April 2021 Badger Common'Tater

$22/year | $2/copy | Volume 73 No. 04 | APRIL 2021

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

IRRIGATION & SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT ISSUE

INTERVIEW:

KATHY JO KNUTSON Owner, Oasis Irrigation HEALTHY GROWN MEETS Demand for Sustainability TLINGIT POTATOES ENJOY Revival in Southeast Alaska PEPSICO MORE THAN Doubles Climate Goal 5 WAYS POTATO GROWERS Can Save Time and Money

A Wysocki Produce Farm potato crop, Plainfield, Wisconsin, was irrigated by a Zimmatic pivot using FieldNET technology.

ASSOCIATE DIVISION / AUXILIARY

Scholarships Now Available

The WPVGA Associate Division and Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary are pleased to inform you of scholarships totaling $6,000, available to students at post-secondary institutions. The Associate Division and Auxiliary Boards of Directors will award the full $6,000 but may decide to award several smaller scholarships based on the number of applicants and their merits. The purpose of these annual scholarships is to provide financial assistance to students whose immediate families are members of the WPVGA. There is also a special additional scholarship that will be awarded to the top candidate among all applicants. The Avis M. Wysocki Memorial Scholarship was established in 2016 to honor Avis, who was a founding member of the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary and an integral part of the Wisconsin potato industry. Thanks to generous donations from members, this year’s winner of the Avis M. Wysocki Memorial Scholarship will receive $1,400 in scholarship funds.

DUE BY

MAY 3, 2021

Applications can be obtained online at www.wisconsinpotatoes.com or by calling the WPVGA office at

(715) 623-7683

If you have any questions, please call Julie Braun at the WPVGA office.

PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORMS TO: Julie Braun WPVGA PO Box 327 Antigo, WI 54409-0327 or, Email Completed Form to: jbraun@wisconsinpotatoes.com

The scholarships detailed above can be used to defray educational expenses and are open to students in undergraduate and post-graduate programs. Applicants must be residents of Wisconsin and are eligible to reapply in subsequent years regardless if they have been previously awarded a scholarship.

The selection of scholarship winners will be based on the following criteria: • Applicant or applicant’s immediate family must be, or be employed by, WPVGA or a WPVGA grower or Associate Division member.

• Merit – e.g. G.P.A., extra-curricular activities, etc.

• Other information provided in the application • The applicant must attend an accredited school of higher education (includes technical college) as a full-time graduate or undergraduate student.

• The applicant must meet the entry requirements of the selected accredited school of higher education (grade point average, etc.).

Some of the information requested in the application may be considered personal or confidential. You may choose not to provide such information; however, the selection committee making decisions requests information on your financial status since Associate Division and Auxiliary scholarships may be partially based on financial need. You are encouraged to complete the scholarship application form in a professional manner.

Applications must be properly completed and typed. Hand-written applications will not be considered. Remember, the application will be the only representation of you that the selection committee has a chance to see.

Applications can be obtained online at www.wisconsinpotatoes.com or by calling the WPVGA office at 715-623-7683. If you have any questions, please call the WPVGA office and ask for Julie.

John Miller Farms, Inc Minto, ND

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Contact John Miller: (701) 248-3215

On the Cover: A familiar sight to potato growers and one most others

never get the chance to see, potatoes are harvested on Wysocki Produce Farm, Plainfield, Wisconsin. The image was shared by Lindsay Corporation and Kathy Jo Knutson of Oasis Irrigation, this issue’s interviewee. The potato crop was irrigated with a Zimmatic pivot using FieldNET technology, both offered by Oasis Irrigation.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: Oasis Irrigation Owner and President Kathy Jo Knutson, front and center, says a Christmas photo is an annual tradition for her family.

Pictured with Kathy Jo are her children, from left to right, Chase, Lindsay, Dawson and Preston. Kathy’s husband and founder of Oasis Irrigation, Jerry Knutson, passed away in December 2019. Kathy has been at the helm of the Plainfield, Wisconsin, operation since, with the help of family, friends and a great group of employees.

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN.................... 61 AUXILIARY NEWS............... 60 MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6

18 HEALTHY GROWN IS ECO-FRIENDLY BRAND Retailers and consumers care about food origins Brett Sommers photo

54

34 NPC NEWS

Wisconsin potato growers advocate for key issues at 2021 Virtual D.C. Fly-In

BADGER BEAT

Kidney beans tested as a means to mitigate water quality and quantity issues

FEATURE ARTICLES: 26 TLINGIT POTATOES grown by Indigenous people enjoy a revival in Southeast Alaska

MARKETPLACE................... 48 NEW PRODUCTS................ 36 NOW NEWS....................... 44 PEOPLE.............................. 30 PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6

40 PEPSICO DOUBLES DOWN on climate goal and pledges net-zero emissions by 2040

POTATOES USA NEWS........ 51

52 FIVE WAYS POTATO GROWERS can increase yields while saving time and money

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

4

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NEW

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

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.

BC�T April

5

MARK YOUR

Calendar

MAY

29-6/5 VIRTUAL WALK WISCONSIN

For event information,

visit http://www.walkwisconsin.com 31-6/3 11th WORLD POTATO CONGRESS

& EUROPATAT 2021

POSTPONED one year due to COVID-19 coronavirus

JUNE

18

24-26

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

10

13

15

20-22

VIRTUAL PARDEEVILLE TRIATHLON For event information, visit https://pardeevilletri.com/ PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI RHINELANDER STATE FARM FIELD DAY Lelah Starks Elite Foundation Seed Potato Farm Rhinelander, WI FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Silver Spring Foods, Huntsinger Horseradish Farm Eau Claire, WI

11

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

29-30

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

5-6

2022 POTATO EXPO Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA

8-10

2022 GROWER ED CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW Holiday Inn Convention Center Stevens Point, WI

29-31

60th ANNUAL WPS FARM SHOW Experimental Aircraft Association grounds Oshkosh, WI

30-6/2

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

JULY

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

JANUARY 2022 FEBRUARY

MARCH MAY

6

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Planting Ideas Enthusiasm within the industry,

in good times and bad, through trial and error, missteps and successes, for potato and vegetable growers, the pride shows through. Throw weather at farmers, and they persevere. Hit them with a worldwide pandemic, and they put on their essential worker hats and get the job done. Even during virtual meetings, online presentations and interviews via email, they learn new technologies, face the challenges head on and come through for you.

One of the tougher things to do (aside from planting, growing, harvesting, storing and shipping crops) in a pandemic is marketing. Much like potato and vegetable growers, the marketing professionals I have known in my life are a special breed. They are forced to have thick skin. I once had a boss tell me, “If marketing meetings aren’t painful, then there isn’t enough thinking outside of the box.” Of course, when a person does think outside the box and expresses those ideas, they open themselves up to critique.

So, when I asked Healthy Grown growers to help me understand and explain why the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association program that they take part in is important from a sales and marketing standpoint, I was not expecting enthusiasm in the industry, so to speak.

But that is exactly what I got. Not only did growers enthusiastically answer all my questions and tell me why the Healthy Grown program is worthwhile from a sustainability and environmental standpoint, but also in terms of sales and marketing, plus they shared fantastic images.

The above image, sent to me by Tim Huffcutt, vice president of sales and marketing operations, RPE, Inc., is of potatoes harvested on Wysocki Produce Farm. The photo was taken by Mark Weinhold, Harmann Studios.

Read the fact-filled and fascinating Healthy Grown article featured herein.

Showing equal amounts of enthusiasm and advocation for key issues affecting the potato industry, Wisconsin growers attended the 2021 Virtual Potato D.C. Fly-In, February 23-24, hosted by the National Potato Council Executive Committee. The annual D.C. Fly-In brings the industry together to fulfill the council’s mission of “Standing Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill.”

The virtual event is fully covered in this issue’s “NPC News” column.

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

KATHY JO KNUTSON,

owner/president, Oasis Irrigation

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

NAME: Kathy Jo Knutson TITLE: Owner and president COMPANY: Oasis Irrigation LOCATION: Plainfield, WI HOMETOWN: Plainfield, WI TIME IN PRESENT POSITION: 1 year, 3 months, and 19 years as co-owner PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Mom and teacher, daycare provider, waitress and hostess, bean sampler, rock picker, and seed cutting and potato harvest SCHOOLING: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a special education and early childhood minor from University of WisconsinSuperior (2018) and a master’s degree in special education (May 2021) ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), former Pop Warner Football chairperson, former youth baseball area coordinator, Saint Paul Catholic Church AWARDS/HONORS: Six-time Zimmatic Top 40 dealership (twoyear award), Top FieldNET Advisor Sales (2018), Top Precision Pump Sales and Zimmatic Circle of Excellence Gold Dealership FAMILY: Our children, Chase (25), Lindsay (23), Dawson (21) and Preston Knutson (17) HOBBIES: Hiking, kayaking, 4-wheeling and exploring the beauty that God has given us 8

BC�T April

Irrigation sales and farming have been in the Knutson blood for years. Ralph Knutson, father of Jerry Knutson, who sadly passed away in a snowmobile accident, December 2019, sold water reels and parts for years, all while he expanded the family farm.

“Jerry always held his father’s legacy close and wanted to follow in his practices,” says Kathy Jo Knutson, owner and president of Oasis Irrigation and Jerry’s widow.

Jerry’s brother sold irrigation in the South and was a guide in opening and running the irrigation business.

“Jerry shared his passion for quality products and helping farmers farm for the future with many people, including the kids,” Kathy Jo says.

“The boys worked with Jerry on the farm, so when new products became available, they were one of the first to use them.”

Oasis Irrigation started out, in 2000, with Jerry and four employees.

They were located at the farm office, which proved to be a great opportunity and location to start the business.

Jerry put an addition on the shop and started an inventory shed.

LARGE SHOWROOM “This worked out well for years,” Kathy Jo remarks. “In 2012, Jerry purchased the current location on 5th Avenue, in Plainfield, and moved from the small office to a large showroom with a more convenient location.”

“He was proud of his business and employees and what he had grown,” Kathy Jo says.

The new location brought better visibility and increased sales, as well as the opportunity to have a showroom and display some of the new products.

“I take great pride in a multigenerational business,” Kathy Jo says.

“It warms my heart to know that my boys are tilling the same soil that their grandfather did. The farm and irrigation business have always been a priority in our lives.”

The Knutson kids have worked on the farm since they could reach the pedals, sometimes younger and with more ease than Kathy Jo says she was comfortable with.

“Not too many people get the opportunity to work alongside a family member such as a dad or grandfather, and I know that it means the world to my kids,” she states.

How has the business evolved or changed in the year-plus since Jerry’s passing, and how have you Above: Kathy Jo Knutson says she takes great pride in the multi-generational business, Oasis Irrigation of Plainfield, Wisconsin, her late husband, Jerry, started.

managed to carry on? I have been so blessed with outstanding employees.

Jerry had a well-oiled machine, and the transition has had its ups and downs, but the employees have been a great support and resource.

Prior to Jerry’s passing, I was at the office maybe a dozen times over the years.

By April 2020, I was able to go to the office daily and was really able to get a feel for the business.

I continued to ask questions, and by summer, I was working late shifts and solo Saturdays. The business hasn’t changed. We still have a quality product with a quality service department.

Is the business as strong as it has ever been? The business is running strong due to a great team and support from our customers. I am sure a year ago each of them asked, “What is going to happen to Oasis Irrigation?” I know I asked the same question, and I can tell you that it is not going anywhere.

Jerry laid out a plan that he did not share with many, and it has been up to us to figure it out. While the team lost its leader, we still have so much

Above: The Oasis Irrigation crew spans out a new corner pivot, July 23, 2020, at B&B Legacy Farms in Wautoma, Wisconsin.

to build from: a quality product with eminent service.

Are your main products still Zimmatic pivots and FieldNET by Lindsay? Is it a solid brand to build a dealership business around?

Lindsay has become the leader in the technology of irrigation. From the use continued on pg. 10

What is your one takeaway that you have learned most about the business, community and ag industry? The ag industry is a fabulous business to be part of. The people are more like family, and it is a culture that can’t be explained until you experience it.

Farmers from all over the area have continued to reach out to me and the kids. I knew that, when I married a farmer, I married a unique person and breed. They are so dedicated to the land and families that live around them.

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9

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

of FieldNET Advisor to VRI (variable rate irrigation) to remote access of the center pivot, Lindsay has led the way to bigger and better things.

We are excited to release the first Lindsay Smart Pivot this summer that will combine all the latest technology.

Above: Among Oasis Irrigation’s Zimmatic by Lindsay offerings are drop-nozzle irrigation systems and controllers such as the new 712C model featuring a 12-inch interactive touchscreen that operates much like a smartphone.

