March 2024 Badger Common'Tater

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Membership includes:

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- Improved grower returns demonstrated to cover the minimal dues many times over

On the Cover: Dave Matuszewski operates the John Deere tractor under blue skies while planting seed potatoes on GP Ventures LLC land in Antigo, Wisconsin. This March planting issue also features a projected “2024 Outlook for Crop Farmland Values” article featuring a question and answer session between MetLife Investment Management professionals.

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Kevin Sigourney, owner of Sigourney Farm in Coloma, Wisconsin, says the John Deere 8335R row crop tractor is the newest tractor on the farm. In his Interview this issue, Kevin relates that Autosteer has been the biggest advancement that has helped on the farm, as well as having a good crop rotation. Sigourney Farm raises 750 acres of small potatoes for one company, 1,000 acres of seed corn, and rents out cropland to Seneca for snap bean acres.

SOLUTIONS FOR

WPVGA Board of Directors:

PresideNt: CH arlie Mattek

Vice PresideNt: JoHN Bustama Nte

Secretary: Alex Okray

Treasurer: WeNdy Dykstra

Directors: Mike BagiNski, Ra Ndy FleisH auer, JoHN HopfeNsperger, JosH KNigHts & J.D. ScHroeder

Wisconsin Potato Industry Board:

PresideNt: Heidi Alsum-Ra Ndall

Vice PresideNt: ANdy Diercks

Secretary: Nicola Carey

Treasurer: Keit H Wolter

Directors: JoHN Bobek, JoHN FeNske, Jim Okray, Eric ScHroeder & Tom Wild

WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors:

PresideNt: Matt SeleNske

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DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS WITH US COMPEER.COM/YOU OR CALL (844) 426-6733

Cathy Schommer, VP Food & Agribusiness (608) 370-6792 | Cathy.Schommer@compeer.com

Dan Kendall, Insurance Officer (608) 370-6825 | Dan.Kendall@compeer.com

Vice PresideNt: Et H a N OlsoN

Secretary: Morga N Smolarek

Treasurer: Paul Salm

Directors: Melissa Heise, Brady Patoka, Scott ScHeer, Sally Suprise & Bra NdoN Taylor

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement

Association Board of Directors:

PresideNt: Jeff SucHoN

Vice PresideNt: CH arlie HusNick

Secretary/Treasurer: MitcH Mattek

Directors: ANdy ScHroeder & CloVer Spacek

Wisconsin Potato Growers

Auxiliary Board of Directors:

PresideNt: Heidi ScHleicHer

Vice PresideNt: DatoNN Ha Nke

Secretary/Treasurer: Becky Wysocki

Directors: Jody BagiNski, EriN Meister, Dakota H Smiley & Misti Ward

Badger Common’Tater is published monthly at 700 Fifth Avenue, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409

WPVGA Staff

ExecutiVe Director: Tamas HouliH a N

Ma N agiNg Editor: Joe Kertzma N

Director of PromotioNs & CoNsumer

EducatioN: Da N a Rady

FiN a Ncial Officer: KareN RasmusseN

ExecutiVe Assista Nt: Julie BrauN

Program Assista Nt: Ja Ne GuilleN

Spudmobile EducatioN a Nd OutreacH

AdmiNistrator: George Neuber

WPVGA Office

(715) 623-7683 • FAX: (715) 623-3176

E-mail: wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes.com

Website: www.wisconsinpotatoes.com

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Subscription rates: $2.50/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.

Mission Statement of the WPVGA: To serve the potato and vegetable industry of Wisconsin through education, research, promotion, governmental action and sustainability leadership.

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.

