Potato Country Match/April 2018 by Columbia Media Group

Planting Pointers

PotatoCountry.com â&#x20AC;˘ March / April 2018 Western focus. National impact.

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Vol. 34 No. 3

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

Country Western focus. National impact.

Table of Contents

March/April 2018 6

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

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

Andy Jensen.......................................... www.nwpotatoresearch.com Insect Identification

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

Planting Pointers

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

Washington-Oregon Potato Conference

Market Report

10 Idaho Potato Conference Reflects on 50 Years Idaho Potato Conference

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

Potato Growers of Washington

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

16 Growth Essentials Buyers' Guide

20 Spud School Teaches Plant Nutrition 23 Government Shutdowns May Foreshadow Farm Bill Challenges National Potato Council

contacts

NPC Covers Key Policy Issues

EDITORIAL INFORMATION Potato Country is interested in newsworthy material related to potato production and marketing. Contributions from all segments of the industry are welcome. Submit news releases, new product submissions, stories and photos via email to: editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com. ADVERTISING For information about advertising rates, mechanics, deadlines, copy submission, mailing, contract conditions and other information, call Dave Alexander at (208) 520-6461 or email dave@PotatoCountry.com. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION U.S. $24 per year / Canada $40 per year / Foreign $80 per year Subscriptions can be entered online at www.potatocountry.com or call (503) 724-3581. Email address changes/corrections to brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com or send to Potato Country, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444. Potato Country magazine (ISSN 0886-4780), is published eight times per year and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices.

National Potato Council Annual Meeting

30 The Reasons Behind a Two-Year Contract Potato Growers of Washington

It is produced by Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group. For information on reprints call (208) 520-6461.

Editorial Board

Bill Brewer

chris Voigt

Rick Ellithorpe, pictured with his wife, Kathy, is honored with a Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award given by NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2017 president Dwayne Weyers for his partnership, friendship and loyalty at the National Potato Council annual meeting. See story on page 26.

As planters return to the fields for the 2018 season, potato experts share research-based recommendations related to stand establishment of potatoes during the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference. See the story on page 6. Photo by Denise Keller Potato Country

Executive Director

Washington State Potato Commission

Oregon Potato Commission

(509) 765-8845

(503) 239-4763

Departments

On The Cover

Executive Director

March / April 2018

14 19 22 24 25 28

Insect Quiz Disease Quiz In the News New Products Calendar Market Report

Nina Zidack

Frank Muir

Jim Ehrlich

Montana Seed Potato Certification

Idaho Potato Commission

Colorado Potato Administrative Committee

Director

(406) 994-3150

President/CEO

(208) 334-2350

President/CEO

(719) 852-3322

the value of your potato harvest.

One of the keys to a successful season is keeping your eye on the task at hand while also looking ahead. We’re here to help you push what’s possible with a planned approach, agronomic insights and a portfolio of products designed to control yield-robbing diseases, invasive weeds and insects. Let’s Grow Smart together and get more, acre after acre, season after season. Talk to your BASF Authorized Retailer or visit agproducts.basf.us

Planting Pointers By Denise Keller, Editor

o you know why you do what you do? That was the question posed to growers attending the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference held Jan. 23-25 in Kennewick, Washington. Mark Pavek, a potato specialist with Washington State University, opened the general session by challenging growers to fine tune their potato production by ensuring they have a good reason for using the farming practices they use. This led into two days of presentations detailing the latest research and issues in the potato industry, as well as a keynote address honoring American farmers.

Potato Stand Establishment

The intent behind Pavek’s presentation was to plant a seed in growers’ minds to consider what they can do differently or better. “I think we’re at a time in our production where it’s going to be hard to make big gains in yield now that we’ve gotten better in all aspects of farming. Now we need to fine-tune everything,” he said. In particular, Pavek discussed factors related to stand establishment of potatoes, offering research-based recommendations for each item. He started with seed size, suggesting an ideal seed size range of 2 to 3 ounces. He noted that research has shown 2-ounce seed to be economically feasible and that growers planting larger seed are paying more for seed that doesn’t necessarily result in more yield or economic return. He acknowledged that in order to get an average seed piece size of 2 ounces, the range could be 1 to 4 ounces or similar. Growers choosing larger seed should have a good reason for doing so, he said. Reasons may include an attempt to reduce the number of small seed pieces on the lower end of the size range, blind seed pieces or the effects of disease, or to accommodate the needs of the planter. 6

Potato Country

March / April 2018

The Washington State Potato Commission’s Kraig Knutzen and Chris Voigt take their turn at the trade show booth.

Photographer Paul Mobley signs copies of his book “American Farmer: The Heart of Our Country” after delivering the conference keynote address.

Blake Isaacs with IHT Healthy Air shows off the newly-redesigned Humigator, built to maximize humidity and minimize disease.

Moving on to discuss in-row spacing, Pavek recommended 10- to 12-inch spacing for full-season russet varieties for fresh and processing. While shorter-season potatoes may benefit from wider spacing, Pavek cautioned against spacing any wider than 12 inches because planter skips will result in larger gaps and ultimately reduce yield. Growers should be familiar with their planter performance and seed quality, and also consider their desired tuber size. As for planting depth, 8 inches from the top of the hill provides maximum economic yield per acre for most varieties in most locations, Pavek said. Planting at a depth of 6 inches may be suitable in locations with a shorter season. However, planting too shallow can result in yield loss due to hotter, drier shallow soil, and can increase tuber greening. On the other hand,

Top 10 Tips for Planting and Stand Establishment

and other highlights from the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference

Washington State Potato Commission and Oregon Potato Commission representatives serve baked Russet Norkotah potatoes and all the fixings at the conference’s potato-bar lunch.

planting too deep can slow emergence and increase disease. In addition, harvesting tubers at a greater depth requires more horsepower, consumes more fuel and may increase bruising. Pavek also covered the practice of hill drag-off, stressing the need to know why it’s being done. If it’s an attempt to disrupt weeds, it should be done as late as possible so weeds are emerged. However, in many other cases, growers can instead use an implement attached to the back of the planter. In fact, growers trying to warm up seed should drag off the hill immediately after planting because the seed needs heat units right away, Pavek pointed out. If the purpose is to reduce greening by widening the hill and compacting the soil, growers may be able to simply plant and come back through with a dammer diker. “In my estimation, you need a really good reason why you’re dragging off. If you don’t have a really good reason, I’d suggest not doing it. It’s just an extra trip through the field,” Pavek advised. Wrapping up with recommendations for final hill shape, Pavek shared research showing that a wide hill with a flat top has less erosion and fewer tubers outside the hill and is more efficient at capturing moisture. “If growers don’t know why they’re doing certain things, they need to question it. They need to ask, ‘can I do better?’”