What are some of your other product lines and products?

• High and low impact sprinklers • Micro Rain water reels • Precision pumps • A full line of polypropylene liquid

fertilizer (Banjo brand) •R aven Sprayer parts and nozzles •B lack steel, steel and aluminum pipe and fittings • NFTrax and Raaft tires continued on pg. 12

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 10

How is technology changing the irrigation business? Technology has made farming efficient and productive. I remember the days when farmers would get up at the crack of dawn and drive around to every field, stopping in the pivot lanes to see if the irrigators were still moving.

This task took up a huge amount of time and wear and tear on the equipment. Now farmers can do this from their phones over their cups of coffee.

If there is a problem, such as a machine getting stuck in a muddy area, the grower will get an alert to let him know so that he can address the problem before it gets any worse.

A grower can do all that same checking in just a few minutes by looking at the FieldNET app on his phone.

Technology is also helping to save valuable resources such as water.

Newer technologies, like VRI, help to put the precise amount of water exactly where it is needed, which also saves such resources as water and electricity.

To take it a step further, with FieldNET Advisor, growers can now track moisture levels of their fields, which helps them decide when and how much to irrigate, ultimately helping to increase their yields.

Above: Kathy Jo Knutson (far right) says she’s extremely proud of her Oasis Irrigation employees, who are, from left to right, Dawson Knutson, Arturo Alejo, Daniel Kemnetz, Jon Wilson, Cheryl King and Corey Hilpipre.

Left: Oasis Irrigation’s first installation of the new FieldNET Pivot Watch was for a good customer, Corey Bula of Bula Land Company. Kathy Jo Knutson says the unit was easy to install, inexpensive and a good way to monitor the position of an irrigation system in the field.

12 BC�T April

Left: Bula-Gieringer Farms dropped off its Precision Fertigation pumps to be serviced and winterized by Oasis Irrigation. Dawson Knutson, the Oasis Irrigation pump man, took care of them, with the pumps lined up and ready for the next farm season.

Right: Lindsay Irrigation was honored, in 2019, with an AE50 Award for the FieldNET Pivot Watch, the manufacturer’s new remote monitoring solution. Presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, the AE50 Award recognizes each year’s most innovative designs in engineering products or systems for the food and agriculture industry.

The next generation of center pivots will have on-board sensors to monitor things like tire pressure, gearbox and center drive motor performance, and more.

This will help the machine selfdiagnose problems so that they can be fixed before affecting the operation of the system.

Sensors will also be used to monitor crop health and help growers make

decisions so they can grow a better crop and increase yields, all while saving time and money.

What are the newest tools and technologies of the trade? Lindsay considers itself to be the innovation and technology leader in the center pivot irrigation industry, so the company is constantly coming out with new products that save time and money for our customers, while

making them more productive.

One of the biggest problems that our customers face is flat tires on their systems. They are never happy when they have to fix a flat tire in the middle of a corn field in the heat of the season.

To solve this problem, Lindsay has developed a tire that never goes flat called the NFTrax, with the “NF” continued on pg. 14

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BC�T April 13

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 13

“I knew that, when I married a farmer, I married a unique person and breed.

They are so dedicated to the land and families that live around them.”

– Kathy Jo Knutson standing for “Never Flat.”

In addition to never going flat, this wheel also reduces rutting in the field and helps the machines to have better traction in muddy areas.

Again, all of this saves our customers time and money in the long run, which ultimately makes them more productive.

On the FieldNET side, one of the newest products that Lindsay has come out with is the Pivot Watch.

The Pivot Watch is a low-cost option, which monitors the position of a system in the field.

So, it will tell the grower where the machine is in the field, and it will let them know if it stops unexpectedly or is not doing what it is supposed to be doing.

Again, it is low cost at about $300 per unit, and the grower can install it 14 BC�T April

Above: Oasis Irrigation sponsored a hole at the WPVGA Associate Division’s 20th Annual Putt-Tato Open, July 14, 2020. In the first image, from left to right, Lindsay Knutson, Cheryl King and Oasis Irrigation owner Kathy Knutson stood ready and waiting to enjoy a few games of life-size Jenga with golfers who had a chance to win beverages, T-shirts and hats. Just like in the game of Jenga, and as the Zimmatic By Lindsay sign reads, “Life is Full of Strategic Moves. What Will Your Move Be?”

himself because Pivot Watch is solar powered and does not tie into the wiring of the system.

services entrances. He has also taken over the role of setting up jobs and assigning the daily tasks.

The difference between it and other FieldNET products is that the Pivot Watch is a monitor-only solution, so you can’t do things like start or stop the system with it.

Corey Hilpipre is my head salesperson. He has done a great job leading the group by meeting with farmers and offering them the quality products we sell and service.

But our customers have told us that is exactly what they need in certain circumstances where the cost of full control is too much to justify, such as for machines on rented ground, or as an entry level product for customers who might want to give remote monitoring a try.

Cheryl King is my parts manager.

Her focus is maintaining inventory, along with other daily tasks, and she has also picked up some administration roles in addition to showing me how to navigate the computers and inventory.

How many employees do you have, and what are their roles? I currently have five employees with the mindset of hiring two more.

Dan Kemnetz is my master electrician who handles our daily service and

Jon Wilson is my technology specialist whose main job is FieldNET technology and helping farmers troubleshoot technical issues. He also is an outstanding fabricator and does well hook-ups.

Arturo Alejo is my jack of all trades

and will do what it takes to get the jobs done.

My son, Dawson, was searching for his spot in the business. This summer he became our precision pump man and helped the service team when needed, and he has shown interest in continuing to grow in the area of sales and service.

Speaking of service, what services do you offer before, during and after the sale? We offer a dedicated approach to serving our customers.

We start out with field mapping, measuring and designing of the field to make sure we are maximizing their water patterns.

We have a dedicated service team and an array of parts and knowledge on hand. We have extended service hours to minimize down time and will continue to offer our customers fieldtested ideas in partnership with K&K Farms.

Are potato and vegetable growers

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.

your main customers? We service and sell products to vegetable growers all over the state. We have a few potato seed farmers in Antigo and sod farmers to the south.

However, the company’s focus is big and small vegetable farms in Central Wisconsin. The pivots circle anything from canning crops to potatoes to continued on pg. 16

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 15

cabbage and grains. We work with an extremely diverse group of people and products.

Will the business continue to grow and evolve? The business has to continue to grow. Jerry used to say, “If you’re not getting bigger, you’re getting smaller.”

The business will grow with the times. However, as anyone who works in the ag industry knows, it is a tough business to plan for. So much of our growth depends on the success of the farmer. Mother Nature can be our best friend or worst enemy.

Are you proud of what you’ve accomplished in your year or more at the helm? I am very proud of what we have accomplished this past year. When God changes your life in such a huge way, you really have two choices—sit around and feel sorry for

yourself or put on your big girl pants and conquer the day.

For years, my focus had been taking care of the family, and Jerry took care of the business. When he passed, I had to do both.

Chase, our oldest son, took the bull by the horns and continued the legacy of K&K Farms. He did what needed to be done with the help of his youngest brother, Preston. They grew a bountiful crop and kept things moving forward.

Dawson and I, along with the team at Oasis Irrigation, did the same. Early on, I reached out to many of Jerry’s past business partners and close friends, and they shared many ideas and strategies with me.

I was able to get a general idea of how things needed to proceed. The team at Oasis moved forward and

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16 BC�T April

Left: Be careful out there and have a safe and healthy season.

Above: Shown is one of two irrigation systems delivered on a frosty morning, February 11, 2021, with Oasis Irrigation having six more yet to build in spring of this year.

supported each other and have continued to aid in the success of the business.

Anything I have missed, Kathy Jo, that you’d like to add? Life brings many challenges, many that cannot be imagined. Do not let those challenges define who you are.

When Jerry left my side, I could have become this angry selfless person who didn’t value the life I had left.

But I was reminded to keep true to who I am.

I am a strong individual who was brought up by some pretty awesome parents. They taught me to conquer the day, and when I put my name on something, it holds meaning and truth.

I have always been a faith-driven person; my faith didn’t start in a church, but rather with my relationship with God. It is through Him and Jerry’s spirit that I continue to find the strength to live my life with meaning and purpose.

“Lord lead me, guide me and strengthen me each day.”

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Healthy Grown Meets Current Sustainability Demand Potato growers stress that retail customers and consumers care about food origins

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater “The Wisconsin Healthy Grown program brings awareness to what we as potato farmers do every day to be stewards of the land,” says Christine Lindner, marketing manager for Alsum Farms & Produce.

its inception, in 1996. The grower, shipper and packer from Friesland, Wisconsin, highlights the Healthy Grown program and commitment to sustainable farming in its marketing messages to customers.

“It creates a brand for eco-friendly Wisconsin grown potatoes and communicates our commitment to consumers that they are getting a product that is grown in a sustainable manner,” she stresses.

“We have also utilized the Healthy Grown promotional and merchandising materials to help educate Wisconsin consumers and elevate sales at retail,” Lindner explains.

Alsum Farms has been a part of the Healthy Grown program since

She says, fundamentally, one of greatest benefits of Healthy Grown

18 BC�T April

Above: Potatoes are harvested on Wysocki Produce Farm. Photo courtesy of Mark Weinhold, Harmann Studios

is it gives potato farmers a cohesive stewardship story to tell business partners and government officials at state and local levels.

The Healthy Grown program provides a framework and formalized way to capture what many potato growers are already doing.

As more customers implement “Corporate Responsibility” initiatives, they look to their partner suppliers, Lindner details, for formalized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans, and pollinator and sustainability programs that are being conducted on farms.

CORRELATES WITH IPM PLANS Rod Gumz of Gumz Muck Farms, Endeavor, Wisconsin, says, “Healthy

Grown makes us put on paper what we are already doing with our IPM plans.”

“I feel relationships with neighbors, community leaders and legislators are important,” Gumz adds. “Laws and regulations can make producing the crop difficult and costly.”

“Healthy Grown is a standard that portrays a positive perception of agriculture,” he reasons. “For me, it does not help sell the crop. I feel it helps me produce the crop.”

Alsum Farms & Produce is committed to using responsible growing and handling practices to produce the freshest quality potatoes while reducing its environmental footprint.

“We hill potatoes in rows to create the ideal growing environment. Our scout carefully inspects the fields and recommends the use of pesticides when necessary,” Lindner says.

A proud grower of Healthy Grown potatoes and onions (shown here), Rod Gumz of Gumz Muck Farms says he doesn’t want to lose the empathy many people have towards hardworking farmers who provide food for the world. “We have to portray agriculture in the best light in order to continue doing what we are doing,” Gumz says.

“When we do use crop protection products, we spray low to the ground, making it safer for employees and as environmentally friendly as possible,” she states.

Minimum tillage and soil conservation practices help round out Alsum Farms’ commitment to the environment.

“We use irrigation only when necessary to conserve water.

At the production facility, our water recycling program is an example of our commitment to the environment,” Lindner says.

APPLYING PRACTICES “We are committed to applying Healthy Grown practices on all planted acreage on our farm,” she notes.

In the early 1990’s, the Wisconsin continued on pg. 20

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BC�T April 19

Healthy Grown Meets Current Sustainability Demand continued from pg. 19

Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and the University of Wisconsin (UW)Madison began looking at ways to advance the industry’s conservation and sustainability standards.

Crane Foundation and the Defenders of Wildlife to establish the Wisconsin Eco-Potato partnership.

The result was a new brand launched, in 2002, and a sustainable standard for growing potatoes—Healthy Grown.

In 1996, the WPVGA partnered with the World Wildlife Fund and later joined forces with the International

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Above: Shown are an Alsum Farms potato field nearing full bloom, in Arena, Wisconsin, and a pollinator project and Healthy Grown sign at the farm. Potato field photo courtesy of Beau Hartline, Alsum Farms & Produce

program is designed by growers, ecologists and conservationists to meet consumer demand for products that restore and conserve the lands we farm,” states Tim Huffcutt, vice president of sales and marketing operations for RPE, Inc., Bancroft, Wisconsin, the marketing arm of Wysocki Family of Companies.

Healthy Grown, he points out, uses less-invasive ways to manage pests and plants while restoring natural ecosystems, preventing erosion, supporting native plants and animals and conserving water.

“By supporting participating farmers in the Healthy Grown program, customers show that they care about the same things their shoppers care about—the people and the land,” Huffcutt stresses.

SUSTAINABILITY VISIONS To Huffcutt, the Wisconsin Healthy Grown program directly meets customers’ sustainability visions and

goals by restoring and conserving resources in a measurable and visible way.

“The brand symbolizes the farmers’ commitment to hold themselves to a higher, certified standard for land use,” he says.

