diseAse identiFiCAtiOn Jeff Miller jeff@millerresearch.com
MArKet rePOrt Ben eborn napmn@napmn.com
POtAtO GrOwers OF wAshinGtOn dale Lathim dale@pgw.net
editOriAL inFOrMAtiOn
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Potato industry huddles for expo
Story
and photos
by Dave Alexander, Publisher
College football fans were treated to a great semi-final matchup in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10. The Ohio State Buckeyes put the Texas Longhorns away with a thrilling scoop and score late in the game. An Ohio State defensive end stripped the ball from the Texas quarterback, scooped it up and ran the ball back for a touchdown.
It was obvious that the Potato Expo also scored a touchdown as it wrapped up on that same day. Orlando scooped up the conference this year after Las Vegas (where the Expo was originally supposed to take place) fumbled the ball. Held Jan. 9-10, the Expo counted 2,170 attendees, making the 2025 event the second largest in its 17-year history. There were 201 exhibitors, and more than $80,000 was raised for the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF). The Expo was definitely a double-digit victory for the National Potato Council and the industry at large.
the tech Blitz
Artificial intelligence (AI), new technology and the future of farming was a go-to play with many speakers at the breakout sessions and Potato Talks during Expo, including keynote speaker Jack Uldrich.
Uldrich, known as a global ag futurist, said the ag industry will be changing quickly as more internet satellites get launched. In the next five years, 30,000 new satellites will deliver high-speed internet to not only all rural areas of the U.S., but also to locations like India, Africa, Indonesia, Latin America and South America. This represents an additional 4 billion people coming online. Their income will go up, and the first thing they are going to buy is more food and protein. This will require greater ag production, which will be accomplished through technology like AI-driven autonomous machines, AI weather prediction, fleets of drones and gene-
edited potatoes.
“The opportunity for global exports is going to be absolutely amazing,” Uldrich said.
Ron Green with KUNGFU.AI has been working with AI since the early 1990s. He said that, until recently, the industry over-promised and under-delivered, bringing to mind the Dallas Cowboys lately. The explosion of AI over the last year is because of two factors: data and computing power. Expect AI to grow exponentially, and as a grower, expect it to become part of daily life, if it isn’t already.
Green gave examples of technology available now, including determining potato crop stress, estimating potato yields and making decisions on crop inputs. A project Green did with Potatoes USA analyzes millions of Tweets per day so that posts with potato misinformation can be found and accurate information can be posted in the replies. Green said
Expo Stage speakers always draw a good audience.
Brianne O’Leary and Jeremy Buchman, both with McCain Foods, take advantage of their display. They were on hand to explain the importance of sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture.
From left, Nick Bartelme, Chelsea Gray, Lucy Gabrielse, Caitlin Roberts and Monica Heath, all members of the Potatoes USA staff, power up with potatoes at Expo.
he invented.
Lijie Teng with the University of Maine displays a poster of her twinrow potato production research, along with several others at Expo.
Craig McCloskey with Bluefield Seeding shows off the press wheel kit
they do up to 100 responses a day.
huddle Up
Jonathan Adamson with Vive Crop Protection, Danica Kluth with TKI Crop Vitality and Charlie Bair with Simplot huddled up on the Expo Stage to give growers tips on making smart crop input decisions and ultimately putting more money in their pockets.
Kluth recommended variable-rate technology, which helps ensure precise nutrient applications and can be tailored to exact soil and crop needs. She also endorsed using drip irrigation to save water and get nutrients to the root zone, using advanced soil testing and monitoring, and using real-time predictive modeling to help make decisions.
Bair said they are using nitrogen and phosphate inhibitors and GPS spreading so they don’t have wasteful overlap. Bair is also grid sampling in 2-acre grids. That information is then used to apply the right amount of fertilizer at variable rates.
For crop protection, Bair said it is important to get products that won’t plug sprayers, will mix together and to use them at the right rates.
Both Kluth and Adamson suggested finding trustworthy peers and to develop a network that you can bounce ideas around with.
“It takes all of us working together,” Adamson said.
the Cotton Bowl
Certainly the Ohio State football team worked together to win the Cotton Bowl. The Bowl just happens to be in the same city as the next Expo, which takes place Jan. 6-8, 2026, in Dallas. If you arrive early for Expo, you can catch the game on Dec. 31. But if you’re hoping to watch a Dallas Cowboys home playoff game around Expo-time, you’ll likely be out of luck.
Chef RJ Harvey (right) with Potatoes USA checks on a potatoes and kimchi dish being prepared by Washington potato growers Adam Weber (left) and Grant Morris.
From left, Tyler Mitchell, Jessica Bradshaw, Roger Mix, Jan Lake and Dan Lake enjoy a break at the trade show.
Andrew Duff (left) and Dana Schofield with Groundwork BioAg visit the Atticus booth during a whiskey tasting event.
The Verbruggen Palletizing Solutions booth and staff looks sharp in Orlando.
From left, Michelle Sharpe, Lauren Mellott and Curtis Rainbolt work the BASF booth in Orlando.
“Meet and potatoes” take part in the 5K race before the last day of Expo.
FlameWerks displays its propane-fueled weed burners that can be mounted on a tool bar.
Bayer always sets an impressive display.
The Vive crew always brings the fun at Potato Expo.
Creating and Managing an effective Farm team Research-Backed Tips for Improving Employee Relations
By Alexandra E. Hill, Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Berkeley
Agricultural employers across the country are reporting too few qualified workers to meet their employment needs. There are no quick fixes for this problem. But in this article, I offer a variety of operational changes aimed at improving your ability to recruit, satisfy and retain an effective farm team. I will start with a few recommendations for effectively choosing and implementing these changes.
