Potato Country February 2021

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

Unique Skill Set

For the Advertiser Index click here

Crop Protection Essentials 2021 Opportunities and Pitfalls Colorado Potato Beetle Resistance

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MADE IN THE USA

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

Vol. 37 No. 2

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

Country Western focus. National impact.

Table of Contents

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

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

Andy Jensen.......................................... www.nwpotatoresearch.com

February 2021

Insect Identification

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

6 New IPC Commissioner Has Unique Skill Set J&S Farms Inc.

Bruce Huffaker ................................................. napmn@napmn.com Market Report

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

Potato Growers of Washington

Brian Feist ...................................brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com

12 Pest Pressure Heats Up

Operations Manager, Advertising

Colorado Potato Beetle Insecticide Resistance Management During Warmer Than Normal Temperatures

16 Crop Protection Essentials Buyers' Guide

22 Potato Expo Zooms in on Industry Issues Potato Expo 2021

24 Foodservice Losses Reduce Total Potato Sales Potatoes USA

28 2021 Opportunities and Pitfalls

EDITORIAL INFORMATION Potato Country is interested in newsworthy material related to potato production and marketing.

Contributions from all segments of the industry are welcome. Submit news releases, new product submissions, stories and photos via email to: editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com.

ADVERTISING For information about advertising rates, mechanics, deadlines, copy submission, mailing, contract conditions and other information, call Dave Alexander at (208) 520-6461 or email dave@PotatoCountry.com.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION U.S. $24 per year / Canada $40 per year / Foreign $80 per year Subscriptions can be entered online at www.potatocountry.com or call (503) 724-3581.

Email address changes/corrections to brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com or send to Potato Country, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444.

Potato Country magazine (ISSN 0886-4780), is published eight times per year and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices.

It is produced by Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group. For information on reprints call (208) 520-6461.

Market Report

Editorial Board

Gary Roth

Chris Voigt

Potato Expo was a three-day online event this year. Read more about the virtual conference on page 22.

On The Cover Eric Jemmett and his partners at J&S Farms Inc. run a farm and consulting and research business in Parma, Idaho. See the story on page 6.

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Potato Country

February 2021

Executive Director

Executive Director

Washington State Potato Commission

Oregon Potato Commission

(509) 765-8845

(503) 239-4763

Departments 10 10 14 23 26 30

Disease Quiz Calendar Insect Quiz Spud Toons In the News PGW Column

Nina Zidack

Frank Muir

Jim Ehrlich

Montana Seed Potato Certification

Idaho Potato Commission

Colorado Potato Administrative Committee

Director

(406) 994-3150

President/CEO

(208) 334-2350

President/CEO

(719) 852-3322

Raise your grade with Nutrien’s CAN17. This fast-acting, easy to apply and highly effective fertilizer contains two forms of nitrogen that are designed for quick response and sustained feeding. With improved water penetration to meet the crop’s N requirements during key growth periods, it gives potatoes higher quality and greater yields for high-grade profits.

Ask your retailer for the original CAN17 from Nutrien, or visit liquidcropnutrients.com

Š 2020 Nutrien.

10/20-73962

New IPC Commissioner Has

Unique Skill Set Story and photos by Dave Alexander, Publisher

I

n addition to being a husband and father of soon to be eight kids, Eric Jemmett stays pretty busy around J&S Farms Inc. in Parma, Idaho. Like most growers, Jemmett wears several hats around his operation, including one that few others do; Jemmett, who is a newly appointed member of the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), is also a contract researcher.

Grower

J&S Farms grows potatoes, onions, carrots, beans, wheat and corn in an area that stretches 10 miles and 30 truckminutes end-to-end. The land, which is approximately half owned and half leased, is all used for row crops, none with pivots. Potatoes are irrigated with solid-set sprinklers.

The farm is operated by brothers Eric, Michael and Brian and cousin Jarom.

Each partner has his own specific function in the company. Eric keeps busy with managing potatoes and research; Michael manages employees, carrot seed and dry beans; Brian handles HR, bookkeeping and record-keeping; and Jarom manages onions and corn.

When it’s harvest time, however, everyone is on hand, jumps in and works hard.

“It’s one for all, all for one around here,” Eric Jemmett says.

J&S is a third-generation operation.

Jemmett’s grandfather Dale started the farm. He passed it to his sons Dell and Glen, who have now passed the farm to their sons. Dell and Glen still work in an advisory role, grooming their sons

Eric Jemmett digs up some Russet Burbanks that will be shipped to the Ore-Ida processing plant.

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February 2021

into an efficient workforce and operating equipment during the “all-for-one” harvest.

Like many farms, J&S struggles to find reliable labor. Luckily, the farm has a small but stable crew every year, many of the workers now in their 60s and 70s.

Hiring local younger seasonal workers is not working out well, though.

“We’re not hard people to work for,” Jemmett says.

But being amenable has not proven to attract dependable help.

Another one of the many challenges facing J&S Farms is the inherent uncertainty in the contracted spuds. The farm never has concrete contracts at the start of the season. Since J&S has no storage facility, all of its spuds are grown on a contract for the end user, Heinz.

Oregon Potato Company contracts, stores and ships the farm’s Russet Burbanks to the Ore-Ida production plant across the Snake River in Ontario, Oregon.

The problem is that contracts do not get formally signed until June or even July.

J&S commits to growing spuds on a verbal agreement, hoping those verbal promises turn into written contracts later in the season.

“Oregon Potato Company has been great to work with and has always honored its verbal commitment,” Jemmett says.

“Another challenge is from the beginning of production to the final retail market, farmers are the ones that receive the smallest market share for their potatoes and yet hold the greatest risk,” he adds.

Researcher

Jemmett has always been interested in crop research. While working toward his ag science and technology degree at Brigham Young University-Idaho, he got to know researchers and studied research techniques. Even before he finished his master’s degree at the University of Idaho, he realized that contract research could be incorporated in the farm.

“We had the ground and many crops, and I thought this will work well in conjunction with our farm,” he recalls.

He saw that universities were being overrun with research requests and recognized that they only have limited space for trials. In addition, chemical companies often have new products with unproven efficacy that they may not want to include in a published trial just yet.

With this knowledge in hand, Jemmett created Jemmett Consulting and Research, which he also manages. The contract research has allowed J&S to take the same acreage it had been working with and make more money per acre.

Jemmett says it takes a while to get established, though, because trust must be earned from potential clients.

He does crop research on a majority of the crops grown in the Treasure Valley, including potatoes, onions, wheat, dry beans, carrots, corn, sugar beets, hay, mint and hops, for many agriculture

It takes Eric Jemmett 30 minutes to drive from one end of J&S Farms to the other.

Eric Jemmett with J&S Farms Inc. is a grower, researcher and newly appointed member of the Idaho Potato Commission.