MARK YOUR Calendar

HereI go putting a picture of an adorable kid in my editorial column again. I keep saying that I won’t do that. Someday the floodgates are going to open and every parent and grandparent who reads the Badger Common’Tater is going to send me physical photos from their wallets and purses, or emails with images of kids and grandkids downloaded from their phones. I’ll have to let them down easy, saying I just don’t have room, and feelings will be hurt. Until then, I found out I have a young magazine reader named William, shown above with his mom and dad, Heidi and Kevin Schleicher. Will apparently enjoys seeing pictures of his dad in the “potato magazine,” so here you go, buddy, and you’re in the photo, too! Heidi is president of the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary, and Kevin is director of sales and marketing for Wysocki Family of Companies, in Bancroft. They have another adorable kid, Maggie, and are an active, fun family. They took Will on an excursion to the 2024 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, February 6-8, at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point, where they’re shown outside by the big equipment.

Kevin was also honored at the Wednesday evening WPVGA Associate Division Awards Banquet during the conference with a special Industry Appreciation Award. He currently serves as the president of the Wisconsin Potato Coalition, which partners with the University of Wisconsin to improve the efficiency of seed potato production at the Lelah Starks Elite Foundation Seed Potato Farm, in Rhinelander. Kevin also serves as a Wisconsin representative on the Potatoes USA Board of Directors and as vice chair on the Executive Committee of the Portage County Business Council. See inside for complete coverage of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, including the Awards Banquet and winners, as well as this year’s WPVGA Hall of Fame induction and inductee.

I had the honor of visiting another farm recently that I had only been to one other time, and then only briefly—Sigourney Farm, in Coloma —to interview proprietor and owner Kevin Sigourney. There I met a couple of other cuties, Kevin’s dogs, Miss Frankie and Finn. See pictures of the dogs, Kevin and my interview with him herein.

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.

14-15

Joe Kertzman

NAME: Kevin Sigourney

TITLE: Kevin and Jackie Sigourney, sole proprietors

COMPANY: Sigourney Farm

LOCATION: Coloma, WI

HOMETOWNS: Hancock (Kevin) and Coloma (Jackie)

YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: 28 years

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Green Giant, starting out at age 16, working way up to manager of Green Giant, and making the choice to do something different when Seneca bought out Green Giant

SCHOOLING: Tri-County High School and a year at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Town chairman of Colburn in Adams County for 20 years, recently retired, and two terms on the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Board, including three years as president

FAMILY: Wife, Jackie; two kids, Claire, “who lives in Hancock and is a stay-at-home mom, which I’m very proud of,” and Ethan, who works for TSA in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and one grandson, Shia (6)

HOBBIES: Two dogs (Miss Frankie and Finn), fishing, and snowmobiling

8 BC�T March

Interview KEVIN SIGOURNEY, owner/operator,

Sigourney Farm

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

Building and maintaining relationships are the two things that Kevin Sigourney credits for carrying him a long way in his career as owner/operator of Sigourney Farm in Coloma, Wisconsin.

Unlike many of his fellow potato and vegetable growers in the area, Sigourney is not a second-, thirdor fourth-generation owner, but instead the first of his family to grow potatoes for a living.

“We had a farming background, but not to the extent as the farm is now. The farm was settled in 1850 on one side of the family, but they lost it during the Depression,” Kevin remarks.

“The banks couldn’t sell it, so it just stayed there, and after the war, two of my uncles bought a portion of the land and started a Christmas tree farm,” he says.

“My Uncle Frank died when he was 60 years old and never had any kids, so I ended up buying 80 acres of the land,” Kevin relates. “An interesting part of the story is that I wanted to put irrigation on it and needed money.”

“I went to Hancock State Bank,” he continues, “and the lender said, ‘Kevin, you need to put irrigation on that farm.’ I didn’t have two nickels to rub together, but he trusted me, and we’ve gone from farming 80 acres then to working 2,700 now.”

When I asked if you wanted to do an interview with me, Kevin, you said, yes, that the timing was right. Why is that? As you grow older, things

Above: What Kevin Sigourney of Sigourney Farm in Coloma, Wisconsin, takes most pride in is that he started out as a little kid growing up in Hancock, and later in life, built a very good farm that provides a living for a lot of local families.

change. It’s time. We’re reinventing our farm again. Though we started growing big potatoes for the fresh market, we eventually devoted our efforts and made a change to the little potato world.

