Potato Country December 2019

PotatoCountry.com • December 2019 Western focus. National impact.

2020

BUYERS' GUIDE

For the Advertiser Index click here

Metam Movement Wild Potato Markets Ahead?

New Chemistry Fights Early Blight

OPEN HOUSE Innovation Education Network Register Online

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MADE IN THE USA

w w w . Po t a t o Co u n t r y . c o m

Vol. 35 No. 8

PO Box 333 Roberts, Idaho 83444 Phone: (208) 520-6461

Country Western focus. National impact.

Table of Contents

December 2019

Contacts Dave Alexander ...........................dave@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com Publisher, Advertising

Denise Keller ..............................editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com Editor

Andy Jensen.......................................... www.nwpotatoresearch.com Insect Identification

Jeff Miller .....................................................jeff@millerresearch.com Disease Identification

6 2020 Buyers' Guide

Bruce Huffaker ................................................. napmn@napmn.com Market Report

Dale Lathim ............................................................... dale@pgw.net

20 For Rent: One-Bedroom Potato

Potato Growers of Washington

Brian Feist ...................................brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com

22 Ag World Tees up $100,000 for Charity Ag World Golf Classic

24 A Critical Eye to Tuber Research Potatoes USA

28 New Chemistry Fights Early Blight BASF Field Day

34 Metam Movement

Insights Into Metam Sodium Movement in Soil

36 Wild Potato Market Ahead?

Operations Manager, Advertising

EDITORIAL INFORMATION Potato Country is interested in newsworthy material related to potato production and marketing.

Contributions from all segments of the industry are welcome. Submit news releases, new product submissions, stories and photos via email to: editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com.

ADVERTISING For information about advertising rates, mechanics, deadlines, copy submission, mailing, contract conditions and other information, call Dave Alexander at (208) 520-6461 or email dave@PotatoCountry.com.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION U.S. $24 per year / Canada $40 per year / Foreign $80 per year Subscriptions can be entered online at www.potatocountry.com or call (503) 724-3581.

Email address changes/corrections to brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com or send to Potato Country, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444.

Potato Country magazine (ISSN 0886-4780), is published eight times per year and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices.

It is produced by Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group. For information on reprints call (208) 520-6461.

Market Report

Editorial Board

The Big Idaho Potato Hotel rests on 400 acres of Idaho farmland and includes a bathroom located in a grain silo about 50 feet from the potato.

Gary Roth

Chris Voigt

Executive Director

Executive Director

Washington State Potato Commission

Oregon Potato Commission

See the story on page 20.

(509) 765-8845

On The Cover The 2020 Buyers' Guide will give you choices in crop inputs, equipment, parts, potato seed, storage and more.This list is by no means comprehensive, but provides enough contacts to get any job done.

See guide starting on page 6.

4

Potato Country

December 2019

(503) 239-4763

Departments 23 26 33 38

Calendar In the News New Products PGW Column

Nina Zidack

Frank Muir

Jim Ehrlich

Montana Seed Potato Certification

Idaho Potato Commission

Colorado Potato Administrative Committee

Director

(406) 994-3150

President/CEO

(208) 334-2350

President/CEO

(719) 852-3322

WHEN IT COMES TO MARKETING WE NEVER DROP THE BALL We do, however, drop the potato At the Idaho Potato Commission, we’re proud to be a sponsor of the annual free New Year’s Eve Idaho® Potato Drop Celebration at the Idaho State Capitol. Each year, the Idaho® Potato Drop hosts 30,000 local spec-taters and reaches over 500 million people worldwide via news outlets including USA Today, The Today Show, Reader’s Digest, the Travel Channel and others. With music, snow play, fireworks and more, this exciting event promotes community and commerce in Idaho, while creating new buzz for America’s favorite potatoes. When it comes to promoting the sales of your potatoes, we never drop the ball.

IDAHOPOTATO.COM

2020 Buyers’ Guide T

here are a lot of moving parts involved in growing and marketing a potato crop - from needing the right products to protect your crop from pests and pathogens to having the right equipment to efficiently navigate the season.

For most growers, packers and shippers, this translates into a constant to-do list, shopping list and wish list.

Whether your list has you searching for a new harvester or just some innovative irrigation equipment, you’ll find an extensive list of suppliers in Potato Country’s 2020 Buyers’ Guide. Think of the following pages as your rolodex of resources available to help you enjoy a successful season, from seed to storage.

CROP INPUTS...... 7

Fertilizers and Growth Promoters Fungicides Herbicides Insecticides/Pesticides/Fumigants Nematicides

EQUIPMENT ........ 10 Bagging/Packaging Harvesters/Harvesting Planters/Planting

FERTILIZERS & GROWTH PROMOTERS Chemport, Inc.

1716 Montana Ave El Paso, TX 79902 (800) 247-2480 or Walt Grigg (509) 952-7558 www.nutri-cal.com

Nutri-Cal: The calcium solution

EQUIPMENT ........ 11

Scales/Weighing Seed Cutting and Seed Treaters Tillage Trailers Used Equipment

MISCELLANEOUS .12 Fabrication/Millwright Consulting Labs Irrigation

Sym-Agro

111 South Court Street, Suite 206 Visalia, CA 93291 (541) 607-5097 www.Sym-Agro.com Attest plant growth nutrient

FUNGICIDES

2788 S. Maple Ave. Fresno, CA 93725 www.oroagriusa.com

NANOCAL sub-micronized calcium

Redox

130 S 100 W Burley, ID 83318 (208) 678-2610 www.redoxchem.com

Redox is a bio-nutrient company that focuses on sustainable plant nutrition. Each Redox product has been scientifically developed to address specific plant needs in four key areas: Abiotic Stress Defense, Soil Health, Yield & Quality, and Root Development.

SEED .................... 14 STORAGE ............. 18 Chemicals for Storage Construction Dehumidifying Equipment Refrigeration & Cooling Temperature Monitoring Ventilation/Humidification

Sym-Agro

111 South Court Street, Suite 206 Visalia, CA 93291 (541) 607-5097 www.Sym-Agro.com Aviv advanced microbial fungicide

Syngenta

Customer Center 1-866-SYNGENTA www.SyngentaUS.com/Potatoes

(800) 525-2803 www.cropvitality.com

Oro Agri

Belting/Chain Wear Parts

CROP INPUTS

Crop Vitality

CaTs calcium thiosulfate liquid fertilizer

PARTS .................. 12

Elatus and Orondis fungicides

BASF

2 TW Alexander Drive Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919) 308-8457 www. growsmartpotatoes.com Provysol Fungicide

Bayer

800 North Lindbergh Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63167 (866) 99-BAYER www.CropScience.Bayer.us Luna

Corteva Agriscience Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us

Tanos fungicide, Vertisan fungicide, Dithane F-45 fungicide

FMC Agricultural Solutions

UPL

www.upi-usa.com

Dexter MAX Fungicide

HERBICIDES Corteva Agriscience

Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us Matrix herbicide

FMC Agricultural Solutions (215) 299-6000 www.fmccrop.com

FMC offers a full range of innovative solutions, applications and products to fit potato growers’ disease, insect and weed control needs, while protecting crops from yield-limiting threats and enhancing quality.

(215) 299-6000 www.fmccrop.com

FMC offers a full range of innovative solutions, applications and products to fit potato growers’ disease, insect and weed control needs, while protecting crops from yield-limiting threats and enhancing quality.

PotatoCountry.com

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2020 Buyers’ Guide CROP INPUTS INSECTICIDES PESTICIDES FUMIGANTS Bayer

800 North Lindbergh Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63167 (866) 99-BAYER www.CropScience.Bayer.us Movento, Velum Prime

Corteva Agriscience Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us

Blackhawk insecticide, Transform insecticide, Vydate C-LV insecticide/ nematicide, Lannate insecticide

FMC Agricultural Solutions (215) 299-6000 www.fmccrop.com

FMC offers a full range of innovative solutions, applications and products to fit potato growers’ disease, insect and weed control needs, while protecting crops from yield-limiting threats and enhancing quality.

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Potato Country

December 2019

Liphatech, Inc.

(888) 331-7900 www.liphatech.com/ag-fieldorchard/voles/

Rozol Vole Bait Pellets are labeled to control voles on border areas / buffer strips adjacent to any crop.

Not labeled for use in food or feed crops. Rozol Vole Bait is labeled for two broadcast treatments of 10 lbs. per acre and bait station use. Perfect for Fall-Winter use around potato and sugar beet fields to lower vole populations after harvest and reduce winter breeding, and for Spring use to reduce vole migration into fields, and limit feeding on newly-planted seed.

In Idaho there is an aerial Special Local Needs (SLN) label for border application.

Rozol paraffinized pellets are moisture resistant, something growers need to consider throughout the vole treatment season. Voles often feed continuously under snow cover.

Rozol Vole Bait is a restricted-use pesticide.

Nichino America, Inc.

4550 Linden Hill Road, Suite 501 Wilmington, DE 19808 (888) 740-7700 www.nichino.net Torac insecticide

NovaSource Crop Protection Products (800) 525-2803 www.novasource.com

Sectagon-42 and Sectagon-K54 fumigants

NEMATICIDES Corteva Agriscience

Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us

Telone soil fumigant, Vydate C-LV insecticide/nematicide

2020 Buyers’ Guide EQUIPMENT BAGGING PACKAGING PACKING PALLETIZING Ernst Roll Sizer

P.O. Box 70155 Bakersfield, CA 93387 (661) 831-7553 ernstmfg@aol.com

Sizers, sorters, conveyors, bin dumpers, complete lines

Greentronics, Inc.

