Striking a Balance
PLUS:
Columbia Basin Mystery Disease Industry Takes Issues to Capitol Hill Potatoes USA Prepares Plan for New Fiscal Year For the Advertiser Index click here
PotatoCountry.com • May/June 2019 Western focus. National impact.
Fight Blight Right. For added early and late blight control, add new Dexter MAX to your disease management program.
New Dexter™ MAX is now available. Dexter MAX optimizes the control of early and late blight in potatoes when used as part of an overall disease management program. This dual mode-of-action fungicide provides both contact and systemic activity by combining a multi-site and single-site fungicide in one convenient package. Amping up your blight control. Dexter MAX is also a responsible choice for managing the potential of disease resistance because of its strong multi-site active ingredient. Give it a try on your potatoes this season. To learn more visit www.upi-usa.com. Ask your UPL distributor about Dexter MAX today. Dexter Max and UPL logo are trademarks of UPL Corporation Limited or its related companies. Products manufactured for UPL NA Inc. 630 Freedom Business Center, King of Prussia, PA 19406. ŠApril, 2019. All rights reserved. www.upi-usa.com
Only BlackhawkÂŽ insect control stops worms, potato psyllid, thrips and Colorado potato beetle. Blackhawk controls target pests through contact and ingestion activity, which provides quick kill and residual. Applications of Blackhawk will not flare mites or lead to secondary pest outbreaks. And, as a member of the spinosyn class of chemistry (IRAC Group 5), Blackhawk controls pests like no other class of chemistry in potatoes.
w w w . Po t a t o Co u n t r y . c o m
Vol. 35 No. 4
PO Box 333 Roberts, Idaho 83444 Phone: (208) 520-6461
Country Western focus. National impact.
Table of Contents
May/June 2019
Contacts 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
6 Striking a Balance
Bruce Huffaker ................................................. napmn@napmn.com Market Report
James Baker Farms
Dale Lathim ............................................................... dale@pgw.net
10 Industry Takes Issues to Capitol Hill NPC Potato DC Fly-In
Potato Growers of Washington
Brian Feist ...................................brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com Operations Manager, Advertising
16 Potatoes USA Prepares Plan for New Fiscal Year
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.
18 Harvest Essentials
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.
24 Columbia Basin Mystery Disease
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.
Potatoes USA Annual Meeting
Buyers' Guide
Studies on the Recent Mysterious Foliar Damage in Columbia Basin Potato Plants
27 Potatoes: America’s Favorite Vegetable Potatoes USA
Potato Country magazine (ISSN 0886-4780), is published eight times per year and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices. It is produced by Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2019. 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.
28 USDA Downgrades Potato Crop Reporting
Editorial Board
Market Report
Potatoes USA annual meeting attendees kick off the meeting with an exercise class, which was followed by a breakfast featuring potato dishes designed to optimize recovery and help the group stay focused on the day’s agenda. See the story on page 16.
On The Cover James Baker piles potatoes in storage in Moses Lake, Washington, where he grows 1,200 acres of spuds for the processing market. See the story on page 6.
4
Potato Country
May / June 2019
Bill Brewer
Chris Voigt
Executive Director
Executive Director
Washington State Potato Commission
Oregon Potato Commission
(509) 765-8845
(503) 239-4763
Departments 20 22 23 30
New Products In the News Calendar PGW Column
Nina Zidack
Frank Muir
Jim Ehrlich
Montana Seed Potato Certification
Idaho Potato Commission
Colorado Potato Administrative Committee
Director
(406) 994-3150
President/CEO
(208) 334-2350
President/CEO
(719) 852-3322
HEALTHY
FROM FIRST SPROUT TO FINAL HARVEST
From sprout to harvest, Luna® fungicide protects potatoes throughout the growing season, improving plant health for beautiful crops and abundant potato yields. As a breakthrough systemic fungicide, Luna provides unparalleled control of White mold, Early blight and other problematic diseases. Make Luna a cornerstone of your fungicide program to consistently produce a high-quality crop – and more of it. Find out what Luna can do for you at LunaFungicides.com/potato. © 2019 Bayer Group. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, and Luna are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group. Not all products are registered for use in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.us. Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63167. CR0119LUNNAAB038S00R0
Striking a Balance
Story and photos by Denise Keller, Editor
J
ames Baker tries to strike a balance between perfection and profitability. The Moses Lake, Washington, potato grower is making changes to his operation in an effort to produce a quality crop while working within today’s tight margins.
In His Blood
Baker has long been familiar with how difficult farming can be. Both of his grandfathers farmed in the area, and his dad followed suit, growing potatoes and sugar beets. His father was heavily invested in a local sugar factory. When the sugar factory failed in the early 2000s, he had to sell his farm. But Baker’s dream of farming didn’t end with the sale of his father’s farm. “I always knew I wanted to be a farmer. I grew up in a spud field,” Baker says. “I couldn’t get it out of my blood.” In 2008, Baker partnered with his father, uncle and cousin to get back into the potato business. Through the USDA Farm Service Agency Beginning Farmer loan program, Baker started with 50 acres of potatoes and was soon managing 350 acres in the partnership. The four farmed together until 2015 when the other three partners left the business. Baker took over the operation with 1,000 acres of potatoes and has been farming on his own since 2016.
Price of Perfection
Today, Baker grows about 1,200 acres of Umatilla Russets and Russet Burbanks for the processing market. All of his production is on rented ground, which he says makes operations especially tight financially. “As a tenant farmer, I’m running a $5 million operation with a $50,000 margin. There’s no cushion when you have a bad field. It takes years to recover,” Baker shares. “There’s no reason for it. Sales are up. Processors are making record profits. 6
Potato Country
May / June 2019
James Baker shows off a sample of the 2018 harvest as his crew digs Umatilla Russets.
They have plenty of margins. And they’re not willing to pass it down to the grower.” Every year is a make-or-break year. Baker says he has been “almost out of business” every year he’s been in business. With little room for error, he feels the pressure to grow perfect spuds every season, but he says perfection doesn’t pay. “The price isn’t there to raise perfection. My dad and uncle were the-ends-justify-the-means farmers. They would spend whatever it took to raise a really nice crop. The problem is the contract doesn’t support that,” he explains. Recalling his 2015 crop, Baker says he delivered 39.5 tons per acre to the plant and maxed out quality. But he spent so much in doing so that he lost money on the “primo crop,” he says. The season was an eye opener for Baker and prompted him to make changes when he began farming on his own. He now strives to balance crop quality with cost savings. Changes have been minor, and many focus on the timing of irrigation and fertilizer applications. He also has adjusted his approach to other chemical applications in the field. He’s gone away from pre-scheduled fungicide
Spuds move along the conveyor belt at the trans-load site.
James Baker, pictured with his wife, Niki, and daughters Sally and Katy, has been farming on his own since 2016.
applications and now scouts fields and applies fungicides only as needed and when justified by the potential gains. In addition, the grower has switched from applying herbicides through the pivot to applying them with a dammer diker in the spring. This method has been less expensive and more effective, he says. Baker also cut out some of the “snake oils” previously used on the farm and maintains that not all farm equipment needs to be brand new. At the same time, however, he recognizes the requirement to produce quality potatoes in order to retain his processing contract. There’s an extent to which he can cut corners, he says. “As potato growers, we want a quality crop because we put so much time and effort into the crop. But a lot of times, as potato growers, we forget that we’re businessmen,” he points out. “It’s still quality. But it’s not quality at all costs.”