“The key,” Huffcutt notes, “is to simplify the story and message for customers and consumers alike.

Now more than ever, people want to understand the origin of the food they are feeding their families.”

“Shoppers care about the back stories involving farmers’ responsible growing practices, including water and land management,” he says.

Much of what Wisconsin farmers and the UW Extension office developed 20-plus years ago provided the basics, Huffcutt details, for the Potato

Sustainability Alliance, an initiative that launched in 2009. continued on pg. 22

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Healthy Grown Meets Current Sustainability Demand continued from pg. 21

“Our Healthy Grown program was perhaps 10 years ahead of its time and is now the kind of documented responsible farming practices routinely expected by retail customers and their suppliers,” he says.

Huffcutt mentions some of the catch phrases and practices that

have become expected by retailers: audit readiness, product traceability, regulatory compliance and social responsibility, among others.

MODEL FOR GROWERS In addition, he notes, the cooperation between the UW Extension office and Wisconsin farmers is a decades-long partnership that continues to serve

as a model for growers and landgrant universities in other areas of the country.

Huffcutt adds that Wysocki Produce Farm and RPE, Inc. have partnered with and hired researchers in the Healthy Grown program.

Lindner says Alsum Farms & Produce similarly values the role researchers play in the program.

“We are fortunate to have a great relationship and partnership with the UW Extension staff and they provide excellent support and are always looking to improve our best practices as farmers and environmentalists,” Lindner remarks.

“As farmers, we understand that the land we farm is the source of life, food and jobs,” she stresses, “and it is our responsibility and opportunity to preserve and care for the land and environment.”

Healthy Grown opens dialogue and promotes good neighbor and community relations with local citizens who see participating farmers’ commitments to land stewardship.

Lindner says she believes the Healthy Grown brand could be a greater point of differentiation in the marketplace if most of Wisconsin’s fresh potato acres were certified under the program.

PROGRAM ADOPTION “Alsum Farms is one of the original members of the group that created Healthy Grown,” she states. “We encourage other Wisconsin potato growers to adopt the program.”

Huffcutt adds that it is important to sell the program to more than just the grower and buyer. “Sell the program as a partner in the retailer’s success in meeting the needs of their shoppers first,” he suggests.

“Make sure to share the message continued on pg. 24

22 BC�T April

Why Growers Should Be Part of the Wisconsin Healthy Grown® Program The Wisconsin Healthy Grown® program works to advance growers’ use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to efficiently manage inputs, and enhance ecosystem conservation efforts by certifying under the Healthy Grown® potato, onion and carrot standards. Healthy Grown standards promote agricultural sustainability and enhance environmental farming systems. This helps to position Wisconsin growers to capture the expanding consumer demand for sustainably grown produce in the marketplace.

Healthy Grown® Grower Benefits

Healthy Grown® Certification Requirements

Increased public recognition and public relations on local and national levels

Healthy Grown Standard assessment: Includes multiple sections of farm and production management, IPM details, records and sustainability measurement assessments.

New practice adoption leading to long-term risk avoidance of regulation and food safety audits Direct educational interactions and knowledge transfer working with University of WisconsinMadison faculty Improved and streamlined documentation for supply chain sustainability requirements Ability to promote direct farm and regional benefits to neighbors, local communities and marketing of farm(s) Enriched personnel ethic of environmental stewardship sustainability and land management to help with messaging of changing farm landscape Encourages better market perception and advantage in marketplace The entire industry benefits from the ecologically sound program and positive aspects of Healthy Grown®.

The scope of the program fits markets looking for food grown under systems with key criteria for sustainability – including new terms such as resilient agriculture, food security, healthy and sound ecosystems, green production systems, stewardship and regenerative production systems.

IPM Planning Protocol Form: Specific details related to their integrated weed, disease, and insect management programs. Plan reviewed by UWExtension specialists (Jed Colquhoun, Russ Groves and Amanda Gevens).

Long-Term and Annual Ecological Restoration Plans: Work with ecology specialists to prioritize conservation actions on their privately owned, non-agricultural land.

Healthy Grown® encourages education between growers and University of Wisconsin – Madison specialists. This individualized interaction and educational process has proven to be very successful and valuable to the industry. Growers are able to store documents in an online portal which simplifies certification in future years. Growers receive help in filling out forms and finalizing documentation needs.

For more information, contact: Deana Knuteson, UW-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program (dknuteson@wisc.edu, 608-347-8236)

Healthy Grown Meets Current Sustainability Demand continued from pg. 22

with produce directors, category managers and marketers within your partner organization to ensure a greater level of success,” Huffcutt emphasizes.

Gumz agrees, adding, “I am not sure that the goal of the program should be premium sales anymore, but instead keeping farmers and agriculture in a positive light.”

“The younger generations look at things differently,” Gumz remarks.

“Many have no ties to agriculture.

I don’t want to lose the empathy many people have towards the hardworking farmers that provide food for the world.”

“We have to portray agriculture in the best light in order to continue doing what we are doing,” he says.

“Perception influences who wants

“As farmers, we understand that the land we farm is the source of life, food and jobs. It is our responsibility and opportunity to preserve and care for the land and environment.”

– Christine Lindner, Alsum Farms & Produce

to work for you, who your customers are and who writes and enforces the laws that affect growers.”

Gumz concludes, “Being part of Healthy Grown is a tool that helps communicate to everyone that we are good farmers and good stewards of the land.”

If you are interested in certifying your potatoes, onions or carrots, sign up now and review the updated Healthy Grown standard and certification process. For details, contact Julie Braun and the WPVGA office, jbraun@wisconsinpotatoes.com or 715-623-7683.

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Tlingit Potato Enjoys Revival in Southeast Alaska Genetic testing shows Tlingit potatoes are unrelated to European cultivars

By Tim Lydon, article reprinted with permission from Hakai Magazine, https://www.hakaimagazine.com The Tlingit potato is a tasty and genetically distinct fingerling that Indigenous people have grown along the southeast coast of Alaska for at

least two centuries.

Its journey to Alaska, whether by European explorers or along much older Indigenous trade routes, is a matter of debate. But its current revival is clear.

After fading from widespread use in the 20th century, these and other potatoes that have carefully been tended by Indigenous peoples are reappearing on dinner plates along the Alaskan coast.

This is welcome news to David Kanosh. For the past two years, the Tlingit storyteller and member of the Sitka tribe of Alaska has provided a traditional land acknowledgment at the community garden, which abuts the U.S. Forest Service office in Sitka.

26 BC�T April

“Growing this potato shows the Tlingit culture is still here among us,” Kanosh says. “We are not forgetting.”

Like the Yukon Golds favored by many North Americans, Tlingit potatoes sport yellowish skins. But the similarities end there.

The Tlingits have slender, knobby bodies that are often pocked with deep eyes. Slice one lengthwise and its uneven shape may resemble the indented shorelines of Southeast Alaska’s rugged islands.

BANANA & WALNUT SIZED A large Tlingit potato can rival a banana in length, but the spud often runs smaller.

Naturalist John Muir, who stopped by several Tlingit villages during an 1879 Above: High school students harvest Tlingit potatoes from a community garden that sits outside of the U.S. Forest Service office in Sitka, Alaska. Image courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service.

Left: The Tlingit potato is enjoying a revival in Southeast Alaska, where generations of Indigenous people have tended it for at least 200 years. Image courtesy of Ari Snider/KCAW, https://www.kcaw.org/

canoe expedition, reported some the size of walnuts.

arrived via Indigenous trade routes that predated colonists.

Though the potatoes are not wellsuited for French frying, they are perfect in soups, where their creamy texture and somewhat buttery flavor complement salmon.

Tlingit oral histories support this idea, says Kanosh, as they indicate that the potatoes could have arrived thousands of years earlier, when people migrated northward along the coast to settle lands newly free of ice.

For Kanosh, they are ideal as a baked or broiled stand-alone dish.

Worldwide, potatoes are eaten by more than a billion people and are among our most important food crops. They originated in the South American Andes, where the Inca first cultivated them 8,000 years ago.

Hundreds of miles south of Sitka, on the islands of Haida Gwaii in British Columbia, the Haida potato, one of two potatoes that share similarities

with the Tlingit, was once integral to indigenous harvests, explains Marlene Liddle, a Haida cedar bark artist and teacher who shares her knowledge of traditional foods with kids.

Each spring, she says, people planted potatoes along south-facing beaches as they left winter villages to harvest seaweed, cedar bark and summer’s first salmon. continued on pg. 28

In the 16th century, Spanish explorers transported them to Europe, and over the next several centuries, farmers planted the adaptable tuber across the continent.

As they selected out desired traits and introduced the potatoes to new climates, Europeans developed hundreds of varieties that then spread across the globe, including back to the Americas.

That is the story of most potatoes North Americans eat today, but it is not the story of the Tlingit potato.

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Michelle Putz of the U.S. Forest Service in Sitka, Alaska, says, “These potatoes are really different.”

MEXICAN OR CHILEAN CULTIVARS She explains that genetic testing shows Tlingit potatoes are unrelated to European cultivars. Instead, they are kin to varieties originating in Mexico or Chile, suggesting to some researchers that they arrived from Spanish colonies in California and Mexico, or by way of European explorers traveling northward from South America.

Historical research indicates that Spanish settlers planted potatoes, in 1792, at a fort near Neah Bay in northwestern Washington, close to a Makah village that presumably adopted the spuds after the fort was abandoned.

But Putz says the potatoes may have

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Tlingit Potato Enjoys Revival in Southeast Alaska . . . continued from pg. 27

Potatoes were often planted right above the high tide, where kelp and fish bones provided rich fertilizer.

Some tending occurred, but the potatoes were largely left to flourish in the narrow margin between ocean and rainforest.

STORED IN ROOT CELLARS They were harvested during the late summer return to winter villages, carried aboard canoes in bentwood cedar boxes and later stored in root cellars.

Oral histories and archaeological evidence show similar practices of potato cultivation along thousands of kilometers of coastline from Washington’s Salish Sea to Alaska’s Kodiak Island.

But Liddle also shares a darker history.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, missionaries and government officials banned First Nations cultural activities and sent Indigenous children to residential schools, upending traditional diets.

“By not being around their parents or elders, there were generations that never learned to garden or even recognize traditional plants and fish,”

Sharing each year’s yield of potatoes from the Sitka community garden builds on a tradition of food security that has helped Tlingit people overcome past pandemics and shortages.

Image courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service

Liddle says.

Following the 1907 designation of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, rangers displaced Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian “trespassers” from traditional lands to make way for fox farmers, miners and others holding new federal permits.

SEVERED FOOD SECURITY As rangers torched salmon smokehouses and other Indigenous property, they prevented traditional harvests and severed food security along a coast rich in seasonal abundance.

Potato gardens were not spared.

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In 1921, a family from the Tlingit village of Hoonah was chased from their traditional potato patch by a rifle-toting fox farmer. The outrage that followed helped galvanize a human rights movement that eventually led to the 1971 settlement of Indigenous land claims across Alaska.

Now, in a sunny patch alongside the Forest Service office, in Sitka, Tlingit potatoes grow under the auspices of Putz and the Sitka tribe. The tubers are descended from potatoes grown for over a century by Maria Ackerman Miller’s family.

Like her Tlingit ancestors, Miller diligently selected and stored seed potatoes each fall to sprout her crop in the spring and to give away to friends for their own gardens. In this way, she helped rekindle fondness for the potato.

The same practice continues today, in Sitka, as it has since the community garden partnership began four years

While these knobby, cigar-shaped potatoes are not well-suited for French frying, they are perfect in soups, where their creamy texture and somewhat buttery flavor complement salmon. Image courtesy of Ari Snider/KCAW, https://www.kcaw.org/

ago. By sharing each year’s yield of potatoes, Kanosh says the garden builds on a tradition of food security that has helped Tlingit people overcome past pandemics and shortages.

Tlingit and Haida potatoes are newly available through Alaska’s

agriculture division.

“When we eat a Tlingit potato,” Kanosh says, “we share a meal with those who have gone before us, those with us today and those who will come after us. It’s rather transcendent.”

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People Wilcox Joins First State Bank

Treasurer of WPVGA Associate Division offers agriculture services Rich Wilcox, who currently serves as treasurer on the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Associate Division Board of Directors, joins First State Bank as vice president/agriculture and business banking officer in the Stevens Point branch.

He has since trained and worked for M&I Bank, BMO Harris Bank and Portage County Bank.

First State Bank, which also has branches in Waupaca, Manawa, Clintonville and Rudolph, is a community bank offering business and production agriculture services.

Many of its ag bankers have firsthand farming experience.

“Ag seems to be what I know and what has held my interest,” he adds.

