February 2026 Badger Common'Tater

$28/year | $3.50/copy | Volume 78 No. 02 | FEBRUARY 2026

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES & POTATO EXPO COVERAGE ISSUE INTERVIEW:

KENT SYTH Territory Sales Manager Titan Machinery

EVEN POTATO EXPO Is BIGGER in Texas!

2025 WISCONSIN Potato Crop Report ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER Native American Farm Fields EXPANDING ACCESS To Fresh Local Produce

The Case IH 5550 liquid/dry applicator is set up with a New Leader NH-7 spreader for wide product coverage. Kent Syth of Titan Machinery took the photo at Signature Farms in Grand Marsh, Wisconsin.

ALL THE FERTILIZER KNOWLEDGE YOU COULD WANT. AND SOME YOU PROBABLY DON’T. Fertilizer is just one part of your operation. For us, it’s everything.

Our commitment to perfecting crop nutrition led to Pro-Germinator®, a complete NPK fertilizer. This formula stimulates crop processes to produce faster, earlier growth and retain nutrients. Your potatoes will get what they need, when they need it – and you’ll reap the benefits.

Find your weirdly knowledgeable agronomist at AgroLiquid.com Pro-Germinator® is a registered trademark and Nutriq™ is a trademark of AgroLiquid. ©2025 AgroLiquid. All Rights Reserved.

Year-round shipping from all areas.

Inventory • Replenishment services • Handle all freight needs • Long-Range planning • Jenna Wenzel • John Eckendorf Nic Bushman • Chris Lockery • Tim Feit Mike Gatz, Jim Stefan and Chris Fleming (Milwaukee) Paul Hegewald (All fruits and vegetables) Mike Whyte (Michigan) Transportation: Matt Dobbe • Denise Moze Mike Carter CEO | John Hopfensperger COO

800-826-0200 715-677-4533 • Fax: 715-677-4076 Rosholt, Wisconsin

On the Cover: According to Kent Syth, territory sales manager for Titan

Machinery, the New Leader NL720 combination liquid/dry fertilizer spreader features a 120-foot spread area, reducing passes, minimizing crop damage and boosting productivity. Kent took the cover photo of a Case IH 5550 liquid/dry applicator set up with a New Leader NH-7 series spreader at Signature Farms in Grand Marsh, Wisconsin.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW:

Participants of Insight FS operator training pose in front of a Case IH Patriot 4450 self-propelled sprayer at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station in Arlington, Wisconsin. The Patriot 4450 features a 1,600-gallon tank and 390-horsepower engine for high-performance application across large acreages. Kent Syth, territory sales manager for Titan Machinery, says the company offers a full line of farming, application and construction equipment.

DEPARTMENTS: BADGER BEAT.................... 36 DISHING IT UP WITH DANA....................... 60

30

38

50

PEOPLE

HUGE 1,000-YEAR-OLD FARM FIELDS LOCATED

NEW PRODUCTS

Jeff Huber of Alsum Farms & Produce receives honors in “35 Under 35” program

Archaeologists uncover raised Native Am. agricultural beds

Modern Produce Equip. is now offering Stanhay seed drills in Great Lakes region

FEATURE ARTICLES: 16 MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES are represented at 18th Annual Potato Expo in Dallas 25 GROWERS OVERCOME challenge of a hot harvest season with good yields/quality 54 WISCONSIN SPUD RUN expands access to fresh local produce for food pantries 4

BC�T February

EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 43 MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6 MARKETPLACE................... 33 NOW NEWS....................... 44 NPC NEWS......................... 59 PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6 POTATOES USA NEWS........ 53 WPIB FOCUS...................... 58

NEW INSECTICIDE GET FALCONDOR ™ SC PRODUCT INFO

PROTECT YOUR

BATTLEFIELD NEW INSECTICIDE

Falcondor™ SC, formulated with spinosad, delivers broad-spectrum control of pests including thrips and leafminers. Falcondor SC offers fast-acting performance and is an ideal partner in resistance management programs. ATTICUSLLC.COM

BATTLE TESTED CHEMISTRIES ©2026 Atticus. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Falcondor™ is a trademark of Atticus LLC.

WPVGA Board of Directors: President: John Bustamante Vice President: Wendy Dykstra Secretary: Josh Knights Treasurer: John Hopfensperger Directors: Mike Baginski, Randy Fleishauer, Brian Lee, J.D. Schroeder & Jeff Suchon Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Andy Diercks Secretary: Nicola Carey Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: Rod Gumz, Jim Okray, Eric Schroeder, Joe Seis & Tom Wild WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Matt Selenske Vice President: Ethan Olson

Secretary: Melissa Heise Treasurer: Paul Salm Directors: Brady Patoka, Scott Scheer, Morgan Smolarek, Sally Suprise & Brandon Taylor Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Charlie Husnick Vice President: Andy Schroeder Secretary/Treasurer: Markus Shafel Directors: Mitch Mattek & Clover Spacek Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Heidi Schleicher Vice President: Dakotah Smiley Secretary/Treasurer: Samantha Cypher Directors: Jody Baginski, Misti Kinnison, Jenna Suchon & Erin Meister

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 providing 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: Madison Hoffman-Taylor

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: $3.50/copy, $28/year; $45/2 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 18-19

INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND

23-26

NPC’S 2026 WASHINGTON SUMMIT Hilton Washington, D.C. National Mall Washington, D.C.

MARCH 24-26

WPS FARM SHOW 2026 Experimental Aircraft Association grounds Oshkosh, WI

MAY 16-19

NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SHOW McCormick Place Chicago, IL

27-28

WPVGA PROMOTIONS RETREAT Kalahari Resort Wisconsin Dells, WI

JUNE 19

WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI

JULY 8

2026 PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI

9

HARS FIELD DAY Hancock Agricultural Research Station Hancock, WI

14-16

72ND WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Redetzkes’ No Joke Dairy Stratford, WI

23

RARS FIELD DAY Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station Rhinelander, WI

AUGUST 6-16

WISCONSIN STATE FAIR West Allis, WI

OCTOBER 15-17

IFPA GLOBAL PRODUCE & FLORAL SHOW Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL

22

7th ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT Wausau Skeet and Trap Club Wausau/Brokaw, WI

26-30

WORLD POTATO CONGRESS 2026 Nairobi, Kenya, Africa

NOVEMBER 2-3

6

WPVGA & UW EXTENSION RESEARCH MEETING Hancock Agricultural Research Station Hancock, WI BC�T February

Planting Ideas I received more than

just confirmation from Mike Coker, senior marketing specialist for Wyma Solutions, that the company wanted to run its ad in the upcoming 2026 Buyer’s Guide.

He also emailed me the two images above and right, saying, “Here are some potato farming pictures from my family farm today. They show how small growers in Canterbury, New Zealand, are doing it, including the 1880s harvesting equipment modified by my great-uncle. The picture shows three generations of Coker’s—my father, brother and my son.” Thank you for sharing, Mike.

The strategic partnership between Volm Companies, headquartered in Antigo, Wisconsin, and Wyma Solutions, manufacturer of postharvest vegetable and fruit handling equipment, was evident at the 2026 Potato Expo, January 6-8, in Dallas. Forming a partnership in 2017, Volm and Wyma shared booth space at Potato Expo, offering not only produce packaging equipment and materials, but also post-harvest equipment and handling solutions to meet the evolving needs of growers and packers.

More than 30 countries were represented at the 18th Annual Potato Expo, the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry in North America, where 2,100 attendees visited the booths of 196 exhibitors. Organized by the National Potato Council, Potato Expo 2026 was one of the top three largest such events in the show’s history. See the complete feature article covering the show and the 20-plus images inside this issue.

Wisconsin potato growers overcame the challenge of a hot harvest season with good yields and quality in 2025. Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Tamas Houlihan and Director of Promotions & Consumer Education Dana Rady team up on a full crop report herein that includes acreage and yield, and potato crop usage broken down by area in the state, potato varieties, and market segments.

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

Schroeder Bros. Farms, Inc. WISCONSIN “ONLY THE BEST” CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES REDS

Dark Red Norland

RUSSETS

COL 8 Norkotah Goldrush Reveille Silverton TX 296 Norkotah

WHITES Atlantic Bliss Lamoka Mackinaw Manistee Petoskey Snowden

N1435 Cty Rd D Antigo, WI (715) 623-2689 farm@sbfi.biz johnt@sbfi.biz

Foundation & Certified Seed Potatoes

Interview KENT SYTH,

Territory Sales Manager, Titan Machinery

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

Founded in 1980, Titan Machinery owns and operates a network of over 100 full-service agriculture and construction equipment dealerships across the United States, Europe, and Australia.

NAME: Kent Syth TITLE: Territory sales manager COMPANY: Titan Machinery LOCATION: DeForest, WI HOMETOWN: Greenwood, WI YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: Twenty-eight PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Pavelski Enterprises, Wilbur-Ellis, Heartland Farms, Ag-Chem Equipment, AG Systems, Heartland Ag, and Titan Machinery SCHOOLING: Bachelor of Science, University of Wisconsin (UW)-River Falls, and Master of Business Administration, UW-Oshkosh ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Wisconsin Agri-Business Association (WABA) past president AWARDS/HONORS: WABA Outstanding Service to the Industry, and 2024 Titan Machinery Top Achiever Sales AwardApplication Division Above: Territory Sales Manager Kent Syth won the 2024 Titan Machinery “Top Achiever Titanium Sales Award” for his dedication to customers, passion for the industry, and consistent sales results.

8

BC�T February

The dealer network includes U.S. locations in North and South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Colorado, with overseas operations in Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Australia.

Each of the locations represents one or more of the CNH Industrial brands such as Case IH, New Holland Agriculture, CASE Construction, New Holland Construction, and CNH Capital.

The company offers a full line of farming, application and construction equipment, as well as parts and service support to keep it running.

Titan Machinery also partners with specialty equipment and technology companies to help provide comprehensive farm-level agriculture solutions.

Having been in agriculture for his entire career, Kent Syth, territory sales manager for Titan Machinery in DeForest, Wisconsin, is a familiar

name and face in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry and has serviced many agriculture customers in the state and beyond.

Kent, what is your own agriculture background, and how did you end up as the territory sales manager for Titan Machinery out of DeForest?

I grew up on a 25-cow dairy farm west of Marshfield. After attending UW-River Falls, I began my career working with application equipment and supporting growers in Wisconsin.

In 1997, I joined the DeForest-based application business, where I have continued in a similar role ever since, supporting Case IH application equipment and systems.

While the organization evolved and ultimately became part of Titan Machinery, the focus on local support, customer-first relationships, and doing the job right never changed.

As application technology advanced, my knowledge and expertise evolved

as well, which has kept me in this role supporting growers for nearly three decades.

Have you always had a passion for agriculture, and what has your progression been in your career?

Working on the farm taught me early what hard work really means, and that’s where my passion for agriculture comes from.

I explored other industries but found none with the breadth and opportunity that production agriculture offers. It’s an exciting, ever-changing industry, and my progression has come from working alongside growers as equipment, technology, and application demands Left: For the Wisconsin market, Titan Machinery specializes in all things “application-related”—sprayers, applicators, floaters, spreaders, and associated products and parts like tanks, valves, pumps, and tips. The Case IH Patriot 4450 self-propelled sprayer features a 1,600-gallon tank and a 390-horsepower engine for high-performance application across large acreages.

Right: During an Insight FS operator training seminar at the University of Wisconsin (UW) Arlington Agricultural Research Station, in the Public Events Facility, Brent Bast, CNH Global Crop Protection Product & Portfolio Manager, highlights new innovations in Case IH sprayer and fertilizer application technologies.

continue to evolve.

Titan Machinery was founded in 1980. Tell me about the history of the company and why you take pride in working there. After it was founded in 1980, Titan Machinery grew by expanding its dealership footprint across the Midwest.

Over time, the company expanded by focusing on parts availability, equipment solutions, and service capability at the store level.

Many of the Titan team members come from farming backgrounds

themselves, so they understand the realities of the field and the importance of strengthening local communities.

As customer needs evolved, Titan continued to add specialized support, including application-focused expertise through the addition of Heartland Ag Systems, now Titan Application.

I take pride in working for a company that invests in its people and longterm customer relationships. continued on pg. 10

RINE RIDGE FARMS FOUNDATION & CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES W8132 County Road O • Bryant, WI 54418

Specializing in new chip varieties Bliss • Mackinaw • Lady Liberty Lamoka • Petoskey

Dan or Ken 715-627-4819 • Toll Free: 888-853-5690 Fax: 715-627-4810 rinerdg21@gmail.com BC�T February

9

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

I believe you work mostly with Case IH applicators for crop protection products but expand on what you provide for potato and vegetable growers. For the Wisconsin market, we specialize in all things “application-related”—sprayers, applicators, floaters, spreaders, and associated products and parts like tanks, valves, pumps, and tips.

stay on schedule.

Do you also deal in New Holland and CASE Equipment, and what machines are useful to potato and vegetable growers? Yes, our location in DeForest deals exclusively with Case IH, RBR Enterprise, and Salford application equipment.

We also have access to a wide range of used agricultural and construction equipment through our large network of Titan Machinery locations throughout the Midwest.

Other Titan locations across the Midwest carry a broader range of Case IH, New Holland, and Case Construction products, though those lines are not supported directly through our DeForest location.

A big part of my role is supporting application equipment and systems.

Potato and vegetable growers work within tight application windows, so accuracy and consistency are critical.

For potato and vegetable growers, this often includes tractors, loaders, and other equipment that supports planting, spraying, hauling, and daily farm operations.

Through Titan Application, we help with equipment selection, setup, rate control, and system support so growers can apply confidently and

Why do you feel Titan Machinery and Titan Application offer proven equipment and solutions? We work with equipment that growers know

The Case IH Trident 5550 is a high-clearance row crop liquid/dry combination applicator delivering 42-minute changeover times to help growers cover more acres.

10 BC�T February

Above: After it was founded in 1980, Titan Machinery grew by expanding its dealership footprint across the Midwest. As customer needs evolved, Titan continued to add specialized support, including applicationfocused expertise through the addition of Heartland Ag Systems, now Titan Application.

and trust, but the real strength is the local support behind it.

At our Wisconsin location, the team has decades of combined experience working with potato growers and commercial applicators. We know the crops, the timing, and the conditions because we have been here and grown alongside our customers.

Titan Application adds another layer of application-focused knowledge to that local foundation, helping growers set up systems that fit their operation and perform consistently throughout the season. Nobody knows application better than the

team we have here in DeForest.

Do you work with many potato and vegetable growers in Central and Northcentral Wisconsin? Yes, I work with a number of potato and vegetable growers across Central and Northcentral Wisconsin. These operations are highly specialized, and many of our conversations revolve around timing, application windows, and keeping systems matched to their acres and crop mix.

