OPerAtiOns MAnAGer, AdvertisinG Brian Feist brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
PUBLisher, AdvertisinG dave Alexander dave@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
inseCt identiFiCAtiOn Andy Jensen www.nwpotatoresearch.com
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
Potato Country is interested in newsworthy material related to potato production and marketing. Contributions from all segments of the industry are welcome. Submit news releases, new product submissions, stories and photos via email to: editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com.
AdvertisinG sALes
For information about advertising rates, mechanics, deadlines, etc., call (208) 520-6461 or email dave@PotatoCountry.com.
sUBsCriPtiOns
U.S. $24 per year / Canada $40 per year / Foreign $80 per year Subscriptions can be entered online at: potatocountry.com/subscribe or call (503) 724-3581.
Email address changes/corrections to: brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com or send to Potato Country, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444. Potato Country magazine (ISSN 0886-4780), is published eight times per year and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices. It is produced by: Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2024. 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.
One Lap Around. Four Pests Go Down.
n Colorado potato beetle
n Potato psyllid
n Worms (loopers, armyworms)
n Thrips
Insecticide applications may target a single pest, but other pests likely reside in your fields. With Delegate® WG insecticide with Jemvelva™ active, you can control multiple pests at once, including Colorado potato beetle, potato psyllid, worms (loopers, armyworms) and thrips.
As a member of the spinosyn class of chemistry (IRAC Group 5), Delegate WG controls pests like no other class of chemistry used in potatoes. Yet, Delegate has low impact on populations of key beneficial insects and will not lead to secondary pest outbreaks.
sustainable success
Story and
Denise Keller, Editor
With 9,600 acres planted in potatoes, there are a lot of moving parts at Castle Rock Farming in Boardman, Oregon. Although its size sets the farm apart from average, Castle Rock’s director of zone operations, Jon Springstead, says the farm’s trials and triumphs are much like that of many smaller farms.
“I think at the end of the day, it’s all similar. It’s just we’re at a bigger production rate than a small farm,” Springstead says. “And yes, it’s a corporation, but we have a family farm feel.”
Castle Rock Farming operates under the umbrella of Threemile Canyon Farms, an entity consisting of Castle Rock and two dairy farms. In all, the farm spans 93,000 acres or 145 square miles. Of that, 40,000 acres are irrigated farmland. Potatoes are grown for the processing market and include Hamlin Russet, Ivory Russet, Alturas, Ranger Russet, Umatilla Russet and Clearwater Russet. The farm also grows its own seed potatoes in La Grande, Oregon.
In addition to spuds, Castle Rock Farming grows corn, silage corn, wheat and alfalfa, much of which is grown to supply feed to the dairies at Threemile Canyon Farms. Another 15,000 acres are planted in organic blueberries, carrots, squash, sweet peas, alfalfa, dry corn and onions.
scaling solutions
As is the case for many farms, labor issues rank high on the list of challenges facing Castle Rock Farming, Springstead says. With a team of more than 300 at Threemile Canyon Farms, it can be difficult to recruit and retain enough skilled and reliable employees. For the last six or seven years, the farm has been utilizing the H-2A program and currently hosts about 90 workers from February or March through the beginning of November. The guest workers have become a critical part of the workforce. With agricultural employers no longer exempt from paying overtime wages in Oregon, the farm is also trying to find ways to maintain operations while
Jon Springstead checks plants and soil conditions in a field of Hamlin Russets in late May.
photos by
keeping labor costs under control.
In the field, the farm tries to further maximize efficiency with tools such as neutron probes and real-time moisture sensors and is currently testing almost a dozen autonomous pivots that read soil moisture levels as they pass over quadrants of the field. However, a larger farm doesn’t necessarily set the stage for the use of bigger, better technology, according to Springstead. For example, the farm doesn’t use drones and instead continues to have infrared photos taken from a plane each week to scout for problems in the field.
“I think a lot of smaller farms probably use some of this technology better than we would because it can be so difficult to scale. How many drones would we have to have? How many battery packs would we need? How many people would have to get trained on how to use it? At the end of the day, I stand on top of my truck with a pair of binoculars and I look at the pivot,” Springstead says, adding that while technological advancements are great tools to have, they can’t replace time in the field.
Farming sustainably
For Threemile Canyon Farms, naturebased farming solutions can be just as effective and important as the latest advances in high-tech equipment. The farm is committed to using sustainable techniques to manage pests and improve soil health. Fields are scouted daily for pests to ensure crop protectants are applied only as needed. Soil and plant tissue samples are taken weekly to optimize crop nutrition management. And manure from the dairies is used in some crop fields, reducing the use of fossil fuel-based fertilizer.
“When we are growing crops out here, we are stewards of this land. We have this and we need to maintain it and make it better, whether it’s the water we apply, how we do groundwork or ensuring our soils hold in the wind,” Springstead says.