“I like working with farmers of all kinds, but it was potato growers who I first started working with many years back and that still hold a special place in my heart.”

Having joined First State Bank in mid-October 2020, Wilcox says he specializes in “all things ag related.”

“I think First State Bank has a lot to offer potato growers and associate members, and I will strive to share that with both groups,” Wilcox remarks.

With a long history of serving area farmers and agribusinesses, First State Bank offers agricultural loans “I started in agriculture lending when and operating lines of credit, and customized solutions to fit specific Mike Hurst saw fit to hire me at needs, including: United FCS, back in 2002, after I had • Robotic Systems spent a dozen years as an agronomy • Crops plant manager in Portage County,” 21-04 Badger Common'Tater (4.7x3.5).v1.1.pdf 1 2021-03-09 8:24 AM • Livestock Wilcox relates.

Rich Wilcox is a vice president and agriculture and business banking officer for First State Bank in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

• Machinery • Farm real estate • Facility improvements/expansions • Ag consulting services • Retirement and succession planning Wilcox says he stays active in the WPVGA Associate Division because it is made up of a great group of business owners to work with and learn from, and that he has been attending association events for over 30 years now.

“I hope I can offer my knowledge, experience and dedication to farmers who I work with,” he states.

Wilcox has been married to his “better half and life partner,” Jill, for 32 years, and has two sons, Erik and Ryan.

For more information, contact Wilcox at 715-214-5368 or rwilcox@bankfirststate.com. continued on pg. 32

30 BC�T April

Calcium When you need it Where you need it

More about applying CaTs® (0-0-0-10S-6Ca) on potatoes: Calcium plays a major role in potato development and quality. An adequate calcium supply improves cell wall strength, disease resistance, shelf life, and reduces storage shrink. The efficient liquid formulation of CaTs® can supply your crop with 100% soluble calcium and Sulfur when and where you need it.

People. . .

continued from pg. 30

Krentz Elected President of Farm Bureau Federation Lynn Leahy of Heartland Farms chairs Promotion and Education Committee

Kevin Krentz was elected president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. Krentz is a dairy farmer from Berlin in Waushara County.

Krentz was first elected to the WFBF Board of Directors, in 2012, to represent District 5, which includes Adams, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Waushara and Winnebago counties.

Kevin is president of Krentz Family Dairy, Inc. He started his farming career, in 1994, when he purchased his father’s 60 cows. He grew the farm to 600 cows and 1,300 acres of crops.

Kevin and his wife, Holly, have a daughter and three sons.

Dave Daniels from Union Grove in Kenosha County was re-elected to serve as vice president of WFBF. Arch Morton Jr. of Janesville in Rock County was re-elected to a threeyear term on the Board representing District 2 (Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Rock and Sauk counties).

Joe Bragger of Independence in Buffalo County was re-elected to a three-year term on the Board representing District 4 (Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe and Trempealeau counties).

Rosie Lisowe of Chilton in Calumet County was re-elected to a three-

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Kevin Krentz, a dairy farmer from Berlin (Waushara County), has been elected president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

year term on the Board representing District 6 (Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties).

FARMERS FROM EACH DISTRICT Nine of the 11 members of the WFBF Board of Directors are farmers elected in each of Farm Bureau’s nine districts. These nine individuals also make up the Board of Directors for the Rural Mutual Insurance Company.

Rounding out the WFBF Board are the chairs of the Young Farmer and Agriculturist and Promotion and Education committees, both of which serve a one-year term on the board.

Lynn Leahy of Heartland Farms, Inc. in Waushara County was elected to a one-year term as the chair of the Promotion and Education Committee and will serve as the representative on the Board. She succeeds Darby Sampson from Jackson County.

Emily Johnson of Orfordville in Rock County was elected to a one-year term as chair of the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee and will serve as the representative on the Board. She succeeds Kelly Oudenhoven of Outagamie County as YFA Chair.

WFBF Board of Directors members who were not up for re-election include Dave Daniels of Union Grove in Kenosha County, Robert Nigh of Viroqua in Vernon County, Kevin Krentz of Berlin in Waushara County, Brian Preder of Weyauwega in Waupaca County, Ryan Klussendorf of Medford in Taylor County and Peter Kimball of Baldwin in Pierce County.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization, made up of 61 county Farm Bureaus and representing farms of all sizes, commodities and management styles.

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Above: A research agronomist with Heartland Farms, Inc., Lynn Leahy has begun her one-year term as chair of the Promotion and Education Committee for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

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WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES BC�T April 33

NPC News

Growers Attend Virtual 2021 D.C. Fly-In WPVGA members advocate for key issues affecting potato industry On February 23-25, the National Potato Council Executive Committee hosted the virtual 2021 Potato D.C. Fly-In, which brought the industry together to fulfill the council’s mission to “Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill.”

The event included a record-breaking 161 growers, including several Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) members and industry partners, who participated in virtual Capitol Hill visits with 46 members of Congress to communicate policy priorities.

In addition to thanking members of Congress for their role in supporting family potato growers by directing more than $250 million in federal aid to the industry throughout the coronavirus pandemic, policy priorities included: • Aggressively pursuing trade opportunities in Mexico, China, Japan and other Trans-Pacific Partnership countries; • Including a complete agricultural labor solution in any viable immigration bill that can be enacted during this Congress;

During the 2021 Virtual Potato D.C. Fly-In, February 23-25, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) addressed challenges and opportunities to advance the potato industry’s policy agenda.

Sen. Collins has earned a national reputation as an effective legislator who works across party lines to seek consensus on our nation’s most important issues. Over the years, she has been a staunch advocate for the U.S. potato industry and farmers, recently helping deliver millions of dollars of relief to growers across the country during the COVID-19 crisis.

• Strengthening investments in agricultural research and ensuring that healthy, affordable potatoes are treated equitably with other vegetables through the appropriations process; This includes keeping potatoes in federal nutrition programs and maintaining white potatoes on school breakfast and lunch menus.

• Enhancing the industry’s

competitiveness through reforms of transportation regulations and making necessary investments in roads, commercial seaports and related intermodal facilities in support of our domestic and international shipments; and • Critical need for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research scientist focused on development of early generation breeding stocks for Left: Several Wisconsin potato growers and industry professionals met with Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (lower left, R-WI) during the Virtual 2021 D.C. Fly-In. On the screen with Rep. Fitzgerald, clockwise from top left, are newly elected NPC Board member Eric Schroeder; active NPC Past President Larry Alsum; Tamas Houlihan; active NPC Past President Jim Wysocki; and NPC Board member Jeremie Pavelski. New NPC Board member Mark Finnessy and Joe Kertzman had their videos turned to the “off” mode.

34 BC�T April

public and private potato breeding success in Wisconsin and nationally.

A need arose through the recent retirement of USDA Agricultural Research Service geneticist Shelley Jansky.

Virtual D.C. Fly-In attendees also had the opportunity to hear directly from industry champions Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), as well as key staff members from the Senate Agriculture Committee such as Deputy Staff Director and Policy Director Jacqlyn Schneider and Republican Staff Director Martha Scott Poindexter.

In addition, Senior Election Analyst at the Cook Political Report, David

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) was receptive to the policy priorities expressed

by Wisconsin potato growers and industry professionals during the 2021 Virtual D.C. Fly-In.

Newly elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Tom Tiffany (R-WI) seemed genuinely glad to meet with his Wisconsin constituents to discuss the needs of the potato industry.

Wasserman, joined to provide his expert analysis of the current political

environment and what it might mean for NPC’s policy agenda.

Potato Growers Select 2021 NPC Leaders On Monday, February 22, at its 2021 Annual Meeting, held virtually due to travel restrictions, Dominic LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine, was elected to serve as 2021 NPC President of the grower-led organization’s Executive Committee.

“Thanks to the hard work of NPC and our state partners, our industry is on better footing today than we could have imagined during the pandemic’s darkest times,” said NPC President LaJoie in his address at the Annual Meeting.

“The industry’s consistent, relentless focus and coordinated response that helped deliver more than $250 million in federal pandemic relief will serve as a model as we take on the policy challenges facing NPC and the industry as a whole,” LaJoie remarked.

“I’m honored to take on this new role fighting for the industry,” he said, “as the nation continues to open up and people get back to work.”

LaJoie is a fourth-generation potato grower and partner of LaJoie Growers, LLC, which operates throughout Aroostook County, Maine. He

previously served the NPC Board as first vice president and vice president of the Environmental Affairs Committee.

As president, LaJoie will host the 2021 NPC Summer Meeting, July 27-30, in Presque Isle, Maine. The Executive Committee holds office for one calendar year.

NPC delegates also approved: • Jared Balcom of Pasco, Washington, as first vice president and vice president of the Trade Affairs Committee; • R.J. Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho, as vice president of the Legislative Affairs Committee; • Bob Mattive of Monte Vista, Colorado, as vice president of the Environmental Affairs Committee; • Ben Sklarczyk of Johannesburg, Michigan, as vice president of the Finance Committee; and • Ted Tschirky of Pasco, Washington, as vice president of the Grower Outreach and Industry Research Committee.

Dominic LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine, was elected 2021 NPC President of the growerled organization’s Executive Committee.

The 2020 President, Britt Raybould of Rexburg, Idaho, will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as the immediate past president.

New Wisconsin NPC Board members are Mark Finnessy of Okray Family Farms, Plover, and Eric Schroeder of Schroeder Bros. Farms, Antigo.

Jeremie Pavelski of Heartland Farms, Inc., Hancock, also currently serves on the NPC Board of Directors.

BC�T April 35

New Products

Reinke Provides Precision Irrigation

SAC VRI prescriptions are easy to create and eliminate grower time and expense Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, introduces a patent-pending technology to increase variable rate irrigation (VRI) efficiency for swing arm corners (SAC)—SAC VRI. Growers in the United States and Canada will further benefit from the user-friendly Reinke Precision Management (RPM) Preferred Touch or Annex PF (preferred) panels and their ability to upload and store several prescriptions, providing them with the opportunity to save both time and money.

Used on the whole irrigation system, VRI can segment water application into more than 300,000 zones, which growers may optimize over time.

A predictive prescription is provided for SAC VRI to maximize yield based on results of swing arm corner tests across numerous fields.

This latest irrigation innovation from Reinke has performed well in field tests, enabling growers to apply the highest probable prescription for a swing arm corner path. That uniform water application increases yield potential while eliminating the expense for outside sources to create and adjust prescriptions.

“We believe this is the most advanced and easiest to use swing arm corner in the industry,” says Reinke President Chris Roth. “It takes quite a bit of work to develop highly effective irrigation technology that is

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“But our team at Reinke is dedicated to making sure producers can save time when they use our precision irrigation products in their operations,” Roth explains.

SAC VRI is available on all new swing arm corner configurations.

Visit www.reinke.com/variable-rate to learn more about variable rate irrigation, SAC VRI and to find a Reinke dealer in your area.

About Reinke With hundreds of dealers in more than 40 countries, Reinke Manufacturing is the world’s largest privately held manufacturer of center pivot and lateral-move irrigation systems.

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36 BC�T April

also easy for growers to use.”

Reinke is a continued leader in industry advancements as the first to incorporate GPS (global positioning system) satellite-based communications and touchscreen panel capabilities into mechanized irrigation system management.

For more information on Reinke or to locate a dealership, visit www.reinke.com or call 402-365-7251.

Hortau Offers New Generation Tensiometer

Extended Range Sensor allows growers to closely manage deficit irrigation programs Almost a decade and a half after introducing its first of many patents, Hortau again brings to market an innovative solution: the 1k Extended Range Sensor.

This new generation of tensiometer operates at up to 1,000 kPa (1,000 times the unit of pressure and stress in the meter-kilogram-second system), allowing growers to closely manage deficit irrigation programs, 9/6/2019 carefully track tension levels in arid conditions and continuously monitor the health of their plants.

Tensiometers are tried-and-true tools for measuring soil tension, which is a direct measurement of the amount of available water in the soil.

Historically, tensiometers have been filled with water, which tends to empty in arid conditions. Hortau’s

9/6/2019

1k Extended Range Sensor is unique because it features a patent-pending polymer that does not dry out, eliminating the need for refills and allowing for continuous reporting of field conditions.

POWERFUL NEW TOOL “We are excited to be able to offer this powerful new tool to our customers. One of the only limitations of tensiometers has been Fastline Wisconsin Farm, Edition 10 2019 - Fastline Online Editions their tendency to empty when a field is dry for an extended period,” says Hortau Chief Executive Officer Jocelyn Boudreau.

“Our team wanted to improve this and provide growers with highquality data in a broader range of conditions,” Boudreau states. “After years of research, development

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continued on pg. 38

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New Products. . .