“In covering the southern half of Wisconsin, I have never seen a group of growers more willing to try new things. If something doesn’t work, they move on and keep improving.”

– Kent Syth

Because we work in this area every season, we understand the pace and expectations that come with potato and vegetable production.

value parts availability and skilled service support, which is why our stores invest in well-stocked parts departments, trained technicians, and the tools needed to support application equipment.

Where in the area are Titan Machinery dealerships located, and do they all offer parts and service?

Titan has locations in DeForest and La Crosse, along with many more dealerships across the Midwest.

Our teams receive ongoing training on both equipment and application systems, so when growers need us, they are working with people who understand their machines and the demands of the season.

Walk me through a typical sales call with a potato grower and how support works after delivery. Most of my work with potato growers is built on long-term relationships.

I get to know their acres, rotations, and spray schedules, which helps me understand how application fits into the bigger picture of their operation.

Potato and vegetable growers

These local teams are backed by the

continued on pg. 12

broader Titan network, which adds depth in inventory, training, and technical support.

Teaming with growers to make more money and take less risk

COVERAGE OPTIONS

Ray Grabanski

MULTI-PERIL • LIVESTOCK CROP HAIL/PRODUCTION HAIL WHOLE FARM REVENUE PROTECTION

Penney Hammer

At Progressive Ag, we understand your concerns. We are Risk Management Specialists focusing on potato and vegetable crops. Being prepared means not only avoiding and/or minimizing negative events, but also being able to take advantage of profit opportunities. You see, at Progressive Ag we make it our business to know your farm operation. We are committed to help you “Make more money and take less risk” To find out more, talk with one of our agents or call 1-800-450-1404 • www.progressiveag.com “This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

BC�T February 11

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 11

Many conversations focus on planning ahead and anticipating needs as the season approaches.

When equipment is delivered, I am involved in the setup and training, so the grower and operators are comfortable before things get busy.

After that, support stays local through our parts, service, and application teams who continue working closely with the grower throughout the season.

Company-wide, how many locations does Titan Machinery have and how many people does it employ? Titan Machinery operates more than 90 dealerships across the United States and has international locations.

The company supports agriculture and construction customers with several thousand employees. That scale allows Titan to invest in training, service and parts availability, and technical support, while customers continue working directly with their trusted local store teams.

Was Heartland Ag Systems brought under the Titan Machinery umbrella, and how has that helped customers?

Yes, Heartland Ag Systems became part of Titan and now operates as Titan Application. Heartland has

long been known for its hands-on experience with application systems and support equipment.

Bringing that team into Titan strengthened our ability to help growers build application setups that truly fit their operations.

For customers, it means working with people who understand liquid and dry systems, product flow, and field logistics, and who stay involved after delivery to support the system throughout the season.

Above: Troy Neumeyer, equipment operator at Country Visions Coop, Rockwood, Wisconsin, holds a fertilizer spread-pattern calibration unit showing the even application of dry fertilizer this past October.

Do you enjoy working with potato and vegetable growers? Absolutely.

Potato and vegetable growers run some of the most disciplined operations we work with. Their days are driven by timing, crop stage, and tight spray and harvest windows,

PLANTING THE FUTURE MONTANA: YOUR SOURCE FOR EXCEPTIONAL CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES.

ELEVATE YOUR HARVEST

WHERE TR ADITION MEETS QUALIT Y

DIG IN AT MONTANASPUD.ORG 12 BC�T February

Download Your Free Certification Directory

With potato and vegetable growers valuing parts availability and skilled service support, Titan Machinery stores invest in well-stocked parts departments, trained technicians, and the tools needed to support application equipment.

and they expect equipment and support to match that pace.

Construction equipment in the surrounding area.

systems together, so they function as a complete solution.

What I enjoy most is helping them dial in a system that fits their operation and then seeing it work smoothly when things get busy.

For much of Wisconsin, we also provide used construction equipment such as wheel loaders and skid steers/compact track loaders sourced through the broader Titan network.

Talk about sustainability and how you help growers be more sustainable? Much of sustainability comes from precision. Applying the right rate in the right place helps reduce excess input use while maintaining yield.

So how do you help growers become more efficient and save time or money? For potato growers, efficiency often comes down to timing and flow. We look at how application fits into their day, from refill time to product changes to field transitions.

That can mean adjusting plumbing layouts, improving tender setups, or dialing in rate control so operators spend less time making adjustments and more time covering acres.

These improvements add up by saving time during tight spray windows and helping inputs go where they are intended.

What specialty equipment and technology companies do you partner with? On the application side, we work closely with companies such as Case IH, Salford, RBR, New Leader, and Heartland Ag Systems.

Application technology helps growers make better decisions in the field.

I have seen potato growers adjust rates and timing as crop growth

Titan Application helps bring these

continued on pg. 14

SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH HIGH QUALITY CITGO LUBRICANTS! SEVERAL PACKAGE SIZES ARE AVAILABLE TO MATCH YOUR USAGE AND BUDGET.

We offer a wide variety of Engine Oils, Gear Oils, Hydraulic Fluid, Transmission Fluid and Grease.

Also available, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, Antifreeze, Windshield Washer Fluid and Shop Supplies.

Do you also support construction equipment for potato and vegetable growers? Yes. The Titan Machinery dealership network supports CASE and New Holland construction equipment in many of the markets we serve.

In Wisconsin, we have a sister Titan Machinery location in La Crosse that is primarily a Case Construction dealer, allowing us to sell new Case

LUBRICANTS

E. Jackson St., Ripon CONDON OIL 126 800-452-1212 248 N. Front St., Coloma

www.condoncompanies.com

BC�T February 13

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 13

varies across a field, often reducing product use while still protecting yield and improving overall sustainability throughout the season.

Why do you feel good about your role in helping growers at the farm level? I like being involved beyond

the sale. Helping with setup, training, and fine-tuning gives growers confidence in their equipment.

Seeing systems perform well throughout the season is rewarding.

I may not have known all the answers throughout my career, but through

Above: A crew from United Coop of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, operates a Case IH Trident with a New Leader NL720 fertilizer spreader at DHN Farms, in Markesan, spreading dry granular fertilizer at a 120-foot effective spread width.

real conversations, ideas shared back and forth have often turned into solutions.

Having worked in the Central Sands for nearly 15 years, I was fortunate to form real friendships.

With new, unique formulations of novel AIs and trusted chemistries, UPL keeps the potato industry growing with crop protection and biological solutions that work where it matters most: in growers’ fields. Now that’s delivering solutions that make a difference.

For more information, reach out to your UPL representative or visit uplcorp.com.

Always read and follow label directions.

All products, UPL and the UPL logo are trademarks of a UPL Corporation Limited Group Company. ©2025 UPL Corporation Limited Group Company. UPL NA Inc. is the US affiliate of UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp) 25-UPL-2963 11/25

14 BC�T February

25-UPL-2963 CommonTaterAd_JAN-FEB_4.75x3.5_111225_VF.indd 1

11/12/25 3:26 PM

In covering the southern half of Wisconsin, I have never seen a group of growers more willing to try new things. If something doesn’t work, they move on and keep improving.

That mindset drives progress across the grower base.

What new technologies are helping growers today? One example is Case IH SenseApply. It uses a single camera to adjust application rates in real time. It is easy to use, has no annual subscription or per-acre fees, and helps growers respond to changing field conditions while they work.

I have seen growers use it to make simple in-field adjustments such as crop color and density change, improving consistency without adding complexity for the operator.

What do you see coming next for Titan Machinery and new technologies or services? Titan will continue working closely with OEM/ manufacturing partners to bring realworld application challenges from the field back into equipment and technology development.

Feedback from growers and applicators helps shape practical improvements that matter day to day.

As operations continue to move faster and become more complex, Titan will evolve by strengthening application expertise, improving support, and anticipating solutions that help growers stay efficient and on schedule.

United Coop of Beaver Dam operates a Case IH Trident with New Leader NL720 to apply dry granular fertilizer at Harlan Cupery Farms, Randolph, Wisconsin, in December.

SNOWDEN • ATLANTIC • LAMOKA MANISTEE • LADY LIBERTY MACKINAW • PETOSKEY • BLISS

Contact: Jim or John

continued on pg. 16 BC�T February 15

Even Potato Expo Is Bigger in Texas More than 30 countries were represented at the 18th Annual Potato Expo in Dallas

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

As the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry in North America, Potato Expo 2026,

January 6-8 at the Gaylord Texan, in Dallas, brought together growers, manufacturers, suppliers, value

chain partners, and industry leaders from the United States and 30 other countries.

More than 2,100 attendees visited the booths of 196 exhibitors, placing Potato Expo 2026, organized by the National Potato Council, in the top three largest such events in the show’s history.

Many potato associations and organizations support the show and take advantage of the business opportunities it presents, with Potatoes USA holding its Winter Meeting for three days leading Above & Left: With more than 2,100 attendees and 196 exhibitors, Potato Expo 2026 in Dallas was proof positive that everything really is bigger in Texas, including the oversize cowboy at the Potatoes USA booth.

16 BC�T February

up to Potato Expo, this year in the Gaylord Texan.

Affiliated organizational gatherings include the United Potato Growers of Canada Board meeting, Potato Sustainability Alliance General Meeting and Reception, United Potato Growers of America Board Meeting, the National Potato Council Past Presidents and Executive Committee Dinner, the Annual Meeting of the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF), and more.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) teams up with the University of Wisconsin Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association to host a Wisconsin Certified Seed Potatoes booth at Potato Expo.

Providing full Potatoes USA reports during the Winter Meeting were the Consumer; Retail; Market

Development; Culinary; Finance & Policy; Production Research; Foodservice; Communications; and Nutrition & Health committees; as well as the Seed Task Force.

Above: Potatoes USA Director of Nutrition Riley Peterson gives a Nutrition and Health Committee Report at the organization’s Winter Meeting, Tuesday, January 6, prior to the start of the Potato Expo trade show, January 7.

The Potatoes USA Nutrition & Health Committee anticipated the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2026-2030) the day after the Winter Meeting, January 7, with the

guidelines providing science-based advice on meeting nutrient needs, promoting health and preventing disease. continued on pg. 18

RECEIVING HOPPER HIGH CAPACITY SURGE HOPPER

WEB BELT SIZER EVENFLOW

TELESCOPING CONVEYOR

BC�T February 17

Even Potato Expo Is Bigger in Texas. . . continued from pg. 17

Fresh potatoes were included in the new guidelines, which prioritize protein and vegetables. At the top of the USDA’s new food pyramid are protein, dairy, healthy fats, vegetables and fruits.

and Education (APRE), which is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of potatoes’ role in promoting health. APRE conducts research on potatoes that generally fuels positive media coverage.

MONITORING MEDIA COVERAGE The outlook for processed potatoes in the new Dietary Guidelines is less clear, but Potatoes USA is monitoring media coverage and responding to misinformation, stressing that potatoes are a nutrient-rich vegetable.

APRE supports research in areas such as cardiometabolic health, healthy dietary patterns, and healthy lifestyles, and focuses on the nutritional value of potatoes.

The alliance aims to debunk negative stereotypes about potatoes and promote their inclusion in a healthy diet.

Aiding in scientific messaging is the Alliance for Potato Research

Positive messaging from Potatoes

Left: WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (second from left) poses with three of Wisconsin’s Potatoes USA Board members, from left to right, Wendy Dykstra, Charlie Husnick, and Kevin Schleicher.

RIght: Lyla Hathaway (center) of the Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association, and WPVGA Director of Promotions & Consumer Education Dana Rady (right) scanned barcodes at the door of the Potato Business Summit for which Victoria Stamper (left), general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada, acted as master of ceremonies.

USA and APRE is working, with one example being that potatoes are now the primary energy source among athletic men.

The Potatoes USA Culinary Committee reported on recent Chef Lab collaborations, Campus Foodservice Takeover events at universities, Teaching Kitchen symposiums, and an International Chef Reverse Trade Mission held in 2025.

International trade is a topical subject, with China and India establishing themselves as big players in the potato processing markets, and India being a volume producer of potatoes destined for processing.

Potato Expo Steering Committee members cut the ribbon to open the 18th Annual Potato Expo in Dallas.

18 BC�T February

Cedric Porter, Editor of World Potato Market, gave a Global Market Review

during the Winter Meeting, noting that U.S. tariffs are having a negative effect on international potato trade and that overall potato production is historically high, though down slightly for the United States and Canada in 2025.

“We need to defend the U.S. marketplace and expand our culinary influence, enhance digital media projects, and energize the retail and foodservice sectors. We need Potatoes USA Chief Executive Officer Blair Richardson said, “Right now better potato varieties faster.” we’re in a critical place, not just for potatoes, but all of agriculture. There – Blair Richardson, are so many outside disruptions that we really need to get our head out of today and look to where we need to be in the future.”

NEW COMPETITORS “We have new competitors in the global potato industry, shifting alliances, general uncertainty and unpredictable governments. There is a global race for new and improved potato varieties. We are not leading in this area,” Richardson emphasized.

“We need to defend the U.S. marketplace and expand our culinary

Potatoes USA CEO

influence, enhance digital media projects, and energize the retail and foodservice sectors. We need better potato varieties faster,” he continued.

Richardson unveiled a bold new Potatoes USA vision, “From Seed to Table, a New Path to Potato Innovation,” with the organization approving a feasibility study in 2026 to gauge its viability.

The Potato Business Summit, a joint effort between the United Potato Growers of America (UPGA), United Potato Growers of Canada, and Potato Marketing Association of North America (PMANA), takes place annually the morning before the opening of Potato Expo and in the same venue. continued on pg. 20

BC�T February 19

Even Potato Expo Is Bigger in Texas. . . continued from pg. 19

Lucas Wysocki, chairman of the UPGA, welcomed a packed hall for the Summit where representatives from 20 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces and several European countries gathered.

The Potato Business Summit agenda included an Economic Outlook from Stephen Nicholson of Rabobank, a European Market Update by Porter, a Consumer Market Overview from Kim Breshears of Potatoes USA, a Frozen Market Update by Daniel Metheringham of McCain Foods, “Potato Storage Solutions” from Steve Elfering of 1,4GROUP and NAPSO, and a Fresh Potato Market

From left to right, Oregon State University Plant Pathologist Kenneth Frost; Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP) Associate Research Program Director Brooke Babler; UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology Professor and Extension Specialist Amanda Gevens; and WPVGA Director of Promotions & Consumer Education Dana Rady pose in front of the “Wisconsin Certified Seed Potatoes” booth at Potato Expo.

Above Left: Exeter Engineering displayed an Oculus Sorter at Potato Expo, a three-drop sorter with a unique roller design that yields superior sorting and grading results.

