Potato Country January 2023

A Force in the Field

The Bayer family of products is powerful, especially when used together. Combined, they create an agronomic force eld around your crops, providing protection during the rst 75 days when potatoes are most susceptible to pests and diseases. Safeguard your potatoes against nature's harmful pests and diseases with the Bayer 75-Day Integrated Pest Management program. Visit BayerPotato75DayIPM.com to learn more.

Bayer and Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. ©2023 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

PO Box 333, Roberts, Idaho 83444

Telephone: (208) 520-6461

Circulation: (503) 724-3581

PotatoCountry.com

EDITOR

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.

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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 2023. 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.

Advance Crop Yields and Plant Protection with an Integrated Crop Management (ICM) Program

An ICM program and crop production strategy integrates prevention and correction to reduce diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies, thus preventing crop loss and increase yields. This unique approach focuses on promoting soil and plant health as a means of improving a plant’s immunity and defense systems while working in tandem with pest control products when needed. JH Biotech’s ICM program utilizes products that defend against pests and diseases while encouraging soil bioactivity with beneficial microbes for continual defense and support.

Prioritizing soil and plant health for a better immune system

Providing plants with the right nutritional programs promotes healthier root systems, immunity, and defense systems. Products like Biomin® and Phosgard® allow plants to better absorb nutrients through both soil and foliar uptake, this solves deficiencies nearly immediately and more e iciently, providing plants a complex and strong immune system capable of standing up to crop diseases and invading pests. By improving soil fertility and biodiversity, many crops can benefit from the vast resources that come from vigorous root and immune systems.

Benefits of ICM Programs

• Vigorous growth and better performance

E ectively control pests and diseases at early stages

Our ICM program aims to protect the natural environment while preserving water and revitalizing farmland for longterm, sustainable agriculture. A major factor to accomplishing this is to protect crops from diseases and pests. Using biopesticide products that are mindful to our environment such as Fosphite® and Pest Out® can disrupt pests and diseases e ectively while free from harmful chemicals. Beneficial fungi, bacteria, and bio-stimulant such as Fulzyme®, Promot®, Soluphos®, and Seamax® work in ways that are disruptive to pests and diseases but also free up nutrients in existing farmland.

• Uses microbial products increase soil biodiversity, fertility and properties

• Utilizing biostimulants and organic compounds to boost crop immunity

• Prevents and alleviates crop damages from abiotic and biotic stress

• Uses low toxic and bio-pesticides for pest management

• Alternates green chemicals and bio-pesticides to avoid pest resistance

• Applyies pesticides at the right time and correct dosage

EPA Registered Systemic Fungicide for Year-round Control of Diseases

Fosphite® is a systematic fungicide approved by the US EPA as a reduced risk pesticide. Fosphite® is uniquely e ective in our ICM because it functions as both a plant protectant and a growth promoter. With a low application rate and four-hour re-entry interval Fosphite® delivers safe and superior disease protection to crops.

Our ICM philosophy benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment. For more information on how it can work for you, contact us at info@jhbiotech.com

www.jhbiotech.com | (805) 650 - 8933 | Copyrighted © 2023

Putting Down Roots

Editor

Anew marriage, a new baby and a new farm all within a few years. Add in the challenges of the pandemic and record-high farm input costs, and one might argue that if Conrad and Kody Williams can make it through all this, they’re in it for the long haul.

The Williams family farms 1,100 acres in Fruitland, Idaho, including 150 acres of Russet Burbank potatoes, with the remaining acreage in onions, corn, wheat and alfalfa. This year will be their fourth season farming on their own.

Growing up, Conrad had spent time on his family’s hay farm. After studying agriculture at the University of Idaho, he worked for other farmers for four years. Similarly, Kody had grown up on her family’s feedlot operation, studied agriculture at Washington State University and returned to the family farm in eastern Washington.

Story by Denise Keller,

Photos by Dave Alexander, Publisher

The Williams family grows potatoes, onions, corn, wheat and alfalfa.

Cal Williams (center) checks the early spud crop at Williams Farms in August 2022.

Ready to take the next step, Conrad began looking for an opportunity to farm row crops on his own. His grandfather suggested he talk to Dell Winegar, an onion and potato grower in Fruitland. Winegar was ready to retire but didn’t have anyone to take over his farm. The two came to an agreement for Williams to purchase Winegar’s farm and all the row crop equipment. Conrad relocated to Idaho in the fall of 2019 and worked alongside Winegar as he harvested his final crops.

“There are not many people that want to get into farming. It’s really tough financially for small family farms to get started,” Conrad says. “Without the help of the Winegar family, we wouldn’t have been able to be raising row crops down here in Idaho just because of the cost of the equipment.”

In the spring of 2020, Conrad and Kody planted 300 acres, including 75 acres of potatoes. Winegar showed the young growers the ropes the first year, teaching them the nuances of farming that Idaho ground. They took over his contract with the processor and were able to farm the full 150 acres the second year.

“The farm’s growing faster than what I thought it would. Personally, I had a goal – I didn’t tell very many people – but I wanted to be farming 1,000 acres by the time I hit 30 years old, and I did it,” Conrad says.

He shares some of the credit for achieving his goal with Winegar, who helped him get started and continues to live across the road from the farm.

“He sits up on the hill and looks out his living room window and watches us young kids carry on his farm. I think he enjoys that,” Conrad says.

Growing Pains

Settling in on their new farm, the Williamses could see the property needed some upgrades. The aging irrigation system with hand lines and furrows demanded the most immediate attention. Since taking ownership, Conrad has made a lot of improvements, including putting in a dozen new center pivots, replacing the hand lines in most fields. He’s initiated the use of soil moisture monitors and improved

irrigation scheduling, which has resulted in more consistent soil moisture levels and made a big difference in the crops.

The use of center pivot irrigation is less common in western Idaho than in the Columbia Basin of Washington, the grower says. Learning to farm spuds for other growers in the Columbia Basin helped him learn to work with the latest technology, taught him good farm management and agronomy practices and equipped him well to farm on his own in Idaho.

“It’s what you know, it’s what you’re around, and it’s what your farm can allow you to do. In farming, there’s a million different ways to do it, but everyone is trying to get to the same outcome. I don’t think there’s any right way to do it,” Conrad says.

