grows great potatoes and educate consumers and children about where their food comes from. In this image, area students visit the Spudmobile to learn about potatoes, varieties, and how they are grown and prepared for meals.

and children about where their food comes from.

There are many reasons to join our board, but your voice needs to be heard. Where would you personally love to see us spend our time, money and energy? By joining us on the Board, you can help direct where we focus.

Your time donation will help our industry continue to grow. You will

also be surrounded by women who have a desire to see our industry succeed, educate people about potatoes and who love to have a good time!

So, will you step up? Will you help us out? Can we count on you? I personally cannot wait to see you join us!

Until next time,

Devin

Badger Common’Tater

THE VOICE OF THE WISCONSIN POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

Subscribe Today!

Whether you are a grower, industry partner or simply enjoy rural life, sign up to receive this prestigious publication in print version, delivered direct to your mailbox for $22/year (12 issues). wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe BC�T June 43

Agribusiness Ownership Transition Think not only about the income generated from your business, but also the value of the operation

By Lisa Horn and David Shapiro, CliftonLarsonAllen In the life of a business, ownership transition is inevitable. Whether selling to private equity or to the next generation of your family, someone else, at some point in time, will own your company.

Many farm owners do not realize how this process, often highly emotional, balances a complex set of considerations necessary to achieve their objectives.

Owner transition is commonly driven by age, as you approach a time to slow down or retire. And though you may typically think about transition as an event somewhere over the horizon, advanced planning is critical for you to achieve your objectives.

Running the day-to-day operations of an agribusiness can often require a complete commitment of time and energy.

Too many owners think about their businesses only as sources of annual income that support their lifestyles 44 BC�T June

“Start a structured thought process around the attractiveness and transition readiness of your farm or agribusiness.” ” – Lisa Horn and David Shapiro and spend little time thinking about their companies from buyers’ points of view.

FARM VALUE Farm and agribusiness owners should think not only about the income generated from their businesses, but also the value of the operations themselves.

Start a structured thought process around the attractiveness and transition readiness of your farm or agribusiness. Give yourself time to prepare the business and implement the changes necessary to achieve the best possible outcome.

Transition could happen sooner than you think.

Selling your agribusiness when you are ready to retire can be anticipated. But, many times, a sale of a business is forced by one of the five “D’s” (death, divorce, disability, disagreement and distress).

Think through the details of what Above: Running the day-to-day operations of an agribusiness can often require a complete commitment of time and energy.

But too many owners think about their business only as a source of annual income that supports their lifestyle and spend little time thinking about their company from a buyer’s point of view.

happens to your business in one of these scenarios.

• Who will have the authority to make ownership-level decisions?

• How will the business be managed going forward?

• Should the business be sold?

Without appropriate planning, these situations can hurt your business and your family. Make transition part of your agribusiness strategy.

Prepare for what can be a complex and emotional process by considering these questions well in advance: • Does your business have enough value to financially support you through the next act of your life?

• How will new ownership impact the legacy of the business?

• What do you want to do after ownership transition is completed?

TRANSITION ADVISORS The CliftonLarsonAllen team of professional owner transition advisors work alongside you to understand your specific business needs and goals. We are here to help seamlessly guide you through every

step of the transaction process.

Above: Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.

For more information on owner transition, contact Lisa Horn at lisa.horn@CLAconnect.com or David Shapiro at david.shapiro@ CLAconnect.com.

CLAconnect.com.

CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people and our communities through industryfocused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax and consulting services.

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting, investment or tax advice or opinion provided by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CliftonLarsonAllen) to the reader.

Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SECregistered investment advisor.

For more information, visit

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BC�T June 45

People Stevens Joins Alsum Farms & Produce

Director of sales and business development brings knowledge of industry Alsum Farms & Produce Inc., a leading fresh market grower, packer and shipper of Wisconsin potatoes and onions, and a provider of fresh, quality produce, announces the recent addition of Gary Stevens as director of sales and business development.

Stevens rejoins Alsum after working in the specialty meats category. In his new position, he will be responsible for procuring and servicing national and retail food service and wholesale grocer accounts.

“Alsum Farms & Produce is excited to have Gary re-join our team in this new role,” says Heidi Alsum-Randall, chief operating officer of production and sales at Alsum Farms & Produce.

“Gary’s knowledge of the produce industry coupled with his wide array of work experiences in business development, sales and customer relations make him a perfect fit for Alsum,” she states.

Stevens brings more than two decades of experience in the produce industry to Alsum Farms & Produce.

