February 2022 Badger Common'Tater

$22/year | $2/copy | Volume 74 No. 02 | FEBRUARY 2022

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

2022 EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES & POTATO EXPO COVERAGE ISSUE

THE SHOW WENT ON At Potato Expo 2022!

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW: Multiple Challenges Met PEST PROS IS PROUDLY Gaining Growers’ Trust TRACTOR EFFICIENCY INCREASED

By Optimizing Hydraulic Systems A four-row Allan Equipment electric-drive harvester picks up 16 rows of potatoes in Manitoba, Canada, 2021.

INTERVIEW:

TRENT COUSINS Allan Equipment Mfg.

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On the Cover: “I see fields of green, a red harvester, too ...” With a nod to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, the front cover photo is nearly as beautiful as the song. With the image captured during the 2021 potato harvest in Manitoba, Canada, an Allan Equipment four-row, electric-drive harvester picks up 16 rows of potatoes. Trent Cousins of Allan Equipment is this issue’s interviewee.

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BADGER COMMON’TATER

INTERVIEW:

Co-owner of Allan Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. of Covehead, Prince Edward Island, Canada, Trent Cousins says the company manufactures a full line of 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-row harvesters, and 2-, 4- and 6-row windrowers, as well as live-bottom bulk bodies, trailer inserts, pilers, hillers, crop carts, conveyors and grading equipment. Pictured is a 3-row Allan Equipment electric harvester picking up 15 rows of spuds, in 2020, on Prince Edward Island.

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN.................... 69 AUXILIARY NEWS............... 52 BADGER BEAT.................... 58

56 POTATOES USA

Potatoes are featured on 82.9 percent of restaurant menus in the United States

64 STUDY FOCUSES ON TRACTOR EFFICIENCY Purdue researchers zero in on hydraulic systems

68 EYES ON ASSOCIATES

WPVGA Associate Division has been busy preparing for the 2022 Industry Show

FEATURE ARTICLES: 18 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW: WPVGA Executive Director says, “Multiple challenges met!”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6 MARKETPLACE................... 61 NEW PRODUCTS................ 54 NOW NEWS....................... 34 NPC NEWS......................... 44 PEOPLE.............................. 40

26 “MEET AND POTATOES” tagline proved possible as industry attended Potato Expo

PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6

46 GAINING GROWERS’ TRUST: Years of consulting made Pest Pros a trusted partner

WPIB FOCUS...................... 53

4

BC�T February

WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Bill Guenthner Vice President: Alex Okray Secretary: Wes Meddaugh Treasurer: Mike Carter Directors: John Bustamante, Wendy Dykstra, Randy Fleishauer, Charlie Mattek & J.D. Schroeder Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Andy Diercks Secretary: Bill Wysocki Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: John Bobek, Cliff Gagas, Jim Okray, Eric Schroeder & Tom Wild WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Chris Brooks Vice President: Julie Cartwright

Secretary: Sally Suprise Treasurer: Rich Wilcox Directors: Paul Salm, Matt Selenske, Andy Verhasselt & Justin Yach Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: J.D. Schroeder Vice President: Roy Gallenberg Secretary/Treasurer: Charlie Husnick Directors: Matt Mattek & Jeff Suchon Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Devin Zarda Vice President: Datonn Hanke Secretary/Treasurer: Heidi Schleicher Directors: Jody Baginski, Brittany Bula, Marie Reid & Becky Wysocki

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

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

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

Subscription rates: $2/copy, $22/year; $40/2 years.

Foreign subscription rates: $35/year; $55/2 years.

Telephone: (715) 623-7683 Mailing address: P.O. Box 327, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409 Or, subscribe free online: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe/ ADVERTISING: To advertise your service or product in this magazine, call (715) 630-6213, or email: Joe Kertzman: jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com.

The editor welcomes manuscripts and pictures but accepts no responsibility for such material while in our hands.

BC�T February

5

MARK YOUR

Calendar FEBRUARY 8-10

16-17 23-3/4 28-3/3

2022 GROWER ED CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW Holiday Inn Convention Center Stevens Point, WI INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND 2022 POTATO INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (PILI) California and Washington, D.C. NPC WASHINGTON SUMMIT (Annual Meeting and Potato D.C. Fly-In) Washington Marriott at Metro Center Washington, D.C.

MARCH 7-10

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

29-31

MAY 9-11 19-20

30-6/2

UNITED FRESH CONVENTION & EXPO 2022 Boston, MA WPVGA PROMOTIONS RETREAT Kalahari Wisconsin Dells Resort, with virtual option Wisconsin Dells, WI 11th WORLD POTATO CONGRESS & EUROPATAT 2022 Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland

JUNE 17

WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI 2022 NPC SUMMER MEETING Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown Convention Center Nashville, TN

21-24

JULY 12

12-14 21

2022 ASSOC. DIV. PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING The Ridges Golf Course Wisconsin Rapids, WI 2022 WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Roehl Acres and Rustic Occasions Loyal, WI (Clark County) HARS FIELD DAY Hancock Ag Research Station Hancock, WI

OCTOBER 27-29 6

THE GLOBAL PRODUCE AND FLORAL SHOW (formerly PMA Fresh Summit) Orlando, FL BC�T February

Planting Ideas Overcoming obstacles has become commonplace in the potato and vegetable industry and world at large since the pandemic reared its ugly head in early 2020. The key word is “overcoming,” and the resiliency of potato and vegetable growers and the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association has shown through the fog of COVID-19.

On a big stage, the National Potato Council (NPC) persevered and held a considerably successful 2022 Potato Expo, January 5-6, in Anaheim, California. Despite flight cancellations bubbling over from the Christmas and New Year’s holidays combined with a spike in cases of the Omicron variant of COVID -19, the NPC managed to adapt, pivot and hold a wellplanned and executed event.

As shown in the above image, Doug Posthuma (right) of Alsum Farms and Produce, Friesland, Wisconsin, visited University of Wisconsin Professor Emeritus Walt Stevenson (left) at the Wisconsin Certified Seed Potatoes booth during the 2022 Potato Expo. Potatoes USA also managed to hold its Winter Meeting, January 3-4, at the Anaheim Marriott. See full coverage of Potato Expo within this issue.

Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Executive Director Tamas Houlihan concludes, “Multiple Challenges Met!,” in his assessment of the past year in the feature “2021 Year in Review.”

In the article for this February issue, Houlihan remarks, “2021 can be described as a year that brought forth one challenge after another. To the great credit of our membership, these challenges were met, one by one, with great success.” See the full feature herein.

In the equipment realm is a fascinating study provided by Purdue News Service about how tractor efficiency is being increased through the optimization of hydraulic systems connecting tractors and implements.

By creating new solutions to optimize hydraulic control systems, Purdue University researchers are working to make tractors more powerful and fuel efficient. In the study, which is part of a $3.2 million Department of Energy project, researchers say their new hydraulic control systems translated into a 25 percent efficiency increase. Given the amount of a fuel a tractor consumes, that’s a massive improvement. See the article inside.

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

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Interview

TRENT COUSINS, partner,

Allan Equipment Manufacturing Ltd.

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

NAME: Trent Cousins TITLE: Partner COMPANY: Allan Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. LOCATION: Covehead, Prince Edward Island, Canada HOMETOWN: Kensington, Prince Edward Island YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: Eight PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Farming/ small business SCHOOLING: Economics, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI 2009) ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: A master mason, present chairman of ML Development Inc. (non-profit housing corporation) and King Edward Lodge No. 16 member, 2007 to present AWARDS/HONORS: Top 50 Emerging Leader, 2013; Governor General Leadership Conference member, 2015; and Inspiring Young Alumni Award, UPEI, 2014 FAMILY: Wife, Catherine, and children, Arthur (4), Alice (2) and Edwin (5 months) HOBBIES: Farming, building, skiing and boating 8

BC�T February

Allan Equipment designs and manufactures potato harvesting equipment in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, and has a storied history of over 60 years in business.

Don Allan built the first potato harvester himself for his own farm in the early 1960’s. At the time, there was no simple and reliable harvesting option available to purchase, so he decided to build his own.

From then on, Allan Equipment has been designing its equipment based on the same need.

“We listen to customers and base our designs on what the market is asking for,” says Trent Cousins, active partner in Allan Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. “We strive to be simple, efficient and reliable with all of our equipment.”

“While retired, Don still drops in and assists us in developing new products,” Cousins adds, “and telling us what we are doing right, and most importantly, what we are doing wrong!”

Staking its claim as “Canada’s largest

designer and manufacturer of potato harvesting equipment,” Allan Equipment also builds blueberry harvesters and mowers.

Its 120,000-square-foot Prince Edward Island facility includes a large parts inventory and full-service machine shop.

What is your own history in the potato business or with Allan Equipment, Trent? What is your background? I was born and raised on a potato, beef and grain farm. Our farm grows potatoes for the fresh pack and processing markets.

Above: From its headquarters in Covehead, Prince Edward Island, Canada, Allan Equipment stakes a claim, according to co-owner Trent Cousins (inset), as Canada’s largest designer and manufacturer of potato harvesting equipment. The 120,000-squarefoot facility includes a large parts inventory and full-service machine shop.

From early on, I always enjoyed operating and working on the equipment in all aspects of the operation.

potato planter.

In 2013, a few years after graduation from university, I was still helping on the farm part time while operating a couple small businesses. I heard there was an opportunity to purchase Allan Equipment as the original owner was looking to retire.

Do you also deal in and service other brands, and if so, what lines? Locally in PEI, as a full-line dealership, we sell and service Miedema/Dewulf, CLAAS farm equipment, Agrifac crop sprayers and Vaderstad planting and tillage equipment. We also sell a lot of used equipment of varying brands that we bring in on trade, all across North America.

I was interested in the opportunity, but still being involved in the farm and with other business interests, I felt I needed a partner to tackle such a large endeavor.

I thought of my friend, Daniel van Schalkwyk, who had recently moved to PEI. We saw great potential in the company and its products, moved forward with the purchase, and in late 2013, took ownership of the company from Don Allan.

We sell all these products worldwide and have exported as far as South Africa and Eastern Europe.

What’s your largest line of potato equipment? Harvesters and windrowers would be the most popular lines we manufacture. Our windrowers are known to be the

Left: Pulled by a John Deere tractor, an Allan Equipment Basket Hiller is put to work on a farm in Wisconsin.

Right: Allan Equipment offers 2-, 4- and 6-row windrowers with frames that deliver excellent visibility and product flow.

simplest and easiest to operate on the market, and our harvesters are the same.

In 2014, we released a full electrically powered harvester in 2-, 3- and 4-row sizes, and it has proven to be head and shoulders above the competition in capacity and cost of operation.

The harvesters and windrowers boast the cheapest cost of operation and maintenance on the market. continued on pg. 10

I look after the financial and sales management, and Daniel handles the manufacturing and general operations.

What potato harvesting machines do you manufacture? We manufacture a full lineup of 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-row harvesters, 2-, 4- and 6-row windrowers, live-bottom bulk bodies, trailer inserts, pilers, hillers, crop carts, conveyers and numerous types of grading equipment.

We manufacture a planter press wheel kit for increasing potato planting speeds and accuracy, and we are currently developing a new BC�T February

9

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

We use almost all common parts, which you can purchase at any machine shop or parts supply store.

This is why our customers keep coming back—they know they can get parts anytime, anywhere and for a reasonable price.

I would think most of the potato growers on Prince Edward Island look to and deal with Allan Equipment, is that true, or are there other dealers there? We have 80plus percent of the market share in harvesting and handling equipment

Above: In this vintage photo, one of Allan Equipment’s first customers heads to the field with his new harvester in the early 1960’s.

locally in PEI. There are other brands represented here, but no other dealer puts as much emphasis on potato equipment as we do.

We know potatoes and take pride in designing equipment that solves problems for farmers and makes growing their crops easier.

What do you most take pride in, Trent, as far as servicing your customers? We take pride in never sacrificing customer experience.

We always strive to improve our customer experience and we do this by providing equipment that is second to none in total value.

Both me and my partner are farmers, so we know the importance of keeping equipment rolling when it matters most. We treat all of our customer farms as if they were our own.

During harvest, the entire team is on call for our customers, even if the customer is in a different province or state, and we will be there as fast as possible to assist with any problems. continued on pg. 12

10 BC�T February

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 10

Do you stock parts for many brands, and if so, what lines? For potato equipment, we stock only Allan equipment parts, but we supply belt chain for many brands of equipment and a lot of our common parts, like rollers and chain, fit on any brand.

Therefore, we usually end up selling parts to our customers’ whole farm whether they are all Allan Equipment or not.

You are a member of the Associate Division of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association and attend the Industry Show in Stevens Point. Do you have customers in Wisconsin, or are you looking to expand your territory? We have

“We are firmly cemented in the ag and specifically potato industry and take immense pride in that.”

a few customers in Wisconsin and would love to gain more! We have some transport equipment and press wheel kits on planters, as well as a crop cart for a cucumber farm, all currently working in Wisconsin.

We are keen to have our harvesters

– Trent Cousins

and windrowers demonstrated in Wisconsin, as we see huge potential for them there.

What can you offer Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers that they perhaps don’t have access to otherwise? Most of our equipment is quite similar as far as concept goes to the rest of the market, but we keep the operation, controls, function and construction as simple as possible.

