Potato Country November 2020

PotatoCountry.com • November 2020 Western focus. National impact.

Planting Essentials

Paying the Price

For the Advertiser Index click here

All or Nothing at All? Eastern Drought Complicates 2020 Potato Supply Outlook

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Take Aim Against Colorado Potato Beetle Neonicotinoids have been the foundation of insect control in potatoes for decades. But, some pests, including Colorado potato beetle (CPB), are showing signs of resistance to this class of chemistry. Some growers have reported lower levels of residual control from at-plant applications of neonicotinoids leading to an increased need for foliar applications to control second generation CPB. Experts recommend incorporating multiple modes of action into CPB management plans to provide robust control and help preserve the long-term utility of neonicotinoids.

When left untreated or treated with only neonicotinoids, CPB can quickly defoliate an entire potato crop. Growers can take aim against this voracious pest with one swift move: an application of Minecto® Pro insecticide.

“There have been some reports of neonicotinoids not working well in the eastern part of the U.S,” says Kiran Shetty, Ph.D., Syngenta technical development lead for potatoes. “There are also reports of second-

generation beetles not being effectively controlled by neonicotinoids. In that case a product like Minecto Pro, a non-neonicotinoid foliar insecticide, fits really well because you can clean up the second generation that comes up during the course of the season while maintaining a good resistance management strategy.”

Minecto Pro is a strong alternative to neonicotinoids for mid- to late-season insect protection in potatoes. With two modes of action from two active ingredients, cyantraniliprole and abamectin, Minecto Pro controls a wide range of lepidopteran pests, Colorado potato beetle and other insect populations that may overlap or occur simultaneously. Minecto Pro is rainfast once dry and provides a reservoir of active ingredients, delivering extended residual control of sucking and chewing pests for up to three weeks.

To learn more about controlling potato pests like CPB, visit www.syngentaus.com/minectopro.

Colorado Potato Beetle Control (Larvae) % control of larvae (all instars)

100

No. of total larvae in check (per 20 plants):

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20

3 DAA

40.0

7 DAA

49.0

14 DAA

72.0

21 DAA

57.0

10 0

Blackhawk® 3.2 oz/A

Agri-Mek® SC 2.75 oz/A 3DAA

Besiege® 9.0 oz/A 7DAAA

14DAA

Minecto Pro 8.0 oz/A

Variety: Red Norland

21DAA

All treatments included NIS @ 0.1% v/v; Foliar application: one application on June 13, 2016; USEC0I0042016 – Internal Syngenta trial, NY

Performance assessments are based upon results or analysis of public information, field observations and/or internal Syngenta evaluations. Trials reflect treatment rates commonly recommended in the marketplace. ©2020 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Agri-Mek SC, Besiege and Minecto Pro are Restricted Use Pesticides. Agri-Mek SC, Besiege and Minecto Pro are highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops and weeds. Do not apply these products or allow them to drift onto blooming plants while bees are foraging adjacent to the treatment area. Agri-Mek®, Besiege®, Minecto®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

MW 0MNP02582-Potato-AG66 08/20

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

Vol. 36 No. 7

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

Country Western focus. National impact.

Table of Contents

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

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

Andy Jensen.......................................... www.nwpotatoresearch.com

November 2020

Insect Identification

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

6 All or Nothing at All?

Bruce Huffaker ................................................. napmn@napmn.com

Fungicide Seed Piece Treatments for Cut and Whole Seed

10 Preserve Potato Quality in Storage 12 US Potato Trade Impacted by Coronavirus Pandemic Potatoes USA

14 Paying the Price

The Cost of Beet Leafhoppers in Columbia Basin Potato Crops

18 Planting Essentials Buyers' Guide

20 Launching Potato LEAF During a Year of Turmoil National Potato Council

22 Eastern Drought Complicates 2020 Potato

Market Report

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

Potato Growers of Washington

Brian Feist ...................................brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com Operations Manager, Advertising

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is produced by Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group. For information on reprints call (208) 520-6461.

Editorial Board

Supply Outlook Market Report

Gary Roth

Chris Voigt

Shelley Olsen speaks about the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (LEAF) at Potato Expo 2020.

Find out the status of the program on page 20.

On The Cover With planting season just around the corner, check out our Planting Essentials Buyers’ Guide on pages 18-19 to see the latest planting equipment.

Photo by Angie Rader

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Potato Country

November 2020

Executive Director

Executive Director

Washington State Potato Commission

Oregon Potato Commission

(509) 765-8845

(503) 239-4763

Departments 24 26 28 30 31 34

Insect Quiz Disease Quiz New Products Calendar In the News PGW Column

Nina Zidack

Frank Muir

Jim Ehrlich

Montana Seed Potato Certification

Idaho Potato Commission

Colorado Potato Administrative Committee

Director

(406) 994-3150

President/CEO

(208) 334-2350

President/CEO

(719) 852-3322

Don’t miss THE BIGGEST INDUSTRY EVENT OF THE YEAR

NOVEMBER 12

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10:00 am National updates by Potatoes USA and National Potato Council 10:30 am Presentation by IPC President/CEO Frank Muir Everyone in the Idaho® Potato industry is invited to join this virtual event, especially growers! We look forward to seeing you on ZOOM!

To register and receive the link for this virtual meeting visit:

idahopotato.com/industry/harvest-meeting

All or Nothing at All? Fungicide Seed Piece Treatments for Cut and Whole Seed

By Kasia Duellman, Seed Potato Pathologist and Extension Specialist, University of Idaho

ungicide seed piece treatments are

Fcommonly used to protect cut and

whole seed potatoes from seed- and soilborne pathogens. The process of cutting seed potatoes introduces a vulnerability to the tubers – open wounds that can be readily invaded by potato pathogens. As a result, fungicide seed piece treatments are recommended to protect the unhealed cut sides of seed pieces.

However, even whole seed (tubers that are not cut when planted) can benefit from a fungicide seed piece treatment.

Research from the University of Idaho shows that a dust treatment (a combination of fludioxonil and

mancozeb) consistently reduced incidence and severity of Fusarium seed piece decay compared to the non-treated control, regardless of whether the treatment was applied to whole or cut tubers. This difference was significant. In addition, yield bumps were often realized when a seed piece treatment was used.

Deciding what fungicide seed piece treatment to use depends on what diseases are of concern. No fungicide is best for all diseases, and some have no impact on others. For example, if tuber-borne late blight is a worry, then fungicides that are effective against the late blight pathogen are recommended. These include

products that contain mancozeb (various formulations), cymoxanil (Curzate), fenamidone (Reason) and mandipropamid (Revus). Fungicides that have no activity against the late blight pathogen include fludioxonil, penflufen and fluolanil. If these are used, ensure they are combined with one that is effective for late blight, or add the needed product.

As another example, for fungicides that effectively protect against Fusarium seed piece decay, consider mancozeb, which is a broad-spectrum fungicide to which no resistance has been reported in the United States. Fludioxonil (e.g.

