Potato Country November 2021 by Columbia Media Group

PotatoCountry.com • November 2021 Western focus. National impact.

L.J. Olsen Inc.

Growing Potatoes & Growing Leaders

Advertiser Index AllStar ................................32 Buyan Ranch .....................15 Colorado Cert. Potatoes ....31 Cottom Seed......................26 Droge Farm .......................15 EPG ...................................19 Fleming Farms...................27 Greentronics ........................8 ICL .......................................3 Idaho Crop Improvement ...21 IPC.......................................5 Kimm Seed ........................ 11 Lake Farms........................12 Lake Seed .........................24 Lockwood ............................9

Manhattan Potato Growers.. 20 Micro-Trak .........................31 Montana Certified Seed .....22 NovaSource .......................27 NPC ...................................23 Nutri-Cal ............................10 PGA ...................................17 PNVA .................................15 R&H ...................................16 Schutter Seed ....................12 Skone Irrigation .................28 Spectra ..............................15 Spud Equipment.com......... 11 Stukenholtz ........................29 WA State Potatoes ..............2

Planting Essentials 2021 Crop Potato Supply Situation Gov. Little Discusses Big Issues in Idaho

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

Vol. 37 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 2021

Insect Identification

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

6 Growing Potatoes & Growing Leaders L.J. Olsen Inc.

Ben Eborn ........................................................ napmn@napmn.com Market Report

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

Potato Growers of Washington

10 Miller Research Reviews Results

Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day

14 Gov. Little Discusses Big Issues in Idaho Idaho Grower Shippers Association Annual Meeting

16 Q&A With US Secretary of Ag 18 Planting Essentials Buyers' Guide

20 National Chip Program Continues to Evolve Potatoes USA

24 Meet & Potatoes at Potato Expo 2022

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 2021. 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

National Potato Council

28 2021 Crop Potato Supply Situation Market Report

Gary Roth

Chris Voigt

Trent Taysom addresses field day attendees at the Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day in Rupert, Idaho. See the full report on page 10.

On The Cover Shelley Olsen, a partner in L.J. Olsen Inc. in Othello, Wash., serves key roles with Potatoes USA and the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation. See the story on page 6. 4

Potato Country

November 2021

Executive Director

Washington State Potato Commission

Oregon Potato Commission

(509) 765-8845

(503) 239-4763

Departments 17 Calendar 22 Insect Quiz 25 Disease Quiz 26 In the News

Nina Zidack

Frank Muir

Jim Ehrlich

Montana Seed Potato Certification

Idaho Potato Commission

Colorado Potato Administrative Committee

Director

President/CEO

30 PGW Column 30 Advertiser Index

(406) 994-3150

(208) 334-2350

(719) 852-3322

America’s favorite way to eat Idaho® Potatoes has always been mashed, and there are more potatoes consumed on Thanksgiving than any other day. Thanks to a petition to the National Day Archives by the Idaho Potato Commission, America officially celebrates National Mashed IdahoⓇ Potato Day this Thanksgiving. And on every Thanksgiving. So enjoy a heaping helping this Thanksgiving. Because when you serve certified Mashed Idaho® Potatoes, everything else is just gravy.

L.J. Olsen Inc.

Growing Potatoes & Growing Leaders Story and photos by Denise Keller, Editor

L.J. Olsen Inc., the three generations of potato growers don’t use job titles. Instead, they all do what needs to be done. As it is on the farm, Shelley Olsen saw work to be done in the potato industry and stepped up to help get the job done, picking up the title “chairman of the board” along the way. L.J. Olsen Inc. belongs to Lynn J. and Marthann Olsen and their son Chris and his wife, Shelley. Chris and Shelley’s two sons, Connor and Owen, farm with them in Othello, Washington. It was Lynn’s strong encouragement for Shelley to attend the Potato Industry

Leadership Institute (PILI) several years ago that changed her path within the industry and led to her involvement in the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) and Potatoes USA.

Potato LEAF

Shelley is a huge fan of the PILI program, an annual weeklong event that takes participants to a potato-growing region to learn about the industry and then to Washington D.C. to gain experience in advocating for potatoes on Capitol Hill.

PILI is now coordinated by Potato LEAF, a self-funding foundation developed by Potatoes USA and the National Potato Council in 2019. Interested in the continued success of the program, Shelley volunteered to take part and found herself in the position of chairman of the board. She helped introduce the foundation at Potato Expo in January 2020 and announced its goal of raising $2 million in industry donations within its first year. Fast forward just a few months, and the COVID pandemic hit the industry. In response, the foundation backed off on its

Three generations of the Olsen family grow potatoes in Othello, Wash. Pictured from left are Connor Olsen, Chris Olsen, Marthann Olsen, Lynn J. Olsen, Shelley Olsen and Owen Olsen.

Potato Country

November 2021

fundraising efforts and extended its initial goal through the end of 2021. Despite the challenges of 2020-21, the foundation has surpassed its $2 million fundraising goal and continues to raise money to build the future of the industry. “At PILI, we’re growing leaders. And we need to continue to do so so that we will have people who will be activists for us and speak for us because if we can’t speak for ourselves, we can’t truly expect anyone to tell our story the way we want it told,” Shelley says. In addition to PILI, Potato LEAF is working to develop a new generation of grower leaders by also funding an annual $10,000 scholarship for graduate-level students conducting research for the benefit of the potato industry.