PotatoCountry.com

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companies including Gowan, Bayer, Syngenta and Corteva. Trial plots are set into production fields, giving Jemmett a research niche and real-world results, which his clients appreciate.

Commissioner

Jemmett was appointed to the Idaho Potato Commission in November 2020 to represent the grower sector for a threeyear stint. The nine-member commission is made up of Idaho potato growers, shippers and processors.

Before this appointment, he served as a voting delegate to the National Potato Council for three years.

He expects to capitalize on his research and growing experience to help the commission make smart decisions on where to invest crucial research dollars.

Ultimately, he hopes these dollars will go to projects that will increase production and improve agricultural practices to protect the land and growers.

The Jemmetts have several of these diesel-powered mobile filter stations for irrigation that they designed and had built by Clearwater Supply. The filters have computerized back-flushing.

Stay on target

Precision application control Don’t miss your shot at a great crop. Micro-Trak’s advanced measuring, monitoring, and control systems deliver the accuracy and dependability you need to hit your business goals.

Check out our full range of products at micro-trak.com.

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Potato Country

February 2021

(800)328-9613 Micro-Trak.com Trakmail@Micro-Trak.com

What’s under your crop is under your control.

You can’t see nematodes, but you can protect from their damage. Use Velum® Prime to protect your root and tuber crops from damage caused by nematodes.

Long-lasting and wide-spectrum nematode protection that also suppresses Early blight, Early dying and White mold.

Convenient in-season chemigation application.

Innovative chemistry: not a restricted use product.

Effectively manages nematodes, leading to an average increased yield of +41 CWT/A1 with an average increase in profits of $279/A.2

For more information, visit www.VelumPrime.com.

Trial conducted by Miller Research, Acequia, Idaho, 2015.

Average price per CWT based on USDA Crop Production 2017 Summary Report.

1

2

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Not all products are approved and registered in all states and may be subject to use restrictions. The distribution, sale, or use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. Check with your local product dealer or representative or U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency for the product registration status in your state. Bayer, Bayer Cross, and Velum® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.BayerCropScience.us. Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63167. ©2020 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

Know Your Potato Diseases

Disease Identification Quiz Dr. Jeff Miller Dr. Jeff Miller, a plant pathologist, is the president and CEO of Miller Research, Rupert, Idaho.

He can be contacted by phone: (208) 531-5124; cell: (208) 431-4420; jeff@millerresearch.com

Both of the stems in Photo A have symptoms of two different diseases. What are those diseases?

Photo B shows the inside of a potato stem affected by one of those diseases. Can you name which one?

A

B

The amethyst color present in that stem is also present on the stolon attached to the tuber in Photo C. What is the fungus that causes these symptoms?

C

Answers Page 25

Calendar PVX GIII

SEED INC.

l RUSSET BURBANK l RANGER RUSSET

l On-farm tissue culture laboratory and greenhouse facility for nuclear seed production l 4 year rotation on clean fields l Strict sanitation program throughout l Modern storage and handling facilities l Rigorous Spray Program

We are dedicated to providing you with consistent high quality, high yielding seed that you can depend on year after year.

You are cordially invited to stop by to see our facility.

Feb. 22–25

Potato D.C. Fly-in

Online hillaryh@nationalpotatocouncil.org

Mar. 8-11

Potatoes USA Annual Meeting Online Chelsea Gray, chelsea@potatoesusa.com

June 8

Ag World Golf Classic

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

June 10 David

Dan Tim

Tim Dan

Dan, Dave, Pat and Tim Lake

(406) 253-3638 (office), (406) 676-2175 (fax) e-mail - spudman@ronan.net 35822 Spring Creek Road l Ronan, MT 59864

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Potato Country

February 2021

Pat

Ag World Golf Classic

The Links at Moses Pointe, Moses Lake, Wash. www.agworldgolf.com Editor’s note: Information was correct at presstime.

Please contact event organizers to check for possible changes.

There’s only one move

to checkmate .

For a winning potato season, you have to be strategic. You are not only combatting diseases like Early blight and White mold for this season’s crop, but also fighting them for seasons to come. With Luna Tranquility® fungicide, you get two different modes of action with rotational and tankmixing capabilities. So, fight diseases year in and year out with Luna Tranquility.

Learn more at LunaPotatoGamePlan.com.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Not all products are approved and registered in all states and may be subject to use restrictions. The distribution, sale, or use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. Check with your local product dealer or representative or U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency for the product registration status in your state. Bayer, Bayer Cross, Luna,® and Luna Tranquility® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.BayerCropScience.us. Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63167. ©2021 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

PotatoCountry.com

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Pest Pressure Heats Up

Colorado Potato Beetle Insecticide Resistance Management During Warmer Than Normal Temperatures

By Zsofia Szendrei, Michigan State University Vegetable Entomology

D

uring the 2020 growing season, I heard from many vegetable growers with complaints about higher than normal insect pest pressure in different crops. Unusually high insect numbers can be the result of warmer than normal winter temperatures leading to high overwintering survival.

In recent years, fewer areas have experienced extreme cold winter temperatures, and 2020 marked the Earth’s hottest recorded January average temperature. In Michigan, for example, daily lows and highs for December 2019 through March 2020 were 5 degrees Fahrenheit above normal (Table 1).

Colorado Potato Beetles

What does this mean for overwintering success of Colorado potato beetles? All insects depend completely on ambient temperature for their development and survival during overwintering. Entomologists have discovered that overwintering Colorado potato beetles survive better when soil temperatures do not drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and that beetles tend to remain in the top 10 inches of soil if winter temperatures are warmer, instead of having to expend energy to dig deeper. Sudden cold exposures, during a polar vortex, for example, can drastically decrease overwintering beetle numbers.

So, this past winter’s warmer than normal temperatures likely caused high overwintering success. This means plenty of insects emerged in the spring to cause issues.

During overwintering, ground cover can provide insulation against cold. In previous research trials at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, survival of hibernating Colorado potato beetles was increased when snow or mulch covers were left on the soil surface. When mulch was removed from areas where beetles were overwintering, simulating the lack of snow insulation, their mortality increased. Thus, any fluctuations or reductions in winter temperatures that drop temperature in the soil layers where overwintering beetles are located will contribute to reducing beetle emergence in the spring.

In addition, abundant volunteer potato emergence after a warmer than normal winter will provide emerging beetles in the spring with ample food. Thus, volunteer potato control is an important priority.

Not only did we experience some of the warmest winter temperatures in 2020, but a warmer than normal growing season followed. Because Colorado potato beetles develop more quickly when it’s hotter, they can complete an additional generation when temperatures are higher than normal during the growing season.

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Adult Colorado potato beetles become active in spring, about the time potato plants emerge.