Above RIght: Potatoes USA Culinary Director Chef R.J. Harvey (left) interviews Mike Carter of Bushmans’ Inc., Rosholt, Wisconsin, during the “Snack Wars: Little Minis Edition” cooking competition on Wednesday, January 7, at Potato Expo.

Sponsored by The Little Potato Company, 2024 and 2025 “Top Spuds” Mike Carter and Shelley Olsen of LJ Olsen Inc., Othello, Washington, defended their title against two other teams. The first was composed of Dean Gibson, Magic Valley Produce, and T.J. Hall, Hall’s G4, and the second team included Natalie Nesburg, Potato Sustainability Alliance, and Michael Rainis of Friehe Farms. At the end of a thrilling competition, Gibson and Hall emerged victorious.

20 BC�T February

From left to right, T.J. Kennedy and his sons, Tyler and Marcus, and WPVGA Board member Josh Knights represented Heartland Farms of Hancock, Wisconsin, at Potato Expo.

Outlook given by Mark Klompien, UPGA. The trade show officially opened at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, and one hour later the “Snack Wars: Little Minis Edition” cooking competition commenced on the Expo Stage, hosted by Potatoes USA Culinary Director Chef R.J. Harvey and Executive Sous Chef Aurora Hollenbeck.

Sponsored by The Little Potato Company, the 2024 and 2025 “Top Spuds” Mike Carter of Bushmans’ Inc., in Rosholt, Wisconsin, and continued on pg. 22

Above Left: Leading a panel discussion on “Potato Certification: Advancing Direct Tuber Testing” on Wednesday of Potato Expo are, from left to right, moderator Nina Zidack, Ph.D. and former director of Montana Seed Potato Certification; Andrew Houser, Ph.D., manager of the Colorado Potato Certification Service; Brooke Babler, associate research program director for the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program; and Jason Kimm, Montana Potato Improvement Association Board member and owner/operator of Kimm Seed Potatoes.

’s Ronefrigeration R & Air Conditioning

24 HOUR

EMERGENCY SERVICE

Above RIght: Carol Tweet of Bedford Industries shows off the CloseIt® “Wisconsin Potatoes” produce bag clips that the company makes for Warner & Warner Inc. and Okray Family Farms, of Plover, among others.

YOUR ONE CALL STORAGE SOLUTION

Computerized Control Systems Refrigeration • Humidification • Ozone Electrical Design & Installation Potatoes • Onions Sprout Inhibiting: Sprout Nip® • Amplify® • Shield®

This good-looking group from Wisconsin attending Potato Expo includes, from left to right, Amy Wiernik of the Food + Farm Exploration Center; Mike Carter, Bushmans’ Inc.; Alicia, Charlotte and Jeremie Pavelski, Heartland Farms; John Hopfensperger, Bushmans’ Inc.; and Alexandria Behrend, Food + Farm Exploration Center.

1-800-236-0005 WWW.RONSREFRIGERATION.COM

BC�T February 21

Even Potato Expo Is Bigger in Texas. . . continued from pg. 21

Shelley Olsen of LJ Olsen Inc., Othello, Washington, defended their title against two other teams.

OPPOSING TEAMS The first opposing team was composed of Dean Gibson of Magic Valley Produce, and T.J. Hall from Hall’s G4, and the second team included Natalie Nesburg, Potato Sustainability Alliance, and Michael Rainis of Friehe Farms. At the end of

a thrilling competition, Gibson and Hall emerged victorious.

Breakout sessions and Potato Talks touched on subjects such as international opportunities for the U.S. potato industry, management of invasive potato nematodes, using artificial intelligence (AI) for potato production, understanding disruptive weather patterns, mental health, and tracking potato canopy metrics.

Enjoying the WSPIA & Chip Committee Annual Reception are, from left to right, Leigha and Ty Rohloff, Cathy Schommer, Alyssa Perry, John Huss, Ann Urbik, and Dan Kendall.

22 BC�T February

Left: U.S. Marine Corps Col. (Ret.) Rob Abbott presents “Mental Health—Lessons from the Gettysburg Battlefield” on the Cultivation Stage at Potato Expo. For the past couple of years, the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) has developed a new leadership program titled “Leadership in the Field: From Battlefield to Potato Field.”

Right: Baginski Farms of Antigo, Wisconsin, was well represented at Potato Expo by, from left to right, Mike Baginski, Mason Mullins, and Charlie Husnick.

Apple AirPods were the door prize of choice when Matthew Hartmann of BMO Bank had his name drawn during the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA) & WPVGA Chip Committee Annual Reception, Wednesday evening of Potato Expo.

Left: Jared Suchon of Bushman Riverside Ranch won an Apple Watch in a door prize drawing during the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA) & WPVGA Chip Committee Annual Reception, Wednesday evening of Potato Expo.

Direct tuber testing was discussed as a viable option for seed certification, as were topics such as succession planning, the U.S. ag labor policy, and the AIM Act and its impact on potato storage.

networking opportunities, including a welcome reception, beer garden, on-site potato-centric lunches, and a Potato LEAF Auction, which raised more than $200,000 to support leadership development within the U.S. potato industry.

The 2026 Potato Expo included 02-26 Badger Common'Tater numerous social events and (7.25x4.75).v1.1.pdf

1

2026-01-07

1:42 pm continued on pg. 24

Middle and Right: Katie Hall of Hall’s G4 and Larry Alsum, Alsum Farms & Produce, each won a crisp $100 bill in door prize drawings during the WSPIA and WPVGA Chip Committee Annual Reception. Earlier in the day, T.J. Hall and Dean Gibson, Magic Valley Produce, won the “Snack Wars: Little Minis Edition” cooking competition. Hall’s G4 is a fourth-generation family farm in Hoople, North Dakota, with a long history of growing potatoes in the Red River Valley.

BC�T February 23

Even Potato Expo Is Bigger in Texas. . . continued from pg. 23

Above: Discussing “The Impact of BioControls and Bio-Stimulants in Potato Production” Thursday afternoon of Potato Expo are, from left to right, Chris Thrasher, vice president of product development and innovation at Meristem, Alex Cochran, chief technology officer for DPH Biologicals, and Jeff Sommers, general manager of Wysocki Farms.

Other social events included a KickOff Reception, “Mash-ter Minds Team Trivia,” and an “It’s a Wrap-Up Party” following the closing of Potato Expo on Thursday evening and featuring dueling pianos for an immersive piano bar experience.

The Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association & WPVGA Chip Committee held their annual reception at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center following Potato Expo, Wednesday evening, with refreshments, door prizes, appetizers, networking and fun.

On Thursday of Potato Expo, National Potato Council Chief Operating Officer Mike Wenkel (left) moderated a U.S. Agriculture Labor Policy Update panel with Jonathan Sarager (center), senior federal government affairs director for Western Growers, and John Walt Boatright (right), director, government affairs, for the American Farm Bureau Federation.

University of Wisconsin (UW) Professor and Extension Specialist Russell Groves, Department of Entomology, did the honors

GALLENBERG FARMS, INC. N4528 Clover Road • Antigo, WI 54409

FOUNDATION AND CERTIFIED SEED Dark Red Norlands • Superiors • Goldrush Oneida Gold • Red Prairie

715-623-7018 or 715-216-0983 rgallenberg@hotmail.com

24 BC�T February

of emceeing the event and announcing winners of door prizes.

Potato Expo focuses on innovation, education and networking. The event facilitates collaboration and partnerships, offering opportunities for industry professionals to share insights and explore the latest developments in potato production, processing, and sustainability.

Potato Expo 2027 will be held January 5-7 at the Gaylord Rockies in Aurora, Colorado. More information is available by visiting https://www. nationalpotatocouncil.org/potatoexpo/.

2025 Wisconsin Potato Crop Report Growers overcome the challenge of a hot harvest season with good yields and quality

By Tamas Houlihan and Dana Rady General Report/Acreage and Yield The Wisconsin potato planting season began in early April in the central and southern regions and wrapped up by late May in northern areas. It was a good planting season with most growers finishing ahead of schedule.

yellow potatoes were close to average. The quality for early russet varieties was good to excellent, but the size profile was smaller than usual.

As growers were getting ready to dig storage potatoes, the temperatures were well above average. As a result, there was a lot of very early continued on pg. 26

Growing conditions were nearly ideal during the month of June. Reports indicated that crop emergence was exceptional.

Some areas received a little rain in late June and early July, but in general the state was relatively dry, which growers prefer. Last spring, Wisconsin received a significant amount of rain in May and early June, which caused crop damage and drown-outs in lowlying areas.

By early September, close to one-third of this year’s crop was harvested. Yields for early red and Above: Pierce Johnson took this image of 2025 potato harvest at Wysocki Produce Farm in Bancroft, Wisconsin.

BC�T February 25

2025 Wisconsin Potato Crop Report. . . continued from pg. 25

morning and night digging this year, which slowed the harvest progress significantly. Most growers couldn’t dig a full day throughout September.

Fresh and chip stock growers are pleased with this year’s crop. They report that both quality and yields have been good.

Yields for frozen processing potatoes have been better than expected.

Potato storage facilities are full, and some growers were looking for extra storage space due to slow earlyseason movement.

PACKOUT RATES Packout rates for the 2025 table potato crop are improved and relative to last year’s crop.

For crop year 2025, Wisconsin growers planted 66,753 acres of potatoes, a 2.3% increase over the 2024 crop. Some frozen processing potato growers received contract volume reductions of up to 7%. It is

Janelle West supervises storage of a Frito-Lay potato variety at Eagle River Seed Farm in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

likely that some of those acres were planted to table potato varieties.

Certified seed potato acreage is 9,215 acres, down 4.2%.

The average yield estimate for the

state is 430 hundredweight (cwt.) per acre. The harvested acreage estimate is 66,000 acres (up 4,000 acres over last year), which provides the crop production estimate for Wisconsin at

Elevate Your Coverage for Growing Success Advanced Drone Applications for Ag, Turf, and Timber Introducing the All-New T60X: Advanced Drone Power, Built to Perform • 30 mph Top Speed • 15.9 Gal Liquid Capacity • 21.2 Gal Dry Spreading Capacity • 132 lb Lifting Power • Real-Time Mapping • FAA Approved • Unrivaled Ease-of-Use American Drone is an Authorized DJI and XAG Service Center, offering custom applications, expert sales, pilot training, and regulatory support to keep you flying with confidence.

Helping you get in the air—and stay there.

Backed by expertise. Driven by precision.

213 Air Park Rd, Marshfield, WI 54449 262-443-9177

Info@americandrone.us www.americandrone.us

26 BC�T February

28.38 million cwt., an increase of 9% over 2024.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that Wisconsin growers planted 68,000 acres of potatoes in 2025, but USDA also estimates that growers abandoned 1,000 acres of potatoes this year.

The average yield reported by USDA is 420 cwt. per acre, which puts Wisconsin’s 2025 production at 28.14 million cwt., very close to our estimate.

Overall, Wisconsin’s potato crop is in good condition. Quality is very good, although there are some reports of hollow heart in oversize tubers. There was no late blight or frost damage.

AREA REPORTS West and Northwest Wisconsin Planting season was on time, and this region had a good growing season.

There were timely rains and irrigation filled in the gaps. Yields are up 5-15% and quality is reported as very good for all varieties.

The harvest season was very warm, and growers dug a lot of half-days.

Harvest continued well into October, about two weeks longer than last year.

Average yields on russets were reported to be between 500 and 550 cwt./acre. Size profile is average, similar to last year. There are no issues with disease and no storage concerns.

Antigo, Rhinelander, Eagle River Growers reported an excellent planting and growing season in northcentral Wisconsin. The harvest season was similar to other regions with very warm temperatures slowing down harvest in September.

All told, growers (mostly seed) report above average yields with good size and excellent quality. Some of the yield numbers reported by growers include Russet Norkotah (400 cwt./ acre); Goldrush (390-400); Snowden (400); Manistee (375); Caribou (370); Reveille (370-390); Dark Red Norland (370-380); Silverton (360); Atlantic (360); Lamoka (340-350); Frito-Lay varieties (330-350); and Bliss (320).

Wisconsin seed authorities certified 9,215 acres of potatoes from the 2025 crop. That is 401 acres less than they certified a year ago, a 4.2% reduction.

The seed area for major chip potato varieties increased by 111 acres, to 5,956 acres. That included a 110-acre increase in the state’s Frito-Lay seed area and a small increase in other chip potato varieties. The Atlantic seed area fell by 30 acres, while the Lamoka seed area increased by 51

acres. The seed area also dropped for Snowden, Manistee, Lady Liberty, Superior, and Mackinaw. Acreage for Petoskey seed potatoes increased by 170 acres, to 229 acres.

Wisconsin’s seed area for major russet table potato varieties increased by 22 acres, to 1,393 acres.

That included a 46-acre increase in the Reveille seed area and a 100-acre increase in Norkotah acreage. continued on pg. 28

Customizing equipment to fit your needs for over 30 years!

2013 LENCO WRAP-AROUND SELF-PROPELLED HARVESTER Sale Price: $550,000

SALFORD BBI SPREADERS In Stock

Proud Dealer of:

VARIOUS TILLAGE OPTIONS

NEW LINE OF FERTILIZER TANKS Duo-Lift Cone Bottom Tanks Multiple Sizes Available

PORTABLE DIRT CONVEYOR In Stock

® Mulchers

Rock Crushers

Conveyor Belts

New & Used Sales Service • Repair

2731 Maple Drive • Plover, WI 54467 • 715-344-3401 • Toll Free: 1-888-696-4019

www.bigironequipment.com

BC�T February 27

2025 Wisconsin Potato Crop Report. . .

2025 WISCONSIN POTATO CROP USAGE BREAKDOWN

continued from pg. 27

At 539 acres, the seed area for Silverton, the top russet table potato variety, dropped by 85 acres. The Goldrush seed area fell by 71 acres, to 266 acres. The dual-purpose Caribou Russet certified area fell by 34 acres, to 441 acres.

Wisconsin’s certified seed area for major red potato varieties fell by 9.3%, to 750 acres. Three of the top four red potato varieties saw acreage reductions, including Dark Red Norland (-71 acres), Red Norland (-47 acres), and Red LaSoda (-67 acres). The acreage for Blushing Belle increased by 108 acres.

Seed Potatoes

4,257,000

15%

Chip Potatoes

8,230,200

29%

Frozen/Fry

5,108,400

18%

Fresh Potatoes

10,784,400

38%

Total

28,380,000

100%

Caribou Russet (441), Dark Red Norland (339), Norkotah (288), Goldrush (266) and Manistee (259).

of September and the first two weeks of October produced nearly ideal harvest conditions.

Colomba is Wisconsin’s only major yellow potato variety with 144 acres, up 5.4% over last year.

Central Wisconsin Stevens Point/Plover/Amherst Planting started on time with most growers beginning early- to mid-April.