Shelley Olsen, pictured with her sons Connor (left) and Owen (center), says it’s a dream come true to have her boys be part of the family farm.

Potatoes USA

Shelley is also in her fourth year serving on the Potatoes USA board. After three years as a member of the Domestic Marketing Committee, the Northwest region caucus this year elected her to be on the executive level as co-chair of that committee. She is fascinated by marketing, impressed with the ideas and passion for potatoes that come out of the Potatoes USA marketing team and grateful to have a voice in the creative process. “The growers bring opinion and authenticity to whatever the message is. A marketing team can design a really brilliant marketing program, but if it isn’t truly authentic to your industry, your growers aren’t going to love it. That is the backbone for any organization,” Shelley explains. She encourages others to become involved in Potatoes USA. The Northwest region, which includes Washington, Oregon and Montana, needs more growers to serve as board members. The annual meeting is in March, and virtual attendance is now an option.

Three-Generation Farm

Shelley is quick to mention that she is able to be involved in Potato LEAF and Potatoes USA because she has the support of her family operating the farm at home. L.J. Olsen Inc. grows potatoes, sweet peas, sweet corn, wheat and beans. Potatoes, including Russet Burbank and PotatoCountry.com

L.J. Olsen Inc.

Shelley Olsen announces the launch of the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) at Potato Expo 2020. Photo courtesy National Potato Council

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Potato Country

November 2021

Alturas, are grown for processing. Lynn and Marthann began growing potatoes in the late 1970s. Shelley and Chris joined the operation in the mid1990s. Connor and Owen returned to the farm after college, Conner with a degree in agricultural technology and Owen with a crop science degree. “It was Chris and my dream to have the ability to share our farm and our future with our kids. We’re seeing it now. It’s not easy, but it is absolutely rewarding,” Shelley shares. “There’s nothing I love more than to walk out in the shop or drive down a field and see the boys and their grandpa and their dad standing there talking about whatever is happening. It’s an ‘ahhh moment’ because so few people really, truly get to experience that.” “Our kids get the opportunity to work with their grandfather, and he is an incredibly smart and accomplished man. And they get their dad’s input, and now Dad and Grandpa get the boys’ input,” she continues. “It’s all about collaboration and the four of them putting it all together and working together.” Shelley is hopeful that this same sense

of collaboration will help the potato industry tackle the challenges that face farmers today and the obstacles that may arise in the future. “I love the people in this industry,” Shelley says. “How do you not love an industry built on the legacy of hard work and passion, an industry full of great people willing to share their knowledge and the joy of what they do? It’s the most rewarding thing possible to be part of a group that takes a great deal of pride in what they do, and they do it really, really well.”

“I think we are going to continue to have challenges within the climate, political and financial arena,” she adds. “The challenges are great, but there are a lot of really bright, strong, driven people in this industry. So we’re going to continue to grow it, and we’re going to continue to fight the fight and do what we have to do to be really good and grow really great potatoes and ship them all over the world. That’s the goal, right?”

Shelley Olsen, co-chair of the Potatoes USA Domestic Marketing Committee, listens to a speaker at the 2019 annual meeting in Denver. Photo courtesy Potatoes USA

Shelley Olsen and Dan Moss, former chairman of the Potatoes USA board, pose for a picture at Potatoes USA’s 2019 annual meeting in Denver. Photo courtesy Potatoes USA

PotatoCountry.com

Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day

Miller Research Reviews Results Story and photos by Dave Alexander, Publisher

e is not a stockbroker that we know of, but when Jeff Miller talks, people listen. And it is not just Miller, but pretty much anyone at Miller Research gets an attentive audience when speaking, including Trent Taysom, Robin to Miller’s Batman. This was evidenced by the throngs of attendees at the annual Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day held Aug. 19, despite a sunless, gray day and a 48-degree temperature. Miller’s Batcave, on the mean streets of Rupert, Idaho, was filled to capacity, though the unassuming Miller in his Bruce Wayne persona may tell you CCA credits and a terrific lunch were partly the reason. Free lunch or not, the crowds were treated to Miller’s impeccable disease research and chocolate chip cookies. The field day is only one event held by Miller every year, so if you skipped this unseasonably chilly day, watch for his winter meeting where results of this summer’s trials will be shared with attendees this coming January or February. Jeff Miller (left) speaks to the crowd assembled for the Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day.

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1990 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 1984 Spudnik 100 24” 1ph 1982 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 1993 Double L 837 24” 3ph

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2014 Logan Trac Pro 10’ x 30” belt 3ph 2012 Spudnik 2200 10’ x 36” belt 3ph x 2 2010 Logan Trac Pro 12’ x 36” Belt 3ph 2002 Spudik 2200 30” 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

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1999 Spudnik 2100 24’ PTO Red 1999 Spudnik 2100 24’ PTO White 1996 Double L 801 Elec. white 1994 Spudnik 2100 22’ Combo Red 1993 Lockwood 20’ electric white 1984 Logan SB20 Electric

2007 Mack 330hp Allison Auto- 2 available 1998 IH 4900 Auto Allison DT466 20’ bed-ready frame 1998 IH 4900 Allison Auto DT466 20’ bed-ready frame

