$18/year | $1.50/copy | Volume 70 No. 6 | JUNE 2018
THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY
HARVEST & SPECIALTY VEHICLES/TRACTORS ISSUE
SEQUENCED: COLORADO Potato Beetle Genome WISCONSIN POTATO INDUSTRY Board Increases Assessment
INTERVIEW:
Paul Cieslewicz
GOV. WALKER PASSES Wisconsin Wetlands Law
Owner, Sand County Equipment, LLC
UNIVERSITY-BUILT SOFTWARE Helps Prevent Nitrogen Runoff
Burbanks are harvested at Farm Boys, LLC in Parkers Prairie, MN, using a Lockwood 674 harvester from Sand County Equipment.
ALICE IN DAIRYLAND Optimistic About Ag
E L G B N A O STR and DEPEND E L G B N A O D R ST and DEPEN
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On the Cover: A Case IH 380 CVT tractor pulls a Lockwood 674 harvester from Sand County Equipment, digging Burbanks for storage at Farm Boys, LLC, in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. “Yes,” Paul Cieslewicz of Sand County Equipment confirms, “the farm digs green for storage.” This issue’s interviewee, Cieslewicz continues, “The Lockwood 674 is an extremely clean harvester with large flotation tires and dual Crary fans.”
8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: Paul Cieslewicz (right), sole owner-member of Sand County Equipment, LLC, in Bancroft, Wisconsin, discusses the attributes of the LEMKEN Rubin 12 compact disc harrow with John Kuffel (center), a cash and dairy farmer, and Jim Balstad (left), LEMKEN vice president of sales and marketing. Cieslewicz held a “LEMKEN Tillage Day” on April 26. The Rubin 12 has 29-inch blades and cuts a 16-foot-wide swath.
DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN................... 61 BADGER BEAT................... 44 EYES ON ASSOCIATES........ 60
16 COLO. POTATO BEETLE GENOME SEQUENCED Scientists probe beetle’s genes for resistance traits
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MARKETPLACE
POTATOES USA NEWS
Potato blossoms poke through in a Gumz Muck Farms Healthy Grown field
Filipino coaches and personal trainers attend a Potatoes USA “Nutrition Workshop”
FEATURE ARTICLES: 20 28 48 56 4
IT’S UNANIMOUS! Wisconsin Potato Industry Board increases assessment WISCONSIN WETLANDS LAW changes way wetlands can be developed in state IN HER TRAVELS: Alice in Dairyland holds positive agriculture conversations FARMERS USE UW-built software to prevent nitrogen and phosphorous runoff
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR..... 6 NEW PRODUCTS............... 54 NOW NEWS...................... 22 NPC NEWS........................ 59 PEOPLE............................. 40 PLANTING IDEAS................. 6 SEED PIECE....................... 42 WPIB FOCUS..................... 58
TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGH
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Soil health, calcium, sulfur and boron in every granule: 99 Improve crop quality and performance 99 Improve shape and size of potatoes 99 Improve storability and skin quality 99 Improve resistance to pests and diseases 99 Reduce internal and external defects
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WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Josh Mattek Vice President: Gary Wysocki Secretary: Rod Gumz Treasurer: Wes Meddaugh Directors: Mike Carter, Mark Finnessy, Bill Guenthner, Eric Schroeder & Eric Wallendal Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Richard Okray Secretary: Bill Wysocki Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: John Bobek, Andy Diercks, Cliff Gagas, John T. Schroeder & Tom Wild WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Casey Kedrowski Vice President: Joel Zalewski
Secretary: Cathy Schommer Treasurer: Rich Wilcox Directors: Chris Brooks, Paul Cieslewicz, Nick Laudenbach & Kenton Mehlberg Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Charlie Mattek Vice President: Dan Kakes Secretary/Treasurer: Roy Gallenberg Directors: Jeff Fassbender & J.D. Schroeder
WPVGA Staff Executive Director: Tamas Houlihan Managing Editor: Joe Kertzman Director of Promotions & Consumer Education: Dana Rady Financial Officer: Karen Rasmussen Executive Assistant: Julie Braun Program Assistant: Danielle Sorano Coordinator of Community Relations: Jim Zdroik Spudmobile Assistant: Doug Foemmel
Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Kathy Bartsch Vice President: Devin Zarda Secretary/Treasurer: Deniell Bula Directors: Jody Baginski, Brittany Bula, Paula Houlihan & Marie Reid
WPVGA Office (715) 623-7683 • FAX: (715) 623-3176 E-mail: wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes.com Website: www.wisconsinpotatoes.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/WPVGA
Mission Statement of the WPVGA: To advance the interests of WPVGA members through education, information, environmentally sound research, promotion, governmental action and involvement. Mission Statement of the WPVGA Associate Division: To work in partnership with the WPVGA as product and service providers to promote mutual industry viability by integrating technology and information resources. Badger Common’Tater is published monthly at 700 Fifth Avenue, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
Subscription rates: $1.50/copy, $18.00/year; $30/2 years. Foreign subscription rates: $30/year; $50/2 years. Telephone: (715) 623-7683 Mailing address: P.O. Box 327, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409 Or, subscribe free online: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe/ ADVERTISING: To advertise your service or product in this magazine, call (715) 630-6213, or email: Joe Kertzman: jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com. The editor welcomes manuscripts and pictures but accepts no responsibility for such material while in our hands. BC�T June
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MARK YOUR
Calendar JUNE 19-20 21 22 25-27
CROP TRANSITION CONFERENCE Crowne Plaza Aire Minneapolis, MN POTATO VIRUS DETECTION WORKSHOP & WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY POTATO FIELD DAY Washington State University Research Farm Othello, WA SPUD SEED CLASSIC WSPIA GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI UNITED FRESH McCormick Place Chicago, IL
JULY 7 10 10-12 17 18-20 19 22-26 26 26
PARDEEVILLE TRIATHLON Chandler Park, 8 a.m. Pardeeville, WI POTATO VIRUS DETECTION WORKSHOP University of Maine Aroostook Farm Presque Isle, ME FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Marshfield/Wood County, WI ASSOCIATE DIV. PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI NPC SUMMER MEETING Icicle Village Resort Leavenworth, WA HARS FIELD DAY Hancock, WI POTATO ASSOC. OF AMERICA ANNUAL MEETING Boise Centre Boise, ID POTATO VIRUS DETECTION WORKSHOP PRIOR TO ANTIGO FIELD DAY Langlade County Airport and Research Station Antigo, WI ANTIGO FIELD DAY Langlade County Airport and Research Station Antigo, WI
AUGUST 2 RHINELANDER AG RESEARCH STATION FIELD DAY Rhinelander, WI 2-12 WISCONSIN STATE FAIR Wisconsin State Fair Park West Allis, WI
Planting Ideas The support network is in place. Spend enough
time in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growing industry, and you realize there’s a substantial support network of professionals far and wide willing to help their fellow growers and associates. That’s not to say nothing bad ever happens, that farms don’t go under, droughts don’t kill fields or floods won’t ravage crops. It means there are people to help. The Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) recently approved a one-centper hundredweight (cwt.) assessment increase, making it eight cents per cwt. effective July 1, 2018. The purpose behind the assessment increase is to generate revenue that goes toward a Donor Advised Fund, controlled and directed by potato grower representatives, through the University of Wisconsin Foundation. The assessment increase meets the WPIB’s commitment to support university scientists conducting potato research. A good example of real-life applications resulting from research is a computer program developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison that is helping growers prevent nitrogen and phosphorous runoff. The software, SnapPlus, was introduced in 2005 under a state-federal mandate to reduce soil erosion and prevent runoff of nitrogen and phosphorous. See the related feature articles about it and the WPIB assessment increase. Scientists, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison entomologist Sean Schoville, have also recently sequenced the Colorado Potato Beetle genome in an attempt to find genetic clues as to the pest’s ability to adapt to new environments and resist insecticides. Read more inside. Even Gov. Scott Walker and Alice in Dairyland have had hands in helping growers. On March 28, Gov. Walker passed Act 183, a Wisconsin Wetlands Law that significantly changes the way wetlands can be developed in the state. Wetlands considered isolated with no direct or permanent surface water connection to navigable lakes or rivers are affected by the law. Crystal Siemers-Peterman, the 70th Alice in Dairyland, meantime, penned a fascinating article in this issue about her positive experiences and conversations she has had about agriculture during her statewide travels. Please email me with your thoughts and questions. If you wish to be notified when our free online magazine is available monthly, here is the subscriber link: http://wisconsinpotatoes. com/blog-news/subscribe.
Joe Kertzman Managing Editor jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com
Above: Joe Kertzman (left) poses with Paul Cieslewicz, this issue’s Interviewee, during a LEMKEN Tillage Day, April 26.
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Interview
PAUL S. CIESLEWICZ, Owner, Sand County Equipment, LLC By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
Growing up in the country, in the Amherst/Bancroft, Wisconsin,
NAME: Paul S. Cieslewicz
area, a mile from Prairie View Farms, Paul Cieslewicz was exposed to agriculture at a young age.
TITLE: Sole member-owner COMPANY: Sand County Equipment, LLC
“I spent a lot of time at Prairie View Farms,” he relates. “When I was old enough to be useful, I did everything from picking rocks to planting corn.”
LOCATION: Bancroft, WI HOMETOWN: Plover, WI YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: 6 PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: n/a SCHOOLING: Stevens Point Area Senior High (“Yes, I did graduate.”)
“I learned how to grow potatoes, irrigate and harvest them, and get them into storage. I even ran the packing shed for several years,” Cieslewicz says. “Kenny Prondzinski is a big factor in showing me there are no boundaries out there if you want things badly enough.”
FAMILY: Three boys, Jakub, Jarod and Joshawa
The sole member-owner of Sand County Equipment, LLC, founded in April 2012, Cieslewicz says it was always a dream to own his own business, but admits it was scary pulling the trigger.
guy, I felt it was time for a change and to do it for myself,” he says. “We started out very small, having only a few lines, but over the last six years, we’ve grown to over 20 short lines of equipment.”
HOBBIES: Raising beef cattle as part of a cow/calf operation
“After working for another dealership for several years and being the go-to
“I got a lot of advice from local business owners and farmers, and the encouragement they gave me was the deciding factor to do it,” Cieslewicz adds.
ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Chairman, Town of Buena Vista, and Portage County Drainage District chairman
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Sand County Equipment is a potato and vegetable equipment dealership backed by 25 years of experience and knowledge in planting, spraying, tillage and harvest. The company also offers farm equipment for cranberry, carrot, horseradish, sugar beet, pickle and Christmas tree growers, as well as
Left to Right: With sole member-owner Paul S. Cieslewicz at the helm, Sand County Equipment, LLC is a potato and vegetable equipment dealership backed by 25 years of experience and knowledge in planting, spraying, tillage and harvest.
a large steel inventory and custom fabrication services.
installation when the equipment shows up.
What made you decide to get into the potato and vegetable equipment dealership business? My dad told me, “Stay in ag, son. People need to eat.” So, after several years at another equipment dealership, I had a lot of background and thought it would be best to use that knowledge to continue on my own.
Logan bulk beds and stainless bulk beds are really taking off. Built with the farmer in mind, I feel they are at the top of their game.
What is it that draws you to agriculture? The wide variety of challenges—it’s never the same from one year to the next. The people are great to deal with and understand that you’re a human, and you don’t get that out in the big city. No matter what goes wrong, at the end of the day, after everything is working again, we all get along. Have you and Sand County Equipment dug out a niche in the Central Sands area? Yes, I believe we have a few niches in our business. Milestone Potato Seed Cutters are cutting a large percentage of the crop planted in the upper Midwest, and we really try to take care of that, because if you don’t plant a crop, you won’t get a crop, and it all starts at the seed piece. Mayo Manufacturing is working with us on a lot of grading equipment for potatoes. Having engineers on staff to help plan the layout means better
Safe-T-Pull truck hitches and pullers are providing the safest and most economical way to pull
trucks through the fields in tough harvesttime conditions, and the company also builds the Crop Shuttle with the self-loading conveyor and the fastest unload time out there. And Lemken tillage tools are really taking off. With very aggressive discs and rippers, we will put them up continued on pg. 10
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Interview. . . continued from pg. 9
against any tool out there, but it takes a little different mindset to be tilling at 8-plus miles per hour. We are the Upper Midwest distributor for Lemken tillage tools, so most machines coming into the Midwest come here. We catalog and assemble them and distribute out to other dealers. Are you one of the larger dealerships in the area? I’m not worried about being the biggest; I just want to be able to take care of what we sell. What does Sand County Equipment
specialize in or do differently than the competition? I think we are different because we are the only dealership that has experience in farming. We can jump into any piece of equipment we sell, run it and understand why it needs to do what is asked of it.
set-up is very important. With four service guys and myself still very involved, we seem to double-check ourselves all the time.
A lot of times, the equipment will go to our farm and get run before we start selling it. I think that is a big advantage we have in tractor, tillage and hay equipment.
How about servicing after the sale? Service after the sale is a must. It doesn’t matter if it’s tillage, planting, hilling or harvesting equipment, at the end, we pride ourselves on being here.