Planting season went well overall.

The summer brought cooler than usual temperatures but was followed by a beautiful harvest season.

The Colorado Potato Beetle pressure was high but did not impact yields.

Overall, growers reported average to above-average yields and good quality with nice even sets and a very good size profile.

Frito-Lay varieties represent the highest number of certified seed acres in Wisconsin (2,884), followed

by Atlantic (836), Lamoka (807), Silverton (539), Snowden (480),

Hot temperatures were a big challenge in September and greatly slowed down the harvest, which continued well into October for many farms. But the last week

Yield numbers for russets included averages of: Caribou (as low as 410 and as high as 600 cwt./acre), Plover Russet (485), Reveille (as low as 380 and as high as 480), Silverton (some fields 380, others 410-420 and some 470), Russet Burbank (450-475 and as high as 600), Russet Norkotah (410) and Goldrush (390-400).

Yellow variety Columba averaged around 425 on the low end and 450470 cwt./acre on average, with some fields hitting 650 on the high end. Jelli averaged about 420. Red Norlands averaged 425 cwt./acre, very close to average over the years.

Central Wisconsin Plainfield/Bancroft/Nekoosa Planting started on time around April 10. It was a good planting season with nice weather. The summer was cooler than usual, with a lack of heat and sun, which slowed bulking.

The abnormally high heat in September extended harvest by at least one week and allowed the crop to catch up with late bulking. Most growers said it was a decent growing season overall. Yields are reported to be up 5% over average and 20% above last year. The size profile varies by grower, with some reporting that size is smaller than last year by about 5%, while others say it is average in size, but larger than last year.

28 BC�T February

Quality is excellent, especially compared to 2024. Average yields for russets are reported to be 450460 cwt./acre. Chip potato yields are higher than last year, averaging close to 500 cwt./acre compared to 430 in 2024.

and a good growing season, with timely rainfall reducing the need for irrigation. The heat made harvest a challenge in September. Some fields were not done with harvest until October 29, but they were still finished before the freeze.

Central Wisconsin - Hancock Planting started on time around April 10 and was completed on time. It was a good growing season followed by warm temperatures at harvest, causing a lot of night and early morning digging.

Yields and quality are reported to be very good, with one grower saying it’s one of the nicest crops the farm has seen in a while. Overall, yields are above average, and in some fields,

Harvest was extended by at least 10 days. Yields on chipping varieties averaged between 495 and 515 cwt./ acre, considerably higher than last year. Yields on russets averaged 525530 cwt./acre, up about 10% over last year.

Size profile is good, with some of the biggest tubers they’ve seen in several years and 25% larger than last year. Growers report that this year’s crop has some of the best quality in a long time. There was little disease pressure and no storage concerns at this time.

Central Wisconsin Coloma/Grand Marsh Planting season started on time in mid-April. The growing season went well, with average rainfall, although insect pressure was high. Most growers finished harvest 10 days later than normal due to the high heat in September.

Yields were reported to be up over last year, but smaller in size profile.

One grower reported russets averaged 550 cwt./acre and yellows averaged 650.

A few acres were left in the field due to internal defects. Major varieties and yields are as follows: Reveille (525 cwt./acre); Goldrush (475); Caribou (465); Columba (585); Atlantic (440); Superior (390) and Red Norland (360). Storage is reported to be going well overall.

they are up by at least 30%. Reds are averaging over 350 cwt./acre and yellows are at 450 cwt./acre.

Size profile is larger than normal and above average, with most varieties having an 80/20 split, with 80% size A and 20% size B. Russets have a slightly smaller size profile with yields in the 425-450 range.

Growers feel good about the quality of the crop in storage.

Description: Available in both 30# and 50# in all colors.

2000/bags per roll.

Stock Color: Red Other colors available: Orange, White, Blue, Purple, Tan, Green, etc...

Ask about our stocking program.

Mesh Rollstock material is less expensive than premade bags. As Labor costs continue to increase, automation is in high demand on all packing lines. With the investment of mesh rollstock baggers, Thorpack strives to meet packing house needs with the best mesh rollstock available. No need for pack off tables and hand packing labor. Move forward into automation and reduce packing cost with this mesh rollstock material. Your cost savings on your material and less labor will generally pay for this machine within a short period of time.

20# Sewing thread available for all mesh rollstock material Equipment: Mesh rollstock functions excellent on the following equipment: Upmatic, Ilapack, Gillen Kirch, H-Tech, Saclark, Volmpack, plus more.

Southern Wisconsin Spring Green/Endeavor Growers report on-time planting BC�T February 29

People WFBF Annouces Top “35 Under 35” Individuals

Alsum Farms & Produce Agronomy Manager Jeff Huber recognized as land steward

By Rachel LaCount, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Five individuals have been selected to receive top honors in the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) “35 Under 35 Awards” program. The awards are presented

by WFBF’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) program in partnership with Insight FS. The 35 Under 35 program recognizes the creativity and innovation of young farmers and agriculturists who are preserving agriculture through leadership in environmental, social and economic activities.

Applications were evaluated for their involvement in one of five

categories: Sustainable Future, Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Service, Sustainable Storytelling and Sustainable Self.

Finalists were recognized at WFBF’s Annual Meeting and YFA Conference in Wisconsin Dells on December 6, 2025. Each finalist received a $100 cash prize and apparel item. The top individual in each category received a $500 cash prize.

“We’re thrilled to recognize and celebrate each of these outstanding individuals for their commitment to sustainability and the positive impact they’re making in their communities,” says WFBF YFA Chair Kendall Riskedal.

“From large-scale initiatives to everyday efforts, each finalist is helping drive meaningful progress

toward a more sustainable future.”

The Sustainable Environment category recognizes individuals who are good stewards of the land and their resources. The top individual in the Sustainable Environment category is Jeff Huber from Adams County. Jeff is the agronomy manager at Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc. GENERATIONAL SUCCESS The Sustainable Future category recognizes individuals who are preserving generational success on the farm. The top individuals in the Sustainable Future category are Justin and Kristyn Jensen from Dunn County.

Justin and Kristyn operate a crop and beef farm in Menomonie.

The Sustainable Self category recognizes individuals who are

Alsum Farms & Produce Agronomy Manager Jeff Huber (right) digs potatoes to show to members of a Mexico Reverse Trade Mission hosted by the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), October 1, 2024. Peter Joyce (left) is a consultant and multi-lingual interpreter contracted by the WPVGA for the Reverse Trade Mission. Huber was recently named as the top individual in the Sustainable Environment category by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau as part of its “35 Under 35 Awards” program.

30 BC�T February

serving their community through leadership, mentorship and mental health advocacy. The top individual in the Sustainable Self category is Andrew Dal Santo from Grant County.

Andrew is the precision agronomy instructor at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore.

The Sustainable Service category recognizes individuals who are serving agriculture through trade skills or advisory roles. The top individual in the Sustainable Service category is Isaac Christenson from Polk Burnett Farm Bureau. Isaac is an agriculture and commercial loan officer at Pillar Bank in Amery.

The Sustainable Storytelling category recognizes individuals who use their platform to share agriculture’s sustainability successes. The top individual in the Sustainable Storytelling category is Sarah Hetke from Sauk County. Sarah is the director of farmer outreach for Dairy Management, Inc.

“We are proud to partner with Wisconsin Farm Bureau to amplify the leadership of young farmers while promoting activities that protect the future of agriculture now and for generations to come,” says Insight FS General Manager Ben Huber.

“Congratulations to these impressive individuals.”

The complete list of all 35 Under 35 finalists is available at https://wfbf. com/wisconsin-farm-bureau-annualmeeting/.

Insight FS, headquartered in Jefferson, Wisconsin, and part of the GROWMARK System, serves patrons in Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Insight FS is an agricultural cooperative providing agronomy, energy, feed, turf and agri-finance products and services, as well as grain marketing. More information is available at https://fscooperatives. com/insightfs.

Jeff Huber, Alsum Farms & Produce agronomy manager, was named top individual in Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Sustainable Environment category as part of its “35 Under 35 Awards” program. continued on pg. 32

Are your buyers looking at how you farm??

Sustainability???

Need to lower your carbon footprint???

“Just one pass and done!”

One tractor, One tool, One operator One pass, and One great finish!!!

Budget, Sustainability,Future

Come see us at the 2026 WPVGA INDUSTRY SHOW! February 3-5 Stevens Point, WI

D E H C T A M UN SEEDBED! “We’ve never done that good, nothing we have on the ranch could give us this great finish!” -J.W. Mattek & Sons

T! DON’T MISS OU ­ @wilcoxagriproducts

continued on pg. 34

BC�T February 31

People…

continued from pg. 31

American Agri-Women Announces New Officer Team American Agri-Women (AAW) has announced its newly elected national officers.

Kim Bremmer of Wisconsin is the new president, Maggie Howley of Montana has been elected first vice president, Vikkie Becker of Illinois will serve as vice president of communications, and Sheila Currie of Maine has been named treasurer.

Rose Tryon of California will serve as past president. Debbie Bacigalupi of California is continuing her term as vice president of education, and Alex Henderson of Texas will continue as secretary.

American Agri-Women, founded in 1974, is the nation’s largest coalition of farmers, ranchers, producers

The new American Agri-Women officer team includes, from left to right, Kim Bremmer, Maggie Howley, Vikkie Becker, Sheila Currie, Debbie Bacigalupi, and Rose Tryon. Not pictured is Alex Henderson.

and agribusiness women across the country. The organization advocates for sound agricultural policy, provides leadership development

opportunities and works to support strong rural communities.

For more information, visit https:// www.americanagriwomen.org.

What do you expect from the seed potatoes that you buy?

The varieties that yo

u need.

The early generation that you want.

The quality and yie ld you have come to that expect.

Wisconsin has it!

For a directory of Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers or a free video, contact:

WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES 32 BC�T February

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Inc. P.O. Box 173, Antigo, WI 54409 715-623-4039 www.potatoseed.org

View a directory of the Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers on your smartphone.

Marketplace

by Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions & Consumer Education

Wisconsin Potatoes Fuel Madison Marathon Runners WPVGA staff greeted runners & spectators alike with crowd-pleasing potato chips When thousands of runners laced up their shoes for the Madison Marathon November 9, 2025, they weren’t just powered by training miles and determination—they were fueled by Wisconsin potatoes.

The Wisconsin potato industry, represented by the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), brought energy, flavor, and a whole lot of spud pride to marathon weekend. From crunchy snacks to comfort-food classics, potatoes played a starring role in helping participants stay fueled and to celebrate their success.

Above: The iconic Spudmobile was also on site, drawing attention and smiles as it rolled into Madison to share the story of Wisconsin potatoes with the running community. The mobile education vehicle quickly became a popular stop for photos and conversation, reinforcing the connection between real food, local agriculture, and athletic performance.

The WPVGA staff greeted runners and spectators with bags of potato chips, offering a salty, satisfying snack that hit the spot after race time.

RUSSETS

• AO8433-4STO • Caribou • Lakeview Russet • Reveille • Silverton

The iconic Spudmobile was also on site, drawing attention and smiles as it rolled into Madison to share the continued on pg. 34

Contact us now

to place your Spring orders or for more details!

YELLOW FLESHED

• Yukon Gold

WHITES

• Mackinaw

REDS

• Dark Red Norland

Foundation & Certified “Wolf River” Brand Seed and Promising Specializing in Certified Seed Experimental Varieties www.certifiedseedpotatoes.com

Above: Of the more than 6,000 runners

Bula Potato Farms, Inc. • W11957 Highland Road • favorite Antigo,vegetable WI 54409 fueled by America’s at the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon, Call Dennis or Adam: Work: (715) 275-3430 October 5, 2025, was Jon Crain, who Shipping Address: W8376 Cty Rd K, Elcho, WI 54428 • Fax: (715) 275-5051 stopped to pose for a picture wearing his Email: bulaseed@frontiernet.net or dennis@certifiedseedpotatoes.com “Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes” T-shirt.

BC�T February 33

Marketplace . . .

continued from pg. 33

story of Wisconsin potatoes with the running community.

The Spudmobile quickly became a popular stop for photos and conversation, reinforcing the connection between real food, local agriculture, and athletic performance.

The Madison Marathon team added to the potato-powered experience by serving loaded baked potatoes to participants. Warm, hearty, and packed with nutrients, the potatoes were a welcome post-race treat for runners looking to refuel after

34 BC�T February

crossing the finish line.

CROWD PLEASER The crowd-pleasing dish highlighted what athletes have long known: potatoes are a natural source of complex carbohydrates and potassium, making them an ideal recovery food.

Together, the WPVGA and Madison Marathon showcased how Wisconsin potatoes fit seamlessly into active lifestyles, whether participants are chasing a personal record or cheering from the sidelines.

Above and Below: Spudly strutted his stuff at the Madison Marathon as he not only marched toward the Capitol on November 9, 2025, but also engaged runners and spectators with his infectious personality.

The partnership also celebrated the state’s growers, whose commitment to producing high-quality potatoes supports both everyday meals and memorable community events.

As runners headed home with tired legs and full stomachs, one thing was clear: at the Madison Marathon, Wisconsin potatoes went the distance.

Above and RIght: The Madison Marathon team added to the potato-powered experience by serving loaded baked potatoes to participants. Warm, hearty, and packed with nutrients, the potatoes were a welcome post-race treat for runners looking to refuel after crossing the finish line.

Maximize Your Farm’s

EFFICIENCY!

In the heart of potato country. Serving all of Agriculture.

Servicing ALL Makes of Equipment

Visit us on FACEBOOK

Shop: (715) 335-6652 • Cell: (715) 498-6651 E-mail: paul@sandcountyequipment.com 8364 Monica Road, PO Box 228 • Bancroft, WI 54921

www.sandcountyequipment.com

BC�T February 35

Badger Beat What’s the Value of Nitrogen Fertilizer Applied in July?

There is limited evidence that additional nitrogen applications in July provide an economic return for the grower

By Matt Ruark, professor and Extension specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences Aboveground N uptake at 75 DAE (lb/ac)

As producers work

Aboveground N uptake at 75 DAE (lb/ac)

with their nitrogen (N) management practices to improve yield and efficiency, they might seek to increase the number of split applications and push N applications later into the season. 120 Here, we revisit previous research 100 abc funded by the Wisconsinbcde Potato 80Growers & Vegetable deAssociation to assess the benefit of late season 60 applied N.

120

a

100

bcd

bcde

80

abc

ab

bcd

abc cde

de

e

60 40 a 20 0

ab

abc cde

2015

e

2016 0

34

2017

34 + 34

40

Tuber N uptake at 75 DAE (lb/ac)

Tuber N uptake at 75 DAE (lb/ac)

A three-year study was conducted Figure 1. Nitrogen uptake in the vines is recorded 75 days afterafter emergence afterafter having received no addition Figure 1: Nitrogen uptake in the vines is recorded 75 days emergence having bar in each trio), 34 lb.

