Potato Country December 2022

PO Box 333, Roberts, Idaho 83444

Telephone: (208) 520-6461

Circulation: (503) 724-3581

Potato C ountry.com

Denise

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 SALES

For information about advertising rates, mechanics, deadlines, etc., call (208) 520-6461 or email dave@PotatoCountry.com.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

U.S. $24 per year / Canada $40 per year / Foreign $80 per year

Subscriptions can be entered online at: potatocountry.com/subscribe 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 2022. 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.

Our latest television spot shows what happens when you dream big.

In the latest saga of the Idaho® Potato Farmer, he reveals exactly how he would make all of his potato dreams come true should he finally catch up with the Big Idaho® Potato Truck. Spoiler alert, he has a very, very active imagination. Look for the spot as it airs nationwide on popular channels including CNN, Fox News and HLN, and local networks like Food Network, HGTV, TLC, Discovery, and Magnolia.

See it for yourself at IdahoPotato.com/Dream

involved in

crop - from needing the right

and marketing a

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 2023 Buyers’ Guide. Think of the following pages as your rolodex of resources available to help you enjoy a successful season, from seed to storage.

FERTILIZERS & GROWTH PROMOTERS

CROP INPU TS

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

JH Biotech, Inc. 4951 Olivas Park Dr. Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 650-8933 info@jhbiotech.com Innovation for a greener earth

Koch Agronomic Services www.unsurpassedefficiency.com Superu Premium Fertilizer

Omex (559) 661-6138 www.omexusa.com Improving plant health for 45 years

Crop Vitality (800) 525-2803 www.cropvitality.com CaTs calcium thiosulfate liquid fertilizer

Oro Agri

2788 S. Maple Ave. Fresno, CA 93725 www.oroagriusa.com NANOCAL sub-micronized calcium

Corteva Agriscience Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us Fontelis fungicide,Tanos fungicide, Vertisan fungicide, Dithane F-45 fungicide, Bexfond biological fungicide (OMRI) Syngenta Customer Center 1-866-SYNGENTA www.SyngentaUS.com/Potatoes Elatus and Orondis fungicides

Ferticell

5865 S. Kyrene Rd., Suite 1 Tempe, AZ 85283 (480) 361-1300 www.ferticellusa.com

ICL

Dan Tollefson (612) 270-2024

Dan.Tollefson@icl-group.com www.polysulphate.com/us Soluble, easily-absorbed, and costeffective, Polysulphate contains four key plant nutrients in a single application. Through gradual release of S (19.2% S), K (14% K2O), Mg (3.6% Mg) and Ca (12.2% Ca) – all in sulfate form – Polysulphate is less prone to leaching. Innovative and highly versatile, this natural mineral can be applied in the Fall or the Spring. Polysulphate is suitable alone or in blends.

Redox

130 S 100 W Burley, ID 83318 (208) 678-2610 www.redoxgrows.com Redox Bio-Nutrients focuses on sustainable plant nutrition. Each Redox Bio-Nutrients product has been scientifically developed to address specific plant needs in four key areas: Abiotic Stress Defense, Soil Health, Root Development and Nutrient Efficiency.

FUNGICIDES

Bayer

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

Vive Crop Protection www.vivecrop.com 208-406-4889 jadamson@vivecrop.com AZteroid FC 3.3 fungicide and AZterknot conventional + biological fungicide

HERBICIDES

Corteva Agriscience Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us Matrix herbicide

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 Transform insecticide, Vydate C-LV insecticide/nematicide, Delegate WG insecticide, Entrust SC insecticide (OMRI)

INSECTICIDES PESTICIDES

FUMIGANTS (CONT.)

Nichino America, Inc.

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.

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

Trident Ag Products

PO Box 1909 Woodland, WA 98674 (360) 225-3588 www.StrikeFumigants.com Strike Fumigant

Vive Crop Protection www.vivecrop.com 208-406-4889 jadamson@vivecrop.com Bifender FC insecticide, and Viloprid FC 1.7 insecticide

NEMATICIDES

Corteva Agriscience Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us Vydate C-LV insecticide/nematicide

Teleos Ag Solutions (833) 679-1942 www.teleosag.com TELONE™ II Soil Fumigant

Vive Crop Protection www.vivecrop.com 208-406-4889 jadamson@vivecrop.com Averland FC nematicide

EQUI PMENT

BAGGING & PACKAGING

Greentronics, Inc.