Our customers who switch from other brands always tell us they have a much easier time operating and maintaining the equipment. There are very few specialty parts and 90 percent of them can be bought anywhere that sells bearings, chain and hydraulic hose.

Clockwise: These beautiful shots show an Allan Equipment harvester following four windrowers and closeups of the windrowers and potato harvester in action, the latter with dirt flying. The company manufactures 2-, 4- and 6-row windrowers; 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-row harvesters; and has released an electrically powered harvester in 2-, 3- and 4-row sizes.

12 BC�T February

This comes from a concerted effort in the design process to keep the equipment simple. We take great pride in being able to do as much or more than the competition but be simpler in the process.

We also offer some products such

as our electric harvester and planter press wheel kit that are not available anywhere else.

Talk about your 120,000 square-foot facility and what you are capable of manufacturing there. We can manufacture pretty much anything within our facility. We focus on potato equipment but have been known over the years to manufacture custom products for numerous industries.

We try to stay versatile and be able to tackle any size or type of project if need be and do not shy away from custom or specialty equipment.

I see you have a 400 Amp CNC Plasma cutter, 24-foot press brake and a 4-foot Radial Arm Drill Press—you’re working a lot of steel and iron—aren’t you? We are.

We also have a full electrical panel shop, hydraulic system design/build capabilities, and in 2019, we installed a welding robot cell.

Allan Equipment co-owners Daniel van Schalkwyk (left) and Trent Cousins (right) stand in front of an Allan 2 Row Harvester after setting it up to harvest in Christiana, South Africa. It features an open-throat frame and conventional product flow design.

In addition to potato hilling and harvesting equipment, I understand you also offer blueberry harvesting equipment. Why potatoes and blueberries? Are they two of the largest crops on PEI? We fell into the blueberry industry through potatoes.

A retired potato farmer who had used our equipment for decades on his farm came and asked us to build him a blueberry harvester.

There are very few companies building blueberry harvesters to continued on pg. 14

continued on pg. 14

BC�T February 13

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 13

gather the wild lowbush blueberries that are grown here. Blueberry is a fast-growing industry in the eastern United States and Canada, and we had more than enough expertise in house to tackle the project. So, we gave it a shot and have had great success.

Being so far east, do you have a lot

of Maine, New York, Vermont and Michigan customers or …? We have sold several pieces of equipment into Maine, New York and throughout the East Coast, as well as across the United States and Canada.

Every growing area has its own unique set of conditions, so we are always interested to learn

Above: Potato harvest takes place in fields of green, Manitoba, Canada, in 2021.

new practices and make sure our equipment can suit each of them.

When we took over the company in 2013, the former owner had sold little to no equipment outside of our home province. This was one of the main opportunities we saw when purchasing the company.

Our main goal for marketing is to grow our footprint. We realize we will likely never achieve the 80 percent market share we have at home, but with our excellent line of products, we can sell to and help every growing area with their equipment needs.

How many employees does Allan Equipment have, and are most in sales, service and manufacturing?

We currently employ about 45 people, including three in sales, five in design and engineering, three in research and development (R&D), one electrician, four in administration, four servicemen, two machinists, 12 welders and 11 in assembly.

Allan Equipment developed an electric potato harvester that is powered by a diesel generator. Being electric, Trent Cousins says the machine is safe, clean and easy to operate and service, using off-the-shelf electrical components.

14 BC�T February

We pride ourselves in having a diverse team with a wide range of abilities. From our sales team continued on pg. 16

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 14

to the welders, we have all worked in different parts of the factory and business.

Our team members all know our product and may be drawn in to help with any part of the process at any time. Many of our team have experience in potato farming and can help in the setup or service of equipment at home or abroad, and we are all ready to pitch in during the busy seasons.

Do they spend much time in the field with customers and servicing equipment? Our service department is always busy setting up equipment on site and helping customers learn about their new equipment.

Our R&D team always looks forward to getting out and testing the new products and observing the improvements they are making, and the whole team likes seeing how the

Allan Equipment had a nice showing at the 2022 Potato Expo in Anaheim, California, with David Shaw (left) and Patrick Byrne (right) manning the booth.

new products perform.

We try and have any new team members come out to the fields during the growing season so they

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can learn exactly what it is they are building and how it helps our customers. We find it helps our team take pride in their work.

Is it a short potato growing season there? It is definitely a short season compared to more southerly climates, but we are blessed to avoid a lot of extreme weather.

Our island climate is protected by a gulf to the north and strait to the south, which seems to keep frost at bay until October and allows for a growing season from late May to the end of September before any amount of frost shuts the crop down.

Main harvest starts the last week of September and is generally complete by the final week of October.

How did harvest go for most of the island in 2021? Overall, it was a great harvest. We had excellent growing conditions all season and there was a good stretch of weather to complete the potato harvest in.

What is your hope for the future of Allan Equipment, Trent? We plan to continue to develop new and innovative products that can help our customers. We are only getting started!

My hope is that we continue to expand our sales across North America with our product line. We love breaking into new markets and helping new customers grow, harvest and handle their crops better.

We are firmly cemented in the ag and specifically potato industry and take immense pride in that.

Is there anything I missed that

you want to add? If anyone is interested in any of our products, please reach out. We often hear how people have never heard of us or didn’t realize how many products we manufactured. We truly have a unique lineup of equipment that is just beginning to be discovered outside our home market.

I discovered your magazine, “The Badger,” as I call it, when we took

Above: Shown in 1979 are a two-row harvester and, in the second image, the first four-row harvester built by Allan Equipment.

over the company in 2013. The former owner had subscribed for years, but I had never heard of it before then. I’ve always enjoyed the magazine and truly thank you for the opportunity to be a part of it.

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

BC�T February 17

2021 Year in Review:

Multiple Challenges Met! The WPVGA overcame obstacles to have a successful year as an organization

By Tamas Houlihan, WPVGA Executive Director 2021 can be described as a year that brought forth one challenge after another. To the great credit of our membership, these challenges were met, one by one, with great success.

In the end, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and its members had a very successful year. The following are some of the highlights for the industry in 2021.

Above-Average Growing Conditions; Excellent Harvest Season In 2021, Wisconsin potato growers faced a series of weather challenges from frost to extreme heat and from drought to heavy rains, but in the end a nearly ideal harvest season reaped a resilient crop in most of the state’s primary growing regions.

Wisconsin’s harvested potato acreage is approximately 65,000 acres. The average yield on acres harvested in Wisconsin is estimated to be 420 cwt. (hundredweight)/acre, a decrease of 5 cwt./acre compared to 2020.

That puts Wisconsin’s potato

WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan and Attorney/Lobbyist Jordan Lamb testify in favor of Senate Bills 677 and 678 at a Senate Hearing in Madison.

production at 27,300,000 cwt., an increase of 950,000 cwt., or 4 percent compared to 2020.

Focus Continues on Water Quality and Quantity In the spring of 2021, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued its findings from the Central Sands Lakes Study, which it was required to do following the passage of a 2017 bill related to the repair, replacement,

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18 BC�T February

reconstruction and transfer of ownership of high-capacity wells.

A key point in the DNR’s study “found that precipitation is the primary factor affecting lake level fluctuations.”

In an average year, the Central Sands gets over 32 inches of precipitation, and even the highest-use vegetable crop only uses about 22 inches of water. Accordingly, the vast majority of the time, agricultural irrigation will not have an adverse effect on lake levels.

All of the lakes in the study are currently at historically high-water levels.

Long Lake, which shows the most susceptibility to the effects of irrigation, is over four feet above the historical average, and it would take several years of continually dry conditions before the lake level would

fall back to even average levels.

The WPVGA supports the concept of empowering farmers and community stakeholders to develop a cooperative plan to manage groundwater in the Central Sands region.

WPVGA appreciates that the DNR has committed to identifying impacted resources and “envisions a flexible, economically reasonable and sciencebased approach” to Central Sands groundwater management.

The WPVGA and its member growers have shown that, with combined efforts and a variety of voluntary conservation practices, they can effectively manage outstanding water resources, such as the Little Plover River.

The Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project has been a resounding success and a shining example of how collaboration can continued on pg. 20

Participants in WPVGA’s Member Development Program take part in a potato chip and French fry taste test in the lab at the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Storage Research facility, in Hancock. Shown here are, from left to right, Don Maum of Alsum Farms, Jared Suchon of Bushman’s Riverside Ranch, Mike Johnson of McCain Foods, Nicola Carey of Wysocki Family of Companies and Curtis Meister of Reabe Spraying Service.

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2021 Year in Review. . . continued from pg. 19

produce positive results for all stakeholders.

NR 151 Rule Revision Terminated; Water Quality Bills Move Forward As part of the effort to address groundwater issues and protect drinking water and public health across Wisconsin, the DNR worked for the past two years with key public and agriculture industry stakeholders to update Chapter NR 151 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

The NR 151 rule revisions were intended to define sensitive areas in the state and the performance standards needed to protect groundwater quality in these areas.

Following the public comment period, during which enormous economic impacts were identified by the WPVGA and other agricultural organizations, the proposed rule revisions were not brought before the DNR Board.

In November, the DNR announced that, “The statutory process and associated firm timelines established by the Legislature for rule-making do not allow adequate time for the department to complete this proposed rule.”

The WPVGA Governmental Affairs Committee, led by co-chairs Mike Carter and Steve Diercks, continues to closely monitor this issue, along with the association’s lead attorney, Jordan Lamb.

In continuing our work to promote clean water, in the fall of 2021, the WPVGA testified in favor of two bills aimed at improving water quality.

Senate Bill 677 creates and funds a nitrogen optimization grant program designed to incentivize farmer-led water quality improvements.

The WPVGA and our growers have

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been committed to water quality research and developing improved practices through our research projects for decades.

SB 677 also provides farmers with rebates for cover crop insurance and establishes a hydrogeology position at the University of Wisconsin (UW).

We also support the programmatic changes to the DNR’s well-testing grant program and the producer-led watershed program contained in Senate Bill 678.

WPVGA Group Receives Second Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Six WPVGA-member farms in Central Wisconsin joined together, in 2021, to protect the watershed that includes the Little Plover River and a portion of the Wisconsin River.

With leadership from Plover River Farms, the group includes Feltz Family Farms, Firkus Farms, Myron Soik & Sons, Okray Family Farms and Worzella & Sons.

With matching funds from the WPVGA and working closely with UW Extension and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, the group was successful in securing a second grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for more conservation work in 2022.

One new farm was also recruited to join the effort: Hamerski Farms of Plover.

This partnership envisions a healthy and productive working landscape in Wisconsin’s Central Sands region.

Through on-farm conservation and collaborative partnerships, the group seeks to promote innovative stewardship practices that benefit the watershed, landscape and land managers themselves.

Conservation practices employed by the group include the extensive use of cover crops, prairie and pollinator

20 BC�T February

plantings, and no-till/minimum till practices.

FarmersForCleanWater.Com In a further effort to highlight the great work being done by growers and researchers, the WPVGA launched a new website in 2021: https://farmersforcleanwater.com.

With the focus on “Feeding America’s Families” and “Protecting our Water,” the website contains great documentation of all the efforts of the WPVGA, its members and allied researchers that demonstrate our industry’s commitment to clean water.

The new site generated multiple media interviews and created a great deal of positive publicity for our efforts.

Promotions Committee Expands Awareness of Wisconsin Potatoes The WPVGA Promotions Committee worked with comedian Charlie Berens on a series of hilarious videos that

Wisconsin-based comedian and social media icon Charlie Berens offers a potato to Andy Diercks of Coloma Farms while shooting a video that instantly generated thousands of views and greatly increased consumer awareness of Wisconsin potatoes.

were produced and aired on multiple social media channels in 2021.

The “First Time Potato Grower” video had over 400,000 views on YouTube the first day it aired! With

all the other social media outlets utilized, the video was seen by over 1 million viewers, greatly increasing the awareness and exposure of Wisconsin potatoes. continued on pg. 22

The Hancock Agricultural Research Station wishes you a great 2022 crop and storage year!

Hancock Ag Research Station N3909 County Rd. V, Hancock, WI 54943 Tel. (715) 249-5961 Email: hancock@cals.wisc.edu

Also, a big Thank You! We want to thank many businesses and individuals who in 2021 contributed time and resources for the success of our research and outreach activities. We are thankful for your generosity as you help us sustain our research farm and Storage Facility activities. Among these are: • ADAMA • AMVAC Chemical Corp.

• BASF • Bayer • Case IH Program • Coloma Farms • Corteva • Farmers Implement LLC • FMC • Gramma Miller’s • Heartland Farms • McCain Foods • MWFPA • Nutrien Ag Solutions

• Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems • Paul Miller Farms • Potatoes USA • Roberts Irrigation • Swiderski Equipment, Inc. • Syngenta • Valent • Vantage North Central • Willis Family • WPVGA • WPVGA Associate Division

BC�T February 21

2021 Year in Review. . . continued from pg. 21

Continuing in that vein, a very amusing and entertaining television episode of Mad Dog and Merrill’s “Midwest Grill’n” was produced and aired, in the fall of 2021, and featured members Brian Lee of Okray Family Farms, Kevin Schleicher of the Wysocki Family of Companies, Trina Sankey of Worzella & Sons, Tamra Bula-Garz of Gary Bula Farms and Sue Thomas of Alsum Farms & Produce.

