August 2023 Badger Common'Tater

RESEARCH & SUSTAINABLE AG ISSUE

INTERVIEW: DEANA KNUTESON

University of Wisconsin-Madison Researcher, Outreach Specialist & Healthy Grown Coordinator

WPVGA CELEBRATES

75 Years of Progress!

CAN PHOSPHORUS BE Reused on Farmland?

2023-’24 RESEARCH

Funding Is Allocated

KEYS TO MITIGATING

Drought-Related Risk

Potato harvest is beautifully captured by drone on Gumz Muck Farms, a Wisconsin Healthy Grown member based in Endeavor.

On the Cover: There’s nothing prettier than red potatoes being harvested on a beautiful fall day, at least not to farmers and researchers. The photo was taken by drone of potato harvest on Gumz Farms, LLC in Endeavor, Wisconsin, a participant in the state’s Healthy Grown program. Among her many titles and research duties, this issue’s interviewee, Deana Knuteson, is coordinator of the Healthy Grown program.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW:

Cut seed potatoes are planted on Alsum Farms, which has been part of the Wisconsin Healthy Grown program since its inception in 1996. Healthy Grown Coordinator Deana Knuteson works in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management (NPM) program as a researcher and outreach specialist. As part of her Healthy Grown services, she provides outreach to current and new growers and delivers updated educational materials.

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Plainfield, WI

WPVGA Board of Directors:

President: Randy Fleishauer

Vice President: Charlie Mattek

Secretary: John Bustamante

Treasurer: Alex Okray

Directors: Mike Carter, Wendy Dykstra, Bill Guenthner, Josh Knights & J.D. Schroeder

Wisconsin Potato Industry Board:

President: Heidi Alsum-Randall

Vice President: Andy Diercks

Secretary: Nicola Carey

Treasurer: Keith Wolter

Directors: John Bobek, John Fenske, Jim Okray, Eric Schroeder & Tom Wild

WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors:

President: Matt Selenske

Vice President: Andy Verhasselt

Secretary: Sally Suprise

Treasurer: Paul Salm

Directors: Melissa Heise, Ethan Olson, Scott Scheer, Morgan Smolarek & Brandon Taylor

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors:

President: Matt Mattek

Vice President: Jeff Suchon

Secretary/Treasurer: Clover Spacek

Directors: Charlie Husnick & Andy Schroeder

Wisconsin Potato Growers

Auxiliary Board of Directors:

President: Heidi Schleicher

Vice President: Datonn Hanke

Secretary/Treasurer: Becky Wysocki

Directors: Jody Baginski, Erin Meister, Dakotah Smiley & Misti Ward

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

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CROP PROTECTION 715.335.4900

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 and Outreach

Administrator: George Neuber

WPVGA Office

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E-mail: wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes.com

Website: www.wisconsinpotatoes.com

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Telephone: (715) 623-7683

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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.

MARK YOUR Calendar Planting Ideas

AUGUST

12 ANTIGO TATER TROT

City Park, Aurora St., 8:30 a.m.

Antigo, WI

19 WAUPACA AREA TRIATHLON

South Park, 7 a.m. Waupaca, WI

30 AGRONOMY AND SOILS FIELD DAY

Arlington Agricultural Research Station 8 a.m.-noon Arlington, WI

31 ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH FIELD DAY

Arlington Agricultural Research Station

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Arlington, WI

SEPTEMBER

5-9 POTATO BOWL USA

Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, ND & MN

9 2023 SPUD BOWL

Community Stadium at Goerke Park, 1 p.m. Stevens Point, WI

OCTOBER

19 4TH ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT

Wausau Skeet and Trap Club

Wausau/Brokaw, WI

19-21 THE GLOBAL PRODUCE & FLORAL SHOW

Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA

23-24 WPVGA RESEARCH MEETING

West Madison Research Station and virtual. 1 p.m. on Monday, 8 a.m. on Tuesday Verona, WI

JANUARY 2024

10-11 POTATO EXPO 2024

Austin Convention Center Austin, TX

FEBRUARY

6-8 2024 GROWER ED CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW

Holiday Inn Convention Center Stevens Point, WI

26-3/1 2024 NPC WASHINGTON SUMMIT

Washington Marriott at Metro Center Washington, D.C.

MARCH

26-28 62nd ANNUAL WPS FARM SHOW

Experimental Aircraft Association grounds

Oshkosh, WI

MAY

18-21 NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SHOW

McCormick Place Chicago, IL

JUNE

23-26 12TH WORLD POTATO CONGRESS

Adelaide, South Australia

6 BC�T August

As the photo caption says, “For a brief but wondrous moment in time, you could get potatoes from a vending machine.” Randy Fleishauer, general manager of Plover River Farms Alliance, liked the classic image well enough to text it to me. On the one hand, it sure would be nice if there was still enough demand for 20-pound bags of fresh potatoes to justify a 24-hour vending machine that offered “Top Quality Washed, Graded & PrePacked Potatoes” for a few hard-earned coins. On the other hand, thank goodness for inflation.

With a feature herein recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association and giving thanks to those who made it all possible, there are vintage photos sprinkled throughout the magazine. Penned by WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan, the article includes five lists of Association leaders. Recognized are the WPVGA Hall of Fame members; and past and current presidents of the WPVGA Board, Wisconsin Potato Industry Board, WPVGA Associate Division Board, and Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary. Enjoy “75 Years in Progress: WPVGA Celebrates 75th Anniversary in 2023” herein.

This August “Research & Sustainable Ag” issue includes an interview with Deana Knuteson, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison researcher, outreach specialist and Healthy Grown coordinator. Through Healthy Grown, Knuteson works closely with the WPVGA Promotions & Consumer Education Committee to ensure continuity between the growers’ and suppliers’ needs and sales tools. See the interview on page 8.

There is also a one-page list of all 2023-’24 WPVGA-funded Research Projects in this issue, and feature articles on mitigating droughtrelated risk for potato and vegetable growers, and reusing phosphorus on farmland to save money, protect the environment and achieve sustainability goals.

Researcher Paul Mitchell, UW-Madison Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and Ph.D. graduate student Nurlan Utesov explain how Wisconsin potato growers are investing in quality and achieving a high rate of return. See this month’s “Badger Beat” column for more.

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

NAME: Deana Knuteson

POSITION: Researcher, outreach specialist, and Healthy Grown coordinator

UNIVERSITY & DEPARTMENT:

UW-Madison, NPM program

LOCATION: Madison, WI

HOMETOWN: Wilmot, WI

YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: 23

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: UW-Extension

SCHOOLING: Ph.D. (2000) and Master of Science (1997) from UW-Madison Department of Entomology, and Bachelor of Science in Biology (1994), UW-Stevens Point

AWARDS/HONORS: American Studies Association (ASA) Outreach Awards’ Potato Association of America Outstanding Extension Project Award; International IPM Achievement Award; Wilmot Union High School Hall of Fame inductee; and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Award for maintaining and enhancing the nation’s natural resources

FAMILY: Husband, David, and two daughters, Danika (16) and Danyelle (14)

HOBBIES: Family, travel, golf, and keeping up with the kids

Interview

DEANA KNUTESON

, researcher, outreach specialist and Healthy Grown© coordinator, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management (NPM) program

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

As requirements for sustainability in the agriculture industry become more evident in the marketplace, and as more complex data is collected on farms, it’s important for growers to understand these trends so they can be prepared and proactive.

That’s just one area where Deana Knuteson, Wisconsin Healthy Grown program coordinator, has been a tremendous help.

Coordinating the Healthy Grown program, Knuteson, a University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher and outreach specialist, has demonstrated how on-farm data can be used to document and improve production practices, as well as for promotional purposes to show farm advances.

As part of her research responsibilities, Knuteson provides technical information on biointensive integrated pest management (IPM), sustainability production practices, and educational activities for Wisconsin potato, vegetable, and cash grain growers.

She works with the growers and supply chain representatives on large-scale agricultural sustainability initiatives, and facilitates growerto-grower, processor, and industry educational functions.

The Wisconsin Healthy Grown program works to advance growers’ use of biointensive IPM, efficiently manage inputs, and enhance ecosystem conservation efforts by certifying under the “Healthy Grown” potato, onion, and carrot standards. Healthy Grown high-bar standards promote agricultural sustainability, enhance environmental farming systems and put Wisconsin growers in a position to capture the expanding consumer demand for sustainable options in the marketplace.

Above: As coordinator of the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Program, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Researcher and Outreach Specialist Deana Knuteson assists growers with questions on the certification process, helps them change any of their practices if needed and matches them with UW researchers for questions that they may have. In the background image, a potato field stretches to the horizon on Schroeder Brothers Farms in Antigo, Wisconsin, which joined the Healthy Grown program as a seed grower, in 2018, certifying some fresh acres as well.

You’ve been with UW-Madison in the Department of Horticulture and prior to that with UW-Extension for more than 25 years. What first attracted you to that area of concentration? I was lucky enough to start working with Dr. Jeffrey Wyman (emeritus, UW-Entomology) when I was an undergraduate student, and he helped me get interested in vegetable entomology.

Jeff was a true mentor, was my major professor during graduate school, and got me involved in the industry and excited about future opportunities.

I found great joy in working with the industry, especially with the

and supply chain requirements (just to name a few) and continue to enjoy working on innovation and new research ideas with the industry.

Can you give me a brief working bio and progression of your career?

I currently manage and coordinate the Wisconsin Healthy Grown program and work on related UW sustainability programs by providing technical information on biointensive IPM, sustainability, and BMP (best management practices) in potato and vegetable production.

I develop educational programs to implement environmentally responsible and economically feasible

The Healthy Grown program gives potato and vegetable farmers the ability to promote agricultural best practices and position themselves to capture an expanding consumer demand for sustainable options in the marketplace.

including water quality, resilient and regenerative ag programs and help with supply chain requirements. How much of that work has been with or for the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board and Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association? Much of my career has been working with the WPIB and WPVGA. I have worked with other industries over the years, and many times when working with those industries, I tap into the

What projects are you currently working on in cooperation with the WPVGA and/or WPIB? I work extensively on the Wisconsin Healthy Grown potato program, which has been active for over 20 years.

Specifically, I concentrate on advancing growers’ use of biointensive IPM, promoting BMP adoption, reducing reliance on high-risk pesticides, and enhancing ecosystem conservation efforts by certifying under the Healthy Grown potato, onion, and carrot standards.

This program has thrived since 2020 and continues to be a model for national sustainability programs.

Through Healthy Grown, I work closely with the WPVGA Promotions & Consumer Education Committee to ensure continuity between the growers’ and suppliers’ needs and sales tools. I help with messaging and promotions of the program.

I also work with the Wisconsin Water Stewards Project, where we have taken the approaches from Healthy

growth.

Right: Deana Knuteson (left) works with the Water Stewards Project, which has borrowed approaches from the Healthy Grown program and adapted them for water quantity resources. The photo was taken at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station where the water stewards online course videos were filmed.

Grown and used them for water quantity and quality resources. I am currently a member of the WPVGA Water Task Force and keep updated on new water research.

Finally, I help WPVGA with grant writing and additional programs such as the Central Wisconsin Farmers’ Cooperative Producer-Led Project or other emerging projects.

What is your focus in the Healthy Grown program now? For Healthy Grown, I coordinate the education and management of the program. I provide outreach to current and new growers and deliver updated educational materials. I also manage the day-to-day operations and coordinate grower meetings.

I am continually working with UW specialists and am looking at new

continued on pg. 12

A controlled burn is conducted on Plover River Farms to promote ecosystem health by reducing flammable fuels and invasive species and thus reviving native plant life.

Left: A Wisconsin Healthy Grown potato and vegetable grower, packer and shipper, Larry Alsum of Alsum Farms & Produce says hilling potatoes provides the ideal conditions for plant

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research objectives that could become part of the Healthy Grown certification program when they are ready.

Each year, I work with the WPVGA and review the data. This helps promote program advances and allows growers to document change

and improvements overtime. Does that tie into your work on IPM and sustainability? Yes, Healthy Grown is directly linked with IPM and sustainability. Part of the certification program requires growers to address specific IPM needs and provide risk assessment choices for the program. Also, growers must document all their IPM practices to see what they are doing and if any more can be done.

Above: A proud grower of Healthy Grown potatoes and onions (the latter 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 stresses.

These plans and practices are reviewed by UW-Madison specialists to ensure a high-bar status of these programs.

Growers are asked to track their practices each year so continual improvements can be measured. This allows them to verify that they are using IPM within their fields, and that helps with sales and supply chain needs.

Other sustainability questions are included in the standard and the Healthy Grown certification process fits well for sustainability auditing. What exactly do you do in terms of

helping growers with sustainable production practices, and what are those practices? I assist growers with questions on the certification process, help them change any of their practices if needed and link them with UW researchers for questions that they may have.

I basically work as a liaison between the growers, industry, suppliers and UW research and extension folks.

I understand you received funding for the creation of “white papers” and coming up with areas of research concentration for the WPVGA. Can you explain? There have been questions on how Healthy Grown links to new supply chain requirements, such as carbon sequestration, resilient and regenerative agriculture programs, and climate change needs.

These relate to ecological production systems, conservation programs, healthy soils, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and climate smart agricultural practices.

With Healthy Grown, growers are positioned to work on those criteria and are already using many of these concepts while implementing the required practices to qualify. The IPM and sustainability practices required in Healthy Grown can overlap to these other programs.

So, I’ll be developing white papers to analyze these further and directly link how Healthy Grown fits into these new supply chain requirements and then document practices farmers are already using that should help check boxes for sales and marketing purposes.

There’s also been mention of work that you are either currently doing or have done in the past with chip and processing growers. Is that ongoing, or what did the research entail? I did some work with the chip and processing growers to develop both short- and long-term research

continued on pg. 14

“I have enjoyed the long-term relationships that you develop while interacting with such great growers for 25-plus years.”

– Deana Knuteson

projects that could help with water quality concerns in their production areas.

This work was valuable to the whole industry as it ended up being a helpful document that compared research options and funding estimates to complete such work.

It laid out research ideas to be started now and completed within three to five years, and more advanced, out-of-the-box and further reaching concepts that needed longer-term study.

That is meant to be a living document and should be updated regularly as new ideas and approaches are developed.