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

Kerian Machines

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

Rietveld Equipment

4067 E. 4000 N. Road Bourbonnais, IL 60914 (815) 936-9800

john@rietveldequipment.com www.rietveldequipment.com Distributor for Allround, Tosca, Upmann, Meconaf, Taneco, IPLA, VHM and INTEC

ThorPack

W6788 5th Avenue Road Bryant, WI 54418 (715) 627-7333 www.thorpack.com Adjustable automatic master potato baler

Verbruggen Palletizing Solutions Inc.

North America Sales & Service Center

Visitors: 5804 Road 90 Suite D Pasco, WA 99301

SYMACH Palletizers

315 27th Ave NE Minneapolis MN 55418 (612) 760-8864 marco.maljaars@bwpackagingsystems.com www.symach.nl/en/ Specialists in potato palletizing, pallet wrapping, and conveying systems

Mail: 5426 North Road 68 Suite D122 Pasco, WA 99301 (509) 531-7350 info@verbruggenusa.com www.verbruggen-palletizing.com Verbruggen is a worldwide supplier of palletizing, wrapping and product handling solutions for bags, crates and cartons.

BAGGING & PACKAGING (CONT.)

EQUI PMENT

COVERS

E-Z Tarp

6 South 1000 West Blackfoot, ID 83221 (208) 684-3734 www.ez-tarp.com The automatic truck tarper

Volm Companies

volmcompanies.com

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 Suite 101 Pasco, WA 99301 (509) 547-3437

Fresno, CA

3440 S East Ave. Suite 104 Fresno, CA 93725 (800) 253-4737

Monte Vista, CO 1100 S Country Rd. 3 E Monte Vista, CO 81144 (800) 253-4737

Ancaster, Canada 1283 Cormorant Rd. Suite 1 Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4V5 (800) 253-4737

HARVESTERS HARVESTING

Greentronics, Inc.

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

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

Milestone

Yakima Label

925 N. 5th Ave

Yakima, WA 98902 (509) 955-8400 josh@yakimalabel.com www.yakimalabel.com Custom packaging labels

395 West Hwy 39 Blackfoot, ID 83221 (800) 574-1852

www.Milestone-Equipment.com

PLANTERS PLANTING

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

SCALES / WEIGHING

Greentronics, Inc.

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

Rietveld Equipment

4067 E. 4000 N. Road

Bourbonnais, IL 60914 (815) 936-9800

john@rietveldequipment.com www.rietveldequipment.com Distributor for Allround, Tosca, Upmann, Meconaf, Taneco, IPLA, VHM and INTEC

SEED CUTTERS SEED TREATERS

All Star Manufacturing & Design LLC

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

Milestone

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

EQUI PMENT

TILLAGE

R & H Machine

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

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

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.SpudEquip.com

Buyers’ Guide

MIS C.

CONSULTING LABS

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

Cropland Audits

www.croplandaudits.com

Brandi Fluit 360-927-8252 brandi@croplandaudit.com Amberly Fluit 360-483-6884 amberly@croplandaudit.com Kasarah Pratt 208-550-2708 kasarah@croplandaudit.com Food Safety Specialists

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

Disinfecting Services, LLC

1265 Siddoway Drive Rexburg, ID 83440 (208) 356-5332 www.disinfectingservices.net Flo Pro and Power Flush irrigation line cleaners

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

Noffsinger

PARTS

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

Our isolated northern location along with our group of 10 experienced growers have been producing exceptional seed potatoes with increased energy and the lowest possible disease levels for over 60 years.

Our longevity and historical performance have made us a valued resource and seed potato supplier to growers across North America and the world.

With over 100 varieties including main crop and specialty selections, we invite you to give us a call to discuss how we can help you make this growing season the best one yet.

Contact us to discuss how we can help make this year’s crop the best it can be.