Maxim, CruiserMaxx and as a component

A worker at Gross Seed Co. in Wilder, Idaho, inspects seed pieces as they come off the seed-cutting machine. Photo by Angie Rader

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Potato Country

November 2020

Active ingredient

Commercial products (partial list)

Disease target

Mancozeb

Various formulations are available, as a dust, slurry, or liquid, and alone or in combination with other fungicides; for example:

Fusarium dry rot/seed piece decay, seed-borne Rhizoctonia diseases, common scab and silver scurf, late blight

Moncoat MZ, MaximMZ, StartUP MANZB, Koverall, Manzate Max, Manzate ProStick, Penncozeb, Penncozeb 80 WP, Roper DF Rainshield Fludioxonil

Maxim 0.5%, Maxim 4FS, Maxim MZ, Spirato, DynaShield, CruiserMaxx (Vibrance, Potato)

Fusarium dry rot/seed piece decay, seed-borne Rhizoctonia and silver scurF

Difenoconazole

CruiserMaxx Vibrance Potato

Fusarium dry rot/seed piece decay

Prothioconazole

Emesto Silver

Benzimidazoles: thiophanate-methyl Thiabendazoles (TBZ)

ST-Methyl 540 FS

Fusarium dry rot/seed piece decay, Rhizoctonia diseases, silver scurf

Cymoxanil

Curzate 60DF

Late blight (must be used with another seed piece treatment)

Mandipropamid

Revus

Late blight

Azoxystrobin

Dynasty

Fenamidone

Reason

Rhizoctonia diseases, silver scurf, black dot, late blight, early blight

Sedaxane

CruiserMaxx Vibrance Potato

Flutolanil

Moncoat MZ

Penflufen

Emesto Silver

Seed-borne Rhizoctonia diseases, silver scurf

Table 1. Seed piece treatments available for use in Idaho, 2019 (excludes in-furrow treatments) Cut and treated seed pieces fill the planter at Doug Gross Farms in Wilder, Idaho, in spring 2020. Photo by Angie Rader

PotatoCountry.com

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November 2020

Seed Piece Treatment of CruiserMaxx Vibrance) is also effective if the strains of Fusarium are sensitive (resistance has been documented for some strains). Difenoconazole (another component of CruiserMaxx Vibrance) and prothioconazole (a component of Emesto Silver) are additional options for Fusarium seed piece decay. On the other hand, products such as cymoxanil (Curzate) and mandipropamid (Revus) offer no protection against Fusarium seed piece decay.

Table 1 lists fungicides that can be used directly on seed potato as seed piece treatments and the corresponding disease targets. As always, ensure the fungicide seed piece treatment you plan to use is labeled for use in your state, and be sure to read, understand and follow the instructions on the label.

A common question regarding fungicide seed piece treatments is whether they can protect against soft rot. Fungicide seed piece treatments do not directly kill bacteria that cause soft rot. However, by protecting seed potatoes from damage caused by fungi, fungicide seed piece treatments offer the added bonus of indirectly minimizing bacterial soft rot problems under the right conditions. How seed is handled prior to and after cutting and treating and the environmental conditions in which seed is planted also play important roles in determining the risk of soft rot seed piece decay.

Regardless of what approach you use for protecting seed pieces, even the best fungicide seed piece treatment can be overwhelmed by poor handling practices, improper storage conditions, high disease pressure or if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. So as always, strive to implement a well-rounded, integrated disease management program that includes more than one strategy to reduce the risk of potato diseases.

Potato plants are dug up so University of Idaho researchers can visually assess effectiveness of seed piece treatments against Fusarium seed piece decay and Rhizoctonia stem canker.

NOVA-Crate-Ads-Sectagon-v4.pdf 1 6/5/20 4:46 PM Photo courtesy Kasia Duellman, University of Idaho

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CM

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CMY

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Preserve Potato Quality in Storage

By Kiran Shetty, Ph.D., Syngenta Technical Development Lead for Potatoes

P

rotecting a potato crop doesn’t stop at harvest. About 7.5 percent of potato crop loss occurs during storage, according to USDA estimates.

To protect and preserve the quality of stored potatoes, growers can turn to Syngenta’s Stadium fungicide, a combination of fludioxonil, azoxystrobin and difenoconazole. With one application, Stadium can provide long-lasting protection against Fusarium dry rot and silver scurf, two pervasive storage diseases.

Seed producers who strictly market potato seed for planting in the following season can use Stadium as the potatoes are put in storage. Stadium gives growers a head start on reducing Fusarium dry rot and silver scurf transmission in seed stock and helping to preserve seed quality during storage.

Stadium performs well in tests with most major potato varieties under diverse production systems and demonstrates mixing and efficacy compatibility with phosphoric acids such as Phostrol.

Fresh, processor and chip potato varieties have also been tested for crop safety (wound healing) and Stadium use with CIPC, a common sprout inhibitor used in the industry. There were no adverse effects noted to the stored potatoes in these tests.

In use since 2012, research and onfarm experience shows that Stadium can be applied on the conveyor belt or at drop points. The recommended rate is 0.5 gallons/ton of tubers. Tubers should look damp, but not be dripping wet.

Syngenta works closely with essential trade partners to comply with maximum residue levels in countries that import U.S. potatoes. Growers with questions should check with their processors.

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Potato Country

November 2020

Kiran Shetty, Syngenta technical development lead for potatoes, inspects spuds in storage.

Photo courtesy Syngenta

Compatibility of Stadium with Phostrol to reduce decay from Fusarium

Source: Dr. Phil Nolte, University of Idaho, 2012. Idaho Falls, ID. Note: Mixing compatibility of Stadium has been tested with most other registered phosphoric acids used in the marketplace. Check with your retailer or Sygenta representative for more details.

Designed for postharvest potato quality preservation, Stadium is a unique and effective product growers can consider this storage season to protect their potato crop.

Author’s note: Performance assessments are based upon results or analysis of public information, field observations and/or internal Syngenta evaluations.

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11

Potatoes USA

US Potato Trade Impacted by Coronavirus Pandemic

By John Toaspern, Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USA

B

oth U.S. potato exports and imports were impacted by reductions in foodservice demand in the international and U.S. markets. The value of U.S. potato exports for the July 2019 – June 2020 marketing year (MY20) was down 2.6 percent and the fresh weight equivalent volume was down 2.2 percent from the previous year’s record levels. U.S. exports started the marketing year very strong and were above MY19 levels through February, but the reduction in demand caused by the global pandemic led to the losses in exports from March through June.

The volume of U.S. exports of frozen potato products was down 4 percent for the marketing year. The declines were relatively evenly dispersed across markets, but of note were declines of 27 percent to China, 17 percent to Vietnam, 13 percent to Central America and 6 percent to the Philippines. On the positive side, exports to Mexico were up 12 percent due to the recovery from significant losses the previous year from the 20 percent retaliatory tariff. Exports to Taiwan (which managed to avoid any significant COVID-19 related restrictions) were up 7 percent, Thailand up 6 percent and Japan up 0.2 percent.

The volume of U.S. dehydrated potato exports managed to end the year up 1 percent. Significant declines of 25 percent to Thailand, 20 percent to the Philippines, 11 percent to Taiwan and 24 percent to Central America were offset by a 31 percent increase to the EU, a 23 percent increase to northern Africa and the Middle East and a 32 percent increase to South Korea.