What type of work do you do with grower-to-grower, processor, and industry education functions? I do

presentations, write articles, and develop extension materials to help with educational outreach and am happy to work with growers on that.

Many times, I am happy to work oneon-one with growers to help them with field plans and needs.

Overall, I work directly with researchers to ensure their researchbased approaches and new ideas are put into grower-friendly materials that can be used effectively by the industry.

Do you like working with growers, and if so, what do you most enjoy about those relationships? Great question, and the simple answer is, yes, working with the growers is great and one of the best parts of my job.

I have enjoyed the long-term relationships that you develop while

Above: The field shown is part of an Alsum Farms prairie restoration project. “Each [Healthy Grown] grower has to develop an eco-restoration project or projects for their farm that could involve prairie or wetland restoration, woodland reclamation or a combination using the non-production areas on their farm,” says Larry Alsum.

interacting with such great growers for 25-plus years.

I have been in the industry for a long time and have grown up working with the growers, and it is nice to see how they have remained involved, innovative and keep changing to stay up to date over such a long time.

It is also exciting to see the next generation of families return to the farm, and I get to start working with them, too.

Overall, I enjoy the friendships along

the way, the continued memories that are formed, and just the great camaraderie within this community.

Do you work with process or fresh potato and vegetable growers, or both? Both, but at times in different ways. Healthy Grown is mostly concentrated in the fresh industry, but we do have some seed growers that get certified.

I work with the processing industry on education and outreach, as many of the practices are cross-cutting. Some projects, like work on potato soil health and water quality, and the producer-led initiatives, are for the entire industry.

One nice thing is that I get to experience the diversity of the industry, and this keeps things from getting stale as new projects and ideas are continually popping up.

Do you also teach classes as a professor or assistant professor?

I am an academic staff member of

the UW, so I don’t formally teach, but I do some guest lecturing for classes, which can be students of agriculture but often are non-ag students.

Much of the time I get to guest

lecture about the Healthy Grown program and discuss the innovative sustainability practices of the Wisconsin potato industry.

continued on pg. 16

Deana Knuteson (center with white cap) visits Wallendal Farms for an ecosystem field day with Paul Zedler (second from left, professor from the Nelson Institute), in 2007.

SNOWDEN • PIKE • ATLANTIC • LAMOKA MEGACHIP • HODAG • MANISTEE SILVERTON • LADY LIBERTY

The students get to see large-scale sustainability and IPM programs in action, and I can relay the positive messages that are occurring in agricultural landscapes. Didn’t you also write grant proposals for export grants the WPVGA received from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for exploring potato exports to Canada and Mexico?

I helped write the two export grants that were received by WPVGA from WDATCP. Each was to look at new export potato markets with inroads into Mexico and Canada.

The Healthy Grown, sustainability, and innovation messages of the industry were needed in these grants and resonated with potential export markets.

What excites you about that area of exploration? I think it is interesting to look at exports now as there seems to be a need in some of those markets for more produce.

Now is a viable time to start exploring options to open new international markets, and I will stay involved to see the progress of those projects.

Where do you hope your research

takes you in the next two to five years and beyond? Sustainability, resultant agriculture, climate smart ag, and regenerative ag all fit under the umbrella of using best management practices, IPM, sustainable ag and improved efficiencies. All are continually needed to better manage the system.

I think those will all be keys in the short term, and our work on tracking practice adoption and efficiencies in agriculture systems is important. Continual advancements of Healthy Grown will be relevant in this landscape.

Also, the non-agriculture landscape restoration efforts on privately owned lands will continue to expand on farms as ecosystem services will become even more important in the future.

In the longer term, I think new technologies, big data approaches, varieties and other mechanical and field innovations will become more integrated into agricultural systems. It will be interesting to see what happens in agriculture in the future.

As I continue in my career, I want to be flexible and nimble and change as needed to help the growers and industry tackle any of the new challenges and advances that occur in potato systems.

Is there anything I’ve missed, Deana, that you’d like to add? Just that it has been a privilege to work in this industry for so many years and I am looking forward to continuing work with the innovative growers and industry for a long time, hopefully for the rest of my career.

I have enjoyed all the people I get to interact with. I am lucky to have this opportunity

16 BC�T August

Above: Shown is an Alsum Farms potato field nearing full bloom in Arena, Wisconsin. Image courtesy of Beau Hartline, Alsum Farms & Produce

Healthy Grown is a whole farm approach of growing potatoes and vegetables using the best environmental practices possible, from pesticide use to promotion of ecological standards on the farm.

75 Years of Progress

WPVGA Celebrates 75th Anniversary in 2023

By Tamas Houlihan, Executive Director, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA)

The year was 1948. President Harry S. Truman was reelected in an upset over Thomas Dewey. “Howdy Doody” was the most popular TV show. Cleveland (yes, Cleveland) defeated Boston, 4 games to 2, to win the World Series.

More importantly, potato yields in Wisconsin were averaging 96 cwt.

(hundredweight) per acre. With 78,000 acres of potatoes grown in the state, total production was close to 7.5 million cwt.

Fast forward 75 years. Wisconsin potato yields are now routinely 425+ cwt./acre, and with 63,000 acres grown, the state produces over 25 million cwt. annually, ranking third in

the United States. (And Cleveland has still not won another World Series.)

The year 2023 marks the 75th Anniversary of the formation of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA). The original Association was incorporated in 1948, so this year we are celebrating 75 years of progress.

Below:

The first WPVGA president was Ben Diercks (inset). His son, Robert, grandson, Steve (left), and great-grandson, Andy (right), have all been WPVGA presidents. Ben, Robert, and Steve Diercks are in the WPVGA Hall of Fame.

Above: Avis and Louis Wysocki are both WPVGA Hall of Fame members. Louis was instrumental in founding the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board and served as its first president in 1974. He is still active on the WPVGA Water Task Force and Governmental Affairs committees. The late Avis Wysocki is credited with founding the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary with Dianne Somers.

WPVGA Hall of Fame member Jerry Bushman (center) tapes a TV show alongside “Midwest Grill’n” hosts Mad Dog (left) & Merrill with the Spudmobile in the background.

IN THE BEGINNING…

The original group of growers who formed the Association adopted the name “Potato Growers of Wisconsin,” and the Articles of Incorporation were signed by Ben Diercks, Felix Zeloski, Barron West, and Luke Kuczmarski.

Diercks was elected as the first president and Edward Okray was elected vice president. (Do the names, “Diercks” and “Okray” sound familiar to anyone?)

The Association was set up as a nonprofit organization to organize the potato growers and handlers of the state to promote and protect their interests; and to arrange, hold and conduct meetings of potato growers and potato handlers in the state. Office space was acquired in the Fidelity Savings Bank of Antigo and Cliff Hutchinson was employed as the first Executive Secretary. The bank is now Chase Bank of Antigo, but the office remains there.

The initial fee for membership was 25 cents per acre. A monthly publication called “The Badger Common’Tater” was soon developed, with the first issue being mailed out in July of 1948.

In 1964, growers of other vegetables were interested in forming a statewide organization, which resulted in changing the name to

the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Inc.

One of the biggest accomplishments of the Association occurred in 1974 with the establishment of legislation giving Wisconsin its own Potato Industry Board (WPIB).

Members of that first WPIB included President Louis Wysocki and Dennis Zeloski. (Do those names sound familiar?) Later, in 1989, Wisconsin growers voted overwhelmingly to make the Potato Industry Board’s assessment mandatory without a refund clause.

Dianne and

and

Somers. Francis and Nick are both WPVGA Hall of Fame members and past presidents of the WPVGA, with Nick also being a past president of the WPIB. Dianne is credited with founding the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary alongside Avis Wysocki.

RIght: WPVGA Hall of Fame member Larry Alsum (center) poses with his daughters, Wendy Dykstra (left) and Heidi AlsumRandall (right), in Washington, D.C., overlooking the Capitol. Larry served two terms as WPVGA president, Heidi is the current president of the WPIB, and Wendy sits on the WPVGA Board of Directors.

•

Left: From left to right are Francis

Harriet Wysocki with

Nick

The WPIB has served as a funding and oversight board for the industry’s research and marketing efforts as well as WPVGA administration.

It would be virtually impossible to list all the Association’s accomplishments throughout the years. There has been considerable work done on issues such as market orders, irrigation and water issues, taxes, environmental and crop protection concerns, promotion, and education.

The Association has also worked hand in hand with the Extension Service of the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, coordinating the annual summer field day events and funding millions of dollars in applied research.

The WPVGA has sponsored the annual Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, which has long been recognized as one of, if not the best, potato events of its kind in the country.

NOTHING IS CONSTANT, EXCEPT CHANGE

The potato industry has changed dramatically over the past 75 years. Farms are now much fewer in number but larger in size. Equipment has gotten much larger and more efficient. Irrigation is now widespread on virtually every potato farm, and variable rate irrigation systems are used to conserve water and nutrients.

Automation and robotics are

commonplace in potato packing sheds. Storage facilities have improved to the point where we can now store potatoes yearround. The processing industry has become increasingly important, now accounting for over 50% of Wisconsin potato usage.

But through all the changes, the goals and objectives of the WPVGA have remained the same: research, education, promotion and grower advocacy.

Above: In the historical photo at left, a hand harvest crew works diligently at Prosser Farms near Antigo in the early 1950s. A harvest operation, right, is shown at Plover River Farms. Harvest machinery has come a long way in the past 75 years.

A seed cutting operation is shown, at left, on Lonnie Powell’s farm in the late 1940s, and a modern seed cutting operation (right) at Schroeder Bros. Farms in Antigo.

And the key to achieving these goals remains the same: a willingness to get involved, get organized and work together.

Although potatoes have been grown in Wisconsin for much longer than 75 years, it took a group of dedicated farmers with great foresight to organize and unify the growers of the state. In so doing, those pioneers

made the industry stronger and more economically viable for generations to come.

So, as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the WPVGA, let’s pause and give thanks to those who made it all possible. Please take a moment to read through the list of WPVGA Hall of Fame inductees as well as the lists of industry presidents

that follow this article.

Many farms, farm workers, and more importantly, a lot of families are

continued on pg. 22

An early Wisconsin potato Industry Show is depicted at left, while at right is the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary booth at a recent WPVGA Industry Show. Pictured in the second image are past Auxiliary presidents Lynn Isherwood (left) and Kathy Bartsch (right).

of Wisconsin.

Financial Officer Karen Rasmussen has 27 years of service; Executive Assistant Julie Braun recently celebrated 25 years of service; Promotions Director Dana Rady has served the WPVGA for over 10 years; and Managing Editor Joe Kertzman has over seven years of service. Parttime Program Assistant Jane Guillen is in her fifth year of service.

I’m honored to be the 13th Executive Director of the WPVGA and even

LEADING THE WAY SINCE 1948

WPVGA Presidents:

B.H. (Ben) Diercks (1948-49)

Edward Okray (1950)

James D. Swan (1951)

Melvin Luther (1952)

John Okray (1953-54)

Charles Creuziger (1955-59)

Emil Jorgenson (1960)

A.F. Hoeft (1961)

Jack Diercks (1962-65)

Emil Perzinski (1966-68)

Louis Wysocki (1969-71)

Lonnie Krogwold (1972-74)

Robert H. Diercks (1975-76)

Nick Somers (1977-78)

Bob Guenthner (1979-80)

Cy Sorrells (1981)

Richard Pavelski (1982)

Ernest Bushman (1983-85)

Howard “Hod” Chilewski (1986)

John Wolter (1987-88)

Steve Diercks (1989)

Robert Stodola (1990)

Bob Lapacinski (1991)

Francis Wysocki (1992-94)

Jim Okray (1995)

Terry Wex (1996-97)

Robert Stodola (1998)

Al Sowinski (1999)

Mike Wolter (2000)

Jim Wysocki (2001)

Andy Diercks (2002)

Larry Alsum (2003)

Jim Bacon (2004)

Ron Krueger (2005)

Jeff Sommers (2006)

T.J. Kennedy (2007-08)

Kevin Sigourney (2009)

Mike Carter (2010)

Kirk Wille (2011)

Brad Faldet (2012)

An early potato planter is shown, left, and, at right, a potato planter is filled at Heartland Farms a few years ago. Potato equipment continues to get larger and more efficient.

more honored to say I’ve been working for this industry for over 35 of its 75 years. I can’t imagine a better industry in which to work, and I’m thankful for it every day.

Let’s keep this industry moving Full Spud Ahead!