Toll Free: 1 (800) 362–9791 (780) 447-1860 • darcyo@epg.ab.ca

Edmonton Potato Growers 12220 – 170 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 1L7

2023 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

Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association

P.O. Box 267 Monte Vista, CO 8114 Lyla Davis: (719) 274-5996 lyla@ColoradoCertifiedPotatoGrowers.com

Grower List: www.potatocountry.com/seed-co

SEED

San Acacio Seed, LLC P.O. Box 451 San Luis, Colorado 81152 (719) 588-0131 (719) 588-1023 www.sanacacioseed.com

Varieties: Russet Norkotah (296,278,3,8), Revelle Russet, Centennial Russet, Yellow Soraya, Red Modoc

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 10308 N. Hwy 32 Felt, ID 83424 (208) 456-2874

Jeremy: (208) 313-2875 Eric: (208) 313-5422 office@arnoldseed.com www.arnoldseed.com

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Norkotah (278, 296, Jorde), Clearwater, Teton Russet, Ranger, Northwest Norkotah (111, 218)

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

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

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: Umatilla (G2 & G3), Russett Burbank (G3), Clearwater Russet (G2 & G3)

SEED

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: Alturas, Clearwater, Burbank, Teton Russet

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: Alturas, Burbank, Atlantic, Rangers, Clearwater, Russet

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

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, Mountain Gem, Clearwater

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

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

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 seed.nd.gov or www.potatocountry.com/seed-nd

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

Buyers’ Guide

SEED

ALBERTA, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Alberta Seed Potato Directory, contact: Potato Growers of Alberta c/o Stacey Bajema, Seed Coordinator

17507 Fort Rd. Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3 (780) 415-2305 stacey@albertapotatoes.ca www.albertapotatoes.ca or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ab

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

Solanum International Inc.

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

Varieties: Abbot, Agata, Alaska Bloom, Alaska Gold, Anouk, Austrian Crescent, Autumn Rose, Bonnata KWS, Cerata KWS, Cerisa, Connect, Erika, Fontane, Gemson, Goldeye, Gourmandine, Jazzy, Krone, Lady Amarilla, Laperla, Lollipop, Melody, Mimi, Musica, Noya, Purple Magic, Queen Anne, Red Apple, Red Emmalie, Red Snapper, Red Thumb, River Russet, Rosara, Rosemarie, Snow Finger, Soprano

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

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

P.E.I, 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

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, Bridget, Constance, Excellency, Roko, Rosagold, as well as open varieties

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

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

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

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

Gumz Farms

N570 6th Court

Endeavor, WI 53930 Main Office (608) 981-2488

Onion Sales

Doug Bulgrin Cell (608) 697-6775 doug@gumzfarmswi.com

Potato Sales

Tom Bulgrin Cell (608) 697-2137 tom@gumzfarmswi.com www.gumzfarmswi.com

Gumz Farms is a 4th Generation farm that is proud to offer Wisconsin grown yellow and red onions and red and yellow potatoes. We are your Midwest connection and pack produce year round.

S HIPPE RS

Potandon

Produce LLC

1210 Pier View Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83402 (208) 524-1900

www.potandon.com Exclusive marketer of Green Giant fresh potatoes and onions.

Vee's Marketing, Inc

(715) 374-3300 www.veesmarketing.com

Potato Sales

John Alstrup (320) 393-7066 johna@veesmarketing.com

Featuring Brown Bag Potatoes, our Earth-friendly, 100% compostable/ recyclable 5# potato package.

BINS

IPL Macro Plastics

(509) 952-3896 Jennifer.england@iplglobal.com www.iplmacro.com

Plastic Reusable bins - For 30+ years, IPL Macro® has been the material handling and storage solution for the agricultural, food processing and retail markets. IPL Macro® plastic bulk bins are manufactured from FDA-approved materials and are certified safe for use with food products. MacroBins are the single harvest and storage solution that provide increased pack-outs, productivity, durability and sanitation. Intelligent design makes them easier and safer to transport and store. See for yourself how we stack up to the competition.

CHEMICALS FOR STORAGE

S TORAGE

Agri-Stor Companies (208) 733-7000 www.agri-stor.com Agri-Stor has crop protection from the field, through storage, and all the way to the fresh market or processor. We carry a full line of Organic products for those specialty markets as well. From disinfectants to sprout control, we have the quality products and the application expertise to handle a wide variety of crop protection solutions. In addition to crop protection, we provide all ventilation, refrigeration, and humidification for your storage –including climate controls.

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, JTS Refrigeration, A-tec Indirex, Caldwell/Chief

1,4GROUP, Inc. 2307 E. Commercial Street Meridian, ID 83642 (800) 881-0823 info@14group.com www.14group.com 1,4GROUP, Inc. is a leading supplier of innovative dormancy and sprout inhibiting products for the potato storage industry worldwide. In collaborative efforts with leading university researchers and private industry, we are dedicated to continued development of new and improved post-harvest chemical applications. From the harvest of your crop to your customer's dock, you'll find a complete family of complimentary treatments that protect the quality and condition of your potatoes. Visit our new website for more information.