PotatoCountry.com
7
James Baker Farms
Addicted to the Stress
James Baker inspects a load of Umatilla Russets coming in from the field.
Along with tight margins, Baker faces additional growing challenges including the unfamiliarity with each field that is inherent in renting ground. Recently, the grower has been dealing with increasing nematode populations. With lighter-rate fumigations decreasing in efficacy, Baker is spending more money on fumigation each year. But despite the challenges, Baker continues to farm due to a little bit of luck and a lot of love for the job. “I get addicted to the stress and challenge of farming. When I look at something else, there’s nothing that competes with it. I can’t find anything else as challenging,� he smiles. Looking ahead, Baker sees a need to gain more control over his field rotation by obtaining long-term leases and beginning to also grow rotation crops. Ultimately, he hopes to build the farm to a point that would allow him to help his kids pursue the opportunity to farm if they so choose.
James Baker, pictured with daughters Sally and Katy, hopes to build his farm to a point that would allow him to help his kids pursue farming someday if they want to.
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PROTECTED
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. © 2019 Bayer Group. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, and Movento are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group. Not all products are registered for use in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.us. Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63167. CR0119MOVENTB032S00R0
Industry Takes Issues to Capitol Hill W
hile potatoes are often seen as a side dish, this year’s National Potato Council’s (NPC) Potato D.C. Fly-In proved that for at least four days potatoes could be the main political course in the nation’s capital. The annual Potato D.C. Fly-In, combined with the Potato Industry Leadership Institute, brought together more than 150 potato growers, processors, shippers and industry supporters to hear the latest news and predictions from “Inside the Beltway” pundits, government officials and elected representatives for two days, followed by a day and a half of advocating for potatoes on Capitol Hill and inside the corridors of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Topics included immigration reform; H-2A revisions along with increases in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate this year
Washington’s Potato D.C. Fly-In delegates visit with Rep. Dan Newhouse.
in some states; improvements to the nation’s transportation infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges; increasing truck driver shortages; and requirements for monitoring hours of service with electronic logging devices. International trade has been high on the list of topics at every Fly-In, and this year was no exception. Congressional ratification of the new United StatesMexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to replace NAFTA was of major concern, as was the status of the current court case before Mexico’s National Supreme Court of Justice to open the entire country to U.S. fresh potatoes. Additionally, with the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), maintenance of competitive bi-lateral trade agreements with Asian Rim countries as well as ongoing trade negotiations with China are being closely monitored. In addition, there are the annual legislative concerns of funding for both the Specialty Crop Research Initiative overseen by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Agricultural 10
Potato Country
May / June 2019
What’s under your crop is under your control.
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PotatoCountry.com
11
NPC Potato DC Fly-In Research Service’s potato research projects.
Farm Bill
The Fly-In opened with two panel discussions. The first focused on the successful passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, moderated by NPC executive vice president and CEO John Keeling with Keith Jones, a staff member for the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, and Jacqlyn Schneider, deputy staff director/ policy director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. “We’re talking about an evolutionary process,” Jones said about the farm bill process. “The groundwork that was laid in those early farm bills, the ‘08 Farm Bill, the work that was done prior to the ‘08 Farm Bill, has served you well. It’s kind of a continuous qualitative improvement. It’s making sure that what we have works better. It’s continuing to sell the notion that this is a pretty 21st century-oriented farm policy.”
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue opened the Fly-In’s Tuesday morning session. Perdue spent almost 20 minutes breaking down the current state of agriculture both domestically and internationally. Speaking about the
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue opens the Tuesday morning session of the Potato D.C. Fly-In with talk of trade agreements and potato industry successes.
USMCA, now awaiting ratification before both houses of Congress, Perdue stressed the importance of passage this summer. “It’s important that we get this bill ratified this summer,” he said. “I think it could be catastrophic if we get to monkeying with this thing, if Congress
Delegates from Montana discuss industry issues with Rep. Greg Gianforte (second from left).
uses this as an opportunity to beat up on the president for something else they don’t like.” He challenged growers to expand and explore new markets, particularly in Asia. “Go spread the word about your potatoes, and go show other people in other parts of the world what they’re missing out by not buying your potatoes,” he said. “I encourage you all to go do different things that you have never done before.” In closing, Perdue cited the NPC’s success in getting potatoes back in the school breakfast program. “You know your potato council is respected in the halls of Congress,” he said. “You got potatoes on a level playing field for school breakfasts in the 2019 ag appropriations, and we’ll be releasing guidelines on this very soon.”
Capitol Hill
Tuesday afternoon, the Fly-In moved en masse to a room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building to hear from a handful of senators from potato producing states. Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho), Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colorado), Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) and Sen. Susan Collins 12
Potato Country
May / June 2019
CONSUMER
MARKETING PROGRAMS OVERVIEW
YEAR’S EVE NEW
One Marketing Budget = Many Successful Marketing Programs See what the Idaho Potato Commission is up to!
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL
• Our title sponsorship has the lowest cost of all 13 ESPN-owned bowls • The average television audience is 2.2 million • Links Potato Bowl with other well-known bowls: Orange, Rose, Cotton, Peach
So effective that hundreds of thousands of people all over the country are still telling the Big Idaho Potato Truck to go home because the farmer is looking for it! With 550 million media impressions, it’s no wonder.
This potato-based local New Year’s event makes national and even global news. Rated as one of the Top 5 Things to see dropped on New Year by USA Today.
RODS RACING DEC
NOV
OCT
SEP
AUG
JUL
JUN
MAY
APR
MAR
FEB
JAN
A FULL YEAR OF NATIONAL EXPOSURE TRUCK ON THE ROAD COMMERCIAL AIRING
FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO TOUR ®
A BIG HELPING is the Idaho Potato Commission’s chance to help local communities all over the country. For every signature added to our
“Big Helping” sign board, $1 is donated (up to $500) to a local charity in the community that the Big Idaho Potato Truck visits.
THAT’S
84 YEARS
The Big Idaho Potato Truck is directly compared to the success of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile that has been around since 1935! People love the truck!
Athletes racing all over the country to support adoption of Down Syndrome children is a win-win. So far we have helped 35 orphans get to their forever families.
N ON THE STRE STIO ETS E QU
Since 2012 the number one question we still get about the Big Idaho Potato Truck –
“Is that potato real?”
For more information on our programs, visit IdahoPotato.com/industry
NPC Potato DC Fly-In (R-Maine) were greeted enthusiastically by those in attendance. Collins, the final speaker of the day, received a standing ovation for her recent work in getting potatoes back in the USDA school breakfast and lunch program. After a day and a half of briefs and hearing from legislators and Perdue, it was time to take the industry message to Capitol Hill. Wednesday was spent hustling between House and Senate office buildings, armed with policy position papers and visiting legislators and their aides. Fly-In activities concluded Thursday morning, with participants meeting either with the EPA to discuss environmental policy or the USDA for a trade briefing. This year’s Fly-In proved yet again that there’s strength in unity when you combine your voice with more than 150 vocal supporters of the potato industry on Capitol Hill. The 2020 Potato D.C. Fly-In is scheduled for Feb. 24-27.