How important is on-farm service and set-up? All on- and off-farm
I still take a lot of the long trips out of state and combine them as sales calls, but Jarod, my son, is also taking over a lot of them now.
Our shop is always open to help, and our phones are always on us. We have strict vacation times when harvest is going on, so it’s all hands on deck in that window. How do you set pricing, and is implement and farm machinery dealing a competitive business in the area? Margins are needed to be profitable, but there is competition all over, so you get what you can and continued on pg. 12 Above: Experienced in farming, Paul Cieslewicz of Sand County Equipment says he and his crew can jump into any piece of equipment they sell, such as the New Holland T8050 pulling a Lockwood 656 six-row windrower on Okray Family Farms, run it and understand why it needs to do what is asked of it. Left: “The Logan stainless steel box is the only full-stainless bed on the market with the fastest unload times of all beds. It’s an easy choice from Logan,” Paul Cieslewicz determines.
10 BC�T June
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Interview. . . continued from pg. 10
that is why you need to take care of the ones you sell to and build longterm relationships with them. That will only lead to better efficacies for both parties involved. You are also chairman of the Portage County Drainage District (PCDD). How did you obtain that position and why? Donnie Hamerski helped me out when we had an issue with a road in Buena Vista next to a Drainage Ditch, in 2003. After Ed Wade retired, Donnie asked if I would be interested in being on the board. So, I just followed the board around for a year and worked with all three (Jim Isherwood being the third guy) and put my name in as a candidate. Judge John Finn appointed me in 2005 as a member, so when Donnie wanted to retire, I took over as chairman in 2015. The PCDD is the largest and most active in the state, with 42 percent of ag land in Portage County in the district, so it’s very important to keep it well maintained. You’re also invested in the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, as a new member of the Associate Division, for the second time, and as the Associate Division liaison on the Water Task Force and Vegetable Committees. Why is it important for you to be involved?
12 BC�T June
Above: An aerial view shows a Crop Shuttle, available from Sand County Equipment, at Mortenson Produce. The 36-ton Crop Shuttle features a self-loading system, which Paul Cieslewicz says equates to “no more bin pilers in the field loading planters.” “Just back the truck up, unload it and go,” he adds. “That means less trucks and drivers needed, which saves minutes per each fill, and many more acres are planted a day.” Bottom Left: Specializing in custom fabrication, the crew at Sand County Equipment used parts from five different manufacturers to build the Bed Shaper. The machine has rear steering, GPS navigation and makes three 72-inch beds subsoiled 19 inches on center. It plants four rows of oats for protection of carrots on each bed and carries 80 bushels of oats. Bottom Right: According to Paul Cieslewicz, Lemken tillage tools are really taking off for his dealership. A Lemken 5-meter Karat chisel plows ground at Lauritzen Farms in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. “As always with Lemken equipment, the finish is the best on the market,” Cieslewicz says.
To me, it’s just like going to the voting booth; if you don’t vote, then shut up and take it. If you don’t get involved with our industry, then your heart must not be in it. I have watched this industry change so much in the 49 years I have been living and know that if you speak up and ask for a change, it can happen. This doesn’t only apply to laws, but also in educating the public about the fact that we are all raising our families here and want to leave it a better place. What are you most passionate about when it comes to the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry? The water and the land obviously—I’m on the other side of the fence when it comes to water, with keeping 54,000 acres dry enough to farm. But we have been draining land in Portage County for 113 years now and keep the water table the same level with an engineered ditch system, so this has really become second nature for me to just keep on checking ditches and helping problem spots. As for the Golden Sands of Portage County, there isn’t a better place to farm or have a business. Our sands make us very diversified, unlike most all other farming communities. What do you hope to accomplish
that you haven’t already with Sand County Equipment? I think you can only accomplish what is thrown in front of you. If the industry needs more, I guess we grow the business more. If new opportunities arrive, we take them. What are you most proud of? My crew—they have grown with me in this venture and sometimes that’s harder on them than me. I think sometimes my communication skills aren’t so good, so they at times need to be mind-readers and translators all at the same time. I give them a lot of credit for that.
Above: A Lemken Rubin 9 with 24-inch blades, pulled by a Versatile 550DT tractor, is demonstrated during a “Lemken Tillage Day,” April 26, hosted by Sand County Equipment.
What does the future hold for not only Sand County Equipment, but Central Sands potato and vegetable growers? Any insights? The future is endless in our Central Sands with new crops coming all the time. Because of our ability to give the customer a constant, good product, we can create our own destiny here, and I plan on being a big part of that for all our farmers in the Upper Midwest. continued on pg. 14
GROW STRONG Cultivate solid business practices and work with people who understand accounting, payroll, tax, and farming.
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BC�T June 13
Interview. . . continued from pg. 13
Is there anything you’d like to add that I’ve missed, Pauly? I feel we may not be the biggest, but I believe we are the most diversified dealership in the state. I built the company this way for a reason, taking care of farmers in seven surrounding states, and not only doing potatoes and vegetable equipment, but also hay, cranberry, cabbage, carrots, onions, beets and celery.
14 BC�T June
We also have the Versatile tractor line and manufacture a lot of custom equipment. We have built equipment for places as far away as Poland, and equipment has been sold to such far stretches as Prince Edward Island, Canada, California, Maine and El Salvador. We push our manufacturers very hard for new ideas to help production of our crops, and, thus, we can lower the bottom line for the farmers.
Above: As its name implies, a Safe-T-Pull hitch and towing system provides a safe and efficient way to pull trucks through difficult terrain. The hitch attaches and detaches from truck, tractor and implement frames, with no chains or cables to break. Below: A Versatile tractor pulls a 52-foot Lemken Heliodor disc harrower, both sold by Sand County Equipment, the latter to Steinacker Farms, Inc., of Hortonville, Wisconsin. Powered by a Cummins engine, the Versatile tractor is GPS ready and can have six remotes and high-flow pumps added for all the comforts of home away from home. Opposite Page: A Logan Load-Pro stainless steel box is displayed at Sand County Equipment, ready for pickup and delivery to Gary Bula Farms.
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BC�T June 15
Scientists Sequence Colorado Potato Beetle Genome Genes probed for clues to pest’s adaptability to new environments and insecticides By Eric Hamilton, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences The Colorado potato beetle is notorious for its role in starting the pesticide industry and for its ability to resist the insecticides developed to stop it. Managing the beetle costs tens of millions of dollars every year, but this is a welcome alternative to the billions of dollars in damage it could cause if left unchecked.
To better understand this tenacious pest, a team of scientists led by University of Wisconsin-Madison entomologist Sean Schoville sequenced the beetle’s genome, probing its genes for clues to its surprising adaptability to new environments and insecticides. The new information sheds light on how this insect jumps to plant hosts
and handles toxins, and it will help researchers explore more ways to control the beetle. Schoville and colleagues from 33 other institutes and universities reported their findings in the January 31, 2018 issue of Scientific Reports. The Colorado potato beetle’s rapid spread, hardiness and recognizable tiger-like stripes have caught global attention since it began infesting potatoes in the 1800s. The beetle was investigated as a potential agricultural weapon by Germany in the 1940s, and its postwar spread into the Soviet bloc stoked an anti-American propaganda campaign to pin the invasion on outsiders. More benignly, it has been featured Above: Scientific study sought genetic clues as to the Colorado potato beetle’s ability to resist insecticides. Photo courtesy of Ben Pélissié Left: New information gleaned from sequencing the Colorado potato beetle genome sheds light on how this insect jumps to new plant hosts and handles toxins, and it will help researchers explore more ways to control the pest. Photo courtesy of Michael Crossley
16 BC�T June
on many countries’ stamps and is used in classrooms to educate about insect lifecycles. RAPID RESISTANCE But it’s the beetle’s ability to rapidly develop resistance to insecticides and to spread to climates previously thought inhospitable that has fascinated and frustrated entomologists for decades. “All that effort of trying to develop new insecticides is blown out of the water by a pest like this that can just very quickly overcome it,” says Schoville. “That poses a challenge for potato growers and for the agricultural entomologists trying to manage it. And it’s just fascinating from an evolutionary perspective,” he adds. Right: German educational and propaganda posters warned about the kartoffelkäfer— potato beetle—and tried to pin the invasion on Americans. Poster images courtesy of Andrei Alyokhin
Within the beetle’s genome, Schoville’s team found a diverse and large array of genes used for digesting plant proteins, helping the beetle thrive on its hosts. The beetle also had an expanded number of genes for sensing bitter tastes, likely because of their
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preference for the nightshade family of plants, of which potatoes are a member. But when it came to the pest’s infamous ability to overcome insecticides, the researchers were surprised to find that the Colorado continued on pg. 18
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Colorado Potato Beetle. . . continued from pg. 17
potato beetle’s genome looked much like those of its less-hardy cousins. The team did not find new resistancerelated genes to explain the insect’s tenaciousness. “So, this is what’s interesting—it wasn’t by diversifying their genome, or adding new genes, that would explain rapid pesticide evolution,” says Schoville. “It leaves us with a whole bunch of new questions to pursue how that works.” LIFE HISTORY & EVOLUTION Schoville and his collaborators see their research as a resource for the diverse group of scientists studying how to control the beetle as well as its life history and evolution. “What this genome will do is enable us to ask all sorts of new questions
18 BC�T June
around insects, why they’re pests and how they’ve evolved,” says Yolanda Chen, a professor at the University of Vermont and another leader of the beetle genome effort. “And that’s why we’re excited about it.” The genome did provide a clue to the beetle’s known sensitivity to an alternative control system, known as RNA interference, or RNAi for short. The nucleic acid RNA translates the genetic instructions from DNA into proteins, and RNAi uses gene-specific strands of RNA to interfere with and degrade those messages. In the beetle, RNAi can be used to gum up its cellular machinery and act as a kind of insecticide. The Colorado potato beetle has an expanded RNAi processing pathway,
meaning it could be particularly amenable to experimental RNAi control methods. Schoville and Chen are now sequencing another 100 genomes of the Colorado potato beetle and its close relatives to continue investigating the hardiness and adaptability that have captured so many people’s attention for the past 150 years. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (Grants NHGRI U54 HG003273, K12 GM000708, 5R01GM080203, 5R01HG004483); a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Grant to the UVM Agricultural Experimental Station (Grant VT-H02010); and by the director, Office of Sciences, Basic Energy Sciences of the U.S. Department of Energy (Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231); The National Science Centre (2012/07/D/NZ2/04286) and Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
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Wisconsin Potato Industry Board Increases Assessment Funds to establish a Donor Advised Fund through the University of Wisconsin Foundation The Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) unanimously passed a motion at its May 4, 2018 meeting to increase the assessment on Wisconsin potatoes by one cent per hundredweight (cwt.). The assessment will now be a total of eight cents per cwt. effective July 1, 2018. The purpose behind the assessment
increase is to generate an additional $250,000 per year to meet the WPIB’s commitment to establishing a potato research fund through the University of Wisconsin Foundation where funds are controlled and directed by potato grower representatives. The plan is to dedicate $500,000 per year over a 10-year period to create a fund of $5 million. The WPIB has used
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a portion of its reserve funds during the first two years of this 10-year plan to meet its commitment. By increasing the assessment, the WPIB is following a recommendation made by the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board of Directors asking for an increase in the assessment to establish a Donor Advised Fund through the University of Wisconsin Foundation. The original goal was to generate $10 million, with $5 million generated by the WPIB and the balance through inkind and/or private contributions. Above: The purpose behind the assessment increase is to meet the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board’s commitment to establishing a potato research fund through the University of Wisconsin (UW) Foundation. Dr. Paul Bethke, UW-Madison Department of Horticulture, addresses a crowd during the 2017 Hancock Agricultural Research Station Field Day.
ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION The original recommendation from the WPVGA Board was for a two cent/cwt. increase in the 2016 Wisconsin potato assessment dedicated to the fund over 10 years. However, WPIB rules limit assessment increases to no more than one cent per year. Thus, the WPIB decided to increase the assessment one cent effective July 1, 2016 and allocated an additional $250,000 from reserves to generate the goal of $500,000 the first year. The WPIB elected not to increase the assessment in 2017 and followed a similar plan that also used reserve funds to meet that year’s $500,000 commitment. The University of Wisconsin Foundation Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is structured as a quasi-
endowment and has seven potato industry representatives as an advisory group, which directs the funds to support areas that it determines to be its priorities.
will be necessary to maintain the partnership between the WPVGA and the UW. Funding is specifically needed to:
There are no operational details included in the DAF, which allows the advisory group the flexibility to support changing priorities over time. CAREFUL REVIEW The WPIB carefully reviewed the structure of the DAF prior to making the actual commitment of funds.
2. Support operational and maintenance costs for agricultural research stations and projects; and 3. Enhance the salary and/or fringe for current faculty to maintain the competitiveness of the UW
Both the WPVGA Board and the WPIB believe a new funding model is necessary to maintain and grow the existing University of Wisconsin (UW) potato and vegetable research team into the future. Alternative financial support from industry or alternative sources
1. Support salary and fringe benefits to help fill future faculty vacancies;
Wisconsin’s potato assessment will change from seven cents per hundredweight to eight cents per hundredweight effective July 1, 2018. All Wisconsin potatoes sold after June 30, 2018 will be subject to the eight cents/hundredweight assessment.