By Mark Pavek, WSU

• Inspect potato seed loads carefully for early signs of rot. Make informed decisions about whether or not to plant it and when to plant seed with rot (soil temperature above 45 degrees Fahrenheit). • Planting non-suberized, cut seed into soil cooler than 45 degrees increases chances of seed decay. Cut seed suberizes better once spring soil temperatures rise above 45 degrees at the anticipated planting depth.

• Take steps to eliminate “chips” and other undersized seed pieces when cutting potato seed. • A final seed piece depth of 6 to 8 inches from the top of the hill to the top of the seed piece is ideal in most regions. • Follow and dig behind the planter regularly to assess planter performance. Planter skips cost you money.

Spectators enjoy the “Corn Hole with Taters” potato toss during the Spud-Athalon.

• Seed size matters. Healthy seed weighing more than 2 ounces will not result in higher yields or better tuber quality than 2-oz seed. However, seed should be large enough for your planter to operate well, and a size that will prevent blind seed pieces and fall within a reasonable size range when trying to meet a 2-oz average.

• Plant most russet potatoes between 10 and 12 inches in-row in the Columbia Basin.

• Consider a 32-inch row width in the Columbia Basin. It will likely result in a net revenue boost of 5 to 6 percent over 34-inch rows. • If you drag-off hills to warm seed, drag-off behind the planter. For weeds, wait as long as possible to drag-off to give weeds time to develop. Alternatively, plant at the desired final depth and don’t drag-off. • Broad, flat hills typically produce better potato yield and quality than narrow, pointy hill shapes.

Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Pavek concluded. “The folks that ask these questions often turn out to be the best growers.”

Conference Keynote

Garry Fenton with Maximum H2O displays the wares he brought from Mississauga, Canada.

Sam Chavosi and Karen Vazquez promote the lab services offered by Agnema, which gets its name from a combination of agriculture and nematodes. The AgWorld team stands behind their winning stack of spuds in the Spud-Athalon’s “Great Tuber Pyramid” contest. Pictured are Melanie Finch, Anthony Riassetto and Priscilla Griffith.

Conference keynote speaker Paul Mobley gave a snapshot of modernday agriculture and rural America by sharing images and stories from his book “American Farmer: The Heart of Our Country.” Mobley called the book a “life-changing accident,” explaining that he was a New York City photographer who had never stepped foot on a farm. But four years ago, in need of a break, he spent the summer at his cabin in Michigan. When he saw a group of farmers in the local coffee shop, he knew he had to photograph them, and the rest is history. That summer, he photographed every farmer in town, and then hit the road to photograph more farmers. In four years, he traveled 100,000 miles, visited 37 states and snapped 40,000 pictures. “I embarked on this project in search of artistic evolution and I found it, but the unexpected discovery was a kinder, gentler America than I had ever known. Our agricultural communities are the hidden secret of our country,” Mobley said. He was humbled and honored by the generosity and warmth shown to him by the farmers pictured in the book. They taught him about true friendship, family and hard work. “I think about the world today, and I often wonder where have all the good people gone? Well, I can tell you, drive up to any farmhouse in America and you’ll find them,” he concluded. “We are part of a great and resilient nation. And if you ever forget that, I tell people all the time, ‘just get to know a farmer.’” Rodney Gomez with Actagro and Steven Gross with MHB enjoy the trade show.

From left, Angie Griffith, Trish Sage and Tressa Radach with the Washington State Potato Commission try to identify potato varieties in “Name that Spud,” one of the challenges in the Spud-Athalon.

Evan Nyborg and Scott Homstad with Tri-Steel Manufacturing Company promote the company’s Logan line of farm equipment.

Nichole Drake, John Taberna and Cathy Bingham staff the Western Labs booth after the company hosted a workshop on the “Ten Commandments of Growing Potatoes” on the first day of the conference. AgroLiquid reps Eric Collins and Bruce Keck man the booth at the trade show.

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Idaho Potato Conference Reflects on 50 Years Story by Bill Schaefer Photos by Dave Alexander, Publisher

n commemoration of its 50-year anniversary, the Idaho Potato Conference, once known as the Idaho Potato School, featured presentations on the history of the conference during the opening day of seminars at Idaho State University. Doug Gross’ presentation, “One Grower’s Perspective: 50 Years of Change,” was a mixture of entertaining memories of growing up as a secondgeneration potato farmer and the giant advances in equipment, technology and agronomics the industry has made during the past half-century. Gross, 64, of Wilder, Idaho, spoke about learning the facts of the potato industry at the knees of his father and mother beginning at the age of 6. One of his first memories of working in potatoes occurred in 1960 at the age of 7 on a Sunday afternoon when his father was trying to get a head start on the harvest. “My mom was the truck driver, my dad

drove the harvester, and my 5-year-old sister and I were the crew on the back of the harvester,” he told the audience, setting up the unfolding drama. “I remember we kept starting and stopping, and my mom and dad would exchange these rather harsh words. And finally we just came to a stop, and my mom got out of the truck and told my dad, ‘you don’t like the way I’m driving the truck, get somebody else.’ So he whips around and looks at us and says, ‘Doug, you’re up. Go get in that truck.’ So I got in it and had to slide off the seat to push the clutch in. I figured it out, and I also knew that that was a job that was a whole lot better than eating dust and picking clods on the back of the harvester.” Thus began Gross’ lifelong love of driving trucks, something he continues to enjoy. “During harvest, I’ll just take a truck and go around to the different harvest locations, load and go to the different storage locations or wherever we’re hauling,” he said. “That way I can observe

everything that’s going on and not burn fuel in my pickup.” Citing statistics, Gross said that in 1965, there were 3,800 potato growers in Idaho, with each farm averaging 75 acres and producing an average of 17,000 hundredweight (CWT) of potatoes annually. In Idaho today, there are about 380 potato growers, with farms averaging 815 acres and an annual average production of 346,000 CWT. Gross attributes the advent of selfunloading truck beds and self-driving hopper belts with greater efficiency in the field. “It gives us the opportunity to come in and unload our trucks very quickly and turn around, and even-flow gives you a continuous feed to the storage equipment, the pilers, so those never shut down,” he said. Gross predicted that the new auto sorting technology on the horizon will eliminate the need for a lot of hand labor.