Eric Schroeder (2017)

Josh Mattek (2018)

Wes Meddaugh (2019)

Rod Gumz (2020)

Bill Guenthner (2021)

Alex Okray (2022)

Randy Fleishauer (2023)

Jeremie Pavelski (2013)

Larry Alsum (2014)

Andy Wallendal (2015)

Mark Finnessy (2016)

Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board Presidents:

2023 – Brittany Bula

2022 – Devin Zarda

2021 – Kathy Bartsch

2020 – Kathy Bartsch

2019 – Kathy Bartsch

2018 – Kathy Bartsch

2017 – Paula Houlihan

2016 – Paula Houlihan

2015 – Jacquie Wille

2014 – Kathy Bartsch

2013 – Lynn Isherwood

2012 – Lynn Isherwood

2011 – Lynn Isherwood

2010 – Carole Gagas

2009 – Lynn Isherwood

2008 – Lynn Isherwood

2007 – Lynn Isherwood

2006 – Deb Bacon

2005 – Deb Bacon

2004 – Deb Bacon

2003 – Carole Gagas

2002 – Carole Gagas

2001 – Carole Gagas

2000 – Lynn Isherwood

1999 – Lynn Isherwood

1998 – Lynn Isherwood

1997 – Judy Schroeder

1996 – Gerri Okray

1995 – Gerri Okray

1994 – Gerri Okray

1993 – Chris Anthony

1992 – Caroline Wild

1991 – Caroline Wild

1990 – Caroline Wild

1989 – Jane Zdroik

1988 – Arlene Malek

1987 – Anita Polzin

1986 – Anita Polzin

Associate Division Presidents:

2023 – Matt Selenske

2022 – Julie Cartwright

2021 – Chris Brooks

2020 – Kenton Mehlberg

2019 – Kenton Mehlberg

2018 – Casey Kedrowski

2017 – Sally Suprise

2016 – Wayne Solinsky

2015 – Chris Brooks

2014 – Eugene Mancl

2013 – Eugene Mancl

2012 – Danny Wysocky

2011 – Danny Wysocky

2010 – Jim Beach

2009 – Steve Tatro

2008 – Steve Tatro

2007 – Skip Tenpas

2006 – Skip Tenpas

2005 – Dale Bowe

2004 – Dale Bowe

2003 – Bob Ebben

2002 – Tony Grapsas

2001 – Tony Grapsas

2000 – David Bauknecht

Wisconsin Potato Industry Board Presidents:

2023-2024 – Heidi Randall

2022-2023 – Heidi Randall

2021-2022 – Heidi Randall

2020-2021 – Heidi Randall

2019-2020 – Heidi Randall

2018-2019 – Heidi Randall

2017-2018 – Heidi Randall

2016-2017 – Heidi Randall

2015-2016 – Heidi Randall

2014-2015 – Heidi Randall

2013-2014 – Tom Wild

2012-2013 – Tom Wild

2011-2012 – Tom Wild

2010-2011 – Tom Wild

2009-2010 – Tom Wild

2008-2009 – Tom Wild

2007-2008 – Tom Wild

Complete List of WPVGA Hall of Fame Members and Years Inducted

1990

Joseph L. Bushman

Ben H. Diercks

Myron Mommsen

Edward J. Okray

John Okray

1985 – Anita Polzin

1984 – Anita Polzin

1983 – Kathie Baginski

1982 – Pat Diercks

1981 – Pat Diercks

1980 – Helen Wanca

1979 – Arlene Malek

1978 – Dianne Somers

1977 – Dianne Somers

1976 – Dianne Somers

1975 – Dianne Somers

1999 – Peg DeLapp

1998 – Peg DeLapp

1997 – Dan Zierke

1996 – Dan Zierke

1995 – Mike Hurst

1994 – Mike Hurst

1993 – Dennis Schultz

1992 – Tom Koss

1991 – Tom Koss

1990 – Paul Roberts

1989 – Paul Roberts

W. James Prosser

Lelah Starks

James D. Swan

Barron G. West

Felix Zeloski

1991

Henry M. Darling

Robert H. Diercks

Melvin E. Luther

Albert M. Pavelski

Henry L. Woodward

1992

Lawrence Krogwold

Michael Patrykus

John A.

Schoenemann

Clarence Worzella

Louis E. Wysocki

1993

Champ Bean Tanner

Ernest Bushman

Melvin Hugo

Rominsky

Lawrence (Larry)

Lapcinski

Wayne Brittenham

1994

James Burns, Sr.

Myron D. Groskopp

James Wencel (J.W.) Mattek

Hal Roberts

1995

A.F. (Bill) Hoeft

Bennett Katz

Eugene Katz

Donn “Hokey” West

1996

2006-2007 – Tom Wild

2005-2006 – Tom Wild

2004-2005 – Tom Wild

2003-2004 – Tom Wild

2002-2003 – Terry Wex

2001-2002 – Steve Diercks

2000-2001 – Doug Rendall

1999-2000 – Sam Ourada

1998-1999 – Sam Ourada

1997-1998 – Donald Isherwood

1996-1997 – Donald Isherwood

1995-1996 – Andrew Wallendal

1994-1995 – Steve Diercks

1993-1994 – Bernard Lapacinski

1992-1993 – Gregory Wysocki

1991-1992 – Gregory Wysocki

1990-1991 – Nick Somers

1989-1990 – Nick Somers

1988-1989 – Nick Somers

1987-1988 – Nick Somers

1986-1987 – Glen Wolter

1985-1986 – Glen Wolter

1984-1985 – Brian West

1983-1984 – Brian West

1982-1983 – Brian West

1981-1982 – Joe Okray

1980-1981 – Donald Schroeder

1979-1980 – Jack Jilek

1978-1979 – Robert Diercks

1977-1978 – John Mommsen

1976-1977 – John Mommsen

1975-1976 – Dennis Zeloski

1974-1975 – Louis Wysocki, Robert Diercks, Vice President

2002 (Presented in Feb. 2003)

Robert Hougas

Gerri Okray

2003 (Presented in Jan. 2004)

Larry Binning

Peter Wallendal

2004 (Presented in Feb. 2005)

Jerome Bushman

Harold Sargent

2005 (Presented in Feb. 2006)

Ed Wade

Dennis Zeloski

2006 (Presented in Feb. 2007)

Don Kichefski

2007 (Presented in Feb. 2008)

Walt Stevenson

2008 (Presented in Feb. 2009)

Victor Anthony

Jeffrey Wyman

2009 (Presented in Feb. 2010)

John Landa

Robert Stodola

2010 (Presented in Feb. 2011)

John H. Schroeder

August Winkler

2011 (Presented in Feb. 2012)

Fred and Kathryne Meyer

Howard “Skip”

Tenpas

2012 (Presented in Feb. 2013)

Steve Diercks

Mike Finnessy

2013 (Presented in Feb. 2014)

Myron Soik

2014 (Presented in Feb. 2015)

Robert Helbach

2015 (Presented in Feb. 2016)

Charles M. Creuziger

Alois (Al) Okray

Joseph Jacob Okray

Stanley J. Peloquin

1997

Anton (Tony)

Gallenberg

Howard F. Chilewski

1998

Dave Curwen

Francis Gilson

Emil Perzinski

1999

John J. Bushman

James G. Milward

2000

Dean Kincaid

Henry V. Sowinski

2001 (Presented in Feb. 2002)

James J. Mattek

Francis X. Wysocki

Charles Cofer

Robert Guenthner

2016 (Presented in Feb. 2017)

Donald Hamerski

Richard Pavelski

2017 (Presented in Feb. 2018)

Nick Somers

2018 (Presented in Feb. 2019)

Dr. Keith Kelling

2019 (Presented in Feb. 2020)

Larry Alsum

Dick Okray

2020 (Presented in Feb. 2021)

Marv Worzella

Norm Worzella

2021 (Presented in Feb. 2022)

Paul Miller

2022 (Presented in Feb. 2023)

Randy VanHaren

Reuse Phosphorus on Farmland

The important nutrient for potatoes can be reclaimed from wastewater in the form of struvite

By Soil Science Society of America

Phosphorus is one of the main ingredients for healthy plant growth. Plants get phosphorus from the soil, and much of it is applied to farm fields in the form of fertilizers.

The major current source of phosphorus, which comes from rock, is running out. Plus, it must be mined and then chemically converted and transported long distances. This costs

money and uses valuable resources. The Soil Science Society of America’s (SSSA) February 15, 2022, “Soils Matter” blog took a look at research that is making a circular phosphorus cycle through struvite reclamation. Bloggers Kristofor R. Brye, University of Arkansas, and Lauren Greenlee, Pennsylvania State University, wrote about their research into reclaiming phosphorus, in the form of struvite, from wastewater treatment plants. Their research is looking at alternative ways to retrieve phosphorus, such as in the form of struvite. Struvite is a chemical

Above: Electrochemically precipitated struvite is applied to the surface of soil in eastern Arkansas for a corn study, in 2020. Struvite slowly dissolves in the soil, which may reduce nutrient losses in runoff and help the crops grow. Photo courtesy of Niyi Omidire

Left: Reusing phosphorus from wastewater treatment plants creates a cycle. Crops are grown on farms, sold in markets, and eaten. Wastewater treatment plants recover valuable phosphorus, which is then applied back onto the farm. Photo courtesy of staff members from the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America

compound that contains not only phosphorus, but magnesium and other elements like nitrogen. All of these are important nutrients for crops.

Struvite has shown promise for use in agriculture as an alternative fertilizer-phosphorus source. Both greenhouse and row-crop studies suggest that struvite is a viable fertilizer compound compared to traditional fertilizers.

Wastewater treatment plants work to purify water so that it can be reused. They fall under strict standards from the Environmental Protection Agency.

LARGE-SCALE EXTRACTION

Struvite can precipitate from wastewater in similar ways to rock candy formation. Scientists have found that it is not only possible to pull struvite from wastewater, but that it can be done on a large scale.

Brye and Greenlee’s teams used both chemical and electrochemical

Soil Science Society of America

methods to precipitate the struvite from the wastewater.

Their field studies also showed that struvite’s slow release of phosphorus may benefit the environment.

2022 marked the 50-year anniversary of the Clean Water Act. This Act aims to restore and maintain the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s water resources.

Struvite could play a future role in accomplishing the objectives of the Clean Water Act. Struvite may also play an integral role in supporting

the sustainability of agriculture and food production with recycled nutrient fertilizer sources.

Research about struvite and its uses will help keep people fed and protect the environment, just as the Clean Water Act envisioned.

Drs. Brye and Greenlee recently published their research in “Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment Journal,” a publication of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.

continued on pg. 26

“Scientists have found that it is not only possible to pull struvite from wastewater, but that it can be done on a large scale.”

–

Reuse Phosphorus on Farmland . . . continued from pg. 25

To learn more about this important work, visit the Soils Matter blog: https://soilsmatter.wordpress. com/2022/02/15/what-is-struviteand-how-is-it-used.

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive, international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global soils.

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, SSSA is the professional home for 6,000+ members dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. It provides information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.

Follow SSSA on Facebook at SSSA.

Above: At left, struvite is pelletized and chemically precipitated by Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc. Recovering struvite from wastewater can benefit the environment. At right, the powdered, electrochemically precipitated struvite was created in the laboratory from synthetic wastewater. Photo courtesy of Niyi Omidire

soils, and Twitter at SSSA_Soils. SSSA has soils information on www.soils. org/about-soils, for teachers at

www.soils4teachers.org, and for students through 12th grade, www.soils4kids.org.

LELAH STARKS EARLY GENERATION SEED FARM IN RHINELANDER, WI

Managed by the Wisconsin Potato Coalition is looking for the following equipment for the 2024 Growing Season

• 4-Row Potato Planter

• 36’’ Potato Seed Cutter

PLEASE CONTACT MATT YOUNG mattyoung.wpc@gmail.com or (715) 219-4289

A pure magnesium electrode is shown before precipitation (left) and then with precipitated struvite in the form of white powder at right. Photo courtesy of Laszlo Kekedy-Nagy

A laboratory-scale, single-cell electrochemical batch reactor is used for struvite production. Photo courtesy of Laszlo Kekedy-Nagy

SEED PIECE

Golfers Hit the Links for 2023 Spud Seed Classic

Ag Industry showed up at Bass Lake Golf Course in full force for annual fundraiser

Well, the weather outside was delightful for the 2023 Spud Seed Classic golf tournament, June 16, at Bass Lake Golf Course in Deerbrook, Wisconsin, and turnout for the fundraiser was equally fantastic.

Forty-two teams of four players each (some with three) hit the links for a day of golf, camaraderie, competition, games, drawings and delicious food and drinks.

An annual fundraiser put on by the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA), the Spud Seed Classic raises money toward research

From left to right, WPVGA staff members Julie Braun and Karen Rasmussen checked in golfers for the popular Spud Seed Classic golf tournament, June 16, while Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary and WPVGA Grower members Aly Fassbender, and Jolene and Bill Guenthner all stood for a nice photo. continued on pg. 28

and research station needs, as well as promotion of the state’s certified seed potato program and industry. Garnering incredible support each year, potato and vegetable growers, associated businesses, university researchers and guests arrive in full force for the golf tournament, dinner, and awards ceremony.

Timed after planting in most areas is complete, the golf outing serves as a way for growers and industry professionals to unwind, relax, and have fun golfing with friends and industry peers.

The event was a resounding success, and thanks to the generosity of

tournament sponsors, the 2023 Spud Seed Classic raised $23,600, a near identical repeat of last year.

Since 1998, the fundraiser, previously known as the Tony Gallenberg Memorial Golf Tournament, has raised well over $170,000, with proceeds invested directly back into the industry.

GENEROUS SPONSORS

The 2023 Spud Seed Classic sponsors are Ag Logistics, Inc.; AgCountry Farm Credit Services; Big Iron Equipment, Inc.; BMO Harris Bank; Bushman’s Riverside Ranch; Cropping Central LLC; Kretz Truck Brokerage LLC; Nichino America, Inc.; Northwestern

Left: Keith Wanta of Rural Mutual Insurance rolls a die at the Eagle River Seed Farm sponsored hole for a chance at a gift card good toward an Eagle River restaurant. His teammate, Derek Van Lanen (right), waits his turn.

Right: Playing for Baginski Farms, Charlie Husnick hits a ball out of the sand trap while, behind him from left to right, teammates Cory Chrudimsky, Mike Baginski and Wally Eagle relish the scene.

Mutual Wealth Management Company; Nutrien Ag SolutionsGreat Lakes; Sand County Equipment; Schroeder Bros. Farms, Inc.; Schumitsch Companies; Swiderski Equipment, Inc.; Syngenta; TriEst Ag Group; Vista Financial Services;

Representing Team Fairchild Equipment, Jeff Martens tees off during the Spud Seed Classic in Deerbrook, Wisconsin.

Representing Team “Tater Tom” and taking 1st Place with a score of 56 at the 2023 Spud Seed Classic scramble are, from left to right, Nicholas Bolen, Mike Bolen, Nathan Bolen, and Tom Schmidt.

With awards for 1st, 2nd, 7th, and last place, taking 7th Place in the Spud Seed Classic is never a bad thing, here accomplished with a score of 61 by, from left to right, Kenton

Volm Companies; and WSPIA.

Occupied hole sponsors CoVantage Credit Union, Eagle River Seed Farm LLC, Oro Agri, Parsons of Antigo, Sunnydale Farms, Vista Financial Strategies, WIPFLI, LLP, and WSPIA doled out prizes, gift packages, beverages, and swag.

Nearly 20 additional companies made monetary and raffle prize donations to the event. See the full-page Spud Seed Classic “Thank You” ad in this issue.

Pam Jansen and the staff at Bass Lake Golf Course prepared a delicious dinner buffet followed by the WSPIA

SPUDNIK Harvester Used - 2004 SPUDNIK 9060 Hiller

Used - SPUDNIK 8046 7-Row Potato Bed Planter. Includes Fertilizer Tanks and Tubing.