Located in the southern Columbia Basin, wind is a common occurrence during much of the year. With winds typically blowing out of the southwest at 244 degrees, Castle Rock Farming plants potato rows at 240 degrees, allowing wind to tunnel down the rows instead
of across them as would be the case if planted in the more standard north-south orientation. To further help prevent wind erosion, the farm plants cover crops such as triticale in the fall and will also spread straw in or around the perimeter of fields as needed. Mustard is grown as a green manure cover crop on organic fields before planting potatoes, onions and carrots to reduce weeds, control disease and boost soil fertility.
Threemile Canyon Farms also maintains a 23,000-acre conservation area, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy, accounting for almost 25 percent of the farm’s land.
Learning to Farm
Established in 1999, Threemile Canyon Farms is marking its 25th year. Springstead joined the team in 2005, bringing a background in telecommunications to work as a radio technician on the farm’s irrigation system. A year later, he was deployed to Afghanistan. When he returned in 2007, he was offered a position managing one of the farm’s zones. After
As director of zone operations at Castle Rock Farming, Jon Springstead oversees 28,000 acres of crop production.
10 years, Springstead, a first-generation farmer, was promoted to his current position, overseeing five zones on the farm, totaling 28,000 acres. He works closely with each zone’s managers and supervisors throughout the season from groundwork to planting to harvest.
“I just enjoy everything about being outdoors and watching something grow that you put in the ground,” Springstead says. “Not being in potatoes that long, it still amazes me that we take this 2.1-ounce piece of seed, put it in the ground, and it stays in there forever. Then once it breaks through the top of the hill, it just becomes vigorous. It amazes me the growth that happens each week on how long their vine can get, how big the tubers are. From hook, swell, set, how big they’re getting every week is amazing.”
Becoming a Leader
Earlier this year, Springstead gained an even deeper appreciation for the potato industry by attending the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation’s (Potato LEAF) annual Leadership Institute. This year’s participants kicked off the eight-day program with tours of potato production areas and processing facilities in Idaho before heading to Washington D.C. There, they received training in leadership and communication before meeting with members of Congress to discuss issues and policies impacting the U.S. potato industry. Springstead was able to speak about labor challenges and joined members of the National Potato Council in lobbying for an H-2A guest worker wage freeze.
“One of the biggest benefits of the program was opening my eyes and seeing that it’s not just about what we’re doing on this farm growing potatoes for somebody. There are so many different factors that play into everything with the potato industry itself and so many things affect that industry that a lot of people don’t know about,” Springstead says. “It was very informative. It helped me to be a better manager, and it opened my eyes to how the legislative process works and how long it takes.”
Springstead will put his new knowledge and skills to use as a member of the Potatoes USA board of directors. He will be sworn in for a three-year term at the summer meeting and plans to serve on the nutrition and health committee.
Jon Springstead climbs the ladder of a John Deere 9620RX quad track tractor.
Hamlin Russet – pictured here in late May – is among the varieties Castle Rock Farming grows for the processing market.
BAGGinG & PACKinG
BUyers' GUide
Chinook equipment, inc.
chinookequipment.com
edp Potato Bagger
The newest potato bagger from edp, model EB-2218-DF, is the most accurate and highest capacity bagger built by edp Australia. This machine will accommodate most any open-mouth bag on the standard 9-inch bag holder. Most customers in the U.S. use this machine for a range of bags from 20 pounds to 50 pounds.
Also available is the ability to fill cartons or crates with the optional carton-filling attachments. Speed control of both feed belts, pneumatic bag clamps, batch counters and monitoring of weight averages are among the standard features on the EB-2218-DF.
ellips
ellips.com/potatoes
Grading Technology
Grading technology from Ellips can help users increase capacity and address challenges related to labor issues and inconsistent product quality. With Ellips potato grading technology, users have the ability to optimize operational performance while better addressing customer needs.
The latest release of Ellips’ TrueAI solution offers powerful defect detection to improve returns and quality standards and reduce labor needs. Dozens of potato growers use the company’s grader to achieve these objectives.
Kerian Machines
kerian.com
Speed Sizer
The Kerian Speed Sizer sorts potatoes by size quickly, accurately and gently. The constantly rotating rollers help the turning flaps align the potatoes with the rollers so that both round and long potatoes are consistently sorted by size. The Kerian Speed Sizer is proven in use for reds, russets, round whites and many other types of potatoes.
Lockwood Manufacturing
lockwoodmfg.com
GD-7 Sizer
Lockwood’s GD-7 Sizer allows growers to control the size up to three ranges at a time with near 100 percent accuracy. The VFD controls the speed and production flow needed. The unit includes fingertip controls for ease of operation with minimal greasing points and moving parts for less maintenance. Adjustable legs allow equipment to be stable on uneven ground. The GD-7 includes an 84-inch-wide sizing table, and varieties are sized by diameter, not length. It is easily adjustable. The moving roller design reduces bruising and skimming to help provide the best product possible.
