November 2020 Badger Common'Tater by bctater

$22/year | $2/copy | Volume 72 No. 11 | NOVEMBER 2020

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

ANNUAL SEED ISSUE IMPROVING MOVEMENT And Quality of Watershed BLACKLEG CASES VARY In Incidence & Severity 2020 WISCONSIN CERTIFIED Seed Potato Growers Directory APPLY FUMIGANTS IN Fall for Good Soil Seal OSHA MONITORS COVID Conditions in Workplace

To say the Atlantic seed potato plants are in full bloom on Seidl Farms, Deerbrook, Wisconsin, is an understatement.

INTERVIEW:

JEFF FASSBENDER Seidl Farms, Inc.

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Chris Lockery Jim Stefan

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800-826-0200 715-677-4533 • Fax: 715-677-4076 Rosholt, Wisconsin

On the Cover: A pretty sight for anyone who has ever planted potatoes

and coaxed them through the growing season, and even to those who have not, the field of Atlantic seed spuds in full bloom is strikingly beautiful. The sun shone brightly on Seidl Farms, in Deerbrook, Wisconsin, when the image was taken, shared by Jeff Fassbender, vice president of the operation.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: Seidl Farms, Inc. Vice President Jeff Fassbender, the main interviewee of this Annual Seed Issue, says the 2020 planting season went considerably well for seed potatoes in Deerbrook, Wisconsin. The growing season was somewhat challenging with all the rain, including one large event during harvest, but better than the past two years. Jeff’s brother, Ryan, is shown here running a New Holland T8.410 tractor with a Krause field cultivator during planting season.

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN.................... 77 AUXILIARY NEWS............... 71 BADGER BEAT.................... 58

30 SEED PIECE

Spring shipping strong in chip and fresh sectors for Wisconsin seed potatoes

34 MARKETPLACE

Students play potato trivia to win prizes during “Spud Week” campus festivities

64 APPLYING FUMIGANTS IN FALL SEALS THE SOIL Plan now to control yieldrobbing pests next season

FEATURE ARTICLES: 18 22 50 73 4

POTATO BLACKLEG cases vary in incidence and severity on Wisc. commercial fields LITTLE PLOVER RIVER Watershed Enhancement Project exceeding all expectations

EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 62 MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6 NEW PRODUCTS................ 68 NOW NEWS....................... 44 NPC NEWS......................... 76 PEOPLE.............................. 54 PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6

PERUSE THE COMPLETE 2020 Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers Directory

POTATOES USA NEWS........ 42

OSHA COULD CITE agricultural employers for COVID-19 infractions in the workplace

WPIB FOCUS...................... 63

BC�T November

WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Rod Gumz Vice President: Bill Guenthner Secretary: Wes Meddaugh Treasurer: Mike Carter Directors: John Bustamante, Randy Fleishauer, Dan Kakes, Charlie Mattek & Alex Okray Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Richard Okray Secretary: Bill Wysocki Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: John Bobek, Andy Diercks, Cliff Gagas, John T. Schroeder & Tom Wild WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Kenton Mehlberg Vice President: Paul Cieslewicz

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Jeff Fassbender Vice President: J.D. Schroeder Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Suchon Directors: Roy Gallenberg & Matt Mattek

WPVGA Staff Executive Director: Tamas Houlihan Managing Editor: Joe Kertzman Director of Promotions & Consumer Education: Dana Rady Financial Officer: Karen Rasmussen Executive Assistant: Julie Braun Program Assistant: Jane Guillen Spudmobile Education & Outreach Administrator: Doug Foemmel Spudmobile Education and Outreach Coordinator: Dale Bowe

Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Kathy Bartsch Vice President: Devin Zarda Secretary/Treasurer: Datonn Hanke Directors: Jody Baginski, Brittany Bula, Deniell Bula & Marie Reid

WPVGA Office (715) 623-7683 • FAX: (715) 623-3176 E-mail: wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes.com Website: www.wisconsinpotatoes.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/WPVGA

Secretary: Julie Cartwright Treasurer: Rich Wilcox Directors: Chris Brooks, Kristi Kulas, Sally Suprise & Justin Yach

Mission Statement of the WPVGA: To advance the interests of WPVGA members through education, information, environmentally sound research, promotion, governmental action and involvement. Mission Statement of the WPVGA Associate Division: To work in partnership with the WPVGA as product and service providers to promote mutual industry viability by integrating technology and information resources. Badger Common’Tater is published monthly at 700 Fifth Avenue, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409

Subscription rates: $2/copy, $22/year; $40/2 years. Foreign subscription rates: $35/year; $55/2 years. Telephone: (715) 623-7683 Mailing address: P.O. Box 327, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409 Or, subscribe free online: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe/ ADVERTISING: To advertise your service or product in this magazine, call (715) 630-6213, or email: Joe Kertzman: jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com. The editor welcomes manuscripts and pictures but accepts no responsibility for such material while in our hands. BC�T November

MARK YOUR

Calendar

JANUARY 2021

6-7

2021 POTATO EXPO VIRTUAL FORMAT due to COVID-19 coronavirus

2-4 17-18 22-24 22-25

2021 GROWER ED CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW Holiday Inn Convention Center Stevens Point, WI INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND POTATO D.C. FLY-IN Capital Hilton Washington, D.C. NPC ANNUAL MEETING Marriott Metro Center Washington, D.C.

8-11 30-4/1

POTATOES USA ANNUAL MEETING The Brown Palace Hotel Denver, CO 60th ANNUAL WPS FARM SHOW Experimental Aircraft Association grounds Oshkosh, WI

21-23

UNITED FRESH CONVENTION & EXPO 2021 Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA

31-6/3

11th WORLD POTATO CONGRESS & EUROPATAT 2021 POSTPONED one year due to COVID-19 coronavirus Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland

WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI

13 20-22

PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Silver Spring Foods, Huntsinger Horseradish Farm Eau Claire, WI

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

SEPTEMBER

ALSUM TATER TROT 5K & FALL FESTIVAL Alsum Farms & Produce Friesland, WI

30-6/2

11th WORLD POTATO CONGRESS & EUROPATAT 2022 Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland

MAY 2022

BC�T November

Planting Ideas Frequent fryer miles? Air spuds?

Please remain seeded until the captain turns off the fasten seed belt sign? I could have a field day with this one, planting all kinds of puns. Stop. No, really, stop! Diane Dacka emailed the above image to the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) with this note: “My family used to live in Wisconsin. This past weekend, my husband and I flew a small plane to visit the area and relive memories. One of those memories is of the roadside potatoes my mom and dad used to buy. Well, here are the 100 pounds of potatoes we took back to Ohio. My babies were safely tucked in for the first class [not coach] ride home.” I left the last pun, with those being Coach brand potatoes, to Diane. Thank you for sharing the memory, Diane. Another fantastic email arrived in the WPVGA inbox, this one from Bill Staubs. Since Bill said it perfectly, I’ll simply relay his words here: “I’m not trying to sound corny or anything, but having been raised in Antigo [class of 1991] and having worked for several potato growers in the area, I can say that the potatoes from Wisconsin have a distinct smell when they hit the markets in other states. I left Antigo over 25 years ago to serve our country and have not lived there since. I live outside an Army post in Kentucky now, and luckily for me, the local Walmart sells Wisconsin potatoes right next to the ones from other states known for them. I can smell the difference in them, and I always buy the ones from Wisconsin even if they are not Antigo potatoes. By the way, the Wisconsin potatoes sell out faster. Every time I make potatoes, it always takes me back to the Antigo area and I feel a little closer to home. Thanks for bringing me home, even if only in my mind.” How do I top those two emails? Luckily, I do not have to. They are neat memories, and in these times of uncertainty, people find comfort in reminiscing, conjuring up tastes and smells from their past, good food and recollections of home. It is remarkable and humbling that recalling potatoes, potato growers and Wisconsin can bring back fond memories for people who no longer live in the area. It is a great reminder that we are blessed to live in this special place and work such fertile ground. I hope harvest was safe and successful, and that everyone emerged from the fall season happy and healthy. Be well. Please email me with your thoughts and questions. If you wish to be notified when our free online magazine is available monthly, here is the subscriber link: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe.

Joe Kertzman

Managing Editor jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com

Schroeder Bros. Farms, Inc. WISCONSIN “ONLY THE BEST” CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES REDS

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NAME: Jeff Fassbender TITLE: Vice President COMPANY: Seidl Farms, Inc. LOCATION: Deerbrook, Wisconsin HOMETOWN: Bryant, Wisconsin TIME IN PRESENT POSITION: 5 years PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: n/a SCHOOLING: Agribusiness, Fox Valley Technical College ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA), Bryant Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church AWARDS/HONORS: WPVGA 2020 Young Grower of the Year FAMILY: Wife, Aly, and daughters, Paisley and Raelynn HOBBIES: Camping, fishing, hunting and spending time with family 8

BC�T November

Interview

JEFF FASSBENDER, vice president, Seidl Farms, Inc. By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

At just 30 years old, Jeff Fassbender was elected president of the

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA) Board of Directors, in January 2020. Holding that position at such a young age is not surprising considering Fassbender’s experience at Seidl Farms, Inc., in Deerbrook, Wisconsin, and what he has packed into his three-plus decades. A respected certified seed potato operation, Seidl Farms has historic yet humble roots. Jeff’s grandfather, Frank Seidl, grew up on his own parents’ (Art and Evelyn Seidl) dairy farm in Bryant, Wisconsin, which also raised about 15 acres of table stock potatoes. When he was 21 years old, in 1949, Frank planted and grew 20 acres of potatoes. For the next 30 years, he grew fresh and chipping potatoes, oats and clover, and in 1980, added

certified seed potatoes. Frank’s daughter, Peggy (Jeff’s mom), married Jim Fassbender, who had been working on the farm since he graduated from high school in 1976. Above: Vice president of Seidl Farms, Inc., Jeff Fassbender (right) poses with his wife, Aly (left), and daughters, Paisley (front and center) and Raelynn, in his arms. Working on Seidl Farms since he was 12 years old, Jeff studied agribusiness at Fox Valley Technical College for two years and then returned to the farm full time in the spring of 2010.

Peggy continues to work as the farm’s secretary-treasurer. Part of the fourth generation, Jeff joined the farm full-time, in 2010, after studying agribusiness at Fox Valley Technical College. Now vice president of Seidl Farms, Jeff informs, “Today we grow 1,000 acres of potatoes, snap beans contracted through Seneca, barley contracted through Malt Europe, oats, field corn, clover and alfalfa.” “I actually started on the farm when I was 12 years old, working during the summer months washing the warehouse and fixing boxes,” he says. I believe you went full-time as soon

as you graduated from school. Was there ever a doubt of what you were going to do for a living? I studied agribusiness at Fox Valley Tech for two years and then returned to the farm full time in the spring of 2010. There was never a doubt that farming was what I wanted to do for a living. My family jokes that it is in my blood. Farming was something I grew up loving to do. When I was too young to help, I spent my days “farming” in my sandbox with toy versions of the trucks, tractors and equipment they were using on the farm. My dad even hand-welded me a replica of our (then) two-row,

Left: Ryan Fassbender windrows Goldrush seed potatoes on Seidl Farms. Like his older brother, Jeff, Ryan returned to the farm full time after studying agronomy (Jeff studied agribusiness) at Fox Valley Technical College. Right: Jeff Fassbender applies fungicide on seed potatoes using a Hagie STS10 selfpropelled sprayer.

self-propelled Lenco harvester. Do you have any specific memories of working with your father, Jim, that you would like to share, or why you liked working alongside him, and still today with your mom, Peggy, and Art? As anybody who works with family probably knows, continued on pg. 10

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

it can be challenging to work with family day in and day out, but we have made a great team over the years. I feel fortunate for the years I got to spend working alongside my dad. He taught me a lot about farming and agriculture and the character it takes to make it through the long haul. Some of the earliest memories of

working with my dad include moving pivots and helping with irrigation when I was young. But he also spent a lot of time teaching me the ropes of running the potato planter, and I am thankful that he was able to share all his wisdom with me before he passed. My dad was a meticulous note keeper. He always had a notepad in

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Left: The Spudnik 8400 planter is filled with seed potatoes on Seidl Farms. Right: Jim Fassbender fills the old Kverneland 3600 planter in this mid-1990’s photo. Having since passed on, Jim was married to Frank Seidl’s daughter, Peggy, who continues her roles as secretary/ treasurer and loving grandma. Jim had been working for Seidl Farms, Inc. since he graduated from high school in 1976.

his shirt pocket, truck and tractor, and was constantly jotting down thoughts, notes and lessons learned. So, like I said, I am thankful that he was able to pass on his many years of experience and wisdom to the next generation. Your younger brother, Ryan, works on the farm, too, is that correct? Yes, Ryan works on the farm as well. He returned to the farm full time, in the spring of 2015, after studying agronomy at Fox Valley Tech.

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Ryan is a jack of all trades and picks up and fills in wherever there is a need, but some of his regular responsibilities include driving windrower during harvest and running the warehouse at planting season. continued on pg. 12

10 BC�T November

The scientific explanation. Calcium is a required element for tuber development. A calcium deficiency in plants results in dividing cells being unable to stay bound together. This causes poor quality potatoes such as reduced size, growth cracks and hollow heart.