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BC�T June 21 TL-332S.indd 1
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Now News
Crop Production Services Renamed Nutrien Ag Solutions Retail business continues to invest in best-in-class technology, platforms and tools By Margy Eckelkamp, Farm Journal’s AgPro
After completion of the merger that formed Nutrien in early 2018, the company continues to make announcements. “Our goal is to create a consistent global agriculture brand that represents value and productivity for our customers,” says Chuck Magro, president and CEO of Nutrien. “As the leading provider of crop inputs, services and solutions, Nutrien Ag Solutions will continue to work side by side with our grower customers to maximize crop production and their returns,” Magro adds. As of July 1, 2018, Nutrien Ag Solutions will be the new name for the previously branded Crop Production Services retail business, and it will be used at all offices and facilities in North America. Additionally, in South America, the facilities branded Agroservicios Pampeanos and Utilfertil will be renamed Nutrien Ag Solutions.
“We’re extremely proud of the retail organization we’ve built,” says Mike Frank, president of Nutrien retail. “To ensure we meet our grower customers’ evolving needs, we will continue to partner with key suppliers and to invest in best-in-class technology, platforms and tools.”
“We will have more news on our enhanced digital platform,” Frank continues, “and other investments in the coming months.” Above: A leading provider of crop inputs, services and solutions, the goal of newly formed Nutrien Ag Solutions is to create a consistent global agriculture brand that represents value and productivity for customers. Photo courtesy of Nutrien Ag Solutions
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Potato Virus Detection Workshops Announced Training covers field identification of PVY, including foliar symptoms of 20 cultivars Due to the success of a Potato Virus Detection Training Workshop held in Othello, Washington, in 2016, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is hosting another set of workshops in 2018 at three locations: Othello; Antigo, Wisconsin; and Presque Isle, Maine. The workshops will cover field identification of PVY (strains O, N-Wi and NTN), including visual identification of foliar symptoms on 20 cultivars commonly grown in each region. Recent standardization of seed certification programs across the United States includes the requirement for documentation of inspector training. However, this training will also be beneficial to growers, people who rogue and those in the potato industry in general.
• Wednesday, June 20, Oregon State University Potato Field Day, OSU Research and Extension Center, 2121 South 1st Street, Hermiston, OR ANTIGO, WISCONSIN Date/Time: Thursday, July 26, 2018, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in advance of the Langlade Ag Research Station County Field Day, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Location: University of Wisconsin Langlade Agricultural Research Station, Langlade County Airport, N3689 Langlade Road, Antigo, WI PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE Date/Time: Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for inspectors and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for growers and field staff, with a rain date on Thursday, July 12.
High attendance is expected, so please sign up early. Locations, dates and times are listed below. Additional details can be found on the registration page at https://pppmb. cals.cornell.edu/extension-outreach/ vegetables/potato-virus-detectionworkshops.
Location: University of Maine Aroostook Farm, 59 Houlton Road, US Route 1, Presque Isle, ME
OTHELLO, WASHINGTON Date/Time: Thursday, June 21, 2018. This workshop will be integrated into the Washington State University Potato Field Day, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The workshops are part of a USDA NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture) Specialty Crops Initiative Award #2014-51181-22373 titled “Biological and Economic Impacts of Emerging Potato Tuber Necrotic Viruses and the Development of Comprehensive and Sustainable Management Practices.”
Location: Washington State University Research Farm, 1471 West Cox Road, Othello, WA You are also invited to these events held nearby: • Tuesday, June 19, Final Washington Commercial Potato Seed Lot Reading for 2018, 1471 West Cox Road, Othello, WA, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Above: Eileen Carpenter, a Montana Seed Potato Certification inspector, walks a research potato plot in Ronan, Montana. Photo courtesy of Nina Zidack, director, Montana Seed Potato Certification continued on pg. 24
University and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) experts will be available at each location to give a tour and answer questions.
To register for the event, please visit: https://pppmb.cals.cornell. edu/extension-outreach/vegetables/ potato-virus-detection-workshops. For more information about the workshop, please email pbgpotatovirus@cornell.edu.
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BC�T June 23
Now News. . . continued from pg. 23
Compeer Financial Returns $118.6 Million in Patronage Over $43 million distributed back to nearly 11,000 Wisconsin member/owners Compeer Financial, formerly Badgerland Financial, 1st Farm Credit Services and AgStar Financial Services, and its board of directors are pleased to announce the recently merged cooperative has approved $118.6 million in patronage be returned to almost 39,000 patronage-eligible member/owners. Of the $118.6 million returned, more than $43.1 million was distributed back to nearly 11,000 Wisconsin member/owners in the 49 Wisconsin counties Compeer Financial serves. “Compeer Financial is committed to our cooperative model and the value it brings to our member/owners,” says Rod Hebrink, president and chief executive officer of Compeer Financial. “One of the most important cooperative benefits is our patronage program.” “As a newly merged organization, this payment represents the first installment on the commitment made to our member/owners to redeem the patronage allocations made by the organizations that are now Compeer Financial,” Hebrink adds. “Our member/owners use these funds to reinvest into their farms and
Rod Hebrink, Compeer Financial President and CEO
businesses, directly impacting local and state economies,” he says. “In a year of change, we want to reiterate our commitment to championing agriculture and the rural communities we call home.” “Our board of directors is happy to share the profitability and equity Compeer Financial grew in 2017, even as agriculture experienced tightened margins and we united three organizations,” says Compeer Financial Board Chair Mark Cade. “Together we navigate both the good and challenging times,” Cade continues. “The patronage program
Mark Cade, Compeer Financial Board Chair
is one of the many benefits of working with our cooperative and a knowledgeable team.” About Compeer Financial Compeer Financial is a member-owned farm credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The $19.5 billion organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America, while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry. Compeer Financial is the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. For more information about Compeer Financial, visit www.Compeer.com.
SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW WPVGA MEMBERS When you need goods or services, please consider asking our Associate Division Members for quotes or explore what they have to offer. Together, we make a strong organization and appreciate how wonderful we are as a group. 24 BC�T June
PartnerRe & Farmers Edge Advance Global Agriculture Team offers real-time field data coupled with customized insurance products PartnerRe Ltd. announces an innovative deal with Farmers Edge™, a global leader in decision agriculture, that will help insurers close the insurance gap among farmers across all continents. This exclusive, four-year agreement between Farmers Edge and PartnerRe brings together precision farming technology and agriculture insurance in a landmark deal that will fundamentally advance the $5 trillion global food and agriculture industry. Under the terms of the agreement, PartnerRe and Farmers Edge will jointly develop new agriculture insurance products in main crop growing areas worldwide, aimed at addressing the specific needs and challenges of farmers. For farmers, the insurance product with integrated precision-farming capabilities will improve the efficiency and sustainability of their operations and will enable them to obtain insurance that is customized to their individual needs and parameters. Insurers will also benefit from a more efficient loss adjustment process. The Farmers Edge platform is a comprehensive turnkey system that includes variable-rate technology; soil sampling and analysis; fieldcentric weather monitoring; in-field telematics and data transfer; daily satellite imagery; data analytics; predictive modelling; access to an integrated farm management platform; and real boots on the ground. Above: A joint venture between Farmers Edge and PartnerRe Ltd. results in customized insurance products, automated claims detection, processing, acreage reporting and production reporting, and faster insurance claims.
and measure results.
Leading the development and application of new technologies on the farm, Farmers Edge allows farmers to collect, store and transfer data, enabling them to make advanced management decisions
N V S
INSURANCE SOLUTIONS Emmanuel Clarke, president and CEO of PartnerRe, welcomed the continued on pg. 26
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deal, saying, “At PartnerRe, we are committed to finding innovative ways to create relevant and impactful insurance solutions that support our clients’ business goals.” “We are delighted to be at the forefront of this exciting and innovative new initiative with Farmers Edge and look forward to partnering with our insurance clients to bring it to market,” Clarke adds. “This first-of-a-kind deal with PartnerRe will have a tremendous impact on farmers as they will gain greater customized insurance options based on better, more accurate data and simultaneously open up
new financing options farmers need to grow their businesses,” says Wade Barnes, president and CEO of Farmers Edge.
a stand-alone agri-tech industry, with great potential to become the new standard in crop production in the mid to long term.
“Through this partnership, Farmers Edge is making digital agronomy a reality and empowering farmers all over the globe with data-driven insights so they’re able to maximize crop yields, make better decisions and secure tailor-made insurance solutions that make sense for their market,” Barnes remarks.
“By marrying cutting-edge technology with insurance market expertise, insurers will have a unique opportunity to get closer to their customers in terms of risk selection, product design, crop growth monitoring and claims adjustment, all to create very tailored solutions that meet each farmer’s specific needs,” Bektleuov concludes.
Rinat Bektleuov, head of agriculture at PartnerRe, says, “In recent years, precision farming has moved from a niche business to the mainstream as
For more information, visit www.farmersedge. ca or www.farmersedgeUSA.com, or learn about PartnerRe at www.partnerre.com.
Wisconsin Vegetable Growers Had Solid 2017 State was strong in snap beans, peas, sweet corn, carrots and cabbage Figures from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture show that 62,500 total acres of snap beans were picked in the Badger State in 2017, with a total production of 6.56 million hundredweight (cwt.). The agency says production of snap beans for processing was 322,875 tons and was valued at $35.5 million. Wisconsin maintained its number one ranking in production of processing snap beans, though production and value were lower than 2016’s growing season. Sweet corn growers harvested 9.59 million cwt. from 54,500 acres last year. Fresh market production totaled 402,900 cwt. and was valued at $12.4 million. Processing production accounted for 458,977 tons and had a value of $32 million. The state remained in third place nationally for processing sweet corn production. Wisconsin farmers produced 967,500 cwt. of green peas. There were 22,500 acres harvested. The 47,746 26 BC�T June
tons of processing green pea production had a value of $10.2 million. Producers grew 2.52 million cwt. of carrots in 2017 from 4,500 harvest acres. Processing carrot production accounted for 125,622 tons and was worth $8.54 million.
And there were 6,000 acres of cabbage harvested in the state, with a total production value of $50.5 million. Above: Wisconsin growers harvested 9.59 million hundredweight of sweet corn from 54,500 acres in 2017. Photo courtesy of Wallendal Supply, Inc.
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Governor Passes Wisconsin Wetlands Law Act 183 makes significant changes to way wetlands can be developed in state By Dave Ruetz, senior environmental scientist, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. On March 28, 2018, Gov. Scott Walker signed Wisconsin Act 183, which made significant changes to the way wetlands can be developed in Wisconsin.
as “state wetlands” or “nonfederal wetlands,” are those considered isolated and that have no direct or permanent surface water connection to navigable lakes or rivers.
The types of wetlands that are affected by Wisconsin Act 183, known
“Non-federal wetlands” is another common label, since the federal
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government no longer has jurisdiction to regulate these wetlands, based upon the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in “Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (S.W.A.N.N.C.) v. USACE,” 531 U.S. 159 (2001). Shortly after the S.W.A.N.N.C. decision, the State of Wisconsin adopted a law that granted authority to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to regulate nonfederal wetlands. It is estimated that this category comprises up to 20 percent of Wisconsin’s wetlands. Wisconsin Act 183 allows for filling and dredging without a state permit as follows: • For urban areas, up to one acre of state wetlands, if the activity does not affect a rare and high-quality wetland, and the development related to the activity is conducted in compliance with any applicable Above: Wetlands affected by Wisconsin Act 183, known as “state wetlands” or “nonfederal wetlands,” are those considered isolated with no direct or permanent surface water connection to navigable lakes or rivers.
storm water management zoning ordinance or storm water discharge permit. An urban area includes an incorporated area, an area within one-half mile of an incorporated area or an area in a town that is served by a sewerage system. • For areas outside of urban areas, up to three acres of state wetlands,
if the activity does not affect a rare and high-quality wetland, the development related to the activity is conducted in compliance with any applicable storm water management zoning ordinance or storm water discharge permit, and the development associated with the wetland impact is a structure, such as a building, driveway or road, with an agricultural purpose.
Above: Sedge meadows, such as the one seen here on Plover River Farms outside of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, are one of a dozen types considered “rare and high-quality wetlands,” along with those directly adjacent to or contiguous to Class I or Class II trout streams.
A rare and high-quality wetland is one that is directly adjacent to or contiguous to a Class I or Class II trout stream or that consists of 75 percent continued on pg. 30
BC�T June 29
Governor Passes Wisconsin Wetlands Law. . . continued from pg. 29
or more of the following wetland types: alder thicket; calcareous fen; coniferous swamp; coniferous bog; floodplain forest; hardwood swamp; interdunal wetland; open bog; ridge
and swail complex; deep marsh; or sedge meadow. In urban areas, if an activity in a state wetland impacts greater than 10,000
square feet, wetland mitigation is required for the portion of the impacted wetland that exceeds 10,000 square feet. For areas outside of urban areas, if an activity in a state wetland impacts greater than 1.5 acres, wetland mitigation is required for the portion of the impacted wetland that exceeds 1.5 acres. Mitigation options may include purchase of credits in a wetland mitigation bank, payment to the state’s in-lieu fee mitigation program or on-site mitigation.