Even with new irrigation equipment on the farm, the grower makes it a priority to check soil moisture levels often. He digs daily and babysits the crop as he continues to learn the best way to grow potatoes in the area and maximize the potential of the sandy soil on his farm located along the Snake River.

Along with the hiccups that come with

being a new grower are the obstacles facing most growers, including a tight labor supply, extreme weather and rising input costs.

To contend with the lack of labor in the area, Williams Farms has been utilizing the H-2A guest worker program, which has been a game changer the last two years, according to the growers. Farm work throughout the season from planting to harvest has been completed on time with the help of the reliable labor.

“I think the key to farming is developing a program that works well for you, and timing is everything. So to have a crew of guys that we don’t have to worry about finding another job because they came here on a contract to work with us, they want to work, and they do a really nice job and everything just seems to flow, that’s been huge,” Kody says.

Through the program, Williams Farms hired two workers the first year and four the second year. They also invested in building worker housing on the farm last year.

“I don’t think I could farm long term if I couldn’t do the H-2A program because

Potato harvest kicks off at Williams Farms.

there’s just no one around here who wants to work,” Conrad adds.

A Young Family Farm

Despite the challenges faced in farming, Conrad and Kody are living their dream. Conrad loves the freedom of setting his own schedule and enjoys time in the fields. Kody never imagined living anywhere other than a farm.

“There’s a lot of risk. It’s a lot of hours. I think a lot of people are scared of the hours. But if you want to farm, it’s in your blood and you just have to do it. You just have to go and you can’t stop,” Conrad says.

“You have to have a deep passion for this field for it to work,” Kody agrees. “Raising my kid on a farm, I don’t think there’s any better place to grow up. I think we truly enjoy getting to work outside, getting to grow a crop for people that sometimes maybe they don’t even

recognize how much work went into it, and then going into the grocery store and seeing potatoes. I love that.”

The growers would like to eventually increase production to 1,800 to 2,000 acres and hope to increase potato acreage as part of that growth. They would also like to see more young people pursue farming, but recognize the difficulty in getting started. In fact, given the rising number of corporate farms in the industry, they fear that few family farms will remain. They believe keys to longevity will be to find a niche or specialized market for their products and to work hard to consistently produce high quality crops.

“The farmers that grow good onions or good potatoes every year and are consistent and work hard to make sure they do that every year are the ones that last a long time,” Kody says.

These two 1968 John Deere tractors were picked up by Dell Winegar’s father from the train depot in Ontario, Oregon, and have been on the farm in Fruitland, Idaho, ever since.

Conrad Williams walks his fields. He reached his goal of farming 1,000 acres by the time he was 30 years old.

Photo courtesy Kody Williams

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

INSECT BIOLOGY QUIZ

This material is provided courtesy of Andy Jensen, Ph.D., Manager of the Northwest Potato Research Consortium. For more information, visit www.nwpotatoresearch.com.

I know it’s still winter, but spring will come soon. One thing that might cross your mind during planting and while the crop gets going in spring is, “What are these insects scurrying around on the ground?” Knowing whether or not insects you see during regular farm tasks are beneficial can be helpful in gauging the success of your conservation biological control practices.

Below are four insects commonly seen on and in soils in spring. What are they, and are they beneficial, pests or neither?

TREATED UNTREATED

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY

Don’t go through the motions of doing the same thing and getting the same results. Your choices dictate your future. Choose to suppress soil-borne disease in order to improve yield and quality. You're not without options and tools. Pre-plant soil fumigation treatment with Strike is the first step in a successful soil health and pest management system. Make a change to the way you farm and create a new destiny. Visit www.StrikeFumigants.com to sign

Strike is a Federally Restricted Use Pesticide.

Colorado Seed Potato Crop

By Andrew Houser, Colorado Potato Certification Service

Wehad a very dry spring, but the planting of the seed crop went well. All seed production is dependent on irrigation, mostly from groundwater. Even though our spring was dry, there were several rain events throughout the summer, which was a blessing.

Certified seed growers began killing vines in late July and continued through early- to mid-August, limiting potential spread of virus by late-season aphid flights. Overall, crop yields hovered around average. Our post-harvest test is

again taking place on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

Colorado certified seed potato acreage for sale and grower plant-back was up from 7,784 acres in 2021 to 8,151 acres in 2022. The 2022 accepted certified acreage after summer field inspections was 7,784 acres. Rejections were primarily caused by PVY/mosaic and blackleg. Total potato acreage in the San Luis Valley was 49,804, up from 48,265 acres in 2021. The top five certified varieties in Colorado are Russet Norkotah selections (2,502 acres),

Canela Russet (727 acres), Reveille Russet (514 acres), Soraya (413 acres) and Teton Russet (265 acres).

The 2022 certified seed directory is posted online at http:// potatoes.colostate.edu/programs/ potato-certification-service/crop-directory.

All seed lots imported into Colorado are required to undergo a post-harvest test, a lab test for PVYN and a lab test for late blight to comply with the Colorado late blight quarantine.

Certified seed potatoes grow in Colorado under the watchful eyes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Great Sand Dunes National Park.

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

Idaho Seed Potato Crop

By Alan Westra, Idaho Crop Improvement Association

Planting of the 2022 Idaho seed potato crop started on time and was completed without serious interruption in significantly cooler than normal temperatures. These cool temperatures continued well into June. While the cool weather helped to mitigate concerns regarding potential water shortages, it also significantly delayed emergence and retarded plant growth. Temperatures became more seasonable in late June/ early July, but the increase in temperature was not sufficient to make up for the early shortfall in heat units. As a result, Idaho effectively lost two weeks of the growing season.

Seed quality going into storage is reported as excellent. Generally, the 2022 seed potato crop can be described as having a high set and smaller than normal size profile. As might be expected, yields

Seed health is also good. During summer inspections, the number of seed lots with visually detectable levels of Potato virus Y (PVY) decreased compared to 2021 and remains well below the 10-year average of 7.8 percent. Blackleg levels were normal, and there were no detections of potato leafroll or bacterial ring rot again.