Gary Stevens rejoins Alsum Farms & Produce as the director of sales and business development.

He began his career with A&P as a produce manager, worked with Albert‘s Organics, Herbthyme Farms and served as the organic team lead at Sunfed. Most recently, he worked with national accounts at Pederson’s Natural Farms.

“I am excited to be back in produce and reconnect with peers, and I look forward to helping Alsum Farms & Produce on business development initiatives to grow our presence in the fresh potato and onion categories and beyond,” Stevens says.

To learn more about Alsum Farms & Produce and its broad portfolio of products, visit www.alsum.com.

About Alsum Farms & Produce Inc. Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc. is a grower, packer and shipper of potatoes, re-packer of onions and a wholesale distributor of a full line of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Headquartered in Friesland, Wisconsin, Alsum Farms is also a member of the eco-friendly Wisconsin Potato Healthy Grown® Program.

46 BC�T June

Dr. G. “Mac” Bean Joins McCain Foods USA

Agronomist will focus on potato variety development and soil health improvement Dr. G. “Mac” Bean joins McCain Foods USA Inc. and The Plover Agriculture Team, having started March 15, 2021, in the role of agronomist for the Wisconsin and Illinois potato production region. He reports to Kerry Larson, field department manager for McCain Foods.

Mac currently resides in Columbia, Missouri, and has a distinguished background in agriculture, earning a Ph.D. in soil science, a master’s degree in plant science from the University of Missouri and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural systems, science and technology from Brigham Young University-Idaho, in Rexburg.

He was most recently a project

scientist with The Soil Health Institute, in Missouri. He has many publications to his credit related to soil science, plant nutrition and agritechnology topics.

Mac’s new role with McCain Foods will focus on potato variety development, sustainable production practices, soil health improvement and applying leading edge agritechnology into potato production practices.

Mac will be moving to the Stevens Point/Plover, Wisconsin, area with his wife and young daughter. They are looking forward to purchasing a new home and taking full advantage of Wisconsin family living.

As McCain Foods’ new agronomist for the Wisconsin and Illinois potato production region, Dr. G. “Mac” Bean will focus on variety development, sustainability, soil health improvement and applying leading edge agri-technology.

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NPC News

NPC Urges Continued Pressure on Mexico U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai pushes for fresh potato dispute resolution U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai met virtually, May 3, with the National Potato Council (NPC) to discuss the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ahead of her upcoming trilateral meeting with representatives from Canada and Mexico to review the implementation of the Agreement.

NPC Chief Executive Officer Kam Quarles and Bryant Christie’s Matt Lantz spoke with her about the industry’s trade priorities, including the next steps in a continued effort to open the full Mexican market for fresh U.S. potatoes. Bryant Christie Inc. regularly assists in market access and foreign government affairs.

After the meeting, Quarles commented that, “It was a great opportunity to thank Ambassador Tai and the USTR [U.S. Trade Representative] staff for all their work in pushing the Mexico fresh potato

dispute toward a final resolution.

We share the intention to reinstate full U.S. market access in the next few months, to the benefit of both countries.”

However, the work in Mexico is far from complete.

The U.S. potato industry, along with partners at USTR and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are in close contact with the Mexican regulators who need to reinstate access that U.S. growers lost when lawsuits were filed to stop the regulations permitting fresh potato access in Mexico from taking palace.

“The fortunate part of this is we’re not creating a new market access agreement: we’re simply reinstating what was already there,” Quarles says. “That gives us a lot of optimism that this can happen rapidly, but only with constant pressure from the U.S. government.”

Above: In the Zoom meeting screen grab image, Matt Lantz (left) of Bryant Christie Inc., which assists in market access and foreign government affairs, and National Potato Council Chief Executive Officer Kam Quarles (center) meet with U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai (right) to discuss the U.S.Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Zoom conference was prior to Rep. Tai’s trilateral meeting with representatives from Canada and Mexico to review implementation of USMCA, giving Lantz and Quarles a chance to speak with her about the industry’s trade priorities.

NPC Summer Meeting Moves Virtual Due to ongoing travel challenges, NPC announces that its 2021 Summer Meeting will be held as a 100 percent virtual event, July 27-30.

48 BC�T June

While NPC is disappointed that council members are not able to host an in-person event, the limited availability of facilities and travel-

related challenges led the Executive Committee to make the decision to go virtual. Details on the schedule will be announced soon.

Grow Leadership Skills at PILI Alumni Summit For the first time, the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) is offering a three-day, virtual Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) Alumni Summit to drive success and leadership within the industry.