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Above: Ecologist Jeb Barzen of Private Lands Conservation LLC examines some of the seeded cover/native species that Gumz Muck Farms planted (left), and an image of the same area (right) shows restored wetland habitat. This project was completed in 2017.
WDNR 15 days prior to initiating the project. REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFO If the WDNR is unable to determine whether eligibility requirements for an exemption from state wetland permitting are met, the WDNR may, within 15 working days after receiving the notification, request additional information one time about the parcel of land to be impacted. The person receiving the request for additional information cannot proceed with the project until they have received notification from the WDNR that the parcel of land meets the eligibility requirements. In addition to the above, Wisconsin Act 183 also exempts development activities in “artificial wetlands” from the requirement to obtain a state permit. That is, unless the WDNR determines that the artificial wetland provides significant functions that either protect from flooding or significantly improve the water quality of an adjacent or downstream water body. An artificial wetland is one that has been created due to human modification of the landscape, and that does not have a prior wetland or stream history that existed prior to August 1, 1991. In summary, this new law is a significant change from the wetland permitting processes that have been followed in the past and allows for limited dredging or filling of state wetlands without a permit, as long as certain conditions are satisfied. The requirement for mitigation has historically been directly tied to the issuance of a permit to dredge or fill a wetland. Therefore, the WDNR will likely need to modify its process for tracking mitigation activities when a permit is not required.
COMING SOON: NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS New Name - Same Great People, Products and Service! After decades of being known by a variety of different names around the world, our Retail operations in North and South America will be rebranded as Nutrien Ag Solutions starting this summer. “This change will better position us as the ag retailer of the future – creating an unmatched retail organization in scale, global reach and ability to address the challenges that face our grower customers,” said Mike Frank, Executive Vice President and Vice President, Retail. “And it will be done not just from the services we offer, but ultimately through the solutions we provide.” The move builds on the launch of Nutrien earlier this year, and it’s intended to signal Retail’s intention to align across the globe under one name and move even faster toward its long-term goal of serving more growers. The name change will apply to all offices and operating facilities that hold the names Crop Production Services (CPS), ASP, UAP and Utilfertil. “We want to create a consistent brand experience that addresses the changing needs of our grower customers and builds the retail brand of the future,” Mike says. The rebranding process will start in July and should wrap up in December.
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BC�T June 31
Marketplace
By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions & Consumer Education
Promotions Committee Celebrates Successes & Plans More The feeling of accomplishment is a great one, isn’t it? For me, it’s so invigorating to put significant effort and hard work into something only to sit back and appreciate the success of the finished product, regardless of how long the process to completion lasted. At this year’s March retreat, the Promotions Committee did just that —took time to reflect on past years’ projects (especially those of the last fiscal year) and celebrated how far the Wisconsin potato industry has come. It probably won’t come as a shock to you when I say that the Spudmobile was one of the biggest aspects of that celebration. For something that was discussed for so long, and then discussed some more as industry members decided on its appearance down to the very last detail, this vehicle has proven to be one of our most advantageous assets in directly reaching the public. In just two short months, the Spudmobile will embark on its fifth
Above: WPVGA Director of Promotions Dana Rady presents the Chef Competition concept to the Promotions Committee, March 22, at the Promotions Retreat held at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. 32 BC�T June
year in operation. I am in awe that nearly five years in, requests for the Spudmobile to attend events remain constant. I had to laugh the other day. I had just finished adding an event to the calendar on wisconsinspudmobile. com, and as soon as I logged out of the site, my email immediately refreshed with another new request. In some situations, we’ve needed to decline one event because of a scheduling conflict with another. And I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve needed to cancel an
Above: Day one of the 2018 Promotions Retreat and budget-planning meeting resulted in deep discussion and innovative ideas. The retreat was held at the Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, on March 22-23. Pictured from left to right are WPVGA Spudmobile Assistant Doug Foemmel; WPVGA Registered Dietician Sarah Agena; WPVGA Associate Division President Casey Kedrowski of Roberts Irrigation in Plover, Wisconsin; and Wisconsin Potato Industry Board President Heidi Randall of Alsum Farms in Arena. Below: Smiles exude from faces at another table during the Promotions Retreat in Wisconsin Dells, as the group approaches the end of discussions on Day 1. Pictured from left to right are Wayne Solinsky of Jay-Mar in Plover; Rod Gumz of Gumz Muck Farms in Endeavor; Deana Knuteson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Healthy Grown Program; Tim Huffcutt of RPE, Inc. in Bancroft; and Alex Okray of Okray Family Farms in Plover.
event due to the vehicle itself being down or bad weather. The Spudmobile averages 100 events per year and has become so popular, we needed to grow our Spudmobile team. SPUDMOBILE SUCCESS Even growers who initially wondered why the Promotions Committee would ever think of embarking on such a project have come to various
events, seen the Spudmobile’s success and now admit they don’t know what we ever did without it. We are truly blessed! A sponsorship deal with NHL AllStar Joe Pavelski, who hails from Plover, Wisconsin, and producing and distributing materials that feature the two-time Olympian, was another high point of the year. I never thought that, at one point
Left: WPVGA Spudmobile Assistant Doug Foemmel speaks to a group of students inside the Spudmobile at the vehicle’s visit to Eagle River Elementary School on January 18, 2018. Right: Students enjoy the comfort of the potato beanbag chairs and butter pillows inside the Spudmobile during its visit to Eagle River Elementary School.
in my career, I would have the opportunity to work on a commercial and photo shoot with a professional hockey player, but it happened, and continued on pg. 34
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Marketplace. . . continued from pg. 33
for it, I am grateful. Since that day, we have produced posters, pull-up banners, print ads and aired a 30-second commercial, all of which feature the “Power Your Performance with Wisconsin Potatoes” message. It’s a message the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) has been promoting for years with the “Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes” events, and one that is in line with the current initiatives of Potatoes USA. It’s a message we are confident will inspire younger generations and people with a wide array of interests to not only make healthy choices in living active lifestyles, but also in how they fuel their bodies. Wisconsin potatoes can play a significant role in providing that
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fuel pre- and post-workouts. We look forward to communicating this message in materials that include Pavelski for another year under WPVGA’s two-year signed contract with the athlete.
that included the WPVGA logo to potato vodka being featured in their spirits department, every area of the store showcased some aspect of the Wisconsin potato industry and made it relevant for consumers.
Along with the Spudmobile and Pavelski come other reasons for celebration, such as trade shows, food safety training, and sponsorships with Mad Dog and Merrill, Tundra Super Late Models, Short Track and Kids from Wisconsin.
This experience set the foundation for a valuable and long-lasting partnership between WPVGA and Trig’s, which is a company committed to supporting the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin initiative from start to finish.
REGISTERED DIETICIAN The Promotions Committee was also grateful to work with Registered Dietician Sarah Agena on consumerrelated nutrition questions and resources.
As we look ahead to the next fiscal year that begins on July 1, the Promotions Committee will continue many of the same initiatives.
Finally, it was through the Wisconsin Potato Display Contest that WPVGA was able to strengthen its partnership with retail stores, and especially, Trig’s in Rhinelander. Talk about a store that knows how to exercise creativity while also engaging its customer base! From cookies in the shape of Wisconsin
Sponsorships with Mad Dog and Merrill, Kids from Wisconsin, Tundra Super Late Models and the Short Track will be ongoing for another year. Given the social media presence of these organizations, their commitment to supporting the Buy Above: A camera view shows the table scene during the filming of a television commercial with NHL All-Star Joe Pavelski on August 1, 2017, at Clancey’s Stone Lion in Custer, Wisconsin.
Local, Buy Wisconsin initiative, and their ability to reach consumers in other areas of the state/Midwest, we are confident these partnerships will continue to enhance our efforts moving forward. We will continue working with Registered Dietician Sarah Agena and Spudly to make appearances throughout the state. FRESH WRAP We have also increased the Spudmobile budget line item with goals of updating the exterior wrap as well as some of the interior exhibits. Given the number of requests that come in, we want to keep things fresh and innovative for visitors. The Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes events lineup will continue as well, in addition to our sponsorships of the Stevens Point Trivia Contest and Spud Bowl. Some new focus areas on the horizon are the expansion of the Healthy Grown program, billboard and TV advertising, as well as a chef Above: Posters created by the WPVGA showcase not only two-time Olympian and NHL All-Star Joe Pavelski, but also the “Power Your Performance with Wisconsin Potatoes” message and the many nutritional benefits that Wisconsin potatoes naturally provide.
competition. While not all these areas are brand new line items in the budget, they do have a broader and different focus for the upcoming year. The Healthy Grown program has been around for quite some time.
Following the 2017 WPVGA longrange planning meetings, the Promotions Committee set a goal of expanding the program across the Wisconsin potato industry continued on pg. 36
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as a way of setting the entire state apart in the marketplace. Because of this goal, monies previously directed toward Healthy Grown consumer-related efforts will be re-directed to more grower-related initiatives and assistance.
These initiatives include, but are not limited to, a broader online presence; educational brochures and materials for growers; assistance with paperwork; having a booth at the Grower Education Conference; and developing some pull-up
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banners, to name a few. After July 1, you may also see some Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes messaging on billboards in Wisconsin. Two years ago, we designed a billboard and placed it in Lake County, Illinois, with the “Eat Wisconsin Potatoes, Love Longer” message next to a little girl hugging a russet! We are bringing billboards back again and placing them along an area of the Interstate that is a corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. TELEVISON ADS Television advertising is something we have been doing the last several years as well. Now we are going to be doing more of it in other areas of the state. Per previous years, we will continue the Green Bay Packers preseason sponsorship with WAOW TV, while also adding other geographic locations to the advertising base, which will go a long way in accomplishing our goals. Finally, a new addition to next year’s projects is a chef competition scheduled for the end of July. The competition will include five teams, each involving one chef and one grower who will compete in a potatocooking contest. A team is eliminated in each round until only one team is left as the winner. The competition is scheduled for July 28 at the Celebrate Plover event in Lake Pacawa Park. Additional details will be forthcoming as the event planning develops. The closer we get to July 1, the smaller the 2017 fiscal year appears in the rearview mirror. It’s a good reminder of how far we’ve come as an industry and team, allowing us to look ahead with confidence to all that lies ahead.
Healthy Grown Spotlight:
Gumz Muck Farms It was late 1990’s when Gumz Muck Farms in Endeavor, Wisconsin, first joined the Healthy Grown program. Not long after, the farm was forced to exit the program temporarily to focus on requirements of its newly formed operation that had occurred a few years prior, in 1994.
Now he and his team see the program as a fantastic public relations tool during a time when more and more people are questioning agriculture and becoming further removed from farming.
“We feel that the general public prioritizes the things that [the] Healthy Grown program exemplifies,” Gumz states. continued on pg. 38
This hiatus from the Healthy Grown program was a direct result of focusing additional efforts and resources on improving the production of potatoes and onions on the farm. While farm owners like Rod Gumz still saw the benefits of the program back then, they “just were not able to prioritize marketing or sustainability at that time,” Gumz says. The hiatus didn’t last forever, though, as the farm re-joined the program in 2016. Gumz says, when they re-joined, it was easier, given that the farm diversified and the team prioritized marketing to a broader base. Above: Rod Gumz of Gumz Muck Farms in Endeavor, Wisconsin, kneels by a field of potatoes certified as Healthy Grown. Gumz Muck Farms re-joined the program in 2016 and appreciates the value of Healthy Grown as a whole-farm marketing tool.
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If you aren’t already in the program, and the time commitment is a struggle that is keeping you from joining, Gumz says it isn’t as much of a commitment as you might expect, especially if your farm already undergoes food safety audits. “We already have a lot of systems in place for food safety audits; therefore, the HG program requires less time than is spent on food safety/GAP certifications,” says Gumz. “If you are doing any of those programs, this work meshes well and is well worth it.” MANAGEABLE SYSTEM “The first year may take a little more time,” he allows, “but once you have a system, it is very manageable the following years.” It’s a manageable system that
produces a positive image that Gumz says the whole industry could benefit from. All too often, he notes, the public focuses only on the negative, and being part of Healthy Grown helps to balance this, as it proves
growers are doing their part to protect Mother Nature’s resources. So, what about the small yet important aspect of “value added” and getting a return on your
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“I feel that the time spent on the program has improved our farms’ production. It forces you to come up with an Integrated Pest Management Plan with the input of university Extension specialists, which is very valuable,” he remarks. “Through this process, I have gained knowledge and a better understanding of production on my farm.” And it’s through this knowledge of improved production and the strength in numbers of having additional growers participate in the program that Wisconsin farmers could see the value-added benefit come through in other forms. investment? Healthy Grown has been around for a long time and yet growers still aren’t getting a premium. Gumz says his “value added” isn’t necessarily financial, at least not initially.
What is the alternative to expanding the Healthy Grown program, then? Gumz fears it would be Wisconsin becoming stagnant and falling behind in its overall approach to production and marketing.
“I think once growers frame the value of Healthy Grown as a whole-farm marketing tool, and not as getting a premium for their product, they will see the value of it and start participating in it,” he says. Gumz adds that, with Wisconsin already being known as the “green state,” and other regions looking to compete, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. That includes staying progressive and keeping the program fresh—all the more reason he wants to encourage widespread participation, unify the state’s efforts and become leaders in the industry. Left: Certified Healthy Grown onions at Gumz Muck Farms are ready for shipping to their final destination. Onions were added to the Healthy Grown program two years ago as a way of expanding it.