Seed potato acreage eligible for final certification totaled 30,164 acres in 2022, a 2.5 percent decrease from 2021. Excluding proprietary genetics, this acreage represents 103 varieties, selections and advanced clones. Ten varieties account for more than 80 percent of the total acres, with Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah (all strains), Ranger Russet, Clearwater Russet and Alturas continuing as the dominant varieties. A complete listing of the seed

on the Idaho Crop Improvement, Inc. website at www.idahocrop.com. Hard copies of the directory can be obtained by contacting the Idaho Crop Improvement Association Idaho Falls office.

Potatoes roll down the conveyor in southwest Idaho.

Montana Seed Potato Crop

By Nina Zidack, Montana Seed Potato Certification

Montana’s 2022 seed potato harvest was completed by mid-October with near perfect harvest conditions. Growers report excellent quality, and while yields do not stack up to the record crops of 2019 and 2020, compared to a longer history, they’re in the strong average category.

The growing season presented challenges, particularly with the very cool June followed by hotter than average temperatures in July and early August. These conditions led to a delay in tuber bulking in some varieties. Some growers delayed vine kill seven to 10 days to allow the potatoes to bulk adequately at the end of the growing season. Overall, Montana growers are very pleased with their crop and anticipate an excellent grade-out in the spring.

Montana reached an all-time high acreage in 2022 with 11,322 acres. This represents a 3.6 percent increase over 2021 and an 8.8 percent increase from

five years ago. While Russet Burbank is still dominant at 3,600 acres, a significant increase in acreage over the past decade has been noted in Clearwater Russet, which now holds the second position at 1,589 acres. Clearwater was released by the Potato Variety Management Institute in 2009 and first planted in Montana in 2010. It is the only new variety to break into the top five during that time. Umatilla Russet is now the third most widely planted variety at 1,542 acres, followed by Ranger Russet at 1,295 acres and Alturas at 722 acres.

If you count the acreage of all Russet Norkotah lines together, it would actually jump into the third spot at 1,480 acres. Of the Norkotahs, the Texas 278 line has the highest acreage at 556 acres, followed by Colorado 3 (304 acres), Texas 296 (289 acres), Texas 112 (244 acres), standard Norkotah (45 acres) and Northwest 90 (42 acres).

The variety that is quickly rising in

acreage is Hamlin Russet, which was first planted in 2020 and is now at 97 acres. Ivory Russet, which was first grown in Montana in 2016, rose in acreage very quickly to 271 acres in 2020. It has since decreased in acreage to 169 acres for the 2022 crop. Chip varieties are a minor component of Montana’s production, and Lamoka, Atlantic and Snowden combined are 114 acres. The most widely planted colored variety is Norland Dark Red at 110 acres.

Schutter Seed harvests seed potatoes in Manhattan, Mont.

Oregon Seed Potato Crop

By Tami Brown, Oregon Seed Certification Service

Oregon Seed Certification Service accepted 3,082 acres of seed potatoes for certification in 2022. This increased Oregon’s 10-year average to 2,853. Disease levels have remained low, and there were no rejections. The only downgrade was for off-type. Two growers left certification due to water issues, and the continuing drought on the eastern part of the state is a concern for many growers.

It was an unusually wet spring for some areas, which created issues with planting. Again, we had a statewide spike in temperatures during the growing season. Wildfire season started later than in 2021 and, with the exception of one or two locations, did not have the abundance of smoke that Oregon dealt with that year. Fall was ideal for a successful harvest. Clearwater Russet was the number one variety produced in Oregon for the second

year in a row. Lamoka and the Frito-Lay varieties dropped slightly. Ciklamen and Gala moved up to second and third place. A complete listing of the varieties and acres produced and field readings can be found at http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/ potatoes.

Seed is cut and prepared for planting. Photo courtesy Angie Rader

Washington Seed Potato Crop

By Benita Matheson, Washington State Department of Agriculture

Atotal of 3,736 acres of seed potatoes entered certification during the 2022 growing season. This is a 98-acre increase from 2021. Top varieties grown included Ciklamen (557 acres), Russet Burbank (307 acres), Chieftain (277 acres) and other proprietary varieties. The total acres planted included 133 potato varieties, ranging in size from partial-acre plots to 68-acre fields. Most seed lots are fewer than 20 acres and include numbered clones, table stock, processing and heirloom varieties. A complete report on seed lots will be posted at www.agr.wa.gov/services/ licenses-permits-and-certificates/plantpermits-and-certification-programs/ seed-potato.

In the Whatcom County isolation district, many fields were planted at the beginning of the planting season before extended rain and flooding. Growers experienced partial or total crop flood-out,

and lots were plowed under. After flood and rain abated, planting was completed, but very late in the season, which resulted in a short growing season for many lots. Very little precipitation occurred during the actual growing season, resulting in very dry soil and requiring irrigation of killed/shredded fields immediately prior to harvest. Harvest weather was dry and cool, and harvest wrapped up in late October.

Yields are noted to be fair and average. WSDA noted little external damage to the tubers. Seed shipments to southern climates began in late fall and will continue into the winter months, with the majority of seed to be shipped in early spring.

Washington state certified seed growers are in the process of submitting seed lot samples for the post-harvest test that will continue in Hawaii.

Potatoes are loaded into a storage in Washington.

Pros of Precision Ag

With growers receptive to the idea of using fewer chemicals and achieving better results, precision agriculture continues to generate interest and gain traction. This made for a wellreceived presentation on the topic at the Montana Seed Potato Seminar, held Nov. 2-3, 2022, in Missoula, Montana.

The precision agriculture session began with a discussion of the history of automation in farming, beginning with the adoption of modern agriculture leading into mechanization post-World War I, to the Green Revolution, to the digital revolution. This look back reminded the audience that precision ag isn’t new; it just continues to become more technologically advanced.

Gaurav Jha, an assistant professor of precision agriculture at Montana State University, referred to precision agriculture as site-specific farming. He said that precision ag hates averages, and he used this analogy: “If half my body is in a refrigerator and half my body is outside a refrigerator, I should be doing fine as an average temperature of my body, right?”

Story and photos by Brian Feist

Gaurav Jha, an assistant professor at Montana State University, lists some of the advantages of precision agriculture.

In traditional farming, the whole field is treated as a homogenous area, decisions are based on a field average, and inputs are supplied uniformly across the field. In precision farming, on the other hand, the field is broken into “management zones,” decisions are

based on requirements of each zone, and tools are used to control the zone.