To top things off, the entire episode was taped in a potato field that was being harvested during the shoot!

A newly created consumer newsletter called “Wisconsin Potato Bytes” made its debut in April of 2021.

Featuring potato tips, nutrition and recipes, its purpose is to engage

and communicate with consumers while also gathering a database from which to monitor their trends and behaviors.

With the ability to share each issue on social media and with friends, the goal is to keep Wisconsin potatoes top of mind for consumers.

The Promotions Committee also continued its usual programming, including driving the Spudmobile to targeted large events; sponsoring Powered by Potatoes athletic events; utilizing billboards along interstate highways; sponsoring Gabe Sommers auto racing; promoting Wisconsin potatoes at Menards stores and sponsoring the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) with Menards; and renewing a huge Wisconsin

Here is the Public Service Announcement that was announced live at NHRA events this summer: Being your best requires the right fuel. Healthy Grown Wisconsin potatoes provide the vitamins and minerals your body craves. So, Power Your Performance with Wisconsin Potatoes. They’re nourished by fertile Wisconsin soil, sprinkled with fresh Wisconsin spring water and grown with rich Wisconsin farming heritage. Serve up your Wisconsin potato pride.

It’s the greater tater. Now available at Menards.

Above: The WPVGA launched a new website in 2021: https://farmersforcleanwater. com. The site highlights the industry’s comprehensive efforts to safeguard Wisconsin’s water resources.

potato promotion in October at the Jewel-Osco grocery store chain, in Chicago.

Member Development Program Returns After being postponed in 2020, the WPVGA Member Development Program is back in 2021.

This has proven to be one of the most valuable leadership training and networking programs offered by the association, with 25 members graduating from the 2018-’19 class, many of whom are now serving on various industry boards and committees.

The program has 14 participants in the current program, taking part in five full-day sessions over the fall and winter of 2021-22.

Field Days and Grower Ed Conference Return to In-Person Format After enduring a year without an in-person grower conference, trade show or research-related field days, it was refreshing to return to wellattended, in-person field day events in Antigo, Hancock and Rhinelander, in 2021. continued on pg. 24

22 BC�T February

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2021 Year in Review. . . continued from pg. 22

Plans have been made to hold an inperson Grower Education Conference & Industry Show this month.

The WPVGA also continues to support a robust applied research program, with base funding for UW researchers in the areas of insect, weed and disease management, as well as soil science/fertility, potato breeding, seed certification and

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Base funding is also provided to the Langlade Agricultural Research Station.

In 2021, the WPVGA Research Committee also approved grants for 16 competitive projects, with total research funding of over $350,000.

Biotron Move A big issue facing the industry in 2021 was the need to upgrade and move the Tissue Culture and Diagnostics Laboratory (TCDL) for the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program from the Biotron at UW-Madison.

The cost to move the TCDL from the Biotron is estimated at $1.4 million, and the Wisconsin potato industry was asked to contribute, since this facility is vital to the entire industry.

Working together with the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, the WPVGA was able to make a pledge of $250,000 over the next five years toward the project.

This will enable the UW to move forward with the upgrade of this critical facility.

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With the Biotron closing its doors in the spring of 2022, the TCDL will occupy new space in the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center.

Industry Supports New Mid-State Technical College Facility Finding a well-trained, skilled and reliable workforce is key to the success of our industry. To this end, the WPVGA and the WPVGA Associate Division boards committed $50,000 toward an exciting new training facility to be built in Central Wisconsin.

Launching “Project Workforce,” the boards presented the donation as a challenge to our individual members to match the $50,000 donation.

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The Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology and Apprenticeship Center represents Mid-State Technical College’s

commitment to agriculture through the creation of a Central Wisconsin training destination to cultivate the next generation workforce.

The center will provide training to address fundamental changes in the manufacturing industry and will keep agriculture and manufacturing strong in Central Wisconsin.

Graduates will assist in supplying our industry with the skilled workforce that is so greatly needed.

The Future is Now for Farming for the Future Foundation An exciting new venture founded by the Pavelski family, Farming for the Future Foundation (FFTFF) will break ground in 2022.

The FFTFF is dedicated to helping families understand and appreciate their food and the people who grow it. The Food and Farm Exploration Center will be a place for education, unforgettable family experiences and great, wholesome food.

A tremendous resource for teachers and schools, it will be an excellent destination for families and agritourists as well as school groups.

It will offer a unique way to learn about careers in agriculture and help generate the future workforce for the entire industry. In keeping with its mission, the foundation will also continue the creation of plans to increase agricultural literacy in Wisconsin classrooms.

The Exploration Center will serve as a hands-on educational learning facility with interactive exhibits focused on various areas of crop production and cutting-edge technology used in agriculture.

Fundraising efforts are in full swing, and plans are to break ground on land donated by the Worzella family, in Plover, during the spring of 2022.

Associate Division and Auxiliary Continue Great Work The Associate Division made a

number of significant contributions to the industry in 2021, including very generous donations to Mid-State Technical College’s new facility as well as the Farming for the Future Foundation.

These two projects are changing and improving the workforce landscape of Wisconsin, along with the lives of many future employees and the economic sustainability of the area.

The Associate Division also continues to award grants to potato-related organizations and has held very successful golf outing and trap shoot events.

Promotions and Consumer Education Dana Rady, who celebrated her 10th anniversary at the WPVGA in 2021.

Congratulations, Dana!

In closing, I would like to thank all the members of the WPVGA, along with our outstanding Board of Directors led by President Bill Guenthner.

Special thanks go out to the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board as well.

I am proud of how we all worked together to meet the challenges of 2021. Always remember that with challenges come opportunities.

Here’s looking forward to more opportunities in 2022.

Sincerely,

Tamas Houlihan Executive Director, WPVGA

The division also joined forces with the Auxiliary to award multiple scholarships to students whose families are members of the WPVGA. The Auxiliary continues to promote Wisconsin potatoes and raise funds for its other programs by selling and serving delicious baked potatoes at the Wisconsin State Fair.

It kicked off a new program, in 2021, called “Potatoes in the Classroom.”

This is a grant program that offers financial support to high school family and consumer science classes and ag teachers who use Wisconsin potatoes in their classroom.

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The Auxiliary also continues to offer the Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes program, which instructs teachers on how to grow potatoes in their classrooms with students.

The Auxiliary provides seed potatoes to teachers, along with many tools and resources on the Kids Dig website. It also provides gift cards to the first 25 teachers who sign up in order to help them purchase the resources to get started.

Outstanding Staff I want to thank the outstanding staff of the WPVGA, Julie Braun, Doug Foemmel, Jane Guillen, Joe Kertzman, Dana Rady and Karen Rasmussen, for excellent work and commitment to the Association.

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The Show Went on at

2022 Potato Expo The tagline “Meet and Potatoes” proved possible as the industry gathered for its premier annual event

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater Something had already been accomplished when the airplane touched down at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.

After two long years, the industry was meeting in person for the 12th annual Potato Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center.

from the start.

Taking place January 5-6, Potato Expo 2022 was destined to be different

Still, the National Potato Council managed to adapt, pivot and hold

26 BC�T February

Flight cancellations snowballing from the Christmas and New Year’s holidays combined with spikes in cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 to make gathering a challenge for many and impossible for others.

a well-planned and executed event, and considering the circumstances, a relatively successful rendition of the largest industry show of its kind in North America.

Potatoes USA also managed to hold its Winter Meeting, January 3-4, at the Anaheim Marriott, where the Executive Committee met, and reports were presented by the Domestic Marketing, Research, Industry Outreach, International Marketing and Finance and Policy committees.

Among the many topics of discussion, Potatoes USA highlighted its new Culinary Education Center and offices that are conducive to meetings, presentations, cooking demonstrations, receptions and an overall creative working environment.

Another highlight was the announcement that Potato LEAF (Leadership, Education & Advancement Foundation) exceeded

all goals during its inaugural fundraising campaign, netting $2.158 million in pledges.

at-home cooking and a return to convenience, online shopping, sustainability and healthy eating.

POTATO LEAF AUCTION A fundraising auction also took place on the Expo Stage, Wednesday, January 5, during 2022 Potato Expo.

As has become tradition, Potato Expo kicked off on Tuesday morning with the 2022 Potato Business Summit held by the United Potato Growers of America, Potato Growers of Canada and the Potato Marketing Association

Potato LEAF was founded in 2020 with a goal of creating programs and continuing efforts, such as the Potato Industry Leadership Institute, that will strengthen leadership skills of those in the U.S. potato industry.

Proactive communications from APRE (the Alliance for Potato Research and Education) composed another talking point during the Potatoes USA Winter Meeting, stressing a demand that the organization is meeting head-on for accurate, fair and factual information on potato health and nutrition.

Another demand is for U.S. Potatoes, period. Potatoes USA Chief Marketing Officer John Toaspern says the demand for U.S. potatoes is “extremely strong, but we need to continue to stay on top of it. Potatoes remain America’s number one vegetable and number one side dish.”

The Winter Meeting covered a broad range of topics, from COVID concerns in the marketplace to labor shortages and inflation, and such trends as

continued on pg. 28

N V S

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Right: Wearing an appropriate French fries mask during the Potatoes USA Winter Meeting, Chief Marketing Officer John Toaspern says the demand for U.S. potatoes is “extremely strong, but we need to continue to stay on top of it. Potatoes remain America’s number one vegetable and number one side dish.”

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Left: It was time for the potato industry to reconnect, and the Potato Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, January 5-6, 2022, was the venue for that to happen.

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The Show Went on at 2022 Potato Expo … continued from pg. 27

of North America.

The Potato Business Summit is a comprehensive analysis of the global and North American potato industry, including a world commodity outlook, U.S. consumption trends and a 2022 planting outlook.

24 STATES / 5 PROVINCES United Potato Growers of America President and CEO Mark Klompien said 24 states and five Canadian provinces were represented at the meeting.

In welcoming Brian Neufeld of San Luis Valley, Colorado, as the new chairman of the United Potato Growers of America, Klompien first thanked Brian Bushman of J&J Potatoes and Bushman Trucking, Wittenberg, Wisconsin, for his service.

“When Brian [Bushman] took over, I’m sure he had no idea about the challenges he would face, and he did a tremendous job, even with his own health problems, of moving our organization forward,” Klompien stated.

The Potato Business Summit included an Economic Outlook by Stephen Nicholson of Rabobank, a European

Market Outlook from Cedric Porter of World Potato Markets, a Farming Technology Outlook given

by Adrian Saenz of John Deere and presentations by Toaspern and Klompien.

Liam Glennon of the 11th World Potato Congress Organizing Committee joined the summit via Zoom and gave a preview of the global event to take place May 30-June 2, 2022, in Dublin, Ireland.

Above: Wendy Alsum-Dykstra (left) of Alsum Farms & Produce, Friesland, Wisconsin, attends the Potatoes USA Winter Meeting with Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (right).

“The Irish were the first in Europe to embrace the staple food,” Glennon noted about potatoes.

Vice president of Food & Agribusiness Research for Rabobank, Nicholson said demand remains robust for

Always one to give an information-packed presentation during the Potato Business Summit is Stephen Nicholson, vice president of food and agribusiness research for Rabobank, who said demand remains robust for potato crops despite acreage constraints, geopolitical issues, COVID-19, exploding input costs and rising fuel prices.

28 BC�T February

potato crops despite acreage constraints, geopolitical issues, COVID-19, exploding input costs and rising fuel costs.

HEALTHY ECONOMY The economy is relatively healthy, he added, with the U.S. Gross Domestic Product up 2.3 percent as of the third quarter of 2021, and disposable income for U.S. consumers in the best shape it’s been in years.

“Inflation is here, and it’s really scary,” he warned. “Land values have skyrocketed along with input costs. A glut of money is chasing fewer goods.

It won’t be solved today, tomorrow or next year.”

Though COVID-19 restrictions have returned to the European market, along with lockdowns and closed restaurants, Porter says demand for processed potatoes has come back.

“People are staying home,” Porter remarked, “watching Netflix and boiling potatoes. The main lesson

“People are staying home, watching Netflix and boiling potatoes.”

– Cedric Porter,

World Potato Markets

from the pandemic is that potatoes are resilient. If they can, people will eat them.”

The Potato Expo trade show boasted 150 exhibitors in the Expo Hall, 15 “Potato Talks” on the Expo Stage, 15 Breakout Sessions taking place at the Innovation Hub and 11 research projects presented in the Poster Session.

Of course, there was a Kick-Off Reception sponsored by Syngenta in the Expo Hall featuring the Potato LEAF auction, which, in addition to a silent auction, brought in $45,470 to

support the foundation’s leadership development efforts.

The show also featured daily baked potato bars, a beer garden sponsored

by Corteva Agriscience Wednesday night on the Grand Plaza and a food truck festival Thursday evening, happy hours, meet-up lounges, coffee bars and pop-up meetings.

Wednesday’s Potato Talks covered such topics as climate change, chemical sprout regulators for potatoes, crop protection biologicals continued on pg. 30

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The Show Went on at 2022 Potato Expo … continued from pg. 29

and chemistries, seed treatments and an inflation forecast.

WISCONSIN SEED & CHIP RECEPTION The Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and Chip Committee held an annual reception at the Anaheim Marriott following Potato Expo, Wednesday evening, with refreshments, door prizes, cheese and meatball appetizers, networking and friendly conversation.