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People Teresa Lane-Grapsas Sadly Passes Away Wife of Tony Grapsas of Jay-Mar, Tese was dedicated mom and speech pathologist Teresa (Tese) M. Lane-Grapsas, age 54, died on April 16 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. She was born on December 12, 1963, in Minneapolis, to Colleen M. (Maher) and the late John F. Lane. Lane-Grapsas was raised and made her home in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and graduated from Stevens Point Area Senior High, then from the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison with a degree in education. Tese returned home to Stevens Point and earned her master’s degree in speech/language pathology from UW-Stevens Point. She was a speech/ language pathologist in the Stevens Point Area Public School District, working at Bannach Elementary for 26 years. She especially loved her co-workers in the S/L department at Bannach and dedicated her personal and professional life to children. She loved them all and lived by this quote, “A hundred years from now, it won’t matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove … but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” – Forest E. Witcraft. Lane-Grapsas was an exceptionally talented teacher and devoted most of her energy into working with children having special needs. She was a strong advocate for all children. Her summer job at Chet’s Blueberry Farm became her favorite. She loved meeting and talking with people as well as walking the acres of 40 BC�T June
blueberries. She often said that if she could, she would quit her job and work at the patch. She was so looking forward to this year’s season. In her spare time, she loved to sew and made thousands of mittens, blankets, hats and baby buntings, just to name a few. Because she wanted to make people happy, she spent hours in her cave (her basement sewing room), often staying up through the night to alter a dress, craft a costume or create any number of other projects. TERRIFIC MOM Though she was passionate about her work, she was, best of all, a terrific mom. She has three children, Casey, Molly and Sophie. She raised them to be kind, honest and hard-working. The guiding principle of her life was to make the world a better place, and Tese taught her children to do the same. Tese appreciated each day and was kind to everyone. She would be honored if we all did the same. She is survived by husband, Tony Grapsas, and their children, Casey Grapsas, Molly Grapsas and Sophie Grapsas; her mother, Colleen Lane; her siblings, Mary (Nick) Weaver and children, Sam Weaver (Josh Kodet), Max Weaver and Lila Weaver; Johnny Lane and his children, Brianna Lane and Jack Lane (Alyssa Vogt); Kathleen (Patrick) Quinn and children, Kaylie Trinko (Adam and Jakob), Bryan Quinn and Matthew Quinn; Tricia Lane; mother-in-law, Yvonne Grapsas; and dozens of aunts, uncles and
cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, John (Jack) Lane. Our family extends a thank you to the medical team and support staff at Mayo Clinic and St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. We offer our deepest gratitude to Dr. Meghan Murphy, M.D., neurosurgeon, for her talent and selfless effort to help Tese, and her compassion to our family. We send our love to Aunt Marcia Johnson who was an inspiration and friend to Tese. Marcia sat shoulderto-shoulder with Colleen, Tony and the kids during her entire hospital stay. A Celebration of Life Service for Tese was held on Saturday, April 28, at the Shuda Funeral Chapel in Stevens Point. Friends and family gathered to share memories at the chapel before the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to Tese is being established.
Simplot CEO Bill Whitacre Retires Bill Whitacre, chief executive officer of the J.R. Simplot Company, has announced his retirement. He was Simplot’s sixth CEO since company founder Jack Simplot stepped down in 1973. Whitacre retires after an 18-year career with the J.R. Simplot Company, the past nine as CEO. “Bill has been a highly successful and visionary leader who has helped the J.R. Simplot Company reach new heights and expand our global presence,” says Scott Simplot, chairman of the Board of Directors. “The company, the Board and the extended Simplot family thank him for his leadership and commitment,” Scott adds. Whitacre joined the Company in March 2000 as president of Simplot’s turf and horticulture business. In 2002, he was appointed president of the Simplot AgriBusiness Group and was named CEO in 2009. FORTY YEARS OF AG Whitacre has more than 40 years of experience in the agriculture industry. As CEO of J.R. Simplot, Whitacre has expanded the company’s international footprint and enhanced its position with communities, industries, customers and employees. By strengthening the company’s competitive position and growing its global presence, he has overseen an increase in revenues from approximately $4.5 billion to $6 billion today. “It has been an honor to lead this great company,” says Whitacre. “The agriculture industry continues to offer significant opportunities, and the J.R.
Simplot Company is well positioned to continue its leadership position earned over the past 90 years.” Whitacre’s retirement date is August 31, 2018. The company expects to select its next CEO from internal candidates. About Simplot The J.R. Simplot Company, a privately held agribusiness firm headquartered in Boise, Idaho, has an integrated portfolio that includes phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, food processing, food brands, and other enterprises related to agriculture. Simplot’s major operations are in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia and China, with products marketed in more than 40 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.simplot.com.
Above: Bill Whitacre retires after an 18-year career with the J.R. Simplot Company, and 40 years overall in agriculture.
Alsum Farms is looking for an
Assistant Farm Manager/Agronomist Location: 6530 Helena Road • Arena, WI 53503 Alsum Farms operates more than 2,400 acres in the lower Wisconsin River Valley and Grand Marsh to grow Russet, Red, Gold and Fingerling potatoes. This Full Time Assistant Farm Manager/ Agronomist position is located at our Arena Farming location, and is responsible for overseeing daily farm activities and managing employees in collaboration with the Farm Manager. Specific Duties will include: • Oversee year round farm activities to plan and schedule daily activities that need to be conducted by farm associates. • Records Management help to manage and analyze farm records and research data. • Oversee Research Trials collect data from our research trials plus help organize, layout, and implement our field research plots. • Training Farm Associates relate to GAP, Food Safety, WPS and other Farming Best Practices. • Assist with Storage Management of our multiple storage buildings. • Help the Farm Team accomplish the overall Farm Mission. Education & Experience Requirements: • Experience in farming or crop management systems. • Minimum 5 years work experience on a farm and/or relevant experience. *Potato farm production experience or agronomy related degree a plus. • Strong experience in the supervision of employees. • Computer skills to maintain inventory and work order records. This should include use of excel, word, and outlook from the Microsoft office software.
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BC�T June 41
Seed Piece Corteva Agriscience Consolidates Seed Brands Ag division of DowDuPont goes to market with five corn and soybean brands
Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont™,
announced its new, focused, multi-channel, multi-brand seed strategy for the United States, saying it will expand access to the company’s genetics, technology and traits across various agriculture distribution channels, including agency, direct, retail, distribution and licensing. Corteva Agriscience will go to market through five regional corn and soybean seed brands in the United States, including Dairyland Seed®, Hoegemeyer®, NuTech®, Seed Consultants® and Terral®.
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Above: A healthy soybean field stretches toward the horizon at Coloma Farms. Corteva Agriscience will go to market through five regional corn and soybean brands in the United States.
Corteva says each brand will have a strengthened and expanded portfolio to serve the respective customers. Brodbeck®, Curry®, Doebler’s®, Pfister® and Prairie Brand® will be combined with the five regional seed brands. Pioneer® will remain the company’s global flagship seed brand with an industry-leading, unique product portfolio and agency route-to-market approach. The U.S. retail channel will be served primarily by Mycogen® and Terral. The company will maintain the AgVenture® independent network of regional seed companies and will continue to sell cotton seed through its Phytogen® brand and alfalfa through Alforex®. “Corteva Agriscience is implementing a bold plan to focus and rebalance our seed brand portfolio in the U.S.,” says Judd O’Connor, vice
president, North America, Corteva Agriscience. “This strategy will allow us to better serve our customers, both farmers and retail dealers and distributors, with differentiated, broader and stronger product portfolios.” The DowDuPont merger, which closed in 2017, resulted in more than a dozen seed brands in the U.S. that sell Corteva Agriscience corn and soybean seed, genetics or traits. STORIED SEED BRANDS “We have some outstanding brands with long histories, good people and loyal customers, and we intend to honor those legacies,” explains Brian Barker, multi-channel seed brand leader for Corteva Agriscience. “Realigning our multi-brand approach was necessary to better focus our product and service offerings to customers.” Most employees and dealers who supported Brodbeck, Curry, Doebler’s, Pfister and Prairie Brand will be offered positions or dealerships in the new structure. Popular products from these brands will continue to be available through the regional seed brands. “The product portfolios of all our U.S. seed brands will be bolstered by the Corteva Agriscience R&D [research and development] pipeline and the full capabilities of the future company,” O’Connor says.
backed by dedicated support from account managers, territory managers and agronomists,” Barker says.
seed, trait, seed treatment and crop protection innovations that are
DuPont Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences will honor program, product and service obligations for existing seed orders. Customers and distributors should contact their local seed representative or account manager with questions.
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“This means farmers can expect better products, and employees, sales reps, dealers and distributers can expect increased opportunities for more sustainable growth,” he adds. The Corteva Agriscience innovation pipeline will enable expanded technology and genetic access to the industry through a growing licensing and distribution business to independent seed companies. Current U.S. agreements will remain in place. “We also are bringing a winning offer to retail partners with the latest
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BC�T June 43
Badger Beat
Is it Possible to Stay Ahead of Invasive and Resistant Weeds? There hasn’t been a new herbicide site of action introduced for about three decades By Jed Colquhoun, professor and Extension specialist, UW-Madison
“Plan for the future because that’s where you are going to spend the rest of your life.” — Mark Twain
Thanks to Mr. Twain for his sage advice. Having a plan is certainly
a great idea, if we carry it out. Another quote that’s often attributed to Mark Twain is, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Unfortunately, when it comes to avoiding the spread of new and resistant weeds, we’ve been talking about management plans for years,
but in many cases have waited to implement them until it’s too late. The current spread of herbicideresistant Palmer amaranth and
waterhemp in the Midwest, and now including Wisconsin, provides a great example. Why is there particular concern about these weeds? Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are like redroot pigweed on steroids. They are extremely competitive with crops, reducing corn yield by 90 percent or greater. Palmer amaranth gets a jump start on most crops, growing up to five leaves in three days or fewer on its way to a mature height of up to 10 feet. Both species are dioecious, meaning that they have both male and female plants where outcrossing leads to significant genetic diversity. And to make matters worse, they’re prolific seed producers, with up to 250,000 seeds per plant, so once they’ve arrived, they’re here to stay. They are everything we’d like in a crop: seed germination across a diversity of growing conditions, rapid early-season growth, efficient users of water and nutrients and prolific reproducers. From among this genetic diversity, Above: A female Palmer amaranth plant is shown in Dane County, Wisconsin. The invasive weed has been reported in six counties in the state and has shown resistance to the HPPD inhibitor herbicides, ALS inhibitors or glyphosate in three of those counties. Image courtesy of Vince Davis, UW-Madison Department of Agronomy
44 BC�T June
repeated herbicide use has rapidly selected for herbicide resistance. There are 60 reported herbicideresistance cases for Palmer amaranth, with 18 of those including multiple resistance to two or more herbicide sites of action (Heap, 2018, www.weedscience.com).
Werle, Stoltenberg and Davis) have been tracking this invasion in row crops for several years now.
seed contamination in conservation plantings.
Similarly, there are 56 resistance cases for waterhemp, including one just south of us in Illinois where individual plants are resistant to five herbicide sites of action.
By 2017, glyphosate-resistant waterhemp was recorded in 25 counties, with 16 percent of those populations also resistant to the PPO inhibitor herbicides.
NO LONGER IMMUNE Wisconsin is no longer immune to this challenge. While the arrival of these weeds was slower compared to the “I” states to the south of us, we’re now in the rapid spread phase.
Palmer amaranth has also arrived in the Badger State, with observations reported in six counties and resistance to the HPPD inhibitor herbicides, ALS inhibitors or glyphosate in three of those counties.
My colleagues in the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Department of Agronomy (Renz,
Unfortunately, some of the Palmer amaranth spread around the Midwest can be accounted for by unintentional
In 2015, they reported glyphosateresistant waterhemp observations in 12 counties, but no resistance to the PPO inhibitor herbicide site of action.
Electronic sorting
Prior to 2016, Palmer amaranth was discovered in just five Iowa counties, but by the end of 2016, it had been confirmed in 46 counties, primarily in new conservation reserve program plantings. Similar observations, although maybe not to the same extent, were also reported from other states. TIME TO GET STARTED So, as Twain suggests, it’s getting beyond the time to get started. But what can we do? Is there a silver bullet out there? Some may think so. In 2017, the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll asked corn and soy farmers about the likelihood of success with continued on pg. 46
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several potential weed-resistance management strategies, including quick technical fixes, cooperative approaches, mandates and financial incentives (Arbuckle, Jr., Iowa State University Extension Service). The most popular approaches selected by respondents were the quick fixes—private companies developing new herbicides or herbicide-resistant crops. Here’s the harsh reality: neither of those quick fixes are likely to solve these challenges before it’s too late. While we continue to get new herbicides in minor crops, such as potato, by recycling row crop products, there hasn’t been a new herbicide site of action introduced for about three decades. The introduction of synthetic auxin traits in some agronomic crops could somewhat improve control of these Amaranthus species, but those herbicides aren’t stand-alone silver bullets either, and resistance is also a risk with high selection pressure. In fact, 2,4-D-resistant waterhemp was reported from a Nebraska pasture dating back to 2009 (Heap, 2018, www.weedscience.com). There are two things we can we do to get started: identify and diversify. The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll reported that 54 percent of respondents indicated they weren’t familiar with Palmer amaranth despite the fact it had been documented in 50 counties by August 2017. There are many guides to help discern among the several similar Amaranthus species, but here’s a quick primer:
about half the length of the leaf for waterhemp. Diversification of weed management strategies is key to preventing further spread and resistance selection. This includes a good crop rotation, integrating mechanical methods when feasible, planting cover crops and other cultural practices that suppress weed establishment and seed production.