Milestone milestone-equipment.com
Inline Sizer, AccuSizer
Milestone’s inline sizers and AccuSizers offer gentle and accurate sizing in a compact package. Standard inline sizers are available in numerous configurations and can incorporate the company’s proprietary quick adjust and sizing star for increased sizing accuracy. The AccuSizer has been many growers’ go-to for washed or peeled potatoes for over 30 years. The tried-and-true design, along with robust construction, has earned the AccuSizer a reputation of precise and low-maintenance operation.
BAGGinG & PACKinG essentiALs BUyers' GUide
rietveld equipment, LLC
rietveldequipment.com
Upmann Packing Machines
As the U.S. distributor for Upmann packaging machines, Rietveld Equipment is able to bring the planning, design, construction and final assembly of one of the leading manufacturers of weighing and packaging technology in Europe to the U.S.
Upmann offers fully automatic filling and sealing machines for net bags, trays, boxes and poly bags. Upmann’s product line offers everything from clippers and baggers to carton-fillers and robotic arms. Using one company to supply the entire packaging line, as well as the design of the line, assures that all aspects of the packing line work together seamlessly.
symach
symach.nl/en
Palletizing Equipment
Symach has a long history of palletizing potatoes and innovating to provide customized modular designs, guaranteeing a high stacking rate with maximum flexibility. From 50-pound bulk and paper master bags, to gentle handling for complex display bins and Octabins, crates and counts, Symach has solutions to handle all customers’ palletizing needs.
Symach 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.
volm Companies
volmcompanies.com
Case Packers
Volmpack offers a complete range of case packers that efficiently pack various products, from clamshells to 30-pound bags, into trays, RPCs and boxes. These highspeed, fully automated systems are ideal for packing potatoes, significantly reducing labor costs, and preparing products for market shelves.
diseAse identiFiCAtiOn QUiZ
Managing Potato early die
By Luisa M. Parrado and Marisol Quintanilla, Michigan State University
Ongoing research in Michigan is looking at the potential of manurebased soil amendments to control nematodes and ultimately help manage potato early die.
The Michigan potato industry contributes $1.24 billion to the state’s economy. However, profitability is often affected by diseases that reduce potato yields, so greatly that the Michigan Potato Industry Commission determined that one of its priorities is “integrated management of soil, seed and foliar borne diseases to reduce vine and tuber rotting in potatoes” – in particular, late blight and potato early die.
Fresh potato varieties grown in Michigan include Russet Norkotah. This variety has high yield potential because it produces a high percentage of U.S. no. 1 tubers. However, it is susceptible to a variety of diseases including Verticillium wilt. Verticillium dahliae can synergistically interact with the rootlesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans and cause a disease known as the
potato early die (PED) disease complex. This disease causes damage to the root system and reduces leaf area and therefore the plant’s photosynthesis rate, greatly impacting crop productivity and causing yield losses between 30 percent and 50 percent (Fig. 1). In general, symptoms related to PED are stunted growth, uneven chlorosis, damage to the root system, premature senescence and reduced yield.
Soil fumigation with compounds like metam sodium is the industry standard for PED because it is effective against both pathogens. However, soil fumigation is highly regulated and expensive, and it requires specific conditions to be effective. After fumigation, soil sampling is encouraged to determine if additional control measures are needed to lower nematode populations below threshold levels. These additional control measures can be the use of non-fumigant nematicides such as oxamyl.
For the Michigan potato industry, PED management remains a priority.
A C D B
In a 2022 survey of 21 Michigan potato growers, 86 percent stated that PED remains a problem in their fields. This highlights the significance of PED and the importance of new management alternatives.
Organic Amendments
Over the years, the addition of organic amendments (e.g., compost) has been used to aid the promotion of soil quality parameters such as porosity, aggregate stability, water retention and microbial diversity, as well as improved nutrient availability through the addition of organic matter. In 2020, Emilie Cole, a former master’s student at the Michigan State University Applied Nematology Laboratory led by Marisol Quintanilla, determined that some manure-based amendments are effective at reducing P. penetrans populations and increasing yields. Since then, Luisa Parrado, a current Ph.D. candidate in Quintanilla’s laboratory, has conducted multiple field trials to screen different manure-based amendments and combined applications of manure-based amendments and biological control agents for their capability to reduce P. penetrans populations.
The main findings have allowed the researchers to conclude that poultry manure is significantly effective at reducing and maintaining P. penetrans populations low in soil and potato roots. In addition, a compost blend made of poultry and cattle manure amended with wood ash can increase potato yields, providing more yield than the grower standard in Michigan.