Precision ag aims to optimize fieldlevel management with regard to crops (more closely matching farming practices to crop needs such as fertilizer inputs), environment (reducing the environmental footprint of farming including limiting the leaching of nitrogen) and economics (boosting competitiveness through more efficient practices such as improved management of inputs). In short, precision ag replaces

big machinery, high energy consumption and over-application of chemicals with intelligent machines and intelligent processes.

Jha said precision ag is needed to contend with increased land degradation, depletion of water resources, and environmental pollution from increased use of fertilizers and chemicals. In addition, precision ag is essential in order to alleviate poverty and enhance quality of life and food security.

Paul Nugent, a research professor at Montana State University, covers the topic of remote sensing and automation in potato production.

Shirin Samani, an assistant professor at Montana State University, presents information during a workshop on precision agriculture.

A Meeting of the Minds

Story by Brian Feist

Photos by Bill Schaefer

With researchers and industry insiders on the agenda, the Big Idaho Potato Harvest Meeting, held Nov. 16, 2022, in Fort Hall, Idaho, included reports on everything from spud storage and foodservice to potato promotions and politics.

Quality Control

Nora Olsen, professor of plant sciences at the University of Idaho, opened the event talking about tuber damage in storage and retailer rejections. She and colleague Mike Thornton have looked at pictures of potatoes that were rejected by retailers and also inspected multiple shipments of potatoes as they arrived at their retail locations. They were fairly confident that the potatoes didn’t leave Idaho like that. “So, what’s going on?” they asked.

After identifying five major defects that were causing most of the retailers’ rejections, Olsen and Thornton were able to start making recommendations on how to avoid these issues. Over the last five years as they have worked on this with growers and retailers, they’ve been able to reduce the number of rejections, but have more work to do, as the losses are still estimated to be in the millions of dollars per year. Olsen ended her presentation by suggesting that growers take shipping into consideration as part of their storage management.

State of the State Address

Rep. Scott Bedke, Idaho’s lieutenant governor-elect, followed with information about what the Idaho government hopes to accomplish in the coming session.

“Your state is the fastest growing state in the nation, both population-wise as well as economically,” he said.

He talked about Idaho’s budget surplus and pointed out that “that offers some opportunities.” He stressed that it’s not the bad years that will put you out of business, it’s the good years because then you come to expect that. Overall, he had a very positive outlook and said the state is in an excellent place to weather the potential coming recession. He ended by saying, “you have the minds in this room to solve any problems,” and stressed that some people will have to get involved in the government.

“Not all of you have to be in the state legislature, but some of you do. Not all of you need to be county commissioners, but some of you do. Not all of you need to be precinct chairs, but some of you do,” Bedke said. “Otherwise you’ll get what you get.”

Foodservice Trends

Next up was Andy Hamilton with Markon, a co-op that does farm-to-table foodservice.

Jamey Higham, president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission, welcomes everyone to the Big Idaho Potato Harvest Meeting in Fort Hall, Idaho.

“Food at home is up 12 percent, while food away from home, foodservice, is up 8 percent,” Hamilton said, explaining that the difference is due to restaurants trying to keep their prices down to attract customers back after the pandemic.

Speaking about how potatoes are being used in foodservice, Hamilton said potatoes are on fewer menus this year, which he attributed to the smaller potato crops grown in the last couple of years. He reported that fresh potato sales are growing the fastest and frozen potato sales have barely grown.

He said that as the country diversifies, it’s a good thing for the potato industry because there will be more people eating potatoes in more creative ways.

IPC Update

Jamey Higham, president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), addressed the audience about what the IPC has done over the last year and plans to do in the future.

“Our mission at the IPC is to promote and protect the ‘Grown in Idaho’ brand,” Higham said.

He then shared a video highlighting some of the IPC’s marketing efforts from the last year, including the French friesinspired perfume that the commission developed, Frites by Idaho. He said the project netted one of the best returns on investment of any IPC campaign and even provided him with the opportunity to promote it via an interview with Jay Leno.

NPC News

To close out the meeting, Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council (NPC), spoke about what the NPC is doing to keep potatoes in the minds of federal legislators and touched on the consequences of the recent election.

Sponsored by: Listen on: ThePotatoPodcast.com

Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council (NPC), talks about how the NPC keeps potatoes on the minds of U.S. lawmakers.

“[In 2023, under the new Congress,] gridlock is probably going to be the order of the day,” he said.

Quarles mentioned specifically ag labor reform, something that U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson have been trying to get to the president, is probably off the table.

“I would love to have congressional delegations all over the country as engaged as you have here in Idaho,” Quarles said.

Other issues coming up include the Farm Bill, implementation of the infrastructure bill and trade initiatives. Another major issue of concern to the potato industry is that the scientific community is being asked to consider whether or not potatoes are a vegetable. The implications of that could be very bad for the industry, Quarles said. Both the IPC and NPC receive “specialty crops” grants, which would not be available if potatoes were no longer considered a vegetable.

In regard to Prince Edward Island potato exports, Quarles said that in a report released Oct. 14, USDA-APHIS

basically validated U.S. growers’ concerns that the full extent of the problem is larger than previously reported. Exports were allowed to resume without that data.

“The current protocol isn’t working. If it was, APHIS wouldn’t have reported what they did,” he said, adding that the risks continue to grow with every shipment.

Rep. Scott Bedke, Idaho’s lieutenant governor-elect, speaks about why he got involved in politics and encourages others to do so, as well.

DISEASE IDENTIFICATION QUIZ

Dr. Jeff Miller, a plant pathologist, is the president and CEO of Miller Research, Rupert, Idaho. He can be contacted by phone: (208) 531-5124; cell: (208) 431-4420; jeff@millerresearch.com

It is not unusual for growers to see leaf spots on potato leaves. In this installment of the Disease Quiz, you will see different types of leaf spots and discolorations. What are the causes of these problems?