Each day of the virtual program will include a high-energy, engaging 90-minute session designed to refresh skills, network with fellow PILI alums and learn new techniques.

Review the schedule of events below to see what topics will be covered.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Refining Your Leadership Skills with Laurie Richards Tuesday, July 13, 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET (9:00-10:30 a.m. PT) This session will include defining and

communicating a common vision, and motivating team members to achieve it.

with Laurie Richards Thursday, July 15, 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET (9:00-10:30 a.m. PT)

Refining Your Conflict Management with Eric Herdman Wednesday, July 14, 12:00-1:30 p.m.

ET (9:00-10:30 a.m. PT)

This session will cover ways to increase morale with any team, in the workplace, at home or in a community.

This session will focus on managing conflict to achieve necessary results.

Boosting the Team’s Morale

To register, visit: https://web.cvent. com/event/6c05001e-04c2-469181eb-f686fa8cf1d8/regProcess Step1.

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608.846.9064 • 800.523.2350 BC�T June 49

WPIB Focus Crosby Lands Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship

Horticulture Ph.D. student working on remote sensing for nitrogen management of potatoes The University of Wisconsin (UW)Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) has selected the 2021-’22 graduate fellowship recipients.

The college would like to thank the donors for making these awards possible and the selection committees that reviewed the nominations.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) established the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) “Distinguished Graduate Fellowship” to support a graduate student who demonstrates excellence in the areas of groundwater resources or potato research.

Trevor Crosby, UW Department of Horticulture Graduate Program, is the 2021-’22 recipient of the fellowship.

Crosby’s major advisor is Yi Wang, assistant professor and state extension specialist in sustainable potato and vegetable production at

the UW Department of Horticulture.

Crosby conducted two years of field research to investigate effects of different irrigation practices on chipping and russet potato production.

He discovered that reducing irrigation rate to 75 percent evapotranspiration (ET) when tubers reached late bulking did not affect final yield, tuber quality or fry quality during storage.

This study has generated two manuscripts that are currently under review by peer scientists, with Crosby as the leading author.

REMOTE SENSING Currently, he is working on his Ph.D. project using hyperspectral remote sensing for nitrogen management of potatoes.

Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship award winner Trevor Crosby conducted two years of field research to investigate effects of different irrigation practices on chipping and russet potato production.

Without a previous background in remote sensing and computerassisted modeling, Crosby is diligently taking several classes to expand his knowledge and broaden his horizon.

“He is always looking for newly published papers in this area to keep up with the most recent research findings,” Wang says. “He is eager

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison Month

Jul-19

Aug-19

Sep-19

Oct-19

Nov-19

Dec-19

Jan-20

Feb-20

Mar-20

Apr-20

May-20

Jun-20

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,737,634.84

616,558.70

888,994.00

2,231,926.08

2,407,229.71

2,076,049.78

3,103,420.09

1,675,525.19

2,243,789.02

2,142,208.63

19,123,336.04

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

$171,389.64

$1,530,443.74

Aug-20

Sep-20

Oct-20

Dec-20

Jan-21

Feb-21

Mar-21

Apr-21

Month

Jul-20

Nov-20

May-21

Jun-21

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,267,472.18

1,275,285.84

1,290,414.89

2,235,567.48

2,498,333.04

1,787,069.62

2,103,473.68

1,593,614.79

2,236,633.70

2,193,682.11

18,481,547.33

Assessment

$101,400.66

$102,092.25

$103,233.2

$178,773.99

$199,895.60

$143,001.23

$168,209.03

$127,430.28

$179,000.53

$175,561.74

$1,478,598.51

50 BC�T June

to connect with other graduate students or postdocs who have remote sensing backgrounds so he can learn from them.”

agricultural research stations.

A third study that Crosby has significantly contributed to assesses different wound healing temperatures for long-term storability of multiple potato varieties.

• Benjamin Iuliano, Integrative Biology (Zoology) Graduate Program, Major Advisor – Claudio Gratton, Department of Entomology

“He kept telling me that he was eager to learn about every aspect of the potato production system,” Wang relates, “and, thus, he was looking forward to getting involved with as much research as possible if his time allowed.”

The estate of Elsa Thomsen established the Louis and Elsa Thomsen Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowships to support graduate students who demonstrate excellence in research.

The recipients of the 2021-’22 awards are:

• Andrew Steinberger, Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, Major Advisor – Garret Suen, Department of Bacteriology Congratulations to all recipients of the CALS awards.