1. Palmer amaranth and waterhemp don’t have hairs on stems and leaves; smooth and redroot pigweed do.
This is a challenging agricultural economy in which to think about preventative measures, however losing 90 percent of yield to a single weed species isn’t a very appealing thought either.
2. The petiole (the stalk that connects the leaf to the stem) is longer than the leaf on Palmer amaranth, and
A recent survey by Rodrigo Werle at UW-Madison indicated that 62 percent of Wisconsin corn acreage
46 BC�T June
Above: Waterhemp grows in a soybean field. In 2017, glyphosate-resistant waterhemp was recorded in 25 Wisconsin counties, with 16 percent of those populations resistant to PPO inhibitor herbicides. Image courtesy of Dr. Loretta Ortiz-Ribbing, crops and soils agent, UW-Extension, Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties
receives a one-pass herbicide program. A starting point might include diversification of pre- and postemergent herbicide programs and rotation of sites of action among years and crops. Wisconsin farmers, and particularly the potato growers, are well known for being ahead of the curve with production technology and conservation practices. Let’s cement that reputation by staying ahead of this challenge.
Friday, June 22, 2018 Bass Lake Country Club W10650 Bass Lake Road Deerbrook, WI 54424 Since 1998, this tournament raised over $85,000, which was donated to Wisconsin potato research.
2018 Sponsorships Available: DINNER SPONSOR $2,000 • Company name and logo on three 12-foot banners placed in prominent areas including dinner area • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal Recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for four golfers
GOLD RUSH SPONSOR $1,500 • Company Name and logo on two 12-foot banners placed in a prominent area on the course • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for two golfers
SILVERTON SPONSOR $1,000 Bushman's Riverside Ranch • Company name and logo on one 12-foot banner placed in a prominent area on the course • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal Recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for one golfer
CONTACT DANIELLE SORANO for more details (715) 623-7683
SUPERIOR SPONSOR $500
• Company Name and logo on one 8-foot banner placed in a prominent area on the course • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event
OCCUPIED HOLE SPONSOR $300 • Company name on hole sign • Rights to occupy a hole on the course and provide giveaways* *If alcohol is being served, it must be purchased through the golf course • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event
BASIC HOLE SPONSOR $200 • Company name on hole sign • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event
MAIL PAYMENT TO: WSPIA, P.O. Box 173, Antigo, WI 54409 Make checks payable to WSPIA. BC�T June 47
Alice in Dairyland Holds Positive Conversations About Agriculture Logging 35,000-plus miles, Crystal Siemers-Peterman informs public about food production
Above: Handing out hundreds of samples of grilled Wisconsin potatoes at Lambeau Field is just one of the ways Crystal Siemers-Peterman, the 70th Alice in Dairyland, connects with consumers and holds positive conversations about the agriculture industry. Crystal is shown with television hosts and self-proclaimed “grillologists” Mad Dog (left) and Merrill in front of the Spudmobile at a Green Bay Packers game.
By Crystal Siemers-Peterman Hello potato enthusiasts! I’m Crystal Siemers-Peterman, Wisconsin’s 70th Alice in Dairyland. I grew up in Cleveland, located in Manitowoc County, and I am proud to be the sixth generation on my family’s dairy and crop farm. The best gift that my parents ever gave me was the chance to be a farm kid. Taking responsibility, learning what hard work looks like and being ready for anything and everything really prepared me for this job as Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador. As “Alice,” I have the privilege of traveling across this great state and sharing many messages about Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry. I have the unique 48 BC�T June
opportunity to witness what goes on behind the scenes in Wisconsin farming. I tour farms of all types, from dairies and ranches to cranberry bogs and potato fields. I take what I learn from the farmers and then share those messages with the citizens of the state of Wisconsin. Through television and radio interviews, print media articles, blogging and social media platforms, I help consumers understand where their food is grown and processed. Throughout my year serving as Alice, I hosted multiple media campaigns that highlighted unique aspects of Wisconsin agriculture.
I often like to joke that if Wisconsin grows or raises it, I get to talk about it. It’s a good thing that I like to talk! The diversity of Wisconsin’s agriculture industry is truly our greatest strength and there is a lot of information to “dig up” about Wisconsin potatoes. FARM TOUR Last fall I headed over to Wysocki Produce Farm to tour their facility. Founded in the late 1950s by three brothers, Louis, Francis and Greg Wysocki, Wysocki Family of Companies (WFC) began as a potato farm, which still exists as Wysocki Produce Farm. The farm is owned and operated by the family, with the second generation currently running the
company. The second-generation owners of WFC are Russell, Jim, Gary and Bill Wysocki, Kirk Wille and Jeff Sommers. The beginning of our tour started at Paragon Potato Farm with guide Nate Knutson (RPE, Inc. account manager). Nate walked me through the various steps of how potatoes are cleaned and packaged. I also had the chance to meet A.J. Bussan, Ph.D., the agronomy director at Wysocki Produce Farm. A.J. arranged a tour in a harvester and showed me how potatoes are harvested and stored. After taking lots of notes and pictures, I was able to have a fantastic social media campaign about Wisconsin potatoes and share potato facts with thousands of people. This past year, I also have been so fortunate to team up with the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) at various events.
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From learning the secrets of making the best baked potatoes at the Wisconsin State Fair to handing out hundreds of samples of grilled Wisconsin potatoes at Lambeau Field, it’s fun to talk about our special spuds. COLORFUL ARRAY OF SPUDS People are always surprised to learn that Wisconsin is ranked third in the nation for potato production or that the state’s potato growers produce a colorful rainbow of these tasty spuds. A special thanks to WPVGA Coordinator of Community Relations Jim Zdroik for being a wealth of knowledge about Wisconsin potatoes and a great friend throughout this entire year. As I reflect on my adventure in agriculture, and with more than 35,000 miles under my belt, I’ve learned a lot through countless conversations with people of all backgrounds. I’ve laughed until I’ve cried, I’ve cried until I’ve laughed, all
Above: Crystal Siemers-Peterman climbed onto a harvester at Wysocki Produce Farm where she enjoyed a personal tour and learned how potatoes are harvested and stored.
while sharing the story of Wisconsin agriculture. continued on pg. 50
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Alice in Dairyland. . . continued from pg. 49
After thousands of conversations, the most important lesson that I’ve learned so far is that a positive communication about agriculture, no matter how small, is an incredibly important conversation. Agriculture affects every single person in Wisconsin daily. Whether it be in the form of food, fuel in our tanks or the fiber in our clothes, everyone has a direct connection with agriculture. With such an intimate connection to the industry, the public is searching for information on how these goods are produced, where they’re produced and who’s producing them. It’s our responsibility to give them answers. The average consumer simply does not know what goes into the production of our food, what happens behind the scenes of a farm or even the tough financial times that many Wisconsin growers face in 2018.
AG OPTIMISM One of my favorite quotes is by Will Rogers: “The farmer has to be an optimist, or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” Farming isn’t for people who think it’s going to be easy every day. Farmers, though they might not always admit it, like the challenge of the day-to-day workload as they know how crucial their job is. Farm and ranch families comprise less than 2 percent of the U.S. population, but everyone eats, every day. Their job isn’t easy, but it’s one that is integral for feeding our world and fueling human progress. We are so fortunate to live in Wisconsin where our diverse industries and varieties of products within our agriculture community are celebrated. We need all farms, of all types and all different sizes and production
GRANDY, INC. READY MIX AUCTIONS Real Estate: June 13th Equipment: June 14th
Auctions held at Grandy, Inc. Cement Plant on Hwy 200, Laporte, MN Many potato trucks, other trucks and equipment, campers, 9 tracts of real estate.
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methods, to be successful. But most importantly, Wisconsin needs all your different personalities, backgrounds and talents to continue to share why agriculture makes our state so incredibly great. As Alice in Dairyland, a sixthgeneration farm kid and as a passionate agriculture enthusiast, I ask you all to join efforts and work together to teach our consumers, friends, neighbors and even strangers about Wisconsin’s agriculture industry, our livelihood and our future. Potatoes are a delicious, familyfavorite vegetable that not only tastes good but is good for you. Together we can use our enthusiasm and excitement to clearly and confidently tell everyone we meet why agriculture is so important to our state’s economy, culture and future. Above: With Heartland Farms hosting a press conference, March 16, announcing the top six candidates for the 71st Alice in Dairyland, Crystal Siemers-Peterman not only had a chance to address attendees, but also to pose in a potato storage facility with the candidates vying to take her place as “Alice.” Posing in the Heartland Farms potato storage building are, from left to right, Kaitlyn Riley, Sydney Endres, Alexus Grossbier, Siemers-Peterman, Megan Schulte, Kristen Broege and Jacqueline Hilliard. Riley has since been chosen as Wisconsin's 71st Alice in Dairyland and begins work in her new role June 4.
Potatoes USA News
Potatoes Are Perfect Gateway Vegetables
Potatoes USA captivated the audience at this year’s Produce for Better Health Foundation’s (PBH) annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, by featuring enticing potato dishes and introducing potatoes as a performance food. The mission of PBH is to double fruit and vegetable consumption in all forms, and the potato is a key vegetable to achieving this goal. Potatoes USA Chef R.J. Harvey participated in a panel discussion titled “Food and Culinary Trends Driving the Use of Fruits and Vegetables in Foodservice” that included industry leaders from the Culinary Institute of America’s Healthy Menus R&D Collaborative. During the panel discussion, Harvey stated that, “Potatoes are the perfect gateway vegetable,” suggesting that pairing potatoes with other forms of produce makes all vegetables more enticing and approachable. In addition, keynote speaker Dr. Pamela Peeke discussed how chronic nutritional-related diseases could be reversed through the foods we consume, including potatoes, and can even improve
one’s health and performance. UBER TUBER Potato innovation was featured in many dishes served throughout the conference, including potato falafels, deviled potatoes, potato hummus and even an “Uber Tuber” cold brew smoothie. The attendees enjoyed tasting the unique potato preparations and were reminded of the nutritional
Left: The mission of the Produce for Better Health Foundation is to double fruit and vegetable consumption in all forms, and the potato is a key vegetable to achieving this goal. Right: Potatoes USA Chef R.J. Harvey (second from left) told attendees of the Produce for Better Health Foundation annual meeting that, “Potatoes are the perfect gateway vegetable,” suggesting that pairing them with other forms of produce makes all vegetables more enticing and approachable.
performance potatoes provide consumers.
Partnering with growers who
continued on pg. 52
Partnering with growers who
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Potatoes USA News. . . continued from pg. 51
Kathleen Zelman, director of nutrition at WebMD, was thrilled to see potatoes make such a big splash in front of this audience and even proclaimed this messaging could
certainly mean a big, positive change in perception of potatoes within the nutrition and medical communities. The event gathered registered dietitians, retailers, foodservice and
research-and-development chefs, as well as members of the media. This is the first year PBH has included the foodservice sector in their annual conference.
Nominations Open for 2019 Potatoes USA Board Potatoes USA announces nominations are now open for new board members for the 2019-2022 term. Fifty-eight members will be elected or re-elected to fill open seats. Potatoes USA is the nation’s potato research and promotion organization and is the central organizing force in implementing programs to strengthen demand for U.S. potatoes. Potatoes USA provides the ideas, information, tools and inspiration for the industry to unite in achieving common goals. State potato organizations have received the information and materials to begin the process of seeking and nominating interested growers. All growers will be seated on the Board at the 2019 Annual Meeting in Denver, March 12-14, 2019. Board Member Guidelines Recruiting board members who will
take an active interest in participating on the Board serves the good of potato production regions and Potatoes USA. A board member should communicate the interests of his/her production region to the Board and carry the message of the Board back to his/her farming community. A nominee for Potatoes USA should be willing to: 1) Attend the Board’s Annual Meeting held in March each year of the three-year term, 2019-2022; 2) Be active in the potato growing community; 3) Be visible in community work, and participate in local government, cultural or business affairs— someone who is a leader; 4) Be willing to represent and communicate with his/her constituents on a regular basis;
18-05 Badger Common'Tater 1-3page AD (7x3).v2.1.pdf
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5) Take the time to actively support Potatoes USA programs in his/her area; and 6) Speak to grower groups, newspaper reporters and interested parties about Potatoes USA programs, relating the value of the Board to all growers, how the 3-cent-per-hundredweight assessment is invested and ask for input from those interested in becoming active in the promotion of potatoes If you are interested in being considered by your state grower leadership to fill an open spot representing your state, please contact your state program manager, or contact Blair Richardson or Carrie Brown at the Potatoes USA office in Denver, carrie@potatoesusa.com, 303-369-7783. The nominating process will be completed by August 15, 2018.