One thing at a time
Nearly all business owners and operators have laundry lists of possible changes that could increase profits, enhance social impacts, or contribute to other business and personal values. My first suggestion is to narrow this list. Choose one area to focus on and one to three specific changes within that area
that you can commit to implementing. You can repeat this process once those changes are integrated in your operation. Implementing fewer changes at once is less burdensome and simplifies evaluating their effects. This will also help you prioritize your laundry list and take a strategic approach to improving your operation.
Know, Articulate reasons for Change
Next, for each change you identify, understand and convey why the change is important. Is the change addressing a perceived or reported shortcoming of your operation? Are you hoping the change will reduce turnover? Making any change requires effort and perseverance, so it’s important to continue reminding yourself, management and employees why the effort is worthwhile.
After you have selected your changes, there are many actions that can improve their success. In general, I recommend that you train, reinforce, evaluate and troubleshoot. Most changes require trainings to ensure a smooth transition to the new system or norms. When possible, I recommend piloting the change with a small group of workers to inform your training needs. Next, you can encourage acceptance and support of the change with positive reinforcement or financial incentives. These might be bonuses or recognition for participating in trainings or exhibiting desired behaviors. Next, you should regularly evaluate the impacts of the changes on outcomes linked with your reasons for the change. Be sure to communicate your successes, identify shortcomings, and troubleshoot and adapt to address challenges along the way.
Armed with some ideas for effective change management, you might now want some inspiration for changes to support one of your business’s greatest assets – your team. I suggest three change areas for targeting your efforts and offer specific changes within each.
Communication
Effective communication is a key predictor of job satisfaction and retention. Communication is broad and involves different forms (for example, face-to-face, calls, texts or emails), different systems (for example, binders or online platforms) and different strategies (ranging from quietly listening to yelling). Accordingly, there are many potential communication changes that could streamline processes and operations, improve employee satisfaction and safety, and generally create a more enjoyable work environment.
Suggestions for new systems of communication include: pre-shift “huddles” to clarify daily objectives; post-shift “debriefs” to discuss daily challenges and identify solutions; direct
grower-worker communication channels; shared task lists for management and teams; and systems for workers to file anonymous grievances or suggestions.
Suggestions for improving communication strategies include: trainings for management on conflict resolution and effective communication; no-yell policies; including communication policies and norms as part of the onboarding process; and when assigning employees with a new task, ensure they understand the importance and value of the task for their team, the business or broader society.
total, Fair Compensation
A total compensation package consists of wages, salaries, bonuses, and benefits like health insurance or paid time off. Ensuring that total compensation packages are internally and externally equitable, and that workers perceive them as such, is vital for successfully recruiting, retaining and motivating high-performing workers. Are packages competitive with those offered by others in the industry and area? Are workers
motivated to perform better or remain with your company longer by their potential for a better package?
Suggestions for creating attractive total compensation packages include: use structured pay and benefit scales that clearly link compensation to performance, experience or company tenure, and ensure workers understand them; create and explain pathways for raises and promotions; offer bonuses for behaviors that are valuable to your operation like individual or team productivity, company performance, retention (return, rehire or end of season) or making employment referrals; offer partial reimbursements for costs from commuting, childcare or work attire; and provide paid vacation and sick days for permanent and more tenured employees.
work environment
Many farm workers express appreciation for working outdoors, working alongside friends, feeling like their bosses care about their well-being and having flexible working arrangements
Growing Quality Seed For 50 Years!
so they can meet familial obligations. Improving the work environment can thus play an important role in attracting and retaining workers. Many aspects of the work environment are regulated, and while ensuring compliance with the ever-evolving legal landscape is critical, this should be the starting point. Striving to make your work environment stand out will bring you closer to becoming an employer of choice.
Suggestions to improve the work environment center around safety, organizational culture, flexibility and education. Develop safety trainings and procedures that address potential issues specific to your operation or workforce; coordinate teambuilding and worker appreciation events; offer workers reasonable flexibility in their scheduling so they can fulfill regular and emergency family needs; promote opportunities for learning at local community centers or community colleges; and offer workers incentives or vouchers to participate in educational activities.
Consider Unique needs of your workforce
SCHUTTER SEED FARM
Finally, the suggestions I have offered reflect what I have learned from my own lived experiences, research, teaching and conversations. The best advice I can offer you is to identify and implement changes based on your own experiences and understanding of the specific needs of your operation. A vital starting point is conducting an honest personal assessment of your operation and using a survey to identify shortcomings from the perspective of your team. I highly recommend using anonymous surveys, structured and semi-structured focus groups, and regularly engaging in conversations with employees across your operation to identify areas for potential improvement. Of course, if you keep collecting information and never act, employees will become understandably frustrated. So be sure that you are able and willing to not only make changes, but to effectively communicate what they are and why they are being made, including explaining how employee feedback was used to identify appropriate changes.
Left to right: Sid, John, Jonathan, Carl, Nick and Cliff.
the dietary Guidelines report: One step Forward, two steps Back
By Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council
In early December 2024, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) released its 2025 Scientific Report. This report was created by a group of academics and other experts as a first step in rewriting the federal government’s advice to Americans on what a healthy diet looks like. Though it took two years to develop, there are some recommendations within it that undermine the “scientific” part of its title and are head-scratching, to say the least.
Now, the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (HHS) have the responsibility to accept, reject or amend this document. This is an excellent opportunity to restore scientifically grounded, common-sense advice in whatever is ultimately finalized.