Table 1. Average temperatures in Michigan December 2019-March 2020 and comparison to historic average (normal) Source: Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Average Month Temp. (ºF) December 28.4 January 27 February 23.6 March 35

Insecticide Resistance

Normal (ºF) 24.9 19.7 22.1 31

Colorado potato beetles are notorious for their ability to develop insecticide resistance, meaning that they are not killed when an insecticide is sprayed because the beetles are able to overcome the toxin in the insecticide.

Insecticide resistance and warm temperatures are related in several ways: • Insecticide resistance and heat tolerance can be cross resistant. This happens when these two share underlying genetics and thus, insects survive both stresses.

• On the flipside, insects can be more susceptible to insecticides when temperatures are higher than normal because they can’t handle the two stresses at the same time well.

• Overwintering insects that experience stable, warmer than normal winter temperatures will come out of hibernation with a stronger immune system that can combat the toxin in insecticides more effectively.

• Shorter generation times and higher numbers of insects due to warm temperatures can speed up the selection for resistant insects.

• Insecticide efficacy is lower due to a change in the rate of breakdown of chemicals. This exposes insects to sub-lethal doses, thus speeding the development of resistant populations.

Currently, it is unclear which, if any, of these mechanisms are present in Colorado potato beetles, but proper insecticide resistance management is even more important in years like 2020. In order to slow down the development of insecticide resistance in Colorado potato beetles, it is recommended that insecticide classes are rotated.

The National Potato Council offers the following guidelines for Colorado potato beetle insecticide resistance management.

• If a neonicotinoid insecticide (Group 4A) was applied at planting, either in furrow or as a seed treatment, do not use a foliar neonicotinoid insecticide later in the season.

• Crop rotation with a minimum of one-quarter mile between successive plantings is especially important for management of Colorado potato beetle.

• Apply insecticides only when necessary.

• Use scouting, sampling procedures and action thresholds.

• Preserve natural controls by using selective insecticides when possible.

• Spot treat when feasible (e.g. field edges); this can also be aided by using a potato trap crop.

• Do not apply insecticides below labeled or recommended rates. Application of sub-lethal rates of any insecticide may result in poor product performance, insect damage to the crop and an increased risk of resistance development.

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Insect Biology Quiz

This material is provided courtesy of Andy Jensen, Ph.D., Manager of the Northwest Potato Research Consortium. For more information, visit www.nwpotatoresearch.com.

Dr. Andy Jensen

A During planting and preparations for it – both in potatoes and other crops – insects might be seen in or on the soil. Some of these are potential pests; others are beneficial predators of pests. Recognizing common insects in both categories can help avoid or alleviate anxiety this time of year. Here are photos of three common insects living in and on soil.

1. What is each insect?

2. Is each insect a beneficial predator or a potential pest?

C

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Potato Country

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Answers on page 26

B

Apply less, expect more?

It’s time for a crop nutrition plan that gets more return from every drop.

Get custom-calibrated formulas and complete agronomic support for the nutrients you need and the quality potatoes you want. Every step of the way, AgroLiquid has precisely what it takes to help you succeed like never before.

Find an AgroLiquid dealer near you.

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Pro-Germinator®, Sure-K® and Kalibrate® are registered trademarks and LiberateCa is a trademark of AgroLiquid. © 2020 AgroLiquid. All Rights Reserved.

PotatoCountry.com

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Crop Protection Essentials A constant battle exists between growers and Mother Nature. It's not just the weather, but disease and insects that put up a fight, as well. To knock out the opponents and grow a healthy crop, check out our Crop Protection Essentials Buyers' Guide.

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Potato Country

February 2021

Agri-Stor Companies www.agri-stor.com SmartBlock

SmartBlock is a post-harvest sprout inhibitor that achieves extended sprout control in stored potatoes. It can be fogged directly into potato storage units. SmartBlock works great alone, but can also be combined with other sprout inhibitor products. It effectively burns off “peeping” or even fully-sprouted tubers and restores dormancy.

Agri-Stor is an experienced SmartBlock applicator.

Bayer

www.cropscience.bayer.us Minuet Fungicide

Minuet is a soil-applied biological from Bayer Crop Science. In the soil, it forms a symbiosis with the plant and triggers activation of root and plant growth as well as the plant defense response to support healthy plants and increased crop quality and yield potential. When applied to the root zone, Minuet colonizes the roots and helps enhance root growth, increase nutrient uptake by solubilizing nutrients bound in the soil, protect the plant, and prime the plant against biotic and abiotic stress.

WHO CARES THAT IT INCREASES YIELD? ASK THE ONE WHO COUNTS ON EVERY BAG PER ACRE.

It’s easy to use popup fertilizer and get excellent in-furrow disease control to increase yield with AZteroid® FC 3.3 and Xyler™ FC. They mix perfectly with many additives to get your crop off to its best start.

Learn more about yield boosting potential at vivecrop.com/potatoes Always read and follow label instructions. ® ™ Trademarks of Vive Crop Protection Inc.

PotatoCountry.com

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Crop Protectio BASF

www.agriculture.basf.us/crop-protection/ products/provysol.html Provysol Fungicide

Provysol fungicide from BASF is the first and only isopropanol azole on the market, making it a unique disease control option for potato growers. Designed for low-growing crops where disease pressure is usually high and multiple effective fungicides are often needed, this FRAC group 3 fungicide works in areas where resistance to chemistries from Groups 7 and 11 exists.

The unique properties of Provysol fungicide protect potatoes against early blight, brown spot and black dot, helping improve both crop yield and quality. It is formulated to quickly penetrate leaves and form reservoirs where it’s deployed into the plant slowly and effectively.

The slow release from these reservoirs is why Provysol has good residual activity and is recommended for early application.

Provysol fungicide is available for the 2021 growing season but may not be approved in all states.

Disinfecting Services LLC www.disinfectingservices.net Harvest 6.0

Harvest 6.0 is an EPA-registered and OMRI-listed versatile sanitizer and disinfectant that utilizes two powerful active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid. Both of these elements working together strengthens the product’s ability to eliminate and protect against fungus and bacteria in a combination that is both effective and environmentally friendly.

This is one of the strongest disinfectants on the market labeled for potatoes, onions and other crops including seed potatoes. It is also an effective disinfectant for equipment and cleaning storage facilities. Harvest 6.0 helps to control bacterial soft rot, ring rot, early blight, Fusarium dry rot, silver scurf and late blight.

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on Essentials Drexel Chemical Company www.drexchem.com Me-Too-Lachlor II

Me-Too-Lachlor II is a selective herbicide for residual control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds, such as barnyard grass, crabgrass, foxtail, kochia, mallow, nightshade, pigweed, purslane, sandbur, yellow nutsedge and waterhemp. Apply either incorporated, pre-emergence or after hilling/lay-by, alone or in combination with metribuzin, linuron, pendimethalin, or pendimethalin + EPTC.