Restrain

Emily Merk

Sales Manager North America (509) 318-0148 www.restrain.io Ethylene for post-harvest sprout control

CONSTRUCTION

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

Titan Steel (208) 793-0892 www.titansteelidaho.com Authorized builders for Varco-Pruden and Meridian

REFRIGERATION / MONITORING / CONTROL

PANELS

Agri-Stor Companies

(208) 733-7000 www.agri-stor.com

Agri-Stor has crop protection from the field, through storage, and all the way to the fresh market or processor. We carry a full line of Organic products for those specialty markets as well. From disinfectants to sprout control, we have the quality products and the application expertise to handle a wide variety of crop protection solutions. In addition to crop protection, we provide all ventilation, refrigeration, and humidification for your storage –including climate controls.

Forte Humidifiers

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

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. All Forte Humidifiers have been carefully designed and constructed with materials that resist corrosion from water and acids, and thus can double to be used as chemical applicators.

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, JTS Refrigeration, A-tec Indirex, Caldwell/Chief

Industrial Ventilation, Inc.

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

Early Detection

New Methods to Break Tuber Dormancy to Facilitate Virus Testing of Seed Potatoes

By

The sooner, the better when it comes to knowing the health of a seed lot, which is why researchers are evaluating methods of virus testing that could give growers information sooner than traditional post-harvest tests. Seed certification is a critical component to the potato industry. Planting certified seed ensures a grower is planting seed produced to meet high quality standards. This strategy allows growers to start with the greatest potential to produce a successful crop. In most states, potato seed certification agencies utilize some form of postharvest testing to determine Potato virus Y (PVY), potato leafroll virus (PLRV) and other quality parameters in each seed lot. In many states, testing is done using the winter grow-out method, which requires an emerged plant to complete the test.

Nathan Gelles, Nora Olsen, Mike Thornton, Alex Karasev, University of Idaho

University of Idaho graduate student Nathan Gelles removes smoked tubers from the application chamber.

Sprouts develop on Russet Burbank tubers after application of aerosol smoke followed by a dip in gibberellic acid solution. Photo is 28 days after treatments.

The winter grow-out is conducted by collecting a sample of tubers at harvest and delivering them to the state’s certifying agency. At this point in time, tubers are in a state of dormancy that does not allow them to sprout soon after harvest. To overcome dormancy, samples are treated with chemicals and/or held at warm temperatures to help break dormancy and encourage sprouting. Samples are then shipped to a warm climate to be planted over the winter months.

Once plants are growing, visual evaluations for quality parameters are conducted along with the collection of leaf tissue samples from each lot. Leaf tissue samples are shipped to a laboratory to be analyzed for PVY and other viruses if needed. Earlier results of the PVY levels in seed lots are often desired to make decisions on seed allocation, purchases and field determinations. For these reasons, alternative methods to achieve earlier detection and determine PVY levels in seed lots are being studied.

Direct Tuber Testing

One of the methods being explored is direct tuber testing. This method has the potential to be a cost-effective and high-volume alternative to detect PVY in seed lots, which could provide results to growers sooner than the winter growout. Direct tuber testing is a laboratorybased procedure that uses cores of

tuber tissue, tuber tissue and sprouts, or sprouts for PVY detection. Improving high throughput detection of PVY in potato tubers is an objective of the USDA-NIFASCRI Potato Virus Initiative: Developing Solutions grant (www.uidaho.edu/cals/ potato-virus-initiative).

Utilizing the current tuber testing methods, it is desirable to have sprouts initiating prior to direct tuber testing. Multiple treatments have been tested on several commercially grown potato varieties with varying levels of dormancy over the last two years to initiate sprouting in tubers soon after harvest. Treatments have ranged from cold and heat shock treatments to dipping in growth regulators and sugar water solutions, which did not show substantial triggering of dormancy break.

Interestingly, applications of cool

aerosol smoke consistently promoted sprout development in tubers soon after harvest. Various rates and timings of smoke application were assessed to fine tune the scalability of smoke as a sprout promoter. Subsequent treatments of gibberellic acid (GA) were applied to increase the efficacy of the smoke treatment. The size and number of sprouts were greater when tubers were treated with smoke followed by a dip in GA compared to all other treatments including the smoke treatment alone. Also, tubers treated with the combination of smoke followed by GA dip achieved dormancy break two to four weeks before the untreated control that was held in warm temperatures (65 degrees Fahrenheit).