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 10

My mom, Peg, also works for the farm and has for almost 40 years. In addition to working another part-time office job, raising our family, and now carrying out all her responsibilities as a loving grandma, she handles our bookkeeping. My uncle, Art Seidl, also continues to be an active and vital part of the farm. Art was always active on WPVGA and WSPIA boards, and now you are the WSPIA Board president. Why is it important for you to be involved? Agriculture is not only an industry, but a lifestyle, and it is important for me to surround myself with likeminded people to learn from and grow with. Being a part of the WPVGA and WSPIA offers me an opportunity to connect with other people and promote quality growth and innovation throughout the potato industry. Being a part of these communities is mutually beneficial, as it also helps us as a farm to stay up to date with the best growing practices and other growers in the state.

Art Seidl digs potatoes with a Lenco self-propelled harvester.

Not only does it keep us informed, but it also gives us a voice and influence in the important conversations that impact us, as well as our fellow farmers and the industry. I believe Seidl Farms, Inc. raises Atlantic, Snowden, Goldrush, Russet

Norkotah and Red Norland certified seed potatoes, is that correct? And are they all certified seed potatoes? We recently stopped growing Red Norland and now grow Manistee. All the potatoes we grow are certified seed potatoes. What is the acreage breakdown of the potatoes you grow, and on what kind of rotation? Is all the farmland in the Deerbrook area? We grow about 1,000 acres total, and all farmland is around the Deerbrook area. The acreage breakdown: 1. 225 acres of potatoes 2. 250 acres of snap beans 3. 160 of barley 4. 60 in field corn 5. 210 acres of clover and alfalfa 6. 100 acres of oats Our rotation typically looks something like potatoes, beans, barley and back to potatoes; or potatoes, beans, oats, alfalfa and potatoes, on a three-to-four-year rotation. continued on pg. 14

12 BCďż˝T November

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 12

Sometimes, depending on location and what is available to that field, things like irrigation and the ability to spray impact the rotation.

Who are your customers and where are they located? We have customers across the United States, as close as Minnesota and as far as

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Florida. Most of our customers grow chipping potatoes, but some grow a combination of chip and table stock. How did the growing season go for certified seed potatoes this year? Planting and harvest went considerably well. The growing season was somewhat challenging with all of rain we had. Considering the challenges of the 2019 harvest season, 2020’s harvest felt incredibly smooth. The weather was favorable, our equipment worked well, and the yield was good. What were the main challenges? Successes? Challenge: trying to maintain our weekly spray regiment that includes fungicide application and two applications of Aphoil. The wet weather made it difficult to get into the fields with the sprayer and forced us to slow down while in the fields. Above Left: Proud papa Jeff Fassbender poses with his daughters, Paisley, in front, and Raelynn, in his arms, while standing before the 2020 Russet Norkotah seed potato crop. Above Right: The aerial shot shows Jeff Fassbender planting seed potatoes using a Spudnik 8040 four-row planter pulled by a Case IH Puma 225 tractor.

Success: Despite the less than ideal growing conditions, our yield seems very good. What are your main duties during the growing season? I’m responsible for coordinating and carrying out our regimented spray program, so I spend a fair amount of time in the sprayer during those months. I am also responsible for setting up and monitoring irrigation. Later in the growing season, we inspect and prepare all the equipment to make sure it is ready for the harvest season. These are the main things that occupy my time and mind, but there are also some behind the scenes paperwork and recordkeeping that I’m responsible for. What do you like most, and least, about growing certified seed potatoes in and around Deerbrook, Wisconsin? I really enjoy the community in which we farm. Not

“I feel fortunate for the years I got to spend working alongside my dad. He taught me a lot about farming and agriculture and the character it takes to make it through the long haul.” – Jeff Fassbender only are we fortunate to have a great community of farmers, but we also have the special privilege and advantage of growing our crops in the state’s silt loam soil. We hear over and over that the potatoes people get from this part of the state taste unlike potatoes from anywhere else. Least – It is not necessarily unique to farming in Deerbrook or Wisconsin but being at the mercy of Mother Nature can be challenging and frustrating. We have a pretty short

window of time to work with in terms of getting our crops into and out of the ground. How has the industry or farm changed in the short time you have been there? One of the biggest things is the automation and advanced technology of equipment, i.e. autosteer for planting, being able to monitor our air systems from the convenience of home via our phones and starting and monitoring irrigation systems from our phones. continued on pg. 16

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BC�T November 15

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 15

Another significant change has been to our grading efficiency in the spring. This is mostly due to upgraded equipment and facility enhancements. Since we have added a grading shed and upgraded our equipment, we are able to cut grading time in more than half. We went from grading about 300 bags per hour to now grading upwards of 600 bags per hour. This has also allowed us to manage the time of our employees better. By utilizing a holding tank, we can continue to grade while waiting for the next truck to arrive. What would have taken us an entire day to ship in the past can now easily be shipped in less than half a day. What types of rules or regulations do you have to follow as a certified seed grower that other potato and vegetable growers do not? We are required to plant foundation seed, which we get from the Wisconsin State Farm each year. In order to maintain our certification, each year we send multiple sample lots of every variety to Florida or Hawaii to be grown, monitored, inspected and tested to ensure the seed we are selling to customers is clean and meets the highest quality standards set by the state. We also have two yearly inspections done by the state to look for disease, and additionally, each load is

inspected as it is being graded to be shipped out as seed. I know cleanliness is king in the certified seed potato business— what fail-safes do you have in place that ensure your certification every year? While there is no 100 percent fail-safe, we have multiple safeguards in place that help us keep our facility and crops as clean as possible. Our warehouse is washed, disinfected and inspected by the state before potatoes go into storage each year. Disinfectant pans are placed at each entry of the warehouse to help prevent the possible transmission of diseases, and our equipment is washed and disinfected before the cutting and planting season begins, and also between each variety throughout the planting season. The planter itself is disinfected after each variety as well. We also hire an independent agronomy agency to create a specialized nutrient management plan specific to our crops and soil compositions, and we hire this same agency to scout our crops weekly. While this is not a requirement of maintaining certification, it is an investment we feel is critical to the health and longevity of quality crop production. What do you most take pride in, Jeff, regarding the business? I take great pride in maintaining

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With the sun glowing bright orange on the horizon, Snowden seed potatoes are irrigated on Seidl Farms.

our farm’s reputation of providing clean, quality seed. The generations before me have invested a multitude of resources, skill, time and energy to get our farm and the crops we produce to the quality point we’re at today. Do you hope to grow the business or take it to another level? I would like to eventually expand some. I think a farm must continue to grow at some rate to stay in the game. My present quest is to find a couple new growers to partner with. Eventually, I’d also like to expand our crop production, but we’re currently at capacity, so increasing our yield would require a long-term investment of adding more storage and facility space. What do you hope for the future of Seidl Farms? I hope it continues as a proud, family-owned producer of clean, quality certified seed.

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Potato Blackleg Cases Vary in Incidence and Severity Blackleg was widespread in Wisconsin commercial potato fields during early summer 2020 By Amanda Gevens, chair, professor and extension specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Plant Pathology, with some content from Amy Charkowski, Colorado State University There was widespread blackleg in Wisconsin commercial potato fields during early summer (June) of 2020. The cases varied in incidence and severity. Diagnostics revealed several pathogens causing blackleg symptoms in potato, including: Dickeya dianthicola, Pectobacterium parmentieri (formerly P. carotovorum), P. atrosepticum, and P. carotovorum (subspecies carotovorum). The primary bacterial pathogens that cause potato blackleg and tuber soft rot are Pectobacterium atrosepticum, P. carotovorum, P. wasabiae, and more recently in the United States, Dickeya spp. Previously, all these pathogens were grouped in the same genus, Erwinia. Dickeya and Pectobacterium affect many host species, including potato, 18 BCďż˝T November

carrot, broccoli, corn, sunflower and parsnip, while legumes and small grains are not known hosts. Dickeya dianthicola was confirmed in the eastern United States, in just 2015, causing significant potato losses in some areas. Dickeya appears to spread over long distances via seed potatoes, was first reported in the Netherlands in the 1970s, and has since been detected in many other European countries, and now the United States. The pictures within this article illustrate symptoms of Dickeya. Under the right environmental conditions, infection of seed with blackleg pathogens can result in symptoms including poor emergence, chlorosis, wilting, leaf curling, tuber and stem rot, darkened or black stems that are slimy, and death.

These symptoms result from the cellwall-degrading enzyme activity of the bacteria within the plant tissues on which they infect. CONDITIONS PROMOTE DISEASE Blackleg and soft rot bacterial diseases are typically promoted by cool, wet conditions at planting and high temperatures after emergence. While the pathogens can be spread in infested seed, other sources of inoculum include soil, irrigation water and insects. Levels of infection are dependent upon seed-handling/cutting techniques, soil moisture and temperature at planting and emergence, cultivar susceptibility, severity of infection of seed, and potentially, amount of bacteria in irrigation water, cull piles or other external sources. Sanitation and disinfesting of potato cutting equipment and proper handling reduces spread and aids in control of the pathogen. Treating seed to prevent seed piece decay by Above: Infection of seed with blackleg pathogens can result in symptoms including poor plant emergence, chlorosis, wilting, leaf curling, tuber and stem rot, darkened or black stems that are slimy (shown), and death. Image courtesy of Amanda Gevens

One symptom of blackleg is curling of leaves in the potato plant canopy. Image courtesy of Amanda Gevens

fungi can also contribute to blackleg control. Since the pathogen does well in cool, wet soils, avoid planting in overly wet soil. Crop rotation away from potato for two-to-three years for Pectobacterium and less than oneto-two years for Dickeya species will help control this disease as the bacteria do not survive well in soil. While seedborne or vascular blackleg cannot be reversed with applications of fungicides or bacteriacides, spread of the bacterial pathogen from infected to healthy plants and aerial stem rot can be managed in the field with fungicide tank-mixes that contain copper.

In this picture taken in Wisconsin, late June 2020, blackleg symptoms are evident on potato. Photo courtesy of Amanda Gevens

Remember that the pathogen is inside of the plant (until severe symptoms develop) and copper treatments are not internalized. Most often, conditions that favor plantto-plant spread include high winds and driving rains or heavy overhead irrigation.

EFFECTIVE CHEMICAL TOOL In work by Dr. Dennis Johnson of Washington State University, the famoxadone+cymoxanil (Tanos) plus mancozeb tank-mix alternated with mancozeb+copper hydroxide (ie: Kocide) was an effective chemical tool in reducing aerial stem rot in potato.

Field control of aerial stem rot is challenging. Copper-containing fungicides such as Kocide can provide some control of aerial stem rot and may aid in managing bacterial infection after the crop has suffered hail or driving rain/wind damage.

Irrigation management to reduce excess water also greatly enhanced control of aerial stem rot.

However, note that results of these approaches have had varied success throughout the United States.

Copper hydroxide applications alone did not have as effective of control as Tanos+copper hydroxide. As Tanos is also an excellent late blight control material, its use as the DSVs (Disease Severity Values) surpass 18 offers an continued on pg. 20

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BC�T November 19

Potato Blackleg Cases. . . continued from pg. 19

appropriate program for control of both diseases. Although disease symptoms are often indistinguishable from those of the more established blackleg pathogen Pectobacterium spp., Dickeya spp. can initiate disease from lower inoculum levels, have a greater ability to spread through the plant’s vascular tissue, be considerably more aggressive and have higher optimal temperatures for disease development. Dickeya is not a good soil survivor (generally less than two years) and rotation out of potato for at least three years will greatly reduce the disease. Dickeya and Pectobacterium thrive in water and low oxygen, and therefore

“Dickeya is not a good soil survivor [generally less than two years] and rotation out of potato for at least three years will greatly reduce the disease.” – Dr. Amanda Gevens over-irrigation, poor drainage or excessive rain will spread Dickeya and Pectobacterium. Both pathogens can spread after severe storms.

Dickeya spp, but symptoms such as wilting, increased leaf desiccation, stem browning and hollowing of the stem can be present.

Generally, disease caused by Dickeya spp under warm, wet conditions leads to stem rotting with symptoms like those of P. atrosepticum.

TUBER SOFT ROT Tuber soft rot, from either pathogen, ranges from a slight vascular discoloration to complete decay.

Under conditions with lower humidity, less rotting is observed with

Affected tuber tissue is cream-totan colored and is soft and granular. Brown-to-black pigments often develop at the margins of decayed tissue. Lesions usually first develop in lenticels, at the site of stolon attachment or in wounds. Symptoms caused by Dickeya spp. tend to develop when temperatures exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit, while Pectobacterium predominates below 77 degrees. Recent studies showed that Dickeya spp., particularly at temperatures of 80 degrees or above, causes more severe rot than P. atrosepticum and is more likely to produce a creamier, cheesy rot. Dickeya dianthicola, the relatively newer blackleg pathogen, can remain dormant in tubers when temperatures are low (for example, at harvest time and in seed storages). Tubers infected with this form of Dickeya look healthy at planting, but the disease develops when soil temperature increases.

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Seed tubers might rot in the soil, causing poor emergence, or infected plants could emerge that eventually die, but not before spreading the

disease to neighboring plants. Cutting seed will spread Pectobacterium within a seed lot. After several years of specific testing, Dickeya has been found to not spread by standard cutting approaches. SUBERIZE CUT SEED If cutting seed, it is important to ensure that the cut surfaces are suberized prior to planting to avoid new infections. Dickeya can be managed through biosecurity measures and on-farm precautions such as decontamination of farm machinery, eliminating plant debris and alternative hosts, and avoidance of mechanical harvesting during the early phases of pre-basic seed tuber multiplication. Growers should make sure to thoroughly sanitize seed cutting equipment and planters between lots to mitigate pathogen spread (for several pathogens). Seed should be warmed prior to planting so that it is approximately the same temperature as the soil, and to reduce water condensation on tubers. Bacteria cannot enter plant tissues unless there is a port of entry (unsuberized cut surfaces of the seed tuber or bruises) and a film of water or a wet surface. AVOID DAMAGING SKIN At harvest, growers should reduce the chances of inflicting damage to the skin, such as cuts and bruises. If soft rot is present in a portion of the field, the area should not be harvested. In addition, harvesting equipment should be sanitized between lots. Improved storage management can reduce bacterial load on tubers and rotting. Both physical (especially hot water treatment) and chemical methods have been explored with limited success. Dickeya grows slowly or not at all at seed storage temperatures, so if the

crop looks good going into storage, it will likely not decay in storage due to Dickeya. But the bacteria will likely cause disease and spread the next year if infected potatoes are planted.