Used - 2009 GRIMME M odel GL38T-2 8-Row Planter, 36”Row Spacing. 3 Available!

Wrapping up 2nd Place with a score of 58 at the Spud Seed Classic scramble are, from left to right, Andy Schroeder, Josh Knights, Eric Schroeder, and Brad Knights representing Team Schroeder Brothers Farms.

Mehlberg, Andy Verhasselt, and Steve and Max Tatro of T.I.P., Inc.

continued on pg. 30

Spud Seed Classic Awards Ceremony, during which top golfers and raffle prize winners were announced.

Kyle Mattek of J.W. Mattek & Sons took home a 65-inch LG UHD (UltraHigh Definition) TV, and Carl Phillips, there playing for I-State Truck Center, won the raffle ticket drawing for a Bubbl’r bean bags game donated by Pepsi.

More than 15 prizes were awarded for such feats as longest putt at a certain hole, shortest drive at another or closest to the cart path at a third. For being closest to the pin on the par-3 eighth Tony Gallenberg Hole, Tyler Hegewald of Bushman & Associates pocketed a cool $500.

Heartfelt appreciation is extended to Jansen and Jim Pukall of Bass

Left: Playing for Team Harriston-Mayo and Mt. Morris Insurance Company, Shane Senn hits a chip shot.

Right: Representing Team Syngenta are, from left to right, Ron Krueger, Tamas Houlihan, Dave Flakne, and Steve Diercks.

Lake Golf Course, and of course Karen Rasmussen and Julie Braun of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association for planning

Carl Phillips of I-State Truck Center won a Bubbl’r bean bags game donated by Pepsi as part of a raffle ticket drawing at the Spud Seed Classic.

Chipping to win a prize at the Parson’s of Antigo sponsored hole is Rod Zupon of Kretz Truck Brokerage, LLC.

and executing a fun and fruitful golf outing. Considering the great turnout and generosity of golfers and sponsors, the industry can certainly look forward to the Spud Seed Classic being back at Bass Lake Golf Course in 2024.

continued on pg. 32

Top: Gallenberg Farms was well represented at the Spud Seed Classic, including by, from left to right, Kimberly and Willy Roesler, and Jeremy and Katy Weber.

Right: From left to right on the Swiderski Equipment team are Jacob Koskey, Shawn Walkush, Joe Allen, and Corey Mattek.

I appreciate the service provided by a local agent. They are always available for questions. I like having someone in my community that knows the area. It is like having a friend in the insurance business.

Customer service is one of our core values. Rural Mutual Insurance is ranked in the top percentile of the insurance industry by a customer satisfaction benchmark survey.

Find

Walter Current Client

Keith Wolter of Hyland Lakes Spuds smashes a drive during the Spud Seed Classic.

Justin Wolman hits a putt shot at the Spud Seed Classic. A marketing and communications specialist for the Farming for the Future Foundation and Food + Farm Exploration Center, Justin was playing for Team GP Ventures with Polly Knauf, and Bob and Cheri Guenthner.

WE EXTEND A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE 2023 SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF EVENT!

DINNER SPONSOR

AgCountry Farm Credit Services

LUNCH SPONSORS

Nichino America, Inc. Schumitsch Companies

GOLDRUSH SPONSORS

Syngenta WSPIA

SILVERTON SPONSORS

Ag Logistics, Inc.

Bushman’s Riverside R anch

Kretz Truck Brokerage LLC

Volm Companies

SUPERIOR SPONSORS

Big Iron Equipment, Inc.

BMO Harris Bank

Cropping Central LLC

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company

Nutrien Ag Solutions-Great Lakes

Sand County Equipment

Schroeder Bros. Farms, Inc.

Swiderski Equipment, Inc.

TriEs t Ag Group

Vista Financial Strategi es

OCCUPIED HOLE SPONSORS

CoVantage Credit Union

Eagle River Seeed Farm LLC

Oro Agri

Arlen’s TV & Appliances

Beaver Machine, Inc.

C ulver’s/Tony’s Family

Fairchild Equipm ent, Inc.

Gallenberg Farms, Inc.

Gow an USA A

Harriston-May o LLC

Ins ight FS

IState Truck Center

J. W. M attek & Sons, I nc.

AgSour ce Laboratories

Badger Common’Tater

Bass Lake Golf Course

Culver ’s of Antigo

Dixie Lunch

Fifth Avenue Lounge

Lakeside Market

Parsons of Antigo

Sunnydale Farms

Vista Financial Strategies

Wipfli, LLP

WSPIA

BASIC HOLE SPONSORS

J ay-Mar, Inc.

K akes Farms, Ltd.

K erberRos e CPAs

M t. M orris M utual Ins urance

C o.

Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems

Nutrien Ag Solutions-G reat

Lak es

Quinlan’s Equipm ent, Inc.

DONATIONS

Mid-State Truck Service

Nor th Star Lanes

Pepsi

Per outka’s Meats

Riesterer & Schnell, Inc.

Rur al Insur ance, Antigo Salon 731

Riesterer & Schnell, I nc.

Rob erts Irrigation C ompany

Southsid e Tire C o., I nc.

Sowinski Seed Farm

T H Ag ri-C hem icals, I nc.

T.I.P., Inc.

Vine Vest North, Inc.

Warner & Warner, Inc.

Schroeder ’s Gifts

Swartzendruber’s Supper Club

Swiderski Equipment, Antigo

WPVGA

WSPIA

WPIB Focus

Election Results are in for 2023-’24 Wisconsin

Potato Industry Board

Out-going board member Bill Wysocki recognized for 30 years of distinguished service

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has certified the 2023 Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) election results.

As of July 1, 2023, the following producers began a three-year term as elected WPIB members:

District 1: Tom Wild, Antigo District 1 includes Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Iron, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn counties.

District 2: Nicola Carey, Bancroft Includes Marathon, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, and Waushara counties.

District 3: Heidi Randall, Cambria

The WPIB is composed of nine producers in three districts across the state, with one at-large member elected every third year.

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

The 2023-’24 Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) members are, from left to right at top, Eric Schroeder, Andy Diercks (vice president), Heidi Alsum-Randall (president), Keith Wolter (treasurer), John Fenske and Tom Wild. From left to right at bottom are Jim Okray, John Bobek, and Nicola Carey (secretary).

Randall (president of the Board) and Wild were reelected to three-year terms.

Carey (new secretary of the Board) was also elected to a three-year term and replaces Bill Wysocki, who served 30 years and decided it was time to step down and let someone else represent District 2.

The rest of the WPIB members are Andy Diercks (vice president); Keith Wolter (treasurer); and John Bobek, John Fenske, Jim Okray, and Eric Schroeder (directors).

During a WPIB Board Meeting on June 23, Randall said, “We’ll be sad to see you go, Bill. You’ve been a key piece of our team and made it fun. I appreciate all that I’ve learned from you.”

ONE MISSED MEETING

“Thirty years, and I missed only one

meeting,” Wysocki replied. “Heidi said she’s learned a lot from me, and I learned a lot from Tom [Wild]. He taught me how to read a financial statement for one.”

“It has been a good experience for me,” he said.

The Board oversees the collection and use of approximately $1.9 million in assessment fees paid by Wisconsin potato growers.

This funding is used to support the potato industry through research, education, and promotion of Wisconsin-grown potatoes.

DATCP administers elections for Wisconsin commodity marketing boards. To learn more about market order boards, visit https:// datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/ MarketingBoards.aspx.

Bill Wysocki was honored with a plaque, June 27, for 10 terms (or 30 years) of distinguished service on the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board. Nicola Carey was consequently elected to the Board to represent District 2.

Now News

Big Iron Hosts Annual Spudnik Sales Meeting

Dealers and guests visit Heartland Farms, and enjoy a Wisconsin Dells boat tour

Big Iron Equipment of Plover, Wisconsin, played host to more than 40 Spudnik dealers, sales associates, and guests from across the country,

June 20-21, for Spudnik’s Annual Sales Meeting.

The itinerary included sales meetings

Above: Spudnik dealers and sales associates pose outside of Big Iron Equipment in Plover, Wisconsin, during Spudnik’s Annual Sales Meeting, June 20-21, 2023.

at the Holiday Inn Convention Center where Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Tamas Houlihan was a keynote speaker, a tour of Heartland Farms in Hancock, a Wisconsin Dells boat tour, lunch at Feltz Family Farm & Dairy Store, and dinners and receptions.

Other activities included a tour of the Food + Farm Exploration Center conducted by Dick Okray and Andy Reitz of the Farming for the Future Foundation, axe throwing at Section 715 Throwing Company, dinner at the Cedar Shack in Adams, and a Big Iron Equipment facility open house, dinner, and drinks.

The Spudmobile and Spudmobile Education and Outreach

Administrator George Neuber

Enjoying the Big Iron Equipment open house during the Annual Spudnik Sales Meeting are, from left to right, Frank Unger of Manitoba, Canada; Travis Foster and Brock Gibbons of Othello, Washington; and Samuel Contos from Blackfoot, Idaho. 36 BC�T August

were on-hand at the Big Iron Equipment open house for Spudnik dealers to take tours of the mobile education vehicle and traveling billboard.

Stacy Groshek addressed the dealers during dinner, giving a rundown on the history of Big Iron Equipment, which began when her father, Bill Zelinski, bought the Spudnik building, parts shop, offices, and equipment yard, and opened the doors for business in November 1995.

THIRTY YEARS IN BUSINESS

Ready to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025, Big Iron Equipment has grown and evolved over the years, at one time buying the business next

Above: Family members of Big Iron Equipment owner Bill Zelinski enjoyed a Spudmobile visit during the Spudnik Annual Sales Meeting. The kids in the first photo are, from left to right in the front row: Delaney, Brice and Vince Mykisen; middle row, left to right, Hank and Nora Groshek; and back row, Brennah Kulinski. The full family in the second photograph includes, from left to right, Zach Mykisen holding Vince; Amy Mykisen with Brice in front of her; Stacy Groshek with Delaney in front of her; Kevin Groshek; Dianne Zelinski with Nora in front of her; Bill Zelinski; Jessie Kozlowski with Hank in front of her; and Luke Zelinski.

door to expand operations.

With several immediate Zelinski family members employed at Big Iron Equipment, Groshek, who is the office manager, said, “We are more

of a family than coworkers, and those who aren’t family are adopted.”

She then went on to recognize several employees who have been

continued on pg. 38

provide real nutrition

are used at rates that will actually feed

• Protect your investment with Jay-Mar foliar fertilizers.

• Don’t take chances.

with Big Iron Equipment anywhere from just shy of a decade on up to 26 years.

“Spudnik has been our most constant line of equipment,” Groshek explained.

“We’ve got to be one of the oldest Spudnik dealers in the country,” Bill added. “I have to check on that fact.”

Apply Now for a Spud Bowl Scholarship

Applications are available to incoming students enrolling at UW-Stevens Point

The Spud Bowl Committee is now accepting applications for 2023 Spud Bowl scholarships. Five scholarships for $1,200 apiece will be awarded.

Applications are available to incoming students enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) for the 2023 fall semester, and undergraduates already enrolled at any of the UWSP campuses.

Scholarship criteria include:

• Applicants must meet the grade point average (GPA) requirement of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or above;

• Resident of the UWSP service area, which includes the counties of Adams, Columbia, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marquette, Menominee, Portage, Shawano,

Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood;

• Farm or agribusiness background, which includes that the scholarship applicant or applicant’s immediate family is actively involved in agriculture;

• Involved in extracurricular activities;

• Past involvement in community service; and

• Financial need

Scholarship applicants are not required to pursue a career in agriculture.

The scholarships are provided by the Spud Bowl Endowment and profits made from the Spud Bowl event. Applications are due Sunday, August 21, 2023.

Now in its 37th year, the Spud Bowl was initially developed to highlight the agribusiness industry in Portage County and has progressed in providing financial relief for UWSP students that have been involved in the agriculture business.

Scholarship applications are available online at https://athletics.uwsp. edu/spudbowl. Through the years, over $120,000 has been awarded in Spud Bowl scholarships to over 125 students.

Money for the scholarship fund is raised annually through local businesses making donations. The Spud Bowl is typically scheduled around a UWSP Pointers home football game.

Left: Taking time to pose in front of the Spudmobile during the Big Iron Equipment open house are, from left to right, Zach Mykisen; Spudnik salesmen Kevin Smith and Justin Mecham of Blackfoot, Idaho; and Cody Wright, a Spudnik manager in eastern Idaho.

Right: Stacy Groshek, office manager for Big Iron Equipment, addressed the Spudnik dealers during dinner, giving a rundown on the history of Big Iron Equipment, which began when her father, Bill Zelinski, bought the Spudnik building, parts shop, offices, and equipment yard, and opened the doors for business in November 1995.

2023 SPUD BOWL

This year’s event will be on September 9, when the UWSP Pointers football team hosts St. Norbert College with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Goerke Field.

Scholarship recipients and the Spud Bowl Committee will be handing out over 600 free baked potatoes and McCain French fries at the game.

To apply for the scholarship, go to: https://athletics.uwsp.edu/spudbowl.

It is suggested to type your responses in a Microsoft Word document to save. In case you have trouble submitting, please try a different Web browser.

For more information, contact Ann Ninnemann, Spud Bowl event coordinator, ann.ninnemann@uwsp. edu.

continued on pg. 40

Wayne Solinsky of Jay-Mar, Inc., and Dale Bowe, retired from Wisconsin Public Service, serve French fries donated by McCain Foods to 2022 Spud Bowl attendees. At halftime during the football game each year, scholarships are awarded to deserving students with agriculture backgrounds who are enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-stevens Point.

The Name Says It All

Company

When Vee’s Marketing was created in 1990, it was common for produce companies to use the word “marketing” in their names. But the term has become synonymous with marketing companies known for creating websites, search engine optimization, advertising, and content creation. Because of this shift, Vee’s Marketing is becoming Vee’s Produce.

“We’re excited to update our company to be a more accurate reflection of who we are and what we do,” Jason Vee, owner and president of Vee’s Produce, says about the change.

He explains that the company’s identity has been viewed as a brokerage, meaning having the perception of strictly buying and

“Our business is changing, in that we are not just buying and selling products,” explains Vee. “We are also buying seed and packing materials. We have contractual agreements to sell whole crops and do year-round supply programs. We are not just a brokerage; we are a lot more than that.”