75 Arthur Street North Elmira, ON N3B 2A1 (519) 669-4698 www.greentronics.com

RiteWeight In-line Conveyor System

Haines Equipment, Inc.

P.O. Box I, 20 Carrington St. Avoca, NY 14809 (607) 566-2234 HainesInc@aol.com Baggers/fillers

Harriston-Mayo

Hermiston: (844) 261-0508 Pasco: (509) 544-9030 www.HarristonMayo.com

Kerian Machines

ThorPack

W6788 5th Avenue Road Bryant, WI 54418 (715) 627-7333 www.thorpack.com

Adjustable automatic master potato baler

Potato Country

Lockwood Manufacturing Volm Companies

Antigo, WI (Corporate Headquarters) 1804 Edison St., Antigo, WI 54409 (800) 253-4737 Idaho Falls, ID 3721 W 65th South Idaho Falls, ID 83402 (208) 524-0600 Pasco, WA 5702 Industrial Way Pasco, WA 99301 (509) 547-3437 Fresno, CA 2909 S. Elm Ave., Suite 105 Fresno, CA 93706 (800) 253-4737 Monte Vista, CO 1100 S Country Rd. 3 E Monte Vista, CO 81144 (719) 852-3499 Ancaster, ON 1283 Cormorant Dr. Unit 1, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4V5 (905) 648-7300 www.volmcompanies.com

HARVESTERS HARVESTING 75 Arthur Street North Elmira, ON N3B 2A1 (519) 669-4698 www.greentronics.com

Kerian Speed Sizer

10

Hermiston: (844) 261-0508 Pasco: (509) 544-9030 www.HarristonMayo.com

Greentronics, Inc.

P.O. Box 311 Grafton, ND 58237 (701) 352-0480 sales@kerian.com www.kerian.com

December 2019

Harriston-Mayo

RiteTrace automated track and trace system. Records and tracks loads from known field locations to known storage locations. Included HarvestView software generates Field and Bin maps with reports by load, field, and date. Integrates with Greentronic’s RiteYield yield monitor, specially developed for root crop and vegetable harvesters. Both systems are available to run on displays from John Deere and Trimble, allowing users to view a yield map and other details in real time. Free demo program.

(800) 247-7335 www.lockwoodmfg.com

Planting, Handling, and Harvesting Equipment

Milestone

395 West Hwy 39 Blackfoot, ID 83221 (800) 574-1852 www.Milestone-Equipment.com

Spudnik

584 West 100 North Blackfoot, ID 83221 (208) 785-0480 www.spudnik.com

PLANTERS PLANTING Dammer Diker

P.O. Box 2814 Tri-Cities, WA 99302 (509) 582-8900 www.dammerdiker.com

Lockwood Manufacturing (800) 247-7335 www.lockwoodmfg.com

Planting, Handling, and Harvesting Equipment

Micro-Trak Systems, Inc.

P.O. Box 99, 111 E. LeRay Avenue Eagle Lake, MN 56024 (800) 328-9613 www.micro-trak.com Precision auto-rate controllers and flow meters

Monosem Inc.

1001 Blake St. Edwardsville, KS 66111 (913) 438-1700 www.monosem-inc.com

Custom Planters Built-to-Order

Spudnik

584 West 100 North Blackfoot, ID 83221 (208) 785-0480 www.spudnik.com

EQUIPMENT SCALES / WEIGHING

TRAILERS Haines Equipment, Inc.

Greentronics, Inc.

75 Arthur Street North Elmira, ON N3B 2A1 (519) 669-4698 www.greentronics.com

RiteWeight in-line conveyor system

SEED CUTTERS & SEED TREATERS All Star Manufacturing & Design LLC

1557 South SandHill Road Orem, UT 84058 (801) 225-4180 www.allstarmfgllc.com

P.O. Box I, 20 Carrington St. Avoca, NY 14809 (607) 566-2234 www.hainesequipment.com Hainesinc@aol.com Bulk hopper

Harriston-Mayo

Hermiston: (844) 261-0508 Pasco: (509) 544-9030 www.HarristonMayo.com

Spudnik

584 West 100 North Blackfoot, ID 83221 (208) 785-0480 www.spudnik.com

Milestone

395 West Hwy 39 Blackfoot, ID 83221 (800) 574-1852 www.Milestone-Equipment.com

Spud Equipment

Bruce: (208) 390-5920 Evan: (208) 757-8481 www.SpudEquipment.com

Spudnik

584 West 100 North Blackfoot, ID 83221 (208) 785-0480 www.spudnik.com

Milestone

395 West Hwy 39 Blackfoot, ID 83221 (800) 574-1852 www.Milestone-Equipment.com

TILLAGE Ag Engineering

P.O. Box 2814 Tri-Cities, WA 99302 (800) 627-9099 (509) 582-8900 sales@dammerdiker.com www.dammerdiker.com

Reservoir tillage, Dammer Diker and Pocket Pitter

R & H Machine

115 Roedel Avenue Caldwell, ID 83605 (800) 321-6568 rh@rhmachine.com www.rhmachine.com

Long-wearing chrome alloy

Spudnik

584 West 100 North Blackfoot, ID 83221 (208) 785-0480 www.spudnik.com

Western Trailers

251 W. Gowen Rd. Boise ID 83716 (888) 344-2539 www.WesternTrailers.com Build the best, than keep making it better

USED EQUIPMENT All Star Manufacturing & Design LLC

1557 South Sand Hill Road Orem, UT 84058 (801) 225-4180 www.allstarmfgllc.com

Harriston-Mayo

Hermiston: (844) 261-0508 Pasco: (509) 544-9030 www.HarristonMayo.com

Lockwood Manufacturing (800) 247-7335 www.lockwoodmfg.com

Planting, Handling, and Harvesting Equipment

PotatoCountry.com

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2020 Buyers’ Guide MISCELLANEOUS FABRICATION / MILLWRIGHT Cut Above Enterprise Inc.

P.O. Box 11355 Spokane Valley, WA 99211 (509) 368-9666 www.CutAboveEnterprise.com Millwright, Crane Services, 3D Scanning & Design, Custom Fabrication, Certified Welders

CONSULTING LABS

TPS Lab

(956) 383-0739 www.TPSLab.com

Your Crop’s Dietitians

Stukenholtz Laboratory Inc. P.O. Box 353 2924 Addison Ave. E Twin Falls, ID 83301 (208) 734-3050 (800) 759-3050 www.stukenholtz.com

IRRIGATION Potato Inspections Ag World Support Systems PO Box 1696 Moses Lake, WA 98837 (509) 765-0698 www.AgInspections.com

The Leader In Ag Inspection Services

Skone Irrigation & Supply

2051 W. 1st, Warden, WA 98857 (509) 349-7364 1304 E. Hillsboro Pasco, WA 99301 (509) 545-8420 www.SkoneIrrigation.com Accurate Sprinkler Packages

PARTS BELTING / CHAIN Haines Equipment, Inc.

P.O. Box I, 20 Carrington St. Avoca, NY 14809 (607) 566-2234 Hainesinc@aol.com

Noffsinger

500 6th Ave., P.O. Box 1150 Greeley, CO 80632 (970) 352-0463 or (800) 525-8922 Menahga, MN: (218) 564-5149 Filer, ID: (208) 326-4306 www.noffsingermfg.com

WEAR PARTS Noffsinger

500 6th Ave., P.O. Box 1150 Greeley, CO 80632 (970) 352-0463 or (800) 525-8922 Menahga, MN: (218) 564-5149 Filer, ID: (208) 326-4306 www.noffsingermfg.com

R & H Machine

115 Roedel Ave. Caldwell, ID 83605 (800) 321-6568 rh@rhmachine.com www.rhmachine.com Long-wearing chrome alloy parts

12

Potato Country

December 2019

LOOK OUT, PESTS. MINECTO PRO DOESN’T MISS. Minecto® Pro insecticide delivers exceptional control of difficult-to-manage pests in your crops. With its premix formulation of two powerful modes of actions, Minecto Pro offers extended residual control of pests including psyllids, mites, whiteflies, thrips, beetles and worms. Minecto Pro is designed to protect specialty crops including citrus, tree nuts, pome, potatoes and vegetables. When you have difficult-to-control pests in your crops, make sure your insecticide doesn’t miss.