Idaho Sen. James Risch speaks to attendees of the Potato D.C. Fly-In.
Spudequipment.com Pilers
2007 Milestone 42” all belt, 230 3ph remote 2003 Milestone 42” all belt, 230 3ph remote 1999 Double L 831 36” x 49’ BC, 3ph remote 1998 Spudnik 560 hyd 36”x 49’ BC, 480 volt 3ph 1999 Double L 831 36” x 49’ BC 3ph Remote 1995 Spudnik 550 30” x 48’ BC 3ph Remote 1994 Double L 831 36” x 49’ BC 3ph Remote 1990 Spudnik 550 30” ALL BELT, 1ph 1989 Spudnik 550 30” BC, 3phase Remote
Stingers
Logan Trac Pro Telescopic 36”/42” x 6’ Tel. Logan Trac Pro Telescopic 36”/42” x 6’ Tel. Double L 832 BC 30” fingers Spudnik 36” x 10’ Belt Spudnik 30” 10’ belt
Conveyors - Telescopic
2002 Spudnik TC 36”/42”/60’ (90degree) 3ph 1998 Spudnik TC 36”/42”/60’ 3ph Refurbished 1996 Double L 820 30” x 60’ 3ph 1994 Spudnik 1250 TC 30”/36”/60’ 3phase 1992 Double L 810 Tel. conv. 30’’x 50’ 3ph
Conveyors - Straight Spudnik 1205 30” x 40’ 3ph Double L 809 30” x 38’ 3ph Double L 808 30” x 25’ 3ph
Sizers/Eliminators
2009 Double L 978 DE/sizer 3ph 2003 Milestone 84” DES Belt Chain Elev 2002 Spudnik 925 72” 3ph 1997 Double 807 Dirt Elim. 62” BC 3ph Stingers 72” Sizer 2003 Spudnik 995 72” BC Peg Belt, Finger rolls, sizer, 3ph
1997 Milestone MSDES 72” 3ph Dirt Elim Sizer 94 Spudnik 900 Sizer 60” 230V 3ph 89 Milestone 72” Belt, Finger Rolls, Sizer, Table 1ph
Dirt Eliminators
97 DL 807 62” BC with 3 stingers 3ph 1995 Double 806 Collector 44” 2-pups,
Rock/Clod/Eliminators
2015 Lockwood Air Vac 2014 Harriston Clod Hopper 4240 2013 Harriston Clod Hopper 4240 ellis table, Peg belt blower 2010 Harriston Clod Hopper 3240 2007 Harriston Clod Hopper 240 model 3ph 2007 Harriston Clod Hopper 240 model 3ph 1996 Harriston Clod Hopper 200/80” 230 Volt 3ph 1994 STI 1260 Sand Machine
Even Flows
2002 Spudnik 1000 cwt 3ph 1996 Double L 860 600 cwt 3ph
Beds
2017 Logan LP20’ Combo 1995 Double L 20’ updated Dual Drive 1988 Logan 22’ White New paint Rec. 1989 Double L 20’ updated Dual Drive 1986 Logan 20’ new paint & planetary gearbox 1989 Logan 20’ w/ EZ Tarp
Trucks
2007 Sterling 13spd MB 425hp, no bed, frame for 22’ bed, has PTO. 2003 KW 290hp Auto Logan 20’ bed EZ tarp 1988 International Auto Logan 20’ bed 1985 IH 5000 Pay-Star 290 hp Cum., manual
Crossovers/Wind Rowers
2008 Spudnik 6140 Four Row RH 50/50/50 2008 Spudnik 6140 Four Row LH 50/50/50 2003 Lockwood 5000 Four Row LH 50/50/50 1998 Double L 851 Four Row RH 50/50/45
Harvesters
2015 Double L 953 50/50/45/45/45/ Grimme 1 row w/bunker pintle belts 2014 Lockwood 574 4 row 2012 Double L 965 3 row, w/Multi-sep table 2010 Lockwood 474 50/56/56/56/50 2010 DL 953 4 row 36” row 2009 DL 973 4 row 36” row 2009 Spudnik 6400 50/50/45/45/45 2008 DL 973 4 row return flo, galaxy table 2008 DL 953 4 row 36” 2008 Lockwood 474H 4 row 2007 Double 853 4 row 50/50/45/45 1996 Lockwood 4620 two row
Seed Cutters 1998 Milestone 60” 1996 Milestone 60” 1999 Milestone 48” 1993 Milestone 36”
Treaters
2015 Milestone 36” Liquid Treater 2013 Better Built CDT 10’x 10” dust auger 1996 Milestone 36” Duster
Planters
2009 Harriston cup planter 8 row pull loaded 34” 2009 Lockwood 4 row air cup 2009 Underhaug 3760 8 row 34” Raven controls 2 products 2007 Gruse Bed planter 4 row off set hitch
2005 Harriston model 4016 cup, Raven Controller 36” 2005 Lockwood 6 row Pick 36” 2003 Kverneland 3300 Six row 34” 2002 Spudnik 8400 cup 4 row 36” 2000 Grimme 8 row 34” row rear steer 1995 Kverneland 3300 6 row 34”
Planter/Tare/Piler
1997 Milestone Utility piler 18” 1ph DL 815 30” x 24’ hyd belt chain DL 815 24” x 24’ 3ph DL 814 24” x 30’ hyd belt chain
Water Dammers
2009 Logan 6 row Yield Pro Water Dammer 2006 Spudnik 8060 Cultv. Bed Shaper Diker 1995 Ag Engineering 6 row Dammer Diker 1994 Ag Engineering 4 row Tillage Master 9 shanks Hyd reset Milestone 6 row Water Dammer
Shredder/Vine Beaters
2012 Newhouse P1952 Pull hitch Tire Roller 36” 1991 UFT 6 row 36” pull hitch 3 rear tires
MISC.
Scooper belly dump unloader attachment Mayo Scooper belly dump unloader attachment Harriston 12 row Marker Semi mount Shop Built 12 row Marker 3point
Warehouse/Packaging
Tilt belt Warehouse Even flow 600cwt 8’6” x 26’ x 14’ 30” belt 230 V 3ph 2012 Kwik Lok 865 Bag closer
Bruce: (208)390-5120 | brucen@tristeelmfg.com Evan: (208)757-8481 | evann@tristeelmfg.com
14
Potato Country
May / June 2019
Potatoes USA Prepares Plan for New Fiscal Year M
ore than 100 Potatoes USA board members gathered in Denver for the organization’s annual meeting, held March 12-14. Topics on the table ranged from trade to marketing to variety development research.
International Marketing
The International Marketing Committee meeting focused on the many factors impacting exports of U.S. potatoes and products. U.S. potato exports declined 6 percent in volume in 2018 as the strong dollar, tight U.S. supplies and U.S.initiated trade wars took their toll on U.S. competitiveness. The largest and most direct impact of the trade wars is on the export of frozen potatoes to Mexico, which are down 26 percent from June through December 2018. The implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, without the inclusion of the U.S., on Dec. 28, 2018, has initiated the four-year process of eliminating the tariffs on all potato and potato product imports. The second year of this process occurred on Jan. 1, 2019, meaning that Canada, New Zealand and Australia now face half the tariff as the U.S. on products entering Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and other important markets. These competitive disadvantages are expected to be compounded with the implementation John Toaspern, Potatoes USA chief marketing officer, discusses international markets.