Additional studies are ongoing to further develop the use of smoke alone

Sprouts develop on Clearwater Russet tubers after application of aerosol smoke followed by a dip in gibberellic acid solution. Photo is 28 days after treatments.

and in combination with GA as a method to enhance sprout development for direct tuber testing. These alternative methods are also being explored as a potential replacement of the current chemicals used in the winter grow-out process. Overall, it could help facilitate the adoption of new laboratory-based methods for earlier virus detection.

Additional research is being conducted to understand the mode of action or how smoke stimulates sprouting and further investigate the applicability of this novel sprout enhancement technique. Overall, the Potato Virus Initiative research team is hopeful that application of smoke will be a successful post-harvest sprout enhancer.

Aerosol smoke is applied to potato samples in a custom-built application chamber. The application chamber was designed with a clear glass door to allow researchers to see the amount and movement of smoke in the box.

Sprout Control Technology Comes to US

Restrain is the manufacturer of a unique generator that converts ethanol into ethylene gas for the control of sprouts in potatoes and onions. New to the U.S., but used in over 40 countries, the technology has been proven effective to control sprouts in long-term storages. According to the company, the process is safe for storage managers, leaves no residue and is an effective sprout control for potatoes, onions, shallots and garlic.

Restrain also offers a potato seed treatment called Accumulator that is formulated to increase stem numbers, yield and profit. The company has recently gained an organic product label in Canada and is working on an organic label in the U.S.

Visit www.restrain.io.

POTATOEH

SEED CUTTERS

Milestone 60” 220 volt 1ph Reconditioned

Milestone 72” 230 volt 3ph

Milestone 48” 220 volt 1ph, Hyd adjust, elev. Drive, wheel drive

Better Built Model 465 3ph 60”

Better Built Model 448 single phase 220 volt 48”

TREATERS

2008 Milestone 42” Duster

2005 Milestone MSLT36 36” Liquid Treater

2002 Better Built 12” Duster

1996 Milestone 36” Duster 230 volt 3ph

1991 Better Built CDT10- 8” 220 volt 1ph

PLANTERS

2015 Lockwood 606 Air cup, rear steer, pull, 34’’

2014 Harriston 4046 Cup, 6 row 34” pull, rear steer

2009 Spudnik 8080 Pull type cup, 8 row 36” rear steer

2020 Checchi Magli 4 row used but like new

2013 Spudnik 8069 bed planter

9 units in 6 row pull type

2008 Lockwood 6 row pick planter 6 row 36” x 2

2005 Spudnik 8060 Cup 6 row 36”

Semi Mount

2004 Spudnik 8060 Cup 6 row 36”

Semi Mount

PILERS

2000 Wemco 36” x 49’ hydraulic variable speed, 3phase

1997 Double L 813 31” x 49’ single phase all belt w/ finger table

1992 Double L 831 36” x 49’ 3ph 230 volt

remote, Electric VFD’s “Refurbished”

1988 Double L 813 31” x 49’ 1ph belted chain

1984 Double L 813 31” x 49’ 220 Volt 1ph

SCOOPERS

1990 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 1993 Double L 837 24” 3ph