A welcome rejection of Potato reclassification
Early in the process, observers became concerned about the questions the government and these academics were asking and where those ideas might lead. A glaring one was the notion that potatoes could be reclassified out of the vegetable category or made interchangeable with grains.
This suggestion was made by antipotato activists in the past. Fortunately, this time around – after the idea became an international viral sensation that ended up in global media, including as part The Tonight Show’s opening monologue as an example of absurd government overreach – the committee discarded that notion in its submitted report.
Moving potatoes into the grain category could have had cascading and long-lasting effects on schools and feeding programs reliant on costeffective, nutritious options. For the millions of Americans served by these programs, potatoes remain a vital part of the diet – as much for their affordability as for their nutritional value.
Thankfully, sound judgment (and common sense) prevailed, and the
committee reaffirmed that potatoes are indeed a vegetable, a decision grounded in horticultural and nutritional science.
the Contradiction in reducing vegetable Consumption
While the notion of reclassifying potatoes was discarded, the report unfortunately included a perplexing recommendation: a reduction in the consumption of starchy vegetables. In short, for a country that does not eat enough vegetables, this report’s bizarre remedy urges further reductions in vegetable consumption.
For a nation struggling with food insecurity and chronic diseases linked to poor nutrition, advising a decrease in consumption of any vegetable category is neither good science nor good policy.
Potatoes and other starchy vegetables are nutrient-dense powerhouses. They’re rich in potassium, vitamin C, fiber and other essential nutrients, all at a low cost to consumers. For children, in particular, potatoes can serve as a gateway food, helping to incorporate other vegetables into their diets. Research supports that when potatoes are included in meals, children are more likely to consume a greater variety of vegetables, helping to instill lifelong healthy eating habits.
where did the science Go?
One deeply concerning aspect of the DGAC’s process was its seeming detachment from robust nutritional science, replaced instead by issues that are more political in nature. In simple terms, the nutrient content of a commodity was deemphasized, while the way in which the commodity is produced (sustainability, social justice ideals, etc.) was introduced.
For potatoes specifically, the committee’s recommendation to reduce starchy vegetable consumption was unsupported by existing data and undermines public health goals. However, it was recommended previously by food activists, dating back to the Congressional battles during the Obama Administration, with a goal to keep potatoes out of school meals.
Instead of resurrecting these old battles and decreasing vegetable consumption, efforts should pivot toward
the nutritionally valid goal of increasing vegetable consumption overall. In fact, research shows that potatoes actually incentivize the consumption of other vegetables.
Should we be surprised by these efforts? No. Activist groups were very bold as the committee was being formed in seeking to populate the committee with individuals who were likely to carry their political agendas. Interestingly, media outlets were highly critical of the agriculture industry seeking representation on the committee but didn’t say a thing about the activists.
The government’s choice to tilt representation on the committee toward political/activist voices may explain the initial extreme questions and recommendations that depart from nutrition science. When decisions as influential as federal dietary guidelines are made, it is critical that the government is getting actual advice based on the evidence, not the view that is the most popular. Guidelines need to be evidence-based, balanced and actionable.
implications for Policy and Communities
The release of the DGAC report marks the beginning of a political process, where USDA and HHS Secretaries will shape the final version of the 20252030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. While the existing report has set the stage, the possibility for adjustments, particularly with an entirely new set of administration decision makers, remains. Those individuals should view this as an opportunity to consider the more exotic recommendations for what they are, incorporate stakeholder feedback and correct the document’s glaring inconsistencies.
As the National Potato Council and our state and national partners have affirmed, potatoes are crucial to America’s food system, offering unparalleled nutritional and economic value. We will continue to urge policymakers to consider the broader implications of these recommendations as they work to align federal dietary policies with science-based facts and common sense.
Potato Mop-top virus: what is the risk?
By Kylie Swisher Grimm and Richard Quick, USDA-ARS
Since 2016, researchers with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDAARS) in Prosser, Washington, have been trying to understand the risk potato moptop virus poses to commercial growers in the region. They started by testing seed lots submitted to the Washington State University Commercial Seed Lot Trial for the virus. In 2016, potato mop-top virus was found in less than 2 percent of the seed lots tested. Over the next six years, levels fluctuated between 3 and 5.5 percent infection in the seed lots. By 2024, levels of infected seed lots nearly doubled to just under 11 percent. Infected tubers were predominantly asymptomatic, not showing the typical internal necrotic symptoms associated with potato mop-top virus infection. Over the nine-year study, infected seed lots originated from across the U.S. and Canada and consisted of 26 cultivars. From this study, it became evident that potato mop-top virus is a widespread problem in the U.S. and the common commercial cultivars do not have resistance.
seed-Borne virus transmission
To determine if planting potato mop-top virus-infected seed has a negative impact on a commercial grower operation, researchers with the USDAARS in Prosser next sought to assess seed-borne virus transmission with funding support from the Northwest Potato Research Consortium and the Washington State Potato Commission. Potato mop-top virus-infected and virus-free (healthy) seed of two or three different cultivars was planted in two fields in Prosser. These fields were chosen for lack of Spongospora subterranea, a soil-borne protist that transmits potato mop-top virus to potato, and itself causes powdery scab lesions on tuber surfaces. Using a randomized complete block design, each cultivar and treatment was assessed in 2022 and 2023 for emergence, yield, internal
necrotic symptoms of potato mop-top virus and molecular detection of the virus in tubers. This trial was repeated in 2024, but only the emergence data is currently available.