The volume of U.S. fresh potato exports dropped 4 percent for the marketing year due to a 5 percent decline to Canada, a 3 percent decline to Mexico, a 31 percent decline to Japan and a

45 percent decline to Korea. Fresh exports to Canada are mainly for processing into either chips or fries, and volumes were up prior to March, but the decline in demand for fries in the U.S. and Canada resulted in that trade stopping for the remainder of the marketing year. The decline to Japan, which is only a chip-stock market, returned to normal levels after a record year created by shortages in Japan in 2018-19. Increases to several other markets helped make up for these declines, notably a 60 percent increase to the Philippines, a 34 percent increase to Taiwan, a 25 percent increase to Malaysia and a 45 percent increase to Costa Rica. Fresh potato exports include table-stock and chip-stock, and potatoes destined for frozen processing in Canada.

The value of U.S. potato imports for MY20 increased by 8 percent with the fresh weight equivalent volume increasing by 7 percent. This increase occurred despite a drop-off in the April – June period as demand from the foodservice sector dried up due to coronavirus restrictions. The largest increase was in dehydrated potato imports, which rose 24 percent, followed by fresh potato imports, which were up 10 percent. Imports of frozen potatoes only increased by 1 percent as these products saw the largest declines due to COVID-19. Potato chip imports increased 7 percent, and seed potato imports were up less than 1 percent as orders were canceled when the U.S. processors reduced contracts and purchases of raw product in April and May. The outlook for exports in the coming year is mixed. Many countries in Asia began reopening in the early summer, and the product that got backed up when restaurants there closed was drawn down. It is expected that while exports for the beginning of the marketing year will be below year-ago levels,

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Potato Country

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the reductions should not be as great as they were at the end of the previous marketing year. The biggest uncertainty is with the pace of recovery of the economies in the target markets. The other factor will be the volume and cost of the product coming out of the EU, where it appears there will be surpluses.

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Paying the Price The Cost of Beet Leafhoppers in Columbia Basin Potato Crops

By Gina Greenway, Greenway Research

T

hey say bad things come in threes.

The trilogy that comes to my mind involves psyllids, leafhoppers and aphids.

These troublesome pests can approach the Columbia Basin like a trip to an allyou-can-eat buffet, leaving growers of a variety of crops to pick up the tab.

I’ve been trying to learn more about how big the tab is and how it is split by establishing economic benchmarks for each pest in key crops produced in the region. This round of estimates focuses on beet leafhoppers in potatoes.

use. To do this, I asked participants to estimate the number of beet leafhopper targeted spray applications typically made per season. About 19 percent of folks who responded reported not making any beet leafhopper targeted spray applications.

Another 19 percent of survey participants reported making one beet leafhopper targeted application per season. About 38 percent reported typically making

Surveying the Field

I conducted an expert opinion survey of growers and consultants to learn more about the number of beet leafhopper targeted applications typically made per season and to identify which products are used most often to manage the pest. I also hoped to gain a better understanding of how beet leafhopper transmitted diseases impact yield and quality.

One of the things that make this type of work difficult is the variation in pest pressure from year to year and by location. I’ve also found that no two operations will be managed exactly the same way. Many factors will play a role in the management decision-making process including consideration of pressure from other pests and attitudes toward risk.

The results of the survey were as expected: a little bit different for everyone. Participants identified esfenvalerate, permethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, sulfoxaflor, betacyfluthrin+imidacloprid and methomyl as some of the key active ingredients used for beet leafhopper management.

After determining which active ingredients to focus on, the next step was to get a better idea of the frequency of

14

Potato Country

November 2020

estimate how much yield would increase if beet leafhoppers did not exist.

Responses ranged from 0 to 30 percent and reflected the relationship of higher yield loss estimates to heavier beet leafhopper pressure.

I was also interested in gathering data that would help improve knowledge of how tuber quality attributes are impacted by beet leafhopper transmitted diseases.

Focusing on a single metric, I asked participants to estimate the increase in percent of potatoes grading #1 if beet leafhoppers did not exist. I chose to focus on the percent of potatoes grading #1 because it’s a common contract incentive that could feasibly be valued. Responses ranged from 0 to 20 percent, but some respondents noted that this was a difficult question to answer.

Estimating the Expense

This normal dark form of the beet leafhopper is common in the spring and again in the fall.

Photo courtesy Andy Jensen, Northwest Potato Research Consortium

two beet leafhopper targeted spray applications per season. An estimated 14 percent of survey participants reported making three beet leafhopper targeted applications in a typical growing season, while 10 percent of participants reported making four or more beet leafhopper targeted applications per season.

When thinking about the impacts of various pests, it’s natural to divert attention to management costs, but it is also important to consider how the revenue line suffers. To better quantify this, I asked survey participants to

To arrive at dollar value estimates of the cost of beet leafhoppers, I put all of the pieces of the puzzle together.

Results of the survey were combined with pesticide label information, pesticide pricing information, and planted acreage, price and yield estimates reported by the USDA. Both the upper and lower Columbia Basin were included in the analysis. Application costs were omitted based on the assumption that the majority of beet leafhopper targeted applications would be tank mixed.

The overall costs of insecticides were estimated to range from $3.50 per acre to $32 per acre but would depend on application rate and product choice.

I narrowed the range further before computing my estimates, assuming most folks would use products costing between $3.50 and $11.60 an acre. The lower end of the cost range looks a lot more attractive than the high end, but

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Beet Leafhopper

The beet leafhopper, seen here on a potato leaf, is a relatively small insect species. Photo courtesy Andy Jensen, Northwest Potato Research Consortium

PILERS

2007 Milestone 42” all belt, 230 3ph remote 2000 Wemco 36” all belt, 480 3ph, remote 1999 Double L 831 BC, 36”BC Elev. x 49’Tel. 230 V 3ph, remote 1996 Double L 831 BC Elev., 36”x 49’Tel. 230 V 3ph, remote 1996 Lockwood 9200 30” BC Elev. x 49’Tel. 3ph 1993 Double L 831 All belt Elev., 36”x49’Tel. 230 volt 3ph 1992 Double L 811 30” BC Elev. x 49’Tel., remote 1991 Spudnik 550/525 36” BC Elev x 48’Tel., 3ph remote 1990 DL 811 30” BC Elev. x 49’Tel. 3ph Remote 1986 Double L 831 BC Elev., 36”x 49’Tel. 230 volt 3ph, remote 1985 DL 813 BC Elev. 30”x49’Tel. 3ph 1982 Spudnik 400 30” BC x 45’ Tel. 3ph 1981 DL 812 36”belt cleated x 45’ 3ph 1980 Spudnik 450 36” 3ph all belt Remote Mayo 30” Van Loader 1990 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 1984 Spudnik 100 24” 1ph 1982 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 1993 Double L 837 24” 3ph

SIZER ONLY

DIRT ELIMINATOR W/ SIZER

2000 Double 878 DE 78” 3ph flip down 72” sizer 1999 Spudnik 995 72” DE rolls, peg /blower, acorn sizing 3ph 1997 Double 807 Dirt Elim. 62” BC 3ph Stingers 72” Sizer

U P

CONVEYORS - TELESCOPIC Shop built 30”/36” x 65’ 480 V 3ph Double L 810 30” x 50’ 3ph Spudnik 1200 TC 24” x 50’ 220 V 1ph

2000 Spudnik 900 60” 230 volt 3ph hang on tare 97 DL 807 62” BC with 3 stingers 3ph 1984 DL 806 44” BC with 2 stingers 3ph