A lot of people helped me along the way. Everything is about relationships. Jeff Sommers of Wysocki Family of Companies and I talk about this all the time. Now we’re in the process of another change, and it’s kind of exciting, though we’ll continue growing little potatoes.

You were a field rep and area supervisor for the Green Giant Company in the 1980s. Why did you decide to go into potato and vegetable growing? I’ve lived in this area my whole life. I grew up getting to know and seeing guys who were making money in this industry, so the decision was made.

I parlayed a group of people to help me out. One of them was the late George Zettelmeier who owned Plainfield Trucking. They did the trucking for us when I worked at Green Giant, and George was a good friend of my parents.

He helped me to get my first potato contract, or I should say, he and Ron Meddaugh. And I worked with Dennis Schultz for numerous years after that.

You’ve been involved in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry for a long time, including

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stints on the WPVGA Board and Vegetable Committee. What makes you want to be involved and stay in this industry? Well, first off, you have a great organization. I like it and you do a good job, but to answer your question, relationships.

If you don’t have solid relationships, you’ll never succeed. Sometimes relationships can get strained, but we’re all neighbors, and we all try to help each other. Sure, we are competitors, but we all respect each other.

Twenty years ago, you were growing 1,600 acres of vegetables in Adams and Waushara counties, including 350 acres of potatoes. How has that changed? We grow 750 acres of small potatoes for one company, 1,000 acres of seed corn, and then we rent out cropland to Seneca for

Above: Here are some of the guys who make it all happen on Sigourney Farm, including, from left to right, Brad Norquist, warehouse manager who’s been with the farm for 30 years; Kevin Sigourney, owner and proprietor; Paul Bertotto, a field hand who’s relatively new to the operation; and Bob Horacek, a tractor operator and field hand for the past couple years. The gentlemen all went to school together, with Brad and Kevin being first cousins. Finn, Kevin’s English Labrador Retriever, is between him and Brad. Not pictured are Jason Gold, who has been with Sigourney Farms for 20 years, Jim Gold and Al Schmidt, who’ve each worked there for 10 years, and Maryann Hensel who holds down the office.

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Are you growing potatoes for the fresh market? It’s all fresh now, including potatoes and vegetables. What major advancements have you seen on your farm? Look at the building, number one, the sorting and storage shed (pictures herein). The technology for tractors has also changed significantly. It’s hard to keep up with that, especially as you get older. Young people can do that.

Autosteer has been the biggest thing that’s helped us on our farm, and a good crop rotation. We’re always on a four-year rotation of potatoes, snap

beans, seed corn, and for a while we put alfalfa in as a rotational crop. Fields that were junk previously, after we planted alfalfa into them, they were fantastic.

What are you most proud of as far as your business and its longevity? Starting out as a little kid growing up in Hancock and building a very good farm that provides a living for a lot of families.

Do you have a favorite time of year on the farm? The last day of harvest—harvest was good this past season. We had a nice, dry year. The

guys would tell you the same thing, that their favorite day of each season is the last day of harvest.

Now we’ve added H-2A workers to help during planting, harvest, and the growing season. We employ two H-2A guys for eight months, and more, all from Mexico, who help in the fall. They are the most fantastic workers you’re ever going to get.

We go through a broker whose name is Pedro, a fantastic man, who helps us out through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Temporary Agricultural Program.

Up to 500 acres of potatoes can be stored in the state-of-the-art facility at Sigourney Farm, which uses all box storage for the little potatoes that the operation grows and that can bruise easily in large piles.

How many full-time and seasonal employees do you have on the payroll? There are six guys here who work full-time, and as far as seasonally, it’s 16 during the height of harvest.

How many potatoes can you store and for how long? We can store 500 acres of potatoes in our building, using all box storage. That’s unusual around here, but box storage is necessary for little potatoes that can bruise easily.