Most recently, greenhouse trials were conducted to determine the effect of manure-based amendments on the natural potato soil microbiome. The preliminary results have shown that poultry manure and the compost blend addition to the soil increase soil microbial activity and such activity is maintained up until harvest time. Some of the beneficial microbial activity that increased with manure-based amendments applications were those involved in improving plant fitness such as growth hormones, but
Figure 1. Photo A: Root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans extracted from potato roots. Photo B: Colony morphology example of a Michigan Verticillium dahliae isolate recovered from potato plants that showed symptoms of Verticillium wilt. Photo C: Verticil conidiophores characteristic of Verticillium spp. Photo D: Microsclerotia of a Michigan V. dahliae isolate.
also phytohormones that are involved in plant response to pathogen infection. Currently, the researchers are working on conducting more statistical analysis to answer the following questions: is the application of such manurebased amendments stimulating the growth of beneficial native potato soil microorganisms? Are the microorganisms present in the amendments having an antagonistic effect on the native potato soil microorganisms? Are there particular microbial taxa that serve as major predictors of certain beneficial functional traits? If so, is it the dominant microorganisms or rare ones? This will provide fundamental knowledge that will be integrated with future findings from more field, greenhouse and micro-plot trials that they have already started. With these results, the research team will potentially be able to provide a holistic understanding of manure-based amendments’ pesticidal properties, which will lead to targeted design of amendments for nematode control.
THE LATEST GENERATION OF AI SORTING TECHNOLOGY
This latest model boasts a 20% improvement in grading and sorting efficiency, slashing labor costs and waste by eliminating the need for pre-grading and manual inspection.
Current installations can be upgraded with the latest programming.
APotato Country turns 40
s the 2024 Summer Olympics get ready to fire up with opening ceremonies on July 26, we’d like to take a quick trip back to 1984, when the Olympics were held in Los Angeles and Potato Country was first published by Mike Stoker and Brent Clement. The ‘84 Games featured a performance by Michael Jordan that previewed just how special he would become. On its way to a gold medal, the U.S. men’s basketball team went undefeated, led by Jordan averaging a team-high 17.1 points per game.
That fall after the Olympics, Jordan played his first NBA game and would later be known as the greatest player of all time (G.O.A.T.) after winning six championships, five league MVP awards and six NBA Finals MVP awards.
The MVPs of Potato Country, Stoker and Clement, were a lot like Jordan, using natural ability combined with hard work to produce a winner. They may not have quite reached Jordan-level G.O.A.T. status, but their 30+ years publishing Potato Country set the stage for many more years to come, and we will always be indebted to them. They created the archived photos and the history that goes with them that you’ll find below.
If you have an old potato farming photo, email it to editor@columbiamediagroup. com and you just might see it in an upcoming 40th anniversary issue of Potato Country.
RiteYield
The RiteYield system adds convenience and accuracy by automatically collecting data for all the various fields, varieties and test plots.
f Measures yields once per second
f Fits most harvesters
f Optional Tilt Sensor for greater accuracy
f GPS receiver connectivity
f User friendly
1994: Gary Johnson, president of Potato Growers of Washington, listens to a speaker during the Washington Potato Conference.
2001: Pat Kole, a longtime fixture at the Idaho Potato Commission, is now retired.
2000: From left, Pat Boss, Watato and Alan Schreiber enjoy a summer event in Washington.
1994: Greg Richardson works on his farm in Quincy, Wash. He started serving as president of Potato Growers of Washington the next year.
2010: Beverly and Mike Stoker enjoy an ATV ride. Mike co-founded Potato Country in 1984.
2015: Potato Country co-founder Brent Clement and his wife, Ann, attend an event in Boise, Idaho.
1999: Kevin O’Rorke, Lynn Olsen and Dave Elmore serve up spuds at the Washington Potato Conference. 1996: Alan “Bud” Middaugh, executive director of the National Potato Council, speaks to conference attendees.
2014: Blair Richardson, president and CEO of Potatoes USA, speaks at the summer meeting. The marketing organization was known as United States Potato Board at the time.
CALendAr
July 21-25
Potato Association of America
Annual Meeting
Portland, Ore. www.potatoassociation.org
Aug. 5-7
Potatoes UsA summer Meeting
Westin Bayshore
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Caitlin Roberts caitlinr@potatoesusa.com
Aug. 16-17
Greater tater tot Festival
Sandy Downs
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Michelle Covert, (208) 523-1010, ext. 4
Aug. 21
Miller research Potato Pest
Management Field day Miller Research Rupert, Idaho www.millerresearch.com
Aug. 22
Potato iPM Field day
University of Idaho Aberdeen Research and Extension Center extension@uidaho.edu
nov. 13-14
Montana seed Potato seminar
Holiday Inn Missoula, Mont. www.mtseedpotatoseminar.com
nov. 13-14
Pacific northwest vegetable Association Conference and trade show Three Rivers Convention Center Kennewick, Wash.