Decay Control Storage Solutions JETAG

Jet Harvest Solutions

• PATENTED post harvest chemistry for year round storage sanitation • Apply as a thermal fog into potato storages • Kills and reduces bacteria and fungal spores on contact

www.jetharvest.com

BioSave

BETTER TOPS BIGGER ROOTS

• 20+ years of proven results for post harvest Jet-Ag is a peroxyacetic acid (PAA) broad-disease control spectrum fungicide, bactericide and • Spray biological fungicide algaecide. The Jet-Ag special patented onto spuds going into storage process superheats and produces a special fog, which is the • Controls fusarium dry rot and silver scurf diseases vaporization of the solution into the air. This patented process of super-oxides and hydroxyl radicals kill all microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and viruses, such as Rhizopus rot and black rot, on contact.

Fogging Jet-Ag provides broad-spectrum efficacy against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, fungi, yeast, molds and food spoilage micro-organisms. The product acts as a surface sanitizer and produces a dry fog, keeping 1-407-523-7842 • 1-877-866-5773 potatoes dry. Its desiccant action dries wounds • www.jetharvest.com and sets skin. Treatment takes about four hours.

Jet-Ag

MORE POTATOES a lot more Both Products are WSDA Organic Certified

&

Low, economi cal rates of L-Ami no Aci ds and a balan c ed mi cronutri ent package w i ll allow the plant to focus on flower and frui t producti on, i ncreasi ng yi eld and qual i t y. . .

ThePotatoPodcast.com

THE EUROPEAN SECRET TO A HEALTHY YIELD

4 8 0 - 3 6 1 - 1 3 0 0 | W W W. F E R T I C E L L U S A . C O M PotatoCountry.com

19

Crop Protectio

Liphatech

www.liphatech.com Pest Control Products

Liphatech has a long history of advancing the science of rodent management through research and product innovation. Combining advanced technology with high levels of customer service and technical support, Liphatech delivers solutions that allow growers, landowners and certified applicators to achieve cost-effective management of rodent populations. With over 50 years of combined hands-on knowledge and experience, the Liphatech ag team can provide tips and tools to manage ground squirrels, pocket gophers, rats, mice and voles.

Liphatech specializes in servicing agricultural field and animal health markets with a product line that includes FastDraw, Revolver, Rozol, Hombre, BootHill, Cannon and Renegade rodenticides, as well as Aegis tamper-resistant bait stations. Bait formulations include soft bait, treated grains, manufactured mini-blocks, bulk pellets and pellet-place-packs.

Rozol is a restricted use pesticide.

NovaSource

www.novasource.com Sectagon & Linex

Sectagon soil fumigant (metam sodium) is an important tool for producing high quality, high value potato crops. When facing soil-borne pests, Sectagon provides effective, economical suppression of weeds, diseases and nematodes. Sectagon can be applied using soil injection, soil bedding or chemigation methods.

Recent field studies by NovaSource to track product movement in the soil have uncovered useful insights into best use practices for Sectagon, including the importance of moisture in the soil profile at the time of application to enhance product efficacy.

For potato growers facing resistant weeds, Linex is a valuable Group 7 herbicide (linuron). The overuse of certain herbicides has led to the spread of dozens of biotypes of resistant weeds such as kochia, lambsquarter, pigweed and nightshade.

Linex provides broad-spectrum control of dozens of tough grasses and broadleaf weeds while providing a different mode of action versus ALS-inhibitor (Group 2) or triazine-based (Group 5) herbicides. Using Linex as a pre-emergence alternative can enable greater flexibility to apply a different mode of action for in-season use.

Oro Agri

www.oroagriusa.com ORO-RZ

ORO-RZ adjuvant improves the efficacy of soil-applied pesticides and nutrients.

When tank mixed with pre-emergent herbicides, it improves soil hydraulic conductivity, even in hydroscopic soils, to move the herbicide solution into soil pore spaces to lay down a uniform barrier of herbicide protection. ORO-RZ, when applied with nutrients such as Nanocal, distributes the application uniformly throughout the soil profile, boosting efficient uptake by the root system.

Syngenta

www.syngenta.com Elatus Fungicide

Potato growers will find Elatus fungicide to provide enhanced, early-season control of soil-borne diseases. The application of Elatus in-furrow at planting for the control of Rhizoctonia, black dot and silver scurf, has been shown to suppress Verticillium levels (2ee label recommendation).

Use as a management tool in combination with the use of resistant potato varieties, fertility and irrigation management (optimum phosphorus and potassium soil concentrations and avoiding water stress after flowering), crop rotation (green manure crops) and fumigation for best results.

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Potato Country

February 2021

on Essentials Terramera

www.tryrango.com Rango

Potato growers now have a new tool for control of insects and diseases in one application. Rango is a highly effective solution for controlling pests on vegetable and fruit crops, providing protection against insects, mites and fungal pathogens from start to harvest.

Field trials have demonstrated efficacy in controlling insects such as aphids, thrips, beetles, lepidoptera species and spider mites, as well as diseases such as powdery mildew, downy mildew and Botrytis.

Rango controls target pests on contact or by ingestion. It offers multiple modes of action as an anti-feedant, insect repellent, growth regulator and fungal growth inhibitor.

Rango is OMRI-listed and classified as a “NC” FRAC Code – no known resistance, making it an excellent rotation or tank partner in IPM programs for organic and conventional operations.

Vive Crop Protection

www.vivecrop.com/products/xyler-fc www.vivecrop.com/products/azteroid-fc-3-3 Xyler FC & AZteroid FC 3.3

Xyler FC is a metalaxyl fungicide that provides the same proven control of pink rot and Pythium leak as other metalaxyl products, but with added convenience. Xyler FC can be mixed with liquid fertilizer (in-furrow or foliar), other chemistry, micronutrients and hard water.

AZteroid FC 3.3 provides plant health benefits and disease control, resulting in higher yield and higher quality. AZteroid FC 3.3 is an azoxystrobin fungicide that does not require blending agents or extra equipment. It provides proven control of Rhizoctonia diseases and can be mixed with liquid fertilizer (in-furrow or foliar), other chemistry, micronutrients and hard water.

A combination of Xyler FC with AZteroid FC 3.3 provides control of pink rot, Pythium leak and Rhizoctonia that’s easy to use – even through a pivot.

All Vive Crop Protection products contain the Allosperse delivery system. This new technology changes how proven active ingredients behave in the spray tank, preventing clogged nozzles and gummed-up lines. It eliminates the need for bulky and expensive equipment, requires fewer passes over the field, and delivers higher yield and quality.

Russet Seed Available for 2021 Crop Season! Call and Reserve Your Seed Order With Us Today!

Clean Seed Grown in Complete Isolation!