16
Potato Country
May / June 2019
Potatoes USA’s 2019-20 Executive Committee includes: (back row, from left) Jason Davenport, Dan Moss, Phil Hickman, Heidi Randall, Jaren Raybould, Sheldon Rockey, (front row, from left) Blair Richardson, Chris Hansen, Steve Streich, Eric Schroeder and Steve Elfering.
Potatoes USA CEO Blair Richardson addresses annual meeting attendees.
of Free Trade Agreements between the European Union and Japan and Vietnam by early summer 2019.
Domestic Marketing
Discussion during the Domestic Marketing Committee meeting covered the growing demand for potatoes in the U.S. market. For the marketing year to date, July 2018 – February 2019, the value of potato sales at retail has grown by 2.4 percent while volume has declined by only 1.5 percent. The value of fresh sales at retail is up 1.8 percent while volume is off by 4.2 percent, driven almost entirely by declines in sales of 10-pound and larger bags of russets. The occurrence of potato dishes on U.S. restaurant menus has risen to 83 percent, with fries on 63 percent of menus. Potato dishes on K-12 school foodservice menus increased by 24 percent over the past two school years. And a 35 percent increase in recipe searches on the Potatoes USA consumer site is a strong indication that consumers are preparing more potatoes at home. In addition, the staff highlighted the
success of the “Performance Strategy and What Are You Eating?” campaign. After eight months, the campaign is increasing the public’s recognition of potatoes for their benefits to athletic performance with significant increases in consumer ratings since last year.
Industry Outreach
The Industry Outreach Committee shared results of the grower survey that was sent to all U.S. potato growers. Of respondents, 91 percent were familiar with the board’s programs and 81 percent felt that Potatoes USA was doing a good job at strengthening demand for potatoes. The survey results suggested that Potatoes USA can improve its communication with the industry, particularly increasing the usefulness of the www.potatoesusa.com website. Funds have been set aside to upgrade the site.
Potatoes USA board member John Stahl listens to a presentation at the annual meeting.
Potatoes USA board member Leah Halverson reacts to a speaker at the annual meeting.
Research
During the Research Committee meeting, staff reported a substantial increase in the level of industry engagement and support of potato research projects. Since 2016, it has nearly doubled and led directly to more than $10 million in additional potato research funding in the same amount of time. In 2018, certified seed acreage for Potatoes USA National Chip Program graduate Lamoka grew by 28 percent, or 755 acres, over the prior year. It now is more prevalent than industry standards Snowden and Atlantic. Varieties developed in the National Chip Program now account for 23 percent of all chipping variety certified seed acres in the U.S. Potatoes USA will hold its summer meeting Aug. 12-15 in Nashville, Tennessee. Phil Hickman (left) is taking over as Potatoes USA board chairman, replacing Dan Moss.
PotatoCountry.com
17
Harvest Essentials Gellert
www.gellert.com Refrigeration Controller
Gellert’s new Refrigeration Controller, which can be installed directly into new or existing refrigeration units, is designed to maximize energy efficiencies. This technology has the ability to monitor refrigeration equipment, providing advanced warnings of potential failures. Among many other features, it provides the ability to rotate between multiple compressors, sidestepping the risk of any one compressor getting overworked. And while the Gellert Refrigeration Controller is running multiple compressors, if a single compressor fails, the others will continue working so users don’t experience a complete shutdown. Condenser fans can be rotated, increasing the lifespan of all motors. They can also be controlled from a fixed discharge setting or a floating pressure based on outside temperature, maximizing energy efficiency.
Greentronics
www.greentronics.com Yield Monitor
Integration with John Deere GS3 2630 displays is now available. Greentronics’ yield monitor transmits yield data to the 2630. The 2630 displays and stores yield data in real time. Integration to Trimble FMX and TMX displays continues to be available, as well. Greentronics yield monitors are designed for root crop and vegetable harvesters. The system is built around one or more load cells, which are installed in a conveyor to measure the weight of the crop as it passes on the belt. Once installed and calibrated, the harvester operator chooses the field name and sets the swath width. The operator does not need to interact with the yield monitor while harvesting. Growers use yield maps to study and manage variability in their fields and generate report cards on their progress. By applying breakeven points, yield maps can indicate areas with profit and loss and help make decisions about inputs, population density, crop rotation, cover crops, drainage, leveling and so on.
Lockwood Manufacturing www.lockwoodmfg.com Windrower
Lockwood’s lineup of windrowers adds efficiency and value to potato operations. Managing time and product flow during harvest is critical to earning the highest profits. The Lockwood 656DD Windrower, a six-row machine, includes a double discharge, allowing growers to dump potatoes in two different rows to improve harvester efficiency. Also available is the patented telescoping rear cross, allowing for either a left- or right-hand discharge. For better depth control, Lockwood has added pressuresensing support wheels, as well. Last but not least, the 656 Windrower offers excellent visibility. 18
Potato Country
May / June 2019
Mayo Manufacturing www.mayomfg.com Washers
Mayo Manufacturing Co. provides washers for various areas of potato production. Different styles are available depending on the category needed. The most common are the brush washers (as pictured), which are used for table, chip and process potatoes. The washers come in many sizes and are available in standard or stainless steel. The barrel washer is used primarily for chip and process potatoes. It is often portable and can be used when shipping potatoes. The washer-polisher uses a combination of rotating brushes within a rotating drum to prepare table potatoes for market.
Rietveld Equipment
www.rietveldequipment.com Polisher
The Allround Polisher TD 350-18 has 18 rolls of brushes with an estimated capacity of 25 tons per hour. Three smaller models are also available. The polishers are available in stainless steel and feature a hydraulic lift for easy cleanout, variable speed control, a water recirculation system and water cleaning system. The machine also offers easy brush removal for changing the brushes, as well as several different types of brushes for each application. Allround builds all of the machines required in a washing/grading line, and the machines are running in over 80 countries worldwide. Rietveld Equipment offers free 2D and 3D drawings of full lines, or drawings of the available machines in users’ existing lines. Parts and machines are in stock at the company’s Midwest facility, and service and support from certified technicians is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Spudnik
www.spudnik.com High-Capacity Storage System
The Spudnik High-Capacity Storage System will increase the efficiency of the harvest season. The system includes the new model 1872 Even Flow Bin, a 990 or 994 Eliminator, 1205 and 1255 Conveyors, and an 880 Piler. This high-capacity system will increase the storage rate up to 6,000 sacks an hour, allowing growers to get more done in the critically short timeframe of harvest. The Spudnik 1872 Even Flow Bin has a capacity of 600 sacks and a 72-inch elevator and bottom belt. A consistent, even flow of product is the key to the success of the high-capacity system. The hydraulically controlled back door sets the flow into the eliminator and can be raised completely out of the way of the product for increased flow or to accommodate varieties with sensitive skin. The 42-inch conveyor line moves the large volume of potatoes gently and smoothly through the storage to the 48-inch piler.