A

DB(Photo courtesy Dr. Phil Wharton, University of Idaho)

Jan. 17-19

Jan. 24-26

Washington-Oregon Potato Conference

Three Rivers Convention Center Kennewick, Wash. potatoconference.com

Feb. 7-9 Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference Ski Hi Regional Event Center Monte Vista, Colo. agconferencesrm.com

Feb. 27–March 3 2023 NPC Washington Summit Washington Marriott at Metro Center Washington D.C. nationalpotatocouncil.org

PRECISION AG ESSENTIALS BUYERS' GUIDE

Agri-Stor Companies

www.agri-stor.com

Agri-Star Control Panel

The Agri-Star Control Panel is essential to having control over every aspect of the storage environment. Its adaptability to each application makes it a great fit for many post-harvest products in storage. The panel is perfect for potatoes, onions and even honeybees. The panel controls everything from humidity and refrigeration to heat, airflow, temperature and carbon dioxide levels.

Users will have peace of mind with 24/7 access via an intuitive app. When paired with Gellert’s climate control equipment, the Agri-Star Control Panel is unmatched in its ability to extend the life and quality of products in storage.

Greentronics

www.greentronics.com

Yield Monitor

Greentronics yield monitors are designed for root crop and vegetable harvesters. The system is built around one or more load cells, which are installed in a conveyor to measure the weight of the crop as it passes on the belt. Once installed and calibrated, the harvester operator chooses the field name and sets the swath width. The operator does not need to interact with the yield monitor while harvesting.

Growers use yield maps to study and manage variability in their fields and generate report cards on their progress. By applying breakeven points, yield maps can indicate areas with profit and loss and help make decisions about inputs, population density, crop rotation, cover crops, drainage, leveling and so on.

PRECISION AG ESSENTIALS BUYERS' GUIDE

GroupAg

www.groupag.com

BTU Panel

GroupAg’s BTU panel is intuitive and easy to run and monitor both in front of the panel and remotely due to the architecture on which it is built. The panel allows for precision control of the storage climate, including BTU’s industry-leading refrigeration controls that allow for remote service optimization. Remote access provides ease of management and peace of mind to know exactly how the crop is storing. Alerts can easily be set up to send real-time notification of specific ventilation or refrigeration service needs so they can be managed at any time and from anywhere.

Industrial Ventilation Inc. (IVI)

www.ivi-air.com

Imperium Storage Control Panel

IVI’s Imperium storage control panel directs optimal conditions for stored potatoes. Users can precisely control airflow, carbon dioxide, humidity and more and easily retrieve valuable historical data to aid in setting parameters. This powerful system for potato storage protection offers straightforward operation right at the user’s fingertips. The IVI app allows for off-site monitoring and control.

The Imperium storage control panel is made in the U.S.A. under the supervision of the engineers behind the innovations. The company’s eye is always on improvement and technological advances, driven by growers’ needs in working with IVI’s service and sales team.

2023

NPC WASHINGTON SUMMIT

FEBRUARY

WASHINGTON MARRIOTT AT METRO CENTER, WASHINGTON, D.C.

STANDING UP FOR POTATOES ON CAPITOL HILL

NPC’s annual Washington Summit provides a forum for potato industry members to discuss, define, and advocate for the policy priorities impacting their businesses and protecting their ability to farm.

• Hear from the nation’s top political and policy experts

• Welcome NPC’s 2023 officers and grower leaders

• Meet with members of Congress representing potato-growing states and districts

• ...and unite as an industry in Standing Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill!

PRECISION AG ESSENTIALS BUYERS' GUIDE

Lockwood Manufacturing

www.lockwoodmfg.com

774 Harvester

New for 2023 is a 10-inch color touchscreen and joystick cab control system for Lockwood’s recently released 774 Harvester. Featuring a high-resolution picture (1280 x 800), it is completely customizable to fit growers’ needs. Growers will be more efficient operators with the ability to have what they need in front of them on the screen with adjustments that can be made on the screen and joystick. Complete with backlighting for easy viewing during the day, it is also dimmable for easy viewing at night. This new platform will provide further growth and development for all of Lockwood’s cab control systems.

Micro-Trak www.micro-trak.com

SprayMate Plus

SprayMate Plus rate control console is a plug-andplay replacement for out-of-date and discontinued rate controllers of most major brands. Customizable options and advanced features let users manage inputs with absolute peace of mind. Micro-Trak has adapter cables available to connect SprayMate Plus to existing systems, no matter the brand. Micro-Trak stands behind its products with a three-year limited warranty and is committed to providing repair service for consoles past the warranty period.

Restrain

www.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 increases the stem numbers, yield and profit. The product has recently gained an organic label in Canada and is working on an organic label in the U.S.

Symach

www.symach.nl/en

Palletizing Equipment

Symach has a long history of palletizing potatoes and innovating to provide customized modular designs to guarantee a high stacking rate with maximum flexibility. From 50-pound bulk and paper master bags to complex Octabins, Symach handles all customers’ palletizing needs.

The company also offers options to stabilize the pallet at the end of the line, including wrapping and double stacking, and palletizing within the margins of the pallet to ensure ease of loading during the shipping process.

PRECISION AG ESSENTIALS BUYERS' GUIDE

Trimble

www.positioningservices.trimble.com

Trimble CenterPoint RTX

The Trimble NAV-900 guidance controller is an advanced GNSS receiver. Paired with Trimble CenterPoint RTX correction service, now powered by ProPoint technology, farmers experience real-time, inch-level accuracy via satellite that greatly reduces pass-to-pass overlap, creating significant input savings. With 10 years of satellitedelivered correction services, Trimble recently updated CenterPoint RTX to deliver the accuracy of RTK in less time than ever before. Convergence time has been reduced by 75 percent from nearly 20 minutes to just under five in most regions around the world – and without the need for base stations or radios, giving farmers the best of both worlds.

Verbruggen Palletizing Solutions

www.verbruggen-palletizing.com

Palletizers

Potato packers throughout the United States continue to rely on Verbruggen’s automated palletizers to efficiently handle their demanding stacking processes. The palletizers are proven and trusted throughout the industry for their ability to handle difficult to stack potato bags, cartons and RPCs with high-speed efficiency and superior stacking results.

Verbruggen utilizes the latest in technological innovations and design with over 30 years of dedication and commitment to staying on top of potato stacking solutions. Verbruggen’s equipment is produced in the Netherlands and is designed to fit each customer’s needs and application, including custom configurations, function, capacities, dual-purpose stacking capabilities and product accumulation for high SKU count situations. Verbruggen palletizing systems include exclusive control software, along with design, installation, commissioning, parts and service support provided from a robust team located in Washington state. The company also has a streamlined design and quotation process.