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2020 Allan 3 row Electric 2010 Lockwood 784H 2009 Spudnik 6400 2009 Double L 973 2010 Double 953 CONVEYORS - TELESCOPIC 2009 Double L 953 Spudnik 30”/36” x 60’ Hyd. Drive Wheel & ROCK/CLOD/ELIMINATORS 2007 Double L 853 Steer 230 V 3ph 2017 Harriston 4240 CH ellis table, Peg belt 2005 Spudnik 6400 bunker Spudnik 30” x 50’ 230 V 3ph blower 3ph 2000 Double L 873 STI 30” x 75’ 3ph 2015 Lockwood Air Vac 8, 480 Volt 3ph 2001 Spudnik 6400 Double L 810 30” x 50’ 3ph 2013 Harriston 4240 Clod Hopper 3ph 1996 Double L 853 2004 Harriston 3240 Clod Hopper 3ph 1996 Lockwood 4640 4 row 1997 Harriston Model 200 Clod Hopper 1 ph 1997 Lockwood 4620 2 row BRUCE: (208)390-5120 | BRUCEN@TRISTEELMFG.COM • EVAN: (208)757-8481 | EVANN@TRISTEELMFG.COM

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Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day

Visitors dressed for a frosty day in Rupert, Idaho, to check out the trials at Miller Research.

Follow the crowds – and the flag – to Miller Research.

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Potato Country

November 2021

DISEASES FOUND BY MILLER RESEARCH IN 2021

Black dot is easily seen. In-furrow treatments don’t seem to keep black dot from affecting 20-30 percent of the plants at the end of the season. Quadris or Headline can reduce visual symptoms late in the season, but the damage it has caused has already been done and these treatments have not shown an increase in yield.

Pink rot spores go back in the soil after the host plant dies and stay there until another susceptible host comes around.

Powdery scab usually doesn’t affect yield, but the organism that causes it carries the potato mop top virus, which can severely reduce quality. Mop top has become more prevalent in recent years.

Aerial vine rot can be controlled with copperbased sprays early, but these products may not work well as a curative approach after the disease shows up.

Rhizoctonia almost always results in an increase in U.S. number twos and culls and a decrease in number ones. In severe cases, there will be a yield reduction.

Early blight is present every year, and protectant fungicide programs are the most effective way to limit the disease. Fungicide applications should start at row closure and be repeated on a 14-day interval for the most effective control. PotatoCountry.com

Idaho Grower Shippers Association Annual Meeting

Gov. Little Discusses Big Issues in Idaho By Bill Schaefer

n his way back to Boise from a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new intermodal shipping facility in Pocatello, Idaho, on Sept. 2, Idaho Gov. Brad Little stopped at the Idaho Grower Shippers Association’s 93rd annual meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho. There, he shared with potato growers and shippers his rosy projection of the state’s current economic condition. Tax rebates, tax cuts and increased investments in infrastructure, particularly in transportation, education and water resources, were the major talking points during Little’s brief speech.

Water Resources

In spite of the economic good news, Little was quick to recognize the potential long-term effects that continuing drought conditions in Idaho could have on the state’s agricultural well-being. “A good snow year would help like hell. I just saw the latest forecast for the next 30 days; it doesn’t look good,” Little said. Little said he would like to see some of the money available in Congress’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) be placed in water projects, and he encouraged everyone to contact Idaho’s congressional delegation to lobby for that purpose. “Regardless of what the federal government does, I think that’s the best thing we can do in Idaho,” Little said of the ARPA funds. “We’ll take our own initiative and do it here. We’ll continue to put money into recharge; we’ll continue to look at the most efficacious way to increase surface water in the critical places in the state.” Little recalled that when he served as a senator in the Idaho legislature, he and fellow legislators initiated a system of aquifer recharge. It’s a move that has served the state well during the subsequent years. “We went from speculation in theory about conjunctive management and recharge to real practical application and

Potato Country

November 2021

Idaho Gov. Brad Little addresses potato growers and shippers at the Idaho Grower Shippers Association’s 93rd annual meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho, on Sept. 2.

proving that it works,” he said. “That is going to bode well for us.” Little cited Idaho’s unique geology as an important factor in the state’s ability to recharge its aquifer, unlike other states facing critical water shortages. “Other states aren’t blessed with our geology,” Little told the audience. “If they deplete their aquifer, the ground shrinks. We are fortunate that we don’t have that geology here in Idaho. But we will continue to do what we need to do in water. But like I said, we could sure use a good snow year.”

Rail Transportation

Moving Idaho’s agricultural commodities to consumers and customers requires an efficient transportation system, Little said. Coming from the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the intermodal shipping facility in Pocatello, Little said that Celia Gould, director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and her team are trying to increase railroad capacity throughout the state. Speaking about the Pocatello facility,

Little said that it will serve as a freight facility for containers to be shipped. “They’re going to aggregate freight there and basically serve as a freight facility for containers to be shipped,” he said. “We’re also continuing to look at fresh and frozen,” Little continued. “What can we do to aggregate all the commodities in Idaho to get the fresh and frozen out of Idaho? It’s always a challenge to have enough purchasing power to entice railroads to give us commitment, particularly given the seasonality of a lot of our commodities in Idaho.” The governor said that the southern part of the state is somewhat hamstrung because it is served by only one railroad carrier, whereas there is some competition in the northern part of the state. “Anything we do in transportation, particularly in rail, means that farmland in Idaho is closer to the ultimate consumer,” Little said. “It means we’re going to have less traffic on our roads if we can put it efficiently, effectively, safely on the rails.”