Filipino Coaches & Trainers Power Up with U.S. Potatoes On March 2, 2018, 13 coaches and personal trainers from various gyms in Metro Manila attended a Potatoes USA Nutrition Workshop to learn how to power up meals with U.S. potatoes. At the event, celebrity Chef Rosebud Benitez led a hands-on cooking workshop that featured recipes from the “U.S. Potato Power” brochure. Recipes included “Hash Brown and Egg Nest,” “Potato and Black Bean Soup” and “Zesty Mashed Potato Snackers.” Chef Benitez also explained how bodies benefit from consuming potatoes and showed attendees how they can make them part of a nutritious daily diet. Attendees also learned about the nutritional value of U.S. potatoes
from fitness professional Edsel Segovia, who explained why personal trainers should include potatoes in meal plans they develop for clients. Coaches and trainers who attended
the event shared the dishes they made and U.S. potato nutrition information with their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter followers.
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New Products STK REGEV Approved by Peruvian Ministry of Ag Hybrid fungicide provides disease control for potatoes, vegetables and other row crops New STK REGEV™ hybrid fungicide has been registered by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture. STK REGEV will be used for a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and row crops. REGEV is the first product of its kind in the market, which is a mix of biological and soft chemicals. REGEV creates a unique hybrid solution that delivers a synergetic effect and a sustainable disease control for fruits, vegetables and row crops, such as rice and potatoes. This hybrid fungicide significantly reduces chemical residue on crops, and decreases possible harmful effects to the environment, farmers
MARKET LEADING CONTROL OF COLORADO POTATO BEETLE AND FAST, EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF OTHER KEY PESTS.
® Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Blackhawk is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. ©2017 Dow AgroSciences LLC M35-373-001 DAS (4/17) 010-43767
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and consumers. This is a breakthrough concept formulation that creates a bridge to future biological product use, enabling growers in all sectors and geographies to reduce their ecological footprint and thrive economically to better meet the demand for sustainable food protection. According to Mario Pozo, STK Peru country manager, “We are pleased to provide an effective and sustainable new tool for Peruvian growers, enabling them to better combat resistance, increase yields, produce cleaner, healthier foods for the Peruvian people, and make Peruvian exports more competitive in global markets that increasingly require lower residue levels for entry.” STK CEO Guy Elitzur added, “STK’s flagship bio fungicide TIMOREX GOLD® has been helping growers in Peru and throughout South and Central America to combat diseases and increase yields for many years.”
“Based on this history of achievement, and STK REGEV’s excellent field test results, we look forward to bringing this cutting-edge ‘hybrid’ technology to Peru, and soon, to growers throughout Latin America and the rest of the world,” Elitzur says. About STK Founded in 1994, STK is a bio-ag technology company committed to food protection, from field to fork. Our botanical-based solutions (BBS), a synergy of cutting-edge scientific research and technology, enhance the safety, yield and quality of multiple crops. STK helps growers, food companies and supermarkets deliver healthier and safer foods to market. Our botanical and hybrid solutions are easily integrated into conventional spraying programs, helping to advance the Integrated Pest Management approach to food production. STK’s flagship product TIMOREX GOLD® is used to control a broad spectrum of diseases in diverse crops. The product demonstrates an efficacy equivalent to chemical fungicides and is suitable to be used in conventional and organic agriculture. TIMOREX GOLD® is registered and sold in over 30 countries. For more information, please visit www.stk-ag.com or contact Judy Jamuy at +972 52 7599242 or judy@stk-ag.com.
John Deere Displays Compatible with SMS Software Data is transferred from Generation 4 CommandCenter Displays via ADAPT plug-in John Deere announces compatibility between its Generation 4 CommandCenter™ Displays and Ag Leader Technology SMS™ software via John Deere’s Ag Data Application Programming Toolkit (ADAPT) plug-in. As a result, producers and their trusted advisors can now easily transfer data from John Deere Generation 4 CommandCenter Displays into Ag Leader SMS software for spraying and other field applications. Lane Arthur, director of digital solutions with John Deere, says the compatibility of these systems demonstrates Deere’s commitment to working with others in agriculture to adopt standards that allow producers to easily share their farm data between their machines, trusted advisors and preferred software tools. “Collaboration is essential to providing customers with uncomplicated, seamless flow of and access to their data, no matter what software or hardware technologies they are using,” Arthur states.
it into actionable information.” “We continue to invest in and build upon that versatility to support growers’ needs and are excited to be one of the first farm management information systems to support this new generation of John Deere displays,” Weddle reports. ADAPT is a software toolkit created
by the industry group AgGateway and is designed to eliminate the major pain points to broad use of precision agriculture data by easily enabling interoperability between different software and hardware applications. John Deere encourages all ag software developers to utilize ADAPT and remove barriers to collaboration.
“The Ag Leader/Deere development teams worked hard to fast-track Gen 4 support into the SMS platform for the benefit of customers who rely on the two systems, which will be fully supported by both companies,” he adds. ACTIONABLE INFORMATION Corey Weddle, director of software solutions at Ag Leader, adds, “SMS Software has a long-standing and trusted reputation for helping growers and their trusted advisors integrate field data from a variety of sources across the farm and turn BC�T June 55
Farmers Use UW-Built Software Computer program helps prevent nitrogen and phosphorus runoff By David Tenenbaum, University of Wisconsin-Madison Communications All images by David Tenenbaum A software program intended to cut water pollution and soil erosion has matured into an essential production tool for farmers, says Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, dairy farmer Josh Hiemstra. “I began using it in 2005 because I had to. I won’t lie,” he says, in his barn office, as he gears up for the growing and harvest seasons on a 525-acre farm. The software, called SnapPlus, was created at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Department of Soil Science and introduced in 2005 under
a state-federal mandate to reduce soil erosion and prevent runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus. These essential nutrients can overfertilize lakes and streams and feed the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. “Now, I use it because it helps me make better business decisions, better environmental decisions,” says Hiemstra. “SnapPlus is a big deal for farmers.” “SnapPlus solves several problems at once related to distributing manure and fertilizer efficiently while meeting guidelines for protecting groundwater and surface water,” says Laura Good, the soil scientist who has led development and testing. “The program helps to maintain crop
fertility without wasting money or endangering natural resources,” Good explains. USED ON 3.36 MILLION ACRES The program is used on 3.36 million acres, or about 37 percent of the state’s cropland, she adds. The crux of SnapPlus calculates nutrient requirements for croplands and pastures.
Top: Josh Hiemstra, a Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, dairy farmer, has been using software developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for more than a dozen years to track soil fertility and plan applications of fertilizer and liquid manure, the latter stored in the “big blue lagoon” in the background. Middle: Fond du Lac County agronomist Becky Wagner (seen in Josh Hiemstra’s barn) sponsors training for farmers who want to learn and use SnapPlus fertility software. “If Josh has a problem with the software and I get the same error, I will send the issue right away to soil scientist Laura Good. Her staff gets back to us the same day with a solution,” she says. Nutrient management plans written with SnapPlus covered more than 183,000 acres in Fond du Lac County, 75 percent of the county’s farm acreage, in 2017.
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Left: These nodules on a leguminous cover crop contain bacteria that transform nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into nitrogen compounds that are available to plants. Software that tracks fertility must account for this nitrogen.
The phosphorus calculation starts with a soil test, adds phosphorus from planned fertilizer and manure applications, then subtracts phosphorus extracted by crops. The software also estimates field erosion and phosphorus runoff rates to streams and lakes. The math may sound simple, says Good, but the real world is complex. Soils have varying structure, slope, and subsurface geology, all factors that affect whether nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen stay where needed or become water pollutants. Conditions can change from year to year, even within a field. Cropping sequences, called rotations, can be variable and complex. And weather is, well, weather. MORE MIGHT NOT BE BETTER Fertilizer ranks near the top in farm expenses, but if some is necessary, more is not necessarily better. And so beyond enabling farmers to heed runoff standards, SnapPlus offers a means to optimize fertility and yields, and control costs. Any farm in Wisconsin that applies nutrients and has benefited from government cost-sharing or receives the agricultural property tax credit must write a nutrient management plan according to state-specific guidelines, which is typically done with SnapPlus. “These standards and restrictions would be rather difficult to follow on paper,” Good observes.
of soil you have, what kind of issues you have,” she details. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLANS Nutrient planning is often done by hired certified crop advisors, although many counties offer training courses to farmers who want to write their own plans. With its triple benefit of avoiding pollution, supporting yields and reducing costs, SnapPlus “is a good use of taxpayer dollars,” Hiemstra says. “You can call the county and get support, and if they can’t answer your questions, there is a full staff in Madison. The people who are writing the program are the ones telling you how to use it and answering your questions,” Hiemstra relates. Agriculture may not get many headlines, but technology and economics are changing fast. “Where we are now with the economics of agriculture,” Hiemstra states, “it’s even more important for farm operators to know their costs
Above: In a 2017 wheat field at the Hiemstra farm, four species form a cover crop to improve fertility and tilth, and cut erosion: sorghum, the tillage radish that Josh Hiemstra is holding, peas and clover. Hiemstra looks forward to future versions of SnapPlus that can handle complex cover crops like these. SnapPlus already accounts for soil and nutrient loss in multi-year, progressive crop rotations. Below: Chopping silage (being performed in the background) removes more nutrients than harvesting grain, and so is entered separately in SnapPlus software.
and manage on their own.” “If you, as a producer, don’t take ownership of the information, you may be spending more than you need to spend,” he adds. The development and optimization of SnapPlus has been supported over the years with funding from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; the Wisconsin office of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Hatch grants from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Although SnapPlus is produced by the UW-Madison Department of Soil Science, experts from the University Cooperative Extension have contributed nutrient recommendations and algorithms. SnapPlus automatically taps databases on soil types, municipal well locations, and streams, lakes and shallow bedrock, so it “knows” factors conducive to rapid movement to groundwater, Good says. “It tells you, on each field, what kind BC�T June 57
WPIB Focus
“Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship” Award Winner Announced WPIB selects Kaitlin Morey Gold for her research into late blight of tomato and potato
One of four recipients of the 2018-’19 College of Agricultural & Life Sciences (CALS) Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship Awards, Kaitlin Morey Gold’s graduate research for the University of Wisconsin (UW)Madison Plant Pathology Department combines precision agriculture, remote sensing and fundamental plant pathology. The Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) established the Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship award to support a graduate student who demonstrates excellence in research in the areas of groundwater resources or potato research. Morey Gold’s dissertation work focuses on developing hyperspectral imaging systems for use in potato as real-time, aerial based, presymptomatic disease detection systems. Through her dissertation work, Morey Gold developed an advanced, non-destructive method of early late-blight detection based on hyperspectral reflectance that can identify infected plants with greater than 80 percent accuracy two-to-four days before visual symptoms appear. Late blight of tomato and potato (Phytophthora infestans) continues to be one of the most challenging diseases to sustainably and proactively manage. U.S. growers see losses of about $300 million annually despite spending upwards of $80 million on preventative control. EARLY DISCOVERY Typically, late blight is first discovered 58 BC�T June
when symptoms are observed through routine crop scouting, followed by laboratory confirmation. By the time late blight is found, it is often already too late to limit disease and spore movement to neighboring fields. Morey Gold’s work has the potential to revolutionize disease management and grower decision making in agriculture, as well as long-term crop commodity modeling in finance. “Katie is a highly productive and practical graduate student,” says her research advisor, Amanda Gevens, an associate professor and Extension plant pathologist at UW-Madison. “Her work demonstrates interests in advancing solutions to longstanding plant disease questions with innovation in the technology of disease detection,” Gevens adds. Morey Gold established proof of concept and developed and validated a specific algorithm for late blight detection of the two most destructive pathogen strains—US-08 and US-23— at the leaf level. UNIQUE SPECTRAL PROFILES “Not only is my late blight algorithm effective in the presence of early blight, it is possible to distinguish between the two diseases based on their unique spectral profiles,” she says. “In August 2018, we will undertake a large-scale field validation of the algorithm using airplane and UAV [Unmanned Aerial Vehicle]mounted hyperspectral systems in collaboration with Michigan State University Plant Pathologist
Above: Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship award winner Kaitlin Morey Gold, shown holding a spectrometer, researches precision agriculture, remote sensing and fundamental plant pathology for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Plant Pathology.
Dr. Jaime Willbur,” Morey Gold relates. Her goal is for her work to be automated and commercialized into a software program for in-field use. “With an analytical mind, aggressive work ethic and an interest in plant pathological aspects of precision agriculture technologies, Katie is well-equipped to be a significant contributor to research and Extension that will directly improve crop production through enhanced and innovative late blight control,” Gevens says. “I am very proud of her accomplishments and professionalism in this highly competitive field of work. And, I am impressed with her continued interest in directly interacting with growers in directing her ongoing work,” Gevens concludes. Three other recipients of the Louis and Elsa Thomsen Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowships are: Christine Anhalt-Depies of the Wildlife Ecology Degree Program; Kelly Mitok in the Biochemistry Degree Program; and Esteben Quinones of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Degree Program. Congratulations to all four fellowship winners.