Holt Arena is stuffed with equipment, giving growers a chance to get up close and personal with products.

Potato Country

March / April 2018

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THAT’S HOW POTATOES FEEL WITH MOVENTO.® Movento® is a foliar-applied insecticide with two-way movement throughout the plant that effectively suppresses nematodes, while also protecting against above-ground pests including aphids, psyllids and mites. With Movento as part of your season-long pest management program, you’ll have stronger, healthier plants for increased potato quality and yield. For more information, contact your retailer or Bayer representative or visit www.Movento.us. © 2018 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, and Movento are registered trademarks of Bayer. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.us.

Spanish Sessions

Reed Findlay with University of Idaho Extension then spoke about the history of the conference’s Spanish language sessions that began in 2001 with 40 people attending and has grown to more than 150 registrants in this year’s conference. Findlay said that the Spanish language classes grew out of a desire by growers for their Hispanic employees to learn about basic agronomic principles and irrigation and pest management programs. Oddly enough, Findlay said, part of the program’s success was due to the fact that the lecturers were not fluent in Spanish. “We found out it was a positive thing because it allows our Spanish-speaking students to have more control and more input into the class,” Findlay said. “They actually have to help us teach it, and it gives the students ownership of the class.” Julie Markus with Simplot serves Sidewinders Fries to trade show attendees.

Trade Talks

John Keeling, CEO and executive vicepresident of the National Potato Council, discussed the current policy struggles facing the potato industry in the nation’s capital. Keeling said with the Trump administration’s constantly changing rhetoric that it’s hard to speak definitively on the state of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) re-negotiations among the U.S., Mexico and Canada. “It’s like day to day; it’s still in the intensive care unit, but it’s not on life support,” Keeling said. “We continue to believe that there are a lot of people in the administration, Secretary Perdue (USDA) and others, who understand how important trade is, and we think that’s a buffer against something bad, like withdrawing.” Keeling described himself as an optimist who wants to believe that Congress and the president will be able to come up with a solution. “Hopefully sane heads will prevail and we’ll get an improved NAFTA,” Keeling said. “There’s nothing wrong with seeking an improved NAFTA, and if we get it done, it will enhance the relationship between U.S., Canada and Mexico.” Keeling said that the uncertainty about NAFTA extends to U.S. trade efforts among the international community. “The uncertainty about America’s position in trade worldwide and the uncertainty of what we’re going to expect out of trade agreements and what we are going to do relative to trade agreements, impacts the desire of Japan to sit down

Kimberlee Harris and Alan Westra with the Idaho Crop Improvement Association man their booth at the trade show.

Thirty years after showing up at the Idaho Potato Conference with the first electronic panel to monitor storage, John Buturac with BTU Ventilation shows off the latest model.

with us and negotiate other trade agreements,” he said. “The environment around trade being so unsettled, so uncertain as to what America’s position on the world is going to be on that, makes whatever discussion you’re having with whatever country more difficult.”

Michael Gardner with Huma Gro and Blair WIlcox with Wilcox Distributing promote Pro Max fungicide at the Pond Student Union building in Pocatello.

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Insect Biology Quiz Dr. Andy Jensen

The two insects pictured here can wreak serious havoc in potato fields, but are not abundant and threatening every year in every region. Trapping to determine their abundance is a crucial tool in integrated pest management (IPM) because it allows informed decisions regarding insecticide treatment.

Questions: 1. What is each insect?

2. What kind of crop damage can you expect from large populations of each insect? 3. What part of the growing season does most of the important crop damage occur with each insect? ANSWERS, PAGE 30 This material is provided courtesy of Andy Jensen, Ph.D., Manager of the Northwest Potato Research Consortium. For more information, visit www.nwpotatoresearch.com.

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

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Innovak Global

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Premier Tech

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Potato Country

March / April 2018

Essentials Yara

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Yara is committed to helping farmers have the best possible crop in terms of yield and quality. Yara’s knowledge, products and solutions grow farmers’ businesses profitably and responsibly, while nurturing and protecting the earth’s resources, food and environment. Yara’s fertilizers, crop nutrition programs and technologies increase yields, improve product quality and reduce environmental impact from agricultural practices. An integral part of the Yara crop solution for potatoes is YaraLiva, featuring nitrate nitrogen to help deliver a strong canopy and aid in the uptake of calcium, magnesium and potassium. Calcium is important for cell division and cell wall strength, both key to high quality tubers. The result is a higher pack-out and more profit per acre.

AgroLiquid

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PotatoCountry.com

Growth Essentials Actagro

www.actagro.com For nearly four decades, Actagro has taken cues from the foremost authority in crop nutrition: nature. By working with natural soil processes to enhance plant nutrient uptake, the company develops and manufactures products that increase yield potential while improving soil health. This boosts growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; environmental stewardship and the long-term productivity and profitability of their land. Actagroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team of agronomists and scientists works in state-of-the-art facilities, examining the relationships between plants and soil to determine how well the products work with nature, not against it. All products are rigorously tested in laboratories and in the field to ensure maximum performance before release into the market.