One of the main focuses of the new name launch is to bring attention to Vee’s Produce as a whole, focusing on the company’s services and making sure it is accurately represented. Emphasis on the brand is first and foremost the highest priority.

EXTEND SUCCESS

“We dove really hard into selling

very successful at getting the BBP name out there. Now, we wanted to extend that success to the entire company.”

As for customer impact, this new direction won’t change or affect current customers.

“Our people know who we are and what we do,” Vee points out. “This is an opportunity to be more visible to the rest of the United States and Canada.”

As for logistics, Vee has been working with Swim Creative on getting help with the new logo and name launch. Contrary to what others may think, produce is a relatively complicated business and fine-tuning a company message can be an intricate process.

“Swim tasked me with explaining what my company is, what we do, and who we do it for. They have helped me get better at looking at my business from an outside perspective,” Vee explains.

“We have always been good at the mechanics of providing value to our customers,” he adds. “Now, we are getting even better with the messaging of who we are and what we do so that we can expand our customer base.”

For more information, contact Jason Vee, Vee’s Produce, jason@ veesproduce.com, 715-374-3300.

Eagle River Seed Farm Seed Operations Wysocki Produce Farm Farming Operations Paragon Potato Farms Plant Operations

Mortenson Brothers Plants Seeds of Savings

Farm installs energy-efficient lighting in 100,000-square-foot wash facility

Mortenson Bros. Farms, Inc. is a 13,500-acre crop farm based in Plainfield, Wisconsin. Founded by brothers Jack and James Mortenson, in 1973, today it is farmed by Jack’s son, Jim, and his wife and children. In addition to potatoes, they also grow beets, carrots, sweet corn, peas, green beans, soybeans, and corn.

Jim has been farming this land for over 25 years and is active with the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. He has embraced many new technologies to protect his cropland and is always looking for more efficient methods for the farm’s overall operation. To reduce the daily peak demand

continued on pg. 42

WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES

Cut potato seed is loaded into a planter on Mortenson Bros. Farms west of Plainfield, Wisconsin.

WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES

continued from pg. 41

charges on utility bills, Mortenson Bros. Farms waters specific fields in the evenings to utilize lowhorsepower irrigation pumps. The operation also uses smart thermostats throughout the storage and processing facility for more in-depth temperature management with the heating and cooling schedules.

In 2010, a state-of-the-art wash facility was constructed. Consisting of approximately 100,000 square feet, this plant can store up to 560,000 hundredweight of potatoes. Because the site has different processes going on simultaneously, from conveyor systems and processing to refrigeration and storage, the farm needed to install energy-efficient lighting that would meet the needs of the various tasks occurring in the facility.

In the summer of 2022, a Focus on Energy advisor met with Jim to create a plan for this facility. By developing strategic energy goals and determining energy-saving priorities, Mortenson Bros. Farms received a 10% planning bonus.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

At that time, supply chain disruptions and market conditions were making it difficult to complete energy-related projects. Focus on Energy secured a 25% bonus for proceeding with the energy efficiency upgrades.

“Our storage facility consumes a lot of necessary electricity,” remarks Cory Gerzmehle, chief financial officer for Mortenson Bros. Farms. “With energy costs constantly on the rise and the overwhelming strain on the power grid, the need to find opportunities to lessen our load is real.”

“Focus on Energy was a big help on this project,” Gerzmehle relates. “They instructed us on the entire paperwork process and made sure

the farm received all the available bonus offerings. It’s a great program for businesses looking to improve energy efficiency in their facilities.”

Working with local contractor Dakota Supply Group, Mortenson Bros. Farms installed 100 LED light fixtures throughout the wash facility. They also installed bi-level controls to better manage the lighting needs in each space.

This improved the safety of working conditions throughout the facility by adjusting the lighting levels as needed.

Mortenson Bros. Farms made the quickest, most cost-effective energy improvement because of this LED lighting system. The agribusiness received $9,450 in financial incentives from Focus on Energy.

This project will save upwards of 88,000 kilowatt hours annually, or $9,691, from the energy bill. This is the equivalent of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from more than 2,350 incandescent lamps

Working with Focus on Energy, Mortenson Bros. Farms installed energy-efficient lighting that meets the needs of the various tasks occurring in a new, state-of-the-art, 100,000-squarefoot wash facility.

WPVGA Approves 2023-’24 Research Projects

BASE FUNDING PROPOSALS: (BFP)

Project Leader Project Title

Babler, Brooke BFP: Seed Certification $25,000

Colquhoun, Jed BFP: Weed Management $25,000

Endelman, Jeffrey BFP: Breeding $25,000

Gevens, Amanda BFP: Disease Management $25,000

Groves, Russell BFP: Insect Management $25,000

Ruark, Matthew BFP: Fertility Management $25,000

Wang, Yi BFP: Potato & Vegetable Production $25,000

Franc, Niles BFP: Langlade County Potato Research Station Support $15,000

Total Base Funded Proposals $190,000

COMPETITIVE GRANT PROPOSALS:

Project Leader Project Title

Colquhoun, Jed

Gevens, Amanda

Improving Water Quality With Natural Products Placed Below the Potato Root Zone to Capture Nitrate and Pesticides $15,000 from Chip Cmte.

Evaluating Effectiveness of Crop Protectants & Alternative Strategies to Manage Diseases in Potatoes in Production & Storage Systems $15,000

Groves, Russell Insect Management Systems for Potato Production $15,000

Kabbage, Mehdi

Application of Small RNAs for Control of Early Blight (Alternaria Solani) on Potato $15,000

Rakotondrafara, Aurelie Optimize the Delivery of Virus-Derived Proteins to Control Fungal Pathogens of Potatoes $15,000

Schoville, Sean

Walker, Amber

Walker, Amber

Wang, Yi

Wang, Yi

Bolte, Chuck

Drought, James

Spatiotemporal Modeling of Insecticide Resistance in Colorado Potato Beetle $15,000

Tuber Quality & Storability Profile of Full-Season Fresh Market & Processing Chip Potato Cultivars $10,400 & $3,400 from Chip Cmte.

Multi-Year Screening for Suitability of New and Upcoming Fresh Market Clones for Production in Wisconsin $14,000

Testing Elite Fresh Market Varieties in a Low Nitrogen Environment $15,000 Funded by Water Task Force

Evaluating Effects of Nitrogen "Spoon Feeding" on Common Seed Potato Varieties Grown in the Antigo Flats $15,000

Water Flow & Phosphorus Monitoring in the Antigo Flats Potato & Vegetable Production Area $15,000

Development of Cost-Effective Methods for Estimation of Nitrate

Leaching and Groundwater Recharge in Cultivated Areas Within the Central Sands Region of Wisconsin $15,000 Funded by Water Task Force

Total Competitive Proposals $177,800

TOTAL RESEARCH PROJECT FUNDING $367,800

WPVGA Has Good Showing at U.S. Senior Open

SentryWorld and Stevens Point make history in hosting major USGA golf championship

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

When a business closes for an extended period in preparation for a particular event, it’s significant. Such was the case for SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point.

The beautiful and award-winning course opened in 1982 as Wisconsin’s first destination golf course, setting a precedent for other now well-known courses to come.

A revamping of the recreational and leisure areas of the insurance company campus began, in 2013, when Sentry Insurance Chief Executive Officer Pete McPartland

Above: Andy Diercks (left) of Coloma Farms in Coloma, Wisconsin, helps at the WPVGA booth on Sunday, July 2, during the U.S. Senior Open in Stevens Point.

Miss Stevens Point Allison Wisinski stopped by the Wisconsin Potatoes booth during the U.S. Senior Open on Thursday, June 29, 2023, and visited with WPVGA volunteers. Pictured, left to right, are Nick Somers of Plover River Farms in Stevens Point, Miss Stevens Point, Badger Common’Tater Managing Editor Joe Kertzman and Dianne Somers of Plover River Farms.

decided that doing so was the best way to re-engage with a core customer base while also attracting new prospects.

McPartland initiated conversations with the course’s original designer followed by a successful reopening of the course in 2015. The next phases included fortifying the restaurants on site and building The Inn at SentryWorld, which opened in 2022. In 2021, the United States Golf Association (USGA) chose the course as the destination for the 2023 U.S. Senior Open. Thus began another two years of renovations in preparation for the week-long event.

Held June 27-July 2, the U.S. Senior Open brought in many renowned golfers, the favorite of which was Edgerton, Wisconsin, native Steve Stricker.

And what would an event in Wisconsin be without featuring products from the Badger State?

EXPERIENCE WISCONSIN

An “Experience Wisconsin” section of the grounds provided just the place for vendors to interact with visitors and share some things from home.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) sponsored a 10x10-foot booth in the Experience Wisconsin area alongside other area staples such as Wisconsin Cranberries, Point Brewery and J. Henry Bourbon, to name a few. The booths were open from 7 a.m.5:30 p.m. each day, allowing the

Wisconsin native Steve Stricker was the fan favorite at the U.S. Senior Open, June 27-July 2, 2023, at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. From Madison, Stricker played well all weekend and finished second in the U.S. Senior Open with a score of 5 under par. Bernhard Langer of Germany won the championship with a score of 7 under par. Langer set an all-time record for Senior Open tour victories with 46.

vendors to interact with visitors on a local, state, national and even international level.

One woman stopped by WPVGA’s booth who was originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, but has lived in Australia for the last three decades. She brought some native Australians back to her home country and state just for the occasion.

At the Wisconsin Potatoes booth, visitors were greeted by volunteers from across the industry and given swag items like brochures, recipes, pens, pencils, notepads and can koozies.

continued on pg. 46

Wisconsin Potato & Cranberry Salad was a popular item at the U.S. Senior Open. The recipe, courtesy of Chef Chad LaChapelle of Par Catering, was sold at PJ’s-Sentry World during the event.

And if those visitors happened to show up during the first few hours of Tuesday’s practice round, they were able to watch a couple old guys grilling America’s favorite vegetable and eventually taste test the recipes.

On June 27, Mad Dog and Merrill filmed a Wisconsin potatoes-devoted episode of “Midwest Grill’n” as part of their partnership with the WPVGA Promotions Committee. The filming took place just outside WPVGA’s tent in the Experience Wisconsin area at the U.S. Senior Open.

It was the perfect way to kick off the

week while also giving visitors a feel for what Wisconsin potatoes can provide in terms of meals, snacks, salads, and summer grilling. The first item on the menu was au gratin potatoes on the grill! Who would’ve thought? But it was, oh, so easy.

MIDWEST GRILL’N

Mad Dog and Merrill took a large griddle full of sliced Wisconsin potatoes, onions, ham, and, of course, cheese, prepared it to perfection and spread it out on a large sheet pan.

Above: Mad Dog and Merrill filmed a Wisconsin potatoes-devoted episode of “Midwest Grill’n” in the Experience Wisconsin area at the U.S. Senior Open. With the first item on the menu being au gratin potatoes on the grill, the grilling duo took a large griddle full of sliced Wisconsin potatoes, onions, ham, and, of course, cheese, prepared it to perfection and spread it out on a large sheet pan. They also smothered Wisconsin potatoes in black olives, spices, and, of course, more cheese, put it in a cast iron skillet and placed it on the grill. The third recipe was a unique twist on a potato salad using mashed potatoes.

Next, they smothered Wisconsin potatoes in black olives, spices, and, of course, more cheese, put it in a

cast iron skillet and placed it on the grill.

The third recipe was a unique twist on a potato salad. Instead of using boiled or cubed potatoes, this recipe called for mashed! Again, who would’ve thought? But it was, oh, so easy!

A delectable mixture of mayonnaise, mustard and spices composed the sauce that Mad Dog and Merrill hand-mixed into the mashed potatoes. And then they topped it all off with veggies like cucumbers, radishes, and paprika for good measure.

The three recipes didn’t take long to disappear as passersby stopped to smell, view, and taste the dishes. It was comfort food at its finest on the SentryWorld Golf Course in the heart of the Central Sands growing region

during the U.S. Senior Open. Need we say more?

Another recipe that became a favorite throughout the week was a Wisconsin potato and cranberry salad. The idea of a combined potato and cranberry recipe of some sort to sell during the event was posed to U.S. Senior Open sponsorship contacts, but the mastermind behind the recipe was Chef Chad LaChapelle of Par Caterers.

The salad was a perfect way to shift visitors’ attention to two of Wisconsin’s many staples in a unique way. Since so many asked for the recipe, here it is: https:// eatwisconsinpotatoes.com/recipes/ par-caterers-wisconsin-potatocranberry-salad/.

The Wisconsin Spudmobile was also parked at Lot Q on the University

Left: Nick Somers of Plover River Farms shows a visitor how to use the scroll/banner pen WPVGA was providing during the U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld in Stevens Point.

Right: Senior Open volunteers Todd and Barb Rice (foreground) of Waupaca visited with WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan at the Wisconsin Potatoes booth on Sunday, July 2.

of Wisconsin (UW)-Stevens Point campus, where shuttle buses were traveling back and forth from the public parking lots. So, while visitors waited to be taken to the grounds, they were able to cool off and visit Wisconsin’s traveling billboard.

A big thank you to those who took time out of their schedules to volunteer at WPVGA’s booth so that it could be staffed for 10.5 hours each day of the Open.

The Wisconsin Spudmobile was parked at Lot Q of the UW-Stevens Point campus and open to visitors Thursday, June 29-Sunday, July 2, from 8 a.m.-noon each day.

Auxiliary News

By Devin Zarda, WPGA

Six years ago, I was invited to a meeting for something that I didn’t know anything about. It was for the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary (WPGA). OK, but who or what was the Auxiliary?

I really couldn’t answer that question heading into the meeting. But afterward, I found myself wanting more.

I wanted more information. I wanted to help more. And for the next six years, I poured myself into the Auxiliary. But my term on the WPGA Board has come to an end, so I thought I’d write an article alongside my fellow exiting board member, Brittany Bula, about our experiences.

Consider this article our swan song. Now, to our interview:

Question (Q): What’s your favorite program that the Auxiliary runs?