NPC News
LaJoie Represents Industry on EPA Committee Meeting was chance to talk about real-world use of pesticides scope of interests who are involved in the regulation and use of pesticides and insecticides.
National Potato Council Vice President of Environmental Affairs Dominic LaJoie was in Washington, D.C., the first week of May, representing the potato industry on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC). This committee brings together a wide
“PPDC is a valuable opportunity to communicate with regulators and other interests about the real-world use of pesticides in our industry. Making the effort to walk through the entire process is a valuable use of my time if it results in more informed science-based decisions,” LaJoie says.
USDA Unveils Biotech Labeling Rule
This rule has been in the process of writing for over two years, following the passage of the Biotech Labeling Disclosure Act in the summer of 2016. Under the rule, USDA utilizes the term
Above: Dominic LaJoie, vice president of environmental affairs for the National Potato Council (NPC), represented the industry on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee. Here LaJoie addresses U.S. growers and industry members at the NPC Annual Meeting held following the 2018 Potato Expo.
techniques should not be considered bioengineered if the activity occurs in a lab instead of a field.
Definition of a “bioengineered product” remains unclear On Thursday, May 3, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made public the long-awaited Biotech Labeling Rule. When final, it will set the federal requirements for mandatory disclosure to consumers of the presence of bioengineered traits within various food products.
The PPDC agenda involved a host of technical discussions on pesticide regulation, including the ongoing activities of EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs.
“bioengineered” instead of “genetically modified” to identify biotech products that are potentially subject to the rule’s disclosure requirements.
NPC has been an active member of the Safe and Affordable Foods Coalition that argued for reasonable federal requirements for consumer disclosure, as opposed to the growing patchwork of state laws that would have created a substantial burden on food producers and manufacturers.
Several important definitions are still left unresolved in the proposed rule. For example, the fundamental definition of a bioengineered product is The proposed rule has a 60-day comment period. Under the law, USDA not clear, and comments are requested. is under a July 29 deadline to finalize On that issue, NPC and a host of this rulemaking. However, it is likely other organizations will be arguing that deadline will be missed due to the that products that can be brought to volume of public comments that are market with conventional breeding anticipated.
Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison Month
Jul-16
Aug-16
Sep-16
Oct-16
Nov-16
Dec-16
Jan-17
Feb-17
Mar-17
Apr-17
May-17
Jun-17
Year-to-Date
CWT
1,596,377.06
706,549.4
1,283,527.92
2,874,985.48
3,531,201.37
1,995,664.44
3,035,619.25
2,285,371.71
2,515,966.21
2,349,690.78
22,174,953.62
Assessment
$96,214.65
$46,392.12
$87,862.17
$200,067.53
$246,554.05
$139,662.51
$212,457.84
$160,044.60
$175,977.76
$164,565.93
$1,529,799.16
Jul-17
Aug-17
Sep-17
Oct-17
Nov-17
Dec-17
Jan-18
Feb-18
Mar-18
Apr-18
Month
May-18
Jun-18
Year-to-Date
CWT
1,396,699.63
728,925.87
1,091,193.52
2,115,859.48
3,758,248.10
1,577,177.03
2,869,518.15
1,938,094.28
1,676,991.72
2,661,244.48
19,813,952.26
Assessment
$97,708.18
$51,117.39
$76,383.31
$148,116.2
$263,042.39
$110,407.00
$200,922.03
$135,724.59
$117,359.95
$186,163.34
$1,386,944.38 BC�T June 59
EYES ON ASSOCIATES By WPVGA Associate Div. President, Casey Kedrowski, Roberts Irrigation
Well, let’s see, a couple
inches of rain, or 27 inches of snow? Personally, I’ll take the rain. Now that Mother Nature has started being halfway decent towards us, the planting season is rolling along. Another thing I’ve noticed this year, more so than any other, is the upswing in farmers’ attitudes. It seems like everyone I talk to views this year as a “glass half-full” type of season, and I really like the enthusiasm! I’m following the same train of thought, along with other associates on the Board. I want this article to make readers think, to dig down a little, keeping things in perspective, about all we should be thankful for. In this day and age, it’s easy to get caught up
in comparing your life to everyone else’s highlight reel on Facebook, Instagram and other means of social media. The thing people don’t realize is that everyone has their own set of issues they deal with individually or within their families or jobs. I’ve been a tee-ball coach for the last three years, and I get to see some of this firsthand. HIGHLIGHT OF THEIR DAY For example, if a kid has a bad day at home or at school, it’s easy to tell, so the least I can do is make that onehour game or practice the highlight of their day and make them look forward to the next time our team gets together. It doesn’t always have to be something crazy and out of this
world. Little things can mean the most, especially if you live in the moment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as guilty of forgetting this mantra as anyone else, but it is a good reminder to catch your breath occasionally and not get hung up on the things that you can’t control. Let me ask you a question: At what point did we stop appreciating a cardinal chirping first thing in the morning? Or watching a crop duster buzz your vehicle? These are all “little” things that my 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son remind me of every day. There are so many people who deal with problems daily and who would love to walk a day in our shoes and have the things we have. I understand this time of year through harvest can get chaotic, but the end result is what you allow it to be. So, as the dust is flying and the wheels turning, I hope everyone takes a break and finds some good in every day. Cheers,
Casey Kedrowski WPVGA Associate Division President Left: As the dust flies and the wheels turn during planting, take some time to appreciate the good in every day. Joey Bushman plants potatoes on J&J Potatoes land in Galloway, Wisconsin. 60 BC�T June
Ali's Kitchen Bean & Potato Chicken Salad Hearty Enough to be a Meal!
Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary We have all heard the benefits of preparing meals at home and sitting around the table to enjoy those meals together as a family. Studies show that when we do these things on a regular basis, not only are we healthier for it, but we’re also offered precious time to talk and reconnect with the people we share life with. Knowing these benefits and having the best of intentions to stick with this healthy family habit doesn’t necessarily mean that gathering together for that home-cooked meal each day is a simple feat to accomplish. But I have a little secret for you …it’s okay to cheat a bit!
Not everything you set onto your table needs to be made from scratch. Life tends to be complicated enough on its own, so there is no reason that mealtimes should be stressful ordeals. STOCKED FRIDGE Keeping your fridge and pantry stocked with items that you know your family enjoys, and that can be tossed together to create a filling dinner when schedules are tight, or meal plans go awry, allows flexibility and helps you avoid the desire to call out for delivery or make a rushed trip past the drive-through window. With a bag of mixed baby greens, a rotisserie chicken from the grocery continued on pg. 62
Bean and Potato Chicken Salad Over Baby Greens ¾ cup green beans 1 4.5 ounce can whole new potatoes 1 ½ cups of cubed or shredded cooked chicken ¼ red onion, thinly sliced ½ cup small cherry tomatoes 4 cups mixed salad greens
Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard salt and pepper to taste BC�T June 61
Ali's Kitchen. . .
Advertisers Index
continued from pg. 61
store deli, canned potatoes, some veggies and a few pantry staples, I had a meal on our kitchen table in less than 15 minutes.
water for just a minute to stop the cooking process, then remove them with a slotted spoon and place into a large mixing bowl.
Ag Systems, Inc. ............................19
This allowed me just enough time to sit down and eat with Mike and the kiddos before we all jaunted off in different directions for our busy Wednesday evening routines.
Add the canned potatoes to the bowl with the beans, halving them to manageable bite-sized pieces if necessary.
Bachmann Auctioneers.................50
Salads like this one are a blessing on those busy days. They fuel my family with good-for-them foods and give us a reason to take a moment to sit together at the kitchen table.
Place the chicken, onion and tomatoes into the mixing bowl. Set aside.
AgCountry Farm Credit Services....15 Allied Cooperative.........................35 Alsum Farms & Produce..........20, 41 Big Iron Equipment........................17 Chippewa Valley Bean...................51 CliftonLarsonAllen.........................13 Crop Production Services..............31 Dow AgroSciences.........................54
To prepare the dressing, place all ingredients into a canning jar. Cover tightly and shake well.
EHS Management..........................43
Pour the vinaigrette over the chicken, potatoes and veggies in the bowl, and gently toss until everything is well coated with the dressing.
H&H Roof Coatings........................34
DIRECTIONS Simmer the green beans in salted water for 2 to 3 minutes, just until slightly tender but still crisp.
To assemble the salad, place the greens onto a serving platter and top with the chicken mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
Kerian Machines............................30
Transfer the beans to a bowl of ice
Enjoy!
Served with some crusty French bread and butter, you have a light and fresh salad perfect for summer and hearty enough to be called a meal.
Fencil Urethane Systems.................8 GZA GeoEnvironmental.................18 Jay-Mar............................................9 J.W. Mattek....................................29 K&K Material Handling..................37 Mid-State Truck.............................22 Midwestern BioAg...........................5 Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems Inc..................................25 Noffsinger Mfg...............................44 North Central Irrigation.................39 Oasis Irrigation..............................64 R&H Machine, Inc. ........................28 Riesterer & Schnell........................42 Rietveld Equipment, LLC................45 Roberts Irrigation............................2 Ruder Ware...................................33 Rural Mutual Insurance.................49 Sand County Equipment................27 Schroeder Brothers Farms...............7 Schweitzer Spray Coatings.............23 Swiderski Equipment.....................36 Syngenta........................................11 T.I.P................................................21 Vantage North Central...................53 Volm Companies............................52 Warner & Warner..........................55 Wick Buildings...............................62 WPVGA Putt-Tato Open.................63 WPVGA Spud Seed Classic.............47 WPVGA Support Our Members.....24 WSPIA............................................38 Yara North America.........................3
62 BC�T June
WPVGA Associate Division 18th Annual Golf Outing & Barbeque Lake Arrowhead Golf Course
WPVGA Associate Division
Nekoosa, WI
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
The WPVGA Associate Division will host the 18th Annual Golf Outing at the Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa. The golf outing is followed by a splendid dinner barbeque and raffle prize drawings.
PLATINUM SPONSOR Still Available
The golf format is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start limited to the first 42 foursomes and sign up is a first-come basis, so sign up soon! Don’t miss out! Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. and the scramble will begin with a shotgun start at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $75/person which includes 18 holes of golf with cart. Proper golf etiquette is expected.
SILVER SPONSORS Volm Companies, Inc. Yara North America
Lunch is available for all golfers that day courtesy of an associate sponsor. The dinner barbeque is held immediately following golf and is open to everyone in the industry whether you choose to golf or not. Tickets are required. ‘Barbeque only’ ticket price is $15/person. Make checks payable to WPVGA. Please contact Julie Braun, 715-623-7683, if you have any questions.
LUNCH SPONSORS Rural Mutual Insurance: Zinda Insurance Group, Plover, WI Jim Wehinger, Adams, WI
You can sponsor a hole for a minimum $200 donation in cash or prizes. Call Julie Braun, 715-623-7683, for more details.
✁
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 29, 2018
❑ Yes! I will golf. I am registering ______ golfers.
Group Leader Name: _____________________________
(Fee for golf only is $75 per person. This does not include barbeque.)
Company Name: _________________________________
❑ I wish to order _______ Barbeque Tickets at $15.00 per ticket.
Address: ________________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________
❑ I would like to sponsor a hole at the golf outing. My donation of $_________ is enclosed.
Phone: __________________________________________ These are the people in my group: 1. ______________________________________________
Golf Fee: Number of Golfers x $75
$_________
Barbeque Tickets: Number of Tickets x $15
$_________
+ Hole Sponsor/Donation
$_________
Total Amount Enclosed:
2. ______________________________________________
$_________
Please return completed form and payment to: WPVGA • P.O. Box 327 • Antigo, WI 54409-0327
3. ______________________________________________
P.O. Box 327 Antigo, WI 54409
Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage Paid Stevens Point, WI 54481 Permit No. 480
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
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LEADING, NOT FOLLOWING. Others consistently try to imitate, but always fail to duplicate. We’ll help you solve your greatest challenges with the most innovative
LEADING, NOT FOLLOWING.
products and technology. Irrigate with confidence as you simplify your irrigation management, Others consistently try to imitate, but always
LEADING, NOT FOLLOWING.
reduce downtime andhelp increase youryour peace of mind. Season with afterthe season. fail to duplicate. We’ll you solve greatest challenges most innovative Others consistently try to imitate, but always products and technology. Irrigate with confidence as you simplify your irrigation management,
Talk toduplicate. your localWe’ll Zimmatic by Lindsay dealer to see how today’s will lead to fail to help®you solve your greatest challenges withinnovations the most innovative reduce downtime and increase your peace of mind. Season after season.
tomorrow’s success. products and technology. Irrigate with confidence as you simplify your irrigation management, Talk to your local Zimmatic ® by Lindsay dealer to see how today’s innovations will lead to
reduce downtime and increase your peace of mind. Season after season. tomorrow’s success.
Talk to your local Zimmatic ® by Lindsay dealer to see how today’s innovations will lead to tomorrow’s success.
© 2017 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic and FieldNET are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Lindsay Corporation and its subsidiaries.
© 2017 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic and FieldNET are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Lindsay Corporation and its subsidiaries.
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