To learn how Minecto Pro can help protect your crops from pests, visit SyngentaUS.com/MinectoPro

©2018 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Minecto Pro is a Restricted Use Pesticide. Minecto Pro is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops and weeds. Do not apply this product or allow it to drift onto blooming plants while bees are foraging adjacent to the treatment area. Minecto®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

MW 9MNP00577-DART-AG66 01/19

2020 Buyers’ Guide ALASKA

For more information and a copy of the Alaska Certified Seed Potato Grower listings, contact:

Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture 1800 Glenn Highway, Ste. 12 Palmer, AK 99645 (907) 745-7200 or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ak

CALIFORNIA

For more information and a copy of the current California Certified Seed Potato Applicant Directory, contact:

California Crop Improvement Association Parsons Seed Certification Center University of California One Shields Ave. Davis, CA 95691-8540 (530) 752-0544 ccia@ucdavis.edu, ccia.ucdavis.edu

COLORADO

For more information on the Colorado program and a copy of the current Crop Directory and Field Inspection Readings, contact:

San Luis Valley Research Center 0249 East Rd. 9 N. Center, CO 81125 (719) 754-3496 slvctr@colostate.edu potatoes.colostate.edu www.coloradocertifiedpotatogrowers.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-co

San Acacio Seed, LLC

P.O. Box 451 San Luis, Colorado 81152 (719) 588-0131 (505) 787-7054 (719) 850-4014 www.sanacacioseed.com

Varieties: Russet 296,3,278,8, Revelle Russet, Centennial Russet, Yellow Soraya, Modoc

14

Potato Country

December 2019

SEED IDAHO

Copies of the Idaho Certified Potato Seed Grower Directory, containing field readings and other important information, may be obtained by contacting: Idaho Crop Improvement Association 1680 Foote Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83402 (208) 522-9198 Meridian office: (208) 884-8225 www.idahocrop.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-id

Arnold Farms

10361 N. Hwy 32 Felt, ID 83424 (208) 456-2873 Dennie: (208) 313-2874 Jeremy: (208) 313-2875 Eric: (208) 313-5422 arnfarm@silverstar.com

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Norkotah (278, 296, Jorde), Clearwater, Teton Russet, Ranger

MAINE

For more information and a copy of the State of Maine Seed Certification Book:

Seed Certification Division of Animal & Plant Health 744 Main Street, Ste. 1 Presque Isle, ME 04769 (207) 769-5061 flannery@mainepotatoes.com www.mainepotatoes.com Maine potato dealer list: www.potatocountry.com/seed-me

MICHIGAN

For more information and a copy of the Michigan Certified Seed Potatoes Crop Year Directory, contact: Michigan Seed Potato Assoc.

P.O. Box 1865 Gaylord, MI 49734 (989) 732-4433 jwamspa@gmail.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-mi

Sklarczyk Seed Farm

8710 M32 E Johannesburg, MI 49751 (989) 731-5452 www.ssfseedpotatoes.com

Varieties: Acoustic, AF5040-8, Alegria, Algonquin (NY141), Allora, Almera, Alturas Russet, AO84334RV, Arizona, Atlantic, B2727-2, B2868-29, B2904-2, Bannock Russet, Bellanita, Blackberry, BNC128-5, Chieftan, Ciklamen, Clearwater Russet, Constance, Corsica, Dakota Pearl, Dakota Russet, Defender, Desiree, Excellency, Hodag, Huron Chipper (MSW485-2), Keuka Gold, Lamoka, Lehigh, Mackinaw (MSX540-4), Manistee, Modoc, MSY156-2, MSZ042-7, MSZ21913, NC470-3, NDA081453-CAB2C, Niagara (NY152), Nicolet, NY140, NY149, NY156, NY157, NY158, NY162, NY163, Paroli, Pomerelle Russet, Purple Viking, Ranger Russet, Reba, Red Endeavor, Red Norland, Red Viola, Reveille Russet, Russet Norkotah(Standard,Co-3,Co8,TX112,TX278,TX296), Saginaw Chipper, Sangre, Silverton Russet, Snowden, Spunta, Staci, Superior Russet, Umatilla Russet, Vizelle, W12076-76, W8822-1, W8893-1R, Waneta, Yellow Star, Yukon Gold

MINNESOTA

For more information and a copy of the current Minnesota Certified Seed Potato Directory, contact: Seed Potato Certification Office 312 4th Ave. NE East Grand Forks, MN 56721 (218) 773-4956 www.mda.state.mn.us or www.potatocountry.com/seed-mn

SEED

MONTANA

For a copy of the Montana Certified Seed Potato Directory, including certification rules and regulations, contact: Dr. Nina Zidack, director Seed Potato Certification P.O. Box 172060 MSU-Bozeman Bozeman, MT 59717-2060 (406) 994-3150 potatocert@montana.edu www.montanaspud.org or www.potatocountry.com/seed-mt

Buyan Ranch Inc.

242 Bivens Creek Rd. Sheridan, MT 59749 Bill: (406) 842-5142 Cell: (406) 596-5142 Marcus: (406) 596-7353

Varieties: Clearwater Russet, Russet Burbank, Umatilla

Droge Farms Inc.

7590 Stagecoach Trail Rd. Manhattan, MT 59741 Glenn: (406) 282-7588 Vern: (406) 282-7580 Tim’s cell: (406) 539-7200 Glenn’s cell: (406) 580-7588 Vern’s cell: (406) 539-6586 gdroge@littleappletech.com vpdroge@gmail.com

Varieties: Clearwater, Burbank, Alturas, Teton Russet

Fleming Farms Inc.

P.O. Box 220, Pablo, MT 59855 Pat: (406) 675-8620 Neil: (406) 675-2241 Pat’s cell: (406) 253-2365 Varieties: Ranger Russet; Russet Burbank

Kimm Seed Potatoes

6140 Kimm Rd. Manhattan, MT 59741 (406) 282-7592 Bill’s cell: (406) 580-7592 Varieties: Russet Burbank, Clearwater, Umatilla

Lake Farms Inc.

59969 Hwy. 93, Ronan, MT 59864 Jack: (406) 676-4297 Jack’s cell: (406) 253-4297 jlake@ronan.net

Varieties: Burbank, Atlantic, Rangers, Clearwater

Lake Seed Inc.

35822 Spring Creek Rd. Ronan, MT 59864 Dan: (406) 253-3638 Dave: (406) 261-4432 Pat: (406) 253-3284 Tim: (406) 253-3689 Warehouse: (406) 676-2174

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, Umatilla Russet

Manhattan Seed Potato Growers

6265 West Dry Creek Road Manhattan, MT 59741

Schutter Seed Farm Inc.

3627 Wooden Shoe Rd. Manhattan, MT 59741 Nick’s office: (406) 284-6422 cell: (406) 539-6125, scale: (406) 282-7777

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Umatilla, Dakota Russet, Clearwater

Streich & Associates Inc. 955 Columbia Falls Stage Kalispell, MT 59901 Steve: (406) 756-8644 Steve’s cell: (406) 253-2276 Paul: (406) 253-0642 spudtruck@montanasky.net

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Umatilla

NEBRASKA

For more information and a copy of the current Nebraska Certified Seed Potato Directory, contact: Potato Certification Association of Nebraska P.O. Box 339/100 Depot St. Alliance, NE 69301 (308) 762-1674 www.nebraskapotatoes.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ne

CSS Farms

CSS Farms, LLC 5911 2nd Ave W Kearney, NE 68847 www.cssfarms.com

NEW YORK

For more information and a copy of the New York Certified Seed Potato Crop Directory, contact: New York Seed Improvement Project 103C Leland Lab Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 (607) 255-9869 nysip@cornell.edu or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ny

NORTH DAKOTA

For more information and a copy of the North Dakota Seed Potato Directory: North Dakota State Seed Department P.O. Box 5257 Fargo, ND 58105 (701) 231-5400 www.ndseed.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-nd

OREGON

For a directory of Oregon certified seed potato growers, including Oregon seed potato certification standards, contact:

Oregon Seed Certification Service 31 Crop Science Building Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-3003 (541) 737-4513 osu-cert@oregonstate.edu seedcert.oregonstate.edu/potatoes or www.potatocountry.com/seed-or

PotatoCountry.com

15

2020 Buyers’ Guide SEED OREGON (CONT.) Macy Farms LLC

5287 SW Macy Ln. Culver, OR 97734 (541) 546-4424 macyfarms@gmail.com

Varieties: Atlantic, HO2000 (blushing Belle), Lamoka, MSR061-1, Perline, Purple Prince

Edmonton Potato Growers

12220 - 170 Street Edmonton, AB T5V 1L7 Darcy Olson: (800) 362-9791 or (780) 447-1860 darcyo@epg.ab.ca Grower List: www.potatocountry.com/seed-ed

WASHINGTON

For a copy of the current Washington Certified Seed Potato Directory, including field readings, contact:

Washington State Seed Potato Commission P.O. Box 286 Lynden, WA 98264 (360) 354-4670 www.waseedpotato.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-wa

WISCONSIN

For more information and a copy of the Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Directory, contact: Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association P.O. Box 328 Antigo, WI 54409 (715) 623-4039 abcrockford@wisc.edu www.potatoseed.org or www.potatocountry.com/seed-wi

ALBERTA, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Alberta Seed Potato Directory, contact: Potato Growers of Alberta c/o Deb Hart 17507 Fort Rd. Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3 (780) 415-2305 deb@albertapotatoes.ca www.albertapotatoes.ca or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ab

16

Potato Country

December 2019

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current seed guide, contact: BC Certified Seed Potato Growers Association c/o 5628 64th Street Delta, BC V4K 4E2 bcseedpotatoes.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-bc

MANITOBA, CANADA

Parkland Potato Varieties Paul Sawatzky Adam Nelubowich 2908 Ellwood Drive, SW Edmonton, AB T6X 0A9 (780) 435-3122 paul@parklandpotato.com; adam@parklandpotato.com www.parklandpotato.com