We can store potatoes until a month before we start planting, until July 15 or July 30. That is the goal of box storage, period.

Do you have a shipping arm of the business? We ship our own down to Sun Prairie, but not anywhere else, not intrastate.

This is our planting issue. I assume planning for the 2024 planting season is well underway. Have you ordered fertilizers, other inputs, machinery? Oh yeah, that stuff

“Most people think you make money out in the field and, yes, you do, but it’s got to start in you as a person and as a business owner, and you need a good group of people surrounding you.”

– Kevin Sigourney

always happens steadily. You’re planning halfway into next year from the year you’re currently in. What’s the biggest focus on the upcoming planting season? Timing and weather are always the most important things. The only thing we must do long-term is make sure seed is taken care of—bought and ready for planting. I think Schroeders

Bros. Farms does a fantastic job with certified seed up in Antigo.

Are you doing anything different this year, or do you have any new machinery? We do a lot of different things business-wise. When you’re young, you have a high tolerance for risk, but as you get older, that kind of changes.

continued

As business evolves, it becomes easier to grow the business, but difficult to maintain it. If you’re doing things right, you build up a lot of equity through the years. I’m a numbers guy.

Most people think you make money out in the field and, yes, you do, but it’s got to start in you as a person and as a business owner, and you need a good group of people surrounding you.

There’s more than one potato grower in the Coloma and Hancock area. What do you enjoy about being

in the Central Sands potato growing community? We just have good neighbors. Everyone seems to work well together, which is important.

What do you see as your biggest challenges now and in the future as a potato and vegetable grower, and can you do anything to prepare? Relationships, being able to talk to people face to face. Me, no, I can’t prepare for that other than maintaining the relationships I have and building on them.

What do you hope for the planting season? I think this has been

Right: The Miedema

a challenging, warm winter with no deep freeze. It will be interesting to see what happens in the spring. I never like to see an open winter like this because of the overwintering bugs.

Interview. .

Left: Paul Bertotto is at the wheel and Bob Horacek in the passenger seat of a big rig on Sigourney Farm, which ships its own potatoes down to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, but not intrastate.

AKL Box Tippler by Dewulf is the load-out portion of the storage line used for bulk and seed potatoes. Kevin Sigourney’s dogs, Finn (left) and Miss Frankie (right), secure the area.

The John Deere 8220 was the first John Deere Tractor on Sigourney Farm.

An automatic boxer, the Miedema ME 80 with wide, troughed conveyor belt, was purchased from T.I.P., Inc., of Custer, Wisconsin.

BC�T March

Are your kids, Claire, and Ethan, interested in taking over the farm? No, but maybe at some point they will be. Five years ago, I wanted to retire. Now, I’m going to run it out. I have a great group of people, and if I want to leave for some reason, on vacation, a trip or just to be at home, I can do what I want. They can pretty much take care of the farm.

Who knows what will happen five or 10 years from now? I don’t know. Ethan worked here for five years, and though I doubt it, you never can tell, he might want to take it over someday. You can never predict the future and should never burn a bridge. It really is about relationships.

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Right: The John Deere tractors, harvester, and windrower are all ready for harvest on Sigourney Farm.

Combatting Aphid-Transmitted Viruses

Novel approach harnesses “spike proteins” as weapons

By U.S. Department of Agriculture Tellus - ARS (Agricultural Research Service)

The tiny insects known as aphids have long been an enemy of people who grow plants, from home gardeners to farmers. Their voracious appetite for sap can wreak havoc, but for many growers, another threat they pose is even worse: disease.

Aphids are vectors that have a means

of transmission for many of the most lethal viruses affecting cash crops such as potatoes, soy, and cotton. However, one researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) may have found a potent weapon against the aphids’ harmful effects,

within the very viruses they spread.