Sheri Nolan, (509) 585-5460 or www.pnva.org
Editor’s note: To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller at editor@ columbiamediagroup.com. Please send your information 90 days in advance.
2016: Warren Henninger with Ag World Support Systems (left) accepts an honorary life membership in the Potato Association of America. Henninger would later found the Ag World Golf Classic, which has raised close to $1 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Date unknown: Dale Morrison, president and CEO of McCain Foods, speaks at the podium.
inspiring Frozen Potato Product sales with Pre-shop tactics
By Kayla Vogel, Senior Global Marketing Manager, Potatoes USA
It’s official: Potatoes are a plan-ahead meal staple for consumers who buy both fresh and frozen potatoes. Of those who buy frozen, nearly nine out of 10 say they plan to purchase them before shopping, while only 12 percent decide to buy in-store. Frozen shoppers are also likely to buy multiple varieties of frozen potatoes to suit different recipes.
A recent study conducted by NielsenIQ on behalf of Potatoes USA highlights the need for effective pre-store promotional tactics on social media, digital media
and retail channels to attract and retain frozen potato shoppers, although price comes into play at the moment of choice. The most compelling messages for frozen potato shoppers are around taste and convenience, with a healthy dose of nutrition information sprinkled in.
Frozen Potato shopper Profile
Unlike fresh potato shoppers, which span multiple generations, frozen shoppers are mostly millennials (44 percent). These shoppers are primarily women (53 percent) and have children at home (45 percent).
Fries are the most purchased type of
frozen potatoes, followed by mashed and drum potatoes. Most shoppers consume frozen potatoes at dinner and as a side dish, mainly during evening hours.
Pre-store touchpoints
Because most frozen potato shoppers plan ahead, the best time to influence them is before they go shopping. Frozen shoppers’ most frequent prepurchase touchpoints were a store’s circular or flyer (13 percent), followed by recommendations from friends or family (10 percent), recipes on YouTube (10 percent) and Facebook (9 percent), and TV advertisements (10 percent).
Potatoes USA is developing more recipes that use air fryers in an effort to tap into a surge in popularity of air fryers.
Purchases of frozen potatoes were most often sparked by shoppers wanting to buy them for a meal in the coming week (37 percent), while 31 percent were sparked by running out of the product or having used it in the past and it worked well. Reaching these shoppers with compelling recipe content on social media and digital sites like YouTube covering a variety of frozen potato types can inspire them to include frozen potatoes in their grocery purchase planning.
Opportunity to educate on Frozen Potato types
As with fresh potato shoppers, most frozen potato shoppers (75 percent) believe some types of frozen potatoes are better than others. However, nearly seven in 10 said they aren’t really aware of different frozen potato varieties, and over six in 10 said they buy a different type depending on the meal or recipe they plan to use.
Education helps shoppers better understand the strengths different potato types have for different recipes. Showcasing frozen potato products being used in a variety of cooking methods can help consumers understand what’s possible when they plan their shopping trip.
Frozen Potato Message Frame
For frozen shoppers, messaging around taste is key, along with ease of cooking. These shoppers cook most often using the oven (69 percent) and stovetop (56 percent). However, 47 percent said they typically use an air fryer, gaining preference over microwaves (35 percent). This surge in air fryer popularity means pairing convenience messaging with air fryer recipes may motivate shoppers to buy more frozen potatoes.
There’s also an opportunity to introduce messages around the health and nutritional benefits of potatoes, especially in terms of how they help provide energy and deliver key nutrients.
where shoppers Buy Frozen Potatoes
Just over half of frozen potato shoppers buy their potatoes at grocery stores, while about a third buy them at mass merchandisers and 10 percent buy them online. Regardless of location, shoppers shared similar pre-purchase touchpoints, driven by store circulars and flyers, recipes on Facebook and YouTube, and TV ads.
in-store touchpoints
For frozen shoppers in stores, price comes into play at the moment of choice. In fact, the most frequent in-store touchpoints for consumers are looking up prices at other stores on their phones (28 percent) and in-store promotions (15 percent). Other opportunities to engage consumers in-store include seasonal
greeting cards showing special recipes using potatoes (13 percent), researching specific brands and varieties on their phone (12 percent) and discounts on loyalty or rewards cards (11 percent).
The path-to-purchase study evaluated nearly 5,000 consumers across the U.S. in September and October with an online survey to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of the consumer market as it adapts to shifting dynamics. Potatoes USA will use the insights gained in the study to continue strengthening the demand for potato and potato products across the U.S.
Please contact Potatoes USA at media@potatoesusa.com for more information about the “Consumer Path to Purchasing Potatoes” study.