U Q

ROCK/CLOD/ELIMINATORS

Spudnik 1800 600cwt 48” Elev. 3ph Milestone 90cwt 30”Elev.Auto fill 3ph VFD Milestone 30cwt tilt belt 3ph VFD Milestone 30cwt 3ph VFD

BEDS

2000 Spudnik 2100 Bed 24’ PTO only 1999 Spudnik 2100 Bed 22’ PTO Only 1999 Spudnik 2100 bed 20’ PTO only 1991 Double L 801 20’ Electric 1984 Logan SB20 Electric

TRAILERS

Trinity 53’ 3 axle All Stainless new bin 25” chain

BRUCE: (208)390-5120 | BRUCEN@TRISTEELMFG.COM

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Potato Country

November 2020

PLANTER/TARE/PILER

2007 Mack 330hp Allison Auto 2002 Mack EZ350 10spd 4.17Ratio 2012 Logan LP24 PTO 1999 Mack EZ350 10spd 4.17ratio 2012 Logan LP24 PTO

1975 Spudnik 400 24” x 25’ x 20” boom All belt

EN

2013 Lockwood 474 4 row 2012 Double L 965 3 row, w/Multi-sep table 2009 Double L 953 4 row 2009 Spudnik 6400 2004 Double L 873 2001 Spudnik 6400

SEED CUTTERS

2000 Better Built 46520 60” 3ph 1999 Milestone 48” 1ph 1998 Milestone 60” 3phj 1996 Milestone 48” 1ph 1994 Milestone 60” 3ph 1993 Milestone 36” 1ph

TREATERS

New Excel 10” combo liquid & dust 2013 Milestone 42” duster 2013 Milestone 42” Liquid Treater 1996 Milestone 36” Duster

PLANTERS

New Logan Yield Pro 6 row 36” Water Dammer 1990 A.E. Dammer Diker Hyd reset 6 row 6 spoke paddles 2010 Logan Yield Pro Water Dammer 6 row 36”

C .

T

2012 Lockwood 554 2008 Spudnik 6140 2004 Double L 851 4 row RH 1998 Double L 851 Four Row RH 50/50/45 1982 Logan 2 row

HARVESTERS

M O

WATER DAMMERS

M IP

DIRT ELIMINATOR ONLY

E D

TRUCKS

CROSSOVERS/WIND ROWERS

2000 Spudnik 925 72” 3ph 480 V 1998 Spudnik 995 72” 3ph 480 V

EVEN FLOWS

2014 Logan Trac Pro 10’ x 30” x 10’ belt 3ph 2013 Logan Tele. 36” x 5’ telescope 230 3ph Double L 36” x 12’ all belted chain 3ph Double L 832 BC 30” fingers 1984 Spudnik 2200 Belt 30” x 8’ 3ph x 2

S

Double L 809 30” x 38’ 3ph x 10 Double L 808 30” x 25’ 3ph x 4 Spudnik 1200 24” x 20’ 3ph Spudnik 1200 30” x 40’ 3ph

2014 Spudnik 991 72” Multi Sep /Air Sep

SCOOPERS

STINGERS

CONVEYORS - STRAIGHT

2013 Spudnik 8069 bed planter 9 units in 6 row frame pull with steering 2010 Harriston cup planter 8 row pull loaded 34” 2007 Gruse Bed planter 4 row off set hitch 2004 Harriston model 4016 cup, Raven Controller 36” 1995 Kverneland 4 row 3200 – 36”

SHREDDER/VINE BEATERS/ POWER HILLER 1986 Loftness 4 row 36” Steel rollers

MISC.

Scooper belly dump unloader attachment Mayo Scooper belly dump unloader attachement Harriston 12 row Marker Semi mount Shop Built 8 row folding Marker 3point

WAREHOUSE/PACKAGING

2014 Odenburg model Halo 2000 80” 1000 cwt warehouse Even flow with tilt conveyor Mayo 24” x 53’ Telescopic Van Loader conveyor Mayo 30” Elevating conveyor to Van Loader Kerian 60” sizer Portable Washer with brushes, pumps, holding tank on wheels 2008 Mayo single Tote bag filler 2011 Mayo single Tote bag filler Ernst 72” sizer Vanmark Peeler Warehouse Conveyors 30”, 24”, 18”, 12” Rolling table 30” x 9’ Rolling table 30” x 11’ Spudnik 48” x 12’ Belted chain elevator NOT COMPLETE LIST. CHECK SPUDEQUIPMENT.COM OR CALL

EVAN: (208)757-8481 | EVANN@TRISTEELMFG.COM

as an economist, I always think about the “true” cost of any decision that is made. Early-season product selection can impact availability of management options later in the season. It is important to acknowledge there is a cost associated with the potential tradeoff. I also worry about the cost of unintended consequences resulting from product selections, with aphid or mite outbreaks coming to mind.

Yield was assumed to be 640 hundredweight per acre, and price was estimated at $7 per hundredweight. I used $0.03 per hundredweight as a proxy for the value of each percentage increase in potatoes grading #1.

Expenditures on beet leafhopper targeted insecticide applications in the Columbia Basin were estimated to range from just over $500,000 to as much as $3,628,000. I estimated the “typical” expense to be about $1,094,657.

Losses from yield and quality are a lot harder to pinpoint. The wide range in estimates provided by survey respondents is likely a very accurate proxy for the variation in yield and quality loss.

However, accurately determining the volume of acreage impacted by heavy

versus light damage proved to be difficult.

I decided the best approach was to provide scenarios of yield and quality loss to think about. If 40 percent of planted potato acres suffer a 2.5 percent reduction in yield and a 5 percent reduction in quality because of beet leafhopper transmitted disease, the foregone value rings in at just under $8 million. If 2 percent of planted acres experience a 30 percent yield loss combined with a 20 percent reduction in quality, the loss to the industry would be about $4.7 million dollars.

Beet leafhoppers can cost the potato industry a good chunk of change, but other crops also feel the pinch. Expanding and coordinating decision-support systems in multiple vegetable and seed crops can help reduce the impact.

Empowering stakeholders with better tools to inform timing and necessity of insecticide applications has the potential to reduce insecticide use, while increasing the profitability and sustainability of multiple industries.

ALLROUND GRADING FOR 100-TONS/HOUR

FREE LINE DESIGN AND 3D DRAWING

Phytoplasmas transmitted by beet leafhoppers can cause symptoms in potatoes that are collectively referred to as "purple top," including leaf curling and purpling, aerial tubers, chlorosis and early senescence.

Photo by Pete Thomas, formerly of USDA-ARS

INSTALLATION AND FULL SERVICE

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Planting Ag Engineering & Development Company www.dammerdiker.com

Pocket Pitter Reservoir Tillage Equipment

The Pocket Pitter provides excellent results with onions and narrow row crops, beans, grass seed, peas, wheat, greens, sugar beets, garlic, corn and potatoes.

The Pocket Pitter uses a heavy-duty, five-spoke wheel with heavy chrome castings to create a reservoir, or narrow slice, 18 inches long between the rows or on top of the bed. This creates water-holding reservoirs with very little soil disturbance as the wheel on a common shaft rolls between rows of plants.

The Pocket Pitter is designed for long life with minimal maintenance requirements.