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and field testing, we are confident that the 1k Sensor will provide our customers with a new level of clarity and eliminate the need for sensor refills.”

New regulations and market pressures make it increasingly beneficial to plan irrigations with the help of field data.

As pointed out by Jeremy Otto, Hortau vice president of sales, “As growers look for efficiency gains to help address labor shortages, the goals of SGMA [Sustainable Groundwater Management Act] and the rising cost of energy, having the right tools to determine when to water can make all the difference.”

Growers using Hortau’s irrigation management service can better anticipate water-related stress and plan irrigations. As a result, unnecessary irrigations are

eliminated, and water, nutrients and energy are used more efficiently.

About Hortau Hortau is a North American leader in wireless and web-based irrigation management systems. The company was founded, in 2002, by two agriculturally minded entrepreneurs: Dr. Jean Caron, an agronomist with a Ph.D. in soil physics, and Jocelyn Boudreau, an agricultural engineer with a Master of Science degree in soil physics.

Hortau’s award winning patented irrigation management solutions help growers detect crop stress, ensuring optimal production while reducing water use, energy consumption and environmental impact.

In addition to Canadian headquarters in Lévis, Quebec, Canada, and U.S. headquarters in San Luis Obispo, California, Hortau has representatives and technicians throughout North America.

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FITS TO A The Perfect Fit for CPB Control With Torac Insecticide, you get control of Colorado Potato Beetle and a broad spectrum of other troublesome pests including aphids, psyllids, leafhoppers, and thrips.

Torac works quickly causing rapid feeding cessation, and it is effective on all life stages of target pests. Additionally, the unique mode of action of Torac makes it an excellent rotational option to manage pest resistance in potato, onion, and vegetable crops. With all this, you’ll want to fit Torac in your CPB spray program this season.

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PepsiCo Pledges Net-Zero Emissions by 2040 Company doubles down on climate goal of building a more resilient and sustainable food system On January 14, 2021, PepsiCo, Inc. announced plans to more than double its science-based climate goal, targeting a reduction of absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by more than 40 percent by 2030.

The parent company of Frito-Lay brand has pledged to achieve netzero emissions by 2040, one decade earlier than called for in the Paris Agreement.

Several Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) members are contracted processing potato growers for Frito-Lay brand and PepsiCo. Specifically, PepsiCo plans to reduce absolute GHG emissions across its direct operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 75 percent and its indirect value chain (Scope 3) by 40 percent by 2030 (2015 baseline).

This action is expected to result in the reduction of more than 26 million metric tons of GHG emissions or the

40 BC�T April

equivalent of taking more than five million cars off the road for a full year.

“The severe impacts from climate change are worsening, and we must accelerate the urgent systemic changes needed to address it,” says PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta.

“Climate action is core to our business as a global food and beverage leader and propels our PepsiCo Positive Journey to deliver positive outcomes for the planet and people,” Laguarta remarks.

AMBITIOUS CLIMATE GOAL “Our ambitious climate goal will guide us on the steep but critical path forward,” he adds. “There is simply no other option but immediate and aggressive action.”

PepsiCo’s sustainability strategy, informed by leading science-based measures and cost-benefit analysis, focuses on areas where it can have the most impact, while creating scalable models and partnerships for

Through a network of Demonstration Farms, PepsiCo is working with farmers in diverse growing regions around the world to show that sustainable technologies and practices can be more efficient and profitable for growers. Here, potatoes are harvested at a PepsiCo Demonstration Farm in Thailand.

accelerated progress across the full value chain.

The company’s emissions target aligns to the Business Ambition pledge of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative as the most ambitious designation available through their process.

“We congratulate PepsiCo on setting an emissions reduction target consistent with limiting

warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement,” says Nate Aden, senior associate at World Resources Institute, one of the Science Based Targets initiative partners.

“Companies have a vital role to play in driving down global emissions, and it is encouraging to see major players, such as PepsiCo, taking ambitious action,” Aden states.

PepsiCo’s action plan is centered around mitigation, reducing GHG emissions to decarbonize its operations and supply chain, and resilience, reducing vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change by continuing to incorporate climate risk into business continuity plans.

With operations in more than 200 countries and territories around the world and approximately 260,000 employees, the company’s emissions reduction plan will be comprehensive across priority areas such as agriculture, packaging, distribution and operations.

Frito-Lay North America facility in Modesto, California, the company aims to maximize efficiency in its supply chain, while also adopting zero- and near-zero-emission technologies.

• PepsiCo is implementing innovative business processes that enable GHG emissions mitigation, such as its “Sustainable from the Start” program, which puts environmental impact decision-making at the

heart of product design.

Additionally, two internal carbon pricing programs, one aimed at eliminating the carbon impact of employee business air travel and another at building carbon impact into carrier selection for third party logistics in North America, will help further reinforce climate considerations in PepsiCo’s business decisions. continued on pg. 42

continued on pg. 52

• With agriculture accounting for approximately one quarter of worldwide GHG emissions and one third of PepsiCo’s emissions, the company will further scale sustainable agriculture and regenerative practices that help lead to emissions reduction and sequestration, as well as improved soil health and biodiversity, decreased deforestation and increased productivity for farmers.

This includes expanding the company’s global network of Demonstration Farms, which provide localized training and tools to implement sustainable practices and improve livelihoods.

• PepsiCo will lower GHG emissions impact with a continued drive to reduce virgin plastic use and increase recycled content in its packaging.

• Through the implementation and upgrading of environmentally sustainable manufacturing, warehousing, transportation and distribution sites, similar to the BC�T April 41

PepsiCo Pledges Net-Zero Emissions by 2040. . . continued from pg. 41

PepsiCo has finalized agreements with renewable energy company Ørsted for two new wind projects in Texas and Nebraska that will address nearly a quarter of the company’s total U.S. electricity needs.

• From Lay’s to Pepsi and Quaker to Tropicana, more and more PepsiCo brands are being made using electricity from a mix of renewable energy sources. o In 2020, PepsiCo met its target to source 100 percent renewable electricity in the United States and set a new target to source 100 percent renewable electricity across all of its company-owned and controlled operations globally, by 2030, and across its entire franchise and third-party operations by 2040. o PepsiCo is also expected to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity in Mexico and Australia, in 2021, which will bring the total number

“PepsiCo’s climate ambition is at the very heart of accelerating our global sustainability progress, and we are using our scale and reach to build a more sustainable and regenerative global food system.”

– Jim Andrew, chief sustainability officer, PepsiCo

of countries fully sourcing renewable energy in the company’s direct operations to 15.

Such will address approximately 60 percent of PepsiCo’s direct global electricity needs through renewable sources.

Twelve countries in PepsiCo’s Europe sector already source 100 percent renewable electricity. o PepsiCo continues to support the growth of new renewable energy generation capacity through power purchase agreements.

The company has finalized agreements with renewable energy company Ørsted for two new wind projects in Texas and Nebraska

that will address nearly a quarter of PepsiCo’s total U.S. electricity needs.

“Our climate ambition is at the very heart of accelerating our global sustainability progress, and we are using our scale and reach to build a more sustainable and regenerative global food system,” says Jim Andrew, chief sustainability officer, PepsiCo. “It’s long overdue that companies move beyond just minimizing their environmental impact,” he adds.

“They must actively work to improve and regenerate the planet.”

PepsiCo was recently named to CDP’s (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project’s) Climate A List and is also engaged in multiple partnerships and coalitions aimed at driving action on climate change.

The partnerships and coalitions include the One Trillion Trees initiative, The Climate Group’s RE100, Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, We Are Still In and the U.S. Climate Leadership Council.

For more on PepsiCo’s collaborative work to address climate change, visit its ESG Topics Climate page at https:// www.pepsico.com/sustainability/esgtopics-a-z#climate-change.

For more information, email pepsicomediarelations@pepsico.com.

42 BC�T April

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Now News

Compeer Financial Helps Develop Ag Workforce Farm credit cooperative commits $1.9 million to 30 post-secondary colleges

Compeer Financial, a farm credit cooperative based in the Upper Midwest, has committed $1.9 million in grants and scholarships over the next five years through its Agriculture and Rural Initiative to 30 postsecondary colleges.

The shortage of skilled workers is an ongoing challenge for farmers and other agriculture-related businesses.

Compeer Financial, an organization whose mission is enriching agriculture and rural America, is serious about addressing the problem and is putting significant financial support behind the effort.

Compeer is partnering with community and technical colleges to bolster vocational agriculture education programs and make them more accessible to young adults.

Last week, representatives from Compeer’s Fund for Rural America Board met with 30 post-secondary colleges to announce the first major gift from the Agriculture and Rural Initiative.

The $1.9 million in grants and scholarships will go toward educational training for young adults pursuing a future in agriculturalrelated careers.

The Agriculture and Rural Initiative was created by the Compeer Financial Board of Directors, in 2019, to make signature investments in programs and projects that directly address the needs of farmers and others who work in agriculture.

Compeer Financial clients often list workforce development among their highest concerns.

44 BC�T April

“The agriculture industry offers an array of career opportunities, and jobs are waiting for those with the right skills,” says John Monson, chief mission and marketing officer.

“We’re excited to work with our partners in higher education to provide opportunities for more young adults in rural communities

and enhance training programs to prepare them for a successful future in agriculture,” he states.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS Compeer’s investment will be in the form of $1.6 million in grants and $375,000 in scholarships.

Technical and community colleges

participating in the effort serve 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, making up Compeer’s territory, and have an established agriculture education program or pathway.

Colleges may use the grants for equipment and technology, student recruitment, outreach, retention and professional development, and teacher training.

Each partner college will also receive two annual $1,250 scholarships to

award to students enrolled in the school’s agriculture program or pathway over the next five years.

agriculture industry with clients who have jobs available.

In addition to extending financial support, Compeer will connect partner colleges with team members who are alumni or live in the area to serve as resources for teachers, students and advisors.

“Compeer is a strong supporter of high school programs and organizations focused on agricultural education for youth,” says Roger Newell, a trustee of the Fund for Rural America.

Through these relationships, Compeer can also be a conduit between graduates looking to put their training to work in the

“This new area of focus will help take those students with a passion for agriculture,” he notes, “and prepare them for lifelong, rewarding careers.”

Bill to Update Farmland Preservation Program Sen. Testin and Rep. Oldenburg say they have support across political spectrum Farmers and conservation advocates have reason to be enthusiastic about the recent reintroduction of a bill to update the Farmland Preservation Program. Wisconsin Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Rep. Loren Oldenburg (R-Viroqua) have authored the legislation, which is currently circulating for cosponsorship.

The bill encourages farmers to participate in the longstanding program that helps preserve farmland and safeguard soil and water by making several changes, including shortening the required length of participation and increasing the size of the tax credit. continued on pg. 46

Sen. Patrick Testin, who, along with Rep. Loren Oldenburg, introduced a bill to update the Farmland Preservation Program, is shown with his wife, Hannah, in the Spudmobile at the 2017 Irish Fest, Milwaukee. They are eliminating pesky potato beetles and other bugs on the interactive touch-screen game in the Spudmobile.

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“Since 1977, the Farmland Preservation Program has helped Wisconsin farmers be good stewards of the land,” says Sen. Testin.

“By strengthening the Farmland Preservation Program, we’re investing in the future of our farmers and environment.”

Rep. Oldenburg agrees that the bill is a win-win. “Our efforts on this legislation have attracted support from farmers, conservationists and folks from across the political spectrum,” he says. “By making this program more responsive to the

needs of farmers, we believe we’ll see better outcomes for all involved.”

By releasing this proposal early in the legislative session, Sen. Testin and Rep. Oldenburg hope to build on the bi-partisan support the bill garnered last session when it passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture unanimously.

Wisconsin Rep. Loren Oldenburg (R-Viroqua) says the reintroduction of a bill to update the Farmland Preservation Program has attracted support from farmers, conservationists and folks across the political spectrum.

McCain Foods Invests in Vertical Farms

GoodLeaf Farms launches aggressive expansion plans across Canada GoodLeaf Farms is embarking on an aggressive growth and expansion plan to build a national network of vertical farms that will bring fresh, delicious, nutritious and locally grown leafy greens to Canadians across the country.

Backed by a sizeable investment from McCain Foods Limited, which has increased its total investment in GoodLeaf to more than $65 million, GoodLeaf will bring its innovative and proprietary controlled-environment agriculture technology to more Canadian markets over the coming year, providing more consumers with year-round local food that is typically imported from the southern United States or Mexico.

“From our start in Truro to our first commercial farm in Guelph, GoodLeaf has built a strong foundation for future growth,” says Barry Murchie, chief executive officer of GoodLeaf.

“We want to be a global leader in vertical farming.”