TRAILERS

1996 Trinity 3 axle 48’

BEDS

1999 Double L 902 bed 22’ 1998 Spudnik 24’ PTO 1995 Spudnik 20’ Electric 1992 Spudnik 20’ Electric

1986 Spudik 20’ electric 1985 Logan 20B Electric 20’

CROSSOVERS/WINDROWERS

2021 Allan 6 row 2012 Lockwood 554 2009 Double L 851

2005 Lockwood 5000 2004 Double L 851

HARVESTERS

2018 Double L 7340 4 row

2017 Allan 3 row electric with VFD controls

2012 Spudnik 6640 4 row

2012 Lockwood 474H 4 row

2011 Double L 973 4 row

2009 Spudnik 6400 4 row

2010 Double L 953

2008 Spudnik 6200 2 row multi sep

2003 Grimme SE 75-30

2001 Spudnik 5625 2 row 69”

2004 Double L 859 2 row 69”

WATER DAMMERS

2004 Spudnik 9060 cultivator, bed shaper, props

1991 Ag Engineering 6 row 36” Hyd reset 1985 Ag Engineering 4 row 36”

STINGERS

2015 DL 832 36” BC fingers

2014 Logan Trac Pro 30” belt 2012 Spudnik 2200 36” belt x 2

CONVEYORS TELESCOPIC

1998 Double L Model 836 36” x 60’ 230 volt 3ph

2013 Spudnik 1250 30”/36” x 60’ 3phase 1993 STI 30” x 75’ 3ph Tel. Conv. 1989 Double L 810 Tel. conv. 30” x 50’ 3ph

CONVEYORS STRAIGHT

1998 Double L model 877 36” x 40’ 230 Volt 3ph

1998 Double L model 877 36” x 40’ 230 volt 3ph

Spudnik 1200 30” x 40’ 3ph x 2 Spudnik 1200 30” x 30’ 3ph

Harriston 48” x 20’ side shift with 2 - Belt Stingers 30”

SIZER ONLY

2010 Milestone 60” sizing table only w/ acorns quick adjust arms

DIRT ELIMINATOR WITH SIZER

2013 Milestone Model MSDS 96 Belt Chain elev., clod drums, 2002 Spudnik 72” DE belt elev 1997 Double 807 Dirt Elim. 62” BC 3ph Stingers 72” Sizer 1994 Milestone 72” Dirt Elim. Sizer, 2 – 24” x 12’ stingers

DIRT ELIMINATOR ONLY

1998 Double L Model 806 BC, fingers, belt table, 2- pups 230 volt 3ph

1997 Spudnik 950 72” BC, rolls, peg belt, split picking 480 Volt

1990 Spudnik 950 72” 230 volt 3phase

ROCK/CLOD/AIR ELIMINATORS

2019 Lockwood Mobile Vacs

Lockwood Air Vac 8, 480 Volt 3ph 2013 Harriston 4240 Clod Hopper 3ph 2003 Harriston 200 Clod Hopper 3ph 480 volt Ellis table

EVEN FLOWS 1998 Milestone 45cwt

DIRT/TARE/PILER 2005 Double L Model 815 30” Lockwood L24 1500 All belt Tare piler 3ph

Lender Predicts Profitable Returns

The 12-month profitability outlook from Northwest Farm Credit Services suggests slightly profitable returns for contracted potatoes and profitable returns for noncontracted potatoes. According to the lender’s quarterly Market Snapshot report released in October, contracted growers’ profits were negatively impacted by lower yields and quality concerns. Growers of non-contracted potatoes were able to offset production and quality challenges with high open market prices and a solid price floor as processors were actively buying open market products.

IPC Names New Hire, Promotions

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) has hired Sam Eaton as vice president of legal and government affairs. He will manage the IPC’s government affairs, direct the IPC’s trademark licensing, and provide legal and regulatory advice to the commission. Previously, he served as legal counsel for Idaho Gov. Brad Little and former Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. Eaton holds a law degree from the University of Idaho.

The IPC has also promoted two employees. Travis Blacker has been named vice president of industry relations and research. Ross Johnson has been promoted to vice president of retail and international.

PNW Nematologist Receives Grant

The USDA has awarded a $1.5 million grant to Louise Dandurand from the University of Idaho to address the threats posed by the regulated potato cyst nematode confined to specific fields in eastern Idaho and the Columbia root-knot nematode, which is more widely distributed.

Dandurand’s team is working to fast-track diagnostic methods and predictive models to assist in development of an action plan for farmers dealing with nematode infestations. In addition, projects seek to better understand plant defenses and use genetic markers to develop resistant varieties through classical plant breeding. The work also aims to discover and develop novel nematicides.

Sam Eaton

Farm Bureau Hall of Fame Inducts Potato Grower

Former Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) chair Frank Martinez has been inducted into the Grant County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame for his contributions to the area’s agricultural industry.

After immigrating to the U.S. from Mexico, Martinez and his family worked harvests in many states before settling in Warden, Washington. He eventually started leasing ground to grow his own crops of potatoes for processing and became involved in industry leadership. Martinez served on the U.S. Potato Board and WSPC each for 12 years and represented the potato industry in a 2012 commercial for McDonald’s French fries.

Teton Russet Meets McDonald’s Standards

Teton Russet is the ninth potato variety approved for McDonald’s fries in North America. The variety’s light coloring and consistent quality met the fast food chain’s standards, and the variety has proven to produce golden, crispy fries with a fluffy baked potato inside and the signature flavor McDonald’s customers love, according to the company.