“We only sell what we strive to grow…the best”

505.787.7054 • www.sanacacioseed.com • 719.588.0131 PotatoCountry.com

21

Potato Expo Zooms in on Industry Issues

T

asked with converting the annual Potato Expo into an online event, organizers tried to deliver the type of education and entertainment attendees expect from Expo, this time virtually.

Organizers made the call to cancel the in-person event and instead host a virtual conference for the first time due to the travel challenges imposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 1,000 potato industry members joined Potato Expo online Jan. 5-7. Throughout the three days, growers and supply chain members tuned in to the educational programming and virtual trade show to do business and prepare their operations for the future.

Potato Expo 2021 addressed pressing issues ranging from evolving consumer trends as a response to the pandemic to an increased focus on sustainability efforts.

The event featured sessions on how COVID-19 is impacting the industry’s

ability to get potatoes into the mouths of consumers, how changes in the political landscape are impacting the industry’s policy and trade efforts and how changes in farming technology are helping the industry innovate.

The Let’s Get Cooking Competition hosted by Chef Joel Gamoran featured potato growers from across the country competing virtually to produce the most appetizing potato croquettes. At the end of the hour, judges selected Steve, Jill and Paul Streich from Kalispell, Montana, as the winners of the competition.

Expo attendees can access the recorded sessions through March 31. Nonattendees interested in viewing the hours of on-demand content can still register at www.potato-expo.com.

Potato Expo 2022 is planned for Jan. 5-6 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

National Potato Council COO Mike Wenkel (top center) leads a panel discussion via Zoom during the opening day of Potato Expo 2021.

22

Potato Country

February 2021

Jill and Steve Streich with Streich Farms in Kalispell, Mont. show off their winning potato croquettes in Potato Expo's Let's Get Cooking Competition.

Katie and April Strohauer with Strohauer Farms in La Salle, Colo. prepare potato croquettes during Expo's cooking contest.

Photo courtesy Amber Strohauer

Spud Toons

by Jonny Hawkins

PILERS

2007 Milestone 42” all belt, 230 3ph remote 2000 Wemco 36” all belt, 480 3ph, remote 1993 Double L 831 All belt Elev., 36”x49’ Tel. 230 volt 3ph 1992 Double L 811 30” BC Elev. x 49’Tel., remote 1990 DL 811 30” BC Elev. x 49’Tel. 3ph Remote 1986 Spudnik 36”x 36mm BC 48’ Tel Boom 220 V 1ph 1985 DL 813 BC Elev. 30”x49’Tel. 3ph 1984 Spudnik 450 36” 3ph all belt Remote

DIRT ELIMINATOR W/ SIZER 2000 Double 878 DE 78” 3ph flip down 72” sizer 1997 Double 807 Dirt Elim. 62” BC 3ph Stingers 72” Sizer

DIRT ELIMINATOR ONLY

2000 Spudnik 900 60” 230 volt 3ph 97 DL 807 62” BC with 3 stingers 3ph 1984 DL 806 44” BC with 2 stingers 3ph

CROSSOVERS/WINDROWERS 2006 Lockwood 554 LH 2008 Spudnik 6140 RH 2006 Double L 851 4 row RH 2000 Double L 851 4 row LH 1999 Double L 851 4 row RH 1998 Double L 851 Four Row RH 1982 Logan 2 row

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

1993 Spudnik 1800 600cwt 48” Elev. 3ph 1996 Double L 860 600 cwt 3ph 1986 Milestone 90cwt 30”Elev.Auto fill 3ph VFD Milestone 30cwt tilt belt 3ph VFD Milestone 30cwt 3ph VFD

STINGERS

BEDS

SEED CUTTERS

SCOOPERS

2014 Logan Trac Pro 10’ x 30” x 10’ belt 3ph 2013 Logan Tele. 36” x 5’ telescope 230 3ph 2002 Spudik 2200 30” Double L 36” x 12’ all belted chain 3ph Double L 832 BC 30” fingers 1984 Spudnik 2200 Belt 30” x 8’ 3ph x 2 Shop built 30”/36” x 65’ 480 V 3ph Double L 810 30” x 50’ 3ph Spudnik 1200 TC 24” x 50’ 220 V 1ph

U P

2014 Spudnik 1295 42” x 25’ tip down & Scale Double L 809 30” x 38’ 3ph x 10 Double L 808 30” x 25’ 3ph x 4 Spudnik 1200 24” x 20’ 3ph Spudnik 1200 30” x 40’ 3ph

S

SIZER ONLY

2000 Spudnik 925 72” 3ph 480 Volt 1996 Spudnik 925 72” 3ph 480 Volt 1991 Spudnik 910 60” 3ph 480 volt

EVEN FLOWS

U Q

TRAILERS

Trinity 53’ 3 axle All Stainless new bin 25” chain

TRUCKS/TRUCKS & BEDS 2007 Mack 330hp Allison Auto x 5 1999 Mack EZ350 10spd 4.17 ratio w/ 2012 Logan LP24 PTO 1991 GMC TopKick Cat 215hp, auto w/ 03 Spudnik 20’ EZ tarp 1989 IH 4900 DT466, Auto w/ 06 Spudnik 20’ EZ tarp

EN

M IP

2012 Double L 901 20’ 3ph elec. /roll tarp 2011 Double L 901 20’ 3ph elec. /roll tarp 2010 Spudnik 4200 20’ Elec w/EZ tarp 2008 Spudnik 4200 20’ Elec w/EZ tarp 1999 Spudnik 2100 20’ PTO 1999 Spudnik 2100 24’ PTO 2000 Double L 20’ Elec dual drive Double L 22’ reconditioned w/ Dual drive Elec.

1984 Logan SB20 Electric

E D

CONVEYORS - TELESCOPIC

CONVEYORS - STRAIGHT

2014 Spudnik 991 72” Multi Sep /Air Sep

2013 Milestone 72” 3ph 2000 Milestone 60” 1ph 2000 Better Built 46520 60” 3ph 1996 Milestone 48” 1ph 1993 Milestone 36” 1ph

TREATERS

New Excel 10” combo liquid & dust 2008 Milestone 42” Duster 1998 Milestone 36” Duster 1996 Milestone 36” Duster

PLANTERS

2013 Spudnik 8069 bed planter 9 units in 6 row frame pull with steering 2007 Gruse Bed planter 4 row off set hitch 1996 Lockwood 6 row pick mechanical 1995 Kverneland 4 row 3200 – 36”

PLANTER/TARE/PILER

New Logan 36” Tare Piler 3ph VFD 1975 Milestone Cutter to Truck piler

New Logan Yield Pro 6 row 36” Water Dammer

M O

SHREDDER/VINE BEATERS/ POWER HILLER

C .