In two of the three years of this study (2022 and 2024), emergence from potato mop-top virus-infected seed was reduced compared to emergence from healthy seed (Fig. 1a). Consistent with the emergence data, yield was reduced from potato mop-top virus-infected seed in 2022 (Fig. 1b). Assessment of all tubers for internal necrosis identified increased symptoms in tubers produced from potato mop-top virus-infected seed compared to those produced from healthy seed. The virus itself was only detected in tubers grown from potato mop-top virus-infected seed in 2022 (at a 12 percent infection rate) and 2023 (at a 6 percent infection rate); no tubers grown from healthy seed were infected with the virus. These results indicate that potato mop-top virus likely moves from seed piece to daughter tubers. However, the variability in emergence, total yield, and even level of virus detection between 2022 and 2023 indicates that environmental or field conditions likely influence this transmission through seed.
Lasting impact
To determine if there could be lasting consequences from planting S. subterranea and potato mop-top virusinfected seed in a vector-free soil for just a single season, researchers with the USDA-ARS subsequently assessed seed-borne virus transmission, this time planting in the same soil used in previous years of the study. An additional trial was planted in 2024 in the same soil used in the previous two years of this study to assess seed-borne virus transmission when growing in soil that had two backto-back years planted with infected seed (Fig. 2). Again, emergence, yield, internal necrotic symptoms and virus presence was assessed in the plots grown in these contaminated soils.
In both years, emergence was reduced for seed planted in contaminated soil (previously planted with S. subterranea and potato mop-top virus-infected seed for one year) compared to emergence from seed planted in vector-free soil (Fig. 3a). In 2024, emergence was further reduced when seed was planted in soil that was previously planted with infected seed in two back-to-back years. Consistent with this emergence data, in 2023, yield was reduced from seed
Figure 1. Mean percentage of emergence (A) and yield (B) from healthy (Neg) and potato mop-top virus-infected seed (Pos) grown in Spongospora subterranea-free soil
planted in contaminated soil compared to seed planted in vector-free soil (Fig. 3b). In this same year, potato mop-top virus was detected in tubers grown from virus-infected seed in the contaminated soil. The virus was also detected in a small percentage of tubers grown from healthy seed in this contaminated soil (Fig. 3c). These results suggest that planting S. subterranea and potato moptop virus-infected seed for a single year can cause harm in subsequent years. Assessment of yield and virus presence in tubers harvested from trials in 2024 will begin this winter to validate these results.
next steps
While still ongoing, preliminary conclusions drawn from these trials suggest that planting S. subterranea and potato mop-top virus-infected seed in vector-free soil could have a lasting, negative impact on a commercial grower field. That said, weather, soil type, crop rotation and field management are all likely to influence whether or not a S. subterranea population can establish in
a field.
Potato mop-top virus resistance has not been identified in commercial cultivars currently grown in the northwest U.S., and there are no effective chemical or biological controls for the virus or its vector. As part of the USDASpecialty Crop Research Initiative Potato Virus Initiative Project, researchers with the USDA-ARS in Prosser have been
working to identify S. subterranea and potato mop-top virus resistance in wild species, related to potato, with the hope of incorporating germplasm with resistance into the existing breeding program. The ultimate goal is to provide commercial growers with resistant cultivars that will not be impacted by soil-borne S. subterranea or potato moptop virus.
Figure 2. The trial design was conducted to enable growth in vector-free soil (Year 1, green), as well as contaminated soil after a single year of infected seed was planted (Year 2, blue) or when two back-to-back years of infected seed were planted (Year 3, yellow).
Figure 3. Mean percentage of emergence (A) and yield (B) from each plot, as well as the mean percentage of potato mop-top virus detected in tubers (C) harvested from healthy (Neg) and potato mop-top virus-infected seed (Pos)
iPC welcomes Pair of new Commissioners
The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is starting the new year with two new commissioners. Brian Lundquist of Idahoan Foods and Klaren Koompin, a grower in American Falls, Idaho, will each serve a three-year term. Lundquist and Koompin join seven other commissioners: Mark Darrington with Big D Farms, Eric Jemmett with J&S Farms, Daren Bitter with Bittersweet Farms, Brian Jones with Sun Valley Potatoes, Paul Saito with McCain Foods US, Mike Telford with Sun Valley Seed and Lost River Seed, and Bryan Wada with Wada Farms.
Author Pens Potato storybooks
An Idaho author, illustrator and publisher has launched a series of children’s books featuring potato characters. Rhonda Newton’s nine potato-themed books follow the adventures of “Masher the Potato,” “Paisley the Potato” and “Klondike the Potato.” The rhyming books include titles such as “Masher the Potato Goes Fishing” and “Paisley the Potato Learns to Play Pickleball.” A new book, “Sprout the Potato,” is expected to be published this spring. The books can be found in select bookstores and online at www. rrpublishingllc.com.
sunrain withdraws From seed Market
Potato Seed Solutions, the research and development branch of SunRain, is now part of Europlant America. The company will take over SunRain’s tasks of multiplying and distributing potato varieties. SunRain will continue with other areas of its business but withdraw from the potato seed market.
According to the company, the reorganization will streamline its ability to bring potato varieties to market and improve its service to the industry.
Brian Lundquist of Idahoan Foods (left) and Klaren Koompin with Koompin Farms (right) are sworn in as new members of the Idaho Potato Commission. Brian Jones of Sun Valley Potatoes (center) is sworn in to serve a second term.
researchers engineer Potatoes to withstand heat
Researchers at the University of Illinois are making progress in engineering potatoes to be more resilient to global warming. The international research project, Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), is looking at altering photorespiration, a photosynthetic process that occurs more frequently in high temperatures and has been shown to reduce crop yield.