Right: Working on the research team of his major advisor, Yi Wang, Trevor Crosby measures the moisture level of a dark red kidney bean field at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station.

Four 2021-’22 fellowships will be awarded to the following recipients: • Emily Britt, Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences, Major Advisor – Jing Fan, Department of Nutritional Sciences • Lindsay Chamberlain, Department of Agronomy Graduate Program, Major Advisor – Shawn Conley, Department of Agronomy • Neil Gilbert, Wildlife Ecology Graduate Program, Major Advisor – Benjamin Zuckerberg, Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology • Jin Yang, Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, Major Advisor – Jade Wang, Department of Bacteriology Jack and Marion Goetz established the Jack & Marion Goetz Graduate Fellowship in Agricultural & Life Sciences to support excellence in graduate student research with emphasis on genetics and general environmental studies at the

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BC�T June 51

Determining Critical Petiole Nitrate Levels Nitrogen is an essential nutrient that can significantly affect potato tuber yield and quality

By Yi Wang, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Department of Horticulture Nitrogen is an essential nutrient that can significantly affect potato tuber yield and quality. Increased tuber yield and tuber size with increasing nitrogen rates have been reported by numerous researchers.

Petiole nitrate is a useful and common diagnostic criterion for determining potato N status throughout the growing season.

From 2018 to 2020, we conducted a study at the University of Wisconsin (UW) Hancock Agricultural Research Station with two russet potato varieties (Silverton and Lakeview Russet [W9433-1rus]).

Each was subjected to five nitrogen 52 BC�T June

rates (40, 180, 240, 300 and 360 lb.

N/acre, Table 1) to investigate the critical petiole nitrate-N levels during different growth stages.

Besides N application, all other agronomic practices such as irrigation and pest management followed standards recommended by UW extension.

Across the three years, total length of growing season was about 110

days between emergence and vine kill.

Over the three years, petiole samples were collected on a weekly basis between 28 days after emergence (DAE) and 68 DAE. Petioles were then dried, ground and processed for nitrate-N analysis.

At harvest, tubers were mechanically graded for total yield and marketable yield (yield of tubers larger than

Above: Potato research plots are shown at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station.

Yi Wang, assistant professor and state extension specialist, UW-Madison Department of Horticulture, and her research team conducted a study at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station with two russet potato varieties (Silverton and Lakeview Russet [W9433-1rus]). Each was subjected to five nitrogen rates to investigate the critical petiole nitrate-N levels during different growth stages.

4 ounces).

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to investigate the effects of year, variety and N rate on total yield and marketable yield.

It was found that there were significant two-way interactions between year and variety (p<0.001), and between year and N rate (p<0.001). However, there was not any significant three-way interaction between year, variety and N rate (p>0.05).

N application

Date

Treatments to be applied with N

Applied N (lb./acre)

Seasonal total N (lb./acre)

Treatments

Starter at planting

~5/1

Control, Rate1, Rate2, Rate3, Rate4

40

40

Control

Emergence (hilling)

~5/24

Rate1, Rate2, Rate3, Rate4

70

110

Tuber initiation

~6/7

Rate1

70

180

Rate1

Tuber initiation

~6/7

Rate2, Rate3, Rate4

130

240

Rate2

Early bulking

~7/2

Rate3, Rate4

60

300

Rate3

Mid bulking ~7/16 Rate4 60 360 Rate4 Table nitrogen ratesrates were were achieved by splitting nitrogen applications between starter, emergence, tuber in Table1.1:Different Different nitrogen achieved by splitting nitrogen applications between early bulking and mid-bulking.

starter, emergence, tuber initiation, early bulking and mid-bulking.

Linear, quadratic or non-affected responses of yield as a function of N rate were then determined within each year.

Over the three years, petiole samples were collected on a weekly basis between 28 days after growing response to(DAE) different ratesPetioles were then emergence and 68NDAE. dried,season. ground and processed for nitrate-N analy

A probability of .05 was considered significant for linear or quadratic trends, and the quadratic function was selected when both linear and quadratic trends were significant.

regression was a good fit.

Figure 1 shows the total yield response and marketable yield

in each year.

In 2020, a dry season, total yield was

At harvest, tubers were mechanically graded for totalout yieldatand yield maxed 264marketable lb. N/acre, and(yield of tubers l Either linear regression or quadratic than 4 ounces). marketable yield was maxed out at

276 lb. N/acre.