T

HARVESTERS

2013 Lockwood 474 4 row 2012 Double L 965 3 row w/Multi-sep table 2009 Double L 953 4 row 2009 Spudnik 6400 2007 Double L 853 2005 Spudnik 6400 bunker, Hyd Assist drive wheels 2004 Double L 873 2001 Spudnik 6400

ROCK/CLOD/ELIMINATORS

WATER DAMMERS

1986 Loftness 4 row 36” Steel rollers

MISC.

Scooper belly dump unloader attachment Mayo Scooper belly dump unloader attachement Harriston 12 row Marker Semi mount Shop Built 8 row folding Marker 3-point

WAREHOUSE/PACKAGING

Tri Steel felt dryer 60” x 18’6”L 4 brushes 26 felt drying rolllers Mayo 60” x 8 ‘ flat table washer 18- 6” brushes & spray bar Kerian 60” wide sizer 2- Steel flumes 30” wide by 50’ long 2- Tri Steel 6” flume pumps 1000 gpm 10hp Flat conveyor 36” W x 40’ L 2014 Odenburg model Halo 2000 80” 1000 cwt warehouse Even flow with tilt conveyor Mayo 24” x 53’ Telescopic Van Loader conveyor Mayo 30” Elevating conveyor to Van Loader Kerian 60” sizer Portable Washer with brushes, pumps, holding tank on wheels 2008 Mayo single Tote bag filler Rolling table 30” x 11’

NOT COMPLETE LIST. CHECK SPUDEQUIPMENT.COM OR CALL

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PotatoCountry.com

23

Potatoes USA

Foodservice Losses Reduce Total Potato Sales

By John Toaspern, Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USA With everything that occurred this past year, it is very important for us to understand what has happened to the sales of potatoes in the U.S. market and how the crop was utilized. Based on an analysis of potatoes and products sold at retail and foodservice, and accounting for the volume of U.S. exports and imports, there was a 5 percent decline in the utilization of potatoes grown in the U.S. during the July 2019 – June 2020 marketing year (MY20).

Despite the 9 percent increase in sales through retail, the decline occurred due to the 13 percent decrease in sales to the foodservice sector and 2 percent decrease in exports. In terms of utilization of the U.S. crop, the decline was further compounded by a 7 percent increase in imports. It is important to note that this decline occurred at the end of the marketing year. Sales to foodservice, retail and exports, were up for the July – December 2019 period.

Frozen continues to be the largest use of U.S. grown potatoes, accounting for 40 percent, with fresh at 25 percent and chips at 23 percent. During MY20, chips picked up two percentage points, one from frozen and one from fresh, while dehydrated remained at 8 percent.

For about the last 10 years, foodservice sales have been accounting for a greater and greater share of total potato sales in the U.S., peaking at 58 percent in marketing year 2019. This upward trend was reversed in MY20, with the foodservice share dropping to 53 percent of the total.

The spike in retail sales of potatoes this past spring was remarkable, with increased sales continuing. In fact, total potato sales from mid-March through Nov. 1 were up 20 percent over the same period in 2019.

For the marketing year, retail sales were up 8.7 percent, an increase of 1.3 million pounds. From a percentage 24

Potato Country

February 2021

RETAIL SALES BY PRODUCT MY19 Million Lbs. FWE

MY20 Million Lbs. FWE

% Change

Fresh

4,600

5,035

9.5%

Chips Dehy

5,954 883

6,278 1,017

5.5% 15.2%

Frozen

2,151

2,479

15.3%

503 253

551 231

9.4% -8.6%

89

101

13.0%

249 14,681

266 15,958

7.0% 8.7%

Refrigerated RTE Canned Focused Products Total

4

MY20 SALES & UTILIZATION REPORT

TOTAL U.S. POTATO UTILIZATION MY 20: Fresh Weight Equivalent

15,958

17,873

7,082

6,351

34,562

Retail

FS

Exports

Imports

Total

+8.7%

-12.6%

-2.4%

+6.7%

-5.2%

YOY

YOY

YOY

YOY

YOY

Source: Marketing Year 20 Sales & Utilization Report, Potatoes USA

2020 PLANNING MEETING - Domestic Marketing

1

FOODSERVICE SALES BY PRODUCT MY20 Million Lbs. FWE 3,497

% Change

Fresh

MY19 Million Lbs. FWE 4,336

Chips

1,500

1,310

-12.7%

Dehy

1,290

1,103

-14.5%

Frozen

12,577

11,311

-10.1%

757

652

-13.9%

20,459

17,873

-12.6%

Refrigerated Total

-19.3%

MY20 SALES & UTILIZATION REPORT

perspective, frozen and dehydrated saw the largest growth, both with an increase of over 15 percent. Potato chips, the largest volume category at retail, increased by 5.5 percent. And fresh was up by 9.5 percent for the marketing year.

Within fresh sales, russets increased by 10

5

percent, yellows increased by 13 percent, and whites increased by 16 percent. The only decline was for reds, which were down by 5 percent due to supply issues.

The disruption in foodservice sales was truly unprecedented but was also very uneven, impacting sales of fries at

quick-service restaurants the least. The hardest hit was the “beyond restaurant” sector, made up of cafeterias, hotels, leisure activities and other institutions.

This carried over an uneven impact on the sales of potato types and products to foodservice for the marketing year ending in June. With limited-service restaurants being impacted the least, sales of frozen product were only down by 10 percent.

However, since full-service restaurants suffered a much greater decline in sales, fresh sales to foodservice were down by 19 percent.

With so much uncertainty remaining in the marketplace and the timing and pace of recovery very much up in the air, Potatoes USA will continue to monitor and report on the market in our weekly emails. Please visit www.potatoesusa.com for the latest Sales and Utilization report and a library of other market research insights.

UTILIZATION BY PRODUCT FROZEN

FRESH

CHIPS

DEHY

40%

25%

23%

8%

REFRIG

READY TO EAT

CANNED

3%

0.8%

0.2%

Source: Marketing Year 20 Sales & Utilization Report, Potatoes USA

2020 PLANNING MEETING - Domestic Marketing

2

Decades of killer hits like...

Know Your Disease Answers (from page 10)

• Rozol Ground Squirrel Bait* • Rozol Prairie Dog Bait* • Rozol Burrow Builder*

Our fanbase uses Rozol for rodent challenges because we’ve been listening and collaborating with them for 50 years. We help clean up farms and ranches with the most knowledgeable agricultural rodent control team in the industry and a catalogue of products that are as forward-thinking today as when they first hit the scene.

On both stems in Photo A, the lesions on the left are symptoms of Rhizoctonia canker caused by Rhizoctonia solani. The lesions on the right are symptoms of black dot caused by Colletotrichum coccodes. Both diseases can cause lesions on stems, but look different.

Rhizoctonia lesions tend to appear earlier in the season, and black dot lesions appear later.

The symptoms in both Photos B and C are symptoms of black dot.