Previous project members found that by adding two new genes to model plants’ pathways, they could improve photosynthetic efficiency and drive plant growth. The latest trials showed that under heat wave conditions, the modified potatoes grew 30 percent more tubers than the control group. Multi-location field trials are needed to confirm the findings in varying environments.
Tim Dan David David Dan Tim Pat Pat
CrOP PrOteCtiOn essentiALs
AMvAC
amvac.com/potatoes
Ecozin Plus
Ecozin Plus, a product from AMVAC’s GreenSolutions portfolio, effectively targets a wide range of insects and nematodes that can be detrimental to potato growth, with low-use rates and whole-plant protection in organic and nonorganic operations. Ecozin Plus utilizes a botanical insect growth regulator (IGR) to control insects in the larval/nymphal and pupal stages by interfering with the molting process.
Bayer bayerpotato75dayipm.com
75-Day IPM Potato Portfolio
The Bayer family of products is powerful, especially when used together. When combined, they create an agronomic force ¬field around potatoes, providing protection during the ¬first 75 days when potatoes are most susceptible to pests and diseases.
With the Bayer 75-Day Integrated Pest Management Program, growers can safeguard their potatoes against nature’s harmful pests and diseases, as well as help create a successful harvest and higher yield potential.
Corteva Agriscience
corteva.us/salibronematicide
Salibro
Salibro nematicide with Reklemel active received U.S. EPA registration in 2023. For potatoes, it offers quick and effective protection from plant-parasitic nematodes without disrupting the healthy balance of beneficial organisms in the soil. Nematodes controlled include root-knot and stubby root.
As the first sulfonamide nematicide, Salibro will provide a new mode of action for effective resistance management. Reklemel active, discovered and developed by Corteva, is a non-fumigant. It received a “reduced risk” designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticides Program. The signal word is “caution.”
Salibro offers a more favorable environmental profile than certain other nematode control products used in potatoes. It has exceptionally high compatibility with soil health, including beneficial nematodes, beneficial soil fungi and soil bacteria.
Gowan Company
gowanco.com/products
Fungicides, Herbicides, Insecticides
Since 1962, beginning as a crop consultancy, Gowan Company has been rooted in agriculture, providing trusted expertise and innovative solutions for growers. This family-owned, American business works to understand growers’ challenges and is committed to delivering products and services that maximize yield and quality. Gowan provides solutions for the unique needs of potato producers.
Gowan USA’s dedicated sales representatives and development teams regularly work with potato growers and researchers to ensure that each product performs optimally in the field. Gowan offers Badge SC & X2, Gavel, Reason and Zing! fungicides, as well as Eptam, Sonalan HFP, Trflan HFP and Vida herbicides. The product lineup also includes Imidan, Onager OPTEK and Aza-Direct insecticides.
Jh Biotech
jhbiotech.com/plant-products/fosphite
Fosphite
Fungicide
Fosphite is an EPA-approved, reduced-risk fungicide for year-round protection and control. A fantastic input in any integrated crop management program, Fosphite is a systematic fungicide with two modes of action. Working as a plant protectant and as a growth promoter, Fosphite prevents severe disease while supporting potato growth and yield. Fosphite protects potato production by slowing the growth of pathogens and inhibiting sporulation to prevent fungal infections. Effectively fighting off diseases while remaining gentle on crops, Fosphite has a zero-day pre-harvest interval and a four-hour re-entry interval.
novasource
novasource.com/en/products/linex
Linex
Linex is gaining in popularity as growers are facing resistant weeds more often due to continued applications of glyphosate, triazines and other herbicides. Linex is their go-to solution. Linex, a Group 7 herbicide, provides broad-spectrum control of dozens of tough grasses and broadleaf weeds and provides a different mode of action versus ALS-inhibitor (Group 2) or triazine-based (Group 5) herbicides.
restrain restrain.io
Ethylene Sprout Control & Seed Treatment
Restrain is the manufacturer of a unique generator that converts ethanol into ethylene gas for the control of sprouts in potatoes and onions. Used in over 40 countries, the technology has been proven effective to control sprouts in long-term storages. 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 seed potato treatment called Accumulator that is formulated to increase stem numbers, yield and profit. The product has recently gained an organic label in Canada, and the company is working on an organic label in the U.S.
CrOP PrOteCtiOn essentiALs
terramera rangonow.com
Rango
Rango is a 70 percent cold-pressed neem oil packed with over 150 bio-actives like azadirachtin. Rango targets thrips, worms, mites and diseases. Rated as NC in the FRAC code, Rango integrates seamlessly into tank mixes and rotations, making it an ideal partner in a pest and disease control program. With a zeroday pre-harvest interval, a four-hour re-entry and extreme flexibility, Rango effectively targets pests at every life stage.
trident Ag Products
tridentag.com
Strike
Have you considered the biological impact of your soil fumigation program? If not, maybe you should. Soil health studies have proven that chloropicrin, the active ingredient in Strike soil fumigant, suppresses soil-borne diseases like Verticillium and black dot while also supporting biological diversity, the growth of saprophytes and overall soil health.
vive Crop Protection
vivecrop.com
Fungicides & Insecticides
Vive Crop Protection offers a wide range of crop protection products. AZteroid FC 3.3 fungicide delivers early-season disease protection. An at-plant application maximizes yield potential and farming efficiency to get crops off to a strong start.
For growers looking to improve standability, maximize vigor and maintain greener plants, AZterknot fungicide provides excellent disease control of major foliar and soil diseases while boosting plant performance under stressful conditions to increase crop quality and yield potential.