N/acre of additional N (second bar), or 68 lb.

N/acre of additional (split at the Hancock received no additional N (first bar in each trio), 34 lb. N/acre of additional N (second N bar), orapplication 20 Agricultural Research 34 lbs.).

All treatments received a base application of 270 lb.

N/acre.

68 lb. N/acre of additional N (split application of 34 lbs. + 34 lbs.). All treatments received a Station in 2015, 2016, and 2017 base application of 270 lb. N/acre. to assess the0 benefit of N applied 2015 2017 in July. All plots of Russett Burbank However,2016 17 to 25 days following the first application of N in July, the N was not yet reallocated to the tuber in mid-July.

The exact dates We collected vine and tuber samples tuber N uptake occurred in any year (Figure 2). The story is less promising when looking at fina potatoes received 270 lb. N/acre 0 difference 34 34in + 34 of application in each year were 75 days after emergence each year. numbers, with the additional N applications leading to no yield differences, or in one case a yield decline (Fig applied as 90 lb. N/acre each time Figure 1. Nitrogen uptake in the vines is recorded 752days after emergence after having receivedFigure no additional N (first July and 15 in 2015 (50 and 63 1 clearly demonstrates that at:barhilling, initiation, two N (second bar), or 68 lb. N/acre of additional N (split application of 34 lbs. + in eachtuber trio), 34 lb. N/acre and of additional days 150after emergence), July 12 the additional N in July led to an weeks post-tuber initiation.

34 lbs.). All treatments received a base application of 270 lb. N/acre. and 18 in 2016 (58 and 64 days increase in N uptake through the 125emergence), and July 5 and An additional 34 lb. N/acre was after vines, although the exact effects applied in 17 early an the first application 17 in 2017 63was days However, to 25July, dayswith following of N in(51 July,and the N notafter yet reallocated varied to the tubers, as no by year.

This provides 100 difference in N uptakeapplied occurred in any year (Figure 2). The story is less promising when looking at final yield additional 34tuber lb. N/acre emergence). somewhat good news as it indicates numbers, with the additional N applications leading 75 to no yield differences, or in one case a yield decline (Figure 3). the potato plant is utilizing the applied N. 150 125 100

50 25

0

75

0

50

2015

2016 0

36 BC�T February

34

34 + 34

Figure 2. The bar graph shows nitrogen uptake in theFigure tuber2: atThe 75 days after emergence after receiving no ad bar graph shows nitrogen 34 lb. N/acre of additional N, and 68 lb. N/acre of additional N (split applied 34+34).

All treatments received uptake in the tuber at 75 days after application of 270 lb. N/acre. emergence after receiving no additional N,

25 0

2015

However, 17 to 25 days following the first application of N in July, the N was not yet reallocated to the tubers, tuber N uptake 2016as no difference in2017 occurred in any year (Figure 2). The

34

34 + 34

2017

34 lb. N/acre of additional N, and 68 lb. N/ acre of additional N (split applied 34+34). All treatments received a base application of 270 lb. N/acre.

Figure 2. The bar graph shows nitrogen uptake in the tuber at 75 days after emergence after receiving no additional N, 34 lb. N/acre of additional N, and 68 lb. N/acre of additional N (split applied 34+34). All treatments received a base application of 270 lb. N/acre.

On-farm research trials supported by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection’s Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) have also showed limited benefit to July fertilizer applications to Caribou potatoes.

At one location, yield declines occurred when fertigation of N was applied in July (application of two applications of 34 lb. N/acre each).

It also appeared that the yield declines were greater when more N was applied earlier in the season, essentially confirming the results of the Hancock study.

When the potato crop has already been properly fertilized through June, and no deficiencies are present, the additional N does not appear to increase tuber development and potentially slows tuber development.

At a second location, fertigation of N in July also led to reduced yields, although primarily when early season N applications were below 200 lb.

N/acre, suggesting limited value of July applied N as a rescue application.

However, at this location, the most efficient use of fertilizer occurred when N was split applied throughout the growing season and into July, where yields were maximized with only 240 lb. N/acre. So perhaps the value of July applications occurs when the plan is to dole out N evenly from mid-May through mid-July across eight or more applications.

Sufficient N applications at hilling and tuber initiation are critical for setting the crop up for success. However, there remains limited evidence that additional N applications in July are providing an economic return for the grower.

700 600

Tuber yield (cwt/ac)

story is less promising when looking at final yield numbers, with the additional N applications leading to no yield differences, or in one case a yield decline (Figure 3).

a

a

a

b

500

b

c

cd

cd

d

400 300 200 100 0

2015

2016 0

34

2017

34 + 34

Figure Total potato yield harvestisisindicated indicatedafter afterreceiving receivingno no additional additional N, of addit Figure 3: 3.

Total potato yield atatharvest N, 34 34 lb. lb. N/acre N/ lb.

N/acre of additional N (split applied 34+34).

All treatments received a base application of 270 lb. N/a acre of additional N, and 68 lb. N/acre of additional N (split applied 34+34). All treatments received a base application of 270 lb. N/acre.

On-farm research trials supported by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Prote

Optimization Program (NOPP) have also showed benefitto to improve July fertilizer applications to Ca There are, of Pilot course, several caveats But aslimited folks strive their to all of this. In most of the test overall nitrogen use efficiency, the At oneexcessive location, yield declines when fertigation N waslikely applied in Julythrough (application of two ap cases, rainfall did occurred not occur, benefits of would come lb. N/acre each). It also appeared that the yield declines were greater when more N was applied earlier nor were petiole-nitrates below efficient management of N earlier in essentially confirming the results of the Hancock study. sufficiency levels. Plus, it may be the season, or through more frequent likely that effect nitrogen planned applications through When the the potato crop of hasJuly already been properly fertilizedsplit through June, and no deficiencies are presen does not appear to increase tuber development is N variety specific.

July.and potentially slows tuber development.

At a second location, fertigation of N in July also led to reduced yields, although primarily when early se applications were below 200 lb. N/acre, suggesting limited value of July applied N as a rescue applicatio

However, at this location, the most efficient use of fertilizer occurred when N was split applied through season and into July, where yields were maximized with only 240 lb. N/acre. So perhaps the value of Ju occurs when the plan is to dole out N evenly from mid-May through mid-July across eight or more appl

Sufficient N applications at hilling and tuber initiation are critical for setting the crop up for success. Ho remains limited evidence that additional N applications in July are providing an economic return for the

There are, of course, several caveats to all of this. In most of the test cases, excessive rainfall did not oc petiole-nitrates below sufficiency levels. Plus, it may be likely that the effect of July nitrogen is variety s

But as folks strive to improve their overall nitrogen use efficiency, the benefits would likely come throu management of N earlier in the season, or through more frequent planned split applications through Ju

P O Box 267, Monte Vista, CO 81144 ColoradoCertifiedPotatoGrowers.com Lyla@ColoradoCertifiedPotatoGrowers.com (719) 274-5996

BC�T February 37

Archaeologists Uncover Huge 1,000-Year-Old Native American Farm Fields Area is the most complete ancient agricultural site in the eastern half of the United States

By Amy Olson, senior media relations officer, Dartmouth Office of Communications Text and images provided by Dartmouth Office of Communications With its cold climate, short growing season, and dense forests, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is known as a challenging place for farming.

But a new Dartmouth-led study provides evidence of intensive

farming by ancestral Native Americans at the Sixty Islands archaeological site along the Menominee River, making it the most complete ancient agricultural site in the eastern half of the United States.

BINFRONT BARRIERS …a better barrier

WHEN THERE’S A NEED FOR SEPARATION.

IDEAL FOR

Barrier system walls off potatoes in bulk storage.

BinFronts can be placed in tight circumferences for corners or circles, eliminating the burden of ordering corner pieces.

• Interlocking Design for Stacking • Angled Barrier Ends Allow for 90-Degree Turns Using Three Barriers

BULK STORAGE

Contact Pete Schroeder • 715-623-2689 Email: farm@sbfi.biz • Web: https://binfront.biz/ 38 BC�T February

The site features a raised-ridge field system that dates to around the 10th century to 1600 A.D., and much of it is still intact today.

The raised fields are comprised of clustered ridged garden beds that each range from 4-12 inches in height and were used to grow corn, beans, squash, and other plants by ancestors of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.

To see the findings published in “Science,” visit https://www.science. org/doi/10.1126/science.ads1643.

“The scale of this agricultural system by ancestral Menominee communities is 10 times larger than what was previously estimated,” says lead author Madeleine McLeester, an assistant professor of anthropology at Dartmouth.

Above: Raised agricultural beds cover an estimated 70% of the lidar survey area at Sixty Islands archaeological site along the Menominee River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Madeleine McLeester

C A N A D A

MI

Wisconsin (WI) Green Bay

!

!

Milwaukee

Michigan Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, Airbus (MI) DS, USGS, NGA, NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS, NLS, OS, NMA, Geodatastyrelsen, Detroit !

Rijkswaterstaat, GSA, Geoland, FEMA, Intermap and the GIS user community

WISCONSIN Above: The researchers, from left to right, Jesse Casana, Madeleine McLeester, Jonathan Alperstein, and Carolin Ferwerda, estimate that they surveyed about 40% of the site. Photo courtesy of Katie Lenhart Right: The square red box (upper left in the inset photo) shows the site in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where the 1,000-year-old Native American farm fields were discovered. The detailed blowup of the area along the Menominee River indicates the lidar survey area, archaeological sites, and the state border, among other points of interest.

“That forces us to reconsider a number of preconceived ideas we have about agriculture,” she adds, “not only in the region, but globally.”

330-ACRE SURVEY The researchers surveyed approximately 330 acres.

However, they have yet to map the entire site because it extends beyond the edge of that which was surveyed.

The researchers estimate that they surveyed approximately 40% percent of the site.

“When you look at the scale of farming, this would require the kind of labor organization that is typically associated with a much larger, statelevel hierarchical society,” McLeester explains.

“Yet, everything we know about this area suggests smaller egalitarian societies lived in this region,” she notes. “But, in fact, this may have been a rather large settlement.”

The site is part of Anaem Omot, which stands for the “Dog’s Belly” in Menominee. Anaem Omot is a cluster of significant ancestral Menominee archaeological sites that includes several burial mounds and a village

MICHIGAN

¹

Lidar Survey Area Archaeological Sites Sixty Islands (ME-61)

Anaem Omot 0

It was initially mapped in the 1990s by Marla Buckmaster, an archaeologist at Northern Michigan University, and excavated by Jan Brashler, an archaeologist at Grand Valley State University, who found and radiocarbon dated a corn cupule

State Border

Given the site’s cultural significance with its burial mounds, dance rings, and agricultural ridges, it is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. continued on pg. 40

ELSON’S

N7158 6TH DRIVE P.O. BOX 215 PLAINFIELD, WI 54966 OFFICE: (715) 335-6660 FAX: (715) 335-6661

EGETABLE

KEEP ON TRACK WITH OUR

TORAGE

S

1 Km

(the cup-shaped structure on the cob that holds a kernel in place) during excavations.

that were excavated from the 1950s through the 1970s.

N V S

0.5

YSTEMS INC.

SPROUT INHIBITORS AND DISINFECTANTS

STORAGE VENTILATION

SPROUT INHIBITING

• COMPUTERIZED CONTROL PANELS • HUMIDIFICATION • REFRIGERATION

• FRUIT GUARD APPLICATIONS • SMART BLOCK APPLICATIONS • CIPC, CLOVE OIL APPLICATIONS

AGRI-VENTILATION SALES AND SERVICE 24 HR. EMERG. SERVICE BC�T February 39

Archaeologists Uncover Huge 1,000-Year-Old Native American Farm Fields . . . continued from pg. 39

Building on earlier work and upon the request of the Menominee tribal authorities, archaeologists from Dartmouth were invited to survey and document the area using new technologies that were previously unavailable.

Through this partnership, the team collaborated with David Grignon, tribal historic preservation officer for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, and the late David Overstreet, a consulting archaeologist for the College of the Menominee Nation.

Above: Lidar data shows, from left to right in the top row, a dance ring, a historic building foundation, and a 19th-century logging camp; and in the second row, left to right, looted burial mounds, remains of unknown burial mounds, and an intact burial mound.

Images courtesy of Carolin Ferwerda and Jesse Casana

DRONE-BASED SURVEY In May 2023, after the snow had melted but before the leaves were out, the team conducted an innovative, drone-based survey of a 330-acre area using lidar, a remote sensing technology that uses pulses of light from a laser to map objects on the Earth’s surface.

Lidar provides a dataset that’s like a giant cloud of points with the locations of the trees and rocks, which can be filtered out to see the ground.

Plainfield, WI | 715.335.4900 | www.nutrienagsolutions.com 40 BC�T February

“Lidar is a really powerful tool in any kind of forested or heavily vegetated region where the archaeology is hidden below trees—where no kind of optical imagery can see what’s underneath the tree canopy,” says senior author Jesse Casana,

a professor of anthropology who uses remote sensing technologies regularly in his work.

“Forests are really confounding to archaeology in a lot of ways, so a lot of archaeologists rely on publicly available lidar that has often been obtained from a plane that flies very high,” Casana relates.

“But the resolution of the data is usually too low to see many archaeological features,” he says.

“Drone lidar enables us to collect the same kind of data but at a much higher resolution.”

The lidar uncovered sets of parallel ridges at the site that create quiltlike patterns stretched across the landscape.

INDIVIDUAL FARMERS The ridges were constructed in various directions, illustrating that their locations may have been determined by individual farmers rather than the direction of the sun or other environmental factors.

The results also revealed a circular dance ring, a rectangular building foundation that may have been a colonial trading post, two 19thcentury logging camps, looted burial mounds, previously unknown burial mounds that were thought to be destroyed in the 1970s, and a burial mound on privately owned land that is currently owned by a mining company.

In August 2023, the team excavated three raised agricultural ridges at various distances from the Menominee River.

“The scale of this agricultural system by ancestral Menominee communities is 10 times larger than what was previously estimated.”

– Madeleine McLeester,

assistant professor of anthropology, Dartmouth

CUSTOMIZED FINANCING

Unique operations need unique solutions.

Get the customized financing, insurance, and business services from a team focused on agriculture. Our tailored solutions will meet the unique financial needs of any size farm, ranch, or agribusiness.

AgCountry.com AgCountry is an equal opportunity employer, an equal credit opportunity lender, and an equal housing lender.

Through radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples obtained during excavation, they found that the ridges had been rebuilt over a 600-year period, with construction initially around the year 1000, which was during the Late Woodland period.