All Star Manufacturing & Design LLC www.allstarmfgllc.com

Better Built Potato Seed Treater

All Star Manufacturing and Design offers a recently improved Better Built liquid and powder combination potato seed treater. By taking the guesswork out of mixing slurry, the new design allows the user to set the desired rate, and the treater will adjust the slurry to the proper amount to be applied to the cut seed. This eliminates the requirement of an agitation mixing tank.

Lockwood Manufacturing www.lockwoodmfg.com

SureFire Spray Kits

Lockwood’s planters have long been known for their durability, efficiency and accuracy, from the Belted Cup models up to the Air Cup models.

New for 2021 is the ability to add a complete spray kit, The Accelerator, from SureFire Ag Systems. The Accelerator system includes everything needed for precise, reliable fertilizer application: controller, flow meter, pump, tank and row plumbing. And SureFire’s reputation for reliability makes this add-on an obvious choice. Growers now have the option of adding this kit to any of the planters in Lockwood’s lineup.

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Potato Country

November 2020

Essentials Mayo Manufacturing www.mayomfg.com

Transfer Loaders

Mayo transfer loaders have many uses during planting season.

Ideal for seed handling, growers use it for loading trucks, filling bulk loaders and loading planters. Mayo transfer loaders provide high capacity and versatility.

Milestone

www.milestone-equipment.com 84-D Potato Seed Cutter

The 84-D potato seed cutter is the newest addition to Milestone’s cutter lineup and represents the company’s ultimate example of capacity, technology and raw performance. The 84-inch cutter runs at 650 cwt per hour and is manufactured with new materials and systems.

The cutter uses high-grade belting for improved tracking and wear, a poly belt drive for quiet operation and stainless steel blades for a cleaner cut. Milestone’s Quick Adjust Sizing System and Sizing Star provide easy adjustments, accurate sizing and gentle handling.

Spudnik Equipment Company www.spudnik.com

12-Row Foldable Planter

Increasing efficiency and versatility for farm operations is constantly the goal of Spudnik Equipment Company.

With the development of the 12-row foldable planter, a single tractor and operator can increase planting efficiency by 66 to 100 percent over an eightor six-row planter. The foldable 12-row planter gives the flexibility to navigate obstacles in the field and plant 12, nine, six or three rows. The increased efficiency allows growers to better plan and manage the critical planting window for optimum plant growth and development.

Coming in 2021 is the new 8308 foldable eight-row planter. This machine will be able to plant two, four, six or eight rows to ensure every acre can and will be utilized. Plus, users can transport equipment safely, folded up.

PotatoCountry.com

19

National Potato Council

Launching Potato LEAF During a Year of Turmoil

By Shelley Olsen, Potato LEAF Chair

W

hen we launched Potato LEAF at January’s Potato Expo, the outlook for 2020 couldn’t have been brighter. Sales were strong, consumer demand was up, and trade agreements with vital export markets were being signed. Yet as optimistically as the year began for our industry and our country, it unraveled a few months later as the world locked down to combat the most devastating pandemic in a century.

Potato LEAF (or as it’s formally called, the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation) could have easily withered in the field. After all, when we announced the new industry-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to growing future leaders, we set an ambitious 2020 fundraising goal of $2 million.

That’s right. Two. Million. Dollars.

In a year when demand dried up and growers were donating potatoes by the truckload to food banks, we were asking the industry to pony up cash for an abstract mission like “leadership.”

Even so, as I write this in early October, I am pleased and humbled to report that we have already reached an incredible $1.85 million of that $2 million goal.

I want to thank the more than 70 individual growers as well as all the businesses, allied partners, and state and national potato organizations who have donated during Potato LEAF’s inaugural year, thereby ensuring the foundation will continue to meet its mission for years to come. The resiliency and forward-looking nature of our industry has never been more apparent.

While much of this year has been challenging, Potato LEAF’s signature program – the Potato Industry Leadership Institute – benefited from fortuitous timing. A few weeks before the pandemic 20

Potato Country

November 2020

shut down Washington D.C. and the rest of the country, the class of 2020 came together in late February to train 24 outstanding potato growers and industry representatives for eight days of leadership and professional development.

This year’s class kicked off in Detroit, Michigan, where participants received an overview of the local and national potato industry, including some of the challenges and issues beyond the production sector.

Attendees then flew to Washington D.C, and heard from public policy and communication experts speaking at NPC’s 2020 Potato D.C. Fly-In. While in Washington D.C., they were immersed in the legislative and regulatory priorities of the U.S. potato industry and practiced how to effectively deliver key messages to Congress. The program finished with a day of lobbying visits to offices on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and advocate for industry priorities.

Trying to predict what February 2021 will look like is bit of a tossup, but we hope we will be able to bring together Institute’s class of 2021 in California and D.C. for yet another round of leadership training.

Another leg of the Potato LEAF stool is the graduate scholarship program. As students returned to college in the fall, we were pleased to announce that Jeewan Pandey, a third-year graduate student in Texas A&M University’s Department of Horticultural Sciences, was the recipient of our 2020-21 academic scholarship. The $10,000 scholarship award is provided annually to one graduate student with a strong interest in research that can directly benefit the U.S. potato industry.

As a Ph.D. candidate and graduate research and teaching assistant, Pandey’s research involves the application of DNA-based markers in potato breeding to speed up the development of new varieties that would require fewer

Participants of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute gather in February 2020. The event is the signature program of the new Potato LEAF organization.

R ITE T RACE Advanced Track & Trace System

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

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

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

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

from FIELD

FI E

pesticide applications. He is also conducting genetic diversity studies and genome-wide association studies with the final goal of accelerating selection using genomics-enabled approaches.

Potato LEAF was created to ensure the long-term health of the U.S. potato industry by investing in its future leaders.

We were thrilled to support Pandey’s educational and research goals that will advance our collective knowledge and set us on the path for a better, more productive tomorrow.

Before we close the books on a tumultuous 2020, I’d like to remind you there are two ways you can support Potato LEAF and the future leaders of our industry. First, you can make a taxdeductible donation as an individual and/ or business at www.pleaf.org.

Second, you can make Potato LEAF your charity of choice on AmazonSmile. Then when your family or business makes an eligible purchase through AmazonSmile, Amazon will automatically donate 0.5 percent of the purchases to the foundation – with D no fees and no extra cost to you. LVisit smile.amazon.com and type “Potato Leadership Education and Advancement Foundation” into the search bar to register Potato LEAF at your designated charity.

Remember to always start your Amazon shopping at smile.amazon.com for your eligible purchases to count.

As a proud lifelong member of, and long-time advocate for, the U.S. potato industry, I know firsthand the importance of developing the leaders of tomorrow. If our family farms are going to survive and thrive over the next few decades, we’re going to need growers on the state and national level to step up and advocate on the industry’s behalf. I’m certain that the invaluable training and educational opportunities provided to younger growers and industry partners by Potato LEAF will continue to reap dividends for years.

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Market Report

Eastern Drought Complicates 2020 S

ummer heat and limited rainfall have eaten into expected potato production in Maine, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island (PEI). The region’s 2020 potato crop could be down 25 percent from 2019 production. Growers planted 3.9 percent fewer potatoes this year than they did in 2019, but yield losses are the major driver of this year’s expected production downturn.