Averland FC protects crop quality and yield from nematodes and a broad range of pests in a convenient, easy-to-use application with a proven return on investment.
Viloprid 4 provides an easy-to-handle imidacloprid solution. The insecticide is compatible with liquid fertilizers and other crop inputs and stays in suspension longer compared to leading imidacloprid brands.
For growers seeking to control wireworm and a broad range of pests, Bifender FC delivers targeted pest protection and peace of mind during planting in an easy-to-use solution.
RUSSET VARIETIES:
Russet Norkotah S3
Russet Norkotah S8
Rocky Mountain Russet
Silverton Russet
Rio Grande Russet
Canela Russet
Mesa Russet
Mercury Russet
Fortress Russet
Crimson King
COLORED VARIETIES:
Columbine Gold
Colorado Rose
Rio Colorado
Red Luna
Purple Majesty
Masquerade
Mountain Rose
Vista Gold
Worley Family Farms
SLV Research Center
San Acacio Seed
Salazar Farms
Rockey Farms, LLC
Pro Seed
Price Farms Certified Seed, LLC
Palmgren Farms, LLC
Martinez Farms
La Rue Farms
H&H Farms
G&G Farms
Bothell Seed
Allied Potato
ColoradoCertifiedPotatoGrowers.com
Famous idaho Potato Bowl scores impressive numbers
Photos by Casey Crookham
In the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Northern Illinois University beat Fresno State with a score of 28-20. While a one-score game is always intriguing, the Potato Bowl has always been about marketing Idaho potatoes for the Idaho Potato Commission.
The Dec. 23 matchup drew a whopping 1.32 million television viewers. This viewership was the highest the game had seen since 2019. An additional 10,000+ people attended the game in Boise, Idaho, and those that came early got to enjoy the college bands, explore booths outside the stadium and grab a sample from the Simplot tater tot machine.
dutch Company debuts vertical Packaging Machine
JASA, a packaging company headquartered in The Netherlands, has introduced a new vertical packaging system. The NXXT platform is designed for modularity and ease of use. With 52 interchangeable modules, operators can adjust settings for tasks like pouch-making, perforation or zip sealing. NXXT is built to prioritize speed and precision, minimize downtime and boost productivity with features such as automatic sensor adjustments and real-time monitoring. Visit www.jasapackaging.com.
Experience the vigour of the north. With colder winters and long summer days, Alberta Seed Potatoes are the best choice for a higher yielding potato crop.
Ideal climate, profitable results.
Check out the seed directory at albertapotatoes.ca
idaho Company Manufactures eliminator
BishTec LLC is manufacturing a new sand eliminator in Blackfoot, Idaho. According to the company, the eliminator enhances pre-storage clod and dirt removal capabilities and will reliably remove 15 percent more foreign material than any air-based machine. The machine works at 150 tons per hour (3,000 sacks) with a double machine option that handles 300 tons per hour (6,000 sacks).
Visit www.bishtec.com
Feb. 4-6
southern rocky Mountain Ag Conference
Ski Hi Regional Event Center Monte Vista, Colo. www.agconferencesrm.com
Feb. 24-28
nPC washington summit
Hilton Washington DC National Mall the Wharf Washington D.C. www.nationalpotatocouncil.org
The Links at Moses Pointe Moses Lake, Wash. www.agworldgolf.com
June 24-27
nPC summer Meeting
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Coeur d’Alene, Idaho www.nationalpotatocouncil.org
Aug. 6-8
Potatoes UsA summer Meeting
Boston
Caitlin Roberts, caitlinr@potatoesusa.com
Editor’s note: To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller at editor@columbiamediagroup.com. Please send your information 90 days in advance.
north American Frozen Proce
U.S. and Canadian growers produced 544.81 million cwt of potatoes during 2024. That is 21.91 million cwt, or 3.9 percent, less than 2023 production. The U.S. potato crop accounted for all the reduction. U.S. production is estimated to be down 5.1 percent from the 2023 crop. Canada’s 2024 crop is estimated to be 0.3 percent larger than the 2023 crop. Dec. 1, 2024, stocks data, for both the U.S. and Canada, highlight several challenges and opportunities for the potato industry during the remainder of the storage season. In this article, we provide a brief outline of the raw-product supply situation for the North American frozen processing industry.
US Supply Situation
USDA estimates that potato growers produced 417.85 million cwt of potatoes during 2024. That is 22.28 million cwt less than the 2023 crop. It nearly matches the five-year average production. Growers in the storage states held 275.7 million cwt of potatoes on Dec. 1. That is 10 million cwt less than those states had in storage a year earlier, a 3.5 percent reduction.
USDA puts Idaho’s 2024 potato crop at 135.24 million cwt. That is 8.1 million cwt, or 5.6 percent, less than 2023 production. Idaho’s Dec. 1 potato stocks totaled 94 million cwt. That is 6 million cwt, or 6 percent, less than the yearearlier inventory. Idaho processors used 25.69 million cwt of potatoes from the 2024 crop prior to Dec. 1, 395,000 cwt less than they used from the 2023 crop during the same period, a 1.5 percent downturn. The Pacific Northwest’s large carryover from the 2023 crop reduced
the need for new-crop processing potatoes.
USDA reports that Washington growers produced 99.65 million cwt of potatoes in 2024. That is 3.98 million cwt less than the state produced in 2023, down 3.8 percent. Dec. 1 potato stocks totaled 60 million cwt, according to USDA. That is 1 million cwt less than year-earlier holdings, a 1.6 percent reduction. It is Washington’s third largest Dec. 1 inventory on record (behind 2023 and 2019). USDA reports that processors used 24.44 million cwt of new-crop potatoes prior to Dec. 1. That is 365,000 cwt less than they used during the same timeframe a year ago.