Varieties: AAC Hamer, Anouk, Arizona, Bellanita, Bridget, Constance, Excellency, Roko, Rosagold, Volare, Yellow Star, as well as open varieties

Solanum International Inc. Hendrik Bakker Stony Plain, AB, T7Z 0B1 (780) 991-4302 inquire@solanum-int.com

Varieties: Abbot, Alaska Bloom, Austrian Crescent, Autumn Rose, Banana, Big Rossa, Bonnata KWS, Cerata KWS, Cerisa, Connect, Erika, Fioretta, French Fingerling, Gemson, Goldeye, Gourmandine, Jazzy, Krone, Labella, Lady Amarilla, Laperla, Little Giant, Lollipop, Melody, Mimi, Musica, Purple Magic, Queen Anne, Rande’s Golden Gem, Red Apple, Red Snapper, Red Thumb, River Russet, Snow Finger, Soprano, Violetta

For more information and a copy of the current seed guide, contact:

Seed Potato Growers Association of Manitoba Leonard Rossnagel Box 545 Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3B9 (204) 856-9171 leonard@manitobaseedpotatoes.com www.manitobaseedpotatoes.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-mb

NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current New Brunswick Seed Potato Growers’ Certification List, contact:

Potatoes New Brunswick P.O. Box 7878 succ. Main Grand Falls, NB E3Z 3E8 (506) 473-3036 gfpotato@potatoesnb.com www.nbseedpotatoes.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-nb

SEED PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Prince Edward Island Seed Potato Certification List and Grower Directory, contact:

M.K. Sonier, Seed Coordinator Prince Edward Island Potato Board 90 Hillstrom Avenue Charlottetown, PEI C1E 2C6 (902) 892-6551 potato@peipotato.org www.peipotato.org or www.potatocountry.com/seed-pei

QUEBEC, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Quebec Certified Seed Potatoes Directory, contact:

Les Producteurs de pommes de terre du Québec, 555, boul.

Roland-Therrien, bureau 375 Longueuil, QC J4H 4E7 (450) 679-0530 www.pptq.ca

A Partnership of Three Established Growers: Salazar Farms, Price Farms, & Three S Ranch Russet Varieties: Norkotah 296’s, 3’s, 8’s, 278’s Reveille Russet, Centennial Russet Yellow Variety: Soraya Red Variety: Modoc

Some of the best disease readings in the country!

Amanda Wakasugi, Farm Manager/Sales 505.787.7054 amandak@sanacacioseed.com LeRoy Salazar, 719.588.0131 leroysalazar@usa.net Kent Price, 719.850.4014 kent@pricefarmsllc.com Website- sanacacioseed.com Facebook- @sanacacioseedpotatoes

“We only sell what we strive to grow…the best”

Growing Quality Seed For 50 Years!

SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Saskatchewan Seed Potato Directory, contact:

Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association Desseri Ackerman, Manager Box 386, Outlook, SK S0L 2N0 (306) 867-2078 sspga@sasktel.net www.sspga.ca or www.potatocountry.com/seed-sk

Left to right: Sid, John, Jonathan, Carl, Nick and Cliff.

LINE Selected:

Russet Burbank, Umatilla, Dakota Russet, Clearwater

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from Meristem Culture Uniform and High Producers  Rigid Sanitation Program in Field and Storage  Long Rotations on Isolated Fields  Modern Air and Humidity Control in All Storages  All available Seed Generation II & Generation III  A beautiful, smooth crop  Very

SCHUTTER SEED FARM 25 Wytana Rd., Manhattan, MT 59741 Sid: (406) 539-6478  John: (406) 580-6446 Nick: (406) 539-6125  Cliff: (406) 580-6818

PotatoCountry.com

17

2020 Buyers’ Guide CHEMICALS FOR STORAGE

STORAGE DEHUMIDIFYING EQUIPMENT

Group Ag

(208) 356-7800 info@groupag.com www.groupag.com

Group Ag

(208) 356-7800 info@groupag.com www.groupag.com

GroupAg is a full-service postharvest care company. GroupAg represents and distributes the following:1,4Group, Decco, Biosafe Systems, BTU Ventilation Products, Forte Humidifiers

GroupAg is a full-service postharvest care company. GroupAg represents and distributes the following:1,4Group, Decco, Biosafe Systems, BTU Ventilation Products, Forte Humidifiers

Suberizer, Inc.

Jet Harvest Solutions

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com

(877) 866-5773 www.jetharvest.com

Jet-Ag (Thermal Fogging), Jet-Oxide, Jet-Wash & Bio-Save

CONSTRUCTION Pacific Building Systems 2100 N. Pacific Hwy. Woodburn, OR 97071 (800) 727-7844 (503) 981-9581

Manufacturer of high quality steel / metal building systems & components for 55+ years

Gellert Company

3193 Kimberly Road Twin Falls, ID 83301 1-888-GELLERT www.gellert.com

Full Climate Controls and Equipment for Refrigeration, Ventilation, and Humidification

REFRIGERATION & COOLING Group Ag

Suberizer, Inc.

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com

Potato Storage Structure Kits

(208) 356-7800 info@groupag.com www.groupag.com

GroupAg is a full-service postharvest care company. GroupAg represents and distributes the following:1,4Group, Decco, Biosafe Systems, BTU Ventilation Products, Forte Humidifiers

Industrial Ventilation, Inc. 723 E. Karcher Road Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 463-6305 www.ivi-air.com

18

Potato Country

December 2019

Gellert Company

3193 Kimberly Road Twin Falls, ID 83301 1-888-GELLERT www.gellert.com

Full Climate Controls and Equipment for Refrigeration, Ventilation, and Humidification

Suberizer, Inc.

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com

TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY MONITORING Group Ag

(208) 356-7800 info@groupag.com www.groupag.com

GroupAg is a full-service postharvest care company. GroupAg represents and distributes the following:1,4Group, Decco, Biosafe Systems, BTU Ventilation Products, Forte Humidifiers

Industrial Ventilation, Inc. 723 E. Karcher Road Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 463-6305 www.ivi-air.com

Suberizer, Inc.

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com

Gellert Company

3193 Kimberly Road Twin Falls, ID 83301 1-888-GELLERT www.gellert.com

Full Climate Controls and Equipment for Refrigeration, Ventilation, and Humidification

STORAGE

R ITE T RACE Advanced Track & Trace System

Tracks from known locations in the field to precise layers and areas in storage

NEW!

VENTILATION/ HUMIDIFICATION

Group Ag

(208) 970-0091 info@groupagproducts.com www.groupagproducts.com/fortehumidifers

Forte Humidifiers are proven to be the most cost-effective solution for achieving ideal humidity levels in potato storages. While being offered at a fraction of the cost of the current market alternatives, Forte Humidifiers produce a superior fog quality and allow for more adaptable installations.

EASILY TRACE loads from field to storage n Modular design to suit any size operation. n Straightforward components are easy to install. n Integrates with Greentronics yield monitor.

Fully-automated traceability solution. Generates detailed Field and Bin Maps.

Click on loads to pop up details and reports. n Provides clear links between field and storage g track quality characteristics and provide transparency to buyers and processors. n Provides data for efficiency analyses and a variety of management reports. n

Industrial Ventilation, Inc. 723 E. Karcher Road Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 463-6305 www.ivi-air.com

Suberizer, Inc.

LD to TRUCK

fr o m

FI E

from FIELD

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com to DETAILED MAPS

Gellert Company

3193 Kimberly Road Twin Falls, ID 83301 1-888-GELLERT www.gellert.com

to STORAGE

Full Climate Controls and Equipment for Refrigeration, Ventilation, and Humidification

519-669-4698•greentronics.com

For Rent: One-Bedroom Potato

I

The Big Idaho Potato Hotel is a one-bedroom Airbnb complete with amenities including power outlets, a mini fridge, a record player and a custom-built bed.

Kristie Wolfe, owner of the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, stands in front of the Airbnb she built from the 6-ton potato hauled by the Idaho Potato Commission’s Big Idaho Potato Truck.

BC CERTIFIED SEED POTATO GROWERS Quality British Columbia Seed Potatoes Grown in: Fraser Valley and Pemberton 2019-20 BRITISH COLUMBIA SEED POTATO DIRECTORY www.bcseedpotatoes.com

See us at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference 20

Potato Country

December 2019

t’s not every day that a potato earns a spot in People magazine’s “5 Things We’re Talking About” column, but the Big Idaho Potato Hotel isn’t your everyday spud.

From People magazine to USA Today, the Big Idaho Potato Hotel has been making headlines since its announced launch this spring and is earning rave reviews from guests since opening late this fall.

The Big Idaho Potato Hotel is a onebedroom Airbnb rental built from the giant potato hauled by the Idaho Potato Commission’s Big Idaho Potato Truck.

After logging more than 200,000 miles in seven years, it was time to retire the 6-ton spud.

Kristie Wolfe, a former member of the Big Idaho Potato Truck tour team and builder of three other unique tiny home properties, transformed the sturdy tuber into a cozy Airbnb. It’s now planted on an expansive field south of Boise with views of the Owyhee Mountains.