Since the arrival of COVID, the socalled “spike protein” has been getting a lot of attention. The irregular shape that protrudes from the surface of a virus plays a starring role in transmitting coronaviruses.

As it turns out, it is critical to the transmission of other viruses as well, including several that afflict crops. Poleroviruses, particularly, infect many economically important crops, including those used in biofuel. They are also an emerging threat to cotton. The secret to combatting those viruses, and others with similar traits, appears to be turning their own structure against them.

Michelle Heck, a research molecular biologist at the ARS Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research unit in the Robert W. Holley Center for

Agriculture & Health, explains, “Using X-ray crystallography, we know what that spike protein looks like on that virus.”

“That was a major breakthrough, because these viruses have been studied for a very long time, since the 1960s, and no one has been able to look at the structure,” Heck says.

PROTEIN STRUCTURE

“Once you see proteins of a virus, or any protein, you know the sequence in a linear way, but you don’t really know how something works until you put it all together,” she notes.

“Think about the engine of a car. If you put all the pieces of an engine on the floor, you can kind of guess what each piece does, but how it all works together—you can’t figure that out,” Heck proposes.

“But if you open the hood of a car and see the engine intact, you can

see, ‘Wow, this is how the thing works.’ When you solve the structure of a protein, it allows you to see how the protein machine works,” Heck explains.

With that knowledge in hand, Heck and her former graduate student, Jennifer Wilson, now a research molecular biologist at the ARS Corn, Soybean and Wheat Quality Research unit in Wooster, Ohio, were able to devise an ingenious approach to preventing aphids from spreading the lethal plant viruses.

They manufactured free spike proteins like the ones that normally appear on the surface of viruses, only this time, there was no virus —only the spike protein itself.

continued on pg. 16 SNOWDEN

ATLANTIC

Combatting Aphid-Transmitted Viruses . . . continued from pg. 15

They then fed the loose proteins to aphids. Essentially, Heck explains, the free-floating proteins blocked the viruses from infecting aphids by binding with receptors in the aphids’ cells.

Normally, when a virus infects an aphid, the spike proteins on the surface of the virus latch into place by binding to those receptors. With the receptors already occupied by the manufactured spike proteins, there is nothing for the virus spike proteins to latch onto.

The results were so significant that Heck, Wilson and their team published a paper about them in “Nature Communications,” a leading scientific journal. They are, according to Heck, “revolutionary, because there is no way to block the transmission of these viruses by aphids yet.”

REDUCE DISEASE

Not only could this solution dramatically reduce disease transmission, but it could do so relatively safely compared to

treatments like pesticides, which often have toxic side effects.

Above: Michelle Heck (right) poses with trainees in her virology program. Photo courtesy of Michelle Heck

“The spike protein isn’t toxic. It’s in the food supply because these viruses are ubiquitous [found everywhere],” Heck remarks. “There are so many viruses related to this one, our analysis showed that the structure is probably a blueprint for this particular protein in all of these related viruses.”

The spike protein structure may be useful for combatting other cropkilling diseases as well. In addition to preventing the aphids from spreading the viruses, Heck found that the loose spike proteins were highly lethal to the insects, presenting even more possibilities.

“This could be used as a novel insecticide that also blocks transmission,” Heck states. “You get a one-two punch. In the aphids that you don’t kill, transmission would be blocked.”

“The most promising route to deliver the spike proteins to aphids would likely be through crop plants themselves, by making a transgenic plant expressing this spike protein,” she says.

Heck noted that transgenic crops are currently accepted and used in some agricultural sectors.

Two new graduate students in Heck’s laboratory, Stephanie Preising and Michael West-Ortiz, are leading research to test ways in which transgenic plants can be used alongside non-transgenic plants to protect the non-transgenic plants from getting infected.

Like all novel solutions, the free spike proteins will be tested to ensure they would be safe before being used in any live applications. For now, though, Heck believes she has the beginnings of a powerful new tool against one of agriculture’s tiny, but mighty, foes.