Photo A shows a leaf with phytotoxicity that resulted from a foliar fungicide application. Two fungicides were mixed with an adjuvant. After this experience, each fungicide was tested alone with the adjuvant. The single fungicide/ adjuvant combination did not cause any problem. Only the three-way mixture resulted in the leaf spotting observed here. The top portion of the leaf was partially shaded by another leaf during the application, explaining why the leaf spot symptoms are more severe on the bottom of the leaf. The effect occurred late in the season and did not appear to affect tuber yield.

Photo B shows a leaf where the veins have become discolored. A product was applied alone by ground application (25 gallons/acre) to soften compacted soil. The symptom was ephemeral, and the plants appeared to grow out of the damage. Comparison of plants that were not damaged to those that were did not show a yield or quality effect.

The plants in Photo C are also showing phytotoxicity. In this case, the multiple fertilizers were applied by fertigation using a relatively high water volume. However, the mixer was trying to use up some leftover products and did not make an attempt to measure the proper ratio. It is not known if the damage resulted from the nature of the mixture of fertilizers or if it resulted from excessive rates of one or more products in the mix. The effect on the crop was not determined in this case.

Even though Photo D looks similar to Photo C, the cause of these leaf spots is not phytotoxicity from a foliar application. The leaf spots in this photo are caused by Alternaria alternata. This pathogen can cause leaf spots that look like phytotoxicity. However, lesions can also look similar to early blight lesions, caused by Alternaria solani. The disease typified by the smaller lesions in this photo is called brown spot and can be caused by multiple species of Alternaria. These species all form spores smaller than A. solani and are sometimes called “small-spores Alternarias” or SSAs. Early blight and brown spot can cause early leaf death and reduce yield. Both early blight and brown spot can be effectively controlled by the same fungicide programs.

PILERS

CROP CARTS

2009 Spudnik 8080 Pull type cup, 8 row, 36” rear steer, 2008 Spudnik 8080 Pull type cup, 8 row, 36” 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

2003 Kverneland 3300 cup 6 row 34” pull hitch

PLANTER FILLER PILERS

2005 Double L 815 30” x 25’, 18’ swing, 3ph, Hyd.

New Logan Fill Pro Planter Telescopic 30” 36”

Milestone

TREATERS

2008

New Logan Stac Pro Pilers 36” 42” 48” 2000 Wemco 36” x 49’ hydraulic variable speed, 3phase 1997 Double L 813 31” x 49’ single phase all belt w/ finger table 1994 Spudnik 550 36” x 48’ belt chain Elev., chevron Boom bet 3phase, remote 1988 Double L 813 31” x 49’ 1ph belted chain 1984 Double L 813 31” x 49’ 220 Volt 1ph

SCOOPERS

New Logan Scoop Pro Hog 30” 36” 1990 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 1993 Double L 837 24” 3ph

TRAILERS 1992 Trinity 3 axle 48’ BEDS New Logan LP 20,22, 24, 26, 28, 30’ 1999 Double L 902 bed 22’ 1998 Spudnik 24’ PTO 1995 Spudnik 20’ Electric 1992 Spudnik 20’ Electric

1990 Spudnik 20’ Electric 1986 Spudik 20’ electric 1985 Logan 20B Electric 20’

CROSSOVERS/WINDROWERS

2018 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 2008 Spudnik 6200 2 row multi sep 2003 Grimme SE 75-30

2004 Double L 859 2 row 69” 2001 Spudnik 5625 2row 69”

2020 Allan AEC 35T, Scott Table

2018 Spudnik 4835

2017 Spudnik 4835

WATER DAMMERS

New Logan Yield Pro 4, 6, 8 row 2004 Spudnik 9060 cultivator, bed shaper, props 1991 Age Engineering 6 row 36” Hyd reset 1985 Ag Engineering 4 row 36”

STINGERS

New Logan Trac Pro Stingers Telescopic 30” 36” 42” 2015 DL 832 36” BC fingers 2014 Logan Trac Pro 30” belt 2012 Spudnik 2200 36” belt x 2

CONVEYORS TELESCOPIC

New Logan Trac Pro Telescopic 65’ 85’ 100’ 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

ICL Introduces New Hire

ICL welcomes Dan Tollefson as its newest business development manager for North America. Tollefson brings a background in product management and sales, as well as experience farming corn and soybeans in western Minnesota.

ICL Group offers a broad portfolio of crop nutrition solutions including controlled-release fertilizers designed to play a key role in improving yield, reducing nutrient losses and simplifying fertilizer application. For more information, contact Tollefson at dan.tollefson@icl-group.com or (612) 270-2024.

Studies Vouch for Potato Nutrition

Researchers at Boston University studied the impact of potato consumption on cardiometabolic disease risk, looking at three key cardiometabolic outcomes: hypertension, type 2 diabetes or impaired fasting glucose, and elevated triglycerides. Overall, higher potato intake was not associated with increased risk of any of the three outcomes examined. Furthermore, when combined with higher levels of physical activity, greater consumption of fried potatoes was associated with a 24 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes or impaired fasting glucose, and in combination with lower red meat consumption, higher fried potato intake was associated with a 26 percent lower risk of elevated triglycerides. The study is published in the Journal of Nutritional Science.

In a separate study recently published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods, researchers compared a diet that included potatoes to a diet that included beans and peas and found them to be equal in terms of health benefits. In previous nutrition studies, potatoes have been considered a “low quality carbohydrate” and beans considered a “high quality carbohydrate.” Specifically, this recent study demonstrated that contrary to common belief, potatoes do not negatively impact blood glucose levels. In addition, the individuals who participated in the study lost weight.

NPC Rebrands

In only the third time in its 74-year history, the National Potato Council (NPC) has released a new logo to better reflect its public policy focus and roots in Washington D.C. The former shield logo is replaced with a modern graphic depiction of the Capitol Building emerging from green potato fields.

“Our goal was to refresh our brand to better reflect who we represent and what we do: stand up for potatoes on Capitol Hill,” said Kam Quarles, NPC chief executive officer. “The new logo will also clearly differentiate the National Potato Council from other industry organizations and better align us with national agriculture peers making an impact in D.C.”

INSECTS ANSWERS

Photo A is a ground beetle, a.k.a. carabid, and is a beneficial generalist predator.