7. Utilize crop rotation of two or more years with a non-host crop. 8. Avoid over-irrigation.

Testing for Dickeya and Pectobacterium is available using new standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Our University of Wisconsin Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic can provide these tests. Grower Checklist for Managing Pectobacterium & Dickeya 1. Plant certified disease-free tubers into well-drained soil with a temperature under 50 degrees. 2. Plant whole seed tubers if possible. Suberize cut seed before planting. 3. Plant seed tubers during conditions that favor fast emergence. 4. Clean and disinfect tools and equipment used for cutting and planting seed. 5. Avoid wounding during seed cutting, planting and harvest. 6. Fungicidal seed treatment of potatoes to prevent seed piece decay can indirectly prevent contamination, especially during the cutting operation.

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10. Consider copper fungicides, which are partially effective against disease and work to dry out existing lesions. 11. Delay harvest until skin set is complete (up to 21 days after top-kill). 12. Avoid wet conditions during harvest to prevent soil from sticking to tuber skins. 13. Store contaminated potato lots separately. 14. Provide adequate ventilation in storage. 15. Check storages regularly for temperature increase and odors. If problems are detected, hotspot fans can be used to cool the pile. 16. Dry potatoes before storage or shipping.

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Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project Exceeds Expectations WPVGA works with Village of Plover, governmental and conservation groups to enhance waterway By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater When the Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project Team convened, in February 2017, to discuss ways to meet the team’s goals, the Village of Plover saw great potential. “Our progress has far exceeded village expectations,” says Dan Mahoney, Village of Plover administrator. “We are fortunate 22 BC�T November

to be working with many great collaborators from our community and beyond to restore the health of local waters.” The Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project (LPRWEP) is a multi-party collaboration convened by the Village of Plover and the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) to

Above: On August 19, 2020, Tracy Hames (left), executive director of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, gave a tour of the upper section of the Little Plover River to parties interested in the progress of current and ongoing restoration efforts.

improve the health of the Little Plover River and the quality of life of the surrounding community. The Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Portage County Land Conservation Department and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

(DNR) make up the core team of project advisors. Montgomery and Associates supports the project through hydrological and ecological fieldwork and analysis. The LPRWEP aims to use best available data and voluntary conservation actions to achieve the following goals: • Increase the flow and improve the aquatic health of the Little Plover River • Improve surface and groundwater connections and water retention across the Little Plover River watershed • Alleviate storm-water-driven flooding • Improve and expand fish and wildlife habitat and public recreation opportunities and access On August 19, 2020, Tracy Hames, executive director of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, gave a tour of

“The prairie restoration is going so well that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said we don’t need to conduct controlled burns this year, but periodic burning will be an important tool to maintain healthy habitat conditions moving forward.” – Tracy Hames the upper section of the Little Plover River to parties interested in the progress of the LPRWEP. A mere five miles long and located at the base of a moraine, the Little Plover River is a Class 1 trout stream. Yet, there have been decades of controversy surrounding it and whether there is reduced water flow because of agricultural practices, village wells or weather- and landscape-related issues.

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“When you have everyone agree to collaborate on a solution, there’s a lot of power,” Hames remarked during the tour. “A partnership was developed, and we’re working shoulder-to-shoulder to address issues in a non-regulatory manner.” “This is what we do—watershedscale restoration. We want to be able to demonstrate how it can be done,” Hames said. continued on pg. 24

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BC�T November 23

Little Plover River Watershed . . . continued from pg. 23

Since the project started, the Little Plover River has been flowing above the minimum 4cfs (cubic feet per second) rate as set by the DNR as the public rights stage. “You can have a healthy river in an agriculture landscape,” Hames stressed. “In order to do that, we

have to bring back a semblance of how it looked and acted historically, but in a modern landscape.” To accomplish that goal, the Project Team has been thinning out forest through pine and oak management, cutting trees that are not part of the historic landscape; filling in a

Above: During the tour, Jason Behrends, a restoration operations manager for Heartland Ecological, explained that the land has transitioned to both dryland and wetland with a mosaic of vegetation.

large agricultural drainage ditch at the head of the river; dealing with the river form through channel

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improvement; decommissioning a high-capacity well; and working on prairie and wetland restoration. FLOODPLAIN & FORESTRY EXPERTS The LPRWEP convened a team of fishery, floodplain and forestry experts from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to help design and implement restoration and management practices, improve channel structure and reconnect the Little Plover River to its historic floodplain. “The river was historically 5.3 feet wide, and the land was open wet meadow and prairie,” Hames explained. “When we began studying it, some parts of the river were 40 feet wide.” “We know,” he continues, “most of the erosion occurs during a short run-off period each year, causing the channel to change form, in this case from narrow and deep to shallow and wide.” “An agriculture ditch that was constructed decades ago was contributing to the flashy, erosive flows and causing groundwater to bypass the upper two miles of river,” Hames said.

related to the Little Plover River for many years,” says WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan, “and in April of 2017, the Water Task Force [developed by the WPVGA to support the sustainable use of

water resources] approved a funding request from the Village of Plover for approximately $64,000 to help get this project started.” continued on pg. 26

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The team physically narrowed the channel itself, and upon doing so, the river immediately started to become deeper by 1.5 to 2 feet. The river bottom has been changed, too, from sand to gravel. “By filling in the agriculture ditch and raising the groundwater level,” Hames said, “it increased the flow in the upper part of the Little Plover River substantially.” “We have been working on issues Above: The Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project (LPRWEP) is a multi-party collaboration convened by the Village of Plover and the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association that includes the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Portage County Land Conservation Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and others.

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BC�T November 25

Little Plover River Watershed . . . continued from pg. 25

The money helped launch the project and has been combined with grants and awards from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others, as well as in-kind matches by all of the LPRWEP partners, to fund restoration efforts. It has quickly become a multi-million dollar project. MUNICIPAL WELLS Mahoney explains that, as a user of groundwater, the village recognized that its municipal wells affect the Little Plover River and watershed. The Village of Plover has altered the pumping regimen of its wells to minimize impacts to the Little Plover River. “In the past, 70 percent of the water pumped by the village wells was pumped from the two wells located within a quarter-mile of the Little Plover River,” Mahoney notes.

Above: Tracy Hames (center) stands in what is left of an old agriculture drainage ditch that has been filled in to help return flow to the upper river as part of the Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project.

“The pumping regimen was changed several years ago so that now 70 percent of the village’s water is pumped from Well #3, which is located two miles away from the

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Little Plover River,” he says. Potato and vegetable grower Myron Soik & Sons agreed to sell approximately 60 acres of land to continued on pg. 28

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Little Plover River Watershed . . . continued from pg. 26

the Village of Plover, land that has since been converted from irrigated agriculture to wetlands and upland prairie. “The village worked with the Soik family (including Bruce, Curt and Mark), and the acquisition resulted in the elimination of one high-capacity well in the headwaters of the Little Plover River,” Mahoney relates. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Village of Plover signed an agreement whereby USFWS created wetland on a portion of the Little Plover River Conservancy Area and provided upland prairie planting seed for the conservancy area and the Soik property. During the tour, Jason Behrends, a restoration operations manager for Heartland Ecological, explained that the land has transitioned to both dryland and wetland with a mosaic of vegetation.

NATIVE PRAIRIE & GRASSLAND “We are reestablishing native prairie and grassland,” Behrends said. “First, we managed seed installations and spot herbicide treatments, did some mowing and allowed the seed mix to mature.” “The prairie restoration is going so well that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said we don’t need to conduct controlled burns this year,” Hames relayed to the tour group, “but periodic burning will be an important tool to maintain healthy habitat conditions moving forward.” The Portage County Land Conservation Department is assisting in this project, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reviewed and approved the restoration plan. In addition, the DNR and U.S. Army Corps approved the proposed restoration plan for the Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust project

on the Soik property. “The primary goal is to protect the Little Plover River watershed and its associated streams, lakes and wetlands,” Houlihan remarks, “while promoting a sustainable agricultural industry.” “We also plan to improve and expand wildlife habitat in the watershed for ecological benefits and increased public opportunity for outdoor recreation,” Houlihan says. Other LPRWEP initiatives include the repair of leaky infrastructure within the Village of Plover, improved infiltration and previously mentioned activities to reduce water usage. There is great need to solve water resource issues in the Wisconsin Central Sands area, and the LPRWEP is leading the way in that effort.

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Seed Piece Positive Report for Wisconsin Seed Potatoes

Spring shipping was strong with increased demand in chip and fresh sectors By Alex Crockford, Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program director The year 2020 will be remembered for its ups and downs, but regarding seed potatoes in Wisconsin, the report is mostly positive. Spring shipping was strong. Total hundredweight shipped through May was vigorous, likely due to chip and fresh sectors maintaining or having

increase demand from COVID-19. Seed used for the regional fry processing sector represents only a small percentage of Wisconsin’s Seed Potato Certification Program. Spring planting always presents challenges, but most seed was

Above: Snowden potatoes are harvested at the University of Wisconsin Lelah Starks Elite Foundation Seed Potato Farm.

planted within the normal planting window of May. In 2020, a total of 9,344 acres were planted and entered in certification, up from 9,267 in 2019 and a 1 percent increase. June growing conditions were dryer than normal and ended with unseasonably hot and humid weather, potentially effecting how varieties set.

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Wisconsin seed growers chose to grow slightly less Lamoka (-7 percent) and Silverton (-9 percent) as major varieties. Up-and-coming varieties include Plover Russet (W9133-1rus), a recently named release from the

SpudPro Committee and representing a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin (UW) Potato Breeding Program and the seed industry. It is an early russet variety with better shape than Goldrush.

5 inches in most of the area.

Another emerging UW variety, Red Prairie (W8405-1R), has also seen acreage increases. Red Prairie is a high-yielding red variety with shallow eyes and a round to oblong shape.

Some vine damage brought on white mold and aerial blackleg for the final weeks of the season. No Late blight was found in our seed production area.

Other varieties with growing interest are Mackinaw, a recent Michigan State University release, Reveille developed by Texas A&M and Caribou russet developed by Maine and licensed/controlled through the Maine Potato Board. Interest in Manistee has remained steady with a 7-plus percent gain. HEAVY RAIN EVENT Noteworthy for this summer’s production season was a heavy rain event, on July 26, that affected growers in Langlade County, with precipitation totals exceeding

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Parts of Langlade County did suffer from drown-outs, but the area dried quickly following the deluge. Lenticels shrunk and tubers remained in good health.

Tubers per hill, or number sets, were high in some varieties and low in others, presenting vine kill planning and fertilization challenges to manage through the season due to rain events in July. Overall, the number of tubers per hill were higher across most varieties, which is reflected in smaller seed harvested this fall. Harvest is nearly a wrap as I report on the crop in the early days of October, with some of the fairest weather continued on pg. 32

Above: In an early generation Red Prairie (W8405-1R) seed lot, two row skips are planted to wheat.

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Seed Piece . . .

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conditions in recent memory. Harvests of 2019 and 2018 were far more challenging due to rain and freezing events. COVID-19 has changed our postharvest testing plans, but we remain committed to our seed certification rules (ATCP156) and the support of ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) virus testing. Our ability to plant and conduct readings in Hawaii has changed, and with it, ongoing cooperation with the University of Hawaii for ELISA testing. Our planned location for the growout is southern Florida. While we were testing over 500 seed lots with ELISA, in addition to our visual inspections, we will be testing about half of the material we have been in recent years at our lab based at UW-Madison.

Above: This year’s potato harvest boasted excellent fall colors at the State Farm located west of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Interest in Manistee potatoes, shown being harvested, has remained steady, with a 7-plus percent increase

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Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

Spud Bowl Festivities Adapted During Pandemic

Scholarships awarded to five students via generous industry and committee donations Change can be hard. It can be challenging to navigate and accept. Ironically enough, it is the only constant in life. If there is one thing that has been continuous throughout the global pandemic so far, it is the need to adapt, be flexible and navigate through change, especially among all the unknowns. In a matter of a few short months, many events have gone and are going virtual or are in the discussion stages of how best to adapt under the circumstances. The decision for all Wisconsin Division III colleges to cancel the football season solidified the fact that 2020 and the 34th Annual Spud Bowl at the University of Wisconsin (UW)Stevens Point, originally scheduled for September 12, would be different if it even occurred at all. Instead of cancelling the event altogether, however, the Spud Bowl Committee chose to adapt and hold it

Dianne Somers (left) delivers a half-ton of potatoes to the DeBot Center dining service located on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus. Dianne and her husband, Nick, of Plover River Farms in Stevens Point, generously donated the potatoes, which were used in various dishes for students to purchase during Spud Week, September 7-11.

in a different style. “Spud Week” occurred on campus, September 7-11, and featured potatoes from Plover River Farms in Stevens Point.

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From left to right, UW-Stevens Point students Emily Yulga, McKenzie Durr, Jenna Zick, Landry Kirsling and Lindsey Pence each received $1,000 to assist with their studies via 2020 Spud Bowl Academic Scholarships. All five shared their gratitude to the Wisconsin potato industry in a short video that can be seen by visiting: https://youtu.be/8XWcq67LWAA.