“You get a one-two punch. In the aphids that you don’t kill, transmission would be blocked.”

– Michelle Heck, ARS research molecular biologist

Draw of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Is Stronger Than Ever

WPVGA & UW Division of Extension saw record attendance for trade show

and researcher presentations

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

There’s something special brewing in Wisconsin that has potato and vegetable growers, associated businesses, industry professionals, and the University of Wisconsin Extension buzzing.

Record attendance is once again a topic of conversation following the 2024 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, February 6-8, at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point.

A nationally respected potato conference, the Industry Show is now

in its 74th year and continues to be a showcase for the state’s established potato and vegetable production area.

Unique as a dual effort between the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and University of Wisconsin (UW) Division of Extension, the combined Grower Education Conference & Industry Show features researcher presentations and an established tradeshow under one roof. Growers and industry professionals

from across the country traverse the show floor, catching up with associates, networking, and forging new relationships, but also taking in a full slate of reports on current issues affecting farmers everywhere.

As part of the inaugural Student Leadership Development Workshop, selected university and technical college students attended the Conference & Industry Show, on Tuesday, free of charge.

Above: Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (left) and Dr. Russell Groves, professor and chair, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Department of Entomology, prepare to welcome guests to the 2024 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show. The event is a dual effort between the WPVGA and UW Division of Extension.

They met with Mike Copas, senior agronomist for RPE, Inc., in the morning for a short initiation and continental breakfast before hitting the tradeshow floor to meet with exhibitors and learn about the vast business and career opportunities available to them.

The students attended the “Bringing Value to Agriculture” session consisting of five 10-minute presentations given by select exhibitors who apply for the opportunity to discuss new technologies, tools, services and approaches that their companies offer.

AGRICULTURE 101

University and technical college students also enjoyed “Agriculture 101” presentations by UW-Madison base-funded researchers in the areas of disease management, soil health and fertility, weed management, potato breeding, potato agronomics, and agricultural economics.

Not only was the inaugural Student Leadership Development Workshop a great opportunity to expose developing professionals—the future workforce—to the Wisconsin agriculture industry, but also a chance for business leaders to showcase their companies, areas of focus and career opportunities.

A range of ag businesses and professionals populated booths on the sold-out show floor to meet

face-to-face with growers, dealers, researchers, brokerages, and other attendees to show off the latest in

continued on pg. 20

Above: Mike Copas (standing), senior agronomist for RPE, Inc., and Niles Franc (right), Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program field inspector, address university and technical college students, Tuesday, February 6, who participated in the inaugural Student Leadership Development Workshop.

03-24 Badger Common'Tater (7.25x4.75).v1.pdf

Than Ever. . .

products, machinery, technologies, and services.

It is a chance to exhibit technologically advanced equipment, remote sensing, computers, and controls that help potato and vegetable growers become more efficient farmers who use less water, fewer inputs, and more environmentally friendly practices as the stewards of the land and food providers.

Exhibitors included implement manufacturers and dealers; irrigation companies; banks and credit unions; insurance agencies; the technology sector; fertilizer, chemical and biochemical companies; ag associations; parts dealers; building contractors; seed suppliers; crop consultants and more.

Just over 230 people pre-registered for, and hundreds more attended, the Grower Education Conference, taking full advantage of informative sessions covering issues directly affecting ag businesses.

With the help of the WPVGA Grower Education Planning Committee, Dr. Russell L. Groves put together a comprehensive, timely, and information-packed lineup of

research presentations.

The range of topics included disease and weed management, fungicide resistance, potato breeding, nutrient management, soil microbiomes, cover crops and soil health, diploid potato breeding for variety development, nitrogen use efficiency and nitrate leaching, tuber storage, and precision agriculture practices in sustainable vegetable production.

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

Dr. Jed Colquhoun, professor in the UW-Madison Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Science, discussed how enforcing the Endangered Species Act may soon

Draw of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Is Stronger

continued from pg. 19

Above: Dr. Paul Mitchell, interim associate dean of academic affairs and professor, UW-Madison Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, presents “Maximum Return to Nitrogen for Potatoes” at the Grower Education Conference on Tuesday.