Oregon’s 2024 potato crop totaled 26.25 million cwt, which is 410,000 cwt, or 1.5 percent, less than the 2023 crop. At 20.7 million cwt, Oregon’s Dec. 1 potato stocks are down 300,000 cwt, or 1.4 percent, from year-earlier holdings. USDA reports that early-season processing use totaled 12.82 million cwt. That is 2.26 million cwt less than yearearlier usage, a 15 percent decline.
Dec. 1 stocks in the other processing states are mixed. At 17 million cwt, Wisconsin’s reported Dec. 1 potato stocks fell 2.3 million cwt, or 11.9 percent, below the year-earlier inventory. North Dakota had 17.2 million cwt of potatoes in storage on Dec. 1, 11.8 percent less than it held in 2023. Maine had 13.6 million cwt of potatoes left in storage on Dec. 1, 12.4 percent more than the yearearlier inventory. Minnesota had 12.2 million cwt of potatoes left in storage on Dec. 1, down 0.8 percent from the previous year.
North American Potato Market News estimates that U.S. processors used 67.29 million cwt of potatoes from the 2024 potato crop for purposes other than dehydration (mostly French fry production) prior to Dec. 1. That fell 1.17 million cwt short of the 2023 pace, a 1.7 percent decline. It followed a 2.91 million cwt, or 11.3 percent, increase reported for late-season usage from the 2023 crop. Estimated June-November disappearance in this category totaled 95.98 million cwt. That exceeded June-November 2023 usage by 1.73 million cwt, or 1.8 percent. The increase in June-November processing suggests that fry plants got
off to a better start than they did the previous year. If the stocks data are correct, total Dec. 1 stocks in the Pacific Northwest are down only 4 percent from a year earlier. That leaves more than enough potatoes to run PNW plants at capacity. Fryers in the Midwest and Maine also have access to an adequate supply of raw product. Nevertheless, some French fry plants continue to run below capacity, while others are expected to take extended downtime during the next several months.
Canadian Supply Situation
Canada’s 2024 potato crop is the largest on record. Canadian growers produced 126.97 million cwt of potatoes in 2024. That exceeded the 2023 crop by 372,000 cwt. The country had 93.8 million cwt of potatoes in storage on Dec. 1. That fell 302,000 cwt short of year-earlier holdings, a 0.3 percent reduction. The Dec. 1 inventory nearly matched the previous year’s inventory, which was the largest on record. It is 11.9 percent more than the five-year average. Stocks are down from last year in Alberta and Manitoba, but they are up in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec. Processing potato stocks fell 1 percent short of December 2023 holdings.
At 23.03 million cwt, Alberta’s Dec. 1 potato stocks fell 2.86 million cwt, or 11.1 percent, below last year’s recordlarge inventory. Intended use data show that the province’s processing potato stocks are down 2.54 million cwt, or 12.3 percent, to 18.09 million cwt. That is 13.9 percent more than the three-year average supply. Manitoba had 19.31 million cwt of potatoes in storage on Dec. 1. It includes 15.59 million cwt of processing potatoes, down 1.89 million cwt, or 10.8 percent, from last year’s record inventory. Ag Canada reported Quebec’s Dec. 1 inventory at 10.14 million cwt, up 858,000 cwt, or 9.2 percent, from December 2023. At 4.02 million cwt, processing stocks are up 18.2 percent from the previous year. New Brunswick had 12.2 million cwt of potatoes left in storage on Dec. 1. That is 2.59 million cwt more than year-earlier holdings, a 27 percent increase. At 8.01 million cwt, New Brunswick’s processing
ssing supply Update
potato stocks are up 2 million cwt, or 33.3 percent, from the 2023 inventory. That leaves the province with its fourth largest processing potato inventory on record. Prince Edward Island held 20.03 million cwt of potatoes in storage on Dec. 1. That is 1.23 million cwt more than year-earlier holdings, a 5.9 percent increase. At 14.14 million cwt, Prince Edward Island’s processing potato stocks exceeded the year-earlier inventory by 1.13 million cwt, or 8.6 percent.
The French fry producing provinces held a combined 58.42 million cwt of frozen processing potatoes on Dec. 1. That is 792,000 cwt, or 1.3 percent, less than last year’s record inventory. All the supply reductions came in Manitoba and Alberta. Fryers in those provinces cut contract volumes for the 2024 crop after the over-supply situation created by the record-large 2023 potato crop. Nevertheless, yields for the 2024 crop remained near record levels in the Prairie Provinces. Supplies are down, but less than expected. Favorable growing and harvesting conditions boosted processing potato production in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec.
Conclusion
The massive over-supply situation the North American potato industry faced during 2023-24 has continued into the 2024-25 processing season. Despite the many internal challenges, there are a few opportunities. Domestic demand for French fries and other frozen products remains relatively stable. Industry data indicate that buyers purchased 0.4 percent more U.S. frozen product between June and November than they did during the same period in 2023.
On the other hand, global French fry exports are down 2.7 percent for the year ending Oct. 31, 2024. Canada’s AugustOctober French fry exports totaled a record 784.86 million pounds, up 10.2 percent from year-earlier movement. Most of the extra shipments have gone to the U.S. (up 8.9 percent), though sales to offshore markets jumped by 19.7 percent during the period. Canada may continue to ramp up the export pace during the remainder of the season.