This was coupled with visits from Spud Bowl Committee members who asked university students potatorelated trivia questions throughout the week, handing out information and prizes. SPUDLY MAKES APPEARANCE The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association’s own mascot, “Spudly,” even made an appearance on Friday, September 11. Overall, it was a successful way

to educate students about the Wisconsin potato industry under the circumstances, while also giving them the opportunity to taste high-quality potatoes! continued on pg. 36

Right: Spudly (back center) has fun promoting Wisconsin potatoes while WPVGA Spudmobile Education and Outreach Administrator Doug Foemmel (right) offers a prize to a deserving University of WisconsinStevens Point student for correctly answering potato trivia questions during Spud Week.

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Spud Bowl Committee Member Tony Grapsas (right) of Jay-Mar, Inc., in Plover, Wisconsin, hands out information to a UW-Stevens Point student while another shows off a Pointer T-shirt won during Spud Week, September 7-11.

While the event itself looked different this year, one aspect that remained the same was the committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to provide academic scholarships to deserving students. Five students each received a $1,000 scholarship as a direct result of generous donations from the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry. The five scholarship winners are Junior Emily Yulga, Freshman Landry Kirsling, Senior McKenzie Durr,

Spudly and a UW-Stevens Point student put their guns on display on campus, Friday, September 11, during Spud Week.

Sophomore Lindsey Pence and Freshman Jenna Zick. Normally, the scholarship winners are present at the Spud Bowl game and recognized during halftime announcements. Without a football game to attend this year, they all extended their appreciation to the Spud Bowl donors and committee members via a video that can be seen by visiting: https://youtu. be/8XWcq67LWAA.

While the execution of many events has changed and will likely continue to change in the months ahead, the goal of the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry remains to provide awareness, education and resources to consumers of all ages. And how refreshing it is to have some normalcy in an ever-changing environment! continued on pg. 38

Thank You to the Sponsors of the 2020 Spud Bowl Festivities Ag Country Farm Credit Services Allen Supply Company, Inc. BioLife Plasma Services BMO Harris Bank Bushman Potato Sales, Inc. Calcium Products, Inc. Compeer Financial Delta Dental Fairchild Equipment Gagas Farms Guth Farm Inc. Hamerski Farms, Inc. 36 BCďż˝T November

Heartland Farms Insight FS International Bank of Amherst Jay-Mar, Inc. Jordan Lamb, DeWitt LLP Jubilee Produce, Inc. McCain Foods Mortenson Bros. Farms, Inc. Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc. Plover River Farms, Inc. Portage County Bank Portage County Dairy Committee

Potato Plant, Inc. Roberts Irrigation Rural Mutual Insurance (Jennifer Zinda-Mancl) Soik Sales T H Agri-Chemicals, Inc. Volm Companies Warner & Warner, Inc. Worzella & Sons WPVGA WPVGA Associate Division Wysocki Family of Companies

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Spudmobile Stands Out at Portage County Fair The Wisconsin Spudmobile has not invited anyone through its doors since mid-March. But thanks to the beautiful wrap on the outside, the vehicle serves as a fantastic static billboard and promotion for the Wisconsin potato industry, an option that was utilized in full at the Portage County Fair in Rosholt, Saturday, September 5. The day kicked off with a parade, of which the Spudmobile was a part, and ended with a demolition derby. Following the parade, the Spudmobile was parked, and the driver and coordinator handed out recipes, giveaways and information about Wisconsin potatoes to attendees.

This family is happy to check out Wisconsin’s Spudmobile at the 2020 Portage County Fair in Rosholt on Saturday, September 5.

Event organizers planned for social distancing and made hand washing and sanitizing stations available. WPVGA’s Spudmobile Education and Outreach Administrator Doug Foemmel says the vehicle is still a popular attraction, even with temporarily closed doors.

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a crowd when on display,” Foemmel says. “Then, given the opportunity at some events to set up our tent and table to hand out potato literature and small gifts, we do get the chance to have some one-on-one interaction. Even after six years on the road, Foemmel says people still inquire about “the bus” and its purpose. That’s when Foemmel and Dale Bowe, Spudmobile education and

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WPVGA’s Education and Outreach Administrator Doug Foemmel has the Spudmobile parked and ready to go at the Portage County Fair, in Rosholt, on Saturday, September 5, 2020.

outreach coordinator, are able to relay information about the vehicle’s promotional and educational activities, as well as what and who the WPVGA represent as an organization. It is a message that communicates WPVGA’s mission and purpose to the public, even during a global pandemic. And it’s an opportunity of which other businesses have taken advantage.

In addition to the Wisconsin State Fair (via a “drive-thru” this year during the pandemic), Schroeder’s Gifts, in Antigo, and Big Iron Equipment, Plover, have each taken advantage of the Spudmobile as a billboard, allowing it to be parked on their properties for a period of time. It has proven beneficial in these challenging times to communicate the importance of agriculture and the farmers who provide high-quality

Left: Spudmobile Education and Outreach Coordinator Dale Bowe (left) and Education and Outreach Administrator Doug Foemmel (right) are ready to welcome visitors to the 2020 Portage County Fair in Rosholt on Saturday, September 5. They provided giveaways and information about Wisconsin’s potato industry to those who stopped to chat. Right: The Spudmobile holds its own while parked near farm implements at Big Iron Equipment in Plover, Wisconsin.

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The Spudmobile is a beautiful sight on Highway 45 outside of Schroeder’s Gifts, in Antigo, during the store’s customer appreciation event, where customers also enjoyed complimentary loaded baked potatoes. BC�T November 39

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Potatoes USA News Study Shows More Households Are Buying Potatoes Fresh potato sales increased significantly from July 2019 through June 2020, and so did the number of households that purchased potatoes. Eighty-eight percent of households bought potatoes on an average of 10 times during the 52-week period. This was a significant increase for fresh potatoes, which are already a staple item in households. During 2019, consumers purchased fresh potatoes, on average, seven times in 83 percent of households. Potatoes continued to be bought most often with bread, milk, eggs, onions and

other staple household items. However, consumers increased their basket sizes all around the store, including those with fresh potatoes. The study, conducted with IRI, shows grocery baskets containing potatoes averaged $85.58 at checkout, yet, when potatoes were not in the basket, the value was almost half of that. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content of these reports, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of any information contained herein. Please reach out to media@ potatoesusa.com with any questions.

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Potatoes Secure Share of USDA 2020 SCRI Funding In early September 2020, the Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) published its latest batch of winning bids, with 23 projects spanning multiple states, research institutions and crop types receiving $68 million in Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) funding. Two of the 23 proposals, together totaling a little more than $10 million, feature potatoes front and center in their objectives. The first project, headed by Dr. Alexander Karasev of the University of Idaho and titled, “Development of Sustainable System-Based Management Strategies for Two Vector-Borne, Tuber Necrotic Viruses in Potato,” aims to apply $5.7 million in funding to tackle two of the most tenacious potato diseases: potato virus Y (PVY) and potato mop-top virus (PMTV). Both pathogens present formidable challenges for growers and breeders because they are difficult to detect. Karasev says, “The bottom line is, when you start seeing the problem, it may be too late to do anything. Prevention is the best strategy here.”

Above: Dr. Jeff Endelman, who leads the potato variety development program for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a key contributor to one of two potato projects that won Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is shown here addressing attendees at the 2019 Rhinelander Field Day in Wisconsin.

Jeff Endelman—a potato breeder affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison—as a key contributor, potatoes are sure to receive their fair share of attention.

to new heights by equipping the next generation of plant scientists with the tools to commercialize better fruits and veggies.

Could that mean new potato varieties hitting shelves sooner? Only time Long term, this $4.3 million project will tell, so keep your forks and fields 20-11 Badger Common'Tater .25page AD (4x3).v1.pdf 1 2020-10-07 8:36 AM could take public agriculture research ready.

ASSAILING VIRAL THREATS He and his co-directors plan to assail these viral threats from all sides, using soil testing, high-throughput detection, molecular markers and crop rotations to combat the incidence and spread of disease. Another notable 2020 SCRI awardee, “Tools for Genomics-Assisted Breeding in Polyploids: Development of a Community Resource,” will catalyze the creation and adoption of advanced computational breeding methods for potatoes and their polyploid peers (turfgrass, blackberry, kiwi and rose). The involvement of multiple horticultural interests will only strengthen this project. With Dr. BC�T November 43

Now News

CHS Larson Supports Little Suamico Fire Department Seeds for Stewardship grant is to purchase grain entrapment rescue equipment Keeping communities, customers and employees safe is a core value at CHS Larson Cooperative. Through the CHS Country Operations “Seeds for Stewardship” grant program, the cooperative is proud to help local organizations that focus on safety, agriculture industry leadership and supporting rural communities. The Little Suamico Fire Department (LSFD) received a $2,610 grant from CHS Larsen Cooperative to purchase grain entrapment rescue equipment through the CHS Country Operations Seeds for Stewardship grant program. “Rural communities work hard to keep people safe while building and

developing tomorrow’s leaders,” says David Neal, general manager, CHS Larsen Cooperative. “We are thankful for those who are dedicated to making sure our communities continue to be strong, safe places for our customers and employees to live and work together,” Neal states. “Their great work helps build connections that empower agriculture and our communities.” Sievert Dairy Farms, a customer of CHS Larsen Cooperative, recently invited Little Suamico Fire Department to its grain facility for rescue training and information. During the training, participants

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simulated an entrapment scenario. While participating in the simulated grain rescue, one of the firefighters got stuck in corn, thigh deep, for over an hour. SAFETY PROVISIONS After training, the group reflected on the scenario, which highlighted the strong need for proper grain rescue tools to truly provide both farmer/ employee and firefighter safety. The LSFD response area, including neighboring communities, has over 30 large grain storage sites and numerous other small storage units. After extensive research, LSFD determined a grain bin rescue tube, grain auger and cordless drill would best support their rescue efforts. Above: CHS Larsen Cooperative Agronomy Sales Manager Jeremy Hunt (second from right) presents a check to the Little Suamico Fire Department as part of the CHS Country Operations “Seeds for Stewardship” grant program. The $2,610 grant from CHS Larsen Cooperative is to purchase grain entrapment rescue equipment. From left to right are Little Suamico Fire Department Second Assistant Chief Chris Glinski; Second Captain Kris Wirts; Chief Todd Zuge; Hunt; and Mike Sievert of Sievert Dairy Farms

LSFD operates on a fixed budget every year and largely relies on grants and donations to purchase new equipment. Sievert Dairy offered to donate $500 towards the project, and this grant will cover the remaining expense. Mike Sievert has been instrumental in organizing grain rescue training with LSFD, supplying the knowledge and practical experience to make

firefighters/first responders aware of the dangers associated with the storage units. “We really appreciate working with Mike to allow us to do training at his grain facility and his continued support of the fire department,” says Todd Zuge, Little Suamico Fire Department chief. Since 2019, CHS ag retail locations

across the country have awarded more than $340,000 to local organizations through the Seeds for Stewardship program. The funds provided in 2020 are being used to help protect firefighters, engage students in ag leadership and education projects, sustain local 4-H and FFA groups, and build gathering places where 4-H and community members can meet.

Compeer Financial Awards Fair Projects

Blue Ribbon Project recognizes Wisconsin youth who missed fairs this year Youth across rural America faced disappointment this year when their fairs were canceled or went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing the importance of county and state fairs to young people in their territory, Compeer Financial stepped in to recognize the hard work youth put into their fair projects. In June, Compeer unveiled the Blue Ribbon Project, a contest for youth to submit their fair projects for a chance to win prizes. “Compeer remains a strong supporter of youth agriculture programs across our territory,” says John Monson, chief mission and marketing officer at Compeer Financial. “With many summer events being canceled, including county and state fairs, our team wanted to still be able to recognize and support the hard work of 4-H and FFA members with the Blue Ribbon Project contest.” Young people across Compeer’s 144-county territory in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin were encouraged to submit photos and descriptions of their projects and to explain what their project meant to them. “Many of our team members participated in fairs growing up, or have kids showing at fairs now. We know how important something

like this can be to our local youth,” Monson remarks. With 542 total submissions, 54 entrants were awarded as winners or grand champions, each receiving $100 for themselves and $100 for a non-profit organization of their choice. Grand champions received

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$500 for themselves and $500 for their non-profit organization. Winners were determined based on age and geographic location. continued on pg. 46

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Now News. . .