The amethyst color on stems and stolons is characteristic of black dot, as is the “pigtail” stolon adhering to the tuber in Photo C. The application of strobilurin fungicides prior to or at row closure has been the most effective way to reduce Colletotrichum infection in the foliage. However, the link between foliar symptoms and underground stem or tuber symptoms has not been demonstrated by research.

• Rozol Pocket Gopher Bait • Rozol Vole Bait* • Rozol Pellets

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PotatoCountry.com

25

R ITE T RACE Advanced Track & Trace System

Tracks from known locations in the field to precise layers and areas in storage

NEW!

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Fully-automated traceability solution. Generates detailed Field and Bin Maps.

Click on loads to pop up details and reports. n Provides clear links between field and storage g track quality characteristics and provide transparency to buyers and processors. n Provides data for efficiency analyses and a variety of management reports. n

In the News

Teleos Ag Solutions Begins Distributing Telone

Teleos Ag Solutions is the new global distributor of Telone. Teleos Ag Solutions is a newly formed company, founded in June 2020 to be Dow’s exclusive, worldwide distribution and marketing partner for Telone.

Telone is a pre-plant soil fumigant for control of all major species of nematodes including the four main nematodes that infect potatoes: rootknot, root-lesion, stubby-root and sting.

Teleos took over marketing and distribution Jan. 1.

Teleos has global reach, with distribution in the U.S., Japan, European Union, Africa, Australia and countries throughout Latin America.

The company is working closely with Dow, which remains the product registrant.

from FIELD

to TRUCK

Know Your Insects Answers

to DETAILED MAPS

(from page 14)

to STORAGE

Potato Country February 2021 519-669-4698•greentronics.com

26

Photo A is a predatory ground beetle (family Carabidae), one of a few species common in Northwest potato production systems.

Photo B is a group of wireworms from a potato (family Elateridae). These are pests of potatoes and other crops, feeding on roots and tubers.

Photo C is a predatory rove beetle (family Staphylinidae). Rove beetles might look wingless, but their wings are actually tightly folded under the shiny “elytra” covering the thorax.

Potato LEAF Reaches Funding Goal, Plans New Event The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (LEAF) has achieved its inaugural fundraising goal of $2 million. Launched at Potato Expo 2020, Potato LEAF was created to provide tools and training to develop growers and industry members as leaders.

Within the foundation, the Founders Society acknowledges the inaugural contributors and recognizes donors of $10,000 or more. The board of directors has extended the opportunity to become a member of the Founders Society. Pledges can now be made through Dec. 31, 2021, with fulfillment by Dec. 31, 2023.

Potato LEAF has also created a new continuing education program for graduates of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI). The Institute Alumni Summit will take place virtually July 13-15 and will provide PILI alumni with training on leadership skills, conflict management and boosting team morale.

2020 Ends With Continued Potato Retail Sales Growth

Record potato retail sales continued from October to December 2020, according to the latest stats reported by Potatoes USA. All three months saw an increase in both dollar and volume sales, with the largest growth in December. Total store potato sales grew 9.3 percent in volume and 12.3 percent in value.

While all categories except deli-prepared sides grew in dollars and volume sales, dehydrated potatoes had the largest growth in both. Frozen, refrigerated, dehydrated and canned potatoes increased by double-digits in dollars and volume compared to the same time a year ago. The fresh potato category at retail also showed record growth of 12 percent in dollar sales and 8.2 percent in volume sales.

Ellsworth Buys Siddoway

Potato seed brokerage company Ellsworth Potato Services LLC has purchased the brokerage and commercial seed cutting operation of Siddoway Inc. Both companies are located in Rexburg, Idaho.

Siddoway Inc., owned and operated by Thane Siddoway, has served seed buyers and sellers since 1986. Ellsworth Potato Services LLC is owned and operated by Paul Ellsworth. Siddoway and Ellsworth have worked together for the past five years.

Thane Siddoway will join Ellsworth and continue to build the existing brokerage accounts. Paul Ellsworth will take over the brokerage as well as the commercial seed cutting operation in Rexburg.

PotatoCountry.com

27

Market Report

2021 Opportunities and “Change equals opportunity.”

That slogan of a now-defunct brokerage firm for which I worked many years ago carries a great deal of wisdom.

As the 2021 planting season approaches, potato growers are facing more uncertainty than they have in many years. The changes that have occurred during the past nine months are mindboggling. More change is in the works. Change does bring opportunities, but it also creates risk for those who cannot or choose not to adapt. In this article, we explore some of the opportunities and risks facing the potato industry in 2021.

Everyone is longing for the “normal” that existed prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, though conditions are likely to improve as vaccines roll out and the virus abates, things will never be the same as they were before. The growth in online shopping may slow, but it is unlikely that consumers will return to pre-pandemic shopping patterns. Many people will continue to work at home, at least part of the time. Consumers are likely to flock back to restaurants, but there will be a lot fewer to choose from, at least until entrepreneurs see opportunities to replace those that were forced out of business by the pandemic.

28

Potato Country

February 2021

Opportunities

The rebound from COVID-19 is creating several opportunities for the potato industry. Growth in domestic French fry sales is resuming. Global demand for frozen potato products should rebound. Consumers will be hungry for new ways to prepare and eat potatoes, both at home and when dining out. That creates opportunities for fresh, frozen, dehydrated and potato chip offerings.

The recovery from last year’s slump appears to be most advanced in the quickservice restaurant (QSR) sector. For the 12 months ending Nov. 30, domestic French fry consumption only declined by 2.9 percent. Sales were extremely strong from December through February before cratering during the spring. The rebound may have slowed with the resurgence of COVID-19 this winter, but QSRs have started to reintroduce limited time offers, suggesting confidence in the current demand situation. Further expansion is in the works.

As full-service restaurants are allowed to reopen, the growth in demand for French fries will accelerate. Demand for table potatoes used in foodservice operations (particularly russet count cartons and B-size red potatoes) should improve. However, the tradeoff may be a reduction in potato sales through retail grocery outlets. The challenge for the table potato market will be to produce the product mix that meets the shifting demand profile for fresh potato products.

Global demand for French fries also should rebound as the pandemic abates.

Sales had been growing an average of 6.5 percent per year for several years prior to the pandemic. The pandemic induced a 5.8 percent decline in sales during the year ending Sept. 30. That is the first downturn in sales recorded since before the turn of the century. Exports from the 2021 crop would have to increase by 16.5

percent, relative to 2019-crop sales, to get back on trend. The pandemic should be mostly under control by the time the 2021 crop is harvested; however, the economic fallout could continue to have a negative impact on the global French fry market into 2022.

Pitfalls

Along with the opportunities for the coming year, there are several hazards to navigate. Processors are being extremely cautious with commitments for 2021 contract volumes. Fryers may shift more production from the U.S. to Canada, as well as favoring some U.S. growing areas over others. Europe may capture the lion’s share of the growth in the global French fry market. European product is likely to make additional inroads in the U.S. market. Government purchases of potatoes for feeding programs are likely to decline as the U.S. economy rebounds.