Given the current raw-product supply situation, North American fryers
are in a position to expand finished product supplies this year. However, Europe’s offshore exports could expand significantly with the 2024 potato crop, which is 7.2 percent larger than the 2023 crop. North American fryers have an opportunity to expand their domestic
By Ben Eborn, Publisher, North American Potato Market News
and offshore French fry business, but there are several challenges and competition from EU processors will be strong this year.
Key POints
• North America’s 2024 potato crop is the third largest on record, behind 2000 and 2023.
• U.S. Dec. 1 potato stocks totaled 275.7 million cwt, the second largest dec. 1 inventory since 2018.
• At 94.2 million cwt, Canada’s Dec. 1 potato stocks were the second largest on record, behind 2023.
• The over-supply situation the North American potato industry faced during 2023-24 has continued into the 2024-25 processing season.
• Domestic demand appears to be relatively stable, while global French fry exports are down from year-earlier levels.
• North American fryers may have an opportunity to regain part of the French fry business they have lost during the past several years.
editor’s note: To contact Ben Eborn, or to subscribe to North
Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call:
Box 176, Paris, ID 83261; (208) 525-8397; or email napmn@napmn.com.
reaching a reasonable Contract Price
By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington
A S I MAKE presentations around the world –regardless of whether I am talking to growers, processors, suppliers or others interested in the potato industry – I try
to make the point that in my opinion, the frozen potato segment is the most symbiotic of any business relationship I am aware of. The symbiotic part comes into play in that processors have hundreds of millions of dollars invested in each processing plant that can really only be used to process potatoes into frozen potato products. And at the
"Both sides need each other for survival, which results in a mutual need to arrive at a fair and reasonable price each year."
a major processing company stating publicly that it needed to cut costs to offset self-inflicted large losses of sales. Further, new production capacity came online or began construction when industry growth was still forecasted at approximately 4 percent annually. Now that growth has slowed to around 1 percent, some processors fear that this new capacity will have a negative impact on finished product pricing.
same time, growers have up to tens of millions of dollars invested in specialized potato growing equipment and storages. I use this point to illustrate why the potato contract price has been so stable throughout the industry’s history. Both sides need each other for survival, which results in a mutual need to arrive at a fair and reasonable price each year.
In my three decades here at Potato Growers of Washington (PGW), this has been the case in all but three years. The times that it didn’t happen, processors saw an opportunity to take a much larger than necessary reduction in the price of the potato contracts in relation to the changes in the cost of production, if any. Most of us were expecting that to be the case again this year as there has never been a year when growers had less leverage at the bargaining table. Raw supplies have been long for two crop years now, and nearly all other commodities are significantly down in price to the point that many cannot show a profit on rented land.
Couple this supply environment with
With all that in mind as we began our negotiations, it was a very pleasant surprise that all three of our processing companies took a reasonable approach to contract pricing. For that reason, we at PGW believe that our contract agreement of a mid-single-digit decrease is very reasonable in light of growing costs being down slightly this year (between 1 percent and 4 percent depending on operations that we track) and contract prices rising slightly more over the past few years than costs were projected to be.
Profit margins are still lower than we think they should be. But by not taking a giant step backward this year, growers are in a much better place to continue to work on improving our current position, rather than rebuilding what we may have lost this year.
I would personally like to thank the executives at each of our processors for taking the long view on the industry and being very fair and reasonable on the contract pricing for 2025. We hope this is a very positive step in both sides restoring the profitability that has led the frozen potato segment of the industry to being the king in the Columbia Basin for both growers and processors. I wish both sides a very productive and profitable 2025.
seed cutters
3- 2014 Better Built 72” model 400 3ph
2002 Better Built 72” treaters
2018 Better Built 12” Liquid/Dry treater
2005 Milestone 42” Liquid Treater
2003 Milestone 42” Barrel duster
2005 Milestone 36” Barrel duster
1994 Better Built CDT10- 8” Cannon Duster
Planter filler dirt tare
Mayo 24” Telescopic Boom Planter filler
Double L 815 24” x 25’ Lockwood 20” x 18’
Planters
2008 Grimme GL36 Cup 6 row 36” Pull Hitch
2002 Kverneland 3300 Cup 6 row 36” Pull Hitch
2011 Lockwood 6 row Air Cup 34” semi-mount hyd drive
2005 Milestone MSDSE84 belt Elev. Finger rolls dirt & sizing, split picking Cross out conv.
2011 Spudnik 96” 990 BC Elev. Reverse roll table sizing table split picking cross out conv.
2004 Spudnik 995 DES 72” Q A dirt & Size roll tables, split picking 230 volt 3ph.
2002 Spudnik 72” DE belt elev
2017 Milestone 96” 480 3phase
2006 Spudnik 995 72”Finger rollers, ellis table, Belt Chain table 230 Volt 3phase rocK/clod/air eliminators
2012 Harriston 3240 CH fingers peg belt blower sizing fingers 480 V 3ph
2002 Harriston 240 CH Ellis table peg belt blower 230 V 3ph even flows/ surge HoPPer/croP cart
1996 Double L 860 600cwt 42” Elevator 36” discharge 3ph
2013 Mayo 455 Surge Hopper 300cwt 3ph, 2 belt stingers
1994 Spudnik 1800 600cwt 48” Elevator 36’ discharge 3ph
1988 Spudnik 1800 525cwt 30” Elevator 30” discharge 3ph
wareHouse & misc.
2017 Alliston 48” x 8’ rolling table
Alliston Flume 48’’Wx13’L SS destoner
Kwik Locs
Ag Pack weigher bagger
Grain Treater USC LP2000 with seed wheel
Newhouse 6 row Vine Shredder
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