“All three ridges showed a similar picture in terms of their construction, history and reconstruction,” Casana says.

continued on pg. 42 BC�T February 41

Archaeologists Uncover Huge 1,000-Year-Old Native American Farm Fields . . . continued from pg. 41

“Most field systems have been either lost or destroyed due to intensive land use across most of North America,” he adds, “through farming, including pastures, and the cutting down of trees for urban development.”

“Through this research, we get a little window of preservation into pre-Colonial farming in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,” Casana remarks.

ENRICHING THE SOIL Through the excavations, charcoal, broken pieces of ceramics known as sherds, and artifacts were recovered, suggesting that remains from fires and household refuse were likely used as compost in the fields. The results also show that wetland soils were used to enrich the earth.

“Our work shows that the ancestral

42 BC�T February

Menominee communities were modifying the soil to completely rework the topography in order to plant and harvest corn at the near northern extent of where this crop can grow,” McLeester says.

“This farming system was a massive undertaking,” she adds, “requiring a lot of organization, labor, and know-how to maximize agricultural productivity. We're seeing this kind of landscape alteration in a place where we wouldn't expect it.”

“This may be just a little remnant of what must have been a much larger system,” Casana suggests.

The findings have made the researchers consider if perhaps the majority of eastern North America was once covered with agricultural ridges. Findings also challenge existing forest history of the Upper

Peninsula, since Sixty Islands would have been deforested during this 600-year period.

The team is continuing its work with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin at the Menominee Sixty Islands site, with upcoming plans to survey the site and locate ancestral Menominee villages.

Carolin Ferwerda, a research scientist in the Department of Anthropology, and Jonathan Alperstein, a graduate student in the Ecology, Evolution, Environment & Society program in the Department of Anthropology at Dartmouth, also contributed to the study.

McLeester (madeleine.mcleester @dartmouth.edu) and Casana (jesse.j.casana@dartmouth.edu) are available for comment.

Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Div. President Matt Selenske, Allied Coop’s Pest Pros Division

Hello, everyone. I hope your winter is going well. I am writing this from Dauphin Island, Alabama, where I’m visiting family, and it is beautiful down here! Getting away from it all this time of year always reminds me it is important to step outside of our day-to-day routine to get a fresh perspective and recharge.

The Grower Education Conference & Industry Show is behind us, and I hope everyone acquired useful information and ideas while there to help solve some production issues.

While preparing this article, I had a list of Grower Education Conference presentations to attend that promised to be informative.

The University of Wisconsin Extension staff always works hard for the industry, and there will be more coverage of the conference in the March issue.

The WPVGA Associate Division Board did not meet in December, but we had been working on collecting silent auction items for the Industry Show, as well as finalizing details for the Student Education & Career Development Program.

This Student Education & Career Development Program entails inviting 25-30 high school, college and technical college students to attend the first day of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show free of

Adam Flyte (facing camera) of Flyte Family Farms in Coloma, Wisconsin, addresses students during the 2025 Career Fall Harvest Day, part of the Student Education & Career Development Program, which continues in 2026 and was kicked off at the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show.

charge to learn about careers in our industry. Again, there will be more coverage of it in the March issue.

I’m keeping it short and sweet this month and am off to do some

touristy things today with my family.

Have a good month!

Matt Selenske

WPVGA Associate Division President

Your Source for

Machined plastic parts Plastic modular conveyor belts Agricultural and dump truck liners Manure and fertilizer augers

Locally owned since 1984

800-456-7228 office@badgerplastics.com • www.badgerplastics.com BC�T February 43

Now News

Growers: Apply Now for Leadership in the Field!

Potato LEAF Foundation is accepting applications for once-in-a-lifetime experience The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) is an organization focused on developing leadership skills within the potato industry.

Potato LEAF offers various programs, including the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) and events such as “Leadership in the Field: From

Battlefield to Potato Field.”

effective leadership development.

The Leadership in the Field: From Battlefield to Potato Field experience is a unique opportunity for potato growers and industry professionals to utilize the resources of America’s most revered battlefield— Gettysburg—to help facilitate experiential teaching and support

At Gettysburg, ordinary people were asked to do extraordinary things.

During the summer of 1863, America faced a turning point in its history.

The very survival of our young country was in question. Its fate was determined by the actions of those who led 165,000 Confederate and

Wisconsin Grown. Wisconsin Protected.

Your customers count on your harvest. You count on us to protect it. As WISCONSIN’S #1 FARM INSURER, we’re built for the work you do—season after season.

Rural Mutual Insurance Company

Home | Auto | Farm | Business | Life 44 BC�T February

RuralMutual.com

CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL AGENT

Union soldiers during the costliest, most decisive struggle in American history.

Battlefield, in cooperation with the Gettysburg Foundation, July 13-16, 2026.

The Battle of Gettysburg offers a robust case for the study of leadership: the complexity of battle, the size of the opposing armies, and the wide spectrum of personalities represented by the military leadership and civilians offer a wide range of perspectives.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board will consider paying the $2,100 registration fee for selected candidates.

Character, communication, team building, humility, flexibility, resilience, strategic or visionary thinking, problem-solving under pressure, and accountability are just a few of the many lessons for which experiential learning at Gettysburg is effective.

The Leadership in the Field program will be held on the Gettysburg

Participation is open to all the industry. In selecting participants, the following considerations will be made by the selection committee: • Diverse representation across the U.S. potato production areas.

• Diverse representation of industry sectors, with most of the participants being potato growers.

• Preference will be given to individuals who have participated

in leadership programs and are currently serving or have served in industry leadership roles.

Potato LEAF formally began promotion at Potato Expo 2026. The application deadline is March 6.

Potential participants can access the application and details at https:// pleaf.org/leadership-in-the-field. continued on pg. 46

BC�T February 45

Now News. . .

continued from pg. 45

Alsum’s Announces Scholarship Program

One-thousand-dollar scholarships to be awarded to 10 high school seniors Alsum Farms & Produce of Friesland, Wisconsin, is proud to announce the grower, packer, shipper’s high school senior scholarship program to be awarding 10 scholarships for $1,000 each to deserving students for furthering their education and investing in the future of agriculture.

Graduating high school seniors who have an agriculture or rural background, or plan to major in an agriculture-related field at a community college, university or technical school are encouraged to apply between now and March 15, 2026.

Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 for educational tuition expenses. Qualified applicants must

be graduating seniors who reside in the Alsum Farms & Produce growing or packing region. Recipients will be selected based on a combination of academic achievement; agricultural, community and youth organization involvement; and essays.

“We are proud to be able to invest in future leaders in agriculture and our rural communities through the Alsum Farms & Produce scholarship program,” says Alsum Farms & Produce Chief Operating Officer Heidi Alsum-Randall. “We believe in supporting these young adults and are optimistic the students will seek careers in Wisconsin agriculture and the businesses that support agriculture.”

Here for Positioning Your Business for Success

Students can find more information and link to the scholarship application at https://alsum.com/scholarship/.

All applications must be submitted through the online platform. No paper or email copies will be accepted. The application deadline is March 15.

To learn more about Alsum Farms & Produce and the full line of products available, and how Alsum farm-fresh and sustainably grown potatoes make their way from field to fork, visit https://alsum.com.

COMMERCIAL FINANCING SOLUTIONS FOR AGRIBUSINESS >> Operating Loans | Term Loans | Revolving Loans Leasing Services | Farm Cash Management Crop Insurance | Patronage Program | And More

CATHY SCHOMMER VP Commercial Financing

(608) 370-6792 Cathy.Schommer@compeer.com

DAN KENDALL Insurance Officer

(608) 370-6825 Dan.Kendall@compeer.com

Scan the QR code to learn more >> Patronage remains at the discretion of the Board of Directors based on a combination of factors. No guaranty of annual allocations. Compeer Financial does not provide legal advice or certified financial planning. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. NMLS #619731. © 2025 All rights reserved.

46 BC�T February

TITAN XC Reaches 100-Million Acres Treated Milestone is fueled by the success and support of North American farms Loveland Products, Inc. announces that TITAN® XC, its leading fertilizer biocatalyst, has now been applied to more than 100 million acres across North America since its introduction in 2013.

range of activity across phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and other nutrients to maximize the return on your fertilizer investment.”

TITAN XC integrates seamlessly into both fall and spring dry-fertilizer programs and works effectively across a wide range of soils and cropping systems without requiring special equipment or additional field passes.

The achievement marks a significant milestone, underscoring TITAN XC’s longstanding role in helping farmers maximize nutrient efficiency, improve fertilizer performance, and achieve consistent, field-proven results year after year.

“Reaching 100 million acres isn’t just about scale, it’s about the success stories behind every acre,” says Ron Calhoun, senior plant nutrition portfolio manager of Loveland Products. “From early adopters to first-time users, farmers continue to tell us how TITAN XC helps them get more out of every ton of fertilizer, every acre, and every season.”

“TITAN XC changes the way that dry fertilizer responds to soil,” Calhoun explains. “The unique and concentrated biochemistry in TITAN XC provides the broadest

“With TITAN XC, farmers can stay in their normal fertility rhythm and still enhance fertilizer performance,” Calhoun notes.

TITAN XC has built a track record of reliability and consistent continued on pg. 48

TITAN XC is specifically formulated for dry fertilizer blends and leverages concentrated biochemistry to improve nutrient availability and uptake.

By accelerating the mineralization of treated dry fertilizers and converting organic nutrients into plant-available inorganic states, TITAN XC enhances early root growth and maximizes the value of phosphorus and potassium applications.

TITAN XC Agronomic Benefits • Accelerates nutrient availability from applied dry fertilizers • Improves nutrient uptake by enhancing soil-fertilizer interaction for greater efficiency • Promotes stronger root development through improved nutrient uptake and utilization • Optimizes yield potential for a higher return on fertilizer investment BC�T February 47

Now News. . .

continued from pg. 47

performance. “TITAN XC unlocks applied nutrients more quickly, supporting steady growth and dependable results,” he says. “That reliability is why farmers continue to choose it year after year.”

“Its proven consistency and broadspectrum activity make it an ideal choice for growers looking to protect their fertilizer investment and achieve more predictable outcomes across variable soils and conditions,” Calhoun concludes.

With 100 million acres treated and counting, TITAN XC remains one of the most trusted and widely adopted fertilizer enhancement technologies in agriculture today.

Loveland Products is proud to support Nutrien Ag Solutions farmer customers with innovations like

TITAN XC that deliver consistent performance, measurable value, and long-term soil health benefits.

For more information on TITAN XC, reach out to your local Nutrien Ag Solutions crop consultant, or go to https://info.lovelandproducts.com/ titan-xc.

Compeer Financial Sets Grant Application Schedule

Philanthropic program TOUGH JOBS LIKEreflects THESEdeep commitment to a thriving rural America

REQUIRE THE ULTIMATE FARMHAND.

Compeer Financial has refreshed its corporate philanthropic program under Compeer Giving. The program refocuses its investments in the future of rural communities under three core efforts: grants, scholarships and community

partnerships.

The application schedule for this year’s scholarships and grants is: •D ec. 14, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026: High School Scholarships. Available to high school seniors pursuing a

IS IT TIME TO UPDATE YOUR

SKIDSTEER? MANY BOBCAT SKIDSTEER AND TRACK LOADER BOBCAT EQUIPMENT IS TOUGH ENOUGH TO TAKE IT ON. You’ve got a tough job. Bobcat is toughAND enough toON take it on.

The performance MODELS INequipment STOCK THE WAY!and ®

comfort features of Bobcat loaders, VersaHANDLER telescopic tool carriers, and excavators, along 0% FINANCING* OR UP TO $10,000 IN REBATES!** with the most productive attachments in the industry, help you manage the work that has to get ®

*Low Rate Financing Through Bobcat Financial Services with Approved Credit. Low rate financing in lieu of rebate. Also requires 2% to 5% of amount financing customer participation (rate buydown). Low rate options include 0.0% for 36 months, 1.9% for 48 months, 2.9% for 60 months, 3.9% for 72 months. See Dealer for Details or to check for Credit approval. **$10,000 rebate on T66 and T770 models through February 28, 2026.

done, day in and day out.

Authorized Bobcat Dealer

Highway South JORDAN45EQUIPMENT CO. Antigo, WI 54409

18 Blackstrap Road 35 Dave’s Way (715) 627-4331 Falmouth, ME 04105 Hermon, ME 04401

Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries.

207-797-2240

207-848-9036

Bobcat , the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat ®

48 BC�T February machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. 19-B110

W W W. J O R D A N E Q U I P M E N T. C O M

Parts | Service | Sales | Rental

www.quinlansequipment.com

degree or career in an agricultural field.

• Feb. 1 – March 15, 2026: Farmers Market Grant. Supports marketing, technology, education and engagement designed to drive economic impact and foster community spirit through farmers markets.

• April 15 – May 31, 2026: Emergency Response Equipment Grant. Funds equipment needed to effectively respond to incidents, as well as that necessary for protecting and supporting responders.

• July 1 – Aug. 15, 2026: Next ACRE (Agriculture Classrooms, Resources and Equipment) Grant. Provides funding to support agricultural education, including new tools, technology or upgrades to equipment, as well as renovations, improvements or building projects for non-traditional classrooms.

• Sept. 1 – Oct. 15, 2026: County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant.

Supports renovations, updates and improvements to agricultural buildings and facilities on county fairgrounds, as well as new building

or barn construction projects for agricultural needs.

• Open All Year: Beginning with Compeer Grant. Available to parttime or full-time farmers who have been farming less than 10 years to fund a variety of farm businessrelated expenses.

“The Compeer Giving program breathes new life into our strategic giving and supports Compeer’s vision of creating a world where agriculture and rural communities are dynamic, collaborative and thriving,” says Karen Schieler, manager of Compeer Giving at Compeer Financial.

to expand their impact, improve facilities, and enhance resources helps ensure rural life remains vibrant, resilient and sustainable.

“The refreshed program positions Compeer to expand strategic giving and partnerships regionally, as well as collaborative investments with other Farm Credit institutions,” Schieler explains. “Unifying our separate

giving efforts under one identity further enhances our ability to deliver meaningful local impact.”

Additional information about Compeer Giving and the 2026 grant and scholarship programs can be found at https://compeer.com/ investing-in-rural-communities/ giving-back.

“Our giving empowers farmers, equips rural first responders, inspires youth, enhances education and nurtures community well-being,” she states.

Compeer Giving is dedicated to strengthening agriculture and rural communities across its 144-county territory in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Since 2018, Compeer has invested nearly $40 million in rural community support, partnering with organizations, schools, first responders and youth who shape the future of agriculture.

Moving forward, Compeer Giving will support programs and partners aligned with three philanthropic focus areas: • Inspiring Youth: Supporting youth through scholarships, leadership development and hands-on agricultural experiences helps to cultivate the next generation of thinkers and doers who will guide rural communities forward.