The Big Idaho Potato Hotel is a 28foot long, 12-foot wide and 11.5-foot tall potato made of plaster, concrete and steel. The tiny home is styled to allow for comfort and privacy with amenities including power outlets, a mini fridge, vinyl records to play and a custom-built bed. A spa retreat, which is a recycled silo located close by, contains a giant tub with a skylight for star-gazing, a fireplace and heated floors.

The launch of the Big Idaho Potato Hotel generated the equivalent of $1 million in advertising through coverage on more than 100 local TV stations; over 800 news articles in publications such as Us Weekly, Travel + Leisure, Fast Company and the New York Post; and pickup in 27 countries outside the U.S. from Australia to Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the Big Idaho Potato Truck is still on the road. It’s hauling a new potato made of fiberglass, designed to be more lightweight and long-lasting.

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PAUL@PARKLANDPOTATO.COM | ADAM@PARKLANDPOTATO.COM | 780.435.3122 | PARKLANDPOTATO.COM PotatoCountry.com

19

Ag World Tees up $100,000 for Charity Ag World topped its previous fundraising record at the sixth annual Ag World Golf Classic and has announced plans for two tournaments in 2020.

Columbia Basin agriculture producers, processors and industry businesses raised $101,680 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Inland Northwest at the Ag World Golf Classic held in June.

Nearly 150 golfers, along with 136 sponsors and donors, took part in the tourney.

The tournament is now the largest independent fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald Charities in the Inland Northwest, according to event organizers.

In the last six years, the tourney has donated $425,647 to the charity. It

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For a FREE Certification Directory, email Dr. Nina Zidack at potatocert@montana.edu

Uncompromising Standards, Generation after Generation. We have the seed for you! www.montanaspud.org

22

Potato Country 167820MonPot13h.indd 1

December 2019 9/18/17 11:45 AM

Seed Without Compromise provides temporary lodging, comfort and support for families with children receiving medical services in Spokane, Washington, and supports related efforts to improve children’s health in the region.

The charity is building a new facility across the street from its current location to serve more families.

The 2020 Ag World Golf Classic will take place in two locations. Golfers are invited to hit the links on June 2 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course, in Kennewick, Washington. Golfers will also tee off on June 4 at The Links at Moses Pointe, in Moses Lake, Washington. Registration opens in January at www.agworldgolf.com.

• Russett Burbank • Ranger • Clearwater • Teton R • Norkotahs 278, 296 & Jorde Strain Arnold Farms

Calendar Dec. 11-12

Washington Potato Summit

Northern Quest, Spokane, Wash.

Katy Dray, (509) 765-8845 or kdray@potatoes.com

Jeremy

208-313-2875

Dennie

208-313-2874

Eric

208-313-5422

10361 North Highway 32 • Felt, Idaho 83424

Jan. 14-15

Potato Expo 2020

The Mirage, Las Vegas www.potato-expo.com

Jan. 16

NPC 2020 Annual Meeting The Mirage, Las Vegas Hillary Hutchins, hillaryh@ nationalpotatocouncil.org

Jan. 20–21

Spudnik Ag Summit Blackfoot, Idaho

Jan. 21–23

Idaho Potato Conference and Ag Expo Pond Student Union Building and Holt Arena Pocatello, Idaho Jill Randall, jillr@uidaho.edu

Jan. 21–23

Washington-Oregon Potato Conference

Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash. www.potatoconference.com PotatoCountry.com

23

Potatoes USA

A Critical Eye to Tuber Research

By John Lundeen, Research Director; and Ben Harris, Research Associate Manager, Potatoes USA

I

n the world of crop research and development, there’s a simple formula John Lundeen for success: implement, iterate and improve.

As America’s favorite vegetable and one of the world’s most nutritionally rich foods, potatoes have every reason to be at the forefront of specialty crop research and development (R&D). This is an exciting time to be in agriculture R&D; the spate of recent advancements – in agronomic performance, disease resistance, processing readiness, consumer quality and more – shows no signs of letting up. But if there’s a flipside to this abundance of opportunity, it’s that our attention is getting tugged in all directions, which could bring about business siloes and competing priorities.

In these circumstances, it’s imperative that we focus on the industry’s biggest concerns.

To establish research direction and ensure alignment across the value chain, Potatoes USA oversees an advisory body and two variety development pipelines, which channel expertise and capital toward projects or clones that offer the best bang for the buck.

Since 2016, the Potato Research Advisory Committee (PRAC) has

• Ranger Russets

• Russet

Burbank

Virus TESTED • Generation III Since 1952 Pat & Neil Fleming • Pablo, MT 59855 (406) 675-8620 • (406) 253-2365

24

Potato Country

December 2019

generated broad support for projects centered on the industry’s core concerns.

PRAC has been a catalyst behind some of the largest collaborative research initiatives of the past few years, including an ambitious, multi-year effort to examine soil health in potato production systems.

The committee frequently hosts open discussions to solicit input and triage potato research, giving precedence to pressing topics such as disease control, enhanced breeding methods and crop management. With a membership of 15, PRAC is agile enough to make onthe-spot decisions such as whether to advance a proposal. Despite its lean size, PRAC covers every major market niche, production climate and grower profile in the U.S., lending additional credibility and clout to proposals. It’s possible that the voice of PRAC could put potatoes ahead of other crops in the scramble for ever-limited research monies.

The National Chip Program (NCP) and National Fry Processor Trials (NFPT) make up the remaining pillars of Potatoes USA Research. Both were conceived to consolidate new variety research rather than expand it, for, at the time of their creation, there was no shortage of new cultivars in development. The issue was, in fact, the opposite: contributions were spread thin across hundreds of thousands of clones, diluting the effectiveness of research dollars. The industry came together and found a solution in the form of high-throughput screening and tiered trials, which whittle down the variety pool from thousands to eventually tens of candidates.

The strength of NCP and NFPT lies in their scalability and streamlined performance. While participating breeders and growers apply a fine-grained lens to their pursuit of molecular markers, optimal specific gravities and other precise measures, NCP and NFPT were also designed with the bigger picture in mind: to expedite the entire process, from discovery to commercialization.

We’ve learned that, along with scientific thinking, systems thinking – an end-to-

end view of the pipeline – is essential to predicting bottlenecks and gaps. Take Ben Harris for example the logistics associated with the mass propagation and transport of mini tubers to research stations scattered across the continental U.S. On the surface, these may seem easier challenges to crack than the potato’s complex genetic code, but they often entail just as much problem solving.

NCP and NFPT weren’t perfect from the outset, but with feedback from constituents, and a commitment to iteration and improvement, they have evolved into cost-effective research units, capable of meeting the specifications of growers, processors and consumers.

Robust varieties like Lamoka have graduated from the programs and gone on to prove their worth by remedying problems such as internal heat necrosis, scab and discoloration – longstanding thorns in the industry’s side. NCP and NFPT have demonstrated that a closeknit collaborator network comprised of land grant universities, Department of Agriculture agencies and state commissions, along with a multi-stage approach to field trials and lab testing, is all that’s needed to accelerate crop research.

It’s been energizing to watch artificial intelligence, automation, blockchain and other tech buzzwords arrive on agriculture’s doorstep. But we can’t let the slick veneer of these innovations distract from the ultimate goal of greater financial, social and environmental sustainability in potato production.

Technology is the means to this end, not the end in itself. PRAC, NCP and NFPT suggest that the future of tuber research rests not only on the next cutting-edge tool but also on rigorous science and watertight relationships – the triedand-true sources of information. Their combined power is no small potatoes.

PVX GIII l RUSSET BURBANK l RANGER RUSSET l UMATILLA RUSSET

SEED INC.

l On-farm tissue culture laboratory and greenhouse facility for nuclear seed production l 4 year rotation on clean fields l Strict sanitation program throughout l Modern storage and handling facilities l Rigorous Spray Program

We are dedicated to providing you with consistent high quality, high yielding seed that you can depend on year after year.

You are always welcome to visit our farm.

Let us show you what our program can do for you.

David

Dan Tim

Tim Dan

Pat

Dan, Dave, Pat and Tim Lake

(406) 253-3638 (office), (406) 676-2175 (fax) e-mail - spudman@ronan.net 35822 Spring Creek Road l Ronan, MT 59864

Spudequipment.com Pilers

2007 Milestone 42” all belt, 230 3ph remote 2003 Milestone 42” all belt, 230 3ph remote 2002 Spudnik 860 Piler 42” belted chain, VFD 230 volt 3ph remote 1999 Double L 831 36” x 49’ BC, 3ph remote 1994 Double L 831 36” x 49’ BC 3ph Remote 1991 Spudnik 550 30” BC, 3ph Remote 1991 Max 430 30” x 55’ 3ph 230 volt belt chain elev.