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AG EXPO

January 18-20, 2022 Holt Arena Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

TrAdE SHOW & IdAHO POTATO COnFErEnCE

January 19-20, 2022 ISU Pond Student Union Building Wednesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday 8:30 a.m. to noon

For more information:

(208) 939-6426

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Q&A With US Secretary of Ag A

fter the better part of a year on the job, United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack participated in a virtual town hall-style meeting hosted by Farm Journal in early September. We logged on to hear Sec. Vilsack voice his views on several hot topic issues in the agriculture industry, ranging from COVID to climate.

Q: What are the priorities in Washington D.C.? A: There are two main focuses here at USDA. One obviously is to continue to do what we can to get on the other side of the pandemic and to essentially mitigate the consequences of that situation on the food supply chain and on farmers, ranchers and producers. The other aspect we’re focusing on is, as the president likes to say, building back better. The question is how do we build back better a farming opportunity that actually creates more profit for more farmers. I think it boils down to more, new and better markets. [We’re] looking at focusing on continuing to find ways in which we can improve and expand on exports, making sure we follow through on the USMCA, making sure our friends in Canada follow up on their responsibilities, dealing with some of

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Potato Country

November 2021

the issues down in Mexico – trying to open up new markets for potato growers, for example – and working in Southeast Asia to create new market opportunities.

Q: Out West, there’s drought and wildfire. What can be done to change that situation? A: It’s a combination of a number of factors, some of which we have control over and some of which we don’t. Clearly, climate has an impact and an effect. The heatwave that we’ve seen in the West obviously creates a drought. The drought creates drier conditions in these forests, so a spark really can ignite a pretty significant fire. It is also a fact that over the course of many, many, many years, we have attempted to enforce management on the cheap. We have invested some money but not enough money in terms of hazardous fuel reduction, in terms of getting that wood out of the forest so that when there is a fire, it is not as catastrophic as what we are experiencing. That’s why it’s so vital and so necessary for Congress to do its job on the bipartisan infrastructure and jobs bill and the reconciliation bill because both of those bills contain significant investments that will accelerate dramatically our ability to remove that hazardous fuel and to do better forest management. And with that, we should see reduced catastrophic fire risk. But it’s going to take time. We didn’t get into this mess overnight. We’re not going to get out of it overnight. In the meantime, we need to look for ways in which we can provide help and assistance to producers who are negatively impacted by the fires and negatively impacted by drought.

Q: With the federal court tossing out the Trumpera rule defining Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), where do we see this conversation going? A: First of all, there’s a mix and match of various rules that are currently in place. Some states are following the Trump rule, and some states are following the Obama rule. And the reality is that the EPA has basically said both rules have some challenges. So, essentially what EPA is doing, as I understand it, is basically starting from scratch, and they’re starting the right way. They’re starting by going out and listening to essentially create an understanding, a relationship and communication between producers so everybody knows what’s on the table. I think there’s a consensus that we want clean water. I think there’s a consensus that we need to do what’s necessary. But I also believe that farmers can tell the EPA what’s practical, what’s doable and what’s not. And to the extent that we can then have that conversation, EPA can then inform us and we can be informed at USDA about the work that we can do through our conservation programs and some of the other tools we have to make it easier for farmers to do whatever ultimately is decided has to be done. So I think it’s about fostering communication and cooperative conversation.

Q: Closing thoughts? A: This USDA is trying to thoughtfully approach many of the problems and challenges facing American agriculture and is absolutely committed to trying to create more, new and better market opportunities for producers, understanding that in doing so, we create more profit for more farmers, which at the end of the day is best for American agriculture and best for the country. That’s what we get up every day trying to do. I’m optimistic about the future. I’m optimistic about the opportunity for American agriculture to really show the way on climate, conservation and sustainability. And I think in doing so, there are new market opportunities we can help create at USDA.

NEVER MISS AN UPDATE: PotatoCountry.com/NEWSLETTER

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE: PotatoCountry.com/SUBSCRIBE Or call 503-724-3581

Calendar Nov. 10-11

Montana Seed Potato Seminar Holiday Inn, Missoula, Mont. www.mtseedpotatoseminar.com

Nov. 17-18

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference and Trade Show Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash. Sheri Nolan, (509) 585-5460 or www.pnva.org

Jan. 5-6

Potato Expo 2022

Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif. www.potato-expo.com

Jan. 18–20

Idaho Potato Conference and Ag Expo Pond Student Union Building and Holt Arena Pocatello, Idaho Kristy Mayer, kristym@uidaho.edu

Jan. 25–27

Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash. www.potatoconference.com

Feb. 28 – March 3

2022 NPC Washington Summit

Washington Marriott at Metro Center, Washington D.C. www.nationalpotatocouncil.org

POTATOEH

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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.

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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.