Sales of some products could decline as consumers shift back (at least partially) to pre-pandemic patterns of at-home versus away-from-home dining.

The industry should take advantage of any opportunities that the shifting demand environment for potatoes presents.

However, it is important that individual players recognize the opportunities and challenges that are unique to their operations. They should seek to take advantage of any opportunity that they can control, but betting on the behavior of other players to open opportunities is a risk not worth taking.

The fryers’ conservative approach to contracting for the 2021 potato crop may encourage some growers to plant open potatoes, betting that the industry will need to tap the open market to cover raw product needs. While fryers may come up short on raw product, there is no guarantee that the needs will mesh with the open potatoes produced. Fryers have

Pitfalls proven to be adept at shifting production, supplies and finished-product sales to minimize open purchases of raw product, particularly if they must pay more than the contract price for the potatoes. If they do not need the open potatoes, the grower’s only choice is to find an alternative market for the potatoes, which ends up depressing prices for table potatoes, creating losses on both the open potatoes intended to be used for French fries and for table potato growers, in general.

Growers should seek to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves; however, when doing so, they should assess their ability to control the opportunity as well as the risks involved.

They need to consider the continuing uptrend for potato yields. Though demand may be improving for some sectors, yields continue to increase faster than demand for potatoes. That means that, over time, the industry either needs to cut back on potato acreage or it needs to find new uses for potatoes.

Growers are likely to plant more potatoes in 2021 than they did in 2020. The increases will be driven by processing contract volume increases.

Nevertheless, there is a strong risk that growers will plant more potatoes than will be needed. Though current prices for open potatoes are below breakeven levels, growers are optimistic that the situation will improve as the pandemic abates.

However, they may be overestimating the strength of the rebound and underestimating the potential for yields to increase.

By Bruce Huffaker, Publisher North American Potato Market News

HUFFAKER'S HIGHLIGHTS

• The shifting demand environment creates both opportunities and risks for the potato industry.

• Demand for potatoes should improve as the pandemic abates.

• Processors are being cautious in committing to 2021 contract volumes.

• Growers should make sure they have control of opportunities before attempting to exploit them.

• The risk for overproduction in 2021 is high.

Editor’s note: To contact Mr. Huffaker, or to subscribe to North American Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call: 2690 N. Rough Stone Way, Meridian, ID 83646; (208) 5258397; or e-mail napmn@napmn.com.

PotatoCountry.com

29

Potato Growers of Washington

Planting Amid Uncertainty

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

P

lanting time for another potato crop is just around the corner. With the beginning of a new crop always comes the optimism that this one will be better than the last one. Last year at this time, no one could have predicted the wild ride that the 2020 potato crop would give us in the Columbia Basin. While I hate to speak in absolutes, I believe that it is pretty safe to say that 2021 will be less volatile and there will be fewer sleepless nights for both growers and processors.

While things may not be as wild as they were last year, that doesn’t mean growers can afford to let their guards down. As of early January, we have yet to complete our negotiating process, so the price of the 2021 contract is still

unknown. Also unknown is the exact number of contract acres that processors will need this year. Many growers still waiting for firm acreage commitments are in a real bind.

Having a firm volume commitment from the processor as early in the season as possible is very important. In a perfect world, growers would know their acreage number in the prior summer in order to make informed crop rotation decisions and start making preparations for the coming year such as locating and securing the best seed and land and performing fall field prep including fumigation. We all know that the earlier we can do these things, the better our crop will be the following year.

However, this year, those growers without acreage commitments must make hard decisions. Should they plan on acreage similar to what they had in 2020? If they do that and their processors

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Potato Country

February 2021

decide they need more acres, will the growers be able to source enough land in their own rotation or lease additional ground to cover the increase in contract volume? Will spring fumigation and last-minute seed buying allow for a crop of good enough quality and yield to warrant the risk of growing the additional acres? What will happen to a grower’s opportunity for volume going forward if he is not able to take on the additional volume this year and it goes to his neighbor?

The flipside of this argument is what happens if the processor wants less volume from growers who have land secured, rotation set, seed purchased, and intended potato acres prepped and fumigated? If this happens, can those growers withstand taking a $1,000 plus per acre hit on acreage that does not get a contract?

All winter when growers have been asking me what they should plan on for their 2021 potato acreage, I have not had a good answer because there really isn’t one. No one can outguess the COVID-19 pandemic and what may or may not be coming next that will impact demand. It is easy to point to the processors and say that they are the bad guy and should be giving growers a better understanding of what is coming their way. But as I have already said multiple times, no one, including the processors, can outguess this pandemic and the economic shutdowns that impact all of us.

While I am extremely sympathetic to growers who are in this position, they really have no choice but to wait and see what the processors ultimately want. Will growers be able to grow a potato crop with the traditional quality and yield?

Only time and Mother Nature will tell.

But most likely, it will come up a little short on both yield and quality. On the other hand, processors will need to lower their expectations for those last-minute commitments as they will have to share in some of this responsibility, as well.

We will get through this, but until we do, there will continue to be some pain on both sides of the grower-processor relationship that will need to be shared.

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31

The scientific explanation.

Calcium is a required element for tuber development.

A calcium deficiency in plants results in dividing cells being unable to stay bound together. This causes poor quality potatoes such as reduced size, growth cracks and hollow heart.

ENCOURAGE NANOCAL is a unique formulation of calcium carbonate. ®

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Typical calcium soil additives have particle sizes of up to 200 microns, too big to be readily absorbed by roots.

NANOCAL is milled to less than one micron. This greatly expands the calcium surface area, and allows an order of magnitude more particles in solution, providing a denser field of calcium particles for uptake.

Foliar-applied calcium does not translocate to tubers.

The only efficient way to move calcium into developing tubers is through root and tuber uptake. Soil-applied NANOCAL’s particle size allows immediate movement into the meristematic region of growing roots.

Soil-applied NANOCAL calcium particles are immediately available to developing tubers.

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ENCOURAGE NANOCAL is a proprietary trademark of Oro Agri Inc. Always read and follow label directions.

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CROP INPuTS

EQuIPMENT

Agroliquid

Greentronics - Rite Trace

Bayer - Luna

Greentronics - Rite Yield

Bayer - Velum

Harriston-Mayo

Ferticell

Lockwood Mfg

Liphatech

Micro-Trak

Nutrien

Skone Irrigation Inc

Oro-Agri

SpudEquipment.com

Syngenta

Suberizer

Vive Crop Protection

POTATO SEED

TESTING

Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association

Stukenholtz

Idaho Crop Improvement Lake Seed Montana Seed San Acacio Seed Schutter Seed

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