Acreage cuts in other parts of North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, already had created a tight supply outlook for the 2020-21 marketing season. The losses in eastern growing areas complicate that outlook. The French fry industry faces the largest supply shortfall, but that deficit is likely to spill over to russet table potato markets and could eat into raw product supplies intended for potato chip production.

Potato crops in Maine, New Brunswick and PEI experienced extreme heat throughout the growing season.

Temperatures in Caribou, Maine, are representative of the situation throughout the region. They averaged 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit above normal from June through September, peaking at 4.3 degrees Fahrenheit above normal during July. Scattered showers created variable crop conditions, but in general crops received about 50 percent of normal rainfall from June through August. The combination of heat and the rainfall

22

Potato Country

November 2020

deficit is likely to reduce potato yields in the region by as much as 25 percent, relative to the five-year average.

Production cuts may be more severe in Maine and New Brunswick than on PEI. About 15 percent of Maine’s crop is irrigated, but this year’s severe drought will take a toll on the remaining fields.

New Brunswick has no irrigation for its potato crop. The situation is bad in the northern half of the growing area – and much worse in the southern half.

PEI growers have not been able to dig new irrigation wells since 2001. PEI’s government shut down the use of surface water for irrigation before the end of the growing season due to low stream flows.

However, the remnants of Hurricane Teddy brought PEI general rainfall in excess of 2 inches on Sept. 22-23. The rains came too late for most potatoes, but some Russet Burbank fields still had enough green left to benefit.

Already Tight Supply

Crop losses in the Atlantic growing region will exacerbate an already tight potato supply situation. At the behest of processors, growers across North America cut back on 2020 potato acreage. The biggest cuts took place in the Columbia Basin, which produces the largest potato yields in the world. Fryers reduced contract volumes at the peak of the COVID-19 scare, as processors expected the pandemic to result in a major reduction in demand for French fries.

Though the pandemic continues to have a major impact on economies around the world, the downturn in demand for French fries has been much less than processors had anticipated at planting time.

North America’s harvested potato area may only be down 1.5 percent to 2 percent in 2020. However, the limited decline is misleading. The industry experienced major harvesttime crop losses in North Dakota and the Canadian

Prairies in 2019. This year, crops have been harvested in record time with few problems during the harvest. That increases the harvested area in places with relatively low potato yields. Final yield data were not available at press time, but we have not been picking up reports of spectacular yields for any growing areas.

The harvested area in the Columbia Basin is down 13 percent to 15 percent or more.

Processing Potato Supply Shortfall

The focus of the 2020 crop potato shortage is the frozen processing sector.

Growers responded to contract volume reductions by cutting acreage accordingly or by shifting to varieties not generally used in French fry production. Growers in some areas may have reduced their table potato acreage, but any cuts in that category were limited in scope.

Processing contract volumes dropped 15 percent to 20 percent on average, though the largest cuts were in the Columbia Basin.

Fryers offset some of the contract reductions with extended usage of storage potatoes from the 2019 crop. However, those potatoes did not last as long as had been expected. The industry planned to be using storage potatoes through September and possibly into October. The last of the 2019 crop had been cleaned up by the end of August. The combination of acreage cuts, crop losses in eastern growing areas and stronger than expected demand for finished product has left fryers and dehydrators with a raw product supply deficit.

Processors are working to minimize the impact of this year’s raw product shortfall. Their actions are likely to impact other industry sectors. They are exercising their rights of first refusal on any contract overages. We expect them to expand early-season production in 2021 and to encourage that harvest get under way as early as possible. Beyond those

Potato Supply Outlook measures, the most logical way to expand the raw product supply is to purchase Russet Burbank potatoes that are intended to be marketed as table potatoes. The supply of those potatoes is limited primarily to Idaho and PEI. Fryers may experiment with other russet table potato varieties in hopes of finding some that will make acceptable product. In addition, they may be interested in purchasing open chip potatoes for use in products where length is not an issue.

The impact of this year’s processing potato supply shortfall will extend beyond the market for finished products.

Supplies of russet table potatoes are likely to tighten as fryers pull Russet Burbank potatoes away from that sector. That is likely to boost russet prices and to create an umbrella for prices for other table potatoes. It also might eat into supplies of storage potatoes for the potato chip industry.

The shortfall is likely to encourage further expansion in the import of European French fries. In recent years, North American fryers have been unable to commit to supplying several small and mid-sized customers with frozen potato products needed to enter or expand their menu offerings. That has encouraged some of those businesses to import European product. Recent capacity expansion efforts were supposed to arrest that trend. This year, the capacity issue has been replaced by the raw product supply shortfall.

The EU’s exports of frozen potato products to the U.S. have tripled during the last two years. They totaled 331 million pounds during the year ending June 30, 2020. Further expansion is likely this year. Unlike their North American counterparts, EU fryers have a surplus of raw potatoes to draw from and plenty of capacity to expand their output.

By Bruce Huffaker, Publisher North American Potato Market News

HUFFAKER'S HIGHLIGHTS

• Processing contract volume reductions anticipated a larger drop in French fry sales than the industry is experiencing.

• Crop losses resulting from a drought in Maine, New Brunswick and PEI will exacerbate an already short processing potato supply situation.

• The impact of the processing potato shortfall is likely to spill over into other segments of the potato industry.

• The raw product shortfall opens a window for further expansion of French fry imports from Europe.

Editor’s note: To contact Mr. Huffaker, or to subscribe to North American Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call: 2690 N. Rough Stone Way, Meridian, ID 83646; (208) 525-8397; or e-mail napmn@napmn.com.

PotatoCountry.com

23

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.

Dr. Andy Jensen

It is harvest season and the time that deformed, diseased and insectinfested potatoes come across machinery and sometimes into our offices. Over the years, I have seen many insects living in tubers, usually feeding on the fungi and bacteria that are rotting the tuber flesh. Most such insects are in the overarching category we entomologists call “flies,” which is the insect order Diptera (the name refers to flies having only two wings; most flying insects have four wings). As larvae, flies are generically known as “maggots.” All flies go through complete metamorphosis, meaning that the larvae are very different from the adults, and an immobile pupal stage is required between larva and adult during which the fly transforms its larval body into adult.

Photos A and B show two examples of flies I reared from potatoes, each about one-fourth inch long.

B

Matching Question: Which pupa goes with each adult?

Bonus Question: Why does one pupa have evident legs and head, while the other looks like a sausage?

A

1 2

Answers on page 32

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

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

24

Potato Country 167820MonPot13h.indd 1

November 2020 9/18/17 11:45 AM

Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association “Quality as High as our Mountains” RUSSET VARIETIES: Russet Norkotah S3 Russet Norkotah S8 Rocky Mountain Russet Silverton Russet Rio Grande Russet Canela Russet Mesa Russet Mercury Russet Fortress Russet Crimson King COLORED VARIETIES: Columbine Gold Colorado Rose Rio Colorado Red Luna Purple Majesty Masquerade Mountain Rose Vista Gold

Seed Growers: Zapata Seed Company Worley Family Farms SLV Research Center San Acacio Seed Salazar Farms Rockey Farms, LLC Pro Seed Price Farms Certified Seed, LLC Palmgren Farms, LLC Martinez Farms La Rue Farms H&H Farms G&G Farms Bothell Seed Allied Potato Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association P. O. Box 267 Monte Vista, CO 81144 ColoradoCertifiedPotatoGrowers.com Lyla@ColoradoCertifiedPotatoGrowers.com (719) 274-5996

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PotatoCountry.com

25

Know Your Potato Diseases

Disease Identification Quiz Dr. Jeff Miller 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

B

A

Photo A shows a plant with wilting leaves. The neighboring plants are not showing any wilt symptoms. If you follow the stem down into the canopy, you may see symptoms like those shown in photos B and C.