University of Wisconsin Professor Emeritus Walt Stevenson once again Above: Co-hosted by Food Network Personality Simon Majumdar (front and center in the first image) and Potatoes USA Culinary Director R.J. Harvey, the Potato Cook-Off featured teams competing to make the best potato dishes. One such team consisted of National Potato Council Board members R.J. Andrus (left in second image) and Jared Balcom (right).

Left: A Potato LEAF auction, raising money for programs that will strengthen leadership skills of those in the U.S. potato industry, was a highlight of the Kick-Off Reception sponsored by Syngenta in the Expo Hall.

Bottom: Chad Hutchinson, global director of potato research for the TriCal Group, was more than happy to present his Potato Expo Breakout Session covering the “Positive Influence of Chloropicrin Soil Fumigation on Soil Health and Quality Potato Production.” continued on pg. 32 30 BC�T February

Above: Wisconsin was well represented at Potato Expo, including, from left to right, Eric Schroeder of Schroeder Brothers Farms, and Kevin Schleicher and John Bustamante with the Wysocki Family of Companies.

RIght: The Potato Expo show floor was populated by attendees, products, technologies, innovative booths and exhibits such as the Bayer “A Force in the Field” model, as well as potatoes like these SunRain varieties.

BC�T February 31

The Show Went on at 2022 Potato Expo … continued from pg. 31

did the honors of emceeing the event and announcing winners of quality door prizes.

Thursday’s Potato Expo Breakout Sessions broke down everything from volatility in inputs to farm succession and planning, and from the foodservice recovery since COVID-19 to new trends in nutrient management.

Other presentations included the U.S. ag labor crisis, changing the way the industry talks about pesticides, fighting potato pathogens, carbon credits, sustainability, soil health, water issues, potato merchandising at retail, potato access to Mexico, a supply chain breakdown, irrigation and tank mixes.

A fan and family favorite of Potato Expo attendees has become the Potato Cook-Off co-hosted by Food Network Personality Simon Majumdar and Potatoes USA Culinary Director R.J. Harvey.

Above: Wednesday’s “Potato Talks” on the Expo Stage included “Profits and Climate Change Come Head-to-Head in Your Potato Storage Barn,” by Thomas Young (white shirt), Ph.D., plant pathologist, Food Defend; and “Genetic Responses of Potato Tubers to Chemical Sprout Regulators,” by Mike Campbell (purple shirt), distinguished professor of biology, Penn State University.

Right: The new executive director of the Potato Sustainability Alliance, John Mesko helped growers in the audience through the process of building sustainability strategies and programs on their farms.

32 BC�T February

Justin Dagen (right) of Dagen Heritage Farms, Karlstad, Minnesota, visited University of Wisconsin Professor Emeritus Walt Stevenson (left) at the Wisconsin Certified Seed Potatoes booth during Expo.

Potato Expo is a great way to keep up to date on industry innovations, research and technologies, maintain relationships and conduct business annually, and is always a memorable experience.

As this year’s chair of the Potato Expo, Britt Raybould of Raybould Brothers Farms, St. Anthony, Idaho, put it, “Potato Expo is a place where we can find new solutions for our farms, learn new trends and stay competitive, meet up with friends, and connect with our buyers and suppliers.”

Above: Enjoying the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and Chip Committee Annual Reception during Potato Expo are, from left to right in the first image, Larry Alsum, and Russell and Diane Wysocki; and in the second image, left to right, Kristy Huber, Joe Huber, Beau Hartline and Doug Posthuma representing Alsum Farms & Produce, and Cathy Schommer and Dan Kendall from Compeer Financial.

RIght: Executive director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Tamas Houlihan explains why he looks forward to the Potato Expo every year.

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BC�T February 33

Now News Fairchild Equipment and Polaris Partner

Dealer agreement includes Polaris GEM and Pro XD utility task vehicle lines Fairchild Equipment has signed a dealer agreement with Polaris Inc. to represent Polaris’ GEM and Pro XD utility task vehicle (UTV) lines of commercial vehicles.

The two companies share a business strategy to provide customers with a breadth of product without sacrificing quality of service and depth of product knowledge.

While Fairchild Equipment has been a trusted Taylor-Dunn distributor for many years, this new agreement expands the dealer’s territory from

branches in Green Bay, Marinette and Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to the entire states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, as well as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Northern Illinois.

“We are very excited to partner with Polaris given the breadth of their product portfolio and the value of their name and market presence,” Fairchild Equipment President Van Clarkson states.

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play in today,” he continues, “and having it cover our entire trade area made sense for both parties.

I know our team is excited to start selling products and parts and servicing existing Polaris customers immediately!”

“We are proud to have Fairchild Equipment in our dealer network and excited for our customers that they are expanding their offerings to include Polaris GEM and Pro XD vehicles,” says Jamie Juliano, director of sales North America, Polaris Commercial.

ONE-STOP SHOP “We appreciate that Fairchild Equipment provides customers with a one-stop shop by focusing on customer training, service and postsales support above and beyond the team’s product line knowledge and sales,” Juliano adds.

Polaris GEMs are all-electric, streetlegal, low-speed vehicles (LSV’s) designed to move people and goods safely and efficiently across campuses.

to 2,075 pounds payload and 2,500 pounds towing capacities. Other features include heavy-duty driveline components and up to 200-hour maintenance intervals.

KEVLAR-BACKED SEATS GEM’s meet the safety classification The vehicles also feature punctureof LSV’s by offering three-point seat resistant Kevlar-backed vinyl seats, belts, four-wheel brakes, safety glass all-new jobsite tires for longer life windshields and backup cameras on hard-packed surfaces, as well as as standard features, as well as multiple standard safety features roof crush certification for Rollover Occupant Protection Systems (ROPS). like horn, reverse beeper and vehicle fault alarms that notify users of GEM vehicles can be customized potential issues that could cause to meet specific needs for shuttle serious damage to the vehicle. service, campus transport, Backed by 65 years of Polaris maintenance, repair and operations, innovation, Polaris Commercial offers construction, technician, delivery, a comprehensive line of durable, housekeeping, grounds crew, safety versatile and customizable work and security. vehicle solutions for transporting The Polaris Pro XD is built to people and hauling equipment in withstand tough worksite conditions urban and industrial applications. and enhance productivity.

GEM, Pro XD and Taylor-Dunn Pro XD is designed specifically for vehicles are engineered with the durability, serviceability and safety. customer’s needs in mind to be It comes in two- and four-seat and dependable, safe and sustainable, 22-02 Badger Common'Tater 2022-01-10 1:16 PM and to1increase productivity. gas and diesel models, offering(7.25x4.75).v1.pdf up GEM vehicles help reduce fleet operating costs, increase vehicle utilization and reduce the CO2 footprint of a fleet in a real, actionable and affordable way.

The dedicated Polaris Commercial team provides customers and dealers with resources and support capabilities designed for all types of organizations.

Fairchild Equipment offers its customers an expansive network of locations throughout the Midwest and a diverse line of materials handling equipment brands to provide a holistic approach to solving all operational challenges related to moving, stacking and storing materials.

Fairchild Equipment is committed to providing outstanding service and innovative goods and solutions to become a valued business partner for its customers and create customers for life.

For more information about GEM and Pro XD products, please contact Fairchild Equipment, 844-432-4724, info@fairchildequipment.com, or visit www.fairchildequipment.com. continued on pg. 36

BC�T February 35

Now News . . .

continued from pg. 35

McCain Foods to Expand Plover Plant

Expansion of appetizer production line expected to create 110 new jobs Reprinted with permission from the Portage County Gazette McCain Foods USA will expand its appetizer processing plant in Plover, Wisconsin.

The $169 million project will add an additional production line to the facility in Plover, supporting a cheesebased appetizer operation that will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The expansion is expected to create 110 new jobs for the community.

“McCain Foods USA has a proud history producing delicious, highquality, cheese-based appetizers in America’s Dairyland,” says Michael O’Brien, president of the North America Appetizers Division at McCain Foods.

“This expansion furthers our commitment to the Plover community, and our commitment to our customers to continue to grow and provide high-quality delicious food for their consumers,” O’Brien states.

“I was excited to learn that McCain

Foods is adding a 135,000-squarefoot expansion to its Plover facility,” says Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point). “This expansion means 110 new jobs in Portage County. McCain Foods recognizes that Portage County’s people and resources make it a great place to do business.”

McCain Foods USA is a supplier of frozen potato and snack food products to foodservice markets, retail grocery chains and private

label brands in restaurants and supermarket freezers across the country.

Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, the company employs 4,000 people and operates production facilities in Wisconsin, Idaho, Maine, Nebraska and Washington.

Construction on the 135,000-squarefoot expansion is slated to begin in the summer of 2022.

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36 BC�T February

Altmann Construction Company Recognized for Excellence

Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin honors company with silver award Altmann Construction Company, Inc. has been recognized for excellence in construction from among nearly 70 building projects that were completed in 2021.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin honored Altmann Construction Company, Inc. with a SILVER Projects of Distinction Excellence in Construction Award for a Green Circle Trail Head Project.

Located near the Schmeeckle Visitor’s Center, in Stevens Point, new construction of the Menzel Pavilion, an open-air picnic shelter, was recognized, as well as all-season restroom integrated architecture inspired by CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps.) historical park buildings

of the 1930’s.

Local materials were sourced with the goal of constructing building infrastructure to fit the natural surroundings. The Menzel Pavilion features a two-story native sandstone

Above: The Menzel Pavilion, located near the Schmeeckle Visitor’s Center, in Stevens Point, features a two-story native sandstone fireplace, stone columns, wood timbers, cedar shingles and seating for approximately 60 people.

fireplace, stone columns, wood timbers, cedar shingles and seating for approximately 60 people.

The all-season restroom is insulated and heated and includes cedar siding and other elements replicated in the pavilion. continued on pg. 38

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BC�T February 37

Now News . . .

continued from pg. 37

The Projects of Distinction Awards recognize construction projects that are built on merit and are judged by a panel of construction experts based on several criteria, including quality, owner satisfaction, unusual challenges and safety.

The awards were presented at a January 27, 2022, banquet at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee. The

program had a total of 69 project submissions, with 30 receiving silver awards and 25 receiving gold awards.

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICES “Projects of Distinction demonstrate the excellence in construction services by ABC of Wisconsin members,” says John Mielke, president of ABC of Wisconsin.

“These unique projects are evaluated by a panel of architects, engineers and educators in the construction industry,” Mielke notes, “and allow Wisconsin’s merit contractors to demonstrate their professionalism, craftsmanship and safety.”

“Altmann Construction is both proud and truly grateful to receive this award,” says Tom Altmann, vice president of operations at Altmann Construction. “We thank ABC of Wisconsin for recognizing our work on this unique and challenging project.”

“We are truly honored to receive such a distinguished award,” Altmann adds, “and be honored alongside so many quality companies and individuals in the construction industry who have such an impact on the building community.”

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“The intensity of the evaluation process by judges is an indicator of how deserving the winners are,” Mielke relates. “There are many criteria used in the process, with the biggest being onsite safety, unusual circumstances or challenges, and the overall quality of construction delivered to the customer.”

Altmann Construction, Inc. is a general contractor employing approximately 40 people and is located at 5921 Plover Road in Wisconsin Rapids.

The company built its reputation by consistently delivering quality work with a high level of craftsmanship.

Altmann Construction does more than simply build beautiful structures. They build structures that provide a future for the people who live and work in them.

For more information, contact Tammy Meyers at tmeyers@ altmannconstruction.com, or call 715-421-2550.

Alsum Farms Named “Food & Agribusiness of the Year” Compeer Financial recognizes business for its leadership, advocacy and outreach Compeer Financial, a farm credit cooperative based in the Upper Midwest, is pleased to announce Alsum Farms & Produce as the recipient of the organization’s 2021 Food & Agribusiness of the Year Award.

The award recognizes businesses in the agricultural supply chain that have shown leadership in innovation, agricultural advocacy, community outreach and client service.

Headquartered in Friesland, Wisconsin, with locations in Grand Marsh and Arena, Alsum Farms & Produce is vertically integrated, growing, sourcing, packing and shipping many potato varieties.

The operation also grows and distributes onions and pumpkins, and partners with family farms across the nation to deliver a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to grocers year-round.

Alsum Farms, which started in 1973, produces approximately 200 million pounds of potatoes every year. They employ 225 people full-time.

“The Alsum family has a rich history in the potato industry,” says Cathy Schommer, senior focused lending specialist at Compeer Financial.

“They’ve found their niche in the market and have helped to build a strong industry with their involvement in national potato organizations, collaboration with other farmers and their commitment to sustainability.”

President and CEO Larry Alsum oversees the family-owned operation, alongside his daughters, Wendy Alsum-Dykstra and Heidi AlsumRandall, who are preparing to eventually take over the operation.

FRESH PRODUCE LEADER “Our vision is to be a leader in the fresh produce industry,” says Alsum-

Compeer Financial presents the award to Alsum Farms & Produce. Left to right are Ty Rohloff and Cathy Schommer of Compeer Financial; Wendy Alsum-Dykstra, Larry Alsum and Heidi Alsum-Randall of Alsum Farms & Produce; and Bryan Stanek and Jason Johnson from Compeer Financial.