Photo B is a big-eyed bug, a.k.a. Geocoris, and is a beneficial generalist predator.

Photo C is another species of ground beetle, also a beneficial generalist predator.

Photo D is a rove beetle, a.k.a. staphylinid, a beneficial generalist predator.

The new logo is featured on the NPC website, social media and other materials. Always read and follow label instructions. Novasource® and Sectagon®

The Wait is Over: Foodservice Sales Near Pre-Pandemic Levels

By Kim Breshears, Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USA

Foodservice

is back! In fact, total sales in the foodservice sector have nearly rebounded to prepandemic levels and are expected to grow 5.5 percent in 2023. There is no denying that some of this growth is due to higher menu prices and inflation, but it’s also driven by consumer demand.

Through it all, potatoes maintained a place of prominence on menus across the U.S. According to Datassential, potatoes are one of the most consistently menued items, showing up on 83 percent of menus nationwide, while the incidences have increased by 5 percent. Incidences is just a fancy word for the number of dishes on a menu that contain potatoes. This is impressive! Despite the turmoil restaurants have experienced during the pandemic, potatoes have grown in importance. It’s just one more indicator of how much the humble spud is beloved.

Potatoes are especially common at American, barbeque and burger restaurants, where over 95 percent of restaurants use

potatoes in one or more menu items, according to Datassential. They are typically used as a side dish or an accompaniment to a protein, although this is changing. The plant-based movement has catapulted potatoes into being a main component in dishes like tacos and curry.

Most potato dishes are loved by older generations, especially classic potato dishes like roasted potatoes and potato pancakes. Younger generations gravitate to delicious fry dishes like loaded fries and cheese fries. Speaking of fries, this category has seen explosive growth, particularly fries that showcase ingredients and flavors from different cuisines. Thicker-cut fries that can hold multiple ingredients, like wedge fries, waffle fries and curly fries, have also grown significantly on menus.

Potatoes are becoming more common outside of American cuisine restaurants in the United States. Korean, Chinese, Thai and African cuisines have the fastest growing potato appearances on their menus, while many of the fastest growing ingredients are being paired with potatoes, like peanuts and ginger, which are common in these cuisines.

Another study by Technomics, Inc. confirms the importance and growth of potato sales in the foodservice sector. Data from July 2021 through June 2022 shows that the volume of potatoes sold to foodservice increased by 12 percent, and the value of those potato sales increased by 26 percent. Value in this example refers to the amount foodservice operators paid suppliers for the product. Interestingly, refrigerated, dehydrated and fresh potatoes showed the strongest growth of 25 percent, 19 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Frozen potato sales grew at the slowest rate of 9 percent, yet it was the potato format that was less impacted by the pandemic. It is currently the product closest to pre-pandemic volumes compared to all other product categories. It’s worth noting breakfast potatoes are exhibiting a strong comeback.

POTATOEH

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

We at Potatoes USA expect foodservice to continue to thrive despite ongoing labor, inflation and supply chain challenges. Yet, we continue to expect foodservice operators to focus on smaller, more manageable menus and fewer complex dishes that require a lot of highly skilled labor. The versatility of ingredients is key, working across the menu in many dayparts and menu items. This all bodes well for the potato industry, as we have a variety of formats that work across the menu at various price points. And foodservice operators know one thing: Americans love potatoes, and what sells gets on, and stays on, their menus.

How Many Potatoes Will Growers

Growers

have several things to consider when making planting decisions on 2023 potato acreage. Some of the factors include contract volumes, current and projected prices, production costs, prices for alternative crops, crop rotation and irrigation water supplies. Growers also might want to consider past scenarios. Since 1949, U.S. potato production has only dropped two years in a row four times. However, U.S. production has fallen during each of the past four years (2019-2022). Past years with similar production patterns may provide some insight into 2023 planting decisions. In this article, we review the current situation and past scenarios following two consecutive years of declining production.

The Current Situation

U.S. potato production has fallen by 6.5 percent since 2019. The four-year slide has been gradual, though the overall decline is substantial. The reasons for the downturn vary from year to year. Production has declined even though acreage increased slightly for the 2019 and 2021 crops.

2019: U.S. growers planted 3,500 more acres to potatoes during 2019. However, the average yield fell by 1.3 cwt per acre. That resulted in a 424.4 million cwt potato crop, down 1.7 percent from 2018 production. The Idaho Grower Returns Index (GRI) averaged $9.73 per cwt for the 2019-20 marketing year, up 42.3 percent from a year earlier.

2020: Yields rebounded for the 2020 crop to a record 460.7 cwt per acre. Strong yields were not enough to make up the acreage reduction. Growers planted 44,800 fewer acres to potatoes during 2020. The 2020 crop totaled 420 million cwt, a 1 percent decline relative to year-earlier production. The Idaho russet GRI averaged $6.51 per cwt, down 33.1 percent during the 2020-21 marketing year.

2021: Adverse growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest pulled down the U.S. average yield to 443.7 cwt per acre. Though growers planted 14,500 more acres to potatoes, it was the second smallest planted area since 2010. The 2021 crop fell 2.4 percent short of 2020 production to 409.8 million cwt. The Idaho GRI averaged $11.61 per cwt for the 2021-22 marketing year.

2022: Despite strong prices, U.S. growers planted 21,000 fewer acres to potatoes during 2022. Most of the reduction came in Idaho. Rising production costs, strong alternative crop prices and water supply limitations were the major factors in the decline. Cold spring weather and record-breaking temperatures during the growing season held back yields in Idaho and the Columbia Basin. The U.S. yield fell to 438 cwt per acre, which is 28 cwt below trend. The 2022 potato crop came in at 396.9 million cwt (according to USDA’s November estimate), down 3.2 percent from a year earlier. It was the smallest U.S. potato crop since 2010. The short supply situation caused prices to surge. As of press time, the marketing year average GRI for Idaho russets is $20.81 per cwt, 79.2 percent above the previous year average.