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Nineteen Wisconsin youth were among the winners. Congratulations to the Wisconsin winners of the Blue Ribbon Project Contest. • Barbara Dittrich, Grand Champion – Alma, Wisconsin • Parker Green, Grand Champion – Elroy

• Grant Bailie – Lancaster • Lillian Bork – Fountain City • Sydney Boyer – Spring Valley • Macie Demulling – New Richmond • Brianna Gartman – Sheboygan • Kelsey Kreul – Plain • Lydia Krause – Genoa • Allison Lund – Cambridge • Colton Lund – Janesville

• Natalie Roe – Monticello • Trent Schlender – Watertown • Breen Stalsberg – Fennimore • Brock Stello – Mindoro • Oliver Stowell – Fox Lake • Lauren Thompson – Woodville • Ethan Winkle – Twin Lakes • Clara Zastrow – Brownsville

Wisconsin Farm Sows Energy Efficiency

Collaboration with Focus on Energy results in purchase of grain dryer Ter-Rae Farms, Inc., a dairy and crop farm operating in St. Croix County since 1949, made the decision to embark on the energy efficiency path and is already milking some of the benefits that come with it. The farm collaborated with Focus On Energy®, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy program, and trade ally contractor

Lodermeier’s, Inc. to purchase and install a more energy-efficient grain dryer. This is the first time Ter-Rae Farms has partnered with Focus on Energy and it hopefully will not be the last. The farm received an incentive check for $35,040 from Focus on Energy, paired with an additional $4,000 from its utility provider, Xcel

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Energy, for completing the project and implementing energy-saving measures. Tim Bartels, a utility representative at Xcel Energy, informed the farm of the incentive opportunities available through Focus on Energy for making energy-efficient upgrades and tuneups. With grain processing equipment expertise from Lodermeier’s, Ter-Rae Farms met with Focus on Energy and Xcel Energy representatives to discuss best-fit grain dryer options. “Ter-Rae Farms took the first step on its journey into energy efficiency,” says Kevin Weiler, an energy advisor for Focus on Energy who worked continued on pg. 48

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with the farm on this project. “After explaining the benefits behind installing energy-efficient equipment, including the energy and cost savings, Ter-Rae Farms proceeded to purchase the new grain dryer.”

energy costs over the lifetime of the grain dryer, saving the farm more than $15,084 on its energy bills each year.

ENERGY SAVINGS By making this upgrade, Ter-Rae Farms will save 20,112 thermal units of natural gas in the first 12 months, enough electrical energy to power 18 Wisconsin homes for an entire year.

“This has been a great experience,” said Dennis Mitchell from Ter-Rae Farms. “Focus on Energy worked with us every step of the way, including identifying the incentive opportunity and calculating the energy savings we could expect to see after purchasing a more fuel-efficient model.”

Combined with the incentives, these energy savings will produce an estimated $250,000 in avoided

Focus on Energy partners with 107 utilities across the state to offer energy expertise and financial

incentives to residents and businesses that choose to reduce energy waste. A third-party evaluation last year revealed Wisconsin runs the most cost-effective energy efficiency programs in the nation, in terms of energy savings per dollar spent. An evaluation released this year found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy generates $4.80 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced energy costs and reduced pollution.

Support Potato LEAF by Buying through Amazon Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation close to meeting goal

Despite obvious challenges faced by the industry this year, the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation

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Donations and pledges demonstrate the resiliency of the U.S. potato industry and the value it places on developing the leaders of tomorrow. Now, there are two ways you can support Potato LEAF and the future leaders of our industry. As always, you can make an end-of-year taxdeductible donation as an individual and/or business by visiting https:// 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 .5 percent of the purchases to the foundation—with no fees and no extra cost to you! Visit https://smile.amazon.com and type in “Potato Leadership Education and Advancement Foundation” into the search bar to register Potato LEAF as your designated charity. Remember to always start your Amazon shopping at smile.amazon. com for your eligible purchases to count.

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2020 WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATO GROWERS DIRECTORY Above: Cut seed potatoes are loaded into a Harriston planter at Mortenson Bros. Farms, Inc., west of Plainfield, Wisconsin

PRIMARY BUSINESS PHONE NUMBERS ARE BOLD-FACED. BAGINSKI FARMS, INC. N3474 County H, Antigo, WI 54409 Office/Farm (715) 627-7753 Fax (715) 623-5412 Out of State (888) 446-7753 Mike Baginski (715) 627-7838 Mike Baginski Cell (715) 216-1240 Email mike@baginskifarms.com Website www.baginskifarms.com Baby Boomer, Bellamonda, Colomba, Goldrush, Mercury Russet, Modoc, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Norland (Red Selection), Prada, Radley, Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah Sel 8, Silverton, Superior BULA POTATO FARMS, INC. Shipping Address: W8376 County Road K, Elcho, WI 54428 Billing Address: W11957 Highland Road, Antigo, WI 54409 Office/Warehouse (715) 275-3430 Office/Warehouse Fax (715) 275-5051 Dennis Cell (715) 216-1614 Adam Cell (715) 216-1613 Farm Email bulaseed@frontiernet.net Dennis Email: dennis@certifiedseedpotatoes.com Caribou Russet, Goldrush, Molli, Lady Liberty (NY152), Norland (Dark Red Selection), Reveille Russet, Silverton, Superior, Umatilla Russet, Plover Russet (W9133-1Rus), W9433-1Rus, W97422-3Rus, Yukon Gold BUSHMAN’S RIVERSIDE RANCH, INC. N8151 Bushman Road, Crivitz, WI 54114 Farm (Crivitz, WI) (715) 757-2160 Jeff (715) 927-4015 Jon (715) 454-6201 Fax (715) 757-2243 Email jssuchon@gmail.com Caribou Russet, Reveille Russet, Silverton 50 BC�T November

CETS, LLC ASTRO TUBERSTM N77 W24677 Century CT, Sussex WI 53089 Office (262) 246-1799 Fax (262) 246-1762 Cell (262) 391-4705 Website: www.cetstech.com EAGLE RIVER SEED FARM LLC Ron Krueger, Farm Manager 4334 Chain O' Lakes Road, Eagle River, WI 54521 Eagle River Warehouse (715) 479-8434 Fax (Eagle River) (715) 479-8792 Ron Krueger Cell (715) 891-0832 Email rlkrueger@charter.net CW08221-5Rus, Frito-Lay Varieties, Goldrush, Lady Liberty (NY152), Mackinaw, Mercury Russet, Modoc, Molli, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Norland (Red Selection), Paroli, Plover Russet (W9133-1Rus), Russet Norkotah Sel 8, Silverton, Soraya, Umatilla Russet, W12078-76, W8893-1R FLEISCHMAN, DAVID FARMS N2568 Cty Hwy HH, Antigo, WI 54409 Office (715) 623-6353 Cell (715)-216-2343 Fax (715) 627-0183 Email davidfleischmanfarms@gmail.com Goldrush, Mercury Russet, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Norland (Red Selection), Russet Norkotah, Silverton, Superior, Yukon Gold FRITO-LAY, INC. 4295 Tenderfoot Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501 Andrew Sieker (715) 365-1622 Cell (620) 791-8808 Frito-Lay Varieties GALLENBERG, DARWIN W8636 County B, Bryant, WI 54418 Office (715) 623-6586 Adirondack Blue, Adirondack Red, Austrian Crescent, German Butterball, Kennebec, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold

GALLENBERG FARMS, INC. W7932 Edison Road, Bryant, WI 54418 Farm (715) 623-7018 Roy Gallenberg (715) 627-2906 John Gallenberg (715) 623-2295 Fax (715) 627-2043 Email rgallenberg@hotmail.com Goldrush, MegaChip, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Oneida Gold (W6703-1Y), Red Endeavor (W6022-1R), Red Prairie (W8405-1R), Superior

David Hafner 715-623-6902 Kevin Hafner 715-216-1606 Email khafner1@hotmail.com Atlantic, Goldrush, Russet Norkotah, Silverton, Snowden, Superior HARTMAN FARMS, INC. N2846 County HH, Antigo, WI 54409 Michael Hartman Home (715) 623-7083 Michael Hartman Cell (715) 219-1802 Todd Hartman (715) 610-6477 John Hartman (715) 216-2059 Goldrush, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Norland (Red Selection), Russet Norkotah, Superior

GUENTHNER FARMS, INC. N4653 Chillie Rd, Antigo, WI 54409 Farm (715) 627-7683 Bill Guenthner (715) 627-2792 Tom Schmidt (715) 216-1953 Fax (715) 627-0507 Goldrush, Langlade, Red LaSoda 10-3 GUENTHNER POTATO CO., INC. PO Box 320, Antigo, WI 54409 Office (715) 623-7877 Fax (715) 623-7127 Jim Kennedy (715) 623-7877 Email gpci.office.assistant@gmail.com Frito-Lay Varieties, Lady Liberty (NY152), Snowden HAFNER SEED FARMS, INC. W8243 County B, Bryant, WI 54418 Office/Warehouse (715) 623-6829 FAX 715-623-4203

KAKES FARMS, LTD. W8539 Kakes Road, Bryant, WI 54418 Farm (715) 623-6348 Dan Kakes (715) 623-7268 Dan Kakes Cell (715) 216-6348 Aaron Kakes Cell 715-216-5281 Fax (715) 623-4614 Atlantic, Frito-Lay Varieties, Goldrush, Snowden KOHM AND SPYCHALLA, LLC N4244 Hwy 52, Antigo, WI 54409 Dr. Barbel Kohm 715-623-5773 Dr. James Spychalla 715-216-7449 NY 163, Silverton continued on pg. 52

Quality Growers of Foundation and Certified Seed Potatoes for Over 50 Years!

Yellows:

Reds:

Russets:

Colomba

Red Norland Dark Red Norland Modoc Radley

Norkotah #8 Gold Rush Silverton

Whites: Superior

Burbank Mercury

We handle our own line of clean and dependable late model trucks for all of your delivery needs.

WISCONSIN N3502 Hwy H • Antigo, WI 54409 CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES Office: 715-627-7753 • Fax: 715-623-5412 • mike@baginskifarms.com BC�T November 51

2020 Seed Directory. . . continued from pg. 51

MATTEK, J. W. & SONS, INC. N5798 Star Neva Rd, Deerbrook, WI 54424 Farm/Office (715) 623-6963 Fax (715) 627-7245 Jim Mattek (715) 623-7391 John Mattek (715) 623-6864 Joe Mattek (715) 623-3156 Cell (715) 216-0599 Email jwmattek@gmail.com Atlantic, Frito-Lay Varieties, Hodag, Lamoka, Mackinaw, Manistee, MegaChip, Lady Liberty (NY152), Pike, Silverton, Snowden NORTHERN SAND FARMS 11263 Cty Hwy M, Crandon, WI 54520 Justin Bula 715-889-0666 David Bula 715-478-3349 Stan Bula 715-889-2911 Email justin.bula@gmail.com Norland (Dark Red Selection), Norland (Red Selection), Manistee, Oneida Gold (W6703-1Y), Red Gold, Silverton, Snowden RINE RIDGE FARMS, INC. W8132 County O, Bryant, WI 54418 Farm/Office (715) 627-4819 WATS (888) 853-5690 Fax (715) 627-4810 Ken Rine (715) 623-6791

Ken Rine Cell (715) 216-0760 Dan Rine Cell (715) 216-0765 Email rinerdg@yahoo.com Lamoka, Mackinaw, MegaChip, Lady Liberty (NY152), Waneta SCHROEDER BROS. FARMS, INC./SCHROEDER FARMS, LTD. N1435 County D, Antigo, WI 54409 Office/Farm (715) 623-2689 Fax (715) 627-4857 North Warehouse (715) 627-7022 John T. Schroeder (715) 216-0174 Pete Schroeder (715) 216-0177 Robert Schroeder (715) 216-0169 Eric Schroeder Cell (715) 216-0186 Pete Email farm@sbfi.biz John T Email johnt@sbfi.biz Eric Email eric@sbfi.biz Atlantic, Baby Boomer, Blushing Belle, Frito-Lay Varieties, Hodag, Goldrush, Lamoka, Manistee, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Norland (Red Selection), Prairie Sun TT08-024/20, Plover Russet (W9133-1Rus), Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah Sel 8, Russet Norkotah TX296, Silverton, Snowden, W8893-1R SEIDL FARMS, INC. N5677 Chillie Road, Deerbrook, WI 54424 Farm/Office (715) 623-6236

EAGLE RIVER SEED FARM LLC Formerly Felix Zeloski Farm

• • • • •

Isolated growing area Premium early generation Specializing in the expansion of new varieties Comprehensive scouting and spray program Quality storage practices

Years of experience growing the highest quality seed for valued customers.

Ron Krueger Farm Manager | 4334 Chain O’Lakes Road Eagle River, WI | 54521 715-479-8434 Cell 715-891-0832 | rlkrueger@charter.net

52 BC�T November

Fax (715) 623-4377 Art Seidl (715) 623-6236 Jeff Fassbender (715) 216-4433 Atlantic, Goldrush, Manistee, Norland (Red Selection), Russet Norkotah, Snowden SOWINSKI FARMS, INC. - CERTIFIED SEED 4698 Tenderfoot Road, Rhinelander, WI 54501 Paul Sowinski (715) 272-1192 John Hein (715) 550-9010 Farm/Office (715) 369-3225 Fax (715) 369-3226 Email sfiseedfarm@gmail.com Atlantic, Frito-Lay Varieties, Hodag, Manistee, Snowden SUNNYDALE FARMS, INC. W9751 County I, Bryant, WI 54418 Farm (715) 627-7401 Mike Shafel Cell (715) 216-4531 James Shafel Cell (715) 216-4532 Fax (715) 627-4114 Email sunnydaleseed@yahoo.com Atlantic, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Norland (Red Selection), Red Prairie (W8405-1R), Snowden, Superior VERMONT VALLEY COMMUNITY FARM LLC Organic Seed Potatoes 4628 Cty Hwy FF, Blue Mounds, WI 53517 David or Jesse Perkins (608) 212-7816 Email potato@vermontvalley.com

Website www.organicpotatoseed.com Adirondack Blue, Adirondack Red, Austrian Crescent, Carola, French Fingerling, German Butterball, Goldrush, Kennebec, Magic Molly, Norland (Dark Red Selection), Oneida Gold (W6703-1Y), Peter Wilcox, Red Endeavor (W6002-1R), Red Gold, Red Prairie (W8405-1R), Superior, Yukon Gold WILD SEED FARMS, INC. W9797 Cherry Rd, Antigo, WI 54409 Warehouse/Office (715) 623-3366 Fax (715) 623-5245 Tom Wild Cell (715) 216-1223 Dan Wild Cell (715) 216-1225 Email wildseed@antigopro.net Atlantic, Frito-Lay Varieties, Red LaSoda 10-3, Superior WIRZ, INC. N3581 Wirz Lane, Antigo, WI 54409 Donald Wirz (715) 627-7739 WATS (888) 257-7739 Fax (715) 627-4523 Cell (715) 216-4035 Shop (715) 627-2860 Email wirzinc@yahoo.com Website www.wirzinc.com Atlantic, Lamoka, Manistee, MegaChip, Snowden, White Pearl

Wild Seed Farms Varieties: • Atlantic • Superior • Red LaSoda • Snowden

715-623-3366 wildseed@antigopro.net

Tom or Dan Wild

WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES BC�T November 53

People

Posthuma Named 40-Under-Forty Winner

Produce Business recognizes industry’s rising stars as chosen by their peers Douglas Posthuma, buying manager for Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc., in Friesland, Wisconsin, was named a Produce Business 40-Under-Forty award winner for 2020.

partners and customers.