Dykstra, chief operating officer of logistics and maintenance. “To do that, our entire team has to be committed to innovation and looking for opportunities across the entire operation.”

“It also takes a lot of collaboration between our growers, suppliers, other business partners and industry associations,” Dykstra continues.

“Part of our success at Alsum has been in working with people we trust, especially our employees, as we meet the needs of our customers and feed families across the nation.”

specialist at Compeer.

“We are proud to recognize Alsum for their commitment to advocating for agriculture, their robust outreach in the communities they serve and their strong dedication to stewardship and sustainability,” he adds.

“We are thankful and pleased to be recognized,” Larry Alsum says. “What an honor it is for us to have a great team who farms to feed the world, while conserving and taking care of our resources. It’s a great privilege.”

Compeer Financial introduced the new Food & Agribusiness of the Year Award in 2021.

Watch the 2021 Food and Agribusiness of the Year video at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=iTlWMnEDxEM to learn more about Alsum Farms & Produce.

“Compeer Financial understands the vital role agribusinesses like Alsum Farms & Produce play on a local, regional and national level,” explains Ty Rohloff, senior food and agribusiness lending

Nominations for Compeer Financial’s 2022 Food and Agribusiness of the Year Award will open in early 2022.

Learn more about the award and eligibility criteria by visiting https:// www.compeer.com.

BC�T February 39

People Congrats to the ARS Award Winners

Ag Research Station program recognizes outstanding contributions At an annual Recognition Awards reception and dinner, January 19, the University of Wisconsin (UW) Agricultural Research Stations (ARS) honored three individuals who have made outstanding contributions to its program.

This year’s award recipients include Jason Cavadini, Marshfield Agricultural Research Station—Staff Award; Amanda Gevens (UWMadison Department of Plant Pathology)—Research Award; and Adam Roth (UW-Madison Department of Agronomy)—Service Award.

Cavadini, agronomist and assistant superintendent at Marshfield Agricultural Research Station (MARS), is the manager of crop production and agronomy research.

Under his leadership, MARS has become a strong advocate for promoting soil health in Central

Wisconsin and beyond. Cavadini has explored strategies for successfully farming the heavy, poor-draining soils in the area.

Over the years, he has initiated or expanded no-till planting, and managed grazing, cover crops, perennial grass forages and sustainable crop rotations, as well as having planted pollinator gardens for the MARS farm.

Cavadini has turned the research station field days into more casual, non-scripted walks with his template for field days allowing participants to be active, hands-on learners.

Farmers and industry professionals walk the fields, stand among the cattle, get to know equipment, and offer their perspectives and experience with the goal of learning not only from the experts, but from the successes and failures of each other.

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For work she’s done with and for Wisconsin potato growers, Amanda Gevens of the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Department of Plant Pathology was presented the Research Award, January 19, during the CALS Agricultural Research Stations (ARS) Recogniton Awards reception.

Cavadini has obtained grants to purchase or update equipment, including a new forage research harvester, rainfall simulator, updated corn planter (with precision technology and functionality) and updated research plot drill (including precision technology).

He holds leadership positions in agricultural organizations, has received various awards for his conservation work, co-authored scientific manuscripts and regularly shared information via agricultural media.

PROLIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAM Gevens, chair, professor and extension specialist in the UWMadison Department of Plant Pathology, runs a high-quality and prolific research program focused on disease development and

management in potato and vegetable crops.

A major focus of her program is late blight of potato and tomatoes.

In Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest, late blight reappeared in 2009 after a six-year hiatus. When that happened, Gevens engaged county extension personnel, crop consultants, regulators and growers to educate them on late blight lineages, old and new, and how they would impact management.

Her research group continues to provide rapid responses to growers on clonal lineages, and describe fitness traits and host specificity, as well as the epidemic potential of lineages on both potato and tomato.

The Gevens research group tests the sensitivity of strains to conventional and organic-approved fungicides.

Recent work has focused on development of remote hyperspectral

The ARS Staff Award went to Jason Cavadini (left), agronomist and assistant superintendent at the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, and the Service Award was presented to Adam Roth (right, babe in arms), UW-Madison Department of Agronomy.

technology in detecting presymptomatic late blight in potato.

who report back on plant health and quality.

Gevens disseminates findings and recommendations through her website and social media, and her “STOP Late Blight Plant Share Program” distributes late blightresistant tomato plants to gardeners,

Gevens also engaged and aided state lawmakers in drafting two bills, signed into law, to help control late blight in the state. continued on pg. 42

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People…

continued from pg. 41

In addition to late blight, Gevens’ comprehensive research program spans a large range of pathogens that attack vegetables and emerging specialty crops.

Each year, she shares results from fungicide trials aimed at identifying the most effective, economical and environmentally sound treatments for numerous crop diseases.

SOYBEAN RESEARCH Over the years Roth, a support staff member in the UW-Madison Department of Agronomy, has played a big role in the success of the Conley Lab’s soybean

and small grain research program.

He is appreciated for his professionalism, positive attitude, good communications skills and the high quality of his field research and other work.

sensitive research within the program and keep things moving forward.

Roth has also contributed significantly to several recent scientific journal manuscripts involving soybean and small grain research.

Roth goes well above his expectations. A case in point is how he helped manage Shawn Conley’s Lab program during the COVID-19 pandemic while the professor was on sabbatical.

Beyond agronomy, he has also worked hard to raise his awareness of campus climate issues and foster a more inclusive work atmosphere for his co-workers and the students around him.

Roth was deemed an essential employee during that time, and, due to hiring restrictions, he picked up extra slack to continue ongoing

His attention to detail and high quality of work have significantly contributed to the success of the agricultural research stations.

Mesko Named PSA Executive Director

Potato Sustainability Alliance welcomes John Mesko to the team The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA, www.potatosustainability. org) is pleased to announce its new executive director, John Mesko.

John has an extensive and diverse agriculture background, including agronomic sales and service, information management, university education, farming and nonprofit leadership.

He grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in Minnesota, gaining a passion for farming and tremendous respect for farmers.

After graduating from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in agronomy and master’s in agricultural economics, his diverse career in agriculture has centered around helping farmers become more financially and environmentally sustainable.

John brings expertise in engaging farmers to understand and implement sustainable farming practices, as well as documenting 42 BC�T February

and demonstrating improvements to the food and farming value chain along the way.

SOIL HEALTH His most recent position was senior director of the Soil Health Partnership.

John is eager to help PSA move forward in achieving its vision to be the recognized leader advancing sustainability in the potato industry.

“I like the potential PSA has to make a real difference in the way we think about farm and food sustainability,” Mesko says. “So much good work has already been done in setting up the organization, and I’m grateful to be joining PSA at this exciting time.”

PSA Board Chair John MacQuarrie says, “As an organization committed

John Mesko brings an extensive and diverse agriculture backround to his new role as executive director of the Potato Sustainability Alliance.

to working with the potato industry to document and support sustainable crop production, we look forward to working with John. He brings a wealth of experience in the field of sustainable food production, and he will be a great asset to the Potato Sustainability Alliance.”

To reach John, email mesko@ potatosustainability.org, or call 763-260-0209.

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NPC News Podcast Discusses Taking Down Trade Barriers National Potato Council is knocking on the Mexican fresh access door Two years after celebrating the Mexican Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in favor of allowing U.S. fresh potato imports, as we begin 2022, the industry has never been closer to finally supplying this important trading partner with high-quality product.

During Potato Expo 2022, the industry’s trade experts sat down with Eye on Potatoes Podcast host Lane Nordlund to discuss efforts underway to knock down trade barriers in key countries such as Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other promising markets.

Guests of the episode included Matt

Lantz, vice president of global access at Bryant Christie Inc., John Toaspern, vice president of international marketing for Potatoes USA, and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council (NPC).

To view the podcast, visit https://www.buzzsprout. com/770336/9843736.

During Potato Expo, the Eye on Potatoes Podcast also announced its new presenting sponsor, Syngenta.

Thanks to Syngenta and the entire potato industry for their ongoing support of NPC’s mission!

During Potato Expo 2022, trade experts sat down with Eye on Potatoes Podcast host Lane Nordlund (right) to discuss efforts underway to knock down trade barriers in key countries. Guests of the episode included Matt Lantz (center), vice president of global access at Bryant Christie Inc., John Toaspern (not shown), vice president of international marketing for Potatoes USA, and Kam Quarles (left), CEO of the National Potato Council (NPC).

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44 BC�T February

NPC Wants You in D.C.!

Registration is now open for the 2022 NPC Washington Summit, which takes place February 28-March 3 at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, D.C. This enhanced event (combining the NPC Annual Meeting and the former Potato D.C. Fly-In) provides growers and industry partners the opportunity to help shape the direction of NPC and speak with one voice to lawmakers, administration officials and regulators.

Attending the NPC Washington Summit gives you the unique perspective on how federal policy is developed. More importantly, it gives you the chance to help shape that process.

• Meet face-to-face with your members of Congress and key staff and tell your story • Hear from top political analysts and insiders on politics and policies impacting your farm or business • Convey your real-life farming practices and challenges to decision makers.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to join fellow growers

Attending the NPC Washington Summit gives attendees the unique perspective of how federal policy is developed. More importantly, it gives them the chance to help shape that process.

to stand up for potatoes on Capitol Hill. To register, visit https://www. nationalpotatocouncil.org/events/ npc-washington-summit/ and scroll down to the Register Here tab.

The NPC Washington Summit is being held as an in-person event.

Virtual attendance will be available for the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, Board of Directors Meeting and committee meetings.

In accordance with the districtwide vaccination entry requirement

in Washington, D.C. (VaxDC), all attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination (two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine) and wear a mask at all times indoors, except when eating or drinking, regardless of vaccination status.

NPC recommends setting up a CLEAR Digital Vaccine Card to help us carry out the proof of vaccination verification, as required by the District. Visit https://www.clear me.com/support/digital-vaccine -card.

BC�T February 45

®

Gaining Growers’ Trust Years of consulting and plant disease diagnostics have made Pest Pros a trusted partner in potatoes It didn’t happen overnight. Randy Van Haren, founder and lead pest management specialist of Pest Pros Crop Consultants, a division of Allied Cooperative, was a student of the late Jeffrey Wyman, a professor of entomology at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison.

“My first year at Pest Pros was 1990, and I worked for Randy through college as an intern and eventually left for a full-time job at a national potato farm,” Selenske explains.

“I moved back to Wisconsin and resumed working at Pest Pros as a consultant, in 2010.”

Van Haren, who graduated from UW-Madison with a master’s degree in entomology, started out in mint and soon branched out into potato IPM (Integrated Pest Management).

Pest Pros has always been an independent crop consulting firm.

Serving customers since 1984, he built Pest Pros into a sustainable business through hard work and gaining growers’ trust as a reliable resource.

His manager, Matt Selenske, is a WPVGA Associate Division Board member originating from Westfield, Wisconsin, who grew up in the potato industry.

46 BC�T February

“We have always felt we are employed by our growers,” Selenske remarks. “In 2012, when Randy sold Pest Pros to Allied Cooperative, formerly Wisconsin River Coop, there were some questions about how independent we would remain.”

“I think, over the years, we have done a good job complementing Allied’s services and products with those of our customers who choose to buy from Allied,” he surmises, “and maintaining a good working

relationship with other service providers and retailers.”

SCOUTING 40,000 ACRES The Pest Pros crew scouts 40,000 acres of crops a year, in Missouri and Wisconsin, mainly potatoes, but also looks after all kinds of field and vegetable crops. Farm sizes range from 50 to 9,000 acres each.

The Pest Pros verticillium and nematode lab receives samples from 15-20 states. It currently cooperates with the national SCRI (Specialty Crop Research Initiative) for soil health in potato rotations and the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board’s SCN (Soybean Cyst Nematode) program.

“We also soil sample 60,000 acres, Above: The Pest Pros team does tissue sampling for nearly three-quarters of customers’ fields and helps interpret the results, while also soil sampling for many area potato growers.

mostly for Allied’s customers in the Central Sands and around the state,” Selenske relates. “We use that information to make fertility recommendations for the agronomy advisors that are attached to each customer.”

The nematode and verticillium lab was an early Pest Pros addition, as Randy saw the need for growers to assess risk from early dying of potatoes.

Nematodes plus verticillium can impact yields as much as 100 cwt. (hundredweight)/acre. In the early days of Pest Pros, more growers used the testing services in Wisconsin than now, but the business has been on a steady climb as samples come from all over the country.

“We have been running the SCN samples for the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board for the last five years,” Selenske notes. “The program continued on pg. 48

Above: As a manager of Pest Pros, a Division of Allied Cooperative, Matt Selenske’s job includes soil, water and tissue sampling; fertility recommendations to growers; providing variable-rate maps for lime, potash, or in some cases, phosphorus, so growers can be more precise with their inputs; data collection and analysis for good agronomic practices; taking stand and stem counts to determine later nitrogen needs; and even riding a potato planter in the spring to check seed depth and spacing.

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Gaining Growers’ Trust… continued from pg. 47

allows all soybean growers in the state four free tests per year.”

“We test not only for SCN, but also for all plant parasitic nematodes that affect other crops, including corn and vegetables,” he adds.

“There are certain nematicides and biologicals that can mitigate risk, and we try to keep up with new chemistries or resistant varieties in an effort to help growers,” Selenske assures.