What are these two diseases?

What are those small black structures shown in photo D? How does that help in disease identification?

D

C 26

Potato Country

Answers Page 32

November 2020

MANHATTAN Seed Potato Growers Family Operations Committed to the Highest Standards in the Industry  Isolation Ideal for Insect Control  All Seed Summer and Southern Tested for Virus  Excellent Quality Controlled by Rigid Rouging and Sanitation Practices  Many Varieties Available with Good Readings  Top Yields and Tuber Uniformity from Years of Line Selecting  2019 Late Blight-Free Potatoes Big Sky Seed Cole Ag Cole’s Corner Seed Farms Glenn, Tim & Vern Droge Dan Dyk Doug Dyk TRB Dykema Sid & Tim Kamps Kimm Seed Potatoes

406-949-0445 406-570-6211 406-581-3920 406-282-7588 406-282-7269 406-282-7271 406-581-7171 406-282-7471 406-282-7592

Dan Kimm Kimm Bros.

London Hills Farm Schutter Seed Farm Spring Creek Farms Brian Weidenaar White’s Potato Farm, Inc.

406-282-7519 406-284-3378 406-581-7567 406-284-3718 406-284-4233 406-282-7931 406-284-6075

PotatoCountry.com

27

New Products

Product Extends Freshness of Cut Potatoes NatureSeal Inc. has a new sulfite-free solution to keep cut potatoes and other root vegetables fresh for up to 21 days. The NatureSeal Fresh-Cut Produce Extender uses a blend of vitamins and minerals to prevent browning and maintain the texture and flavor of raw French fries, shredded, sliced, diced and whole peeled potatoes.

The product is easy to use at the processing facility, a healthy alternative to sodium metabisulfite, approved for use on organic, allergen free and Kosher, according to NatureSeal.

Visit www.natureseal.com.

Growing Quality Seed For 50 Years!

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

LINE Selected:

Russet Burbank, Umatilla, Clearwater, Castle

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

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Potato Country

November 2020

APE Adds Water Treatment Products

Automated Produce Equipment (APE) has formed a new partnership with water processing company AquaHD. According to the company, many pack houses are looking to decrease their water usage and reduce wastewater tariff costs through the reuse of process-water. When attempting to handle these water streams, solids separation becomes the main challenge in the treatment process.

AquaHD’s products fit these needs with hydrodynamic separators, static screen filters and rotary drum screens to filter particles and solids. These products are featured among other produce machinery and packaging solutions on Automated Produce Equipment’s (APE) newly redesigned website.

Visit www.automatedproduceequip.com.

Organic Crop Enhancement Product Hits Market

Agnition has launched Generate, a crop enhancement product meant to boost soil and plant health for organic production of a wide range of crops including potatoes. The OMRI-listed product is the latest in an extension of Agnition’s organic line.

Generate is a natural product that utilizes patented Microbial Catalyst technology to stimulate existing microbes in the soil by unlocking enzymes and releasing more nutrients from fertilizers that could otherwise remain tied up in the soil and unavailable to the plant. This can result in improved emergence, greater root mass, larger biomass, taller plants, improved stress tolerance, increased yields and improved plant and soil health, according to Agnition.

Visit www.agnition.com.

K- Line Russet Burbank G II and III ● Clearwater G II and III● • Umatilla G II and III Line Selection Program ●• Continual Research Rigid Sanitation ●• MSU Tissue Culture Program R Hawaii & Washington Seed Plot Trials ●

Bill • Jason • Alan • Mark 6140 Kimm Road • Manhattan, MT 59741 (406) 580-7592, Cell • (406) 282-7592, Office PotatoCountry.com

29

Calendar

Nov. 12

Jan. 20–21

Online www.idahopotato.com/industry/harvest-meeting

Online Kristi Copeland, kcopelan@uidaho.edu

Big Idaho Potato Harvest Meeting

Nov. 18-19

Idaho Potato Conference

Jan. 26–28

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference and Trade Show

Washington-Oregon Potato Conference

Online Sheri Nolan, (509) 585-5460 or www.pnva.org

Jan. 6-7

Online www.potatoconference.com

Feb. 22–25

Potato D.C. Fly-in

Marriott Metro Center Washington D.C. Hillary Hutchins, hillaryh@nationalpotatocouncil.org

Potato Expo 2021

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center Grapevine, Texas www.potato-expo.com

Editor’s note: Information was correct at presstime. Please contact event organizers to check for possible changes.

POTATOEH

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30

Potato Country

November 2020

62054-2_PGA_2018_Seed_EH_Print_3-5X4-75_a2.indd 1

2018-11-09 1:12 PM

GEN 2 & 3 In All Varieties: • Alturas • Burbank • Clearwater • Teton Russet

Glenn: 7590 Stagecoach Trail Rd. (406) 580-7588 Vernon: 7525 Stagecoach Trail Rd. (406) 539-6586 Tim: 7666 Stagecoach Trail Rd. (406) 539-7200

In the News

WSPC Estimates COVID-19 Losses

Total economic losses from potato production and processing stemming from COVID-19 are expected to amount to roughly $1 billion dollars in gross state product in 2020, according to the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC).

The WSPC asked the IMPACT Center of the School of Economic Sciences at Washington State University to identify the economic harm to the potato sector in Washington state resulting from COVID-19 demand and supply chain disruptions.

According to the study, farmers lost roughly $29.2 million from decreased demand and quality for their 2019 crop. Net impacts from a 13 percent reduction in their 2020 acreage and spending have resulted in $270.4 million in lost productivity to the state. Lost processing activity has resulted in $714.3 million in lost productivity statewide.

CFAP 2 Deadline Nears

Applications for the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) are due Dec. 11. The program will provide an additional $14 billion for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs due to the government-imposed foodservice disruptions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For specialty crop growers, including potato growers, CFAP 2 payment calculations will be based on their 2019 sales.

For more information, visit www.farmers.gov/cfap/apply.

Do YOU Have Enough Dikers?

Ag Engineering

NPC Moves Annual Meeting to DC in February

The National Potato Council (NPC) has moved its 2021 annual meeting, typically held in conjunction with Potato Expo, to February to coincide with the Potato D.C. Fly-in. NPC leaders are hoping the change will allow more people to attend, as well as allow NPC leadership, staff and state partners to focus the meeting’s discussions on the policy priorities and actions that will maximize the organization’s efforts on Capitol Hill.

NPC is currently on track to host Potato Expo 2021 as an in-person event in Grapevine, Texas, Jan. 6-7.

The Fly-in is scheduled for Feb. 2225 in Washington D.C. Details for the annual meeting are in the works.

Streich and Associates, Inc.