Posthuma has been with Alsum Farms & Produce for 17 years and has worked in nearly every aspect of the company, from onion buying to potato and onion sales, to now building trusted relationships with growers and customers.

Starting with Alsum in June 2003, he was hired to be the onion buyer and participate in sales. Posthuma gradually became more involved on the sales side, eventually moving to serve as manager for key national accounts. Currently, he sources potatoes while maintaining those accounts.

His responsibilities have evolved to collaborate with farmers, and monitor market trends on potato stocks and varieties. He has been central to building the company’s relationships with farm supplier

Posthuma is a key driver of the business, working to determine customer pricing and return a favorable price to the farmers.

Posthuma has furthered his leadership development and service to the potato industry as a current director sitting on the Board of the

Douglas Posthuma is a buying, procurement and grower relations manager for Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc., in Friesland, Wisconsin.

SNOWDEN • PIKE • ATLANTIC • LAMOKA MEGACHIP • HODAG • MANISTEE SILVERTON • LADY LIBERTY

54 BC�T November

United Potato Growers Cooperative of Wisconsin. He attended the 2020 Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) and is a graduate of the inaugural Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Member Development Program, in 2019. His hobbies include traveling, triathlons, hiking, brewing beer, and coaching varsity golf and middle school boys’ basketball. Married with two children, Posthuma says his motto is, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” How did you begin working in the produce industry? I grew up and graduated in the community that calls Alsum Farms & Produce home. I was fortunate to start work at a family-owned and operated business that allowed me to live and work near my family. While I had little produce knowledge, I soaked up as much as I could as fast as I could working with our team. What industry improvements would you like to see? I would like to see the industry continuing to work on solutions to reduce food waste in our country. Every American deserves access to good nutrition, and produce can fill that need. I would like for there to be better outlets and opportunities for every grower/packer/shipper and others who are part of the food supply chain to move product that can’t be sold for its original intention and use it to help feed those in need. This has come a long way through the years, but there is still a lot of opportunity out there to help conquer hunger in America. What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry? Jump in 100 percent. It is a great industry to be a part of because the people, from growers to customers and suppliers, are all dedicated and passionate about the industry and their businesses.

You will make lifelong friendships built on honesty, integrity, trials and challenges. How has the industry changed during your tenure? The biggest change from when I started to where we are now involves consumer packages. In the potato industry, you see a shift toward smaller specialty packs now more than ever. The 5-pound pack is still the largest volume potato package. Demand for specialty packs of 12 ounces to 3 pounds is growing by consumers based on lifestyle trends and demographics. What do you think is the biggest misconception about the produce industry by the public at large? One of the biggest misconceptions about the produce industry by the public is that farmers are not good stewards of the land. Ultimately, the health and future of the farm business is pivotal to land stewardship and growing a quality crop to bring to market. Each year we implement new technologies as part of our good agriculture practices to help us improve soil and water quality. Our success and future vitality depend on being stewards of our land so we can ultimately pass the farm legacy to the next generation to grow and nurture for decades to come. What would you like consumers to know about the industry? Everything that comes out of the ground or off the tree does not come out of a mold. As much as we would love to make all the produce as eye appealing as it is delicious or nutritious, it is just not possible. There is way too much produce that doesn’t get sold because of the way it looks. There is a movement toward imperfect produce, but I think we have a long way to go to find a value and a place for produce that is not picture perfect. There are many influences affecting the way produce looks that are

beyond a farmer’s control when Mother Nature is a business partner. What would you like to be doing in your career when you turn 50? I would like to continue giving back to the industry by volunteering to serve on national potato boards and committees. Being more involved in the industry allows one to grow, connect and network with some of the industry’s brightest minds. Additionally, I would like to mentor the next generation of produce professionals to pass along knowledge and equally learn from and be a voice of encouragement to them. I would also like to continue growing my relationship with our growers. To read more about the Produce Business 40-Under-Forty Class of 2020 recipients, visit https://www. producebusiness.com/the-class-of2020-40-under-forty/. continued on pg. 56

PLAN FOR TOMORROW, LIVE FOR TODAY.

Brian D Blink,

CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® Wealth Management Advisor CA# 0G72469 brianblink.nm.com brian.blink@nm.com

07-1012 © 2020 The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual). The Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®) designation is conferred by The American College of Financial Services.

BC�T November 55

People . . . continued from pg. 55

LOCKWOOD and Double L Expand Salesforce Larry Benzel is a representative for potato growers in the Columbia Basin LOCKWOOD Manufacturing has expanded its sales and service reach for customers in the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon. Collaborating with Double L, Larry Benzel will represent both companies as the area’s regional salesman. “LOCKWOOD and Double L enjoy a great working relationship and we are proud to work with Double L to better serve the potato growers of the Columbia Basin,” says Dan Birrenkott, president of Crary Industries and LOCKWOOD Manufacturing. Benzel brings with him over 40 years of industry experience in the Washington area, most of those with Evergreen Implement. As a teenager, Benzel first worked on LOCKWOOD equipment for his father, who was not only employed by LOCKWOOD, but also reported directly to Mr. Lockwood. “The entire Double L family welcomes

Benzel to the team,” says Chris Hunsaker, president of Double L. “We’re looking forward to our collaboration with LOCKWOOD and offering an experienced sales representative for potato growers

WIRZ, Inc. FOUNDATION & CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES • ATLANTIC • PIKE • LAMOKA • SNOWDEN • MEGACHIP

Toll Free: 866-257-7739 Local: 715-627-7739 Cell: 715-216-4035 Fax: 715-627-4523 Email: wirzinc@yahoo.com

www.wirzinc.com

N3581 Wirz Lane • Antigo, WI 54409 56 BC�T November

in the entire region.” “I feel I have a lot to offer our growers in the basin with all my history and experience in the industry,” Benzel says. “Being able to combine that experience with great brands like LOCKWOOD and Double L, we have a bright future.” For more information, contact Nick Chiodo, LOCKWOOD marketing manager, (701) 499-5995, nick. chiodo@crary.com; or Dan Piquet, Double L marketing manager, (208) 705-2128, dpiquet@ doublelglobal.com. LOCKWOOD manufactures high-quality, reliable potato planters, windrowers, harvesters and handling equipment. To learn more about LOCKWOOD equipment, please contact one of our potato specialists at 800-247-7335, or visit www.lockwoodmfg.com. Double L is an Idaho-based manufacturing company that offers a full line of potato planting, harvesting and storage equipment alongside other agricultural solutions. Learn more at www.doublelglobal.com.

Pokorny Joins Wisconsin Farm Bureau

As chief administrative officer, Kim Pokorny brings agriculture experience Kim Pokorny has been selected as Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s chief administrative officer (CAO). Pokorny will oversee all day-today operations and staff for the Madison-based Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF), which is the state’s largest general farm organization. “I’m thrilled to bring my expertise and passion for agriculture to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation,” Pokorny says. “I look forward to working with the staff, Board and members to develop opportunities and solutions to advance agriculture in Wisconsin. I’m grateful for the opportunity to return back to my roots in agriculture.” Pokorny most recently served as the executive director for the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association

(WVMA) where she led operations of the organization. Additionally, she led the Food Armor® Foundation. Prior to her involvement with WVMA, Pokorny served as a program manager for the Professional Dairy Producers. “I’m excited to welcome Kim to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau family,” says WFBF vice president and interim CAO Dave Daniels. “She has a great knowledge of agriculture and comes with extensive experience in other non-profit associations.” “She is an active member of the Dodge County 4-H and Waupun FFA Alumni,” Daniels details. “Kim was also a member of the Wisconsin Ag Coalition.” Kim grew up on a registered Brown Swiss farm in Monroe. Today, she and her husband, Doyle, reside on a small farm in Waupun with their three

children, Dylon, Katrina and Cameron. Pokorny succeeds Daniels, who served as the WFBF’s interim CAO. She began her duties as CAO on August 17.

Kakes Farms Ltd. W8539 Kakes Rd., Bryant, WI 54418

Foundation and Certified Seed Potatoes: Atlantics

Office: (715) 623-6348

Goldrush

Snowdens

Cell: (715) 216-6348

Fax: (715) 623-4614 BC�T November 57

Badger Beat Wisconsin Seed Potato Pathology Research on Solid Ground

Program had a successful year despite the interesting times in which we find ourselves By Renee Rioux, administrative director, Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program

In July, I celebrated one year with the University of Wisconsin

(UW)-Madison and the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP). And what a year it was! Despite the interesting times in which we find ourselves, my research program is off to a great start. In this Badger Beat article, I am excited to share research progress my team made over the past few months and some of our plans.

As shown in Figure 1, the Potato Seed Pathology research group now consists of myself, a postdoctoral scientist (Kutay Ozturk), two Ph.D. students (Smita Shrestha and José Sanchez-Gallego), a research intern (Elizabeth Buchholz) and two undergraduate research assistants (Jenna Rach and Jack Knoke). We work closely with Andy Witherell and Brooke Babler of the WSPCP Tissue Culture & Diagnostics Lab and have four Ph.D. students rotating through our program this fall, with the hope that one will join us next year. 58 BC�T November

Above: Dr. Renee Rioux’s lab members are shown in a recent Zoom meeting. In the top row, from left to right, are Elizabeth Buchholz (research intern); Rioux; Jack Knoke (undergraduate student); and José Sanchez-Gallego (graduate student). The middle row includes, left to right, Jenna Rach (undergraduate); Matthew Pereyra (rotation student); Smita Shrestha (graduate student); and Daowen Huo (rotation student.) In the bottom row is Kutay Ozturk, a post-doctoral scientist.

Each full-time lab member is working on a different project and all are supported by the undergraduate and rotation students. With this structure, we initiated several interesting and useful projects over the past year.

used in seed potato production, this has been an area of research suggested by growers.

These range from applied and grower-focused projects to research that aims to answer basic questions that could lead to innovations in disease management.

We are testing products recommended by stakeholders in our experiments by substituting them in a seed cutting protocol modified from the one currently used by the WSPCP.

On the applied side, Buchholz is evaluating the efficacy of disinfectant products against soft rot and blackleg pathogens. With transition in the availability of popular disinfectants

To run each experiment, Buchholz douses seed cutting knives in a solution of Dickeya dianthicola to simulate cutting through a rotted tuber and then treats the knives with

Figure 2. Typical results from the disinfectant assays show different levels of potato soft rot between treatments.

disinfectants. Afterwards, she cuts potato tubers with the treated knives and incubates them in a warm, humid environment to promote soft rot. She weighs the tubers at the start and end of the experiment and uses the amount of weight loss to quantify disease (Figure 2).

Figure 3. Illustrated is disinfectant data for average tuber weight loss in grams due to soft rot. Bars with the same letter show the treatments are not different from one another. All disinfectants were better than bacteria alone, but Disinfectant 5 was not better than simply washing the knife with water.

We are seeing strong indications of disinfectants that work best against this pathogen and are in the process of finalizing our experiments (Figure 3).

other scenarios that mirror on-farm applications, such as the efficacy of these products on a porous surface, like wood, in the presence of soil or other debris, or against additional pathogens encountered in seed production settings.

In the future, we want to evaluate

Graduate student Shrestha is

also working on applied research questions. She is focusing on the detection, biology and management of blackleg and soft rot pathogens in Wisconsin. With funding from the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers continued on pg. 60

BCďż˝T November 59

BADGER BEAT . . . continued from pg. 59

Association (WPVGA) and another recently awarded grant, we are exploring these pathogens in several ways. This summer, Shrestha isolated blackleg-associated pathogens from current and historical samples received by the UW-Madison Plant Disease & Diagnostics Lab and WSPCP (Figure 4). She currently has many bacterial isolates to be identified by DNA sequencing. By isolating these bacteria, as opposed to using detection methods that only indicate pathogen presence or absence, she can better identify the blackleg pathogens that occur in Wisconsin and understand how they interact with each other, different plant hosts and the environment. Shrestha is also conducting research to determine the effects that environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, have on interactions between the pathogens that cause soft rot and blackleg (Figure 5). Goals of the research are to identify the primary source of these pathogens in seed potato production

Figure 4. Semi-selective media that pit or change color in response to pathogen activity are used to isolate for bacteria associated with blackleg symptoms. This medium changes from blue to yellow to help identify soft rot and blackleg pathogens.

and to evaluate potential control methods that could decrease the initial entry of these pathogens into seed production. In other research areas, SanchezGallego is identifying beneficial microbes that naturally occur in seed potato production systems. He is focused on isolating bacteria—called endophytes—that reside within potato stems or tubers and can be passed from one generation to the next through daughter tubers. Sanchez-Gallego is closely collaborating with the WSPCP Tissue Culture lab to look at how these microbes can affect the earliest stages of seed potato production,

Figure 5. Dr. Renee Rioux’s lab uses various inoculation methods to infect plants with blackleg pathogens and study their effects under different conditions.

moving from tissue culture into the greenhouse. His goal is to identify microbes that can be applied at these early stages to help plants better resist disease or to boost yield and quality (Figure 6). Dr. Ozturk is the newest member of the lab, having joined in mid-August, and is developing a system to study early interactions between potato and the powdery scab/root gall pathogen Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea (Sss). This is a difficult pathogen to work with, but he successfully extracted Sss spore balls, called sporosori or cytosori, from infected tubers and is looking forward to starting plant inoculations (Figure 7). Ozturk hopes to employ the system he is developing to better understand how the pathogen infects plants and use this information to create biotechnology-based approaches

60 BC�T November

All things considered, it has been a

Support from growers—seed and commercial—through the provision of research materials and the generous support of my program through WPVGA funding allowed me

and my lab members to start many exciting projects this year. I am looking forward to the research ahead and being able to spend more time with growers. In the meantime, I am always open to feedback and would be interested in hearing suggestions for my research program.