1981: Growers Increased Planted Area by 8.6 Percent

U.S. production fell 7.5 percent during 1979 and then dropped 9.9 percent during 1980. Growers reduced their planted area by 95,400 acres and 97,900 acres during 1979 and 1980, respectively. The 1980 crop totaled 262.7 million

cwt. At the time, that was the smallest crop since 1973. The Idaho marketing year average GRI climbed to $7.87 per cwt, from $3.13 a year earlier, a 151.4 percent increase. Extremely strong prices encouraged U.S. growers to plant 82,300 more acres during 1981 than they planted in 1980, an 8.6 percent increase. Production climbed by 12.4 percent for the 1981 crop and the Idaho GRI dropped to $5.79 per cwt, a 26.4 percent decline.

1973: Growers Increased Planted Area by 4.8 Percent

U.S. potato production fell a combined 6.5 percent during 1971 and 1972. Acreage reductions were responsible for the decline in production. Growers reduced their planted area by 13,200 acres in 1971 and by 121,300 acres in 1972. We do not have comparable price data going back to 1972; however, growers planted 49,100 more acres to potatoes during 1973, 4.8 percent more than the previous year.

1969: Growers Increased Planted Area by 3.9 Percent

The only other period with two consecutive years of declining production came during 1967 and 1968. The downturn was not as large then. Production fell 1.9 percent for the 1967 crop and 2.7 percent for the 1968 crop. Growers planted 8,900 more acres during 1967, but they trimmed their potato acreage by 60,400 acres during 1968. In 1969, they planted 43,000 more acres to potatoes than they did the previous year, a 3.9 percent increase.

Conclusion

Since 1949, U.S. potato production has only fallen for two consecutive years four times. In each of the three years (1980, 1973, 1969) following previous production downturns, growers responded by planting 3.9 percent to 8.6 percent more ground to potatoes.

Sometimes when markets adjust to extreme supply and demand situations, we convince ourselves that there has

Growers Plant in 2023?

been a “paradigm shift.” We often believe that in the future, the market will react differently than it has in the past. That could be true. However, if U.S. potato growers respond to the current market situation like they have in the past, they may expand acreage for the 2023 crop by 36,000 to 78,000 acres. If the U.S. yield returns to trend (470 cwt per acre), which is statistically most likely to occur, that could boost production by 48.5 to 68.6 million cwt, or 12.2 percent-17.3 percent. A 12.2 percent increase in production would be the largest yearover-year increase since 1996, while a 17.3 percent increase would be the largest jump since 1965. Both scenarios would put substantial downward pressure on prices.

While the current situation is similar to past production downturns, it is unique in some ways. It is the only time in modern history that U.S. potato production has declined for four consecutive years. Both acreage and yield reductions have been factors in the downturn. Though U.S. growers planted more ground to potatoes during 2019 and 2021, the expansion was not sufficient to offset yield reductions in key growing areas. Production has fallen short of industry needs in several key growing areas. Potato prices, so far this year, have been much stronger than they have been in the past. They could encourage growers to plant more ground to potatoes in 2023. Planting decisions for the upcoming crop year could be the most complex in generations.

By Ben Eborn, Publisher, North American Potato Market News

• U.S. potato production has only declined for two consecutive years four times in the past 73 years.

• The four-year downturn in U.S. potato production has caused prices to surge to record levels.

• In the past, growers have responded to production downturns and strong prices by expanding potato acreage.

• If growers increase potato acreage like they have in previous years and yields return to trend levels, the 2023 potato crop could be the largest produced since 2000.

Editor’s note: To contact Ben Eborn, or to subscribe to North American Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call: P.O. Box 176, Paris, ID 83261; (208) 525-8397; or email napmn@napmn.com.

Is This the

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

Nearly every year since I have been with Potato Growers of Washington, a handful of growers have asked me if this is the year to have some open potatoes. My usual response is to remind them that highpriced open potatoes only exist when supplies are very tight, which normally means very few, if any, growers receive those high prices. Conversely, when open prices are very low, it means there is a surplus of potatoes, and growers with contract overages as well as open potatoes are getting a very low price, and many growers are receiving a lower than contract price for their extra potatoes.

Additionally, I point out how expensive it is to grow potatoes and ask whether it is a good bet to risk that much money per acre when there are so many other crops that will potentially return as much, or more, money per acre for less input than potatoes will.

So, while it has almost always been a bad bet in my mind to raise open potatoes, this might be the year to rethink having at least a portion of your acres open.

I have heard more times than I can begin to count that seed will never be a limiting factor in the number of potato acres planted. Due to lower yields in the major seed producing regions, reduced plantings of some major varieties and some seed acres not meeting certification requirements, this could be the first year that seed might play a factor in the overall acres and will for sure be a factor in the varietal mix.

Seed, however, will not be enough of a factor on its own to justify open acres, but when coupled with the amazingly empty and tight finished product supply chain, demand for potatoes this year will be at an all-time high. Factor in competition for land limiting the available acres for planting potatoes, along with the extreme cost to grow potatoes keeping many growers out of the open game, and this option looks entirely different this year.

Now, I am not advocating open acres as it is always safest and in the best interest of the overall industry to have as many acres as possible under contract. But growers must also take opportunities when they exist. The contract price this year looks to be very good, provided growers have an average crop. However, after coming off two of the lowest yielding crops we have seen in the past three decades, not everyone is overly optimistic that we will go right back to trend-line yields. Also, some growers are looking to make up for some of the reduced profitability they experienced these past two crop years due to lower yields. With that in mind, I cannot argue with those who are considering only contracting a portion of their acres this year as they do not see where the additional land, seed and infrastructure exists for others to make up for their shortfall on contracts.

planting the same number of acres, but only contracting a portion of them, growers are not creating a surplus nor are they

being reckless in regard to the industry. However, they may be creating a situation that will lead to more competition for their potatoes going forward as well as changing the overall dynamics to remind some in our industry that without potatoes, the frozen potato products segment of the industry does not exist.

The other factor to remember is that the seed situation will be the same for all growing regions of western North America, where the vast majority of the processing capacity resides. Further, there is real concern again this year about water availability for the full-season crop in Idaho. This past year, water concerns were a major factor in the state’s 25,000-acre reduction in planted acres, which has helped create high demand and the current record-high open potato prices. At this time, there is nothing to indicate that the water supply will be better in 2023 to allow growers to greatly increase their potato plantings beyond what will be needed for their existing markets.

Again, I am not advocating anyone grow open potatoes. However, if you were to ever consider having a portion of your acres not under contract, there has never been a better time than this coming crop year.