TISSUE SAMPLES The Pest Pros team does tissue sampling for nearly three-quarters of customers’ fields and helps interpret the results, while also soil sampling for many area potato growers.

“We provide variable-rate maps for lime, potash, or in some cases, phosphorus, so growers can be more precise with their inputs,” Selenske says.

“We have been writing or helping growers write nutrient management plans,” he continues, “and we’ve been field scouting and using drones to capture NDVI [Normalized Difference Vegetation Index].”

Left: Through the Pest Pros full-service nematode testing lab, results are reported with a risk rating to help determine which management options growers should implement.

Right: Randy Van Haren is the founder and lead pest management specialist for Pest Pros Crop Consultants. A student of the late Jeffrey Wyman, a professor of entomology at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison, Van Haren built Pest Pros into a sustainable business through hard work and gaining growers’ trust as a reliable resource.

In addition, Pest Pros takes water samples for nitrate analysis and helps growers and manufacturers evaluate new crop protection products

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through in-field observation, yield digs and other forms of testing.

Part of its crop protection services is data collection and analysis for good agronomic practices.

“It’s not uncommon for any one of us to ride a potato planter in the spring and check seed depth and spacing,” Selenske states. “We take stand and stem counts to determine later nitrogen needs.”

“From seed receiving to harvest, we have been called on to diagnose and document issues caused by any number of maladies,” he says.

“Observations on soil moisture, crop health and crop development have always been part of our service.”

RandS.com 48 BC�T February

WE DO COUNT BUGS! “We stay informed of research and new products to help growers manage applications,” Selenske stresses, “and we do count bugs!”

Gaining the trust of growers takes time and experience. With that in mind, Randy and Matt have assembled a team of young consultants on staff, each of whom has had an opportunity to learn from them, just as Van Haren learned from Wyman.

“I cannot work with every customer on the personal basis that is required to know everyone’s operation, and

that is why we are grooming them for the future,” Selenske says.

The young consultants are up to the task, putting in the time and effort to work with customers and understand how they fit in each operation while educating themselves through independent learning and university extension conferences.

“In the off-season, we have discussion sessions,” Selenske

Above: A new crop of consultants—the next generation of Pest Pros advisors include, from left to right, the newest member of the team, Katie Hale, who is a licensed drone pilot and has been taking soil samples; Kelly Verhaalen, a crop management specialist; Austin Headlee, an agronomist; and Kelsi Mueller, lab manager.

explains. “We talk about the topic of the day or just visit about questions that surface.” continued on pg. 50

BC�T February 49

Gaining Growers’ Trust… continued from pg. 49

“It’s not uncommon for any one of us to ride a potato planter in the spring and check seed depth and spacing.”

“Randy and I have made a loose roadmap for crop protectants, but there is a lot of collaboration in season as unexpected problems arise,” he says. “And we visit with our growers in teams.”

Matt or Randy usually accompanies one of the younger consultants to grower meetings in the winter months as well.

YOUNG CONSULTANTS Austin Headlee, a former soils major at UW-Stevens Point, has taken on a major role in consulting for one of Pest Pros’ biggest customers. He is integral in soil sampling, nutrient management plan (NMP) writing, VRT (Variable Rate Technology) recommendations writing and drone applications.

The Pest Pros lab manager, Kelsi Mueller’s background is in biology

– Matt Selenske, Pest Pros

with an emphasis on biotech from UW-Platteville. She has become a great resource of all things carrot and looks at nearly 3,000 acres of carrots a year, as well as potatoes and cabbage. She counts most of the nematode samples that show up at the lab door.

Kelly Verhaalen, a plant pathology and microbiology graduate of UWMadison, is a crop management specialist and plant pathologist.

Her time is split between lab and field, counting verticillium colonies under a microscope and consulting on potatoes, carrots, beets and whatever new crop she is asked to evaluate.

Katie Hale, the newest member of the Pest Pros team, is a natural resource and biology major from UW-Stevens Point. Not only is Hale a licensed drone pilot, but she has also been tackling the brunt of soil

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For a directory of Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers or a free video, contact: P.O. Box 173, Antigo, WI 54409 715-623-4039 www.potatoseed.org

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Inc. P.O. Box 173 • Antigo, WI 54409 • 715-623-4039 50 BC�T February

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sampling this last fall.

She has been working on learning to make VRT recommendations and write nutrient management plans and is in the process of attaining her CCA (certified crop advisor) certificate.

RELYING ON RESEARCHERS Pest Pros has always been a bridge between the growers and UW extension researchers.

“None of us are shy about contacting Amanda Gevens and Russ Groves, or any other specialists, including Damon Smith, Sean Conley and those that deal with corn, soybeans and various crops,” Selenske says.

“Many times, we are contacting them with real-time observations, be it late blight in potatoes or western bean cutworm in corn,” he explains, “and it helps to get the word out in the agriculture community.”

“We look at the fungicide, insecticide and herbicide trials every year,” Selenske continues, “and evaluate if there are needs after the base programs that we have established.”

“Our young agronomists are committed to carrying that practice forward,” Selenske assures.

For a few years, Selenske and Van Haren were the only consultants on the Pest Pros staff.

“We chased interns around who gathered the data and then doublechecked and made recommendations from that,” Selenske says. “This left little time to explore other services that might fit into the operation.”

Expanding its staff has helped Pest Pros with the workload and allowed the team to look at possible new avenues. The drone projects, the SCN program and expanded soil sampling have all been made possible because of the next generation.

BC�T February 51

Auxiliary News

By Datonn Hanke, vice president, WPGA

Hello, everyone, and happy February! It’s hard

to believe we’re one month into the new year, and it will be planting time before we know it.

I’d like to take this month’s article a step back, however, and chat with you about the Christmas party we had in December. The Wisconsin

Potato Growers Auxiliary (WPGA) held its party, December 13, at Wysocki Family Farms in Bancroft, right before the hustle and bustle

of the holidays.

We all had so much fun dressing up in our ugly Christmas sweaters and taking part in a cookie exchange, and it was a wonderful networking opportunity to come together and chat with everyone.

It was also a great reminder to our members that, while the WPGA might work extremely hard to promote and educate the importance of Wisconsin potatoes, we also love to meet with other like-minded people passionate about the industry.

Above: In attendance at the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Christmas party were, standing, from left to right, Brittany Bula, Ashley Kertis, Lynn Isherwood, Marie Reid, Sarah Agena, Liz Wysocki, Jackie Sigourney, Maryann Hensel, Datonn Hanke and Allison Wysocki; and kneeling, left to right, Linda Kertis, Diane Wysocki, Becky Wysocki, Heidi Schleicher and Devin Zarda.

Left: Heidi Schleicher and Becky Wysocki show off their not-so-ugly Christmas sweaters at the WPGA holiday party.

52 BC�T February

Above: Though it was touted as a cookie exchange at the WPGA Christmas party, cocoa bombs and other desserts were allowed!

We will be holding another event this spring in the Antigo area, so if this sounds like a group you might be interested in joining, we would love to have you!

Reach out to the WPVGA office (715-623-7683) and find out how you can get involved with the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary!

Until next time,

Datonn

Vice president, WPGA

WPIB Focus

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

Month

Jul-20

Aug-20

Sep-20

Oct-20

Nov-20

Dec-20

Jan-21

Feb-21

Mar-21

Apr-21

May-21

Jun-21

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,267,472.18

1,275,285.84

1,290,414.89

2,235,567.48

2,498,333.04

1,787,069.62

10,354,142.05

Assessment

$101,400.66

$102,092.25

$103,233.20

$178,773.99

$199,895.60

$143,001.23

$828,396.93

Aug-21

Sep-21

Oct-21

Nov-21

Dec-21

Month

Jul-21

Jan-22

Feb-22

Mar-22

Apr-22

May-22

Jun-22

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,292,191.75

981,540.84

933,052.68

3,515,638.42

2,529,632.08

2,033,264.21

11,285,319.98

Assessment

$103,342.07

$78,594.28

$74,682.23

$281,175.63

$200,944.23

$162,677.29

$901,415.73 BC�T February 53

New Products First U.S. T-30 Drone Approved for Rantizo

Approval adds above-55-pound drone option for ag retailers and custom applicators machinery-caused soil compaction

Precision ag tech company Rantizo announces that the company has become the first approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for operation of the DJI Agras T-30 drone for agricultural applications.

Considered the most productive drone spraying tool on the market, the T-30 comes with a bigger tank that, fully loaded, weighs up to 169 pounds. Yet the drone can fit in the back of the average truck bed.

• More versatility in application, less reliance on weather due to precise application

The announcement comes highly anticipated, as the T-30 drone was launched in 2021 but could not be operated due to the FAA regulation only allowing the use of drones 55 pounds or lighter. With the exemptions received, Rantizo is the first and only company in the country with necessary approvals to operate the drone on a commercial scale.

“We’ve been seeing demand for bigger drones since day one,” says Emily Carlson, Rantizo marketing manager. “However, we are calculated in what products we offer within our system for drone applications and when we release them.”

Rantizo offers a turnkey system for drone application designed to make in-field applications such as pesticide application or the broadcast application of cover crops simple, efficient, safe and legal.

“This new platform is more than just a larger drone,” says Beau Brown, Rantizo special projects manager.

“The DJI T-30 represents a threegeneration jump in technological advancements for aerial drone sprayers, such as new avionics, obstacle avoidance and more intelligent field management.”

“These tools,” Brown adds, “combined with Rantizo’s expertise and support, will ensure our contractors and pilots continue to be the most successful in the drone application industry.”

54 BC�T February

“Headed into the 2022 season,” Carlson notes, “our approvals for use of the T-30 will be a game changer for both Rantizo contractors and the growers they serve.”

For farmers, drones supply another tool in the toolbox of options to increase efficiency in the realm of precision agriculture.

Benefits of on-farm drone usage include: • Little to no crop damage when compared to conventional sprayers • Major cost savings on inputs with spot-spraying capability • Improved soil health due to no

• Additional method of cover crop broadcast seeding

The Rantizo system includes drone equipment, but more importantly, a streamlined path to use it in the field, with peace of mind on regulations and legalities for those providing custom drone application services.

“Ag retailers want to stay on the cutting edge,” explains Sam Pendleton, Rantizo director of sales.

“It’s what their customers expect.

But at the same time, they have to consider how drone applications could work in their operation.”

“Whether that’s covering the awkward acres to make their ground rigs more efficient, adding a more precise option to their aerial fleet or simply gaining the ability to target

site-specific areas to provide costeffective options to their customers,” Pendleton says.

“Rantizo has been committed to providing those retailers with a system designed to do all of that for them in a safe and legal way,” he remarks. “The addition of the T-30 is only going to enhance those benefits.”

To date, Rantizo’s system has been primarily focused around the 10 Liter DJI Agras MG-1P. The Iowa City-based startup added proprietary technology such as an Upgrade Kit and additional waivers for multi-drone swarming to optimize productivity in the field.

The addition of a larger drone with more payload capacity, speed and use-case functionality will bring drone application viability across a larger spectrum into the 2022 season.

“As a company, we have developed a culture around product development that originates from what the customer wants,” says Rantizo Chief Executive Officer Michael Ott. TWO CUSTOMER SEGMENTS “In our case,” Ott notes, “we have two customer segments to consider: our network of contractors who want the most productive drone application system available to provide services, and their farmer customers who want both precision and cost-effective options for in-field applications.”

“Whether we tackle this with multiple drones or larger drones, the result is a win-win for both,” he says, “and that’s always what we keep at the forefront. Our approvals for the T-30 are just the next step in the evolution of where drone applications are headed for ag.”

Rantizo received initial approvals for single drone spraying operations from the FAA in July of 2019. At that time, the company became the first and only approved for drone spraying in the state of Iowa.

In July 2020, Rantizo became the first approved for three-drone swarming nationwide. Now, with approvals for operation of the T-30, the company that is just shy of four years old continues a path of fast-paced innovation.

With the latest approvals, Rantizo now has the green light to offer the T-30 drone for sale.

“We could have put the T-30 up on our website with a ‘buy now’ button several months ago, and I’m confident we would have sold out,” Pendleton shares.

“The demand has been there,” he assures. “But we don’t just sell someone a drone and let them figure out the rest on their own. It doesn’t do the customer any good, and it certainly doesn’t do the industry any favors.”

“Now, Rantizo is able to offer the largest, most productive drone on the market to our customers with a clear-cut path to use and profitability they can feel confident in,” Pendleton states. “That’s what sets us apart.”

For further information on the Rantizo system, pricing or package options, email info@rantizo.com.

PLAN FOR TOMORROW, LIVE FOR TODAY.

Brian D Blink, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® Wealth Management Advisor 715.610.3232 brian.blink@nm.com brianblink.nm.com

07-1012 © 2022 The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual).

The Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®) designation is conferred by The American College of Financial Services.

BC�T February 55

Potatoes USA News Potatoes Remain a Leading Item on Restaurant Menus Potatoes have a solid presence on 82.9 percent of restaurant menus in the United States, and Datassential predicts them to expand another 1.6

percent in the next four years.

Fast-casual restaurants are projected to experience the most growth of potatoes, 5 percent over

the next four years, followed by midscale restaurants. Regional and independent restaurants continue to menu potatoes more often than chains.