Nutri-Cal

www.nutri-cal.com Nutri-K

Agrinos

Nutri-K liquid potassium is a special formulation of highly soluble potassium, carboxylic acids and carbohydrates. The carboxylic acids and carbohydrates, which are the same complexing agents identified in the formulation of Nutri-Cal, are derived from plant extracts in a patented process. There are no nitrates, chlorides or sulfates. It has a low salt index and is therefore non-corrosive. The product works when the T.O.G. complexes the elemental potassium ion, which subsequently allows the ion to be absorbed directly and immediately through the leaf and fruit cell walls. Nutri-K T.O.G / liquid potassium complex provides a unique delivery system, which protects the potassium from forming an insoluble compound, enabling more efficient movement of potassium ion to the fruit/vegetable where it is needed most.

www.agrinos.com iNvigorate, B Sure

iNvigorate from Agrinos promotes the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and promotes a healthy soil microbial community. The product improves nutrient uptake by freeing up soil-bound nutrients, increases fertilizer use efficiency and aids in stronger root growth. It also rejuvenates the soil microbial community and increases soil organic matter. iNvigorate reliably improves yield and crop quality across a wide variety of soils, crops and growing conditions. B Sure is a liquid nutrient solution from Agrinos. To support plant productivity in a variety of environmental conditions, B Sure contains carbon, nitrogen, true protein, amino acids and essential metabolic micronutrients. True protein is a source of highly bioavailable time-released nitrogen, complementing the activity of applied nitrogen. The micronutrient formulation helps build and support an active photosynthetic pathway. Carbon and essential minerals boost plant metabolism and stimulate plant and root growth. Free amino acids provide ready-made building blocks for protein synthesis

RTI-Ag

www.rti-ag.com Biological Inoculants

RTI-Ag introduces economic and highly effective biological inoculants. Products include arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, growth promoting nitrogen-fixing bacteria and crop nutrient delivery systems. RTI-Ag also offers highly viable arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The most successful strains of mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogenfixing bacteria are chosen for their ability to increase crop production and sustainability. Products increase crop yields and nutritional content while also improving soil structure, moisture and nutrient management.

Potato Country

March / April 2018

Know Your Potato Diseases

Disease Identification Quiz Some diseases and disorders are visible when growers cut and prepare seed for planting. Can you identify the cause of the seed problems pictured here? Dr. Jeff Miller, a plant pathologist, is the president and CEO of Miller Research, Rupert, Idaho. He can be contacted by phone: (208) 531-5124; cell: (208) 431-4420; jeff@millerresearch.com

ANSWERS, PAGE 23

Dr. Jeff Miller

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PotatoCountry.com

Spud School 2018

Spud School Teaches Plant Nutrition Story and photos by Allen Thayer

early 150 people attended the soldout Spud School 2018, a two-day workshop for growers, field consultants and fertilizer suppliers, held Jan. 15-16 in Fort Hall, Idaho. TPS Lab offered the event to share new approaches to season-long proactive crop fertilization management for better yields and quality at lower cost. “You name it, we grow it,” said Noel Garcia, a certified crop advisor who joined TPS Lab in 1991 and now serves as vice president of operations and technical director. TPS Lab is located in Edinburg, Texas. With participants from every corner of the U.S. and Canada filling the room for the class, which preceded the Idaho Potato Conference in Pocatello, Garcia kicked off the event with a workshop on soil testing. “The overall idea is to spoon-feed the plant,” Garcia said. “There is no guarantee nutrients will get into the plant.” Garcia illustrated how leaf and petiole (sap) testing, in conjunction with soil fertility testing, enables growers to manage crop nutrition needs to a high level and to rapidly respond to changing growing conditions and stressors before they affect production. He drew from reallife examples of slow wet springs and lingering drought to show growers how they can correct for erratic weather using testing and foliar sprays. While soil tests are essential to getting a crop started, many things can influence

TPS Lab’s Noel Garcia shares tips on soil sampling and testing and potato plant nutrition.

Longtime agriculture broadcaster and writer Stu Ellis hosts the 2018 Spud School.

Nearly 150 growers, crop advisors, chemical reps and other players in the potato industry attend the sold-out Spud School.

how much and what of the recommended fertilizer put down actually gets into the plant. “At the end of the day, all you really want to know is how much of what you need to put down to get your next crop off to a good start,” Garcia said. Garcia said one way growers can correct nutritional problems before they see them is with TPS Lab’s Ask the Plant. This is the lab’s signature suite of petiole (sap) and leaf tests with proprietary nutritional interpretations and recommendations that are continuously updated for latest varieties and hybrids. The plant analysis identifies nutritional problems and increases yields, quality and profits by allowing correction of nutritional deficiencies in the plant at critical stages of growth seven to 21 days before it shows visible signs of stress, according to the company. The goal of Ask the Plant is to make dramatically superior crops – even under adverse growing conditions. The program includes soil, plant and irrigation water testing. Other subjects presented at Spud School included crop nutrition, potato nutritional requirements and foliar nutrition on potato plants. “The key is balanced nutrition throughout the growing season,” Garcia said. “Now we can properly balance nutrients.” He told growers that very few fertility

Attendees refuel and network during lunch.

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FI E

studies and on-farm trials are being done and urged attendees to change that. “The more information you get from crop advisors, the better off you are.” He said continued improvement in cropping system management and use of site-specific precision ag technologies, such as drones, have led to better nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. “Too many farmers put too much nitrogen on too early,” Garcia said. Additionally, Garcia said growers need to view potassium and phosphorus efficiency as different from nitrogen efficiency. The difference method (RE) is appropriate for nitrogen, but is less useful for phosphorus and potassium where plant available reserves of these nutrients can accumulate in the soil from past applications of fertilizer. “It’s critical to properly define efficiency for the nutrient in question,” Garcia said. “Yields will likely continue to increase faster than nitrogen use.” “Sustainable efficiency will translate into increased phosphorus and potassium demand in some major production regions. The pressure to improve nitrogen efficiency should result in increased support for balanced nutrition with phosphorus and potassium.” Garcia emphasized the importance of making nutrients available when crops need them. LDtime, “If you’re applying at the wrong it’s not being utilized.” Videos of the workshop will be available at www.tpslab.com. fr o m

to TRUCK

Larry Zibilske, vice-president of research at TPS Lab, talks about soil biology’s effects on plants and nutrients, using organic matter to enhance crop nutrition, water use efficiency and managing poor-quality irrigation water.