Growing Farm Safety Traditions Safety never takes a break. We believe in protecting the families and children in our farming communities. rm Fa

ns itio ers

Visit us online to learn how we help keep Wisconsin agriculture strong.

m Safety Tr Far a ng g The Next Generation of d

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At the same time, he is isolating microbes associated with sporosori and investigating their potential use in biological control of powdery scab and root galling caused by Sss.

fantastic first year and I am forever grateful to the WSPCP and greater Wisconsin potato community for such a warm welcome.

Grow i

for disease management as well as prevention of potato mop-top virus, which is vectored by Sss.

Figure 7. Sporosori of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea can be isolated from tubers with powdery scab (left) and visualized under a microscope (right).

Pro tec ti

Figure 6. Researchers apply microbes to micro-propagated potato plants and study their effects on plant growth and disease resistance. In the picture, the plant on the right was treated with bacteria and the plant on the left was not.

BC�T November 61

Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Div. President Kenton Mehlberg, T.I.P. / Ag Grow Solutions

Hello, everyone. What a

beautiful fall we have had! Fall in Wisconsin comes with good days and bad days, but on the good days, you’ve got to appreciate this time of year. It can be absolutely beautiful. As I wrote this, the state was finished with potato harvest and had moved on to soybeans, which I would say is on or ahead of schedule and great news after the challenging last couple of harvest seasons. If the weather held, the corn came off on time this year also! Good luck to all who are finishing harvest. 2021 Putt-Tato Open We have set a date and location for the 2021 Putt-Tato Open golf outing—Tuesday, July 13, at Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa. The course will have a beautiful new clubhouse, so please mark your calendars and make plans to attend. We look forward to it in 2021. 1st Annual Sporting Clays Event I am writing this article prior to our 1st Annual Associate Division Sporting Clays Shooting Event, but by the time you read this, it will have taken place, October 29. I have my fingers crossed for good weather. We wanted to start with a single flight of 75 shooters this first year 62 BC�T November

and it looks like we will have a full slate, which is fantastic. I will provide information on the event in next month’s column, but for now I would like to thank all Associate Division board members and participants for your effort, support and participation. We hope this will become another enjoyable annual event. Upcoming Industry Show With the 2021 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show fast approaching, the Associate Division Board spent most of its time at our last meeting planning for it. Trying to plan an event has been a challenge this year. Things out of our control are changing every week and none of us knows what it will be like in February. Despite factors out of our control, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) has been sending out surveys and gathering information to help the Associate Division Board make the best decisions that we can for now. The WPVGA Associate Division Board met last week and made the decision to hold the Industry Show live and in-person on February 2-3, 2021, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point.

The two-day show will follow its usual schedule, with set up on Monday, February 1, and exhibit hours from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, and from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3. Please note that if you choose not to exhibit or are unable to because of travel restrictions, you will not be penalized and will be able to reclaim your booth space in 2022. There will also be a Grower Education Conference on these two days, although at this time the format and structure of it is undetermined. The planning committee is leaning toward holding a hybrid event with some virtual components and live, in-person presentations onsite. If you have not already returned your booth reservation for the 2021 Industry Show, please do so as soon as possible so we can save a space for you. OFFICIAL SPONSORSHIP FORM In response to past interest, the Associate Division has created an official sponsorship form for the Industry Show. This will allow vendors to select their level of support and get more recognition at this great industry event. Thank you to all who have supported the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show in the past.

The WPVGA Associate Division Board met last week and made the decision to hold the 2021 Industry Show live and in-person, February 2-3, 2021, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point.

Please watch your inboxes for a sponsorship form and consider your business support for the event. As a reminder, we will again be offering vendors a chance to participate in the “Bringing Value to Ag” 10-minute presentations during the Grower Education Conference. Bringing Value to Ag involves five Associate Division members/ exhibitors, each making a 10-minute presentation that is educational in nature and brings value to the potato and vegetable growing industry. Offering the value-added presentations is motivated by our

From left to right, Don Gagas, Butch Fencil, Cliff Gagas and Nick Laudenbach congregate at the Fencil Urethane Systems booth during the 2020 Industry Show, Stevens Point.

desire to ensure that participating Associate Division members receive as much exposure as possible in addition to providing our grower members with new and relevant information. The main purpose of these presentations is to educate and inform. Again, please watch your inboxes for information on how to submit a proposal to potentially participate in Bringing Value to Ag. If anybody has questions, comments or concerns about any of our events, please share your ideas with an Associate Division member. We

would be happy to discuss them as a group. Good luck to all of you trying to finish up grain harvest and enjoy what is left of this beautiful season. Good luck to all of you hunters out there also! I look forward to seeing you out in the field or via next month’s Eyes on Associates column. Thank you for reading!

Kenton Mehlberg

WPVGA Associate Division President

WPIB Focus

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

Month

Jul-19

Aug-19

Sep-19

Oct-19

Nov-19

Dec-19

Jan-20

Feb-20

Mar-20

Apr-20

May-20

Jun-20

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,737,634.84

616,558.70

888,994.00

3,243,187.54

Assessment

$139,082.75

$42,984.69

$77,501.87

$259,569.31

Aug-20

Sep-20

Month

Jul-20

Oct-20

Nov-20

Dec-20

Jan-21

Feb-21

Mar-21

Apr-21

May-21

Jun-21

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,267,472.18

1,275,285.84

1,290,414.89

3,833,172.91

Assessment

$101,400.66

$102,092.25

$103,233.2

$306,726.11 BC�T November 63

Get the Most out of Fumigation Make plans now to control various yield-robbing pests next season

Above: Owner of Mid-Michigan Agronomy, Rob Schafer says that applying any soil fumigants during fall is beneficial because it allows a good soil seal.

For potato growers across the country, fumigation with metam sodium products has long proven successful, but how can growers further capitalize on their investment and produce a yield like never before?

pathogenic roles among potato plants.

Rob Schafer, owner and founder of Mid-Michigan Agronomy in Dewitt, Michigan, started consulting in

2005. Through best practices, data management and proper inputs, he helps growers combat the expected threats and build successful potato crops. Fighting nematodes and verticillium wilt are common challenges growers face in the potato industry, Schafer notes. As underground microbes, some nematodes play parasitic and

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Verticillium wilt penetrates potato roots and grows into waterconducting elements (xylem), plugging the roots so that water cannot travel up into the plant. The verticillium fungi can also generate grower concern by interacting with root-lesion nematodes in some regions, which causes early die-off. The early die complex can be economically devastating to potato production, compromising plant health and drastically decreasing yield. As a fourth-generation farmer and coowner of Gray Potato Farm in Clear Lake, Minnesota, Paul Gray has had his fair share of experience tackling nematode issues.

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64 BC�T November

Gray grows the Red Norland variety, and when it comes to these specific potatoes, appearance is everything. “At the fresh-market level, appearance is so important, and if they don’t look good, they don’t have a home to go to,” he says. Years ago, Gray started to see a blemish issue in his crop, and through

research, discovered root-lesion nematode. He quickly started looking for an input to return his red potatoes to a blemish-free crop. STRATEGIC INPUT PLAN The nematodes, verticillium wilt and resulting issues and diseases can be complicated problems to control in a potato landscape. If a strategic input plan is not implemented to combat them, there remains no doubt in Schafer’s mind a grower could lose 100 bags from the crop if nothing is done to force control.

“What we found is these products carry the lion’s share of pest control when it comes to verticillium wilt and nematodes,” Schafer says. “We’ll use other products in the spring, too, to boost the soil fumigants and help keep nematodes at bay.” FUMIGATION BEST PRACTICES With many years under his belt as an agronomist and his own nematode and verticillium lab at Mid-Michigan

Agronomy, Schafer knows the to-do’s and not to-do’s when it comes to fumigation. In August, the first step is to take nematode and verticillium samples before growing a crop the following spring. This allows growers to know their risk category and be prepared heading into applications. These continued on pg. 66

“So much research has been done, and even our own studies show that if we do nothing, it is a 100-bag loss,” he says. “Ten dollars a bag turns into $1,000 per acre and ballparking makes your input investment seem not so bad. So, we better do something to get control over nematodes.” Schafer helps his growers gain that control through a carefully laid-out plan that aims for success. This plan implements either Vapam® HL™ or K-Pam® HL™, both AMVAC® soil fumigants that control and suppress weeds, soilborne diseases and nematodes. For Gray, that’s exactly what Vapam HL did—it got control of his rootlesion nematode issue. “That product has been very reliable. We’ve had good success with it, and we would use it again,” Gray says. After a potato crop, Gray’s operation rotates with soybeans or wheat, allowing two crops of red potatoes off one fumigation. “So, two out of four years we get off of Vapam HL, and we cut our expenses in half,” he explains. After a potato crop in Michigan, most growers follow up with corn, and as soon as that corn is harvested, Schafer suggests applying Vapam HL or K-Pam HL to get ready for the following spring. BC�T November 65

Get the Most out of Fumigation. . . continued from pg. 65

samplings help determine the quantity needed for an effective application. “We would then follow up the next year and ask ‘How did our crop do?’ on those rates, and ‘Are we still holding nematodes in June and July the following year?,’” Schafer relates. “Then we send more samples in to solidify if we’re doing it correctly or not and make adjustments for the coming fall.” Schafer says that applying any soil fumigants during fall is beneficial because it allows a good soil seal. If a grower irrigates right after that application, it allows the soil to seal even more. Whether Schafer suggests Vapam HL or K-Pam HL depends on the grower and his or her individual goals. When it comes to actively applying, Gray says safety and responsibility

After a potato crop in Michigan, most growers follow up with corn. As soon as that corn is harvested, Rob Schafer, owner and founder of Mid-Michigan Agronomy in Dewitt, Michigan, suggests applying Vapam HL or K-Pam HL to get ready for the following spring.

are the priority. DOING THE HOMEWORK “Do your homework and understand your equipment and the

responsibility you are entrusted with to use that product,” he states. “Be aware of what you’re doing, and that people are counting on you to do the right thing.” It’s expensive to fumigate, but it’s also expensive not to fumigate. When it comes down to it, being forwardthinking and open to accepting recommendations from agronomists, local representatives and university extension agents for an agronomic plan equate to the right course of action. “Our supplier, local rep and extension researchers have been extremely helpful with questions and guidance along the way,” Gray says. “It all starts with them, and it’s a team effort.” Today, more and more growers are dedicated to improving their operations through data, new technologies and proven products that deliver results. “You’re seeing a lot of these growers are very progressive and driven,” Schafer concludes. “It’s been fun to watch growers use more inputs, and with that, see increased yields.”

66 BC�T November

New Products

Swiderski Equipment and KUHN Collaborate

Companies offer fertilizer and seeding application solutions through the Axis Series Swiderski Equipment and Kuhn Precision Fertilizer are proud to offer the Axis H-EMC-W .2 Series. The KUHN Axis Series sets the industry standard in precision broadcast fertilizer spreading.

This family of fertilizer spreaders comes with a variety of options to meet the needs of a wide range of producers up to large row-crop or commercial operations. The Axis 40.2 and 50.2 fertilizer

spreader models offer the most precise rate control in the industry, thanks to exclusive EMC (Electronic Mass Flow Control) technology. Triangular spread patterns create wide working widths and precise material placement, even in breezy conditions. Vari-Spread Pro, OptiPoint and border control combine to significantly reduce over-applications to save input costs. ISOBUS software is simple to set up, and a machine can be run with any terminal that meets the appropriate industry standards. All this adds up to an outstanding return on investment for you, the producer. The Axis series provides consistent and accurate product metering using the EMC System, with rates ranging from 2.7-to-600 pounds per acre. Hydraulically driven spinner discs utilize proven, electromagnetic torque sensors to measure the rate of material falling to each disc separately. This allows the system to compare the measured rate to that set by the operator. If the rate does not match, it automatically compensates by Above: KUHN Axis spreaders utilize data and technology to optimize inputs and returns while preserving resources.