Brittany: I love the Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes program. I had the opportunity to volunteer at several harvest parties over the years, and watching the kids dig the potatoes they planted from seeds is priceless. All their hard work paid off at the end of the party, no matter how big or how small the potatoes ended up being. They were so excited!

Devin: I second the Kids Dig program. It’s an amazing way for us to reach out to tens of thousands of children to help them realize where their food comes from. And while it’s not specifically a program, our baked potato booth at the Wisconsin State Fair has always been a great time.

Q: What is a favorite memory from your time on the Auxiliary Board?

Brittany: I would have to say when we get to interact with small groups of kids in the Spudmobile, talking to them about potato facts, sharing different varieties and having conversations about the whole growing and packing process. They were full of so many questions and the amazement in their eyes was priceless.

Devin: At the State Fair, there is a stage in our building, just outside of our booth area. Last year, we had a spot where we could do a demo on the stage. My fellow board members asked me to do a cooking demo on this stage. I won’t lie. I was terrified! Were my cooking techniques on

par? Could I actually teach anyone anything? And what was I going to cook on one burner? Well, I didn’t end up cutting myself and no one got sick, so I’d call my jalapeno, corn, and potato chowder demo a success.

Q: How would you like to see the Auxiliary grow in the future?

Brittany: I would love to see more members become active in volunteering with the many programs the Auxiliary offers. I would also like to reach more areas of Wisconsin to educate people on potato nutrition and break the stereotype that potatoes are only bad carbs and with little nutritional value.

Devin: I’m hoping our outreach programs continue to grow. But, like Brittany said, we need your help

As of the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary (WPGA) Annual Meeting on June 20, the Board members are, from left to right, Misti Ward, Becky Wysocki (secretary/treasurer), Jody Baginski, Datonn Hanke (vice president), Erin Meister, Dakotah Smiley, and Heidi Schleicher (president).

to run these programs. I’d love to see our members be a little more involved. I’m also excited to see how our partnership with Alice in Dairyland keeps growing.

Q: Why should someone think about joining the Board?

Brittany: By being a board member, you can help promote potatoes to people of all ages, from 4th grade to adult. Getting out in the community has been great, watching people listen while you explain how a potato can be healthy and talk about the many varieties, and observing their jaws drop makes it all worth it.

Devin: I was raised in a lifestyle where giving back is core to who we are. The potato industry has blessed my life, so it’s only right for me to give back and teach others about potatoes.

If your life has been touched by ag, consider helping spread the good word about our industry. You get to educate people, meet some fun characters along the way, and help our industry.

In closing, Brittany: While my time on the Board has ended and the six years have really flown by,

I appreciated my time and all my fellow board members. Thank you for being a great group to work with.

I can’t wait to see what new and exciting things the Auxiliary will come up with next. Thank you!

Devin: And that’s a wrap, friends. Six years, a couple dozen meetings, a lot of Badger Common’Tater articles, and meeting a ton of pretty amazing people, this will be the last time I sign off for a while.

I’m grateful for my time on the Board, but it’s time to pass the torch to the next round of board members. So, it’s my pleasure to introduce the 2023-’24 Auxiliary Board in the photo leading off this article.

The Board held its Annual Meeting, June 20, at Ponderosa Pines in Bancroft, Wisconsin, and elected Heidi Schleicher as president, Datonn Hanke to the vice president position, Becky Wysocki as secretary/treasurer, and Jody Baginski, Erin Meister, Dakotah Smiley, and Misti Ward to director positions.

We are pleased to have Meister and Smiley as new board members, and

we’ll be introducing them further in future articles. Congratulations to our new president, Schleicher, and secretary/treasurer, Wysocki.

Our next column will be written about Smiley so we can get to know a bit about her.

Be safe out there,

Devin Zarda

Devin Zarda served six years on the WPGA Board, including terms as president and vice president.

Brittany Bula served six years on the WPGA Board, including one year as president.

People Compeer Financial Hires Executive Staff

Farm credit cooperative welcomes chief financial and marketing officers

Compeer Financial, a farm credit cooperative based in the Upper Midwest, is pleased to announce the hiring of Betsy Horton as the organization’s chief financial officer and Susan Sachatello as chief marketing officer.

Horton, of Edina, Minnesota, fills the role previously held by Jase Wagner, who was appointed as the cooperative’s chief executive officer (CEO) in January 2023.

She has extensive experience in finance and leadership, having held chief financial officer positions at S&W Seed Company and Miller

Milling Company, and several leadership positions during her 20year tenure at Cargill.

Horton has global experience in finance spanning public, private and family-owned companies.

She will be responsible for managing Compeer Financial’s accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and asset/liability functions.

Horton earned a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota (U of M)-Duluth and holds a Master of Business Administration from the

accountant and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute.

Sachatello, of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, has deep experience in marketing and digital leadership, previously holding marketing leadership positions at Allianz Life, Principal Financial, Cuna Mutual Group, Lands’ End and LBrands.

PASSION & EXPERIENCE

With more than 20 years of executive leadership experience, she has a strong passion for developing and implementing innovative marketing programs and broad experience leading across omni-channel retail and financial services.

Sachatello will be responsible for leading the marketing, sales enablement, events and education, and client experience teams at Compeer Financial. She graduated from the University of Richmond

Betsy Horton has been appointed chief financial officer of the farm credit cooperative.

with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the College of William and Mary.

“The strong business acumen, proven leadership and expertise both Betsy and Susan bring to the table in their respective roles as chief financial officer and chief marketing officer will help advance our business strategy and accelerate performance as we move our cooperative into the future,” Wagner, president and CEO of Compeer Financial, says.

“Betsy’s experience in finance and solid understanding of agriculture, paired with her unique passion for building strong teams and leading through transformation, make her an incredible asset to our team,” he adds.

“And Susan’s robust background in strategic planning, product development, digital transformation

and marketing leadership will be instrumental as we evolve our marketing strategy and look for innovative opportunities to serve and enhance the experience for our clients in agriculture and rural America,” Wagner adds.

“Susan and Betsy bring top-tier talent to our organization,” he remarks, “and I’m thrilled to welcome both of them to our team.”

About Compeer Financial

Compeer Financial is a memberowned farm credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The $29.7 billion organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America, while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry.

Compeer Financial is the third largest

cooperative of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.

To learn more about Compeer Financial, visit https://www.compeer.com.

From sun up until sun down, we know your equipment needs to be as hard-working as you, because we all know a farmer’s job is never done. Valley® is the every-man brand. No matter your operational setup, we have the irrigation equipment and technology to move you forward. Our pivots are built to last, easy to operate and ahead of the curve.

Durable. Reliable. Built to Last. This is Valley.

Susan Sachatello takes on the role of chief marketing officer for Compeer Financial.

Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Div. President Matt Selenske, Allied Coop’s Pest Pros Division

Hello, everyone. As I am writing this, it is midsummer, the crop is doing very well, and it is shaping up to be an above average year, if you have irrigation. I’m not sure if by the time you read this the weather will have returned more to normal, but if I were a betting man, it is going to remain dry. Every year has its own unique challenges for certain.

Speaking of challenges, the WPVGA Associate Division will once again host the Sporting Clays Shoot on October 19, 2023, at the Wausau Skeet and Trap Club. We are currently planning the details, but it will be structured similarly to 2022, when we went to four-man teams to accommodate more shooters.

We had a full roster of 120 shooters last year on a beautiful October day with a fall backdrop in Marathon County. There’s nothing like being in a group of friends and associates cheering each other on with a side of friendly rivalry.

Here are the trophy results for the 3rd Annual Event on October 20, 2022:

• 1st Place – Male: Amos French, score of 65

• 2nd Place – Male: Josh Spacek, 64

• 1st Place – Female: Erin Meister, 32

• 2nd Place – Female: Tia Leonard, 28

• Top Team: Big Iron EquipmentBill Zelinski, Zach Mykisen, Luke Zelinski, Kevin Groshek (Top 3 score average of 59.33)

I have shot with Amos before, and he is good. He’s a lot better if he’s on your team, lol. And if I remember right, the trophy that Big Iron took home is going to be up for grabs. One lucky team might be able to claim it. More information will be available in the next issue or through the WPVGA e-newsletter “Tater Talk.”

Matt Selenske

WPVGA Associate Division President

Playing for the BMO Harris Bank team at the 2021 Sporting Clays Shoot are, from left to right, Paul Salm, Josh Caves, Nick Haynes, Kurtis Goman, and Keith Wolter.

WPVGA’s Associate Division will once again host the Sporting Clays Shoot on October 19, 2023, at the Wausau Skeet and Trap Club.

NPC News

U.S. Hosts Mexican Officials for Potato Site Audit

Visitors toured potato fields and sheds that now regularly ship to Mexico

In June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the U.S. potato industry hosted five senior plant health officials from the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) of Mexico for a potato site audit in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.

When the Mexican market opened for U.S. fresh potatoes in 2022, the signed agreement required an official audit of the program by the government of Mexico in the first year of shipping. This visit was a fulfillment of that requirement.

During the audit, Mexican officials

visited potato fields and four potato sheds that regularly ship to Mexico and spoke to U.S. growers and shippers about how they comply with Mexican requirements for the program.

Issues such as packaging, growing practices, and pest management were discussed. The officials also reviewed shipping records.

“We welcomed this opportunity to demonstrate the serious efforts the U.S. potato industry is undertaking to make the program a success,” says Ted Tschirky, National Potato Council (NPC) vice president of trade affairs.

“We look forward to continuing to build relationships with Mexican customers

NPC Potato Yearbook Now Available

The 2023 edition of the Annual Potato Yearbook is now available, highlighting progress on NPC’s national legislative, regulatory, and marketing priorities.

The Yearbook also features updated U.S. and world potato production and consumption stats, grower and industry contact information, position statements, and program overviews.

Noting the recent release of the Spud Nation economic impact report, which is included in the 2023

Yearbook, NPC President R.J. Andrus writes in his message, “NPC’s Spud Nation report cements the fact that potatoes are an essential component to our prosperity as a nation, built and sustained by America’s potato growers who put people to work in every city and town across our great country.”

“Armed with this report and the relationships we have built with our allies in Congress,” Andrus continues, “NPC and our state partners look forward to ‘Standing Up for Potatoes

Left: In fulfillment of a fresh U.S. potatoes export agreement with Mexico, the Mexican government conducted a potato site audit in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.

Right: Inspecting the potato crop are, from left to right, Jason Davenport, president of Allied Potato, Inc.; Dr. Mark Davidson, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deputy administrator for plant protection and quarantine; Francisco Ramirez, general director of plant health for the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), in Mexico; and Walter Gutierrez, plant pathologist and risk analyst at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

and consumers,” Tschirky adds, “as we send nutritious, high quality U.S. fresh potatoes to this growing market.”

on Capitol Hill’ and moving our industry’s policy interests forward this year and beyond.”

To view an electronic version of the 2023 Annual Potato Yearbook, visit: https://www.nationalpotato council.org/wp-content/ uploads/2023/06/Annual-PotatoYearbook-2023.pdf.

Mitigate Drought-Related Risk

Four measures agribusinesses can implement to combat dry conditions regardless of location

By Leif Erickson, farm and agribusiness leader, HUB International

Much of North America has been impacted by dry spells that are threatening agribusiness stability.

Currently, 27% of the Midwest is experiencing abnormally dry conditions and 9% of the region is in drought. Last year alone, 28% of Wisconsin counties experienced some level of drought.

Recently, the U.S. government announced measures to help save the Colorado River, imposing regulations on the states that use its water.

The Biden Administration and states along the Colorado River agreed to a plan requiring the three lower basin states to save 13% of Colorado River water by the end of 2026.

The reality is that drought impacts

You may even want to purchase your own moisture evaluation tools to assess soil water levels versus depending on a vendor’s assessments. Spectrum Technologies offers the FieldScout Soil Moisture Meter.

the entire agribusiness, from farms, ranches, and fisheries to those on the food production and distribution side, and consumers are feeling the pinch. Are you ready for water scarcity to become the new normal? Developing a risk mitigation plan should be an essential part of any agribusiness strategy to combat drought, regardless of location.

Here are four ways to help minimize drought risk that agribusinesses should harness to conserve water resources and reduce drought risk:

1. Harness education to raise awareness. With the current labor shortage, rising costs and heightened competition from foreign goods, those in agribusiness are already working under pressure and earning less in the process.

Consider partaking in publicprivate partnerships, which were established to foster innovation and provide aid to those impacted by drought.

This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which aims to provide financial and technical assistance to those in agribusinesses.

Above: Farmers can control the amount of water used and irrigate up to four times a day based on the crops’ needs versus blanketing the entire area with copious amounts of water one time a day.

Producers can get input on irrigation methods, creating additives for soil, improving the qualities of the soil, and identifying additional water conservation methods.

Addressing the current labor shortage should be part of your risk mitigation plan.

By taking advantage of the tools and resources available to help better manage and retain your employees, you will help ensure that your seasonal workers come back, including those using a H2-A visa to work in the United States, saving time and resources on training.

2. Identify risks to combat drought. Consider monitoring water levels and developing an impact assessment to identify drought risk, the latter of which allows farmers and food manufacturers to secure proper insurance and government assistance.

There are an increasing number of tools available to obtain weather outlooks for the short- and long-term, such as the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, which can assess weather up to two weeks in advance.

You may even want to purchase your own moisture evaluation tools to assess soil water levels versus depending on a vendor’s assessments.

Think about securing parametric insurance for crops that are otherwise uninsurable as well. Parametric coverage insures against an event happening, with payouts based on the magnitude of the weather event, no matter the damage to the crops or buildings.

3. Secure government assistance. Low water supplies, extreme heat and rolling blackouts caused by surging power demand can impact producers who need to properly irrigate their crops.

Federal government assistance programs can help mitigate the financial losses of drought while conservation programs help farmers become more resilient to it.

For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Regional Conservation Partnership Program is providing funding to help with climate-smart agriculture and conservation efforts.

Procuring federal crop insurance is essential to mitigate risk, especially for larger operations. In addition, the USDA Risk Management Agency is providing financial assistance to farmers in droughtaffected areas, which is especially helpful for small agribusinesses.

4. Prepare for the worst. While the intensity and probability of drought may be impossible to predict, different methods can reduce its overall impact.