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In the News

Agri-Lines Opens New Store

Offering “anything irrigation,” Agri-Lines Irrigation Inc. is opening a new store in Nampa, Idaho, in March. The store will provide parts, sales and service for pivots, wheel lines, drip, pumping systems and pipe. In addition, Agri-Lines offers electrical service and custom fab work. Headquartered in Parma, Idaho, the company is a dealer and specialist for both Lindsay Zimmatic pivots and Netafim drip systems. Visit www.agri-lines.com.

Double M Expands

Double M Ag and Irrigation opened a new store in Blackfoot, Idaho, on Feb. 1, adding to its stores in American Falls and Aberdeen. Double M ships equipment, irrigation and sprayer parts throughout the United States and Canada. The company carries a line of new and used equipment and bills itself as a one-stop shop from planting through harvest. Visit www.doublemsupply.com.

Dow Hires Telone Specialist

Dow AgroSciences has hired Jorge Villasenor as the Telone specialist for the Columbia Basin area of Washington. He replaces Ryan Roslak, who retired after 33 years with Dow AgroSciences. Villasenor will work in various crops, but will focus on potatoes, onions and tree fruit. He will work with all applicators of Telone to ensure that stewardship programs and proper applications are maintained. He will also provide expertise on equipment issues related to fumigation with Telone and coordinate field trials with university and contract researchers. Previously, Villasenor was employed as a Telone specialist in Idaho, where he worked with growers, retailers and custom applicators. He earned a degree in tree fruit management from Washington State University in 2016.

Potato Country

March / April 2018

PAA Heads to Boise

Save the date! On July 22-26, the Potato Association of America (PAA) will host its 102nd annual meeting in Boise, Idaho, at the Boise Centre. The morning of July 23 will include an industry session, followed by an afternoon symposium titled “The Impact of Quarantined Pests on Potato Production.” Registration for the one day is $75, but growers are invited to consider registering for the entire meeting to learn cuttingedge information critical to the industry and to experience all that Idaho has to offer. For more information on the meeting, registration and the Boise area, visit www.uidaho.edu/PAA2018.

National Potato Council

Government Shutdowns May Foreshadow Farm Bill Challenges By John Keeling, NPC Vice President and CEO

ongress and multiple presidential administrations have recycled the government shutdown game so often that we can become numb to its impact and the threats surrounding it. However, the brinksmanship isn’t just fodder for pundits on cable news outlets. It has real, negative consequences for our industry. Already in 2018, we have had two government shutdowns before a budget deal could be reached. Each time it happens, resources stagnate as the people we rely upon to deal with immediate issues at USDA, EPA, the Office of the Trade Representative and others simply aren’t there to exchange information or solve problems. In 2013, a shutdown during the Obama administration lasted 16 days. During that time, the operations of the H-2A guest worker program stopped, and producers who needed labor for harvest were unable to secure those workers. Perishable crops suffered and money was lost unnecessarily and permanently. The challenges of getting an increasingly divided Congress to create government funding bills that the president will sign are large. Compounding the challenge this year is that the current farm bill is due to expire in September. Though the cable news industry may not view a farm bill with the same urgency as a government shutdown, the inability to complete one in 2018 will result in vital programs either stopping altogether or stagnating. Over $3 billion is now dedicated to the fruit and vegetable industry through the farm bill. These funds are delivered through

new programs such as the Specialty Crop Block Grant program, the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program and others. In addition to these new programs, the farm bill has also encouraged the Department of Agriculture to make existing programs, such as crop insurance, conservation programs and rural development, focus more on the needs of potato producers and other specialty crops. The National Potato Council has devoted significant staff time to seeing a new farm bill created this year. We are particularly focused on enhancing the research dollars flowing to our industry through programs such as the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. Additionally, we are encouraging Congress to strengthen USDA’s export promotion resources through the Market Access Program, the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program and other activities in order to keep pace in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Though we have great confidence in the leadership of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, the discord that is evident in these government funding stalemates early in 2018 is a cautionary signal to the agriculture industry in dealing with a highly fractured Congress. The farm bill is the foundation of our country’s agricultural policy, and its programs reach into every U.S. home, restaurant, school, hospital and military commissary. The House and Senate need to avoid the dysfunction that plagued the budget process and instead send a forward-looking farm bill to the president by the end of September.

Know Your Disease Answers (from page 19)

Photo A: The rot depicted here is Fusarium seed piece decay caused by Fusarium sambucinum. The level of Fusarium in a seed crop is indicative as to the threat of dry rot in the harvested daughter tubers. Fusarium spores can spread from infected seed tubers to healthy tubers during the cutting process. Seed treatments with mancozeb, fludioxonil, difenoconazole and prothioconazole are effective in preventing the development of Fusarium seed piece decay in healthy seed tubers. Photo B: While the symptom in this photo looks like Fusarium, this is actually a physiological disorder known as blackheart. Blackheart results from a lack of oxygen. It is not caused by a fungus or bacterium, and affected tubers do not put healthy seed tubers at risk during the cutting process. Photo C: These symptoms are caused by Rhizoctonia solani. The black spots on the surface of this tuber are actually masses of the fungus. These structures are called sclerotia and are commonly called “dirt that doesn’t wash off.” Seed tubers with sclerotia will not affect other healthy seed tubers, but the pathogen can grow to the developing plant and the daughter tubers during the growing season. Seed treatments containing fludioxonil, flutolanil and penflufen are effective in minimizing spread from infected seed tubers to daughter tubers. Several fungicides can also be applied in-furrow for managing Rhizoctonia. Photo D: These tubers are affected by late blight. The late blight pathogen (Phytophthora infestans) can produce spores on infected tubers. The infected tubers will likely decay and not produce a plant in the field. But spores from infected seed tubers can contaminate healthy seed pieces, which can result in late blight in the developing plants. Seed treatment with products containing mancozeb, mandipropamid, fenamidone and cymoxanil are effective in preventing the spread of seed-borne late blight. www.millerresearch.com PotatoCountry.com

New Products

Drone Package Flies Into Market

Aero Hawk is flying into the precision ag market with its new combination of drone, camera and software designed for the ag industry. The drone and four-lens camera combination weighs in at 2.9 pounds. The lightweight design provides a flight time of 25 minutes with the unit covering 160 acres on one battery charge. The eight-megapixel camera is equipped with four filters including two tri-band filters. Aero Hawk downloads the data from the camera and uploads it directly onto a userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s computer in less than two hours. Aero Hawk software stitches the pictures based on the best pixel, providing seamless data, according to the company. Data provided can be used to pinpoint areas in the field that have disease, damage, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and water issues, and to see relative nitrogen values. More than three dozen indexes can be measured per flight. Pricing is under $5,000. Visit www.aero-hawk.com.