Lunch menus have experienced a decline in potato offerings over the past four years, pointing to an opportunity for future growth.

The top five potato dishes on menus are French fries, mashed potatoes, potato salad, hash browns and baked potatoes.

A variety of cuisines use potatoes, including African, as well as steakhouses, burger joints and barbecue places, all of which have over 99 percent penetration. Cuisines with the lowest penetration of potatoes include Japanese, Chinese and coffee/bakery restaurants, all with spuds on fewer than 51 percent of restaurant menus.

The top five trending potato dishes include tater drums, breakfast potatoes, curly fries, waffle fries and loaded fries, all showing the strongest growth rates.

Potatoes USA commissions the Datassential Menu Trends study.

Datassential provides data and market research services for the foodservice industry.

56 BC�T February

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BC�T February 57

Badger Beat Determining Leaf Nitrogen Status of Russet Potato Varieties Using visible and near-infrared spectral reflectance helps researchers improve accuracy of in-season diagnostics

By Ashmita Rawal and Matthew D. Ruark, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Department of Soil Science

Traditionally, crop nitrogen (N) status monitoring for potato is based

on the petiole nitrate-N (NO3-N) concentrations, which requires destructive sampling and is time-consuming to collect and process in the lab.

The petiole nitrate concentration responds quickly to the environmental conditions, but can also lead to false negatives, meaning petiole nitrate concentrations may be below optimum, but supplemental N fertilizer is not really required.

As we look to improve the accuracy of our in-season diagnostics, a more rapid and stable assessment of crop N status could provide more value.

A direct measure of the plant’s N status, though, could increase the accuracy of supplemental N 58 BC�T February

fertilization decision-making, but it would require measuring the total N content (mg kg-1) in the plant or leaf tissue rather than the nitrate in the petioles.

We explored the value of a direct measurement (i.e. “proximal sensing”) approach, which is different than remote sensing approaches, which are obtained through satellite, drone or any overhead camera images.

PORTABLE DEVICE A device that can rapidly and

Above: In an experimental setup, a vis-NIR (Near Infrared) spectroradiometer from Spectral Revolution, Inc., in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was connected to the leaf clip probe using a bifurcated fiberoptic cable in the lab to scan leaf samples. A portable Getac PC was used to control the measurements and store the data. In the lab, researchers conducted destructive sampling of leaf tissue, but the device can also be brought to the field in a backpack.

non-destructively measure leaf N content is a vis-NIR (Near Infrared) spectroradiometer. This device is currently one of the most advanced transportable spectral imaging devices on the market.

It measures across the visible (“vis”) spectra (400-780 nm [nanometer] wavelengths) and the NIR (780-2500 nm). The goal of this approach is to connect wavelength peaks to specific atoms (in our case, nitrogen).

Research across agricultural crops has shown that vis-NIR spectroscopy does a good job predicting leaf nutrient content, leaf chlorophyll content and starch content of plants.

Specific research on potato by

Cohen et al. (2010) found that leaf spectral reflectance in vis-NIR region correlated better with leaf N content rather than with petiole NO3-N. Thus, its usefulness will be primarily related to the leaf N content, not petiole nitrate.

Overall, the assessment is that the vis-NIR spectroscopy technique is influenced by chlorophyll pigments in the leaf tissues, which themselves are related to leaf N concentration (Haboudane et al., 2002), thereby making it the most reliable technique in predicting the leaf N concentrations.

CURRENT RESEARCH We conducted a two-year study to develop a faster, more reliable, and less cumbersome crop N monitoring technique by testing the feasibility of vis-NIR spectroscopy in predicting leaf N content.

The study was conducted, in continued on pg. 60

MODERN GRADING LINE

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Figure 2: A validation model shows a relationship between predicted versus measured Fig 2: A validation model shows a relationship between predicted versus measured leaf-%N where R2 = 0.89 leaf-%N where R2 = 0.89, RMSE= 0.5 and RPD = 2.5. The calibration model, built by using and RPD = 2.5. The calibration model, built by using all spectral data obtained in the year 2020, was validate spectralindata obtained yearfive 2020, wasvarieties validated thegrown data obtained indifferent the dataall obtained the year 2021 in forthe all the russet of using potatoes under five N fertil year 2021 for all five russet varieties of potatoes grown under five different N at two different sites. fertilization rates at two different sites.

FUTURE WORK Most sophisticated approaches to assessing the crop N status rely on either a nitrogen sufficiency index (NS utilizes a well-fertilized control strip, or a nitrogen nutrition index (NNI), which utilizes the total plant N cont

David J. Fleischman Farms kg-1).

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Use of vis-NIR could be valuable in helping assess the crop N status to be used in either approach.

Previous work out of Minnesota has shown that remote sensing of different spectral bands (e.g. vis edge and near infrared) has promise.

Our future work will expand our direct sensing approaches with NSI and NNI approaches for in-sea decision-making.

Will vis-NIR spectroscopy be the approach that can best guide in-season N management decisions? it is too soon to tell. But we have clearly demonstrated the accuracy of the approach and are eager continue research with this technique.

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WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES BC�T February 59

Badger Beat . . .

continued from pg. 59

2020 and 2021, at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station on Plainfield loamy sand soils.

Four popular modern Russet varieties of potato (Russet Burbank, Goldrush, Russet Norkotah and Silverton Russet) were grown under two N fertilization rates (0 and 300 lb.-N ac-1).

An additional study was established on a farm field near Coloma, Wisconsin, where three N rates (60, 120 and 260 lb.-N ac-1) were evaluated on Lakeview Russet.

Leaf tissue samples were collected across each growing season, scanned using vis-NIR spectroscopy, and then analyzed for total N. All the absorbance spectra were statistically analyzed with a partial least square regression (PLSR) technique to develop a model to predict leaf N content.

A study like this requires a lot of data.

First, we need a dataset to build an N prediction model (here, we used data from 2020). Then, we tested the model using data from 2021.

Figure 2 demonstrates that the relationship between the actual leaf N content (in 2021) and the predicted leaf N content as determined from vis-NIR spectroscopy was strong.

The validation model produced a good fit with an R2 of 0.89. Based on this and other model “fit”

diagnostics, we feel we have produced a useful model.

What makes us confident in this assertion is that our dataset included different varieties (albeit all russet based), different growing seasons, various N rates and different locations.

FUTURE WORK Most sophisticated approaches to assessing the crop N status rely on either a nitrogen sufficiency index (NSI), which utilizes a well-fertilized control strip, or a nitrogen nutrition index (NNI), which utilizes the total plant N content (mg-N kg-1).

Use of vis-NIR could be valuable in helping assess the crop N status to be used in either approach.

Previous work out of Minnesota has shown that remote sensing of different spectral bands (e.g. visible, red-edge and near infrared) has promise.

References Cohen, Y., Alchanatis, V., Zusman, Y., Dar, Z., Bonfil, D., Karnieli, A., Zilberman, A., Moulin, A., Ostrovsky, V., Levi, A., Brikman, R., & Shenker, M. (2010). Leaf nitrogen estimation in potato based on spectral data and on simulated bands of the VENμS satellite. Precision Agriculture, 11, 520–537. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s11119-009-9147-8.

Haboudane, D., Miller, J. R., Tremblay, N., Zarco-Tejada, P. J., & Dextraze, L. (2002). Integrated narrow-band vegetation indices for prediction of crop chlorophyll content for application to precision agriculture.

Remote Sensing of Environment, 81(2), pp. 416–426. https://doi. org/10.1016/S0034-4257(02)000 18-4.

Our future work will expand our direct sensing approaches with NSI and NNI approaches for in-season N decision-making.

Further reading Hatfield, J. L., Gitelson, A. A., Schepers, J. S., & Walthall, C. L. (2008). Application of Spectral Remote Sensing for Agronomic Decisions. Agronomy Journal, 100(S3), S-117-S-131. https://doi. org/10.2134/agronj2006.0370c.

Will vis-NIR spectroscopy be the approach that can best guide inseason N management decisions?

As of now, it is too soon to tell. But we have clearly demonstrated the accuracy of the approach and are eager to continue research with this technique.

López, A., Arazuri, S., García, I., Mangado, J., & Jarén, C. (2013b).

A Review of the Application of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Potatoes. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61(23), 5413–5424. https://doi. org/10.1021/jf401292j.

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.

60 BC�T February

Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

WPVGA Offering Food Safety Training For many, a new year signals a reset, a new start for embarking on paths untrodden. But there are other things that remain consistent from year to year.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association’s (WPVGA’s) food safety training is one such area, as the association again looks to assist the industry and help growers stay a step ahead of the curve with food safety requirements within their

respective organizations.

industry during each class.

The program began in 2013, at a time when many growers had been left to find classes on their own, and the courses were often quite expensive.

Over the years, many classes have been offered, including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, or HACCP, certification, Primus GFS training, classes on U.S. Department of Agriculture audit schemes, such as Harmonized Standard Plus, and classes that fall under the Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA.

When WPVGA started offering classes through the association, growers were not only able to get their required certificates at more reasonable prices, but also able to learn from others in the same

SORTING & GRADING

continued on pg. 62

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Marketplace . . .

continued from pg. 61

March 2022 marks nine years of the WPVGA continuing this tradition.

After extensive discussions with several Wisconsin potato and vegetable growing organizations, WPVGA will be carrying through with the following plan for 2022 training.

Produce Safety o WPVGA will hold one class on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 o The time is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. o The cost per person is $50 o The method of the class will be virtual

• Note: All attendees need to have audio and video capabilities on their computers during the class and video must be turned on throughout the class duration.

Primus GFS – Updates to the new version only oW PVGA will hold one class on Thursday, March 3, 2022 o T he 1-day class will be held virtually from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Note: It’s possible the class will end prior to 4 p.m., depending on questions and discussion. o The cost per person is $120 HACCP oW PVGA will hold one class Wednesday, March 23 through Thursday, March 24, 2022 •A ttendance is required both days to receive a HACCP certificate o This 2-day class will be held virtually from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. both days o The cost per person is $200 o Note: Consider taking this class if your HACCP certificate will need to be updated in a year. This class is not guaranteed to be offered every year.

Please email your registration form to Dana Rady at drady@ wisconsinpotatoes.com, or call 715-610-6350 with questions. The deadline for registration and for WPVGA to receive payment is Friday, February 11, 2022.

62 BC�T February

2022 Food Safety Registration Form (One person per form)

Organization: _____________________________________________________________ Name: _____________________________

Job Title: ____________________________

Phone (Business): ____________________

Phone (Cell): _________________________

Fax: _______________________________

Email: _______________________________

Potatoes: (Check all that apply) Seed Grower

Frozen Processed/Processed

Chip Grower

Shipper

Fresh Grower (any capacity)

Farm

Packing Shed

Current Certificates on file: (Check all that apply) HACCP

Harmonized Standard GAP

Preventive Controls

Produce Safety

Primus GFS None

I would like to sign up for/am interested in the following classes in 2022: Produce Safety

Primus GFS (New Version Updates only)

Wednesday, March 2, 2022 8:00am-5:00pm Cost/person = $50 Virtual

Thursday, March 3, 2022 8:30am-4:00pm Cost/person = $120 Virtual

HACCP (2-day class; attendance both days required) Wednesday, March 23 - Thursday, March 24, 2022 8:30am-4:00pm both days Cost/person = $200 Virtual

Registration/Payment Details: Payment Options:

Mailing in Check

Paying with Credit Card (call WPVGA office with credit card info)

Email registration form to Dana Rady at drady@wisconsinpotatoes.com Deadline for registration and payment is Friday, February 11, 2022

Tractor Efficiency Increased Purdue University research optimizes hydraulic systems connecting tractors and implements Provided by Purdue News Service Modern agricultural tractors contain so much cutting-edge technology, they rival even the latest spacecraft.

But the back end is still old-school, relying largely on fossil fuels.

So, any optimization in tractor efficiency is a huge win for the

environment.

With this in mind, Purdue University researchers have undertaken a $3.2 million Department of Energy project to optimize the hydraulic systems that connect tractors and implements.

Above: Tractors and implements use a lot of hydraulic power. By creating new solutions to optimize their hydraulic control systems, Purdue University researchers (left to right) Andrea Vacca, Xiaofan Guo, Patrick Stump and Jake Lengacher are working to make tractors more powerful and fuel efficient.

Photo courtesy of Purdue University and Jared Pike

A tractor uses fluid power to actuate everything from the steering and propulsion to powering the implements it pulls behind it. But powering the implements has proven to be a problem. The hydraulic control system of the tractor used in the Purdue University research study showed only 20 percent efficiency when connected to the hydraulic systems of certain implements like planters, seeders and bailers. “So, our solution is to try to find a way to make the systems talk to each other,” says Xiaofan Guo, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering.

64 BC�T February

“Fluid power is everywhere,” says Andrea Vacca, Purdue’s Maha Fluid Power Faculty chair, professor of mechanical engineering and agricultural and biological engineering, and director of the Maha Fluid Power Research Center, the largest academic hydraulics lab in the country.

“It is used in airplanes, cars and in all kinds of heavy equipment,” Vacca remarks. “A tractor is an example of a vehicle that uses fluid power to actuate everything from the steering

and propulsion to powering the implements it pulls behind it.”