A risk factor assessment, which

is a historical study of drought, will help inform decision making. Consider micro-irrigation, which is one way to mitigate water scarcity. Micro-irrigation is a low-volume and low-pressure system for crops that directly applies water and fertilizer to plants or trees, reducing the amount used.

Timing is everything with this strategy. Micro irrigation allows a producer to water crops at different times of the day.

Farmers can control the amount of water used and irrigate up to four times a day based on the crops’ needs versus blanketing the entire area with copious amounts of water one time a day.

Knowing your soil type is the first

step in using this system effectively. For example, sandy soil conditions require watering in the evening. Ultimately, using the tools mentioned above can help those in agribusinesses contend with water instability.

About the Author

As a farm and agribusiness leader at HUB International, Leif Erickson works directly with farm and business owners to help structure insurance solutions and risk management programs to protect their operations and mitigate exposure to potential risks.

Leif was born and raised on a small dairy farm in the Blanchardville, Wisconsin, area and has a true passion for helping farmers. This background has helped him develop programs specific to farming and agriculture, including an exclusive Environmental Liability program.

“The reality is that drought impacts the entire agribusiness, from farms, ranches, and fisheries to those on the food production and distribution side, and consumers are feeling the pinch.”

– Leif Erickson farm and agribusiness leader, HUB International

New Products

1,4-DMN Poised to Achieve Codex MRL

Biocontrol enhances potato dormancy, controls sprouting and encourages field-fresh quality

Great news for potato producers: 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene (1,4-DMN), a naturally occurring biocontrol that enhances dormancy, controls spouting and encourages fieldfresh quality in stored potatoes, is scheduled for review and regulatory approval under the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture (FAO)’s Codex Alimentarius.

The review process will take place during 2023, with a Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) expected to be adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) as soon as mid2024.

1,4-DMN is a true dormancy enhancer rather than a sprout suppressant. It mimics naturally occurring potato hormones, triggering the production of potato

tubers’ own dormancy enhancing enzymes.

Sold by 1,4GROUP and DormFresh as 1,4SIGHT® for processing and table stock potatoes and 1,4SEED® for seed potatoes, 1,4-DMN is highly effective at managing sprouting and peeping from storage bin close-up right through shipping.

While 1,4-DMN has little environmental risk and no worker safety concerns, 1,4SIGHT and 1,4SEED also offer important secondary benefits such as decreased moisture loss (shrinking) and less bruising.

1,4-DMN is currently approved for application in Canada and the United States under each country’s bio-pesticide registration process. As such, 1,4-DMN does not require

Above: 1-4-dimethylnaphthalene (1,4-DM) is scheduled for review and regulatory approval under the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture (FAO)’s Codex Alimentarius.

an MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) under either the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) in Canada or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Since similar approval has not been granted in all countries, obtaining an MRL is critical to full international acceptance of 1,4-DMN-treated potatoes and processed products made from treated potatoes.

FOOD STANDARDS

Codex Alimentarius is a set of international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice designed to ensure the safety, quality, and fairness of the international food

trade. Among other roles, Codex defines acceptable residue limits for additives and other chemicals in food.

Under the World Trade Organization’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement, Codex standards are accepted for international trade of agricultural commodities, food, and feedstuff.

Until Codex states a specific MRL for an individual input, many countries approve only the default MRL—.01 parts per million accepted for any chemical used in food or in the production of food—as an import tolerance.

Therefore, despite 1,4-DMN’s proven safety, potatoes treated with 1,4DMN and processed products made from those potatoes are at risk of refusal in some countries.

The FAO/World Health Organization’s Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues, which evaluates and proposes Codex MRLs, meets just once per year and debates only six new active ingredients per meeting.

1,4-DMN was added to Codex’s priority list in 2021 and scheduled for evaluation in 2022. However, COVID-19 delayed the planned evaluation date. 1,4-DMN is now scheduled for evaluation in 2023

and debate at the meeting of September 2023.

“We are very pleased that 1,4-DMN should be assigned a Codex MRL by 2024. Many companies will breathe easier knowing that it will soon be much simpler to ship potatoes treated with 1,4-DMN,” says Jeanette VonKrosigk, 1,4GROUP’s global regulatory affairs director.

Establishing a Codex MRL for 1,4DMN is a positive move for the global agriculture and agri-food industries, says VonKrosigk.

BIO-CONTROLS

“There’s no question that biocontrols like 1,4-DMN are the future of global agriculture,” she notes. “Biocontrols are critical for agriculture to achieve meaningful steps towards sustainability.”

While most countries base their individual import standards on Codex’s recommendations, Southeast Pacific countries, including Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and South Korea, establish their own tolerances for chemical residues in foods independent from Codex. 1,4GROUP is currently working to establish 1,4-DMN’s import acceptance into these countries.

1,4SIGHT is currently sold in 31 countries and has treated over 33

billion hundredweight of processed and fresh potatoes over the past 18 years.

“We are proud that 1,4 DMN has improved the health and well-being of millions of people around the world,” says VonKrosigk.

Matt Lantz, vice president of global access for international export development firm Bryant Christie Inc., says achieving international MRLs is an increasingly important step for the potato industry.

“As more potatoes are going to more countries, ensuring that exports are compliant with import country food standards is critical,” Lantz reasons. “Among the most important issues in meeting such standards is obtaining acceptable potato pesticide maximum residue levels [MRLs] in the importing country.”

“Acceptable MRLs allow potato exports to proceed without concern,” he adds. “Establishing MRL standards is a time consuming and expensive process, but to ensure shippers can export potatoes with confidence, these approvals must be obtained.”

For more information or with questions, contact 1,4GROUP at 657-242-0196, info@1-4group.com, https://1-4group.com.

SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW WPVGA MEMBERS

When you need goods or services, please consider asking our Associate Division Members for quotes or explore what they have to offer. Together, we make a strong organization and appreciate how wonderful we are as a group.

Nichino America & BioConsortia Sign Supply Agreement

BEC-60 is a novel broad-spectrum biofungicide for control of key diseases on important crops

Nichino America, Inc. and BioConsortia, Inc. have announced a supply agreement for Nichino to market and sell BEC-60 biofungicide in the United States and Canada.

BioConsortia invented and developed BEC-60, a novel microbial fungicide. It is a broad-spectrum biofungicide for control of several key diseases in apples, berries, grapes, stone fruits, and vegetables.

Further, Nichino is conducting extensive testing to evaluate BEC-60 on additional pathogens and crops.

“It is exciting to add a biological product to our portfolio,” says Dustin Simmons, president of Nichino America, Inc. “BEC-60 will offer conventional and organic farmers effective control of diseases on important crops, providing a quality yield while managing residues on the final commodity.”

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

“This new partnership with BioConsortia will enable both organizations to utilize their exceptional research and development capabilities to introduce

diverse crop protection solutions to align with the demands of today’s agriculture production,” Simmons adds.

To discover BEC-60, BioConsortia leveraged the company’s unique platform for discovery of microbial products.

“Our Advanced Microbial System results in biopesticide products like BEC-60 that offer strong performance for growers,” says Marcus MeadowsSmith, chief executive officer at BioConsortia.

“The integration of microbial and conventional chemistries gives farmers benefits in terms of diverse modes of action to prevent the development of resistance and improved efficacy,” MeadowsSmith notes. “We look forward to Nichino’s launch of this patentprotected product alongside their broad portfolio of crop protection products.”

The registration package for BEC60 has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency and is pending approval with state registrations to follow thereafter. Product launch is anticipated in 2024-’25.

Colorful microbes form on a BioConsortia laboratory slide.

Plants are evaluated in various soils at a BioConsortia greenhouse. 58 BC�T August

Badger Beat

Investment in Potato Quality: Market Segregation

in Wisconsin

Potato shipper/packers develop premium and semi-premium potato products that were previously cost prohibitive

that previously were cost prohibitive to produce at scale.

By Paul Mitchell,

University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and Nurlan Utesov,

Ph.D. graduate student

The Wisconsin fresh potato industry has enjoyed several years of a higher grower return index and higher wholesale prices than Idaho, the Columbia Basin and Colorado’s San Luis Valley, the other major production regions for fall potatoes.

Figure 1 plots the wholesale price advantage for Wisconsin potatoes relative to these other regions, from 2006 to 2018, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) AMS (Agricultural Marketing Service) shipping point prices.

In 2006, wholesale prices in the regions were essentially equal, but then the Wisconsin price advantage began to grow, and by 2018, it reached around $1/cwt. (hundredweight) relative to Colorado, $2.75/cwt. relative to the Columbia Basin and $3.50/cwt. relative to Idaho.

Understanding the sources of Wisconsin’s comparative advantage has been a focus of research in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and this article summarizes current work in progress. Various hypotheses have been proposed for the sources of this advantage (e.g., lower shipping costs due to the state’s location and the Wisconsin Healthy Grown program). Based on our current research, we attribute some of this price advantage to early adoption of optical sorting technology in Wisconsin packing sheds combined

By segregating markets and developing quality fresh potato products that could command higher retail and wholesale prices, packing sheds were able to financially reward growers for producing potatoes better matched to consumer preferences.

BADGER BEAT

Our long-term goal is to estimate the social benefits generated by segregating this market using optical sorting technology and the distribution of these benefits among growers, shipper/packers, retailers, and consumers.

Headline:

Investment in Potato Quality: Market Segregation in Wisconsin

Subhead:

RETAIL SCANNER DATA

with improved coordination among potato growers and shipper/packers in the state based on higher average wholesale prices from market segregation facilitated by this sorting technology.

By Paul Mitchell,

Department of

Potato shipper/packers develop premium and semi-premium potato products that were previously cost prohibitive

Optical sorting technologies have become more widely adopted in the U.S. produce industry over the last 20 years, including some potato packing sheds in Wisconsin.

Our primary data source is Nielsen’s Retail Scanner Data for fresh potatoes, from 2010 to 2019, sold at select retail grocery stores. Specifically, the data set consists of weekly prices and volumes for fresh potato products by UPC code generated by point-of-sale systems from more than 90 retail chains across all U.S. markets.

Kay, the 5 figures fare placed within the text this time. (Kay, they don’t have to go so large, and you can play with design, of course I mean, that is your title, designer. Hee!)

The Wisconsin fresh potato industry has enjoyed several years of a higher grower return index higher wholesale prices than Idaho, the Columbia Basin and Colorado’s San Luis Valley, the other major production regions for fall potatoes.

We categorize potatoes into the three quality levels based on the retail price: 1) Typical potatoes with a price

Figure 1 plots the wholesale price advantage for Wisconsin potatoes relative to these other regions, from 2006 to 2018 based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) AMS (Agricultural Marketing Service) shipping point prices.

The technology has reduced the per unit cost of sorting and grading potatoes, thus allowing potato shipper/packers to develop premium and semi-premium potato products

continued on pg. 60

Figure 1: Average wholesale price advantage is illustrated for fresh Wisconsin russet potatoes relative to San Luis Valley Colorado, the Columbia Basin, and Idaho.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Agricultural and Applied Economics, and Nurlan Utesov, Ph.D. graduate student

Figure 1. Average wholesale price advantage is illustrated for fresh Wisconsin russet potatoes relative to San Luis Valley Colorado, the Columbia Basin, and Idaho.

less than or equal to $0.60/lb.; 2) Semi-premium potatoes with a price exceeding $0.60/lb. but less than $1.50/lb.; and 3) Premium potatoes with a price exceeding $1.50/lb.

The preliminary analysis summarized here focuses only on Wisconsin and includes stores in four marketing areas defined by Nielsen based on television coverage: Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay-Appleton, and La Crosse-Eau Claire.

Nielsen data does not include scanner data from all retailers. Missing retailers include Kroger, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Costco, while Walmart was not added until 2018. As a result, only one Wisconsin brand is identifiable in the Wisconsin stores included in this analysis.

When we expand the geographic coverage of our analysis, we anticipate having data for other Wisconsin brands.

The final analysis summarized here uses data from five major grocery chains in these four regions of Wisconsin, with the number of stores ranging from a low of 208 in 2010 to a peak of 240 in 2018.

These five chains together accounted for roughly 90% of the potato sales volume in the Nielsen data for Wisconsin over these years.

FRESH POTATO RETAIL TRENDS

Figure 2 summarizes retail trends for fresh potatoes sold in the four Wisconsin regions in the five major chains available in the Nielsen data, for 2010 to 2019.

The volume for generic store brands slowly declined over the study period, falling from 11 million pounds in 2010 to less than 5 million in 2019.

On the other hand, the major national brand sold in these Wisconsin grocery stores chains held steady at about 2 million pounds per year. The only state brand sold in these stores increased its sales volume from 1.2 million in 2010 to

more than 4 million pounds per year by 2019.

On the other hand, the major national brand sold in these Wisconsin grocery stores chains held steady at about 2 million pounds per year. the only state brand sold in these stores increased its sales volume from 1.2 million in 2010 to more than 4 million pounds per year by 2019.

Average retail prices showed similar trends over these years for all three brand types. However, the national brand typically received the highest price, the generic store brand received the lowest price, and the price for the state brand was somewhere in between.

Overall, the green bands for typical potatoes decline in size, indicating a decrease in sales of typical (generic) potatoes (mostly russets) during these years.

Average retail prices showed similar trends over these years for all three brand types. However, the national brand typically received the highest price, the generic store brand received the lowest price, and the price for the state brand was somewhere in between.

The state brand’s sales in this category grew from 2011 to 2016, but eventually followed the national trend and have been in decline since then.

Figure 3 looks only at fresh potatoes (primarily russets) and segregates Wisconsin sales volumes first by quality into premium, semi-premium and typical quality potatoes, and then further into those from the state brand and all other brands (both store brands and national brands combined).

Figure 3 reports the market share— the percentage of sales volumes—for each quality-brand combination.

The blue bands show the growing market share for semi-premium brands, for both the state brand and all other brands.

Finally, the red-orange bands show the market shares for premium brands, which are growing in magnitude but very small. The share for premium products sold by the state brand remained less than 0.5% throughout this time.

Figure 2: The combined charts show volume sold and average retail prices for fresh potatoes in Wisconsin grocery store chains.

Figure 2. The combined charts show volume sold and average retail prices for fresh potatoes in Wisconsin grocery chains.