Analysis of variance performed to investigate the effects of year, variety and N rate It is noted that, in (ANOVA) 2018 andwas 2019, Therefore, we picked 360 lb. N/ total marketable yield. bothyield totaland yield and marketable

yield kept increasing as more nitrogen

acre as the optimal N rate in 2018

It wasapplied, found that there were significant year and andinteractions 2019, and between 300 lb. N/acre asvariety the (p<0.001) was possibly due to high two-way between year and N rate (p<0.001).

However, there was not any significant three-way interaction optimal N rate in 2020 to determine leaching potential caused by high between year, variety and N rate (p>0.05). continued on pg. 54

volumes of precipitation during the

Linear, quadratic or non-affected responses of yield as a function of N rate were then determined each year.

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A probability of .05 was considered significant for linear or quadratic trends, and the quadratic fun was selected when both linear and quadratic trends were significant.

Figure 1 shows the total yield response and marketable yield response to different N rates in each Either linear regression or quadratic regression was a good fit.

It is noted that, in 2018 and 2019, both total yield and marketable yield kept increasing as more n was applied, possibly due to high leaching potential caused by high volumes of precipitation durin growing season.

In 2020, a dry season, total yield was maxed out at 264 lb. N/acre, and marketable yield was maxe at 276 lb. N/acre.

VALLEY PREVENTATIVE There for you every Therefore, we picked 360 lb. N/acre as the optimal N rate in 2018 and 2019, MAINTENANCE and 300 lb. N/acre as step of the way. This is Valley. optimal N rate in 2020 to determine the critical petiole nitrate-N ranges for the two varieties.

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BC�T June 53

2018

Determining Critical Petiole Nitrate Levels. . . continued from pg. 53

Determining petiole nitrate-N concentration from the most recently mature leaf (fourth leaf from the top of the shoot) during the growing season is a common approach for evaluating N sufficiency in the potato crop.

800 Cwt / acre

the critical petiole nitrate-N ranges for the two varieties.

y = 0.0006x2 + 0.0466x + 482.36 R² = 0.7656

600 400

y = 0.2879x + 383.61 R² = 0.8046

200 0 0

Weather conditions need to be accounted for when establishing and interpreting those values.

400

Marketable Yield

Total Yield

Linear (Marketable Yield)

Poly. (Total Yield)

800 600

y = 0.4914x + 343.61 R² = 0.9499

400

y = 0.0003x2 + 0.54x + 207 R² = 0.9564

200 0 0

100

200

300

400

lb N / acre

It is shown by our study (Table 2) that for both Silverton and Lakeview Russet, critical range for petiole nitrate-N is 1.9-2.2 percent at 30 DAE, 1.5-1.7 percent at 40 DAE, 1.1-1.2 percent at 50 DAE, 0.7-0.9 percent at 60 DAE and 0.3-0.5 percent at 70 DAE.

Marketable Yield

Total Yield

Poly. (Marketable Yield)

Linear (Total Yield)

2020 800 Cwt / acre

It is also shown that optimal N rate and critical petiole nitrate-N values for Silverton and Lakeview Russet were both affected by year in this study.

300

2019 Cwt / acre

In our study, the critical petiole nitrate-N levels for both varieties were obtained at the optimum N rate of 360 lb. N/acre in 2018 and 2019, and at the optimal N rate of 300 lb. N/ acre in 2020 (Figure 2).

200 lb N / acre

A critical petiole nitrate-N value or range defines a situation where N is not limiting growth.

Previous research reported that petiole nitrate-N could sensitively indicate N status of potato plants, particularly since 30 DAE, and petiole nitrate-N decreased linearly over the growing season.

100

y = -0.0013x2 + 0.6862x + 321.1 R² = 0.9899

600 400

y = -0.0018x2 + 0.995x + 231.89 R² = 0.9957

200 0 0

100

200

300

400

lb N / acre

Marketable Yield Total Yield We would like to point out that more Poly. (Marketable Yield) Poly. (Total Yield) data covering N rates and year-toyear weather variation need to be Figure 1: Total yield and marketable yield response to different nitrogen rates is illustrated collected in the future to confirm the Figure in 2018, 2020.

Formarketable each yield type in each year, a to linear or a quadratic response 1. 2019 Totaland yield and yield response different nitrogen ratesofis illustrate yield as a function of N rate was shown. results from this study. yield type in each year, a linear or a quadratic response of yield as a function of N rate wa 54 BC�T June

of 360 lb. N/acre in 2018 and 2019, and at the optimal N rate of 300 lb. N/acre in 2020 (Figure 2).