• Enhancing Agriculture and the Rural Workforce: Investing in ag classrooms, technical training, hands-on learning and workforce development helps cultivate the future of farming operations and the industry.

• Empowering Rural Communities: Enabling community organizations BC�T February 49

New Products

Case IH Introduces Farmall M Series Tractors

Durable machines are built for versatility and ideal for row crops or livestock operations Case IH debuts the Farmall® M series of tractors, designed to deliver power and performance in everyday applications through to the most demanding tasks. With seamlessly integrated technology and heightened operator comfort, the Farmall M series delivers superior productivity and execution, regardless of the operation size or terrain.

The Farmall M, available in 100M, 110M and 120M models, was created to handle an operator’s busiest days, continuing the Farmall legacy of dependability.

The new tractor series features a 4-cylinder, 3.6L (liter) Stage V engine, delivering 100-120

horsepower. Positioned at the top of the Farmall range, the Farmall M has a generous 11,465-pound rear lift capacity and 8-ton gross vehicle weight, with top speeds of 25 miles per hour at 1,970 rpm (revolutions per minute).

The series provides operators with a more comfortable drive and is designed for farmers who demand strength, simplicity and smart functionality in a versatile utility tractor. The Farmall M has an engine after-treatment system that meets stage V emission requirements. Its convenient location under the hood also offers improved visibility.

durable, multi-purpose machine, the Farmall M is built for versatility and ideal for the varied needs of municipalities, and row crop or livestock operations.

Built to be an operator’s most

Products Strategies Solutions

Enduro Harvester

FEATURING:

• Rear Wheel Steering • Planting element with self cleaning cup inserts

andcontrol Variable • Turn rows onGPS and off, seedRate spacing Planting now available! and much more instantly from Miedema’s Turn rows on and off, easy to use monitor control seed spacing, and much more instantly from Miedema’s easy to use monitor.

Plan ahead and order your pivot now for spring arrival!

Rear Wheel Steering

Planting element with self-cleaning cup inserts.New North American Dewulf Piler

• DOUBLE L (LL) • BROEKEMA PARTS & SERVICE: AVR/UNDERHAUG NOFFSINGER • TEROG • AG PARTS AND MUCH MORE!

VIEW OUR Let us help you with all Do you want Better Quality?..

USED your parts and service Higher Yields?.. Both?

EQUIPMENT needs!

WE CAN HELP!  2 - 30” LL Scoops LIST ONLINE! We have parts from: Spring Specials on All fertilizers were not created  2 - 24” LL Scoops AVR/UNDERHAUG Pivots…  Spudnik 5620 2 Row Harvester equal…Let show youWI the 54423 DOUBLE• L (LL) 1619 County Road K, usCuster • Call: 715-592-4650 • Fax: 715-592-5063 Email: tip@tipinc.net  2 - LL Telescoping Conveyors BROEKEMA difference.

Plan ahead and get

Thank you for your support!

1.800.225.9727 • www.tipinc.net

50 BC�T February

USE LESS...GET MORE… BE MORE EFFICIENT!

  

4 Row Underhaug Planter LL 850 2 Row Harvester Harriston Clod Hopper

your pivots ordered now so they are here by spring.

NOFFSINGER TEROG AG PARTS and much, much more!

The ActiveDrive 4 16×16 semipowershift transmission provides precise speed control with up to eight automatic gear shifts, and the optional front axle suspension increases traction and stability across varying terrains.

“The Farmall M more than lives up to its reputation as a highperforming, dependable tractor, and our new models deliver the most exceptional power and experience yet,” says Federico Condini, global leader for small tractors, Case IH. “As our premium option in the Farmall line,” Condini adds, “the Farmall M well exceeds utility tractor standards, allowing operators to accomplish more each day and to do so comfortably.”

SMOOTH RIDE The tractor’s cab and front axle suspension provide a smooth ride, while the front hood design,

one-piece front windscreen, aftertreatment system under the hood, and new LED lighting deliver bestin-class forward visibility.

Driving aids like clutch-less shuttle, auto shift and the electronic midmount joystick offer operators greater precision, control and ease, increasing productivity.

The Farmall comes in two distinct packages to suit different customer requirements. The Selection Package provides a simple, durable, and costeffective solution for essential utility while the Advanced Package provides enhanced comfort with a suspended cab, suspended front axle, and a low frequency suspended seat with fore and aft isolation.

Operators can further optimize their machine’s daily work through integrated precision technology, such as FieldOpsTM, which provides indepth, real-time machine analytics.

The Farmall M can be equipped with subscription-free, entrylevel telematics, enabling fleet management capabilities through FieldOps. It also features ISOBUS implement compatibility, and offers high performance guidance with Directsteer steering solution, available with a Pro 700 Plus guidance kit.

To learn more about the new Farmall M series of tractors, along with other Case IH equipment and precision technology solutions, visit https:// www.caseih.com or connect with your local Case IH dealer.

For more information, contact Silvia Kaltofen, Case IH and STEYR Brand communications and press relations manager, mobile: +43 676 88086652, silvia.kaltofen@cnh.com, www. caseih.com. continued on pg. 52

Quality Growers of Foundation and Certified Seed Potatoes for Over 50 Years!

Yellows:

Reds:

Colomba

Red Norland Modoc

Whites: Superior

Russets:

Caribou Gold Rush Silverton Reveille

We handle our own line of clean and dependable late model trucks for all of your delivery needs.

WISCONSIN N3502 Hwy H • Antigo, WI 54409 CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES Office: 715-627-7753 • Fax: 715-623-5412 • mike@baginskifarms.com BC�T February 51

New Products . . . continued from pg. 51

Modern Produce Equipment & Stanhay Seed Drills Partner MPE now provides Stanhay sales, parts and after-sales support across the Great Lakes region Modern Produce Equipment (MPE) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Stanhay, the global leader in precision seed drill design and manufacturing. MPE will now represent Stanhay across the Great Lakes region, providing complete sales, parts, and after-sales support.

Stanhay is trusted by growers worldwide for producing the most accurate and consistent precision seed drills in the industry.

The United Kingdom-based Stanhay headquarters houses design, engineering, testing, and manufacturing, including advanced CNC (computer numerical controlled) machining, robotic welding, and 3D CAD (computer-aided design) engineering.

With a strong international dealer network, Stanhay ensures growers have access to the right drills, parts, and technical expertise.

TRUSTED PROVIDER Founded in 2015 by brothers Tom and Kent Karnemaat, Modern Produce Equipment has grown into a trusted provider of vegetable handling and processing equipment for carrot,

onion, and potato producers.

With experience as growers themselves, the MPE team offers hands-on guidance, installation support, and reliable service. MPE has built a reputation for high-quality equipment and responsive customer care.

MAST

ENTERPRISES LLC MILLWRIGHT SERVICES CUSTOM MANUFACTURING

Levi Mast • 715-228-2067

• CUSTOM EQUIPMENT Design • Build • Retrofit In-house or On-site

• PORTABLE WELDING • ON-SITE FABRICATION • PARTS SALES

V-belts • Pulleys • Bearings Air Compressors • Pneumatics

W5597 Dakota Ave • Coloma WI 54930

IN-HOUSE / ON-SITE FABRICATION • INCLUDING INSTALLATION 52 BC�T February

“We are excited to add Stanhay to the MPE lineup,” says Tom Karnemaat, owner of Modern Produce Equipment. “Their precision technology aligns perfectly with our mission to bring growers the most reliable and advanced equipment available.”

This partnership combines Stanhay’s proven precision with MPE’s strong customer support. Growers in the Great Lakes region will benefit from better access to equipment, parts, and service.

For more information, contact Modern Produce Equipment, 5118 W. 72nd St., Fremont, MI 49412, phone: 800-663-8640, info@ modernproduceequipment.com, https://modernproduceequipment. com.

Potatoes USA News Bringing the Harvest to the Headlines

Potatoes USA uses fall potato harvest to spotlight growers and their journeys Since 2023, Potatoes USA has used the fall potato harvest as an opportunity to spotlight potato growers and the journey of the spud from farm to fork, earning media coverage across the country.

In the run-up to Thanksgiving in 2025, growers from Idaho, North Carolina, Washington State, and Wisconsin were featured in Potatoes USA’s press release — The Heart of the Harvest: Meet the Farmers Bringing Potatoes to Your Table.

Coverage of potato growers around harvest time helps consumers connect with where their food comes from and reinforces that potatoes are a nutrient-dense vegetable.

For example, the press release promoted potato nutrition, like the fact that a medium, skin-on potato is an excellent source of vitamin C, has more potassium than a banana, and delivers carbs to provide fuel for the brain and muscles.

The 2025 press release featured: • Shelley Olsen of LJ Olsen and Two O’s, Inc., in Othello, Washington • Trever Belnap of Hamer Farm and Ball Brothers Produce in Dubois, Idaho • Hunter Gibbs of Pamlico Shores Produce in Swanquarter, North Carolina • Wendy Alsum-Dykstra and Heidi Alsum-Randall of Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland, Wisconsin Results: The press release was placed

The 2025 press release featured Shelley Olsen (second from left in upper-left image) of LJ Olsen and Two O’s, Inc., in Othello, Washington; Trever Belnap (left in the top-right image) of Hamer Farm and Ball Brothers Produce in Dubois, Idaho; Hunter Gibbs (left in bottomleft image) of Pamlico Shores Produce in Swanquarter, North Carolina; and Wendy AlsumDykstra (left in the last photo) and Heidi Alsum-Randall (right in the last image) of Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland, Wisconsin.

on 468 media websites, including the Associated Press, Yahoo! Finance, and KDVR-TV in Denver.

Local media also came out to visit Alsum Farms & Produce to feature the Alsum family, including sisters Wendy and Heidi and their dad, Larry.

WMTV (The CW) of Madison, Wisconsin, aired the same segment twice with this prompt: “Wisconsin potato growers work around the clock ahead of Thanksgiving.”

Wisconsin State Farmer prompted: “The Alsum family of Friesland, Wisconsin, sells potatoes across the Midwest and beyond.”

In Washington State, KEPR-TV and its sister station KIMA-TV interviewed Brandy Tucker from the Washington State Potato Commission to discuss the resilience of the potato. Their episodes ran on: • KIMA-TV (CBS): Action News at 6 a.m.

• KEPR-TV (CBS): Action News at 11 a.m.

Thank you to Shelley, Trever, Hunter, Wendy, and Heidi for sharing your stories to help consumers understand how potatoes get from a farm to their plate.

BC�T February 53

The Wisconsin Spud Run Expanding access to fresh local produce in Northeast Wisconsin

Article courtesy of Laura Apfelbeck, Outreach Specialist in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension’s Health & Well Being Institute As a University of Wisconsin (UW)Madison Extension staff member working to strengthen food security and access in Door, Kewaunee, and Manitowoc counties, Laura Apfelbeck has been connecting food pantries with local producers so that they can procure foods through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance Program.

y | Volume 78

$28/year | $3.50/cop

THE VOICE OF

O WISCONSIN'S POTAT

No. 01 | JaNuary

2026

TRY & VEGETABLE INDUS

STRY TRUCKS & INDU ISSUE SHOW PREVIEW

Unfortunately, that program lost funding in January 2025, and many rural pantries were left without a reliable source of fresh, local foods.

Undeterred, with a mini grant from The West Foundation, Apfelbeck started coordinating last summer with The Big Apple Project, collectively purchasing and delivering apples harvested in Door County and

delivered across four counties in southeast Wisconsin.

About 13 food pantries, three lowincome schools, and five nonprofit organizations participated in the last effort, distributing 14,000 pounds of apples!

Rural pantries are often overlooked in food distribution systems. Few have loading docks, even fewer have Above: Mark Janiak of the Kewaunee County Food Pantry in Algoma, Wisconsin, unloads bags of potatoes into the pantry storage area. The potatoes were delivered from Alsum Farms & Produce to the Salvation Army in Manitowoc, where the nonprofit Grow It Forward provided transport to the Kewaunee County Food Pantry.

Badger Subscribe Common’Tater Today!

THE VOICE OF THE WISCONSIN POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

INTERVIEW:

URS RM GE HA zing SYMACH Palleti VARIE TY NEW POTATO Blight Resistant to Late LETE GROWER SEE YOUR COMP ence Schedule Education Confer CRUCIAL ROLE WOMEN PLAY Production In Kenyan Potato E TELLS WHAT A TIRE GAUG cy Efficien You About Farm

54 BC�T February

Potatoes” and

by Wisconsin e Participants “PoweredSpudmobile at the Milwauke of the are, from left posing in front , October 5, 2025, Lakefront Marathon Steinlage, Becky Eddy, and and John potatoes to right, Elisa n. That’s the Wisconsin as usual.

Marcee Markusse at front and center, mascot, Spudly,

Whether you are a grower, industry partner or simply enjoy rural life, sign up to receive this prestigious publication in print version, delivered direct to your mailbox for $28/year (12 issues). wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe

refrigerated trucks, and many are open only one or two days a week.

Staffing is limited, often relying on one or two part-time employees who may not be able to manage heavy deliveries.

Yet, the benefits of local procurement are significant. Growers earn needed income, and pantries receive fresh, local produce that families want and need.

HOUSEHOLD STAPLE In many communities across Door, Kewaunee, and Manitowoc counties, fresh potatoes are a household staple. Yet most food pantries do not have a consistent supply.

“We’re a largely Germanic community, so potatoes are always appreciated,” Apfelbeck says.

“Growers earn a little more, and pantries receive fresh, local produce.

It’s a win-win!” continued on pg. 56

Staff from Peters Pantry in Manitowoc unload bags of russets from Alsum Farms & Produce.

Take Control with the ICON+ Smart Panel

As we count our many blessings, we are thankful for all you do. You make us who we are. We wish you and your family a holiday filled with happiness, gratitude and laughter.

THANKFUL FOR YOU.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Introducing the Valley® ICON+ smart panel, the newest addition to our innovative ICON family. Built for farmers who need simplicity with essential functionality. Now you can connect your entire fleet of electric pivots to AgSense® 365.

North Central Irrigation

Proud Valley® Irrigation Dealer Providing the Highest Quality of Sales, Service and Support

DEALER IMPRINT

DA1730

Plainfield, WI: 715-335-6368 • 800-755-0268 Beloit, WI: 608-362-0706 • 800-924-0321

valleynci.com | valleyirrigation.com CA1174

4 COLUMN x 5” (SAU50) 7.708” x 5”

BC�T February 55

The Wisconsin Spud Run . . . continued from pg. 55

With a few targeted phone calls, Apfelbeck identified a Wisconsinbased grower with the capacity to deliver potatoes at an affordable price.