“Our first step to accomplishing 46 BC�T April

that is ensuring we have a strong footprint in Canada, giving Canadians access to top quality, nutrient-dense, sustainably grown and pesticidefree leafy greens 365 days a year,” Murchie states.

GoodLeaf opened its first commercial vertical farm in Guelph, Ontario, in the fall of 2019. By the end of 2021, GoodLeaf is planning two more indoor vertical farms, one to serve the grocery and food service

networks in eastern Canada and one for western Canada. Exact locations will be announced shortly.

“It is our intention to build farms that support the Canadian grocery store network, food service industry and consumers,” Murchie says.

“We want to change what people are eating by providing a fresh, healthy and local alternative that, until now, hasn’t been available in Canada,” he

continues. “We are driving a new way to grow food, with disruptive technology that brings consumers leafy greens from their own backyard.

This is a fundamental game changer.”

“It is our intention to build farms that support the Canadian grocery store network, food service industry and consumers.”

– Barry Murchie

HYDROPONIC TRAYS GoodLeaf’s vertical farm grows produce on hydroponic trays stacked in multiple horizontal levels.

A proprietary system of specialized LED lights is engineered to emulate the spring sun, giving plants light they crave to maximize photosynthesis.PLANT NUTRITION PLANT NUTRITION

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•••At-Planting Compatible withmost most fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, • salt Excellent cropthat’s safety Compatible with fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, ••• Excellent crop safety and insecticides Low blend that’s seed and root safe Consistent performance across crop and soil types Utility across a broad range of crops and• insecticides and insecticides Low salt blend • Low that’s salt blend seed that’s and root seed zone andsafe root zone safe Consistent performance across crop and soil types • Utility across a broad range ofzone crops and insecticides • Low salt blend that’s seed and root zone safe and insecticides • Low salt blend that’s seed and root zone safe concerns that were in the spotlight• atConsistent Consistent performance crop soil and soil typessoil types GROWER Utility across aUtility broad rangerange ofacrops BENEFITS: BENEFITS: ••GROWER Consistent performance performance across across cropacross and crop types and • Utility across • a broad across broad of crops range of crops •GROWER Consistent performance across crop types • Utility across a broad range of crops GROWER BENEFITS: Consistent performance across crop andand soilsoil types GROWER BENEFITS: • Utility across a broad range of crops BENEFITS: GROWER BENEFITS: • Phosphate and key micros drive growth and metabolism in • ImprovesBENEFITS: nutrient availability and uptake the height of the COVID-19 pandemic FEATURES: GROWER GROWER BENEFITS: FEATURES: GROWER BENEFITS: GROWER BENEFITS: • many Phosphate andmicros key micros drive growth andmetabolism metabolism in Improves nutrient and uptake • Phosphate and key drive growth and in • Improves nutrient availability andavailability uptake GROWER BENEFITS: crops GROWER BENEFITS: •• Enhances nutrient-use efficiency Phosphate and key micros drive growth and metabolism in Improves nutrient availability and GROWER BENEFITS: GROWER GROWER BENEFITS: BENEFITS: many crops GROWER BENEFITS: GROWER GROWER BENEFITS: ••• Enhances nutrient-use efficiency ••crops Drives early season plantBENEFITS: emergence GROWER BENEFITS: GROWER BENEFITS: many as shoppers were faced with rapidly Promotes better root growth and uptake development • Enhances efficiency • Phosphate and key micros drive growth and metabolism in •nutrient-use Improves nutrient availability and uptake • Increases Phosphate and key micros drive growth and metabolism in •• Promotes Improves availability and uptake many crops Enhances nutrient nutrient-use efficiency Drives early season plant emergence • root mass and nutrient uptake • better root growth and development • Designed to enhance applied fertilizer applications • Drives• early season plant emergence • Promotes •better root growth and development and key micros drive growth and metabolism in ••••nutrient Improves nutrient availability and uptake many crops many crops nutrient-use efficiency •• Phosphate Drives early plant emergence Enhances nutrient-use efficiency • Phosphate and key micros drive growth and metabolism inmetabo Improves nutrient availability and uptake Increases root mass and nutrient uptake Phosphate •season Phosphate and key micros and key drive micros growth drive and•growth metabolism andquality in Promotes better root growth and development • Improves Improves availability nutrient and availability uptake and uptake • Powered by Fertilizer Biocatalyst Technology High • Enhances Designed to enhance applied fertilizer applications dwindling supplies on grocery store • Increases root mass and nutrient uptake crops • Designed •toPromotes enhance applied fertilizer applications • Promotes Enhances nutrient-use efficiency • many Drives early season plant emergence Increases root mass and nutrient uptake •many Drives early season plant emergence better root growth and development many crops better root growth and development Designed to enhance applied fertilizer applications Enhances nutrient-use efficiency crops many crops • Enhances•••• nutrient-use Enhances nutrient-use efficiency efficiency • Drives early season plant emergence Increases root mass and nutrient uptakeuptake RATES better rootwith growth and development RATES • Compatible most fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, • Promotes Designed to enhance applied fertilizer applications • Excellent c • Increases root mass and nutrient • Drives early season plant emergence • Promotes better root growth and development • Designed to enhance applied fertilizer applications shelves.

Drives early • Drives season early plant season emergence plant emergence • Promotes Promotes root better growthroot andgrowth development and development •• Increases root mass and nutrient uptake RATES RATES •• better Designed to enhance applied fertilizer applications • Increases rootGrains: mass 1-5 andgal/A nutrient uptake -•root Cereal in-furrow or 2x2. uptake Apply 1-2 qts/A to with At-Planting or Banded Nutrition; • Designed enhance applied fertilizer applications RATES RATES • Application Increases Increases mass and root nutrient mass and uptake nutrient RATESSoil RATES• Designed and insecticides • to Designed enhance to applied enhance fertilizer applied applications fertilizer applications • Low salt ble Soil Application Cereal Apply 1-2 qts/A with At-Planting or Banded Nutrition; RATES RATES Specialty Crops:-Soil: 2-8Grains: gals/A.1-5 gal/A in-furrow or 2x2.

2-3 qrts/A with manures or poultry litter RATES Soil Application -Soil: Cereal Grains: 1-5 gal/A in-furrowor or2x2.

2x2.

Apply 1-2 qts/A with or Banded Nutrition; At its 45,000-square-foot Guelph RATES RATES Specialty 2-8 gals/A. Soil crop Application -Crops: Cereal Grains: 1-5 gal/A in-furrow 2-3 qrts/A with manures or poultry litter Apply 1-2 qts/A with At-Planting or At-Planting Banded Nutrition; •RATES Consistent performance across and soil types • Utility acros Soil Application Cereal Apply 1-2 qts/A with At-Planting or Banded Nutrition; RATES RATES Specialty Crops:-Soil: 2-8Grains: gals/A.1-5 gal/A in-furrow or 2x2.

2-3 qrts/A with manures or poultry litter Soil Application Cereal Grains: 1-5 gal/A in-furrow Specialty Crops: Soil: 2-8 gals/A. Apply 1-2 qts/A with At-Planting or Banded Nutrition; 2-3 qrts/A with manures or poultry litter RATES RATES RATES RATES Soil Application Cereal Grains: 1-5 gal/A in-furrow or 2x2. or 2x2.

Apply 1-2 qts/A with At-Planting or Banded Nutrition; Specialty Crops: Soil: 2-8 gals/A. 2-3 qrts/A with manures or poultry litter farm, every day GoodLeaf is Soil Application - Cereal Grains: gal/A in-furrow or 2x2.

Apply 1-2 + qts/A with At-Planting or BandedinNutrition; Specialty Crops: Soil: 2-8 gals/A. Specialty Crops: Soil: 2-8 gals/A. 2-3 qrts/A with manures or or poultry litter 2-3 Riser qrts/A with manures poultry litter Accomplish LM Performace Potatos 2017 Riser + Accomplish LM:1-5 Potatoes Soil Application Soil - Accomplish Cereal Grains: - Cereal 1-5Potatoes gal/A Grains: in-furrow 1-5 gal/A orin-furrow 2x2. or 2x2.

Apply 1-2 qts/A Apply with 1-2+At-Planting qts/A with At-Planting orLM Nutrition; or Banded Nutrition; Specialty Crops: Soil: 2-8 gals/A. 2-3 qrts/A with manures orBanded poultry litter Riser Accomplish Performace in Potatos 2017 Riser +Application LM: harvesting microgreens (Spicy Riser + Accomplish LM Performace in Potatos 2017 Riser + Accomplish LM: Potatoes Specialty Crops: Specialty Soil: Crops: 2-8 gals/A. Soil: 2-8 gals/A. 2-3 qrts/A with 2-3 qrts/A manures with ormanures poultry litter or poultry litter Riser +LM Accomplish LM Performace in2017 Potatos 2017 9 + Accomplish Potatoes GROWER BE 180 Riser + GROWER Accomplish Performace in Potatos Riser Riser + Accomplish LM:LM: Potatoes BENEFITS: Mustard Medley, Asian Blend, Micro 168 Riser + Accomplish LM Performace in Potatos 2017 9 Riser + Accomplish LM: Potatoes 180 Riser + Accomplish LM Performace Riser + Accomplish LM: Potatoes 168in Potatos 2017 8 160 9 180 Riser + Accomplish LM Performace in Potatos 2017 Riser + Accomplish LM: Potatoes 168 Arugula, Micro Radish and Pea 8 160 9 180 168 9 180 7 140 6.6 8uptake 160 • Potatoes Phosphate Improves nutrient and 9 180 Riser•+ Accomplish Riser +124 Accomplish LM Performace LM availability Performace in168 Potatosin 2017 Potatos 2017 Riser + Accomplish Riser + Accomplish LM: Potatoes LM: 168 7 6.6 180 140 89 160 Shoots) and baby greens (Ontario160 168 6 120 124 9 180 7 140 8 6.6 8 160 many crop 168 •160 Enhances nutrient-use efficiency 5.14 6 120 124 78 140 6.6 100 Baby Kale, Ontario Baby Arugula 140 180 5.14 120 8 160 124 140 9576 9 180 6.6 7 6.6 • Drives early 5 100 168 168 5.14 • Promotes better root growth6.6and645 development 120 124 7 140 124 80 100 5.14 120 7 140 and Ontario Spring Mix) for Ontario 6.6 86 124 8 160 6 120 160 4 80 • Increases ro 5 100 124 to 5.14 • Designed enhance applied fertilizer applications 120 3 60 5.14 46 6 80 5 100 120 grocery stores, ensuring a local 100 140 5.14 3 60 5 7 7 140 4 80 6.6 6.6 5.14 2 40 100 124 3 60 45 5 80 124 100 40 60 supply of fresh, nutrient-dense leafy 4 80 120 6231 6 120 20 24 80 40 3 60 4 80 5.14 5.14 1 20 2 40 RATES RATES 3 60 greens all year long.

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© 2020 Loveland Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All of the trademarks and service marks displayed are marks of their respective owners.Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All of the trademarks and service marks displayed are marks of their © 2020 Loveland Radiate is aowners. registered trademark of Loveland Products, Inc. Radiate is not registered in California, and is not approved or respective © 2020 Loveland Products, All Rights Reserved.

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Radiate isto aowners. registered of Loveland8069_A2420 Products, Inc. Radiate is not registered in California, and is not approved or respective LOVELAND | P.O. BOX All 1286 GREELEY,and COservice 80632 | www.LovelandProducts.com © 2020 Loveland Products, All®Rights Reserved. of the| trademarks marks displayed are marks of their intendedisto bePRODUCTS, used ortrademark sold Inc. inINC. California.

Radiate a registered of Loveland8069_A2420 Products, Inc. Radiate is not registered in California, and is not approved or respective owners.

LOVELAND PRODUCTS, INC. | P.O. BOX All 1286 GREELEY,and COservice 80632 | www.LovelandProducts.com © 2020 Loveland Products, Inc. All®Rights Reserved. of the| trademarks marks displayed are marks of their intended to be used or sold in California.

8069_A2420 Radiate is aowners. registered trademark of Loveland Products, Inc. Radiate is not registered in California, and is not approved or respective ® LOVELAND PRODUCTS, INC. | P.O. BOX 1286 | GREELEY, CO 80632 | www.LovelandProducts.com intendedisto be used ortrademark sold in California.

Radiate a registered of Loveland8069_A2420 Products, Inc. Radiate is not registered in California, and is not approved or

® LOVELAND PRODUCTS, | P.O. BOX 1286 | GREELEY, CO 80632 ALWAYS READALWAYS ANDintended FOLLOW LABEL ALWAYS READ FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. to be used orAND soldDIRECTIONS. inINC. California.

8069_A2420 READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS.