Teton Russet has been around since 2011. Tubers are oblong with moderate russet, good skin and shallow eyes.

2022 Crop Potato Supply

Raw product supplies for the frozen processing industry will be tight this year. Production has fallen below industry expectations in the major processing regions of North America and Europe. In this article, we explore the North American and European frozen processing potato supply situation and its

potential impact on frozen product sales and consumption.

US Supply Situation

In the Pacific Northwest, the cold, wet spring and record-high summer temperatures held back yields for the 2022 potato crop. Some varieties handled the adverse weather better than others. Reports indicate that the yields and quality on later-harvested potatoes have been excellent. On the other hand, yields on earlier-harvested potatoes were lower than expected. Early harvesting occurred before the crop reached its full yield potential. Though production in the Columbia Basin will likely fall 6 percent to 8 percent short of budget, the 2022 potato crop will be larger than the 2021 crop. Idaho growers planted 290,000 acres to potatoes this year, which is 25,000 acres fewer than they planted in 2021. Idaho production could fall 8 percent to 10 percent short of the 2021 crop.

Despite the lower yields and smaller size profile, growers throughout the Pacific Northwest indicate that the quality of this year’s potato crop is much better than it was a year ago. That should favor improved finished product recovery rates. Supplies of fry quality potatoes are extremely limited in Idaho and the Columbia Basin again this year. Fryers have been looking to purchase any open market potatoes that will fry. However, Idaho’s open market russet supply is significantly smaller than it was last year.

Frozen processing supplies should be more plentiful in the Midwest states and Maine than they are in the Pacific Northwest. Growers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin are reporting above average yields for the 2022 crop. Midwest growers experienced some of the best harvest conditions in several years. Reports indicate that the 2022 crop is in good condition. The Maine growing season started out with three weeks of rain, but conditions were ideal during the bulk of the growing season. Yields for the 2022 crop have been strong, though slightly below those for

the 2021 crop. USDA expects growers harvested 6,200 acres more than they harvested during 2021. The actual planted area could be significantly less. If USDA’s acreage estimate is correct, production could match or exceed the size of 2021’s bumper crop.

Canadian Supply Situation

Canadian fryers planned to produce more product this year, with expanded capacity in Alberta and Manitoba. Though total production increased from 2021 output, in those provinces, yields fell below expectations. Processors in those provinces are in a much better raw product supply situation than they were a year ago, though they may need to bring in potatoes from other areas to keep plants running at capacity for the rest of the season. In New Brunswick, yields on some early processing varieties were exceptional. New Brunswick is one of the few areas in North America that should have plenty of good quality processing potatoes this year. Hurricane Fiona hit Prince Edward Island just as growers were getting ready to begin the general harvest. Nevertheless, growers in some areas were able to begin harvesting potatoes a few days after the storm. The extra moisture could cause storability issues. Quebec growers indicate that yields are good, though this year’s size profile is smaller than usual.

Processors in the Maritime Provinces and Quebec should have more than enough raw product to keep local plants running near capacity. In addition, they may have a surplus available for sale to other processing areas. Processors successfully moved raw product across the country last year despite significant transportation challenges. They may move potatoes between provinces again this year. Overall, Canadian fryers should have sufficient raw product to run over 90 percent of capacity.

European Supply Situation

Growers in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium planted more potatoes this year than they did in 2021,

while growers in Poland reduced their planted area. Excessive heat and extreme drought throughout Europe took a toll on the 2022 potato crop. Production estimates for Europe vary widely; however, they all point to significantly lower production. The North-Western European Potato Growers Foundation (NEPG) estimates that combined production could be down 7 percent to 11 percent from the 2021 potato crop. “World Potato Markets,” a European publication, estimates that production in the EU-4 could fall 13.1 percent short of last year’s crop. The European 2022 potato crop is likely to be smaller than 2018 production, which limited French fry outlook that year. In addition to the short raw product supply, high temperatures during the growing season have caused some quality issues. Reports indicate that the size profile is smaller than usual. Processors are expecting below-normal finished product recovery rates.