Potato Growers receive sustainability score of “Medium”
The Potato Sustainability Alliance released its 2023 North American Potato Sustainability Assessment Report summarizing the adoption of beneficial management strategies, practices and technologies. The report is based on 420 participating growers representing 589,120 potato acres across the U.S. and Canada.
Participating potato growers achieved an overall performance score of “medium,” averaged across outcome scores on biodiversity and habitat, community leadership, human and animal health, optimal production, soil health and water impact.
Key findings in soil health outcomes indicate that 75 percent of growers participate in projects that support and measure nutrient management for soil health. Additionally, 49 percent adopted a new practice to reduce tillage and compaction at the field level in the past three years.
In water impact outcomes, 91 percent of growers who irrigate are using a crop
vive Crop Protection secures series C extension
Vive Crop Protection has successfully closed its Series C extension funding round. The investment underscores the growing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions and positions Vive for continued growth and impact in the industry, according to the company.
Vive’s prior funding round accelerated the development and commercialization of its products, leading to unprecedented growth for the company. With this additional
1. Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea
The infection appears to have started at the leaf tip. This is common on lower plant leaves after the canopy has formed. As leaves begin to senesce, they become particularly susceptible to gray mold.
2. Early blight caused by Alternaria solani
There are multiple early blight lesions in the photo. Early blight lesions are angular in nature, with the shape being affected by leaf veins. It is also possible that some lesions that look like this are caused by other Alternaria species such as Alternaria alternate (cause of brown spot).
3. Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans
3
1 2
Late blight lesions may have a light pale green halo around the margin, but that is not always the case. In this example, the lesion did not have the halo. However, the growth of the pathogen was present on the underside of the leaflet.
Other lesions are also visible in the photo. Some of these were not caused by a pathogen, but were caused from environmental or physical causes. The white flecks near the tip of the right leaflet were likely caused by physical damage.
Pilers
1994 Spudnik 550 All Belt 36”
1993 Double L 831 36” x 49’ belted chain 3phase
2004 Milestone 36”x 49’ 3ph All belt
2000 Wemco 36” x 49’ 3ph All belt 3ph
1979 Spudnik 500 Belt Chain 30” 3ph
1978 Spudnik 400 All belt 30” 1ph
1991 Milestone 30” All belt 3ph
scooPers
1982 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph
trucKs
2004 Kenworth W900 M11 Cum 350hp 15 speed Tran. Spudnik 26’ bed
1996 Ford L9000 L10 280 Cumm. Auto Trans, Logan LP22’ Bed
BulK BeDs/BoXes/ self unloaDing
2018 STC SS-bed 20’ Combo PTO/Elec.
1997 Logan 24B Combo PTO/Elec.
1996 Logan 24B Combo PTO/Elec.
1982 Logan 20B Electric 20’
1983 Logan 20B Electric 20’
1990 Spudnik 2100 26’
crossovers/winDrowers
2023 Double L 6540 34” bed 4 row
2014 Double L 6560 36” 6 row
2009 Double L 951 34” bed 4row
1996 Double L 851 36” bed 4 row
2019 Spudnik 6140 32” rows R&L discharge
Harvesters
2023 Double L 7040 Legend 34” bed 4 row
2020 Double L 973 36” bed 4 row
2019 Double L 953 Std Bed 4 row
2018 Double L 7340 36” bed 4 row
2002 Double L 873 36” bed 4 row
2012 Lockwood 474H 4 row
2001 Spudnik 5625 36” bed 2 row
collectors & stingers/PuPs
2012 Logan LTS 30/36/5’ Tel Stinger 230 V 3ph
2007 Double L 833 30” Belt Chain only
2015 Double L 832 36” BC with fingers
2013 Logan STGT 36” Telescopic 230 V 3ph
conveyors telescoPic
1998 Double L 820 30” x 60’
480 Volt 3ph- Field Ready
1998 Double L 820 30” x 60’
480 Volt 3ph- Field Ready
2013 Milestone 42”/48” x 100’
480 Volt 3ph- Field Ready
Spudnik 30”/36” x 60’ Tel. Conv.