FARM MANAGER WANTED Black Gold Farms has a Farm Manager position available at its Rhodesdale, MD location. This position is being added to accommodate the upcoming relocation of the current manager. Responsibilities include: Coordinating & leading employees; compiling records on the crops; procuring quality land; creating schedules for planting, crop input applications, irrigation, equipment readiness & harvesting; directing harvest operations, conducting off-season activities, and managing the farms budget. Production agriculture & management experience is required. A bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in ag or related field is desired, as well as experience in equipment management, irrigation, basic agronomy, budgeting, record keeping & Microsoft software programs. Potato experience is not necessary. Black Gold has an excellent benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) program with company match, paid time off & incentive. Relocation assistance may be provided if necessary. Apply online at www.blackgoldfarms.com/employment.php or email resume to: employment@blackgoldfarms.com

Potato Country

March / April 2018

AMVAC Markets New Nematicide

AMVAC Chemical Corporation now has an exclusive distribution agreement with Rotam North America to market and sell ReTurn XL insecticide/nematicide, which recently received federal registration. With the active ingredient oxymyl, ReTurn XL provides control of nematodes, leafhoppers, potato beetles, and other sucking and chewing insects. It includes two-way foliar and soil systemic activity for above- and below-ground protection. Below ground, ReTurn XL controls Columbia root-knot, lesion and stubby root nematode. Above ground, it provides secondary insect control and is compatible with potato psyllid control programs. It also suppresses purple top and zebra chip diseases and does not cause secondary pest flares. According to AMVAC, potato growers can further extend the crop protection benefits of seed treatments and in-furrow applications by applying ReTurn XL. Visit www.amvac-chemical.com.

Canadian Company Offers Organic Options

Cropland Solutions is promoting its line of organic fertilizers and plant supplements to improve soil quality and crop yield. The products are formulated to manage plant stress at the cellular level and utilize technology that focuses on plant-soil energy management to optimize crop yield. The products have helped growers increase yields, while reducing water waste, soil degradation and labor costs, according to the company. The products, all of which are approved for organic and conventional production in the U.S. and Canada, can be mixed for a one-pass application. Contact susan@croplandsolutions.com.

Kerian

Helm Touts Two New Herbicides

Helm Agro US, Inc. kicked off the first quarter of 2018 with two new herbicides approved for use in potatoes. Helmet and Helmet SPC are metolachlor herbicides designed to provide grass and small-seeded broadleaf control in crops including potatoes. Available in emulsifiable concentrate formulations, Helmet and Helmet SPC can be applied alone or in a planned two-pass program. The products are approved for spring or fall applications. Visit helmagro.com.

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Calendar

•• •

July 18-20 National Potato Council Summer Meeting

Icicle Village Resort Leavenworth, Wash. hillaryh@nationalpotatocouncil.org Editor’s note: To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller, at editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com. Please send your information 90 days in advance.

June 13 5th Annual Ag World Golf Classic

Canyon Lakes Golf Course, Kennewick, Wash www.agworldgolf.com

•

July 22-26 Potato Association of America Annual Meeting Boise Centre Boise, ID www.uidaho.edu/PAA2018

June 25-27 United Fresh 2018 McCormick Place Convention Center Chicago, Ill. www.unitedfresh.org

Mar. 12-15 Potatoes USA Annual Meeting Hilton City Center Denver, Colo. chelsea@potatoesusa.com

PotatoCountry.com

NPC Covers Key Policy Issues M

ore than 150 potato growers extended their stay in Orlando, Florida, following Potato Expo 2018 to attend the National Potato Council (NPC) annual meeting, held Jan. 12-13. NPC committees met to hear from industry leaders on top policy issues including research funding, transportation/ trucking issues, the 2018 Farm Bill, NAFTA renegotiation updates and the Worker Protection Standard revisions currently underway.

New Leaders

A new leadership team is in place to continue working on these issues. During the meeting, Cully Easterday of Pasco, Washington, was installed as NPC’s 2018 president. The NPC delegates also approved the 2018 Executive Committee, which includes Larry Alsum, Friesland, Wisconsin, first vice president, Finance and Office Procedures; Dominic LaJoie, Van Buren, Maine, vice president, Environmental Affairs; Britt Raybould, St. Anthony, Idaho, vice president, Legislative and Government Affairs; R.J. Andrus, Idaho Falls, Idaho, vice president, Industry Research and Grower Outreach; Jared Balcom, Pasco, Washington, vice president, Trade Affairs; and Dwayne Weyers, Center, Colorado, immediate past president.

Special Recognition

The annual awards banquet provided an opportunity for NPC leaders to express appreciation and celebrate achievements. Melanie Wickham was recognized as the Potato Woman of the Year for her commitment to the industry and years of service to the Empire State Potato Growers Association. The NPC also recognized Leon and Lance Hapka of HFC, Inc. from Halma, Minnesota, with the 2017 Environmental Stewardship Award. The growers are credited with developing innovative approaches to safeguarding the environmental resources on their farm. Dwayne Weyers presented awards to his fellow 2017 executive committee members in appreciation of their efforts and also presented President’s Awards to Rick Ellithorpe with Aspen Produce, Jim Ehrlich with the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee and Linda Weyers, his wife. The NPC Summer Meeting will be held July 18-20 at the Icicle Village Resort in Leavenworth, Washington.