1989 Spudnik 550 30” BC, 3phase Remote 1985 DL 813 30” BC 3ph

Scoopers

1990 Spudnik 150 30” 230 volt 3ph

Stingers

2016 Logan Trac Pro Telescopic 36”/42” x 6’ Tel. 2010 Logan Trac Pro Telescopic 36”/42” x 6’ Tel. 2014 Logan Trac Pro 30” x 10 belt 3ph Double L 832 BC 30” fingers Spudnik 48” x 10’ belt

Conveyors - Telescopic

1998 Spudnik TC 36”/42”/60’ 3ph Refurbished 1990 Double L 810 30” x 50’ 3ph 230 volt 1986 Spudnik 1200 TC 30” x 55’ 220 volt single phase

Conveyors - Straight

1975 Spudnik 1200 30” x 17’, 29’, 30’,33’ 3ph Double L 809 30” x 38’ 3ph (10) 1990 Double L 808 30” x 20’ 3ph

Sizers/Eliminators

2003 Milestone 84” DES, BC Elev, peg belt blower 2003 Milestone 84” DES, Belt Elev, dirt & sizing rolls cross conv.

2003 Spudnik 995 84” peg belt blower, dirt rolls & sizing 3ph 2002 Spudnik 925 72” 3ph 2000 Double 878 DE 78” 3ph flip down 72” sizer 1997 Double 807 Dirt Elim. 62” BC 3ph Stingers 72” Sizer 1997 Milestone MSDES 72” 3ph Dirt Elim Sizer

Crossovers/Wind Rowers

Dirt Eliminators

2015 Double L 953 50/50/45/45/45/ Grimme DR1500 2 row 2- pintle belts 2014 Lockwood 574 4 row 2012 Double L 965 3 row, w/Multi-sep table 2010 Lockwood 474 50/56/56/56/50 2010 DL 973 4 row 36” row 2009 DL 973 4 row 36” row 2008 Lockwood 474H 4 row 2007 Double 853 4 row 50/50/45/45

2000 Spudnik 900 60” 230 volt 3ph hang on tare 97 DL 807 62” BC with 3 stingers 3ph 1990 Double 806 Collector 44” 2-pups

Rock/Clod/Eliminators

2015 Lockwood Air Vac 2014 Spudnik 991 72” Air Sep 2007 Harriston Clod Hopper 240 model 3ph 1998 Harriston Clod Hopper 200/80” 230 Volt 3ph 1994 STI 1260 Sand Machine

Even Flows & Crop Carts

2016 Milestone 100cwt, Stinger, tilt belt 1996 Double L 860 600 cwt 3ph Bijlsma Hercules Con 200 Receiving Hopper

Beds

1995 Double L 801 20’ updated Dual Drive 1991 Double L 801 20’ 1986 Logan 20’ new paint & planetary gearbox 1989 Logan 20’ w/ EZ Tarp 1985 Logan 20’ Electric 1983 Logan 20” Electric

Trucks

2007 Sterling 13spd MB 425hp, no bed, frame for 22’ bed, has PTO 2001 Freightliner F80, Cum 5.9L 225 hp 2011 Logan 22’ bed 9sp Rd Ranger 1985 IH 5000 Pay-Star 290 hp Cum., manual

2012 Spudnik 6160 6 row dual discharge 50mm 2008 Spudnik 6140 Four Row RH 50/50/50 2008 Spudnik 6140 Four Row LH 50/50/50 2003 Lockwood 5000 Four Row LH 50/50/50 1998 Double L 851 Four Row RH 50/50/45

Harvesters

Seed Cutters 1998 Milestone 60” 1993 Milestone 36”

Treaters

2015 Milestone 36” Liquid Treater 2013 Better Built CDT 10’x 10” dust auger 1996 Milestone 36” Duster

Planters

2016 Spudnik 8080 8 row pull 36” 2009 Harriston cup planter 8 row pull loaded 34” 2009 Lockwood 4 row air cup 2007 Gruse Bed planter 4 row off set hitch 2005 Harriston model 4016 cup, Raven Controller 36” 2005 Lockwood 6 row Pick 36” 2003 Kverneland 8 row 34” rear steer, tanks, pumps 2000 Grimme 8 row 34” row rear steer 1995 Kverneland 3300 6 row 34”

Planter/Tare/Piler

1989 Double L 815 24” x 24’ cleated belt 220 Volt 1ph DL 815 30” x 24’ hyd belt chain DL 814 24” x 30’ hyd belt chain

Water Dammers

2009 Logan 6 row Yield Pro Water Dammer 2006 Spudnik 8060 Cultv. Bed Shaper Diker 1991 Ag Engineering 6 row Dammer Diker 1994 Ag Engineering 4 row Tillage Master 9 shanks Hyd reset Milestone 6 row Water Dammer

Shredder/Vine Beaters 2012 Newhouse P1952 Pull hitch Tire Roller 36”

MISC.

Scooper belly dump unloader attachment Mayo Scooper belly dump unloader attachement Harriston 12 row Marker Semi mount Shop Built 12 row Marker 3point

Warehouse/Packaging

Tilt belt Warehouse Even flow 600cwt 8’6” x 26’ x 14’ 30” belt 230 V 3ph 2012 Kwik Lok 865 Bag closer 2- Milestone Screw Sizers with belts with feed conveyor Newlong Sewer DS-9C Northwest Bagger Ernst roll sizer 72” Volm Pak 8000 w/ carousel

Bruce: (208)390-5120 | brucen@tristeelmfg.com Evan: (208)757-8481 | evann@tristeelmfg.com PotatoCountry.com

25

In the News

IPC Adds New Commissioners

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) has welcomed three new commissioners. Grower Julie VanOrden of Garth VanOrden Farms, processor Paul Sato from McCain Foods and shipper Bryan Wada of Wada Farms will each serve a three-year term.

In addition, Nick Blanksma of Legacy Farms and Todd Cornelison of High Country Potatoes have been appointed chairman and vice chairman, respectively. They will lead the nine-member commission representing Idaho potato growers, shippers and processors.

Clearwater Atlantic Russet Ranger

Do YOU Have Enough Dikers?

Ag Engineering 26

Potato Country

December 2019

509-582-8900 www.DammerDiker.com

WPC Announces 2023 Host City, New Director

Adelaide, South Australia, has won the bid to host the 2023 World Potato Congress (WPC).

This is the first time Australia will host the biennial event, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates.

With the theme “Old World Meets New,” the event will focus on the importance of potatoes in the future, with the agenda including topics such as sustainability, consumer behavior, technology in production, and pests, diseases and biosecurity.

WPC has also announced that Greg Donald has joined its board of directors. Donald has been the general manager of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board since 2009. He has over 25 years of experience in the potato industry, including five years with McCain Foods in New Brunswick in the area of agronomy, potato production, potato procurement and green crop field management. Donald also serves as director of the Canadian Potato Council and the United Potato Growers of Canada.

Little Potato Company Cooks up Convenient Sides

The Little Potato Company is catering to consumers’ demand for convenient, healthy food options with the introduction of Easy Sides, featuring the company’s signature small specialty creamer potatoes. The fully cooked, pre-seasoned creamer potatoes are ready to heat and eat in seven minutes. The company describes Easy Sides as being slow-cooked sous vide style in a warm water bath with natural spices. The product line includes four flavors: onion and garlic, sea salt and black pepper, paprika and bell pepper, and sweet bell and onion.

WASHINGTON

Kennewick, WA January 21-23, 2020

OREGON

CONFERENCE

2016

w w w. p ot ato c o nf e r e n c e.c o m

Schedule Overview Monday, January 20 1pm - 4pm

Booth Move In

5pm - 9pm

Early Bird Recetion SpringHill Suites

Tuesday, January 21 8am - 10am

Booth Move In

8am - 12pm

Spanish Language Program

10am - 5pm

Trade Show

1:30pm - 5pm

Cultivar Performance

5pm - 8pm

Trade Show Reception & Potato PAC Auction-TRCC

2020 Keynote: Amber Mac

WASHINGTON

OREGON

disruptive strategies. She started her career in San Francisco and Boston during the dot-com boom in the late 1990s. What others thought was a trend, she recognized2015 as an explosion.

CONFERENCE w w w.potatoconference.com

company, she spent four years in the technology

Wednesday, January 22 7:30am

Continental Breakfast

Shopify, Ford, Nintendo, GE, Fast Company, PayPal, Scotiabank, and many more leading organizations.

7:55am - 12pm

General Sessions

Mac is the co-host of Marketing Disrupted, a new series exploring how

9am - 5pm

Trade Show

10am - 4pm

Spouses Program

show, which featured marketing executives from Google, Twitter, and Shopify, debuted as the number one business podcast in the country.

11am - 12pm

Keynote Address Amber Mac

12pm - 1:30pm

Hosted Potato Bar

1pm - 4:15pm

General Sessions

6pm - 9pm

Leadership Banquet @ TRCC

7:30am

Continental Breakfast

8am - 12pm

General Sessions

9am - 1pm

Trade Show

12pm - 1pm

Hosted Lunch

1pm - 4:10pm

General Sessions

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New Chemistry Fights Early Blight

By Kim Branch, BASF

F

or potato growers battling early blight, brown spot and black dot, BASF has introduced a new disease management tool. Provysol fungicide is an isopropanol azole fungicide designed to control key diseases and to provide a new mode of action to manage resistance.

The uniqueness of the product lies in the molecular structure of Revysol fungicide, the active ingredient in Provysol fungicide, according to Curtis Rainbolt, BASF technical service representative.

“The unique isopropanol azole bridge allows the Revysol molecule to customize its shape for tighter binding at the enzyme site of action for excellent efficacy of even the toughest diseases,” Rainbolt explains.

He adds that when used as a foundational tool, the product can strengthen the overall spray program and reduce risk of resistance development.