230 Volt 3ph
Tri Steel Mfg 30”/36” x 60’ 220 Volt 1ph
1996 STI 30” x 70’ 480 volt 3ph
conveyors straigHt
10- 1998 D L 809 30”x38’ 3ph field ready
Spudnik Model 1205 30” x 40’ 3ph x 5
siZer only
2017 Milestone 48” 480 Volt 3ph
1998 Spudnik 925 72” 230 volt 3ph
1998 Spudnik 925 72” 220 Volt 1ph
Kerian 60” with 2- Distribution Conveyors
Dirt eliminator w/siZer
1997 Double L 807 Dirt Elim. 62” BC 3ph Stingers 72” Sizer
2010 Milestone 60” sizing table only w/acorns quick adjust arms
2011 Lockwood 6 row Air Cup 34” semi mount hyd drive
2013 Spudnik 8069 bed planter 9 units in 6 row pull Type
2008 Spudnik 8080 Pull type cup, 8 row, 36”
2007 Spudnik 8060 hyd. Drive, 34” seeD cutters
2016 Milestone 72”
2002 Better Built 72”
1989 Milestone 48” 220 Volt 1ph treaters
2018 Better Built 12” Liquid/Dry treater
2002 Milestone 36” Barret duster
1994 Better Built CDT10- 8” Cannon Duster
water Dammers/ Power Hiller
2013 Ag Engineering 4 row Dammer diker HYD Reset
tote Bag fillers
2022 Tri Steel Stainless Steel
Single Tote Filler, Food grade belt
2005 Mayo Single Tote filler
wareHouse Kwik Locs
Ag Pack weigher bagger
3-Even flows
9’W x 20’ x 12’ with Tilt belts
Kerian Sizer- 60” with two 60” cross belts 3phase
north American Fryers increase G
The world’s major French fry producers shipped 2.439 billion pounds of French fries and other frozen potato products to customers outside of their local trading zones during the JanuaryMarch quarter. That is 9 million pounds, or 0.4 percent, less than the year-earlier export volume. Seven of the 11 French fry exporting countries that we track posted increases relative to 2023. Only the Netherlands, Poland, Germany and Belgium saw volume reductions during
european external French Fry exports down 4.4 Percent
EU fryers shipped 1.624 billion pounds of French fries and other frozen potato products to external customers during the first quarter. That fell 75.2 million pounds, or 4.4 percent, short of yearearlier sales. The two largest French fry exporters, Belgium and the Netherlands, reduced shipments during the quarter. Belgium’s exports totaled 938.5 million pounds, down 6.2 million pounds, or 0.7
"North American fryers shipped 569.4 million pounds of frozen potato products to offshore markets during the first quarter of 2024."
the quarter. Several smaller exporters such as Canada, China, France, New Zealand and Turkey reported doubledigit percentage increases in first-quarter sales. (Please note that trade data reported exclude trade between the U.S. and Canada, intra-EU trade, and Chinese exports to Hong Kong and Macao). Trade data show volume increases in French fry purchases by six of the top 10 major importers. However, four major importers, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States and Australia, reduced purchases during the quarter. In this article, we review global French fry trade by major exporters during the first quarter of 2024.
percent, from last year. At 528.1 million pounds, exports from the Netherlands dropped by 71.1 million pounds, or 11.9 percent. France’s first-quarter exports climbed by 20.7 million pounds to a record 79.4 million pounds. Germany’s exports fell by 8.1 million pounds to 43.4 million pounds. Poland’s first-quarter sales dropped 10.6 million pounds below 2023 sales to 35.1 million pounds. EU fryers captured 66.6 percent of the global French fry business, down from 69.4 percent a year ago.
north American French Fry sales to Offshore Markets Up 6.8 Percent
North American fryers shipped 569.4 million pounds of frozen potato products to offshore markets during the first quarter of 2024. That is 36.2 million pounds more than the year-earlier export volume, a 6.8 percent increase. Following a 6.73 percent decline in January, February offshore exports exceeded the 2023 pace by 14.1 percent. French fry exports maintained that upward trend during March, climbing 13.9 percent above year-earlier shipments. The increase in Canadian offshore sales accounted for 85.1 percent of the
first-quarter export growth. U.S. fryers exported 456.4 million pounds of frozen potato products during the quarter. That is 5.6 million pounds more than they exported during the same timeframe in 2023, a 1.2 percent increase. Canada exported 113.1 million pounds of French fries and other frozen products to offshore markets during the first quarter. That exceeded year-earlier sales by 30.6 million pounds, or 37.2 percent. North American fryers captured 23.3 percent of the first-quarter global French fry business, up from 21.8 percent during the first quarter of 2023.
exports increase From Argentina, China, new Zealand, turkey
Smaller exporting countries combined to ship 14 percent more frozen product during the first quarter than they exported a year earlier. Argentina exported 98 million pounds of French fries during the first quarter of 2024. That is 2.7 million pounds more than year-earlier sales, a 2.8 percent increase. Argentine fryers captured 4 percent of the global French fry export business during the quarter.
China exported a record 87.4 million pounds of frozen potato products outside of greater China during the first quarter of 2024. That is 10.5 million pounds more than it exported a year earlier, a 13.6 percent increase. China’s share of the global French fry market rose to 3.6 percent from 3 percent in 2023. External exports have grown significantly during the past five years. French fry exports totaled just 3.6 million pounds during the first quarter of 2019.
New Zealand exported 32 million pounds of French fries during the first quarter. That exceeded year-earlier sales by 5.3 million pounds, or 19.7 percent. New Zealand captured 1.3 percent of the global market.