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All Varieties • Virus Tested Generation II & III Montana Seed Potatoes Specializing in:

Clearwater Atlantic Russet Ranger

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Steve Streich • 406-253-2276 Paul Streich • 406-253-0642 www.montanaseedpotatoes.com

955 Columbia Falls Stage • Kalispell, MT 59901 spudtruck@montanasky.net PotatoCountry.com

31

In the News

New Variety Makes Debut

RPE Inc. introduced a new potato variety this fall after 12 years in development. Golden Red started out in the Netherlands where it showed early promise based on yield, internal and external quality as well as disease and insect resistance. It also performed well in growing regions of the U.S. and Canada.

“RPE Golden Red premium potatoes are the new gold standard in red potatoes,” said Tim Huffcutt with RPE. The potato is described as having vibrant red skin with a rich yellow interior, creamy texture and sweet, mildly earthy flavor. Golden Red is also said to be “built for potato salad” as it holds its shape and texture once cooked.

The RPE exclusive variety is available in 3-pound bags.

Potatoes USA Adds Conversation Architect Natalia Cervantes has joined Potatoes USA as a conversation architect. In this new role, she will help strengthen the demand for U.S. potatoes through media relations, digital and online marketing and social media. Cervantes will monitor communications about potatoes and use the data to expand and maintain the positive image and reputation of U.S. potatoes and the U.S. potato industry.

Cervantes has nearly a decade of digital communications management experience and previously worked on custom marketing campaigns with the Denver Broncos, Mile High United Way and Rolex. She is a recent graduate of the Yale School of Management digital marketing program.

Know Your Disease Answers (from page 26)

The symptoms in photo B are those of white mold caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. A dead leaf is lying over the lesion, and this is possibly how the infection was started.

The white mold fungus released conidia (spores) into the air which can be caught by potato flowers or other plant parts. When those plant parts fall to the ground and begin to decompose, the spores of the white mold fungus begin to grow and can grow from dying tissue into living tissue.

The stem in photo C is showing symptoms of aerial stem rot caused by Pectobacterium or Dickeya species.

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Potato Country

November 2020

These bacteria can cause soft rot in seed and blackleg in developing plants.

When the infection occurs above ground in the stem, the disease is called aerial vine rot.

At early stages of infection, both aerial stem rot and white mold can look similar. The white mold fungus will produce the small, black structures called sclerotia, shown in photo D. These structures look like mouse droppings. They fall into the soil as the vines decay and will be the source for white mold when future potato crops are planted in that soil.

Know Your Insects Answers (from page 24)

Matching:

Adult A matches with Pupa 1; these are picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae. Adult B goes with Pupa 2; these are fungus gnats in the family Sciaridae.

Bonus:

The pupa that looks like a sausage is actually known as a puparium because what we see is the hardened skin of the final larval stage – the pupa with visible legs and head is inside this old skin. Flies can be broadly divided into those that have puparia and those that shed their final larval skin to form an exposed pupa.

Fungus gnats are in the latter group.

2021 World Potato Congress Postponed

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Potato Congress (WPC) planned for June 2021 in Dublin, Ireland, has been postponed until May 30-June 2, 2022.

Organizers say the early decision to postpone is for the safety of the participants and is in the best interest of the global potato community. Event partners, sponsors and speakers for the 2021WPC event are remaining on board to welcome the industry to Dublin in 2022.

Double L, Lockwood Hire Columbia Basin Rep

In partnership with Double L, Lockwood Manufacturing has hired a sales representative to cover the Columbia Basin. Larry Benzel will represent both companies as the area’s regional salesman. Benzel brings over 40 years of industry experience in the Washington area, most of those years with Evergreen Implement. As a teenager, Benzel first worked on Lockwood equipment for his father, who worked for Lockwood and reported directly to Mr. Lockwood.

More Households Purchase Potatoes

Fresh potato sales increased significantly from July 2019 through June 2020, as did the number of households buying potatoes, according to Potatoes USA. A study found that 88 percent of households purchased potatoes during the 52-week period, with the number of purchases averaging 10. That’s up from 2019 when 83 percent of households purchased fresh potatoes and number of purchases averaged seven.

In addition, the study showed consumer shopping baskets containing potatoes averaged $85.58 and almost half of that when potatoes were not in the basket.

Farming Takes Top Spot in Opinion Poll

For the first time in Gallup’s 20 years of tracking Americans’ views of various business and industry sectors, farming and agriculture is the clear leader. The poll asked respondents to rate their overall view of a list of business sectors. Farming and agriculture was already among the toprated industries, but this year it moved to the number one spot with a 69 percent positive rating, up 11 percent.

The former top-ranking industries – restaurants and computers – remain in the top four, with the grocery industry rounding out the group. This year’s rankings reflect significant changes in the ratings of six industries, three of which are delivering vital goods and services to Americans during the pandemic. These three – healthcare, farming and pharmaceuticals – are all rated more positively this year than in 2019.

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33

Potato Growers of Washington

A Symbiotic Relationship

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

I

am pretty sure that every married man in the world has heard the saying “happy wife, happy life” more than a few times. You may be wondering what that has to do with potatoes, but in reality, the relationship between a contract potato grower and the processor of frozen potato products is more similar than you might have thought.

A marriage is a symbiotic relationship where two people jointly work together to

have a better life than either would have on their own. The success or failure of either spouse is tied to the other.

In the frozen potato processing world, processing companies need potatoes to make the products they sell. Growers need processing companies to buy their potatoes. Without the frozen potato processing companies, there would only be a market for about 25,000 acres of potatoes in the Columbia Basin to be used in the fresh, dehy and chip potato markets. But with the frozen potato processing companies contracting approximately 150,000 acres of potatoes

Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Goes Virtual Another hat that I wear in the potato industry is that of chairman of the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference.

Due to the gathering restriction in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus, we will not be able to hold our usual conference and trade show.

This year, we will be going virtual with at least as many industry talks as before and with pesticide credits available.

There also will be a virtual trade show and other online options for you to stay connected and learn new ways to be a better potato grower.

The show is open to all, so for many of you who might not have been able to travel to the show in the past, this is a great chance to participate and hear the information being shared with the growers in the Columbia Basin.

Watch for updates to come your way in the next couple months or visit www.potatoconference.com.

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

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Potato Country

November 2020

ThePotatoPodcast.com

in the Columbia Basin, we have the greatest potato industry of any growing region in the world.

For this “union” of growers and processors to be truly successful, both the processors and growers need to take into account the “happiness” of the other side. In case you haven’t figured it out, the “happiness” to which I am referring is profitability.

The frozen processing companies have to be profitable in order to sustain profitable contract pricing for the growers over the course of their growing careers.

The level of profitability for each side is the point that is arguable and will be viewed differently by all. But both sides must decide how important the business marriage is to them and how much they are willing to commit to the long-term success of the union.

Yes, this crazy year has been hard on both growers and processors. But it is becoming clearer and clearer that the frozen potato products segment of the potato industry is doing better than anyone anticipated just a few months ago.

Clearly, many other agricultural segments and other industries are being hit much harder than we are. But that doesn’t mean that we did not endure a great deal of pain this year in reduced production that hurt efficiencies for both growers and processors. Added costs that could not be passed on were incurred by both sides.

Looking to next year as we approach the negotiating season, both sides can come up with a laundry list of reasons why prices should move to support the impacts they have experienced. However, I believe we have to get back to the “happy wife, happy life” analogy and look beyond our own position and do what is best for our industry. Keeping both growers and processors “reasonably” profitable will make life so much better for both sides and should be our only thought as we head to the negotiating table.

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