Colleagues congratulate NPC’s 2018 Potato Woman of the Year Melanie Wickham, executive director of the Empire State Potato Growers Association (center). Pictured from left to right are Chris Voigt, Bill Brewer, Mike Wenkel, Chuck Gunnerson, Frank Muir, Melanie Wickham, Jim Ehrlich, Pat Kole, John Keeling and Tamas Houlihan.

NPC’s 2018 Executive Committee includes (back, left to right) Jared Balcom, Dwayne Weyers, Dominic LaJoie, (front, left to right) R.J. Andrus, Britt Raybould, Cully Easterday and Larry Alsum. The Hapka family takes home the Environmental Stewardship Award. Lance and his wife, Katrina, pictured with their children, farm with Lance’s parents, Leon and Jean, in Halma, Minn.

Dwayne Weyers (left) presents a President’s Award to Jim Ehrlich for his support and guidance through the years.

Market Report

The Fragmenting Potato M

potato is no longer a potato. While potato varieties still substitute for each other, to some degree, differentiation between types and varieties is becoming more pronounced each year. Buyers are demanding varieties specialized to meet their needs. At the same time, consumers are becoming more selective of the foods they eat, demanding more variety, and being more conscious about how and where their food is grown. These trends create challenges, opportunities and hazards for potato growers. Processors and chip manufacturers always have had a preference for highsolids potatoes with low sugar content, which are traits needed to make premium products for their customers. In recent years, they have become even more selective. Many new varieties are designed to meet specific processing needs. In addition, some varieties previously used for processing have fallen out of favor due to pushback from customers or concerns that the finished product fails to consistently meet customers’ expectations. Both fryers and chip manufacturers try to contract for more than 90 percent of their needs to control not only the price of their raw product, but also varieties, quality and traceability. Specialized processing potatoes often fall short of desired standards for table potatoes. This can be because handling practices vary between the table potato sector and the processing sector, or it can be the result of variety-specific issues. Whatever the cause, this makes it difficult

Potato Country

March / April 2018

to move excess chip and processing potatoes through fresh-market channels. When table potato supplies are short, packers and re-packers may consider handling marginal-quality processing potatoes. However, surpluses in processing potatoes usually coincide with plentiful supplies of table potatoes. Unfortunately, processing and chip potato surpluses can weigh on the table potato market, even if very few of them actually are moved through fresh market channels.

effort to distinguish between red varieties. However, in recent years, yellow-fleshed red varieties have become a distinct subcategory. The red potato share of the table potato market has varied between 13.5 percent and 16.3 percent in recent years. The market tends to be highly seasonal, with the strongest sales coming during the spring and summer months when much of the crop moves directly from the field to market. The availability of yellow potatoes has grown rapidly in recent years. Most Table Potato Differentiation consumers still think of all yellow potatoes In recent years, consumer interest in as “Yukon Gold,” though that variety has an increased variety of food has grown lost favor with growers due to its lower rapidly. That includes table potatoes. yields and other agronomic challenges. Russets still make up more than 70 Yellow potatoes accounted for about 7.5 percent of all U.S. fresh potato shipments. percent of U.S. fresh potato shipments However, Russet Burbanks accounted during the 2016-17 marketing year, up from for only 56 percent of russet shipments 4 percent eight years earlier. Though there from Idaho’s 2016 potato crop. Burbank are a number of different yellow varieties, shipments from other russet growing areas efforts to differentiate between them is still were negligible. Nationwide, less than limited. 30 percent of russet potato shipments are Sales of white table potatoes – both Burbanks. Consumers have been given round white and long white – have been little instruction on differentiating between fading in recent years. Round white sales high-solids varieties, such as Russet made up 2.7 percent of reported fresh Burbanks, and low-solids russets, never potato sales during the 2016-17 marketing mind the nuances between the various year, down from 4 percent eight years russet varieties that are being marketed. earlier. During the same period, the long The resulting inconsistent performance of white market share dropped from 2.3 the russet potatoes they are purchasing may percent to 1.4 percent. be contributing to the downturn in demand The round white experience should be for russet potatoes. a cautionary tale for the potato industry. Red potatoes have long been the largest Most round white table potato varieties non-russet table potato type for most of the are low-solids varieties, referred to as country. In the past, there has been little waxy potatoes. In contrast, round white chip varieties are high-solids potatoes that tend to be much dryer when boiled. For a number of years, rejected chip potatoes went to re-packers, where they were packaged and marketed as table potatoes. The resulting inconsistent performance is one of the contributing factors in the downturn in demand for round white potatoes at the retail level. NEW/USED WALK-IN Specialty varieties – fingerlings, purple COOLER-FREEZER REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS potatoes, small potatoes – continue to grow HUGE INVENTORY-All SIZES in popularity. They are a small part of the BUY  SEll  NATIONwIDE  overall table potato category. However, AMERICAN WHOLESALE CO. TOLL FREE 877-220-8882 movement is likely to be understated, WWW.AWRCO.COM  AWCCO@AOL.COM as many of these potatoes fall outside of

Market

standard USDA grading standards for potatoes. Therefore, most shipments from Idaho and Colorado don’t get reported through the regular reporting system. The situation for other growing areas is less clear. These potatoes tend to be branded items, which may include more variety differentiation than is afforded for the various color types.

Opportunities, Hazards

Origin has always played a role in table potato marketing – mostly it has been Idaho versus all other growing areas. However, in recent years, retailers have turned to “locally grown” products as an appeal to “socially conscious” consumers, who either want to support local farmers or believe that buying local produce reduces their “carbon footprint.” “Locally grown” is a flexible term. For example, potatoes grown in Dalhart, Texas, are marketed in Houston (680 miles away) as locally grown Texas potatoes. Nevertheless, the “locally grown” movement may offer opportunities for some growers to differentiate their products in certain markets. Product differentiation creates both opportunities and hazards for potato growers. Opportunities for differentiation in the table potato market are numerous. Efforts to differentiate by variety are in their infancy. Creating demand for individual varieties may be costly, but the potential rewards could outstrip any added costs. The hazard is that as the market becomes more differentiated, it becomes more difficult to move surplus potatoes between usage categories. That makes it more imperative than ever that growers plan their production to meet known market needs, rather than attempting to grow as many potatoes as possible on the available ground. Growers also should be cautious about trends such as “locally grown.” If the local product meets high quality standards, with a reasonable cost structure, it is likely to endure well. However, if it cannot meet quality standards or if the cost structure is at odds with the laws of economics, growers may find that their customers tire of paying a premium to be “politically correct.”