Logan Farm Equipment
www.loganfarmequipment.com Stac Pro Bin Piler
The Logan family of potato field handling equipment has a newly designed bin piler with three sizes available and individual boom belts with flexibility for trans-loading and storage loading. The new Stac Pro piler features hydraulic sliding ballasts for optimal weight distribution during towing and piling, as well as a hydraulic telescoping hitch to ease towing hookup. To further aid transport, the wheels fully disengage for towing at highway speeds. A high/low gear is used on the wheel drive, ensuring flexibility, and the Stac Pro employs exaggerated 15-degree troughing of booms for high capacity without friction against the conveyor sidewalls. The Stac Pro comes with a high-tech Eaton two-way remote control with simple three-function joystick for precise boom control. The remote offers troubleshooting codes, oil temperature monitoring, machine run hours, full machine control and emergency stop. PotatoCountry.com
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New Products
Macro Plastics Adds New Bins
GroupAg Distributes Forte Humidifiers
Macro Plastics has two new bins on the market this year. The Hybrid 1012 and 1212 are billed as the company’s most versatile bins and are designed to be highly ventilated to maximize airflow and cool onions quickly. Macro Plastics bins feature an innovative perimeter geometry designed to keep the walls from bowing out, as well as tapered walls that prevent one bin from crashing against the walls of an adjacent bin. This “bruise buffer zone” is said to protect produce from damage during transport and in the field. The bins feature removable columns and bases which allow for significantly reduced delivery costs because the empty plastic bins can be nested when shipped. Visit www.macroplastics.com.
GroupAg is the exclusive U.S. distributor for all Forte humidifiers, which have been carefully designed and constructed with materials that resist corrosion from water and acids and can be used as chemical applicators. Installation requires a standard power connection and water source. The fog rate for each of the three models is adjustable by a manual valve to achieve the desired amount of humidity or cooling. Forte humidifiers do not use nozzles, which are prone to clogging, according to the company. The humidifiers are able to work in almost every environment, ensuring reliability and durability. They are also said to be cost effective, providing a lowmaintenance solution for users’ humidity and cooling needs. Visit www.groupag.com.
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Potato Country
May / June 2019
Idaho: 208.733.7000 Colorado: 719.850.3017 Washington: 509.349.7000
R ITE T RACE Advanced Track & Trace System
Single-Phase Motor Offers Solution
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EASILY TRACE loads from field to storage n Modular design to suit any size operation. n Straightforward components are easy to install. n Integrates with Greentronics yield monitor.
Fully-automated traceability solution. Generates detailed Field and Bin Maps. Click on loads to pop up details and reports. n Provides clear links between field and storage g track quality characteristics and provide transparency to buyers and processors. n Provides data for efficiency analyses and a variety of management reports. n
from FIELD
FI E
The Belle Single-Phase Motor from Single Phase Power Solutions is a 100-horsepower single-phase electric motor. Using Written-Pole technology, this high-horsepower single-phase motor is compatible with readily-available single-phase utility services. Utility-friendly starting and operating characteristics are said to minimize voltage sags and flicker on long single-phase distribution lines and eliminate the need for phase converters or variable frequency drive installations. The company promotes the unit as ideal for agricultural applications in areas where three-phase power is not readily available or cost-effective, such as irrigation pumps, blowers or fans. Totally-enclosed fan-cooled design in a cast iron frame is suitable for indoor or outdoor installation. Rated at 100-horsepower, 460-volt, the 1,800-rpm electric motor delivers 95.5 percent efficiency at rated load with a near-unity power factor.LDThe NEMA 449T frame motor weighs about 2,700 pounds and draws 170 amps at full load. Visit www.sppowersolutions.com.
Tracks from known locations in the field to precise layers and areas in storage
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Subscribe at: PotatoCountry.com 519-669-4698•greentronics.com PotatoCountry.com 21
In the News
Kerwin Bradley Joins Black Gold Farms
Black Gold Farms has hired Kerwin Bradley as its chief production officer. His role will be to implement best practices, lead variety selection and development, drive the adaption of new and innovative technologies that will improve agronomic decision making and build an aggressive production strategy for Black Gold Farms. Bradley brings 20 years of potato production experience. Previously, he spent more than a decade with Frito Lay, working on potato variety commercialization, agronomy and storage best practice development, as well as supply chain innovation. He then worked at the J.R. Simplot Company, where he spent six years helping lead the commercialization of the genetically engineered Innate potatoes. Black Gold Farms has a network of farm locations throughout the U.S. and is headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Potatoes USA Receives Funding
Additional funding will help Potatoes USA continue its work for the industry in the coming year. Potatoes USA received $4.9 million in USDA Market Access Program (MAP) funding to be used for ongoing export development programs in Asia and Latin America in the coming fiscal year, starting July 1. Potatoes USA was also awarded $3.6 million in Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) funding. The ATP program was set up to mitigate the negative impacts on U.S. agriculture from ongoing trade wars. The funding will be used during the next two years to develop new markets for U.S. potato exports and to bolster competitiveness in established markets.
Tasteful Selections Hires CFO
Tasteful Selections has hired Celeste Porter as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO). Porter earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boston University and has experience as a CFO. She is an advocate for automation and has launched systems to strengthen infrastructure, sustain scaling operations and allow for real-time business insights, according to the company. Tasteful Selections is a vertically integrated familyowned collection of farms in the bite-size potato category.
AMVAC Parent Company Celebrates 50 Years
American Vanguard Corporation, parent company to AMVAC Chemical Corporation, is celebrating 50 years in business. American Vanguard Corporation started in 1969 as a regional contract manufacturer of agricultural chemicals and has grown over the last five decades to a fully integrated producer of branded specialty products. The corporation is the holding company for eight umbrella brands, including AMVAC, which develops, manufactures and markets agricultural and commercial products for crop protection, among other uses. AMVAC operates four manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Future plans include expansion through acquisitions and organic growth, according to AMVAC.
For a FREE Certification Directory, email Dr. Nina Zidack at potatocert@montana.edu
Uncompromising Standards, Generation after Generation. We have the seed for you! www.montanaspud.org
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167820MonPot13h.indd 1
9/18/17 11:45 AM
Calendar June 10-12
Drexel Chemical Company Adds Sales Rep Drexel Chemical Company has brought Curt Sloss on board to work as the company’s central Great Plains regional sales representative. The company calls its new hire an “industry veteran.” Sloss has worked for American Cyanamid, BASF and FMC. He will be responsible for sales in Colorado, southern Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and southern Nebraska.
Fox Solutions Expands Team
Fox Solutions has hired Thomas Summers as a Californiabased regional sales representative. Summers brings nearly 30 years of industry experience and a background in packaging equipment sales, service and support. Fox Solutions specializes in customized equipment solutions for fresh produce shippers. The company is headquartered in McAllen, Texas, with additional offices in Lockport, New York.