Through a partnership with Alsum Farms & Produce, in Friesland, participants could purchase a 50-pound bag of russet potatoes for nine dollars, including delivery to Manitowoc with a minimum order of 30 bags. With a supplier secured at a sustainable price point, The Spud Run was launched.

On November 4, the pilot Spud Run delivered 46 bags of potatoes (2,300 pounds) to four food pantries and two community meal sites in Manitowoc and Kewaunee Counties.

The Big Apple Project offered a helpful model for logistics and partnerships. Because Alsum Farms

Eric Weidner and Dan Balch load potatoes from Alsum Farms & Produce destined for folks at Lakeshore Community Pantry, in Kewaunee.

SHOP ONLINE & $AVE BIG

FREE shipping on CNH parts purchased online

SWIDERSKIPARTS.COM

Offer only valid on orders over $200. Offer expires February 28th, 2026.

Exclusions apply. See dealer for details.

OFFER VALID FOR A LIMITED-TIME ONLY. ORDER YOUR PARTS ONLINE TODAY! 56 BC�T February

& Produce does not deliver directly to Kewaunee or Door Counties, the Manitowoc nonprofit Grow It Forward provided transport from Manitowoc, just as in its role of distributing apples.

Connections built through The Big Apple Project also supported expansion. After learning about the effort, Larry Peterson of Resurrection Church Food Pantry in Green Bay reached out to Alsum for pricing information.

THANKS FOR THE INFO Afterward, Peterson said, “Thanks for the info! I called Dave at Alsum this afternoon and he is going to send me a price list of lots of different products. This is the info I have been hoping to get to the Coalition all year but didn’t know where to find it.

You’re just the resource I have been praying for.”

The December Spud Run included the

“You’re just the resource I have been praying for.”

– L arry Peterson,

co-chair, Brown County Hunger Coalition

original partners plus the Manitowoc Boys & Girls Club, United Ministries (serving pantries in St. Nazianz and Two Rivers), and the Kewaunee County Food Pantry in Algoma.

The January Spud Run expanded to include seven pantries in Door County.

January’s Spud Run involved potatoes and onions, with onions purchased from Gumz Farms of Endeavor, Wisconsin, and delivered by Alsum Farms & Produce. That delivery included 66 of Alsum’s 50-pound

bags of potatoes and 42 bales of Gumz onions.

February’s delivery will include carrots and green cabbage. The pilot program is working beautifully, as it allows pantry managers to pay local farmers and procure fresh produce at an affordable price.

Community partners are enthusiastic.

By collaborating, pantries can increase buying power and reduce transportation costs. continued on pg. 58

Curezin®

Disease Control & Micronutrients Easy to use

Pink Rot 100 Days After Harvest

Soluble copper and zinc liquid formula.

No clogged nozzles, no visible residue.

13.9%

Resistance smart, soil friendly Multisite contact, broad-spectrum disease control that protects soil biodiversity.

5.2%

5.1%

Low-load, longer control Single application is 95–99% below EPA annual copper limits. keeping potatoes healthy from planting throughout harvest.

0.8% Untreated Control

Ridomil Gold SL

Curezin® 1 pt/A

Curezin® 2 pt/A

Conducted at North Dakota State University on potatos, 2024

Ready for results? Talk to Matt (608) 214-1129 | matt.karls@vmagritech.com BC�T February 57

The Wisconsin Spud Run . . . continued from pg. 57

Still, most rural pantry managers do not have the capacity to design and pilot new multi-county distribution systems while meeting the immediate needs of the households waiting at their doors.

by the numbers 2,300 pounds of potatoes

CONNECTOR & FACILITATOR UW-Madison Division of Extension plays a key role as connector and facilitator, helping create a sustainable model for long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Once established, these systems can continue to strengthen local food access well into the future.

The collaborations allow pantries to meet minimum requirements for delivery and wholesale pricing, acutely needed at this time when pantry use is soaring due to the high cost of food and changes to the federal SNAP program.

UW-Madison Division of Extension’s nutrition education and coordination position in Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and Door Counties is unfunded beyond September 2026 when current grant funding ends.

Similarly, the Wisconsin Harvest of

delivered in the pilot program

46 bags distributed 6 organizations received potatoes in the first run the Month project is a five-month pilot with a mini-grant of $3,000 from Corteva Agriscience. The January Harvest of the Month featured potatoes, but the project ends in March without additional funds.

All the pantries and nonprofits are delighted to be involved in these programs, but they do not have

the time or staff to organize them.

Apfelbeck is looking for partners to continue this work.

For more information about these programs and for opportunities to help support them and ensure continuation, please contact Laura Apfelbeck at llapfelbeck@wisc.edu.

WPIB Focus

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

Month

Jul-24

Aug-24

Sep-24

Oct-24

Nov-24

Dec-24

CWT

2,082,664.08

1,837,453.47

642,921.10

2,193,868.28

2,558,234.61

2,533,917.93

11,849,059.47

Assessment

$167,100.87

$146,986.28

$51,433.66

$175,474.49

$204,693.85

$202,713.44

$948,402.59

Month

Jul-25

Aug-25

Sep-25

Oct-25

Nov-25

Dec-25

CWT

1,636,896.24

1,249,169.92

1,428,931.67

2,036,836.05

2,430,392.57

1,648,660.06

10,430,886.51

Assessment

$130,951.76

$99,933.61

$114,314.52

$162,947.02

$194,431.57

$131,892.72

$834,471.20

58 BC�T February

Jan-25

Jan-26

Feb-25

Feb-26

Mar-25

Mar-26

Apr-25

Apr-26

May-25

May-26

Jun-25

Jun-26

Year-to-Date

Year-to-Date

NPC News Charlie Cook Headlines NPC Washington Summit Renowned political analyst offers insight into the legislative environment Registration is now open for the 2026 NPC Washington Summit, February 23-26. Join fellow growers and industry partners in Washington, D.C., to help shape policy, strengthen advocacy efforts, and Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill in 2026.

The National Potato Council (NPC) is pleased to welcome Charlie Cook, renowned political analyst and founder of the Cook Political Report, who will return to the Washington Summit to serve as keynote speaker.

Cook will share his expert perspective on the current political landscape and offer insights into the legislative environment facing the agriculture industry.

Why Attend? Throughout the week, participants will: • Hear from the nation’s top

political and policy experts •W elcome NPC’s new officers and grower leaders at the NPC Annual Meeting •M eet with members of U.S. Congress representing potatogrowing states and districts •U nite as an industry in Standing Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill During the 2026 NPC Washinton Summit, attendees will advocate for issues such as keeping potatoes in federal nutrition programs, promoting free and fair-trade agreements, and protecting tax policies that support the long-term health of family-owned farming operations.

Charlie Cook, renowned political analyst and founder of the Cook Political Report, will return to the Washington Summit to serve as the keynote speaker.

Amplify the potato industry’s voice where it matters most. Register today to ensure you are at the table when critical decisions are made

in Washington. Visit https://www. nationalpotatocouncil.org/2026npc-washington-summit/.

NPC Sees “Amazing Progress” in Dietary Guidelines The National Potato Council released the following statement regarding the new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines released by the Trump Administration on January 7, 2026: “The National Potato Council’s initial review of the new dietary guidelines finds them encouraging.

It is positive to see the new consumer graphic feature a whole, fresh potato front and center, identifying it as a nutrient-rich vegetable Americans should eat as part of a healthy diet. We welcome this recognition.

“We are currently analyzing how specific references to processed

potato products integrate with the broader guidance in support of potato consumption. We continue to evaluate how these elements align.

“Overall, this marks a significant shift from the challenges the industry faced 10-15 years ago regarding federal nutrition policy, when, during the Obama Administration, there was an attempt to remove potatoes in any

form from school meal programs.

To see the dietary guidelines now celebrate America’s favorite vegetable represents amazing progress.”

BC�T February 59

DISHING IT UP WITH DANA Cookies like Grandma Made, but with Potatoes America’s favorite vegetable pairs perfectly with chocolate-topped “Peanut Butter Blossoms” Column and photos by Dana Rady, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association My maternal grandmother was a phenomenal cook and baker. She was notorious for making casseroles, bread, coffee cakes, pies, cookies, and desserts.

And the best part about her was she didn’t just keep the food she made within the family. Doris Miller regularly shared her creations with other families and friends.

Every Christmas, she would make several different kinds of Christmas cookies, package them up in containers and take them to people at the nursing home. Among those she visited was her mother, the one who had passed on her cooking/ baking talents to my grandma.

My grandmother used to take me with her to the nursing home to visit

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

PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS INGREDIENTS:

1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup plain dehydrated potato flakes 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus more for rolling cookie balls in) 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1 large egg 2 Tbsp milk 1 tsp vanilla extract About 28 milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped

her mom and elderly friends. And around Christmas, we’d deliver the cookies she so lovingly made and packaged.

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit (190° Celsius), and line baking sheets with parchment.

Honestly, nursing home visits with my grandma are the only way that I have any memories of my greatgrandmother. I can still recall the joy on her and her roommate’s faces as we’d enter the room.

Whisk together flour, potato flakes, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

Among the lineup of cookies Doris made were “Peanut Butter Blossoms.” They’re a peanut butter cookie with Hershey’s kisses pressed into the top. So, with this sweet treat, you can have your chocolate peanut butter, and eat it, too!

While this recipe is nostalgic for me for many reasons, I was ecstatic to be able to add potatoes to it, which makes this cookie the perfect one to make for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day! I mean, does it get any better than being able to add America’s favorite vegetable to chocolate and peanut butter?

In a stand mixer or in a bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.

Add peanut butter, then egg, milk, and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients until dough forms. It should be soft but not sticky; if tacky, chill 30 minutes.

Roll dough into 1-inch (2.5 centimeter) balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar and place on baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.

Bake for 8-9 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft.

Immediately press a chocolate Kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookie will crack charmingly around continued on pg. 62 BC�T February 61

Advertisers Index

Dishing It Up with Dana… continued from pg. 61

the edges. Let cool on tray for 2 minutes, then transfer to rack.

Serve and enjoy!

Story continues: One year, when my sisters were little and before I was born, they were helping my grandma bake these “Peanut Butter Blossoms.” After the Hershey’s Kisses were placed on top and the cookies were laid out to cool, my grandma left the room, and my sisters tried pulling a fast one.

They decided to bite the tips off each of the Hershey’s Kisses on all the cookies. And they didn’t think my grandmother would notice!

But when my grandma came back into the kitchen, she saw telltale little teeth marks on the top of the Hershey’s Kisses. I guess that was one way to ensure my sisters got to take the cookies home!

Visit https://eatwisconsinpotatoes. com/recipes/potato-peanut-butterblossoms/.

• Atlantic • Goldrush • Snowden • Norkotah • Silverton • Superior • Reveille

Farm: 715-623-6829 Dave: 715-216-1473 Kevin: 715-216-1606 Brad: 715-216-1603 Fax:

62 BC�T February

715-623-4203

AgCountry Farm Credit Services...... 41 AgroLiquid......................................... 2 American Drone.............................. 26 Atticus, LLC........................................ 5 Badger Plastics & Supply................. 43 Badger State Irrigation.................... 64 Baginski Farms Inc........................... 51 Big Iron Equipment.......................... 27 Binfront Barriers.............................. 38 Bula Potato Farms........................... 53 Bushmans’ Inc................................... 3 Colorado Certified Potato Growers Assoc. . ................ 37 Compeer Financial........................... 46 Condon Oil Company....................... 13 Gallenberg Farms............................ 24 Hafner Seed Farms.......................... 62 Hammer-Lok.................................... 30 Harriston-Mayo............................... 17 J.W. Mattek & Sons.......................... 15 Lockwood Mfg................................. 25 Mast Enterprises............................. 52 Montana Potato Advisory Committee...................... 12 Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems Inc. ..................... 39 North Central Irrigation................... 55 North Dakota State Seed................. 47 Nutrien Ag Solutions....................... 40 Nutrien Ag Solutions-Great Lakes.... 63 Parkland Potato Varieties................ 49 Progressive Ag................................. 11 Quinlan’s Equipment....................... 48 Rine Ridge Farms............................... 9 Roberts Irrigation . .......................... 45 Ron’s Refrigeration.......................... 21 Rural Mutual Insurance................... 44 Sand County Equipment.................. 35 Schroeder Brothers Farms................. 7 Swiderski Equipment....................... 56 Symach Palletizers, BW Flexible Systems...................... 28 ThorPack.......................................... 29 T.I.P., Inc........................................... 50 Titan Machinery ............................. 19 UPL Ltd............................................ 14 VM Agritech..................................... 57 Volm Companies.............................. 23 Wilcox Agri-Products....................... 31 WPVGA Subscribers......................... 54 WPVGA Support Our Members....... 60 WSPIA.............................................. 32 Wyma Solutions............................... 42

SAME FIELDS,

HIGHER YIELDS.

GREAT LAKES nutrienagsolutions.com

Central Sands Plainfield, WI

Including PureGrade® Liquid Fertilizers in your program will ensure your crop has the nutrients to reach its full potential.

PureGrade Liquid Fertilizers include both Low-Salt Starters and Low-Salt Foliars, and are compatible with MicroSolutions EDTA Chelated Micronutrients. Contact Nutrien-Great Lakes, leaders in high leverage crop fertility programs, to learn more about PureGrade Liquid Fertilizers and MicroSolutions Micronutrients.

FEATURES • • • • • •

Chloride free Near neutral pH 100% water soluble Trouble-free Non-corrosive Low rates per acre

AVAILABLE PRODUCTS 7-25-5 GoldStart®

3-18-18 GoldStart

17-0-4-7

9-18-9 GoldStart

10-10-10 GoldStart

Custom Mixes

5-15-15 GoldStart

5-18-10-1 GoldStart

20-0-0-8 Nitro-S

6-24-6 GoldStart

Chelated Micronutrients

0-0-30 Pot Carb

Nutrien-Great Lakes also handles a full line of humic and biological products. Custom mixes available upon request.

Nutrien - Great Lakes

5053 County 420-21st Road | Gladstone, MI 49837 Contact

AndersonsPlantNutrient.com Nutrien - Great Lakes is an authorized retailer of PureGrade Liquid Fertilizer. ©2022 The Andersons, Inc. All rights reserved. PureGrade and GoldStart are registered trademarks of The Andersons, Inc.

Wally Eagle | Cell: 906-399-4818 | Email: walter.eagle@nutrien.com Marc Marenger | Cell: 906-280-5500 | Email: marc.marenger@nutrien.com

m:

bject: te:

P.O. Box 327 Antigo, WI 54409 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Paula Lauer Joe Kertzman Badger State Feb Ad Friday, January 9, 2026 9:52:11 AM

re is the ad for February. Thank you!

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage Paid Stevens Point, WI 54481 Permit No. 480