Greentronics Ltd.

www.greentronics.com/products/riteheight Automatic Depth Controller

Greentronics’ automatic depth controller provides planting depth control via sensors instead of gauge wheels. Two or more ultrasonic sensors measure the distance between the planter and soil surface. With electrical connections to solenoid valves, the planter is raised and lowered as needed to maintain a pre-set planting depth. The system helps avoid uneven planting depth due to changing soil conditions and changing planter weight. A kit includes the console with display and keypad, junction box, sensors and cables. Users find it very straightforward to install. The system works on most new or used planters with electric-over-hydraulic controls; no additional hydraulics are required. Optional ISOBUS UT compatibility is available to operate from the Universal Terminal screen on many displays.

Potato Country

November 2021

Lockwood Manufacturing www.lockwoodmfg.com Planters

Lockwood’s planters have long been known for their durability, efficiency and accuracy, from the Belted Cup models up to the Air Cup models. Individual row shutoff capability is currently standard on the company’s Air Cup planters. New for 2022! Individual row shutoff capability is now an option in the 400 series Belted Cup planters. Belted Cup planters are a perfect blend of value, quality and durability. Growers rely on Lockwood planters for planting precision and efficiency. Check out the entire planter lineup and be ready for the 2022 planting season.

Mayo Manufacturing www.mayomfg.com Seed Loader

The Mayo Seed Loader is one of several machines in the Mayo lineup for handling seed potatoes. As a multi-purpose machine, it is used for high-capacity planter filling, truck loading and transloading, and short-term piling into storage. The boom telescopes and swings 180 degrees. Options include wireless remote control. This is a very efficient machine for handling seed potatoes and offers many other uses.

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.

Our isolated northern location along with our group of 10 experienced growers have been producing exceptional seed potatoes with increased energy and the lowest possible disease levels for over 60 years. Our longevity and historical performance have made us a valued resource and seed potato supplier to growers across North America and the world. With over 100 varieties including main crop and specialty selections, we invite you to give us a call to discuss how we can help you make this growing season the best one yet.

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Potatoes USA

National Chip Program Continues to Evolve

By John Lundeen, Research Director, and Alyssa Green, Industry Communications and Planning Assistant, Potatoes USA

he National Chip Program (NCP) continues to serve the U.S. potato chip industry by starting a new trial site in Maryland. This stems from a decision by the NCP steering committee to collect additional data on candidates that perform well in the hot/humid mid-Atlantic state environment. Prior to developing the NCP, growers and breeders worked together regionally, brainstorming solutions for a potato that stored better or a candidate that resisted disease. An ideal candidate for chip production masters four criteria: agronomics (e.g., yield, lack of defects, stress tolerance), disease resistance, maintaining its qualities out of the field

or from storage, and upholding attributes that produce a high quality and profitable chip in-plant during processing. A factor included in this criteria checklist is the ability for a candidate to withstand a unique set of environments to increase its chances of survival nationwide when it comes time to increase to a larger production system. While grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) kept the breeders and growers funded, candidate selection was severely hindered due to a lack of data related to varying environmental impacts on the candidates. When a variety made its way to SNAC trials, it was uncertain whether the variety would hold up in another climate. Fast-forward to today, where national collaboration is the norm, the now numerous members of NCP collaborate

to determine which varieties to focus their energy and finances on while gaining valuable insights about each variety in a set of unique environments. Jointly, it’s a contribution of plant breeders, agronomists, disease testing experts, potato field specialists, commercial growers and chip processors. The following numbers help illustrate the depth and breadth of NCP. • Thirteen universities provide candidates, test for diseases or run trial sites. On average, these universities estimate committing 872 hours per year to the program. They are Colorado State University, Cornell University,

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Potato Country

November 2021

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University of Florida, University of Idaho, University of Maine, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, New Mexico State University, North Carolina State University, North Dakota State University, Oregon State University, Texas A&M and the University of Wisconsin. In addition, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Pennsylvania Potato Growers provide invaluable assistance in breeding and trial management. • Twelve breeders are involved, either from the universities or ARS. • There are nine trial locations, providing the opportunity to test candidates in all the major chip growing regions. • In a typical year, 19 private companies are involved, including commercial growers who provide land to grow out larger quantities of tubers for in-plant tests.

• Six chip processors provide time in their plants to help evaluate the candidates. • During the largest NCP variety selection meeting in December 2019, 33 organizations were represented. • Specifications on 18 qualities are tracked. • There are 24,330 variety records, as well as 2,008 varieties for NCP now contained within Medius Ag, the 24/7 tool for collecting and analyzing trial results. During the summer of 2021, the National Chip Program committee met and the NCP Steering Committee, made up of four representatives from chip processing companies and five potato growers, voted to add a new location to the trial system. After much debate and collaboration, it was decided that the new location will be set in Maryland. A Maryland testing site will put varieties to the test regarding environmental strain and, in turn, will provide NCP members

important data for trial varieties. Setting up a new trial site is no easy task; however, the excitement surrounding it energizes the team to make it happen. Potatoes USA focuses on strengthening demand for U.S. potatoes, which is supported by important supplyfocused programs such as NCP. To put the impact into perspective, in 2020, 5,889 acres of U.S. seed were planted with varieties that were tested in the NCP trialing system, a number that has increased annually. With the addition of the Maryland trial site, candidate selection criteria will be better able to scrutinize selections to see if there are any better than current commercial standards, resulting in a “toolbox” of better, more desirable chip processing variety options.