Turkey has become a major French fry exporter during the past six years. The country exported 27.5 million pounds of frozen potato products during the first
lobal Market share
quarter. That is 11.7 million pounds, or 73.9 percent, more than year-earlier sales. Turkey captured 1.1 percent of the first-quarter global French fry business.
north American Fryers Could Continue to expand their Market share
Global French fry exports have grown by an average annual rate of 5.2 percent during the previous 10 years. European exports have been held back by rawproduct supply constraints during the 2023-24 processing season. EU processors are planning to resume export growth when the 2024 crop comes online. Combined acreage in the five major European exporting countries is expected to increase by 2-3 percent for the 2024 crop. European growers have had a challenging planting season. Much of this year’s potato crop was planted later than usual due to heavy rainfall.
On the other hand, most North American processors have access to an adequate supply of raw product from the 2023 crop. Three of the four North American fryers are running plants at capacity and have had to turn away business. Those processors could run out of contracted potatoes earlier than expected. Some open-market potatoes have been purchased recently at relatively low prices.
Though we don’t have official acreage reports as of press time, we expect the North American growers to plant 3-5 percent fewer acres to potatoes this year. Nevertheless, planting and crop development are ahead of schedule in most of the major processing states and provinces. That could support strong yields for the 2024 potato crop. The new-crop potato harvest is expected to get underway in the Columbia Basin during the week of July 15. The situation is complex, but long-term trends suggest that global French fry demand growth will likely continue. That may give North American fryers an opportunity to expand their share of the global French fry market.
By Ben Eborn, Publisher, North American Potato Market News
Key POints
• Global French fry trade during the first quarter of 2024 fell 0.4 percent short of year-earlier sales.
• North American fryers captured 23.3 percent of the first-quarter global French fry business, compared to 21.8 percent a year earlier.
• EU fryers captured 66.6 percent of the global French fry trade during the quarter, down from 69.4 percent a year ago.
• Argentina, China, New Zealand and Turkey increased exports during the first quarter of 2024.
• North American processors may be able to expand their share of the global French fry market during the 202425 processing season.
Keeping a Big-Picture Perspective
By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington
Manytimes in the past, I, along with others, have described the ebbs and flows of the industry as being similar to the ups and downs of a rollercoaster. While that is accurate, the past 18 months have been closer to an extreme thrill ride rather than a traditional rollercoaster.
At the end of harvest in 2022, the industry found itself in the shortest supply situation in the history of potato production in North America. Fresh and open prices for potatoes of any variety went from being very strong, to unprecedented levels that in some cases returned growers more than $800/ton, with many in the $600/ton range. This was not just in any one growing region; it was all over the continent.
When we planted the 2023 crop, these prices were at their peak and both growers and processors wanted to be certain they would not be short on supply once again. However, after what turned out to be a very good crop that returned to trend line yields, we ended up with the longest crop by far in the history of potato production in North America.
The surplus from the 2023 crop was so large that it appears that more than 400,000 tons of potatoes will not find a home in the human food chain. Open and fresh prices have gone from record high to record low in comparison to the cost to grow the crop. Those $600/ton returns to growers a year ago are now closer to $60/ton as we approach summer.
So, one would think that those mixed messages of over/under supply from one crop year to the next would be enough to make growers very cautious about what they plant and how they plan to market their crop. But now we have a new mixed message that seems to be perplexing growers.
One processor is talking about how soft sales are and the need to greatly reduce contracted acres for the 2024 crop year. Meanwhile, the other processors are saying their factories are full, and they are looking for independent processors to co-pack for them so they can keep up with the demand. Can both of these viewpoints be correct? Technically, both viewpoints can be correct; it is all in how you look at it.
The company reducing acres is focusing its business plan on price and its profit margins. For this company, the price has gone up so much over the past two crop years that the demand in the price range it is seeking may very well be soft. Meanwhile, the other processors that
are not as bullish on price are getting the bulk of any new and expanding business that is coming our way.
If you look at the numbers, the pounds of frozen potato products worldwide continue to grow. That growth is happening at a faster rate than new capacity is being built, which will keep supply and demand overall in line with protecting the price of finished product. If all the potatoes from the 2023 crop were processed like has happened in previous big years, the surplus of product would drive the price of finished product down. So, while it has been very strange to be feeding this many potatoes to cattle and dumping large amounts of good potatoes in canyons, it has protected the processors’ finished price, which will benefit all growers in the long run.
The takeaway I hope you get from this column is that we have to focus on the big picture and not get tunnel vision on what is happening with any one processor or even any one region of the world. The frozen potato market is very healthy and strong. As an industry, we are managing through both the short crop of 2022 and the long crop of 2023. It is my belief that the 2024 crop will return our supply and demand back to a balanced level and hopefully the bumpy ride will be over, and we will have smooth sailing into crop year 2025.