By Bruce Huffaker, Publisher North American Potato Market News

HUFFAKER'S HIGHLIGHTS • Product differentiation is becoming more prevalent in the potato industry. That trend creates both opportunities and hazards that growers need to assess.

• Functionality is the main driving force behind differentiation in the frozen processing and chip potato sectors. That has resulted in frequent adjustments to variety mix. Some preferred varieties do not stand up well when marketed fresh, which intensifies the need to match production with known demand. • Table potato differentiation has been mostly limited to type – russet, red, yellow or white – so far. For the most part, the industry has failed to differentiate between high-solids and low-solids varieties, which may be an issue for future demand. • Variety differentiation may be a way for growers to lessen the commodity aspect of the table potato industry, but such efforts would be costly. • “Locally grown” has become popular. However, in the long run it is likely to succeed only where the local product can be grown cost-effectively and/or it can be shown to be of superior quality. Editor’s note: To contact Mr. Huffaker, or to subscribe to North American Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call: 2690 N. Rough Stone Way, Meridian, ID 83646; (208) 525-8397; or e-mail napmn@napmn.com.

PotatoCountry.com

Potato Growers of Washington

The Reasons Behind a Two-Year Contract By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

y now, you have heard that we have reached an agreement on a twoyear contract with the major processors. The approximate increase on a weighted average basis is 5 percent in 2018 and 4 percent in 2019. The question that I have been asked since the agreement was announced is, why a two-year contract? There is no single answer to that question; many factors went into agreeing to the first multi-year contract in recent memory in the Columbia Basin. First, growers have not had an increase in any year since 2013. During those four years of flat or decreased pricing, grower costs have gone up significantly. I have discussed the reasons behind agreeing to lower profit margins in past issues of Potato Country. But regardless of the reasons why the profit margins have shrunk, there is no doubt in anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind that they have. Our original goal was to get at least an 8 percent increase in a one-year agreement, and that was our full intent prior to the suspension of talks after the Idaho McCain three-year flat contract came to light. Once that was confirmed and better understood by all in the industry, our processors told us flat out that an 8 percent

Canela Russet Mesa Russet Rio Grande Russet Colorado Rose

Russet Norkotah 3 Purple Majesty Russet Norkotah 8 Mountain Rose

www.coloradocertifiedpotatogrowers.com

increase in one year while there is a multi-year flat contract in the next state was completely out of the question. With the 8 percent increase in 2018 off the table, we then started to consider a two-year agreement so that we could offset the four flat-to-down years with two positive ones. Also, with the expansions in processing capacity coming online in the next few years, having a two-year contract now seemed like a good idea to help growers prepare for future expansion of their acres. The goal was to agree to a 10 percent increase over the two years with as much of the increase as possible coming in the first year. We were talking with Lamb Weston first, and the processor was willing to consider the two-year agreement, but would not go any higher than the value we agreed to. The thought pattern of the key growers on the Lamb Weston negotiating committee was that a 5 percent increase in the first year and just over 9 percent in the two years was close enough to our target to accept the offer rather than trying to leverage more money by holding out for a higher value that may or may not have been available. We felt that it was important to complete the deal in January to avoid taking the chance of things changing in the next few weeks. Taking a sure thing that is within 1 percent of our targeted goal seemed like a very prudent thing to do. I have stated and continue to believe that this is a very solid pricing level. While not as profitable as it has been in the past, in light of where the agricultural economy is today, most growers should be able to make this work for their operations, and it should bridge the gap to what I am hoping is an even better settlement for the 2020 crop year. To all of you who provided input, personal information and your valuable time during the negotiations process, I extend a heartfelt thank you. We never could have reached this agreement without your assistance.

Know Your Insects Answers (from page 14)

1. Photo A is a tuberworm moth. Photo B is a beet leafhopper. 2. Tuberworm larvae tunnel into leaves, stems and tubers. Beet leafhoppers can transmit the most common phytoplasma that causes purple top in the Northwest (the BLTVA phytoplasma). 3. The only economically important damage caused by tuberworm is tunneling in tubers. Tuberworm larvae usually attack tubers only late in the season during or after vine death. Beet leafhopper populations can spike two or three times each season, but the most important time for phytoplasma transmission is spring and early summer.

Potato Country

March / April 2018

Nematode Protection + Plant Health Benefits

DuPont™ Vydate® C-LV insecticide/nematicide protects crops systemically by moving above and below ground. In the soil, Vydate C-LV gives you protection against damaging nematodes. Above ground, its foliar activity protects plants against numerous insects, such as aphids, Lygus, Colorado potato beetle, potato psyllid and leafhoppers. Furthermore, Vydate C-LV offers well-documented plant health benefits, often showing as “green up” of plants, improved plant vigor/growth and reduced senescence.

® Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”) or affiliated companies of Dow or DuPont. Telone and Vydate® C-LV are federally Restricted Use Pesticides. Always read and follow label directions and precautions for use.

PotatoCountry.com

STOP APHIDS AND PSYLLIDS BEFORE THEY SUCK PROFITS OUT OF YOUR POTATO CROP. BeleafÂŽ 50 SG insecticide from FMC stops feeding plant bugs in 30 minutes or less. Our unique chemistry targets the central nervous systems of piercing and sucking insects dangerous to potato yields, yet is soft on beneficial insects. Make the most of your insecticide rotation and minimize virus transmission with a selective mode of action that delivers efficient, effective control. Visit your FMC retailer or FMCcrop.com to learn more.