Petiole Petiole nitrate-N nitrate-N (% dry (% dry wt) wt)

4.0 4.0 3.0

y = -0.0355x + 2.9146 R² = 0.4302 y = -0.0355x + 2.9146 R² = 0.4302

3.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 20 20

Petiole Petiole nitrate-N nitrate-N (% dry (% dry wt) wt)

Petiole Petiole nitrate-N nitrate-N (% dry (% dry wt) wt)

2018 2018

30 40 50 60 30 Days 40 50 60 after emergence Days after emergence

70 70

2020 2020

4.0 4.0 3.0

1.0 0.0 0.0 20 20

30 40 50 60 30 Days 40 50 60 after emergence Days after emergence

4.0 4.0 3.0

y = -0.0464x + 3.5576 R² = 0.5052 y = -0.0464x + 3.5576 R² = 0.5052

3.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 20 20

30 40 50 60 30 Days 40 50 60 after emergence Days after emergence

70 70

Figure 2:2.Petiole nitrate-N concentration is shown during Figure Petiole nitrate-N concentration is shown the growing seasons in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

A solid line A in 2018, 2019isand 2020. during 2. thePetiole growing seasonsconcentration Figure nitrate-N shown represents the linear trends of measured petiole nitrate-N line the linear trends2019 of measured solid during therepresents growing andand 2020. concentrations at 360seasons lb. N/acreinin2018, 2018 and 2019, at A N/acre in petiole nitrate-N concentrations at 360 solid represents the linear trends oflb. measured 300 lb.line N/acre in 2020.

2018 and 2019, and at 300 lb. N/acre in lb.

2020. petiole nitrate-N concentrations at 360 N/acre in 2018 and 2019, and at 300 lb. N/acre in 2020.

y = -0.0367x + 3.0309 R² = 0.6953 y = -0.0367x + 3.0309 R² = 0.6953

3.0 2.0 2.0 1.0

2019 2019

70 70

Year Year Linear model

2018 2018 y = -0.0355x + 2.9146

2019 2019 y = -0.0464x + 3.5576

2020 2020 y = -0.0367x + 3.0309

Linear model Days after emergence Days after emergence 30

y = -0.0355x + 2.9146

y = -0.0464x + 3.5576 y = -0.0367x + 3.0309 Petiole nitrate-N (% dry wt) Petiole nitrate-N (% dry wt) 2.2

Critical Range Critical Range

2.2 1.7

1.9 1.9 1.6

1.9-2.2 1.9-2.2 1.5-1.7

30 40

1.9 1.9 1.5

40 50

1.5 1.1

1.7 1.2

1.6 1.2

1.5-1.7 1.1-1.2

50 60

1.1 0.8

1.2 0.7

1.2 0.9

1.1-1.2 0.7-0.9

60 70

0.8 0.4

0.7 0.3

0.9 0.5

0.7-0.9 0.3-0.5

70 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.3-0.5 Table 2.2:Critical nitrate-Nlevels levelsforfor Silverton Lakeview Russet in year eachwere yearcalculated were calculated linear models Table Criticalpetiole petiole nitrate-N Silverton andand Lakeview Russet in each using theusing linearthe models shown in Figure 2.

Critical range was displayed in the last column. shown in Figure 2.

Critical range was displayed in the last column.

Table 2. Critical petiole nitrate-N levels for Silverton and Lakeview Russet in each year were calculated using the linear models shown in Figure 2. Critical range was displayed in the last column.

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Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Div. President Chris Brooks, Central Door Solutions

Happy June, everyone. Summer is upon us. Crops are up and

summer activities are well under way.

As I mentioned last month, many of you should have received letters or have heard of “Project Workforce.”

This is a push by Wisconsin Potato

& Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) grower members and associated businesses to help fund the new “Advance Manufacturing,

Engineering, Technology and Apprenticeship Center” being built

by Mid-State Technical College, in Stevens Point.

I strongly encourage you to brush up on the subject and consider not a donation but an investment into the workforce we all so desperately need. This is one of the few situations where we can directly work to improve the workforce situation in our area.

With summer comes the always fun opportunity to see our industry friends at the annual Putt-Tato Open golf outing.

This is an important event on many levels as we reconnect with business associates, raise funds for several projects within our industry, take a breath and enjoy ourselves for a day!

Registration is now open, and we look to see all of you at this year’s event.

Looking dapper and representing WPVGA Associate Division member company Nachurs Alpine Solutions, at the 2020 Putt-Tato Open golf outing, were, from left to right, Mark Henke, Mike McClyman, Rich Grabanski and Brian Kent. One of the largest Associate Division fundraisers of the year, registration is now open for the 2021 Putt-Tato Open, July 13, at Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa, Wisconsin.