United Fresh 2019 Chicago, Ill. www.unitedfresh.org
June 12
6th Annual Ag World Golf Classic Canyon Lakes Golf Course, Kennewick, Wash. www.agworldgolf.com
June 26
OSU Potato Field Day OSU HAREC, 2121 S. 1st St., Hermiston, Ore. Lora Sharkey, (541) 567-8321
June 27
WSU Potato Field Day WSU Othello Research Unit, Othello, Wash. Mark Pavek, (509) 335-6861 or mjpavek@wsu.edu
July 10-12
National Potato Council Summer Meeting Chula Vista Resort Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. Hillary Hutchins, hillaryh@nationalpotatocouncil.org
Kerian
NPC Names New CEO, COO
The National Potato Council (NPC) has chosen Kam Quarles to take the helm as chief executive officer (CEO) and Mike Wenkel to fill a newly created position of chief operations officer (COO). Quarles has been the NPC’s vice president of public policy and communications since December 2016. Prior to joining the NPC staff, he served as the lead agriculture lobbyist for an international law firm with clients including the NPC. Wenkel has been working as Quarles executive director of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission since August 2012. He oversees research, promotional and educational activities for the industry and manages legislative activities for the Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc. NPC CEO John Keeling will be retiring in June after 17 years. Wenkel
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PotatoCountry.com
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Columbia Basin Mystery Disease Studies on the Recent Mysterious Foliar Damage in Columbia Basin Potato Plants By Kylie D. Swisher Grimm, USDA-ARS, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit Tim Waters, Washington State University; Carrie Wohleb, Washington State University
In
2017 and 2018, disease-like symptoms were prevalent in potato foliage across the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon, appearing in July to early August and persisting throughout the season. Symptoms included leaf distortion with crinkled, warped leaves often found with small holes, purpling of upper terminal leaves, and stem damage seen as blisters and necrotic lesions. In this region of the Pacific Northwest, several insect-vectored pathogens are known to cause leaf purpling of potato, including the beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent phytoplasma that causes potato purple top disease and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum that is the causal agent of zebra chip disease. However, no pathogens are reported to cause severe leaf distortion or stem blisters and necrotic lesions. During the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons in the Columbia Basin, healthy potato plants were difficult to find in affected fields, where symptom rates could be as high as 90 percent. Symptoms were observed across entire fields, so there was no edge effect or apparent foci that would typically indicate an insect-vectored pathogen was causing the symptoms. Symptoms were not observed in tubers harvested from these symptomatic fields, and there was no apparent reduction in tuber yield reported. Differences in symptom timing and development across cultivars were readily apparent throughout the Columbia Basin. Umatilla Russet consistently showed the most severe symptoms, with leaf distortion, terminal leaf purpling and stem lesions evident across entire fields by mid-August. At this same time, foliage of Clearwater Russet generally looked healthy, though leaf distortion and the
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Foliar mystery disease symptoms in the Columbia Basin in 2017 and 2018 consisted of distorted leaves, leaf purpling and stem blisters/necrotic lesions.
initiation of leaf purpling was visible across all observed fields. Clear leaf distortion and stem lesions were observed in the Alturas and Ranger Russet cultivars in late July and mid-August, respectively, but very little purpling was seen. Foliage of the Russet Burbank cultivar was surprising, showing only very low levels of leaf distortion and stem lesions in midAugust. In 2017, an organic potato field was observed with low levels of stem lesions and moderate to severe levels of leaf distortion, indicating chemical damage was not a likely cause of the symptoms
observed across the Columbia Basin. The widespread nature of these disease-like symptoms in the Columbia Basin prompted researchers at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service in Prosser, Washington, and Washington State University, with funding from the Northwest Potato Research Consortium, to determine if a pathogen could be causing these symptoms. Foliar tissue and tubers were collected from different cultivars across the Columbia Basin in 2017 and 2018 for analysis. Molecular diagnostics and greenhouse grafting of diseased tissue were performed
simultaneously in an effort to identify a cause of these symptoms.
Molecular Diagnostics
Terminal leaf tissue from plants of each potato cultivar collected from Columbia Basin fields in 2017 and 2018 was analyzed for the presence of common viral and bacterial pathogens using standard molecular tools. No pathogens were identified that correlated to the disease-like field symptoms present in all samples collected. Similarly, tubers collected in 2017 were tested for common pathogens, and no pathogens associated with the disease-like symptoms were identified by molecular analyses. In both 2017 and 2018, the foliage from four plants collected from either commercial fields or research plots in
the Columbia Basin tested positive for beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent phytoplasma. This phytoplasma is known to cause potato purple top disease in this potato-growing region of the Pacific Northwest. However, since the majority of the plants demonstrating the mysterious symptoms were negative for potato purple top disease, purple top is not considered to be the primary cause of the symptoms.
Grafting Analyses
To determine if the disease-like symptoms present in the field could be transmitted to healthy plants, indicating the presence of a pathogen, field-collected tissue was grafted to healthy plants in the greenhouse. Here, symptomatic tissue from roughly 100 different plants
was spliced into stems of individual healthy potato plants to allow movement of nutrients between both tissues. The healthy recipient plants were observed on a weekly basis for symptom development. Most grafted plants showed no symptom development more than 40 days after grafting, indicating the movement of a potential pathogen was not occurring. Plants that did show symptoms were associated with potato purple top disease, which was not unusual due to its known occurrence in the area. In both years, field tissue that tested positive for beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent phytoplasma in the laboratory showed graft transmission of these purple top disease symptoms, with aerial tuber development and terminal leaf purpling and curling.
Symptom development was not consistent between all cultivars examined, with Umatilla Russet showing the most severe symptoms in both 2017 and 2018.
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Foliar Damage The successful transmission of phytoplasma in a small subset of the grafted plants shows how effective this technique can be for observing pathogen-induced foliar symptoms. It also highlights the absence of pathogen transmission in samples grafted with tissue displaying the mysterious diseaselike symptoms.
Tuber Grow-out
A total of 46 tubers collected from four different commercial fields and research plots where plants exhibited the mysterious foliar symptoms in 2017 were planted in the greenhouse to inspect the emerged tissue for symptom development. No symptoms of leaf distortion, purpling terminals or stem lesions were observed on the emerged plants. These results indicate the diseaselike symptoms are not likely transmissible through tuber seed pieces.
Symptomatic tissue was grafted to healthy potato plants in the greenhouse at the USDAAgricultural Research Service in Prosser, Wash. Most grafted plants did not show transmission of a pathogen (left), though plants grafted with beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent phytoplasma-infected tissue did (right). Red arrows indicate the grafted field tissue (scions); white arrows indicate development of purple top symptoms on the healthy recipient plant.
Results from this two-year study strongly indicate the mysterious foliar damage seen in potato plants across the Columbia Basin in 2017 and 2018 was not caused by a pathogen. The inability to detect a known pathogen in symptomatic tissue in the laboratory, combined with the lack of symptom development in healthy recipient plants grafted with
symptomatic field tissue and the lack of transmission through tuber seed pieces, provide convincing evidence the causal agent of the region-wide symptoms was not pathogenic in nature. While it does not appear tuber quality or quantity is greatly impacted by the above-ground foliar symptoms, further research is still warranted to determine
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Potato Country
May / June 2019
the cause of these symptoms. It is possible an environmental stimulus, mechanical damage (such as insect feeding) or even the injection of an insect toxin could be causing these disease-like symptoms in the Columbia Basin, and identifying this agent or factor could improve management strategies to help prevent these symptoms in the future.