PotatoCountry.com

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

Pest or Predator? To understand what we see in potato fields, it is important to recognize which insects are pests and which are predators. Most potato fields have a good diversity of both pests and predators (and, of course, plenty of insects that are neither). Here are four photos of insects commonly associated with potatoes. Questions: What is each insect? And is it a pest or predator?

Potato Country

Answers Page 27

November 2021

C D

POTATO EXPO JANUARY 5-6, 2022

National Potato Council

Meet & Potatoes at Potato Expo 2022 By Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council

n Jan. 5 and 6 in Anaheim, California, the industry will come together – in person – for the first major North American potato event in two years. You read that right: It’s time to reconnect, in person! I honestly don’t know how many Zoom meetings, conference calls and virtual events I’ve participated in since the start of the pandemic. But I, for one, am sick of them. No matter how convenient the digital world can be, nothing beats looking someone in the eye, shaking their hand and reconnecting face to face. This is why we at the National Potato Council (NPC) are so excited to offer potato growers and allied businesses an in-person forum where the entire potato community can meet as an industry. Potato Expo 2022 will be the must-attend event of the year, with countless opportunities to connect and do business. Join us in California to link up with business partners and potential clients in the Expo Hall, learn about the latest technologies and products at the breakout sessions and Potato Talks, and reconnect with friends during receptions, pop-up meetings and spontaneous run-ins.

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Potato Country

November 2021

Pat

As session planning and event preparations continue for Potato Expo 2022, our steering committee is focused on ensuring the event will allow industry members to reconnect, collaborate and join together in moving potatoes forward. Over the 14 years we’ve hosted Potato Expo, NPC created an event that provides attendees an opportunity to discover new ideas, products and services. This year’s Expo will be no different, offering growers a one-stop-shop to get the most current information on a wide variety of industry issues and trends. As always, Potato Expo offers attendees dozens of breakout sessions at The Innovation Hub to choose from, allowing them to schedule their time to their maximum advantage. Additionally, and back by popular demand, Potato Talks @ The Expo Stage will feature topical discussions about the latest and greatest technologies and products our industry partners have to offer. But, of course, nothing beats the excitement generated in the Expo Hall. This January, the Hall will be a hive of activity, featuring the Iron Potato Chef Cook-off hosted by Food Network personality and chef Simon Majumdar, multiple happy hours and receptions, a silent and live auction to benefit the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation, and spaces to sit down with clients and business partners over meals or a cup of coffee. Additionally, the Expo Hall will feature companies from across North America and the world staffed with product and service experts eager to share their knowledge and help solve growers’ problems. To date, nearly 140 companies and organizations have already signed up to exhibit at Potato Expo 2022’s record-breaking 100,000 square feet of premier tradeshow space. Exhibitors know there is no better place than Potato Expo to network, introduce new products and services, talk directly with their target audience members and reconnect with customers in person. Whatever your reason for making the trip to sunny Southern California this winter (and we won’t blame you if you stick around a few extra days to take your family to Disneyland), every attendee will leave Potato Expo 2022 with new ideas about how to grow your bottom line, new connections to expand your business network and a week of fun memories with your friends in the potato industry. Visit www.potato-expo.com for a full schedule of speakers, sessions and events, and make your travel plans today. We can’t wait to see you in January!

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

At harvest, you see tubers that have a wet appearance as shown in Photos A and B. The affected areas are darker brown and wet, and the lenticels appear brown to black. Are these two tubers affected by the same disease? Photo C shows these two tubers side by side when sliced open.

Answers Page 30

What is affecting these tubers?

A B

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In the News

NPC Plans Combo Event

The National Potato Council (NPC) is combining two of its annual events into a new event. In place of the NPC annual meeting and the Potato D.C. Fly-In, the NPC will host the 2022 NPC Washington Summit on Feb. 28 through March 3, 2022. The event will provide a forum for potato industry members to discuss, define and advocate for the policy priorities impacting their businesses and protecting their ability to farm. Throughout the week, participants will hear from the nation’s top political and policy experts, welcome NPC’s 2022 officers and grower leaders, and meet with members of Congress representing potato-growing states and districts. Attendees will advocate for issues such as keeping potatoes in federal nutrition programs, promoting free and fair-trade agreements and protecting tax policies that support the long-term health of family-owned farming operations. For more information, visit www.nationalpotatocouncil.org/events/npcwashington-summit.

Potato LEAF Awards Scholarship

The Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) has awarded a $10,000 scholarship to Thilani Jayakody, a third-year graduate student at Michigan State University. The scholarship is awarded 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 assistant, Jayakody’s research involves connecting her interest in genome editing to the applied goals of Michigan State’s breeding program. She is currently working to reduce the effects of enzymatic browning through gene editing and working to understand the accuracy of new genome editing platforms, as these off-targeting effects are a major regulatory concern in accepting genome-edited food crops, according to Jayakody.