56 BC�T June

The Putt-Tato Open is a great fundraiser for many endeavors that the WPVGA Associate Division supports. One of the most important is our scholarship program that we partner with the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary for each year.

This year, six applicants were chosen

Abigail Helbach

Avis M. Wysocki - $1,400

Cora Kertzman

$1,000

Joe & Tricia Kertzman, WPVGA

Alexis Kwak

$1,000

Thomas & Tricia Kwak, Chippewa Valley Bean

Weston Hoffa

$1,000

Jim & Jaclyn Hoffa, Nutrien Ag Solutions

Christina Bartsch

$1,000

Kathy & Steve Bartsch, Bartsch Farms

Katrina Pokorny

$1,000

Doyle & Kim Pokorny, MPB Builders

Tristan Flyte

$1,000

Adam & Carrie Flyte, Flyte Farms

to receive scholarships of $1,000 each, and the top applicant landed the $1,400 Avis Wysocki Memorial Scholarship.

I would like to congratulate the recipients listed above.

Good luck to all of you in the future.

The WPVGA Associate Division and Auxiliary are proud to help support you in the next chapter of your lives!

We’ll feature the winners in more detail, including their pictures, in an upcoming issue.

As we work through another busy growing season, it is no secret that many businesses are short labor and struggling for materials and products. Add to this significant price increases across the board, and it can stress business relationships, even those built upon some of the longest partnerships.

One of the biggest complaints that I hear from new incoming customers is that communication is not where it needs to be regarding with whom they are working, and thus why they are changing vendors.

I want to close this month with just a couple words from experience to help us all push through. To our growers and Associate Division businesses working together, we hear you and understand.

We live in a world where most services are needed yesterday. Please

Mike & Debra Helbach, Helbach Farms

be patient knowing the current challenges that face us all. To my fellow associates, keep your focus on open communication with your customers.

No matter the lead times, no matter the cost increase, it doesn’t take more than a few minutes to reach out and let the customer know you are

still looking out for them!

Until next month, always remember, when you’re green, you’re growing; when you’re ripe, you’re rotten. Keep growing!

Chris Brooks

WPVGA Associate Division President

Make the Best of it!

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Plover, WI • 715-341-3445 800-236-2436 info@jay-mar.com BC�T June 57

New Products HarvestMaster Unveils Potato Yield Monitor

Casma allows growers to visualize crop performance through generated heat maps HarvestMaster is excited to introduce the Casma Potato Yield Monitor.

Casma was designed to increase farm profitability, provide a visual map of crop performance, allow data to be viewed in real-time and for the hardware to be mounted to any existing potato harvester.

The Casma Potato Yield Monitor is now available for purchase.

“Our customers requested HarvestMaster return to the commercial yield monitoring business,” says Doug Moore, Casma product manager.

“Casma marks our return, and we

are pleased with the system that we have developed,” Moore remarks.

“The amount of usable data a farm can get from the Casma system helps growers make important decisions and increase profits.”

Casma allows farmers to visualize crop performance through generated heat maps that show variations in potato yield across the field and allow for better planting and soil care planning.

This information can directly increase farm profitability and maximize yield by allowing farmers to identify underperforming areas.

POTATO WEIGHT SENSOR Data generated by Casma is created by load cells and a belt speed sensor on the harvester to determine the weight of potatoes being loaded, and through GPS (Global Positioning System) location-based information.

High accuracy GPS is used to create heat maps that associate precise location with yield data. Additional sensors and algorithms are used to maximize accuracy by accounting for slope and motion in all directions.

The data is available in the cab of the tractor and is automatically sent to the cloud for access on the www. mycasma.com website.

With the Casma Potato Yield Monitor, high accuracy GPS (Global Positioning System) is used to create heat maps that associate precise location with yield data.

58 BC�T June

“Casma provides data for operators on displays that are already in the cabs of most tractors and detailed reports and maps on the www. mycasma.com website,” Moore says.

“In-cab and in-office data viewing is a key part of making this information work for the farmer. MyCasma gives a central location for data to be stored and viewed anytime,” he adds.

For more information about the Casma Potato Yield Monitor

by HarvestMaster, visit the company’s product webpage, www.harvestmaster.com/products/ casma-yield-monitor.

continued on pg. 60

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BC�T June 59

New Products. . .

continued from pg. 59

Averland FC Protects Against Nematodes Vive Crop Protection issues a label recommendation for protection in potatoes by chemigation Potato growers have a convenient new tool to battle nematodes inseason with Averland® FC. Averland FC (abamectin + Allosperse®) was registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 2019, and Vive Crop Protection recently issued a label recommendation (2ee) for protection from nematodes in potatoes by chemigation.