P OTATO E S O
Potatoes USA
78%
Potatoes: America’s Favorite Vegetable
By Kim Breshears, Marketing Programs Director, Potatoes USA
U
nderstanding consumers is important to learning what their motivations are and how to stimulate potato consumption. To understand changes in consumers’ opinions of potatoes, Potatoes USA conducts an annual Consumer Attitudes and Usage study. The study tracks consumers’ self-reported usage of potatoes, current beliefs on health-related topics and overall attitudes toward potatoes. The 2019 study revealed many valuable insights.
2019
CONSUMER Attitudes and Usage
What Drives Food Purchases? • Flavor, freshness and good value are the top three attributes consumers think are important when choosing food. This remains consistent from the prior year. • Cooking styles are described as basic, traditional and shortorder. Consumers who described their cooking styles as from-scratch and creative declined from the 2018 study by -8 pts and -5 pts, respectively. • 79 percent of consumers use recipes when making meals at home. • Meal patterns continue to change, with 48 percent of consumers saying they eat three meals a day. This is the first time this number has dipped below 50 percent since the study began.
What Will Increase Consumption? report eating • 27 percent say shorter cook times and ideas for newpotatoes ways once a week AMERICA'S of cooking potatoes would inspire them to make potatoes FAVORITE more often, while 24 percent say they would like ideas for VEGETABLE how to prepare potatoes with healthier nutritionals. • So why don’t Potatoes were chosen as they eat potatoes two of the top three favorite sides in foodservice. more often? 38 percent say they already # FRENCH FRIES eat enough, while 25 percent continue to believe they are fattening, # 2 SIDE SALAD and 20 percent say they are high in calories. # POTATOES
★★★
1
3
(any form)
A summary of the research can be found at P OTATO E S O N T H E R I S Eor by contacting Potatoes USA. www.potatoesusa.com/growers
78
%
Potatoes Remain America’s Favorite Vegetable • For the third year in a row, potatoes have been ranked as America’s favorite vegetable, followed by broccoli, tomatoes and corn. This year’s study showed tomatoes increase in popularity. report eating • 78 percent of consumers report eating potatoes once a week potatoes once a week at home, while 72 percent report eating potatoes at least AMERICA'S once a month at foodservice. FAVORITE • At foodservice, potato dishes were chosen as two of the top three favorite side dishes. VEGETABLE • Consumers give potatoes high marks for being versatile, filling and satisfying. • They alsoCONSUMERS love potatoes forTHINK being value, Potatoes werea good chosen as something WHAT OF POTATOES two the top everyone enjoys, and an of option that three can befavorite prepared quickly sides in foodservice. and easily.
TO U SAG E
s
★★★
Consumers Recognize Potato P O TAT O E S W I Performance N H I G H M ABenefits RKS Consumers reported increases in the following potato attributes, all#showing statistical improvements from the 2018 FRENCH FRIES study: • Helps fuel me for my everyday activities (+5 pts) • Provides sustained energy (+6 pts) Versatility Filling Satisfying • Good for athletic performance (+7 pts) • Used and#approved by athletes (+10 pts)
55%1 45% 42% 2
SIDE SALAD
Reasons consumers don’t eat more potatoes 38% I already eat potatoes
3
# Fattening 25% POTATOES (any form)
20% High in calories
INCREASES IN POTATO DELIVERY ATTRIBUTES
+10
Used and approved by athletes
+7
Good for athletic performance
+6
Provides sustained energy
+5
Helps fuel me for my everyday activities
Market Report
USDA Downgrades Potato Crop U
SDA recently announced several changes to its potato crop reporting program. Beginning with the 2019 crop, production forecasts for seasonal crops (spring, summer and fall) will be discontinued. In addition, USDA will no longer conduct objective yield surveys for potatoes anywhere in the U.S. Finally, 10 states have been removed from USDA’s potato crop reporting program: Alaska (added in 2018), Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Virginia. USDA will issue one “inseason” crop estimate in November after virtually all of the crop is harvested. That will be followed by revised data published in the Crop Production Annual, usually issued the following January. The potato industry relies on USDA to produce data on potato acreage, yields and production. The government has been reporting data on potato production since 1866. At that time, USDA published data on acreage harvested, yield and production, by state. The number of states included in the report has varied over time, but Hawaii is the only state for which USDA has never reported potato production. In 1929, USDA started reporting separate data on planted acreage, thus allowing an estimate of abandonment. Reports on production by season started in 1949. At that time, the report included 48 states. That practice changed beginning in 1969, when USDA started to eliminate states from its reporting program. Early cuts came because acreage had dwindled to insignificant levels in some states. Later cuts appear to have been driven as much by budget constraints as by declining acreage. As of 2019, USDA will only be reporting potato production for 13 states. Private organizations have developed independent crop estimates for segments of the industry and for smaller geographic areas. However, the methodology used to develop those estimates varies in rigor. Furthermore, sharing of the
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May / June 2019
private information tends to be sporadic. Currently, there is no coordinated effort to collate the private information to develop a comprehensive picture of U.S. potato supplies. Most private estimates are made prior to release of USDA production data to provide those who generate the data with information needed to make business decisions before USDA crop estimates are available. Once the USDA data are released, they become the benchmark upon which the private estimates are evaluated. Changes made to potato crop reporting protocols since 1968 have reduced the usefulness of USDA data to the potato industry. The impact varies by industry sector, but uncertainty has increased in all industry sectors. We outline some of the issues in the remainder of this article.
Increased Uncertainty
Reporting on potato production has been eliminated across large swaths of the country. No production will be reported in Atlantic Seaboard growing areas between Maine and Florida. Those areas are vital to the potato chip industry, as they provide the bridge between the Florida crop and the start of the storage season, as well as many of the storage potatoes used by the industry. Most summer growing areas in the Midwest, also major chip potato producing areas, either have been or are now being eliminated from USDA’s reporting program. Frito-Lay may be well-positioned to develop its own production estimates for those areas, but the lack of government crop reporting leaves growers and many smaller users in the dark. Eliminating seasonal production reports has reduced the value of the USDA information. This process has been underway for the last 10 years. Earlyseason potatoes are shipped as they are harvested. Therefore, supply information is of the most value before and during the harvest. USDA eliminated its winter crop estimate after 2009. It reduced
the number estimates and changed the timing of the remaining reports in ways that made them less valuable. Now, California, Florida and Texas are the only early-season states remaining in the reporting matrix. California’s harvest extends from January through December, with a few breaks. Almost 80 percent of California’s harvest is early-season potatoes. Florida’s harvest is complete by the end of June. In both cases, the “inseason” crop forecast won’t be published until November, long after the potatoes have been marketed. A large portion of the Texas crop is now stored for later shipment, but that state’s early-season crops are still important to both chip and table potato markets. Objective yield surveys have provided a large volume of valuable data for the six states where they were conducted. They provided a cross check on yield data collected in grower surveys. In addition, they supplied information on quality (size and grade), potato varieties and plant populations. Eliminating that information is likely to reduce the accuracy of USDA crop estimates. It also is likely to increase uncertainty regarding the size profile of storage potatoes available to the market. A subtle change to the Census of Agriculture in 2007 eliminated a valuable benchmark that had been used in the potato industry. In that year’s Census, reporting on potatoes was switched from the “field crop” section to a section for “vegetables, melons and potatoes.” That may seem innocuous, but the data collected for field crops includes the area harvested and production volume, which allows yields to be calculated. That calculation provides a yield estimate which NASS uses to benchmark its yield estimating procedures for field crops. The data collected for “vegetables, melons and potatoes” does not include production volumes. Therefore, NASS has not had a Census benchmark for potato yields since 2002.