Vive Crop Protection Wins Award

Vive Crop Protection has been selected as the “Crop Protection Solution of the Year” in the 2021 AgTech Breakthrough Awards. Vive Crop Protection has created six new fungicide and insecticide products using trusted active ingredients with its patented nano-polymer Allosperse Delivery System technology. Allosperse allows previously incompatible products to be mixed with liquid fertilizer and other crop inputs and applied in one application. “Developing novel active ingredients can take decades and cost millions of dollars,” said Bryan Vaughn, managing director of AgTech Breakthrough Awards. “Vive Crop Protection has put its focus on making existing active ingredients more efficient and able to be applied differently, allowing growers to use proven active ingredients in new ways to create on-farm efficiency and value. This includes both biological and chemical active ingredients, which Vive can easily deliver in the same jug.”

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Potato Country

November 2021

Know Your Insects Answers (from page 22)

Photo A is a Chlorochroa stink bug, a plant-feeding pest.

Potato Sustainability Alliance Announces New Executive Director

The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) has selected John Mesko as its new executive director. Mesko has experience in agronomic sales and service, information management, university education, farming and nonprofit leadership. He grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in Minnesota. After graduating from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in agricultural economics, Mesko’s career in agriculture has centered around helping farmers become more financially and environmentally sustainable. He most recently worked for the Soil Health Partnership.

Photo B is a green lacewing egg. Lacewings are predators of aphids, psyllids and similar soft-bodied insects. Photo C is a Perillus stink bug. This kind of stink bug is predatory, especially feeding on Colorado potato beetle larvae. Photo D is a thrips, the non-feeding stage often referred to as the “pupa” even though it is technically not a pupa. This kind of1 thrips is a plant-feeding pest. NOVA-Crate-Ads-Sectagon-v4.pdf 6/5/20 4:46 PM

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Market Report

2021 Crop Potato Supply Si T

he 2020 U.S. potato crop was the smallest crop produced since 2013. In its 2020 Annual Potato Summary, USDA estimates potato production (from the 13 reporting states) at 420.02 million cwt. That is 5.77 million cwt more than the January estimate, but it falls 4.4 million cwt short of the 2019 crop. It is 7.72 million cwt smaller than the 2015-2019 average production. At 943,000 planted acres, this year’s 2.7 percent increase remains 3.4 percent below the 2015-2109 average. The 2021 crop could be even smaller than last year’s crop due to extremely challenging growing conditions in several key production states. As of press time, we expect U.S. potato production to fall approximately 10.8 million cwt short of the 2020 crop. The decline will have its largest impact on the French fry industry, but the impact will spill into the table potato and dehydrated product sectors. Relative demand between the industry sectors could alter the distribution of the 2021 potato crop relative to our current outlook. In this article, we discuss our outlook for the 2021 crop supply situation for the various industry sectors.

Table Potatoes

At 84.3 million cwt, the 2020 fresh potato shipments from the 13 program

states were the lowest in modern history. That is 700,000 cwt less than they shipped a year earlier. Current shipments are on course to match the 2020 crop movement. However, we believe that supply conditions and market forces will dictate a reduction in crop-year shipments. Nine of the 13 states that report production are likely to ship fewer table potatoes from the 2021 crop. In addition, the product mix could be much different. Early-season red potato shipments are down 4.3 percent. Due to challenging growing conditions, several of the storage states are likely to ship fewer red potatoes than they did in 2020. Yellow potato shipments are running 4.7 percent ahead of last year’s pace and are likely to exceed 2020-21 shipments throughout the storage season. Russet table potato supplies could be tight during the 2021-22 marketing year. Intense heat in the Pacific Northwest has put a damper on yields from those states. Early russet shipments have been running 2.9 percent behind the 2020 movement. It is likely to slow considerably once the 2021 potato crop is under cover. The russet potato supply situation is complicated by its intersection with the processing industry. Both fryers and dehydrators are bidding to pull russet potatoes away from the table potato sector.

Frozen Processing

Raw product supplies for frozen processing will be tight again this year. Yields in Idaho and the Columbia Basin are likely to be down due to excessive heat during much of the growing season. In addition, quality issues will be challenging for fryers this year. Currently, we expect fryers to use 4.6 million cwt less than last year’s reported usage. That would fall 8.3 percent short of 2018-2019 average use. The drop comes despite strong

Potato Country

November 2021

domestic demand for French fries and other frozen products. Export demand also has rebounded to record levels in recent months. North American fryers shipped 56.3 percent more frozen potato products to offshore markets during the April-June quarter than they did a year earlier. Contract volumes may not have been sufficient to cover the improved demand for French fries. In addition, growers may not be able to deliver all their contracts due to this year’s poor growing conditions. Therefore, fryers may seek to purchase any open market potatoes they can get a hold of.

Dehydration

Demand for dehydrated product is strong. We expect dehydrators in the eight reporting states to use 41 million cwt of potatoes from the 2021 crop. While that is 6.3 percent less than they used from the 2020 crop, it would fall 1.6 percent short of the 2019 crop usage. Dehydrators will have to compete with the French fry industry and table potato interests for raw product. That should keep raw product prices strong. Dehydrators are likely to concentrate on high value products, leaving more of the industrial potato flake business to European processors.