But powering the implements has proven to be a problem. The hydraulic control system of the tractor has shown only 20 percent efficiency when connected to the hydraulic systems of certain implements like planters, seeders/ seed drills and bailers.

“There’s a conflict in the controls, where the two systems are almost fighting each other,” says Patrick

Above: "The sheer power of a 25,000-pound tractor with 435 horsepower, towing a 10,000-pound planter, it’s amazing,” says Patrick Stump, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering. “But there’s also quite a lot going on in the cab, especially to operate the planter.”

Stump, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering. “As a result, when it’s connected to a planter, the tractor always has to run at extremely high power, which wastes fuel and increases emissions.” continued on pg. 66

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www.RuralMutual.com/agent BC�T February 65

Tractor Efficiency Increased . . . continued from pg. 65

TRACTOR & PLANTER COMBO In this study, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Vacca’s team focused its attention on a specific combo of tractor and planter, both provided

by Case New Holland Industrial, with hydraulic systems provided by Bosch Rexroth.

See a related video by visiting https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=czEsxix19lw. In the video, the planter is 40 feet wide, with 16 planting rows.

“Each row has multiple machines working together to plant the seed,” says Xiaofan Guo, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering. “There’s a cleaning wheel in front to remove existing vegetation.”

“A cutting disc cuts a tiny ditch in the ground, a motor actually drives the seeds into the ground, a sprayer feeds water and fertilizer into the hole and then a final disc covers the hole,” Guo explains.

“There are 16 of these planting rows, which need specific amounts of pressure to successfully plant the seeds. And all of them are powered by a single hydraulic system,” he notes.

To tackle the problem of optimizing the tractor-planter combo, Vacca’s team chose a three-phase approach.

First, the researchers needed to characterize the hydraulic system and build a simulation model in the computer.

“These tractors are expensive and complex machines,” says Xin Tian, a Ph.D. student who developed the models over a four-year span. “So, we started by modeling individual components and testing them in a stationary condition here in the lab.”

THE MONSTER “When those are accurate, we combine the component models into a system and test the system so we can verify that the entire model is valid,” she explains. “The model is so 66 BC�T February

big and complex that my team calls it ‘The Monster!’”

Once they had validated their model, the researchers moved to phase two: developing solutions they could test.

“Different planting conditions require different amounts of pressure and flow rate,” Tian says. “If the model shows promising improvements in power and efficiency, then we can begin to implement these changes under real-world conditions.”

For the third phase—real-world tests—the team outfitted the tractorplanter combo with a myriad of sensors.

“We need to know how much power the tractor is consuming, what the hydraulic pumps are doing, and what the pressure and flow rates are throughout the planter,” says Jake Lengacher, a first-year Ph.D. student.

“All of that wiring leads into a new data acquisition box we installed in the cab,” he adds, “so we have a full picture of what’s going on during a planting cycle.”

Thankfully for the team, Purdue has plenty of places for giant tractors to roam. The College of Agriculture allotted Vacca’s team a quarter-mile

Above: The research team conducted several runs in the spring of 2021, when they planted corn seed at different pre-determined engine speeds and planting rates. Combing through the data, they found that their new hydraulic control systems translated into an overall 25 percent efficiency increase.

strip of land at the Animal Sciences Research and Education Center in West Lafayette.

TESTING SPACE “We are very fortunate at Purdue,” Vacca said. “We have a lot of lab space at Maha where we can test these large machines under controlled conditions; and agriculture also has lots of farm plots where we can conduct field research.”

And since none of the team members had ever operated such a large tractor in the field, Case New Holland provided training to teach them how to drive.

“The sheer power of a 25,000-pound tractor with 435 horsepower, towing a 10,000-pound planter, it’s amazing,” Stump says. “But there’s also quite a lot going on in the cab, especially to operate the planter.”

“It’s definitely a two-man job, so usually Jake is also in the cab

monitoring the data on a laptop,” he adds.

The team conducted several runs in the spring of 2021, when they planted corn seed at different pre-determined engine speeds and planting rates.

Combing through the data, they found that their new hydraulic control systems translated into an overall 25 percent efficiency increase.

“Given the amount of fuel that a typical tractor consumes, that’s a massive improvement,” Vacca notes.

“And this is only the beginning. Our project goal is to double the efficiency of the overall hydraulic control system.”

PRESSURE CONTROL “In the future, we plan on instituting a pressure control approach for the control logic,” she says, “which has never been attempted in agricultural vehicles.”

“When I saw the data that proved our solution worked, I was so happy,” Guo says. “I grew up in a city, so being out

“Our project goal is to double the efficiency of the overall hydraulic control system.”

– Andrea Vacca, Purdue’s Maha Fluid Power Faculty chair

and professor of mechanical, agricultural and biological engineering on these tractors is every bit as complex as an airplane or a rocket.

Diving deep into fluid power has been hugely applicable to my future in engineering.”

on a farm like this is a pretty exciting experience for me.”

“My specialty is control systems,” he explains, “so it was so interesting to see our theories in the lab being put to the test in the real world.”

“It’s certainly the highlight of my time here at Purdue,” Tian says. “I put so much time into these models, and to see the improvement in the results was really a happy moment for me.”

“Fluid power is a well-established field,” Guo says, “but there is still so much potential to propose new systems and new architectures to make things even better.”

Stump adds, “I never imagined I would be driving a tractor through a farm field for my Ph.D. I had plans to go into aerospace. But the hydraulics

“Seeing our students’ hard work,” Vacca concludes, “and witnessing an idea get from the lab to the field—that’s really the best part of our job.”

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W9751 HIGHWAY I BRYANT, WISCONSIN 54418 BC�T February 67

Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Div. Vice President Julie Cartwright, Jay-Mar, Inc.

Prosperity and health

to all during these cold winter months!

Printing and distribution of the February issue of the Badger Common’Tater comes simultaneously with the 2022 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this year.

The silent auction items are on display and five of our WPVGA Associate Division members will be presenting how their companies are “Bringing Value to Ag.” The lunch menu items to be served at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center during the show have had their last-minute tweaking and

everyone is enjoying the event!

This month’s column will be a little abbreviated in lieu of a full report in the March issue.

As we round the corner on a new year, we are met with another wave of COVID and fertilizer prices that are double (if not more) than they were at this time last year. These are not

the first obstacles agriculture has seen, and they won’t be the last.

This industry is nothing if not resilient, optimistic and looking toward the future.

FARMING FOR THE FUTURE A fantastic example of that is the Farming for the Future Foundation spearheaded by the Pavelski family.

At the end of last year, Dick Pavelski of Heartland Farms in Hancock, Wisconsin, offered matching funds for money donated to the Farming for the Future Foundation by January 31, 2022.

The Associate Division was proud to participate in the match by contributing $40,000 for 2021.

As fewer people have daily exposure to the process of growing food, education becomes that much more important.

Support from all of you continues to make investments back into our industry possible. Thank you so much!

Watch next month’s issue for a full recap of the events this week. Until then, stay warm and stay well.

WPVGA Associate Division member Wayne Solinsky (left) of Jay-Mar, Inc. enjoys catching up with Cliff (center) and Carole Gagas at the 2020 Industry Show in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

The publishing and distribution of this February edition of the Badger Common’Tater coincides with the 2022 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show.

68 BC�T February

Julie Cartwright

WPVGA Associate Div. Vice President

Ali's Kitchen This Dish Even Sounds Rich The author was intrigued by the melty, cheesy, buttery-ness of Baked Camembert and Potatoes Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Recently, a friend of mine sent me a short video clip of United Kingdom Chef Poppy O'Toole creating a dish of sliced potatoes and cheese. This was my first introduction to Poppy and one of her recipes, and I was incredibly intrigued by the melty, cheesy, buttery-ness of it all.

After a failed attempt to locate the recipe for what I had seen in the clip, I decided to spend some time in the

kitchen creating my version of her potato dish.

I’m pleased with the results!

Baked Camembert and Potatoes can be enjoyed as a side dish for a family dinner, but I encourage you to showcase the recipe when entertaining friends. This is one of those simple dishes that looks continued on pg. 70

INGREDIENTS: Baked Camembert and Potatoes

• 3-4 small/medium potatoes • 1/2 stick butter • 2 Tbsp. Herbs de Provence • Salt and pepper to taste • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped • A generous pinch of fresh rosemary leaves

BC�T February 69

Advertisers Index

Ali's Kitchen. . .

continued from pg. 69

complicated and sounds fancy— perfect for entertaining.

Mike and I served the Baked Camembert and Potatoes as part of a late-night appetizer board along with sliced hard cheeses, olives and glasses of Chardonnay. It was a hit with our group and deliciously filling.

A couple of suggestions before we jump into the recipe: What to do about that rind?

Camembert has a sharp, earthy flavor thanks to its edible bloomy rind. But not everyone loves the intensity.

You can temper the strong flavor by removing the rind completely.

If you’re like me and enjoy the Camembert rind, leave it intact but score the top of it in a deep crosshatch pattern using a sharp knife. This will allow the herbs to mingle with the cheese as it bakes.

Don't be afraid of seasoning.

Potatoes are a wonderful platform for all kinds of herbs, and Camembert’s strong flavor stands up well to generous seasoning.

We used a hefty sprinkling of salt and pepper, some chopped garlic and Herbes de Provence, a mixture of dried rosemary, oregano, thyme, savory and marjoram.

If you don't care for Camembert: Camembert is a round French cheese that comes in a small wooden box and is similar to Brie. Brie has a much lighter, more fruity taste that is slightly less intense compared to Camembert.

You can use Brie in this recipe but be aware that the wood box is important here, so select a Brie with the necessary packaging. You’ll use that box later to corral your sliced potatoes and reserve room for the cheese.

DIRECTIONS Remove the Camembert from its wooden box and set the cheese aside.

Place the bottom of the wooden box 70 BC�T February

into the center of a round baking dish or a small cast iron skillet.

Peel and evenly slice the potatoes.

Place them in a row around the sides of the baking dish/skillet, keeping the cheese box securely in the middle.

Melt butter in a bowl or measuring glass. Add the Herbs de Provence seasoning and salt and pepper to the melted butter and whisk to combine.

Drizzle about half of the butter mixture on top of the potatoes and set the remaining butter aside.

Place potatoes in the oven and bake at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Carefully remove the cheese box from the potatoes and toss it away.

Remove the plastic packaging from the Camembert cheese and either score the top of the cheese with a crosshatch pattern or remove the top and side rind entirely.

Place the cheese in the center of the potatoes where the box previously was.

Add the chopped garlic and rosemary to the remaining melted butter mixture and drizzle over the cheese and potatoes.

Return to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the camembert is melty and hot.

Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

AgCountry Farm Credit Services...38 Allan Equipment Manufacturing...41 Allied Cooperative........................36 Baginski Farms Inc........................49 Big Iron Equipment.......................25 Broekema Conveyor Belts..............5 Chippewa Valley Bean Co.............31 Compeer Financial........................33 David J. Fleischman Farms............59 Fencil Urethane Systems..............37 Fox Valley Technical College.........40 Gallenberg Farms.........................18 Hancock Agricultural Research Station.........................21 Heartland AG Systems..................23 Jay-Mar, Inc...................................16 John Miller Farms.........................15 J.W. Mattek & Sons, Inc................17 Lockwood Mfg..............................51 Montana Potato Advisory Committee...................45 Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems Inc.................................27 Norika America, LLC.....................43 North Central Irrigation................47 North Dakota State Seed..............10 Northwestern Mutual Life............55 Nutrien Ag Solutions....................57 Nutrien Ag Solutions Great Lakes...................................2 Oasis Irrigation.............................72 Oro Agri........................................11 Progressive Ag..............................44 Riesterer & Schnell.......................48 Rietveld Equipment........................3 Rine Ridge Farms............................9 Roberts Irrigation .........................13 Ron’s Refrigeration.......................24 Rural Mutual Insurance................65 Sand County Equipment...............29 Schroeder Brothers Farms..............7 Sunnydale Farms..........................67 Swiderski Equipment....................19 T.I.P., Inc........................................61 ThorPack, LLC...............................20 Vantage North Central..................62 Vine Vest North............................34 Volm Companies...........................35 World Potato Congress.................71 WPVGA Support Our Members....60 WSPIA...........................................50

30TH MAY - 2ND JUNE 2022 www.wpc2022ireland.com

The 11th World Potato Congress 30 May - 2 June 2022, Dublin, Ireland

The Changing World of the Potato WPC Inc. and the Irish Potato Federation are pleased to invite you to the 11th World Potato Congress (WPC 2022) in Dublin, Ireland.

This is the world’s leading event for potato professionals and offers an opportunity for delegates to gain a unique insight into the future of the rapidly changing world of the potato.

WPC 2022 will bring together industry leaders, researchers, NGO’s and producers and will provide a unique platform to network, make new business connections and engage with a global potato audience.

WPC 2022 will be held in conjunction with the 2022 Europatat Congress.

Main Congress Topics: » Key Market Trends » Opportunities for Growth » Latest Technology Developments

» » » »

Agronomy Sustainability The Green Consumer Development and Food Security

WPC 2022 registration is open! » Various social events, tours and accommodation can be booked during the registration process. » Visit www.wpc2022ireland.com for further details.

Follow us on social media to stay up to date @wpc2022ireland

See you in Ireland in 2022!

www.wpc2022ireland.com

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