68 BCďż˝T November

opening or closing the metering gates independently for each side. This operation results in the most accurate metering in the industry. UNRIVALED ACCURACY Unrivaled accuracy in product metering is matched with the most accurate and productive product distribution. Equipped with the Exclusive Coaxial Distribution Adjustment System (CDA), every KUHN Axis fertilizer spreader helps meet the challenges of different fertilizers, variable application rates and spreading patterns from 59 to 164 feet. The spreading width can vary by changes in RPM (rotations per minute) and the drop point of the product onto the disc without having to use any tools on the mechanical systems. The change is fully automatic with little or no operator input while using the ISOBUS display. Engineered with precision farming in mind, AXIS spreaders utilize data and

technology to optimize inputs and returns while preserving resources. Innovative tools found on all Axis H-EMC-W spreaders help operators accurately implement rate prescriptions while generating quality “as-applied” data for future reference. Variable spreading rates allow you to tailor your application to the soil’s potential while saving significant amounts of fertilizer. Vari-Spread Pro controls the drop point and disc RPM to control the spread width on the left and right sides to shut off at the ideal moment to minimize overspreading. Reduce costs and increase yields with KUHN and Swiderski Equipment. Controlling your application rate helps you maximize crop yield while minimizing expense and environmental impact. KUHN’s EMC and CDA systems are keys in adapting to different needs and optimizing return on investment

under all possible circumstances. Visit your local Swiderski Equipment, Inc. representative to learn more details on how the KUHN Axis Spreaders will benefit your operation. continued on pg. 70

BC�T November 69

New Products . . . continued from pg. 69

Soil Moisture Sensor Adds Value Across Farm

Device measures, views and manages multiple variables that impact crop quality Originally developed as a wireless soil moisture sensor, Soiltech’s device has become useful in measuring, viewing and managing multiple variables that impact crop quality.

together with location detail.

The Soiltech sensor monitors and records data for soil moisture, temperature, humidity, bruising and location.

PRICED TO SCALE In addition to monitoring several variables all season, the device is priced to scale. Farmers and other agribusinesses can install several per field to maintain average water use or install several across an operation to track movement of equipment and crop.

“This data completes the timeline of events that happen throughout the crop year so that you can take a more holistic view to managing the operation,” says Jared Cook, consultant for fertilizer and crop protection at Rocky Mountain Agronomics. The device can provide insights on soil temperature when planting, soil moisture levels during growing, bruising during harvest or transport, and humidity in storage, all layered

Agronomist Luke Radford at Moss Farms says, “Besides being a soil moisture monitor, it’s an all-crop monitor.”

“Other moisture monitors have been priced so high that you can really only afford to pick one spot in the field,” Radford comments. “Soiltech’s sensor allows us to have multiple units across the farm so we have a more complete view.” Soiltech’s founder and CEO Ehsan

Soltan describes the development process. “Initially I was focused on soil moisture,” he says. “The grower has been central to the development process. As use has expanded to processors, equipment manufacturers and researchers, we have been able to add more functionality to the device so that it is reporting meaningful data around crop quality.” Soiltech Wireless is headquartered in Rupert, Idaho. The Soiltech Wireless Sensor provides actionable insights without complicated installation, allowing growers and other supply chain participants to view real-time data, drive efficiency and optimize quality. For more information, visit www.soiltechwireless.com.

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24 Hour Emergency Service 70 BC�T November

Computerized Control Systems Refrigeration • Humidification • Ozone Electrical Design & Installation Potatoes • Onions Sprout Inhibiting Sprout Nip® • Amplify® • Shield®

Auxiliary News By Devin Zarda, vice president, WPGA

Hello, friends! As we are

working through November, I am feeling grateful. For us, harvest was incident-free without many weather interruptions. I have not been able to say that for the last few years, so I’ll take it! I am also thankful that, despite a year where our motto should be “pivot,” the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary has continued to grow. How are we growing? We have added another program to our list of educational initiatives.

Through Spudmobile and classroom visits, and our Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes programs, along with others, we currently concentrate on educating elementary-age school children.

Our mission has a two-prong approach:

Yet, we would like to remind their upper classmates about what they learned when they were younger. So, we plan to provide new and review material to high school students!

• We want to provide guidance on the nutritional value of the potato as well as give high school students cooking tips and recipes for potatoes.

Let me introduce you to our “Potatoes in the Classroom” program!

We are approaching home economics and agricultural classes for our

• We aim to help educate Wisconsin high schoolers about the beneficial environmental impact of buying Wisconsin potatoes; and

continued on pg. 72

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phone: 719-588-2388 email: higginsfarms@twc.com web: www.flavorfulpotatoes.com BC�T November 71

Auxiliary News . . . continued from pg. 71

first round of this program. High schoolers, after all, will soon be making purchasing decisions when it comes to their food. Young adults today are more aware of the economic and environmental impacts of their purchases, so we are stressing that Wisconsin is one of the top producers of potatoes in the nation. We have been working on building out this curriculum for some time but are excited to share with you what we have lined up so far. Since we are not anticipating being able to go into schools for a while longer, we have put together three videos to assist us in teaching members about our program. Sarah Agena, a registered dietician partnering with the Auxiliary, will help with these videos.

POTATOES IN THE CLASSROOM The videos will introduce “Potatoes in the Classroom,” highlight the Healthy Grown program, provide nutritional facts about potatoes, feature different varieties and show how to use each of them, and give recipes for students to use. We have quite the library of recipes, along with some videos to pass along. Our aim is to have the program up and running during the second semester of this school year. We do understand that this might change based on what happens with COVID-19, but we are optimistic! There is the potential for financial assistance for the classrooms that would be participating in our program. If you have a student in either a home economics or agriculture class

Above: Registered dietician Sarah Agena will help the Auxiliary put together a series of videos introducing the “Potatoes in the Classroom” program. Sarah is shown speaking at a past Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association promotions retreat.

that could benefit from our program, please ask his or her teacher to reach out to us. The curriculum is provided, so hopefully this will benefit both the class and the teachers. Until next time,

Devin

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Or call Jonathon or John E. Bushman: 715-454-6201 715-454-6201 72 BC�T November

OSHA Citing for COVID-19 Infractions in the Workplace

The General Duty Clause can be used to cite agriculture employers for health and safety offenses By Robert J. Reinertson, attorney, Ruder Ware As autumn began to descend upon us, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) demonstrated that it will indeed use the General Duty Clause (GDC) to cite employers for health and safety conditions related to COVID-19. This is a good time to revisit employers’ obligations under the GDC and how a lack of compliance can lead to OSHA citations. The GDC serves as a sort of catchall safety regulation when a more specific regulation applicable to a certain industry or to employers,

in general, does not exist. Because OSHA does not have specific COVID-19 regulations, it has instead begun to issue citations against employers under this catch-all GDC for alleged health and safety deficiencies. In the earlier months of the pandemic, OSHA was not very active continued on pg. 74

Right: As COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the country and more and more workers contract the virus on the job, it is likely that OSHA will expand enforcement to other areas of the economy, including agricultural sectors.

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OSHA Citing for COVID-19 Infractions in the Workplace . . . continued from pg. 73

in terms of enforcement activity related to COVID-19 conditions, relying instead on a series of guidelines. There have been calls from advocacy groups and members of Congress for OSHA to become more active in this area. On its face, the GDC is deceptively simple. It requires an employer to furnish to its employees “employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” This means that if there is a recognized serious hazard in a workplace and the employer does not take reasonable steps to deal with it, the employer can be at risk for an OSHA citation. To prove a violation of the GDC, OSHA must show the following:

1. A condition or activity in the workplace presented a serious hazard; 2. The hazard was recognized by the employer or the employer’s industry; 3. The hazard was causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm; and 4. A feasible and effective means existed to materially reduce the hazard. This has been interpreted as meaning that it is sufficient for employers in such circumstances to reduce the hazard to the extent feasible. So, what sorts of pandemic-related conditions has OSHA been citing? They include the following: • On September 10, OSHA cited Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for

alleged failure to protect employees from the coronavirus, and proposed a penalty of $13,494. This was after at least 1,294 employees contracted the virus last spring and four died. •O n September 10, OSHA cited a healthcare facility in Louisiana for allegedly failing to ensure that employees wore proper protective equipment when treating patients. The proposed penalty was $13,494. •O n September 11, OSHA cited JBS Foods, Inc. of Greeley, Colorado, a meat-packing company operating as Swift Beef Company, under the GDC for allegedly failing to keep workers safe from COVID-19 and proposed a penalty of $15,615. This was after nearly 300 workers at the facility were infected with COVID-19 since March, and seven died. The company also allegedly

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74 BC�T November

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did not provide its injury and illness logs to OSHA in a timely fashion as requested after an inspection. • On September 11, OSHA cited a residential care facility in New Jersey for allegedly failing to provide proper respiratory protection to employees, with proposed penalties of $28,070. • On September 11, OSHA cited a medical center in New Jersey for allegedly failing to fit-test tightfitting respirators on employees who were required to use them and to ensure that employees knew when to wear them. Proposed penalties were $9,639. • On September 16, OSHA cited a dental practice in Massachusetts for failing to require employees to wear N-95 respirators, lack of a bloodborne pathogen protection program and failure to provide adequate eyewash stations. The practice was fined $9,500 for six

serious citations and one otherthan-serious citation. So far, OSHA has emphasized enforcement activity in the health care and meat processing industries. However, as COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the country and more and more workers contract the virus on the job, it is likely that OSHA will expand enforcement to other areas of the economy, including agricultural sectors. Agricultural employers are advised to visit www.OSHA.gov for more information on the guidelines OSHA has issued, both in general and for a variety of industries and trades. Of particular note may be the “Employee Health and Food Safety Checklist for Human and Animal Food Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic” that OSHA and the Food and Drug Administration collaborated on, which can be found at www.osha.

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

Above: Agricultural employers are advised to visit www.OSHA.gov for more information on the guidelines OSHA has issued, both in general and for a variety of industries and trades.

gov/SLTC/covid-19/. While these guidelines do not have the force of law in and of themselves, they could form the basis for GDC violations if employers have serious recognized hazards in their workplaces that they do not take action to abate.

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BC�T November 75

NPC News Interested Growers Encouraged to Enroll in CFAP 2 NPC President Britt Raybould urges farmers to enroll as soon as possible In a message to the industry, 2020 National Potato Council (NPC) President and Idaho potato grower Britt Raybould urged farmers interested in participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) $14 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) to enroll as soon as possible. “Given the wide scope and limited funding of this new program, we strongly urge interested producers to apply as early as possible and well before the December 11 deadline,” she wrote. According to the USDA, for

specialty crop growers, including potato growers, CFAP 2’s payment calculations are figured on a salesbased approach, where producers

are compensated on payment gradations associated with their 2019 sales. Learn more and apply today at www.farmers.gov/cfap.

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76 BC�T November

Ali's Kitchen

Rustic Horseradish Root Mash was a Smash!

Experienced sensory panelists did not wrinkle their noses, but instead asked for seconds Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary I have always thought the term “taste-tester” was an odd one. Yet, as I write this, my mind is unable to come up with an alternative that feels less odd but still clearly understandable. A quick Google search gives me the simple option of “taster,” and the slightly more explanatory “food taster.” A deeper search brings up the term “sensory panelist.” That one tickles me, so we will go with it today! Whatever term you want to use, my friends and family are the ones to fill the role. When they eat at our house, they know that I rarely make the same thing the same way twice, and they will often find something on the table that I have never

attempted before. These brave sensory panelists fearlessly take bites of mystery leftover casseroles and allow me to smother their chicken wraps with the unnamed sauce I whipped up with a little of this and a little of that. This past September, I was given a fabulous set of circumstances involving some of my very favorite sensory panelists. The next recipe for this column needed to be developed, and we were welcoming three wonderful friends to our home to enjoy a weekend of fishing with Mike. These friends all happened to be experienced foodies with adventurous palates! A house full of men, hungry after a day of fresh air and paddling canoes, seemed like the ideal way to do a trial run of a Badger Common'Tater recipe! POTATOES MASHED WITH PARSNIPS I called my youngest son into the kitchen so that I had someone to hear about my idea. He nodded his affirmation as I told him about potatoes mashed with parsnips. He said, “uh-huh,” and, “yep,” as I waved my hands through the air and explained that we would also

Ingredients: Rustic Horseradish Root Mash • 2 pounds Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, peeled and cubed • 1 medium rutabaga, peeled and cubed • 4 medium parsnips, peeled and cubed • 1 stick butter, cubed • 1/2 cup sour cream • 1 cup whole milk • 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped • 1/4 cup prepared white horseradish • salt and pepper to taste

continued on pg. 78 BC�T November 77

Advertisers Index Ali's Kitchen. . .

continued from pg. 77

mash up a rutabaga and toss in some fresh garlic. My voice became squeaky and high pitched with excitement, so sure was I that my son would applaud the final ingredient, but he crinkled up his nose and said, “Horseradish? I’m not sure about that, Mom.” He could see that he’d crushed my hopes of a dazzling recipe in the making, and after gently reminding me that horseradish can be overwhelming and not everyone likes it, he urged me to move forward with my plan cautiously. That Saturday evening, with candles lit, yacht rock radio playing in the background and wine glasses filled, we all settled around the kitchen table where Mike and our friends played along happily and guessed at the ingredients of the Rustic Root Mash on their plates. We have some brilliant friends who easily picked out the potato, parsnips, sour cream, garlic and rutabaga. They knew there was something else there adding to the flavor profile, but it

78 BC�T November

eluded them all. I am pleased to tell you that when I announced the flavor to be horseradish, there were no wrinkled noses but plenty of requests for seconds. DIRECTIONS Place the cubed potatoes, rutabaga and parsnips into a large pot and add enough water to cover the veggies. Bring to a medium boil and cook, uncovered, until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Drain the water from the pot. In a small saucepan, warm the butter, sour cream and milk until the butter is fully melted and the sour cream is well incorporated. Add milk mixture, garlic, horseradish, salt and pepper to the potatoes. Mash until smooth using a potato masher and then transfer to a serving dish. Enjoy! Find more recipes at www.LifeOnGraniteRidge.com.

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