Nematodes are a significant challenge for farmers throughout all potato growing regions. If left untreated, they cause tuber malformation, induce chemical changes in the tuber and reduce overall marketable yield.

“Growers can now replace three chemigation applications of Vydate® C-LV with three chemigation applications of Averland FC. They will get the same level of activity, with significant cost savings and less product handling,” says Vive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dan Bihlmeyer.

“It also mixes seamlessly with inseason fertility to help create on-farm efficiency. It is simple and effective, and significantly reduces user and

environmental exposure,” Bihlmeyer notes.

As a foliar or chemigation application, Averland FC also takes care of Colorado potato beetle, leafminers, psyllids, mites and thrips. It is based on the Allosperse Delivery System, which allows products to be mixed and applied with foliar fertilizer.

More information is available at https://www.vivecrop.com/products/ averland-fc/.

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Wisconsin has it!

WISCONSIN Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Inc. WISCONSIN CERTIFIED CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES SEED POTATOES

For a directory of Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers or a free video, contact: P.O. Box 173, Antigo, WI 54409 715-623-4039 www.potatoseed.org

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Inc. P.O. Box 173 • Antigo, WI 54409 • 715-623-4039 60 BC�T June

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

Ali's Kitchen Dig into Golden Brown & Crispy Potatoes Made with canned spuds, they’re fancy, hearty and a favorite family comfort food Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary With a few pantry staples, you will have crispy, pan fried, herbed potatoes on the table in mere minutes. They are fancy enough to impress the pickiest of dinner guests and hearty enough to become a

favorite family comfort food.

While I love making potato dishes using fresh spuds, I do my best to always keep a good supply of canned options on the shelves as well. They make for quick meals and offer endless options.

Canned potatoes retain their nutrients, and just like their fresh counterparts, are a fabulous source of fiber, vitamins B6 and C, iron and potassium, and I happen to think they are just as delicious.

Some people feel they can taste a bit tinny, and they shy away from cooking with canned potatoes. You will not notice this with potatoes processed using glass jars and can alleviate much of the tinny taste by rinsing the potatoes with fresh cold tap water after opening a can, or tin, purchased from the store.

I have been told that a squirt of lemon juice over the potatoes before rinsing does the trick for those with superpower taste buds, but I have never attempted to verify this. continued on pg. 62

INGREDIENTS: Crispy Herbed Canned Potatoes • 1 can whole white potatoes • 2 Tbsp. bread or cracker crumbs • 1 tsp. onion powder • 1 tsp. garlic powder • 1 tsp. rosemary • 1 tsp. thyme • 1 tsp. parsley flakes • 1/2 tsp. salt • 1/2 tsp. black pepper • 3 Tbsps. butter For Garnish: • 1 Tbsp. chopped chives • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese BC�T June 61

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continued from pg. 61

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DIRECTIONS Place rinsed potatoes, bread/cracker crumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt and pepper into a plastic zip-top bag.

Close tightly and gently shake the bag to coat the potatoes.

minutes (depending on size of your potatoes), turning occasionally until all sides are golden brown and crispy.

Melt butter in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and sauté for about 5 to 10

Enjoy!

Remove from heat and sprinkle the potatoes with Parmesan cheese and garnish with chives.

Find more recipes at www.LifeOnGraniteRidge.com.

ThorPack LLC................................ 21 T.I.P............................................... 47 Vantage North Central.................. 27 Volm Companies............................. 9 Warner & Warner......................... 33 WPVGA Putt-Tato Open................ 17 WPVGA Spud Seed Classic Sponsorship ad........................... 63 WPVGA Subscribers...................... 43 WPVGA Support Our Members.... 32 WSPIA........................................... 60 Yara North America...................... 11

62 BC�T June

Friday, June 18, 2021 Bass Lake Country Club W10650 Bass Lake Road Deerbrook, WI 54424

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 and 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

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

Since 1998, this tournament raised over $125,000, which was donated to Wisconsin potato research.

P.O. Box 327 Antigo, WI 54409 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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

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<Dealership Name> <Street> <City, ST 00000-0000> <Dealership Name> <Street> N6775 5th Avenue <phone> <City, ST<web> 00000-0000> Plainfield, WI 54966

715-335-8300

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