Premium, Other Brands

Premium, State Brand

Semi-premium, Other Brands

Semi-premium, State Brand

Typical, Other Brands

Typical, State Brand

The blue bands show the growing market share for semi-premium brands, for both the state brand and all other brands.

The markup distribution for store brands is much tighter than for the state and national brands, ranging from about 2 cents to 18 cents per pound during this time.

Finally, the red-orange bands show the market shares for premium brands, which are growing in magnitude but very small. The share for premium products sold by the state brand remained less than 0.5% throughout this time.

Consumers buying these brands are more price sensitive. The brands cannot support a large markup, otherwise sales would fall, and stores would have excessive unsold volume.

Note that the decline in the total share of the Wisconsin retail potato market for the state brand is offset by geographic expansion into other states for a net increase in sales volume for this brand during this time.

Overall, these trends mirror national trends. Sales of fresh russets have been declining for some time, as have sales of red varieties, with this decline offset to some extent by an increase in consumption of yellow varieties.

Note that the decline in the total share of the Wisconsin retail potato market for the state brand is offset by geographic expansion into other states for a net increase in sales volume for this brand during this time.

The segmentation of the fresh potato market into higher quality premium and semi-premium products that can command higher prices has been the change in the market in recent years.

anticipate that the trends will appear elsewhere as well. Additional evidence of the success of these higher value premium and semi-premium potato products is the success of the Little Potato Company, Tasteful Selections, and similar products in stores around the United States.

The state brand and national brand show similar markup distributions, from slightly less than zero (when sold as a “loss leader” to bring in shoppers) to about 35 to 40 centers per pound, with the national brand slightly higher.

demand and the structure of the fresh potato supply chain in Wisconsin and elsewhere.

These higher quality potatoes have not seen their demand fall off like generic fresh potatoes have. Consumers are willing to pay for higher quality fresh russet potatoes with more consistent sizing and fewer defective tubers.

The adoption of optical sorting has allowed the development of these premium and semi-premium fresh potato products that can command higher prices, so shippers/packers offer better prices to growers who can produce them

PRELIMINARY RESULTS

We have yet to expand this analysis beyond Wisconsin grocery store chains in the Ni elsen data, but we anticipate that the trends will appear elsewhere as well.

Additional evidence of the success of these higher value premium and semi-premium potato products is the success of the Little Potato Company, Tasteful Selections, and similar products in stores around the United States

Overall, these trends mirror national trends. Sales of fresh russets have been declining for some time, as have sales of red varieties, with this decline offset to some extent by an increase in consumption of yellow varieties.

The segmentation of the fresh potato market into higher quality premium and semi-premium products that can command higher prices has been the change in the market in recent years. These higher quality potatoes have not seen their demand fall off like generic fresh potatoes have. Consumers are willing to pay for higher quality fresh russet potatoes with more consistent sizing and fewer defective tubers.

The adoption of optical sorting has allowed the development of these premium and semi-premium fresh potato products that can command higher prices, so shippers/packers offer better prices to growers who can produce them.

We have yet to expand this analysis beyond Wisconsin grocery store chains in the Nielsen data, but we

The analysis of the Nielsen scanner data for this work involves substantial econometric study based on understanding the underlying economic model of consumer

Thus, we are combining the statistical analysis with interviews and discussions to understand the history and current state of the Wisconsin potato industry, how it coordinates the growing, packing, shipping, and retailing of fresh potatoes, and how it differs from other regions.

Technically, the analysis focuses on estimating consumer demand elasticities (demand responsiveness continued on pg. 62

Figure 3. This is the share of Wisconsin retail sales for fresh potatoes by quality category for a major state brand and all other brands.

Figure 4 Illustrated is the distribution of retailer price markups above the wholesale price for fresh russet potatoes by brand in Wisconsin grocery chains for 2010 to 2019.

Figure 5 reports the annual average markup for each brand to track the mean of the markup distribution over these years.

Figure 3: This is the share of Wisconsin retail sales for fresh potatoes by quality category for a major state brand and all other brands.

Figure 4: Illustrated is the distribution of retailer price markups above the wholesale price for fresh russet potatoes by brand in Wisconsin grocery chains for 2010 to 2019.

Badger Beat. . . continued from pg. 61

to price changes) and the substitution patterns among the different brands, types of potatoes, and package sizes. This work will constitute a substantial part of Nurlan Utesov’s efforts to earn a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics from UWMadison. Work is in progress, and here we summarize some of the preliminary results based on an analysis of russet potato retail markets.

We will expand the analysis to include other types of potatoes (reds, yellows, little potatoes) and expand geographically.

Our overall goal is to better understand the sources of Wisconsin’s comparative advantages in growing and marketing potatoes and to quantify the benefits generated by the industry and the distribution of these benefits to those along the supply chain.

SCANNER DATA ANALYSIS

The analysis uses a method developed by Berry, Levinsohn, and Pakes (BLP), which has become a common way to analyze scanner data to estimate demand elasticities and substitution patterns by consumers among similar products, as well as to estimate retailer markups above wholesale prices.

Here we present initial results on retailer markups, or how much retailers add to wholesale prices to cover their costs and earn a profit.

Consumer price sensitivity drives the markup that retailers can add to each product. For products with high consumer price sensitivity, sales will decline a lot if a retailer adds a high markup, but for products with low consumer price sensitivity, sales will remain steady even if a retailer adds a high markup.

In general, it seems that consumer price sensitivity is relatively lower for higher quality potatoes, so brands focused on providing higher quality

can support high retail markups.

Economists measure consumer price sensitivity with elasticities, and the BLP model allows estimation of elasticities for similar products using scanner data. From these elasticities, we can then estimate retailer markups assuming retailers and wholesalers are maximizing their profits and face a competitive marketplace.

The markup for the store brand shows little trend, varying between 4 and 8 cents. The markup for the state brand shows a rapid increase from around 3 cents in 2010 to almost 15 cents in 2016, and then it stabilized at around 10 to 11 cents thereafter.

The markup for the national brand shows little trend, varying around 9 to 12 cents for many years until increasing to about 14 cents in 2018 and 2019.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

Based on the analysis of the Nielsen data for Wisconsin grocery stores, we see additional evidence of the state’s comparative advantage in potato production and marketing.

Figure 4 reports estimated retailer markups for fresh russet potatoes in Wisconsin grocery stores from 2010 to 2019 for three major brands: generic store brands, a major state brand, and a national brand.

The state brand and national brand show similar markup distributions, from slightly less than zero (when sold as a “loss leader” to bring in shoppers) to about 35 to 40 centers per pound, with the national brand slightly higher.

The market share and the retail markup for the Wisconsin brand in the Nielsen data set increased noticeably beginning about 2010. This packing shed installed an optical sorting line in 2008 -’09 to improve potato grading and then began shifting from packing generic store brands for others to marketing its own higher quality and branded russet potatoes with new package sizes.

Figure 5 reports the annual average markup for each brand to track the mean of the markup distribution over these years.

This shift allowed the brand to expand sales in both the typical and semi-premium categories in the state (Figure 3), the brand was able to command high retailer markups in stores (Figure 5).

Estimates are from 200+ grocery stores in the state and based on weekly scanner data sales, and so the markups have distributions because they vary over time and across stores.

The markup distribution for store brands is much tighter than for the state and national brands, ranging from about 2 cents to 18 cents per pound during this time.

Consumers buying these brands are more price sensitive. The brands cannot support a large markup, otherwise sales would fall, and stores would have excessive unsold volume.

The markup for the store brand shows little trend, varying between 4 and 8 cents. The markup for the state brand shows a rapid increase from around 3 cents in 2010 to almost 15 cents in 2016, and then it stabilized at around 10 to 11 cents thereafter.

The markup for the national brand shows little trend, varying around 9 to 12 cents for many years until increasing to about 14 cents in 2018 and 2019.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

Based on the analysis of the Nielsen data for Wisconsin grocery stores, we see additional evidence of the state’s comparative advantage in potato production and marketing.

Figure 5. Here is the average retailer markup for fresh russet potatoes in Wisconsin stores by brand.

Figure 5: Here is the average retailer markup for fresh russet potatoes in Wisconsin stores by brand.

The market share and the retail markup for the Wisconsin brand in the Nielsen data set increased noticeably beginning about 2010. This packing shed installed an optical sorting line in 2008-’09 to improve potato grading and then began shifting from packing generic store brands for others to marketing its own higher quality and branded russet potatoes with new package sizes.

This shift allowed the brand to expand sales in both the typical and semi-premium categories in the state (Figure 3), and the brand was able to command high retailer markups in stores (Figure 5).

In recent years, the brand has faced more competition from a major national brand in the state, so that its market shares and markups have declined (Figures 3 and 5). Nevertheless, though not shown here, this brand’s total sales have continued to grow as it has expanded sales geographically.

Automatic potato grading using optical sorting has facilitated the segregation of fresh potato marketing into higher quality products and generic products.

We find evidence that at least one of the state’s packing sheds was able to capitalize on this opportunity and establish a brand supporting higher retailer markups and prices. Likely other packing sheds in the state have as well, but the Nielsen data do not allow us to document it.

The Wisconsin potato industry has used this technology combined with marketing and better contracts for growers providing quality potatoes to generate additional value.

Based on interviews with growers and packing sheds, and data analysis, we believe that this value has been shared in part with growers as higher average prices for their production to incentivize them to produce and deliver higher quality potatoes supporting this and other brands.

We have not yet estimated this benefit quantitatively, but we believe it is part of the state’s comparative advantage and contributes to Wisconsin’s higher grower return index.

RESEARCH-BASED ADVANTAGE

An added part of the state’s comparative advantage is the research-based problem solving and troubleshooting provided by UW-Madison faculty, staff, and graduate students that help growers and packers produce and store high quality potatoes.

The industry support of researchers and research capacity at UW that helps provide these benefits is higher in Wisconsin than in other states and regions. Quantifying the value of this partnership and the rate of return from these investments is beyond the scope of this project, but they seem tremendous.

It seems that other regions and national brands have caught up in their adoption of automatic grading based on optical sorting technology, so that the market share of the state brand has decreased, as has the retail markup it can support.

We want to explore trends in market

shares and markups for brands from other states in other markets beyond Wisconsin to better understand the uniqueness of these advantages to Wisconsin and potatoes.

Consumer demand for yellow varieties continues to grow, even as demand for russets and red varieties declines.

A more recent development has been the entry of The Little Potato Company and other brands selling small potatoes that will also continue to erode market shares and markups for fresh russet potatoes and semi-premium brands produced in Wisconsin.

We are in the process of expanding our analysis of the russet potato market to include these little potatoes, as well as red and yellow varieties, to better estimate the effects of these changes.

The overall goal is to understand how these shifts in consumer preferences are likely to affect the Wisconsin potato industry and our comparative advantages, and whether we can take advantage of these changes to maintain or enhance our industry.

Potatoes USA News

The Unique Eating Habits of Gen Z

Enjoy some key takeaways from a Potatoes USA panel discussion

A group of five Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers from diverse backgrounds convened at Potato USA’s Annual Meeting, in March, to discuss their attitudes and buying habits regarding food and share their perceptions of potatoes.

The panelists discussed various topics, including factors that influence their food choices and how they leverage social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to discover recipe inspiration.

Their varied responses underscored the uniqueness of the Gen Z audience and highlighted the importance of a distinct approach to engaging with them successfully.

The panelists have varying food habits; some prefer dining out four to five times a week, while others primarily consume home-cooked meals. They generally attempt to consume nutritious meals and

incorporate plant-based foods into their diet, although they occasionally indulge in what they believe to be “processed snacks.”

Regarding grocery shopping, some prefer physically visiting stores to ensure ingredient quality, while others prioritize convenience and opt for online shopping or order pick-ups.

THREE MEALS A DAY

Most participants report consuming three meals daily, along with snacks. Some were more health-conscious than others.

The panelists cited Pinterest and TikTok as sources of recipe ideas and inspiration for meal planning. Typically, their meal choices are influenced by cravings, recommendations from friends, or recipes they found on social media platforms.

The panelists have varying preferences and knowledge about

Above: Five Generation Z consumers from diverse backgrounds shared their perceptions of potatoes during a panel discussion.

potatoes, with some preferring tater drums or French fries, while others favored mashed or oven-roasted potatoes.

They use cooking methods such as air fryers, ovens, or instant cookers to prepare their potatoes. When dining out, they often ordered mashed potatoes or fries.

As the discussion delved deeper into potatoes, the panelists displayed a knowledge gap regarding the nutritional value and different types of potatoes.

While their opinions and habits may vary, the key takeaway is that there is a huge opportunity to educate this generation on the nutritional benefits of potatoes.

Ali's Kitchen

Roasted Buffalo Potatoes

Receive High Praise

Crispy roasted potatoes tossed in buffalo wing sauce are so good, there might not be enough

Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary

While my family and friends typically offer favorable feedback on the potato dishes I serve them, this recipe was definitely a major hit!

Mike and two of our adult children were the first to taste this new recipe. I served the Buffalo Potatoes alongside roasted chicken, topping them with chopped chives and a

drizzle of sour cream.

All four of us devoured the potatoes, and even after most had enjoyed a second helping, we were left wishing there were more.

The second time I made the dish was at a friend’s home where it was enjoyed alongside grilled burgers

continued on pg. 66

INGREDIENTS:

Roasted Buffalo Potatoes

• 2 Ibs. small baby potatoes (you can also use 6 medium potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces)

• 1/4 cup butter, melted

• 1/2 cup hot pepper sauce (I used Frank’s)

• salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste

• Optional toppings: sour cream, ranch, chopped chives, green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon

and topped with homemade ranch dressing and slivers of green onion. I had prepared a triple batch to feed the crew of 10 and it received much praise!

Buffalo Potatoes are super easy to make. With only a few simple ingredients, this is a perfect side for summer grilling or an easy option for your neighborhood potluck.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine melted butter and hot sauce in a large bowl. Add the potatoes to the bowl and toss to coat them with the butter sauce.

Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet.

Bake until tender (approximately 45 minutes). Be sure to stir the potatoes

a time or two during the baking process to ensure they are well coated in the sauce as they cook.

Add your toppings of choice.

Serve hot. Enjoy!

Yeska Bros. Farms LLC Wild Rose, WI

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