Impact on French Fry Sales, Consumption

North American and European fryers planned to produce more French fries and other frozen potato products in 2022. The industry has expanded processing capacity in several areas. However, adverse growing conditions and insufficient acreage have held back production and prevented the industry from operating at full processing capacity. Nevertheless, global French fry demand has been strong. Frozen product sales have surged in both North America and Europe despite raw product supply constraints and record-high finished product prices. The world’s major French fry producers shipped a record volume of frozen potato products to customers outside of local trading zones during the first half of 2022. This year’s tight raw product supply situation could make maintaining both domestic and offshore French fry demand growth extremely challenging during the next 12 months.

• Below-trend yields in Idaho and the Columbia Basin left the industry with a short supply of frozen processing potatoes.

• Fryers in the Pacific Northwest are looking to purchase any open market potatoes that will fry; however, Idaho’s table potato supply is extremely limited due to substantial acreage cuts and poor yields.

• Canada produced more frozen processing potatoes than it did a year ago, though yields fell short of industry expectations in Alberta and Manitoba.

• Frozen processing supplies in the Midwest states, Maine and eastern Canada should be sufficient for local fry plant needs.

• Potato production in the top five European French fry producing countries could fall short of the 2018 crop.

• The tight raw product supply situation in the U.S. and Europe will make it challenging to maintain French fry sales growth during the next 12 months.

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

Almost from the beginning of the frozen potato processing industry in the Columbia Basin, potato contracts have had incentives for higher quality and penalties for lower quality potatoes. What seems to have been lost over time is the true reason that those payment scales exist in the contracts.

The purpose of quality scales in our contracts is twofold. The first is to align the payout on the potatoes to the impact that the quality of those potatoes has on the processing plant. Higher quality potatoes result in higher recoveries for the plants and thus, are more profitable to the processor. Conversely, when quality drops below average on specific gravity, for instance, it slows down the processing, which lowers efficiency. And since there are fewer ounces of solid material in the tuber, each pound of potatoes coming in the front of the plant results in less product going out the back of the plant into the freezer. All of that costs the processor money, which explains the reason for the downside of the quality scale.

I hear from growers more times than I can count that they feel ripped off when the deductions hit them. They question why they are penalized so much when the processor is using all of the potatoes. Even though those potatoes are still very useable, it is the cost involved in either additional processing or defect removal that must be compensated for.

Another comment I hear regularly is why is there very little, if any, upside above the average quality in these scales in relation to the great downside. Sometimes, greatness comes at a price.

The quality of the potatoes in the Columbia Basin has become so great over the years that our average is very near the top of the quality scales. Getting a little above average bruise free or specific gravity is great, but the economic return to the processor is not significant because our average already allows for them to make the high end of their quality specifications for most products. The only real way to increase their payout as well as that for the grower is to have a higher percentage of payable potatoes, of which there is no cap.

Another question I often hear is why do some processors pay significantly more for some quality attributes or have even steeper penalties for others? The answer is that each company in the Basin has a different product mix, and each plant has slightly different machinery that works better with some types of potatoes and not as well with others. Processors with more plants and a larger variety of products have more options to run potatoes of different sizes and quality than companies with fewer plants and fewer product SKUs. Each company puts whatever upside is in the contract on the attributes where they can pick up some extra dollars for better than average quality and builds the penalty side of their scale to reflect the impact that each attribute has on their individual plants.

The second reason that we have the quality scales in the

is to focus growers on attaining certain quality aspects that a processor may want changed. For instance, if a processor goes from being a mainly domestic foodservice supplier to more high-end export QSR products, its plants might need a different quality mix. The processor might want a more uniform size profile or need higher specific gravity. They can then put more money on the attributes that they believe will give them a better chance of maxing out their contracts with their customers.

This second aspect was drilled home to me in my first few days on the job at Potato Growers of Washington. My mentor, George White (former president of Nestle), explained it this way. He said that it would be foolish for any processing company to ever do any research or experimentation with potatoes because all they have to do is put enough money on whatever attribute they need more of, and the growers will always find a way to get those dollars. In the end, he said, it makes for a win-win situation. Over the years, I have seen this play out with great success.

In the past, some processors have tried a reverse approach to this by placing a greater penalty on attributes that don’t work as well as what they want. With the quality of the Basin crop being so consistently good, that approach has not worked very well at all and is the reason that you see fewer downside penalties now than in years past.

Potato contracts are very complex. However, there is a very good reason for all the clauses we have in them today. The bottom line is that processors need great potatoes and they are willing to pay for them, and we have growers who are willing to do what it takes to maximize their opportunities. A true win-win, as George described it.