Chip, Other Processing

We estimate that other processing use in the eight reporting sates could be down 10.2 percent for the 2021 crop. The expected downturn is due to limited raw product supplies. This category may include usage at chip plants in the reporting states, as well as other miscellaneous uses. We also are projecting a 2.8 percent increase for the 2021 crop in processing use not reported in the eight state processing data. This includes most of the chip potato usage for the reporting states. The projected increase offsets the 2020 reduction,

ituation

By Ben Eborn, Publisher, North American Potato Market News

though it remains below the 2018 and 2019 usage. We know that early-season chip potato movement from Florida was up from last year. In addition, chip potato crops in Michigan and Maine, two large chip producing areas, are larger than they have been in several years. Barring unforeseen storage losses, supplies should be more plentiful than they were a year ago. We anticipate that fryers may bid for open chip potatoes, limiting supplies available to the chip potato industry.

Seed Potatoes

Tight supplies of table and processing potatoes should push up prices and encourage expansion for those sectors in 2022. At 19.9 million cwt, we expect seed movement from the program states to increase by 500,000 cwt compared to seed shipments from the 2020 crop. Overall, potato supplies in North America will be tight through the 202122 storage season. The different industry sectors will be challenged to balance the limited inventories with rebounding consumer demand. It will be interesting to watch market forces work through these challenges over the next year or two.

KEY POINTS

• U.S. potato production could fall short of the 2020 production due to challenging growing conditions in several key production areas. • Table potato movement from the 2021 crop could be the smallest in modern history. • Tight frozen processing supplies will push processors to compete for open market potatoes if demand for French fries remains strong. • Other processing and chip potato supplies appear to be more adequate than supplies for other industry sectors. • Seed potato sales are likely to increase as strong prices encourage more production.

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

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Potato Growers of Washington

Planning Ahead for Profit

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

ow that harvest has all but wrapped up for the 2021 crop year, it is a good time to reflect back on a few things and to start looking ahead. 2021 taught us many very painful and expensive lessons. We have always known that it takes both yield and quality together to really make an exceptional profit on today’s potato contracts. We have always known that if either yield or quality dropped below average, profit plunged quickly. However, until this year, most growers had no idea how fast and how far profits can drop when both yield and quality suffer. The extreme heat experienced in the Columbia Basin this summer reduced yield over the entire crop by about 8 percent. Unfortunately, the reality is some fields were down by more than 20 percent while only a few were above average. But no matter where the yield came in, the quality was down, as well. Quality issues such as lower specific gravity were reported from nearly the beginning of harvest until the very end and impacted most varieties. We also have seen more misshapen potatoes, smaller size profiles and more dark color (sugar) than usual. Some fields experienced all of these problems including reduced yields. We have always known that there’s a lot of risk in potato contracts because of the large number of potential deductions in relation to the few potential upside incentives. However, most growers have been reluctant to make changes to the current contracts when we negotiate because they say they know how the current clauses work and they can grow a crop

Know Your Disease Answers (from page 25)

The tuber in Photo A is affected by Pythium leak, and the tuber in Photo B is affected by pink rot. Both diseases can appear similar on the exterior of the tuber but have very different internal symptoms. In Photo C, Pythium leak is shown on the left and is characterized by gray to dark brown infected tissue. The entry point for the pathogen was most likely an open lenticel. When pressure is applied to the affected area, water will leak from the tuber. The tuber on the right in Photo C shows symptoms of pink rot. The infection started at the point of stolon attachment. This is the source of most infections for pink rot development. (Tubers can become infected through lenticels, but this is less common.) Affected tissue will first appear an off-white color. Unlike leak, affected tissue is solid, but has a softer texture than non-affected tissue. The affected tissue will turn a dark pink color after 10-15 minutes. Correctly identifying these diseases is important because management practices differ for the two diseases. 30

Potato Country

November 2021

accordingly. Unfortunately, as we saw this year, there are really no agronomic practices that can offset 118-degree heat in June. As we go forward and add more money to the base price, the risk diminishes by lowering the percentage of the expected payout that comes from the incentives. However, I believe we need to really look at accelerating that process by making some serious changes to reduce the amount of money (risk) with each quality attribute. One question I always hear when we have extreme weather that impacts grower returns is why wasn’t this weather event foreseen and language or scales adjusted. The simple answer is that hindsight is 20/20, and no one expects weather extremes until they happen. Giving up some potential base price dollars to fix a language issue in a contract or adjust a scale is not something most growers want to consider when they are voting on whether or not to approve a contract. But as “once-in-a-lifetime” or “100-year” weather events continue to occur, we as a grower community need to start focusing on cleaning up the language and clauses in our contracts and to greatly reduce the grower risk. I fully understand that when quality issues arise, there is a cost to the processor, as well. However, there needs to be a reasonable middle ground that must be focused on and achieved if most of today’s growers are going to survive. When we start negotiating the 2023 potato contracts next summer, this should be a top priority. We would appreciate your input on what language, clauses or scales need to be adjusted for your operations. We won’t be able to accomplish everything, as I know some of you would like to start over with a whole new contract. But we should be able to make some great progress toward making these contracts more reasonable for when we experience another year like 2021. Advertiser Index AllStar ................................32 Buyan Ranch .....................15 Colorado Cert. Potatoes ....31 Cottom Seed......................26 Droge Farm .......................15 EPG ...................................19 Fleming Farms...................27 Greentronics ........................8 ICL .......................................3 Idaho Crop Improvement ...21 IPC.......................................5 Kimm Seed ........................ 11 Lake Farms........................12 Lake Seed .........................24 Lockwood ............................9

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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