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| www.LovelandProducts.com

Follow GoodLeaf Farms on Instagram Marketable Yield (lbs) Avg Tuber Wt. (oz) @goodleaffarms and like it on LOVELAND PRODUCTS, INC. | P.O. BOX 1286 | GREELEY, CO 80632 | www.LovelandProducts.com ALWAYS READALWAYS AND FOLLOW READ AND LABEL FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. LABEL DIRECTIONS. 180 168 Facebook at /GoodLeafFarms. ® LOVELAND PRODUCTS, INC. |Rights P.O.Reserved.

BOX 1286 | the GREELEY, CO and 80632 | www.LovelandProducts.com 2020 Products, Inc. All service of trademarks service marks displayed are marks of their © 2020 Loveland Products, Inc. AllLoveland Rights Reserved. ofAllthe trademarks marks displayed are marks of their © 2020© Loveland Products, Inc. AllAll Rights Reserved.

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. . Plainfield, 715.366.4181 WI . Plainfield, 715.366.4181 WI 715.366.4181 WI 9 Plainfield,

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Inc. AllAllRights of theReserved. trademarks All and of the service trademarks marks and displayed service are marks marks displayed of their are marks of their respective owners.respective owners.

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. Plainfield, 715.366.4181 715.366.4181 WI BC�T April 47. Plainfield

6.6

7 6

Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

2021 is Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes Events After a year of cancelled events and being forced to stay in our homes, many of us are literally aching to

break through the walls, enjoy some warmer weather and get back to experiencing the enjoyable, yet simple things we likely took for granted pre-COVID-19.

Things like going out to dinner with a group of friends, birthday parties and weddings, and maybe even an extended weekend away, sound so nice now.

Last year, the Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes events were no exception to being impacted by challenging circumstances the pandemic produced. Some events expanded participation by becoming virtual while others were cancelled altogether.

Holly Garvin is all geared up, including a medal she won for participating in a past Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes event.

48 BC�T April

But 2021 is a new year with an optimistic horizon as many look toward new beginnings.

While some 2021 events are still in

Above: From left to right, Dana Williams, Charlene Zagrzebski, Jess Reblin, Elizabeth Gessert and Julie Lampert pose after crossing the Walk Wisconsin finish line, in 2019.

question due unknowns in the weeks ahead, others are moving forward as normal for now.

2021 Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes Events Lineup - Virtual Walk Wisconsin: Saturday, May 29-Saturday, June 5 - Pardeeville Triathlon: Saturday, July 10 - Waupaca Area Triathlon: Saturday, August 21 - Antigo Tater Trot: Saturday, August 14 - As of now unplanned: • Silver Lake Triathlon • CrazyLegs Classic

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) is sending emails to the Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes events contact list. If you are not on the list and would like to be, please call the WPVGA office at 715-623-7683 or email wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes. com.

WPVGA will cover the registrations of anyone in the Wisconsin potato industry. Just be sure to wear your Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes shirt or contact WPVGA if you do not have one! And if you have a favorite image from one of this year’s events, email it to WPVGA Director of Promotions Dana Rady at drady@ wisconsinpotatoes.com.

Thank you for helping us spread the good word of the health benefits Wisconsin potatoes naturally provide!

2021 is going to be a great year! continued on pg. 50

Elizabeth Gessert, Jess Reblin, Charlene Zagrzebski, Dana Williams and Julie Lampert are proud participants in Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes walks/runs.

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Ours

Paul Cieslewicz Demo’s Available

Sand Equipment, LLC • Cell: See Us At 498-6651 Booth #C5510See Us in the Safe-T-Pull Shop: County (715) 335-6652 • Fax: (715) 335-6653 (715) Paul Cieslewicz Owner Wisconsin Public Service Service 8364 Monica PO Box • Bancroft, WI 54921 Wisconsin Public Shop: (715) 335-6652 • Fax: (715)Road, 335-6653Cell: (715)228 498-6651 Booth #C5510 Farm Show, Oshkosh Monica Road, P.O. Box 228 • Bancroft, WI 54921• www.sandcountyequipment.com E-mail:8364 paul@sandcountyequipment.com Farm Show, Oshkosh Demo’s Available E-mail: paul@sandcountyequuipment.com • www.sandcountyequipment.com Theirsall makes of equipment th th March ServicingServicing all makes of equipment March 2824th-26th. , 29Ours & 30th

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Shop: (715) 335-6652 • Fax: (715) 335-6653Cell: (715) 498-6651 8364 Monica Road, P.O. Box 228 • Bancroft, WI 54921

See Us At Booth #C5510 BC�T April See 49

Wisconsin Public Service Service Wisconsin Public Farm Oshkosh Farm Show, Show, Oshkosh

Yo

Us i Bo

Marketplace . . .

continued from pg. 49

United Potato Growers of Wisconsin Meets Virtually It should not come as a surprise that with other events moving to a virtual format so far in 2021, the United Potato Growers Cooperative of Wisconsin followed suit for the organization’s annual meeting.

Held February 18, via Zoom, the meeting saw good attendance from growers, both members and non-members, as well as from representatives of organizations

that are part of the WPVGA Associate Division.

The morning portion of the meeting included valuable presentations and information shared by United Potato Growers of America President/ CEO Mark Klompien regarding fresh market trends as well as those of the processing sector for Wisconsin and the nation.

In the afternoon, the membersonly business meeting commenced, at which time the United Potato Growers Cooperative of Wisconsin Board of Directors members were recognized.

United Potato Growers of America President and CEO Mark Klompien provides insights into the market during the United Potato Growers Cooperative of Wisconsin annual meeting.

United Potato Growers Cooperative of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Bushman gives opening remarks for the cooperative’s virtual annual meeting held on Thursday, February 18.

Six growers serve on the Board of Directors, including Chairman Brian Bushman of J&J Potatoes, in Galloway. Bushman also serves as chairman of the United Potato Growers of America Board of Directors.

Bros. Farms, Antigo; Mark Finnessy of Okray Family Farms, Plover; and Doug Posthuma, Alsum Farms and Produce, Friesland.

Alongside Bushman, United of Wisconsin’s other board members are Steve Worzella of Worzella & Sons, Inc., Plover; Lucas Wysocki from Wysocki Family of Companies, Bancroft; J.D. Schroeder, Schroeder

On behalf of the United Potato Growers Cooperative of Wisconsin membership, thank you for your dedication to ensuring growers receive fair returns for their products.

WPIB Focus Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison Month

Jul-19

Aug-19

Sep-19

Oct-19

Nov-19

Dec-19

Jan-20

Feb-20

Mar-20

Apr-20

May-20

Jun-20

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,737,634.84

616,558.70

888,994.00

2,231,926.08

2,407,229.71

2,076,049.78

3,103,420.09

1,675,525.19

14,737,338.39

Assessment

$139,082.75

$42,984.69

$77,501.87

$178,514.78

$192,575

$166,306.75

$248,238.17

$134,215.91

$1,179,419.92

Aug-20

Sep-20

Oct-20

Dec-20

Jan-21

Feb-21

Month

Jul-20

Nov-20

Mar-21

Apr-21

May-21

Jun-21

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,267,472.18

1,275,285.84

1,290,414.89

2,235,567.48

2,498,333.04

1,787,069.62

2,103,473.68

1,593,614.79

14,051,231.52

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

$1,124,036.24

50 BC�T April

Potatoes USA News Potatoes Steal the Show with National Foodservice Chains In partnership with the International Corporate Chef’s Association, Potatoes USA hosted a webinar, “Innovation to Inspire: A Vision for Tomorrow’s Menus,” to motivate culinary leaders to menu more potatoes in unique ways that will keep customers coming back.

Keeping the foodservice operators engaged and delighted, Chef R.J. Harvey, Potatoes USA global foodservice manager, then led a culinary demonstration bringing to life Beef Bulgogi on Korean Miso Mashed Potatoes.

In attendance were top foodservice chains such as Applebee’s, Culver’s, Red Robin, Sonic, Pizza Hut and El Pollo Loco.

This on-trend recipe featured dehydrated potatoes to show operators how potatoes help increase operational capabilities.

misconceptions around frozen and dehydrated potatoes.

The session kicked off with data and culinary inspiration from today’s hottest trends and explained the “why” behind adding potatoes to menus.

In addition, participants in this webinar received hospitality kits in the mail with information on key aspects of potatoes, from nutritional data to myth-busting important

Potatoes USA staff is following-up with webinar attendees to discuss the future of potatoes as delicious, on-trend and nutritious additions to their menus.

Potatoes USA hosted a webinar, “Innovation to Inspire: A Vision for Tomorrow’s Menus,” to motivate culinary leaders to menu more potatoes in unique ways that will keep customers coming back.

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BC�T April 51

3/11/21 11:23 AM

Five Ways Potato Growers Can Save Time & Money Spend less time fiddling with the planter and gain more tuber bulking days and higher yields As we all anxiously await signs of spring and prepare for the 2021 planting season, it is a great time to start deciding how to increase yields and ultimately be as cost and time effective as possible for the 2021 crop.

When it comes to time and money, Vive Crop Protection products can help to ensure you are spending less time fiddling with the planter and more time allowing your crop to have more bulking days and creating higher yields.

Jonathan Adamson, the resident potato expert at Vive Crop Protection, has five key factors that can help potato growers save time and money, while increasing both yield and quality.

1. In-Furrow Liquid Starter Research has shown over and over that switching part of at-planting

Using in-furrow liquid fertilizer can increase yields by 21-plus bags/acre because it gets nutrition to the plant when and where it needs it. The potatoes at right were treated with an in-furrow solution that included Vive Crop Protection Averland FC or Midac FC, while the plants at left were untreated.

52 BC�T April

banded fertilizer to in-furrow can increase yield and create more uniformly sized potatoes.

Moving from 15 gallons to 5-7 gallons saves time, and finishing planting early allows for more bulking days.

Using in-furrow liquid fertilizer can also increase yields by 21-plus bags/ acre because it gets nutrition to the plant when and where it needs it.

Efficient planting and a decrease in water usage are not only ideal for your farm, but also good for the environment and will help in overall sustainability efforts.

Vive Crop Protection products mix seamlessly, so you can both feed and protect the crop to give it the best start.

2. Use Less Water to Mix Less water and fewer fills mean more time that growers can dedicate to getting seed in the ground.

More planted acres per day and fewer gallons of water used, while increasing efficiency, are all things that potato growers can get behind.

3. No Compatibility Agents This allows you to focus your application dollars on the product that is important versus one that helps it mix.

Compatibility agents take valuable time and money to work with, and we all know that when it comes time to plant, it is time to plant!

Mother Nature does not wait for the proper mix. With Vive Crop Protection products, no compatibility

Vive Crop Protection products mix seamlessly with liquid fertilizers, so you are able to both feed and protect the crop (plants at left treated with an in-furrow solution versus those at right, which were not).

agents are required, which directly saves on cost, time and the hassle of having to do more work.

4. Keep Tanks Clean Keeping tanks clean means not having to fight with plugged screens and nozzles. No one wants to deal with clogged filters or tips. It takes forever, it is frustrating, and it is messy to clean up.

Vive products mix perfectly, even with in-furrow liquid fertilizer, so cleaning filters and tips is a thing of the past.

There are so many things that potato farmers must manage. Having to stop the tractor and get out to deal with plugged screens and nozzles should not be one of them.

Keeping tanks clean means not having to fight with plugged screens and nozzles. No one wants to deal with clogged filters or tips. It takes forever, it is frustrating, and it is messy to clean up.

“Compatibility agents take valuable time and money to work with, and we all know that when it comes time to plant, it is time to plant!”

– Jonathan Adamson

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Not only does eliminating such a practice increase efficiency, it also lowers worker contact.

Making better use of the active ingredient allows potato growers to get value for every single dollar spent on fungicides and insecticides, increasing bags per acre.

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For more information, contact Vive Crop Protection, attention Jonathan Adamson, jadamson@vivecrop.com, 208-220-2852, www.vivecrop.com.

BC�T April 53

Badger Beat Irrigating and Fertilizing Dark Red Kidney Beans

Figure 1: On July 10, 2020, dark red kidney bean plants started blooming at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station (HARS) research plots.

Researchers test alternative vegetable crops to mitigate groundwater quantity and quality issues

Central Sands region are potatoes (20 percent) and sweet corn (17 percent). Both crops require intensive irrigation, and they demand high nitrogen input of 250 and 150 pounds (lbs.)/acre-1, respectively.

By Yi Wang and Guolong Liang, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Central Sands region is the heart of Wisconsin’s premier vegetable production area, with its coarse-textured soils and abundant groundwater.

However, this region is also the epicenter of discussions over groundwater reduction during the summertime when water is pumped

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for agricultural irrigation as well as conversations about contamination by nitrate leaching.