Reporting
By Bruce Huffaker, Publisher North American Potato Market News
Broken System
The current system for collecting and reporting timely information on U.S. potato production is broken. Some industry stakeholders may hold the view that ignorance is bliss and that government crop estimates have been detrimental to growers. However, most recognize that information is power. Those with the best information are in the best position to prosper in the potato industry. That is why processors spend a great deal of time and resources to collect information on crop production and quality. The industry needs to band together to find ways to fix the problem and to disseminate vital and timely information to those who need it. Expecting USDA to fix the situation on its own is futile. Budget pressures are likely to result in more cuts. Both Florida and Texas appear to be on the bubble. USDA might provide an umbrella to coordinate either state-level or private efforts to collect production data, but the industry would need to provide the leadership to make that happen. Another possibility would be to develop a private entity supported by industry stakeholders that could collect and disseminate the information while maintaining the confidentiality of individual stakeholders.
HUFFAKER'S HIGHLIGHTS • USDA’s system for collecting and disseminating accurate information on potato production is broken.
• Beginning in 2019, USDA will only report potato production for 13 states. The “in-season” production forecast for all states will be issued in November. • USDA will no longer conduct objective yield surveys for potatoes. • USDA has not been able to benchmark its potato yield estimates with Census data since the 2002 Census of Agriculture. • The industry needs publicly available data on potato production that is both timely and accurate. It will take a united industry effort to make that possible. 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.
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Potato Growers of Washington
Late Planting Puts Early Harvest in Jeopardy By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington
T
he transition from winter to spring in 2019 will be one for the record books and those with long memories in the Columbia Basin. There were low temperatures that broke nearly century-old records, record snowfall for February and the most days with snow cover in the month of March. All of this has many in the agricultural community predicting doom and gloom for growers of many crops in the south basin, especially for early potatoes. The southern part of the Columbia Basin normally enjoys a much longer growing season than the central and northern parts even though there are fewer than 100 miles of separation. Typically, potato planting begins in the south part of the Basin in late February. This year, the first potatoes planted were in the central basin in the block 24 area nearly a month later than planting usually starts in the south. This has many forecasting doom and gloom for those growers who normally start harvest in early to mid-July. While starting to plant potatoes a full month behind normal is concerning, there are many factors that can either make the predictions of disaster a
reality or much ado about nothing. First of all, starting late and having normal temperatures for late March will mean that soil will warm up faster than it does with normal late February and early March temperatures. This should increase the rate of germination, and emergence should take fewer days than normal. Once the plants have emerged, the warmer temperatures in April will allow for more rapid growth and development. The second major factor in the outcome of the early harvest portion of the crop will be the weather in May and June. Historically, regardless if the weather at planting time either gets the crop off to a fast start or delays emergence and growth, the crop either catches up or falls behind in the critical months of May and June. Even though we have never had this late of a start to a potato crop, each day of ideal growing conditions in May and June can offset two or three days of delay that we had in February and March. If this were to happen, we could be approaching near average yields by mid to late July. On the other hand, if we do not get ideal growing conditions in May and June, those predictions of doom and gloom could very likely become reality. The third factor in the prognosis of the early harvest portion of our potato crop is the date that the processors switch their plants from old crop to new crop. If the processors have utilized the few open potatoes left in the Basin and brought in a few from our neighboring state with plentiful supplies of old-crop potatoes available, there would not be a terrific need to start the new crop harvest until mid to late July. In this scenario, the processors and the growers would both benefit in terms of yield and quality of the potatoes. I know that some processors are already making plans to When you put your hard earned money downmove for atheir newnormal potato trailer, whysome not and puthave it contingency startup date back down on one that will work as hard as you? Western potato trailers deliver on average plans in place in case they have to move them more, which will again benefit growersresale and processors. 2000lbs more that the competition. Couple that with theboth highest values in the If a processor is not in a position to wait on the start of the industry and you can’t go wrong. new crop harvest and must go on a set calendar date, there will Learn more at www.westerntrailer.com orbecall 888.344.2539 most likely not enough days to allow for the crop to have near average yield or quality. To sum it up, it is a definite coin flip as to whether or not the early portion of the 2019 potato harvest will be good or bad. With the right weather conditions between now and July and the Building the best and making it better…your way! processors moving the startup date back as much as possible, When you put your hard earned money down for a new potato trailer, why not put it there is the chance that the delay in planting this year will not down on one thatthe will work hard as you? Western potato trailers deliver on average Building bestas and making it better…your way! 2000lbs more that the competition. Couple that with the highest resale values in the be a big factor. On the other hand, if the weather is not ideal or When hard earned money down for a new potato industry andyou youput can’tyour go wrong. the processors cannot move back the startup date, there could be trailer, it down on one that will work hard as you? Learn why morenot at put www.westerntrailer.com or callas888.344.2539 record low yields and quality. Western potato trailers deliver on average 2000lbs more that the I am optimistic based upon the weather forecast and my talks competition. Couple that with the highest resale values in the with the processors that those growers with early variety potatoes industry and you can’t go wrong. should be able to survive to tell their children and grandchildren about the record cold and snowy start to 2019. Learn more at www.westerntrailer.com or call 888.344.2539
Building the best and making it better…your way!
30
Potato Country
May / June 2019
Nematode Protection + “Carbamate Kick” = Improved Yields
Vydate® C-LV insecticide/nematicide protects crops systemically by moving above and below ground. In the soil, Vydate C-LV provides 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 the well-documented “carbamate kick,” characteristic of its class of chemistry. In the field, this often shows up as “green up” of plants, improved plant vigor/growth, reduced senescence and improved yields.
Visit us at corteva.us ™Trademark of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer and their affiliated companies or respective owners. Vydate® C-LV is federally Restricted Use Pesticide. Always read and follow label directions.
®
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.
ENCOURAGE NANOCAL is a unique formulation of calcium carbonate. ®
®
Typical calcium soil additives have particle sizes of up to 200 microns, too big to be readily absorbed by roots. NANOCAL is milled to less than one micron. This greatly expands the calcium surface area, and allows an order of magnitude more particles in solution, providing a denser field of calcium particles for uptake.
Foliar-applied calcium does not translocate to tubers. The only efficient way to move calcium into developing tubers is through root and tuber uptake. Soil-applied NANOCAL’s particle size allows immediate movement into the meristematic region of growing roots.
Soil-applied NANOCAL calcium particles are immediately available to developing tubers.
Benefits of improved calcium uptake at tuber initiation include: • Dramatic reduction in hollow heart • Improved shelf life and storability • Better uniformity at maturity • Increased firmness • Increased yield
Learn more at oroagriusa.com
ENCOURAGE NANOCAL is a proprietary trademark of Oro Agri Inc. Always read and follow label directions.
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