“Provysol fungicide is really delivering a level of performance that we haven’t seen in a while. In addition to the high level of control, there is a long duration

of control, and it tank-mixes well with a lot of other products that growers might use on their fields, so it’s really got a nice all-around fit,” Rainbolt says.

Field Trial Results

To determine control of disease pressure from Provysol fungicide, Jeff Miller, owner and operator of Miller Research LLC in Rupert, Idaho, tested Provysol fungicide on his research farm.

Miller shared his experience with the product during a BASF field day in August.

“We first began testing Provysol fungicide several years ago, and it has been very impressive from the start.

There have only been a few products that have come along that have been very effective at almost eliminating early blight. Provysol fungicide is in that category,” he says.

Fungicide Spray Timing

Provided such use is permitted by the relevant label, Miller recommends that growers use fungicides preventatively,

BASF hosts a field day Aug. 20 at Miller Research in Rupert, Idaho, to share information about a Provysol fungicide field trial.

not as a rescue or a curative treatment.

Because of that, he recommends incorporating Provysol fungicide in the early part of the grower’s program with “two applications around row closure to two weeks later.”

“When you look at the level of protection you get from an early application, versus late, you get so much superior disease control, and you have much less blight later on,” he notes.

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Potato Country

December 2019

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Resistance Management

Miller is concerned that while growers may be rotating products, that does not necessarily mean they are rotating between Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) groups, which can lead to resistance.

The SDHI fungicides, which are members of FRAC Group 7, are critical components of many potato growers’ disease management strategy. Recently, there has been a push to use SDHI fungicides not only as foliar treatments for managing white mold and early blight, but also in-furrow and early in the plant’s growth cycle, when plants are 6 to 8 inches tall, to target nematodes.

“Where I’m using a Group 7 in the furrow, I want to minimize the number of times that I would put it on the foliage now. So, if I have a different group, a Group 3 fungicide like Provysol fungicide, it would be a perfect fit now to put that in the early part of your fungicide program,” Miller says.

“With Provysol fungicide we have a triazole, which is in a completely different category of fungicide, which has high

Jeff Miller with Miller Research and Tim Parry with BASF discuss the results of a Provysol fungicide field trial.

efficacy. Now growers have something that they can rotate to, so they don’t have to use the same FRAC groups. They can use Provysol fungicide, which should extend the life of all the fungicides involved, not only Provysol fungicide, but the other chemistries, as well,” he adds.

“When we get access to a really high-quality product, such as Provysol fungicide, we want to make it last as long as we can. We can practice good stewardship principles, and we’ll still get great control,” Miller concludes.

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Vive Receives Registration on Pair of Products

Potato growers can start the 2020 growing season with two new products from Vive Crop Protection. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has registered Vive’s Xyler FC fungicide and Midac FC insecticide.

With the active ingredient metalaxyl, Xyler FC is made to control Pythium leak and pink rot. The fungicide is tankmixable with liquid fertilizer, other chemistry, micronutrients and hard water.

Midac FC gives growers a new tool for systemic control of sucking and chewing pests. As a soil application, Midac FC provides control of aphids, Colorado potato beetles, flea beetles, leafhoppers and potato psyllid, as well as suppression of symptoms of potato leaf roll virus, potato yellows, net necrosis and wireworms. The product is a mixing imidacloprid and compatible with liquid fertilizer.

Visit www.vivecrop.com.

Lindsay Launches Trio of Irrigation Tools

Lindsey Corporation has several new irrigation products coming out to help growers improve productivity and conserve resources.

The Zimmatic 9500 pivot is coming to North America this fall.

The high-speed pivot will allow growers to operate at up to twice the speed of a standard center drive motor, according to the company.

Ideal for root crops such as potatoes, onions and carrots, its quicker water application is said to help maintain moisture during germination and protect crops from heat.

The next generation of Zimmatic controllers are launching globally by the end of the year. Features include remote monitoring and control capabilities, smart barrier automation, custom irrigation program options, smart alignment, and more end-gun areas and management capabilities.

Also expected by the end of the year, Zimmatic’s new 9520 pivoting lateral is built to irrigate more land with maximum flexibility. The pivoting lateral is billed as an option on large, irregular-shaped fields where multiple traditional center pivot and lateral-move systems may not be cost effective.

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33

Metam Movement

Insights Into Metam Sodium Movement in Soil

By Kyle Coleman, Director of Marketing and Commercial Development, NovaSource North America

W

e’ve spent the better part of the past decade talking about the implementation of the new metam sodium label. Above ground, we now manage buffer zones, fumigant management plans, sensitive sites and even clod sizes.

But what is happening below ground?

After taking more than 20,000 postapplication soil readings across the country over the past two years, I want to share some insights into what I’ve seen.

Maximize Effectiveness

The bottom line is there are ways to maximize the effectiveness of metam sodium by having a greater understanding of the product, the importance of soil conditions before and during application and the need to place the product with precision.

To be clear, I’m not a soil scientist and my findings were not part of a formal study. But after working with more than 20 cooperators, digging trenches

in different soil types at more than 100 locations in seven states from Washington to Florida, poking holes in the ground and measuring fumigant levels with a photoionization detector (PID), my observations have been of great interest to the growers with whom I’ve been working.

Be Aware of Variables

There are a lot of variables that have more to do with product efficacy than many growers have thought for many years.

We know that when you apply metam sodium at a single level, you are not going to be successful at reaching every nematode, weed and pest on the label.

For example, in Florida, we can find nematodes as deep as 5 feet, and even though the weeds and disease occur at more shallow depths, they’re not necessarily uniformly distributed in that range.

I think it’s important to be aware of the vapor pressure of metam sodium.

It is stunningly low compared to other fumigants. Telone is much higher, and methyl bromide is so high it can actually penetrate a hardpan. So, vast differences in the vapor pressure or the fuming ability of these products make it important to know how to maximize their effectiveness.

Precision placement and an understanding of the conditions in which you apply are much more important than many applicators have considered over the years. My observations show that these conditions are at least as important as the equipment that you use to make the application.

Soil Conditions Matter

Dry, compacted soil can act like a wall, impeding metam sodium movement and longevity. This means that if you shank inject at 8 inches, but you have a dry hardpan an inch below that point, you’ll have a hard time getting any downward movement.

Further, lateral movement in dry, compacted soil conditions can be highly inconsistent. And, as if that wasn’t enough, soil in the top 4 inches can dry

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Lessons Learned

Here are a few key takeaways:

Metam sodium shows greater movement and remains in the soil longer when applied to moist soil.

quickly, which limits the performance of metam sodium.

The importance of applying the product in moist soil was eye opening for each of the cooperators with whom I worked.

In short, pre-moistened soil throughout the treatment profile can facilitate the movement of metam sodium and keep it in the soil longer. Keeping the soil moist for up to 30 days before application can enhance efficacy because pests need to be active and respiring, weeds need to be nearing germination, and nematodes need to be present in the treatment area.

Different Application Methods Create Different Patterns

Every method of application creates a unique pattern. It’s striking – from the time you start the application process, beginning with the field preparation, all the way through the injection of the product until it’s sealed with a packer – the entire process creates an individual pattern.

After studying metam sodium movement at each location, every cooperator did something different the next time they applied the product.

Whether it was the way they prepped their fields, the way they applied the chemical or the sealing practices – every one of them made some sort of change to improve their application method.

Stewardship is Critical

As you experiment with different application techniques, be sure that stewardship is at the top of your priority list. Avoid warm, dry soil. Warm weather

is fine as long as you have consistent moisture and the pest is respiring. The limiting factor is when you apply in conditions where the soil dries quickly.

Limit the amount of product that makes it to or near the surface. Be really aware of inversion conditions that can be merciless and unforgiving. Historically, and I mean going back decades, inversion conditions have been present in nearly every odor incident that causes problems for applicators.

See Things Differently

My hope is that if you think that all chemigations are the same, or all shank applications are the same, or that maybe shank application versus chemigation might be about the same, that you’ll think again.

There are nuances from soil type to soil tilth, from soil moisture to soil temperature, and from chemigation to shank depth that are important variables.

Each variable can, and will, affect the movement and longevity of metam sodium in the soil.

I urge you to see things differently and to consider new ways to prepare and moisten your soil to enhance the efficacy of metam sodium. Two years in trenches and 20,000 post-application readings have shown my cooperators that metam sodium does the job when applied within inches of the pest after proper field preparation. When we pay attention to the nuances of application methods and characteristics of the product, things really start to improve.

• Chemigation doesn’t move metam sodium downward nearly as far as we thought; the majority is found in the top 4 inches. When chemigating, creating some subsurface moisture for at least a few weeks before application can facilitate both downward and lateral movement. If the soil is too dry or if you create mud, you’re not helping yourself. When the application is finished, you want the field just under full capacity. In fields that were ripped, we found readings to be at least twice as high and deeper in those ripper shank traces, even on sand. Ripping deeper or in two directions helps with lateral and downward movement.

• Soil tilth is important. When shanking, metam sodium can easily go down 6 inches from the injection point if you’ve ripped and moistened the soil. A hardpan or dry soil acts as a wall. Upward movement from the injection point can also reach about 6 inches, but the top 4 inches are difficult because soil can dry quickly.