There is urgent need for researchers to find alternative vegetable crops to mitigate the groundwater quantity and quality issues and improve vegetable production sustainability.

The top two vegetables grown in the

Previous research showed that dark red kidney (DRK) beans use 30 percent less water than potatoes and 25 percent less than sweet corn. In addition, DRK beans can fix nitrogen and enrich soil health by leaving behind essential nutrients for the next crop, thus reducing the need for chemical fertilizers (they need about 100 lbs./N acre-1).

Badger Common’Tater

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54 BC�T April

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On top of that, DRK beans are a vital source of plant-based proteins and can be consumed as part of a healthy diet to prevent and help manage chronic diseases.

U.S. farmers have boosted production of dry edible beans (including DRK beans) over the past decade. Exports of DRK beans have skyrocketed since the United States displaced China as the world’s number one supplier.

Currently, most DRK beans are planted in the northwestern part of the state where the growing season length and conditions (irrigated sandy soils) are similar to those of the Central Sands.

In the long term, production of DRK beans in multiple locations of Wisconsin will contribute to environmental sustainability by using less irrigation water and applying less nitrogen, as well

as to economic sustainability for farmers, providing business viability and social sustainability by producing healthy nutrients.

Figure 2: Total irrigation and precipitation amount is shown in inches under three irrigation treatments. continued on pg. 56

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Badger Beat . . .

continued from pg. 55

Treated seeds were planted, on June 1, with a target seed population of 80,000-90,000 per acre, and row spacing was 30 inches.

The five varieties in this study included Montcalm, Dynasty, Red Rover, Red Hawk and Spire.

The three irrigation treatments included: • Standard irrigation: irrigation starts on June 15 and ends on September 1, applied at .3 or .4 inches per time, every other day if no rainfall occurs, with the objective of keeping the soil moisture content always above 60 percent field capacity • Deferred irrigation: irrigation starts on June 30, which is two weeks after the start of the standard treatment • Deficit irrigation: between June 15 and initiation of blooming (July 10), plants skipped every other irrigation that was scheduled for the standard treatment

N application timing

N application rates (lb acre-1)

Planting

20

20

20

20

Second trifoliate (sidedressing) – 6/19/2020

0

30

50

70

More than 90% of field entered reproductive stage 0 30 50 (sidedressing) – 7/8/2020 More than 90% of field entered reproductive stage (sidedressing) – 7/8/2020 20 Seasonal Total 80 120 (control) Seasonal Total

70

Table 1. Nitrogen application treatments.

Table 1. Nitrogen application treatments.

0

30

160 20 (control)

80

6.5 6 5.5 5

Leaf N %

In the summer of 2020, we conducted a field study at the University of Wisconsin Hancock Agricultural Research Station to evaluate responses of five different DRK bean varieties to three irrigation treatments and four nitrogen rates.

4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2

20

80

N rate (lb Right before N application

120

160

acre-1) 6 days after N application

Figure 3: Total N concentration is shown as a percentage in the first fully expanded trifoliate

Figure 3. Total concentration the right first before fully expanded from the top of th from the top ofN the shoot. Samples (%) wereintaken and six daystrifoliate after N application on July 8.

Samples were taken right before and six days after N application on July 8th.

Figure 3 showed the change of N% in leaves of plants under the four N rates that receive amounts of N sidedressing on July 8th. We can see that total N in leaves dropped to a low plants under the control, which did not receive any N on July 8th. Leaf N concentration in N did not change much by receiving 30 lb acre-1 of N, and those under 120 and 160 N sho N% by receiving 50 or 70 lb acre-1 of N. Overall, as blooming started, N deficient plants sh concentration before 4%, and the N sufficient plants showed leaf N% between 5 and 6%.

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56 BC�T April

Figure 2 shows the total irrigation and total precipitation of the three irrigation treatments. Deferred irrigation applied 1.8 inches less water than standard irrigation, and deficit irrigation applied 1.5 inches less water than standard irrigation.

RGB ortho

The four nitrogen rates included 20, 80, 120, 160 lb. N/acre-1 following the schedule shown in Table 1.

Figure 3 shows the change of N percentage in leaves of plants under the four N rates that received different amounts of N side dressing on July 8.

We can see that total N in leaves dropped to a lower level in plants under the control, which did not receive any N on July 8. Leaf N concentration in plants under 80 N did not change much by receiving 30 lbs./acre-1 of N, and those under 120 and 160 N showed higher leaf N percentage by receiving 50 or 70 lbs./acre-1 of N.

NDVI

Overall, as blooming started, N-deficient plants showed leaf N concentration before 4 percent, and the N sufficient plants showed leaf N percent between 5 and 6.

From the aerial images taken on July 16 (Figure 4), we could clearly observe that plants under the low N rate at 20 lbs./acre-1 showed much yellower canopy color, indicating N deficiency.

From the ground images taken on the same date (Figure 5), it is noted that plants under the control had less than 50 percent of canopy closure.

Comparatively, plants under 80 lbs. N/acre-1 had about 75 percent continued on pg. 58

Right, Figure 4: Multi-spectral remote sensing images are displayed of the entire field (July 16, 2020). RGB ortho is the conventional image format. NDVI is a measurement of plant health based on how a plant reflects sunlight. Higher NDVI values indicate healthier plants.

BC�T April 57

Badger Beat . . .

continued from pg. 57

canopy closure, and those under 120 and 160 lbs. N/acre-1 achieved 100 percent canopy closure.

Desiccant was applied to all plants on September 8, and final harvest was conducted between September 15 and 17. Seeds were dried to 18 percent moisture content.

Our statistical analysis found that irrigation treatments did not have any significant impact on final seed yield, likely due to several rainfall events during the treatment period that disrupted our irrigation events.

However, nitrogen rate did affect yield in a significant way.

Figure 6 shows the response of different varieties to the four N rates.

Overall, for all varieties, low N at 20 lbs./acre-1 resulted in much lower yield than the other three N rates.

Montcalm, Red Hawk and Spier showed increasing yield response as the N rate increased from 80 to 160 lbs./acre-1.

For Dynasty, yield under 80 N was higher than that under 120 and 160 N. And for Red Rover, yield seemed to be maximized at 120 N. At harvest, we found that the ratio of N removal between seeds and vines was 3:1, indicating that 75 percent of the nitrogen taken up by the dark red kidney bean plants was harvested in the seeds, regardless of what N rate they were under during the growing season.

We will repeat this study in the 2021 season.

Right, Figure 5: Ground images of the Montcalm plots are shown under the four N rates (July 16, 2020).

58 BC�T April

1.6 Yield (US ton per acre)

1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

Danasty

Montcalm 20 N

80 N

Red Hawk 120 N

Red Rover

Spier

160 N

Yield (pounds per acre)

3500

2000 1500 1000 500 Dynasty

Montcalm 20 N

80 N

Red Hawk 120 N

Red Rover

Spire

160 N

Figure 1.6 6. Yield response of the five varieties to different N rates.

1.4 Yield (US ton per acre)

"Our statistical analysis found that irrigation treatments did not have any significant impact on final seed yield, likely due to several rainfall events during the treatment period that disrupted our irrigation events."

2500

0

Above: Dr. Yi Wang’s team harvested bean plants September 15-17, 2020. Seeds were dried to 18 percent moisture content.

Right: Figure 6 shows the response of different varieties to the four N rates.

Overall, for all varieties, low N at 20 lbs./ acre-1 resulted in much lower yield than the other three N rates.

3000

1.2 At harvest, we found that the ratio of N removal between seeds and vines were 3:1, indi 1 of the nitrogen taken up by the dark red kidney bean plants were harvested in the seeds what N0.8 rate they were under during the growing season.

0.6 We will repeat this study in the 2021 season.

0.4 0.2 Other pictures: 0 Danasty

Montcalm 20 N

80 N

Red Hawk 120 N

Red Rover

Spier

160 N BC�T April 59

Auxiliary News

By Devin Zarda, vice president, WPGA

Hello, friends! Since things

have been a little quiet concerning Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary activities as a result of the pandemic, I decided to interview members during this down time. To start off, I chatted with our current president, Kathy Bartsch.

Q: What farm are you associated with?

A: Bartsch Farms Q: How long has your family been farming?

A: Steve started farming in 1977 or ’78. He had previously worked with a farm and decided he wanted to start his own.

Q: When did you join the Auxiliary?

A: It has been quite a while. I was on the Board for several years a while ago but stepped back and then eventually returned.

Q: What was the Auxiliary like when you joined? What programs did they run?

A: They did a lot of support work for industry events. They even ran booths at these events. The Auxiliary started changing the focus to educating others on potatoes about 10 years ago.

Q: Who introduced you to the Auxiliary?

A: Linda Bacon. She and her husband

60 BC�T April

owned and operated Bacon Farms in Hancock, Wisconsin.

Q: What is your favorite memory of the Auxiliary?

A: The thing I enjoy most is that I have met women from all over Wisconsin who are in the potato industry. I would go to an event with Steve and I never knew anyone.

The Auxiliary opened my eyes to more about the industry and helped introduce me to people.

Q: Which program is your favorite?

A: The Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes program, which I helped develop and design.

Q: What Auxiliary events and programs have you participated in over the years?

A: The Wisconsin State Fair has been a staple in my life. Kids Dig and the WPS Farm Show have been more recent additions. I also have attended membership events, farm tours and Farm Tech Days. There are very few events I have not been involved with.

Q: The Auxiliary has evolved over the years. Where would you like to see it go in the future?

A: I guess I would like to see more programs educating consumers and children about the potato and agricultural industry within Wisconsin. So many people do not know where their food comes from.

A longtime Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary member, Kathy Bartsch is currently president of the organization.

Q: What do you consider your legacy within the Auxiliary?

A: I think my legacy would be the Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes program. I have worked hard to get potatoes into the classroom. I want to help teach kids where their food comes from.

Q: Why do you think people should join the Auxiliary?

A: This is an opportunity to promote agriculture within Wisconsin. Yes, we focus on potatoes, but it is so much more than that. It is also a chance to meet people within our industry that you may not otherwise meet.

Everyone I encounter is so friendly and welcoming!

Until next time,

Devin

Ali's Kitchen Fancify Those Mashed Potatoes

Crispy, velvety mashed potato cakes are delectable with garlic cream sauce Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Let’s make the most of those leftover mashed potatoes waiting in your refrigerator, and fancify things just a bit!

Mashed potatoes are not only the ultimate comfort food, but also one

of the easiest and most delicious side dishes you can create, so make extra! And then the very next day, fancify those classic mashed potatoes by making them into crispy, velvety, potato cakes. continued on pg. 62

Ingredients: Mashed Potato Cakes • 3 cups leftover cold mashed potatoes • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese • 1/3 cup flour • 2 large eggs, beaten • salt and pepper to taste • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, divided • butter for frying • chopped chives and sliced red onion for serving BC�T April 61

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Ali's Kitchen. . .

continued from pg. 61

Ingredients: Garlic Sour Cream • 1 cup sour cream • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 teaspoon chopped dill • 1 teaspoon chopped chives • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon pepper • 2 teaspoons stone-ground mustard Directions Prepare the garlic sour cream by mixing all ingredients together. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

To create the mashed potato cakes, mix the mashed potatoes, cheese, flour and eggs together in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Add 1 cup of the panko crumbs, mix well and place the rest of the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish.

Note: Flour adds thickness to the potato cakes and binds everything together. Feel free to add a bit more flour if needed but remain careful not to overdo it or you risk creating 62 BC�T April

patties that taste more like flour than potato.

Using your hands, shape the potato mixture into 12 patties, each about 1/2-to-3/4-inch thick.

Lightly dip and drag the potato cakes in the breadcrumbs, evenly covering both sides, and place each on a baking sheet until ready to cook.

In a large frying pan, melt enough butter to coat the bottom.

Carefully add potato cakes to the pan and cook in batches for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and crispy.

After cooking, remove the potato cakes and place on a paper towel to catch any excess grease. Continue until all have been cooked.

Enjoy!

Find more recipes at www.LifeOnGraniteRidge.com.

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

Deadline for sponsorship commitments to be included in June Badger Common'Tater: May 7, 2021* DINNER SPONSOR $2,000 • Company name and logo on three 12-foot banners placed in prominent areas including dinner area • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for four golfers

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

SILVERTON SPONSOR $1,000 BUSHMAN’S RIVERSIDE RANCH

SUPERIOR SPONSOR $500

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

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

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

• Company name/logo on one 12-foot banner placed in a prominent area on the course • Company name/logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for one golfer

CONTACT KAREN RASMUSSEN for more details (715) 623-7683 Make checks payable to WSPIA *

We WILL accept sponsors after this date.

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

Since 1998, this tournament raised over $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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