• Precision placement can enhance efficacy. You need to put the product where you want it and not rely on it moving. Metam sodium moves some, but my readings did not show it moving up or down much more than 4 to 6 inches, even in the best soil conditions. Lateral movement from a single injection stream is highly dependent upon soil moisture and tilth.

Metam sodium shows limited movement when shanked in dry soil (left) versus shanking in moist soil (right).

Market Report

Wild Potato Market Ah

N

orth American potato buyers will face challenging supply conditions for the remainder of the 2019-20 marketing season. Yields on the 2019 potato crop have fallen short of yearearlier levels. Adverse harvest conditions have compounded the situation. A hard freeze stretching from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11 caught about 15 percent of crops in Idaho and southern Alberta, Canada, still in the ground. Growers in North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, still had about 30 percent of their crops left to harvest during the last week of October. Over 10 percent of Michigan’s potato crop was still in the field at that time due to saturated fields. Though growers may attempt to salvage the remainder of their crops during November, it is clear that the fall weather will have a severe impact on potato supplies and open-market prices for the remainder of the storage season.

History suggests that prices are likely to be high and that they could be volatile.

It could be December before the industry has a complete assessment of the damage to the 2019 potato crop. Preliminary information is not encouraging. Losses are not confined to potatoes left to be harvested. The quality and storability of many of the potatoes that were harvested has been compromised. As we go to press, it appears that table potato losses are likely to be the most severe. Nevertheless, supplies of fry-quality processing

36

Potato Country

December 2019

potatoes also are likely to be a major constraint for the frozen processing sector. Chip potato supplies could tighten substantially if Michigan growers are unable to harvest their remaining potatoes.

Table Potato Supplies

Russet table potato supplies were set to decline before the Oct. 9-11 freeze.

Growers in several growing areas, including Idaho, the Columbia Basin, the San Luis Valley, Texas and Nebraska, had cut back on planting. Reported yields in most of those growing areas were significantly lower than they were for the 2018 crop. The freeze has exacerbated the supply outlook. Though Idaho growers are attempting to salvage most of the potatoes that were affected by the freeze, field reports indicate that frost damage averaged 20 to 25 percent on those potatoes. Sorting out the damaged potatoes is a challenge. In addition, the frost-damaged potatoes create the potential for additional breakdown in storage. Nationwide supplies of russet table potatoes could be down 5 to 8 percent, depending upon how many potatoes can be successfully cleaned up and how many potatoes are diverted to the processing sector.

Red potato supplies could be extremely tight for the remainder of the season. August-October red potato shipments fell 25 percent short of yearearlier movement. That pace is likely to continue until new-crop potatoes become available, beginning with the Florida crop in late February or early March. Half of the Red River Valley table potato crop could be left in the ground this year because of adverse harvest conditions. Other red potato growing areas, including Wisconsin and Idaho, have had challenging growing and harvest conditions.

Table potato shipments from the 2019 crop could fall 5 to 10 percent short of 2018 movement, to their lowest

level since World War II. A downturn of that magnitude is likely to continue driving prices higher. It also may result in extreme price volatility, particularly if shipments are not distributed evenly throughout the marketing year. We have identified eight years since 1975 when U.S. fresh potato shipments have declined by more than 5 percent from the previous year. On average, Idaho’s shipping point prices increased 70.6 percent from yearearlier values during those years.

With shortages such as the one expected this year occurring roughly 18 percent of the time, buyers and handlers might be expected to know how to handle the situation in an orderly fashion.

However, the last similar downturn came with the 2010 potato crop. As a result, this is likely to be the first experience of a supply shortage for many of the players in the market. By the end of October, the market for Idaho table potatoes was 40 percent above the 2018-crop average.

Further price advances are likely. While it may be tempting to hold potatoes in hopes of catching the top of the market, the timing of market tops is so uncertain as to make that impractical. Maintaining an even flow of product offers a much better chance to get a favorable return.

Marketing potatoes with frost damage will add additional challenges. While at least 85 percent of Idaho’s crop is in good condition, the remaining potatoes could poison the market if not handled properly.

Frost damage is difficult to remove from product. It can result in breakdown during transit and rejections upon arrival. In an ideal world, growers would opt to discard heavily damaged potatoes, but tight supplies and high prices are likely to encourage shippers to attempt to clean up the damaged potatoes. The same is true of potatoes compromised by wet growing and harvest conditions.

Processing Potato Supplies Supplies of fry-quality processing potatoes also are likely to be tight

head? this year. Canadian growers may leave as many as 10 million cwt of processing potatoes unharvested, due to the combination of saturated fields in Manitoba with frost and hail damage in Alberta. Up to 10 percent of Idaho’s processing potatoes had not been harvested by Oct. 9. Processing plants in North Dakota and Wisconsin also will be dealing with supply shortages. Fryers are looking for open potatoes in Idaho but would have to pay substantial premiums to pull potatoes that meet their needs away from the table potato market. We also expect fryers to ramp up 2020 earlyseason production in the Columbia Basin, with the aim to move as many processing plants as possible to new-crop potatoes shortly after July 4. Nevertheless, raw product supply will constrain both exports and domestic use of French fries during the next nine months. Supply shortages in both North America and Europe will limit the growth of global French fry trade for the second consecutive year.

Editor’s note: To contact Mr. Huffaker, or to subscribe to North American Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call: 2690 N. Rough Stone Way, Meridian, ID 83646; (208) 5258397; or e-mail napmn@napmn.com.

By Bruce Huffaker, Publisher North American Potato Market News

HUFFAKER'S HIGHLIGHTS • Supplies of table and processing potatoes will be extremely tight during the storage season.

• Adverse harvest conditions have compromised crops in Idaho, the Red River Valley, the Canadian Prairies and Wisconsin. A substantial volume of Michigan potatoes was still at risk at the

beginning of November.

• Russet table potato prices from the 2019 crop could be up more than 50 percent from year- earlier levels, on average, due to this year’s limited supplies.

• Red potato supplies will be extremely tight,

at least until new-crop potatoes start coming to market.

• Michigan’s late harvest is the wild card for chip potato supplies. If growers can get them out, storage supplies should be sufficient for a normal season. If not, buyers will be hungry for new-crop chip potatoes again in 2020.

Chip Potato Supplies

The chip potato industry is hoping that its raw product supply situation will be better than it was during the 2018-19 processing season. While harvest has been challenging in Wisconsin again this year, growers managed to harvest their 2019 crop without a repeat of the severe freeze that destroyed a substantial portion of the 2018 crop. Yields on this year’s crop have been below average in several growing areas. That will keep the industry from running on storage potatoes for as long as it did during the spring of 2018. However, the wild card is the Michigan crop. Growers in that state could have close to 5,000 acres of chip potatoes left to harvest during November.

If a substantial portion of those potatoes are left in the ground, it will be a game changer for that industry sector. It might force chip companies to contract almost as many early-season potatoes as it did for harvest during 2019.

PotatoCountry.com

37

Potato Growers of Washington

Consistency Counts

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

I

n my previous column, I addressed the significance of the processing industry’s view of the Columbia Basin in light of the recent expansions and announced expansions by all three of our processors: Lamb Weston, McCain Foods and the J.R. Simplot Company.

A few people have asked me why the processors continue to build in the Basin rather than spreading out and expanding closer to major population centers. The simple answer comes down to cost of producing the finished product.

But what is not so obvious and simple is what all goes into that cost. Sure, because of our yields, our growers can produce more potatoes per acre than any

38

Potato Country

December 2019

other growing region in the world. Since growing costs are mostly by the acre, our cost per ton of potatoes produced is less than anywhere else. But with the cost of transportation so high, it has to be more than just the cost of the raw product.

With the rapid growth of the frozen potato market worldwide, our close proximity to the West Coast ports has always been a very favorable factor for both Columbia Basin processors and growers. However, in the almost two decades in which the only growth in the frozen potato products industry was in exports, we did not see much new capacity go in here. New capacity was actually added in other growing regions.

Now that we are again experiencing significant growth domestically, it raises more questions as to why the Basin is the chosen area.

I realize that I am very biased and

have always championed the Columbia Basin as being by far and away the best potato growing region in the world.

However, while calculating the quality averages to use in our upcoming contract negotiations, the proof of what truly separates us from the rest of the potato world was right in front of me. And that is consistency.

Seeing the past 10 years of grower quality side by side by variety and delivery type, it is amazing even to me just how little variance we have.

Furthermore, that consistency is not only from year to year, but from variety to variety within a year.

Take Russet Burbank grower storage as an example because it’s the largest volume category and also the variety with the most variance. For 10 straight years, the percent of payable potatoes to the grower varied less than 2.5 percent from the highest yearly average to the lowest.

Specific gravity only varied by two-onethousandths of a point. The attribute with the largest variance was size, where the 6-ounce percentage had a variance range of 6.8 percent from the high to the low.

Consistency is important, but even more important is that we are consistently on the high side of the quality scale.

Providing consistently low quality potatoes would have some advantage over widely fluctuating quality. However, having quality consistently at the top level in all attributes and across all potato varieties and delivery types really sets us apart and gives our processing plants huge economic advantages over all other growing regions.

When you factor in the more obvious advantages that the Columbia Basin provides potato processors such as the close proximity to the ports, lower power costs and the lower price of potatoes, the consistent high quality of the potatoes will keep future plant expansions coming our way until we run out of land to grow the potatoes.

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