Left: Julie Cartwright (right), Jay-Mar, Inc., was happy to meet Melissa Ploeckelman, an outreach specialist with the Marshfield Clinic Health System, in the cancer screening room. Conference and show attendees could get free skin cancer screening during the event as part of a service partnership between Marshfield Clinic and the National Farm Medicine Center.

Right: National Potato Council Chief Operating Officer Mike Wenkel (left) visits WPVGA Director of Promotions & Consumer Education Dana Rady at the United Potato Growers Cooperative of Wisconsin booth.

BC�T March

limit pesticide use; and Dr. Laura Shannon, associate professor in the University of Minnesota-St. Paul Department of Horticultural Science, talked about using image analysis to breed for potato quality traits.

As part of the Grower Education Conference, Dr. Jed Colquhoun, professor, UW-Madison Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Science, discussed how enforcement of the Endangered Species Act may soon limit pesticide use.

continued on pg. 22

Left: Portage County Extension Ag Agent Ken Schroeder (left) stopped by the Jay-Mar, Inc. booth to chat with Wayne Solinsky. Chris Brooks of Central Door Solutions and his crew are in the background.

Right: From left to right, Jay Warner and Nate Bolton of Warner & Warner, Inc. talked business with Andy Diercks, Coloma Farms, and Tom Bulgrin, Gumz Farms, at the Industry Show.

Draw of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Is Stronger Than Ever. . . continued from pg. 21

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS!

Premier Event Sponsors:

John Miller Farms, Inc.

Progressive Ag

Tuesday Lunch:

AgCountry Farm Credit Services

Compeer Financial

Wednesday Lunch:

Verbruggen Palletizing Solutions

Banquet Beverage:

American Drone

Nichino America

Volm Companies

Reception Beverage:

J.W. Mattek & Sons

TriEst Ag Group

Associate Division Breakfast:

AgWorld Support Systems, Bank

First, Calcium Products, McCain Foods USA, Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems, Inc., Warner & Warner, Inc., and T H AgriChemicals, Inc.

Supporting Sponsors: Agricair Flying Service, Allen Supply Company, Big Iron Equipment, EXIT Realty CW, M3 Insurance, Reabe Spraying Service, The Little Potato Company, and Vista Financial Strategies

Penney Hammer (left) and Ray Grabinski (second from right) of Progressive Ag chat with John E. Bushman (second from left) and Jeff Suchon (right) of Bushman’s Riverside Ranch at the booth.

At the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, former WPVGA Associate Division Board member Tom Domaszek took time to check out potatoes on display as part of the Wisconsin Potato Variety & Advanced Selection Evaluation Trial.

During the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, J.D. Schroeder (left) of Schroeder Bros. Farms had a nice discussion with Dr. Paul Bethke (center), research geneticist and professor, UW-Madions Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Science, and Mike Copas (right), senior agronomist for RPE, Inc.

As revealed at the Industry Show, Butch Fencil (second from left) will be partnering with Zander Solutions, introducing the company, which has 50 years of experience in the spray foam industry, to Central and Northcentral Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers and associated businesses. Butch, the former owner of Fencil Urethane Systems, is standing next to, from left to right, Frank Acker (president), Shawn Klingforth, and Jason Pavloski of Zander Solutions. The company’s newest office is the old Fencil Urethane Systems location in Wisconsin Rapids.

Researchers included those traveling from Oregon State UniversityHermiston, North Dakota State University, Cornell University-Ithaca and Cornell Cooperative ExtensionAlbion, Washington State University and University of Minnesota-St. Paul.

To access a complete index of the 2024 Grower Ed Conference proceedings, watch presentations

and see poster sessions, as well as those of previous years, visit http:// wpvga.conferencespot.org/.

The Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and WPVGA Associate Division held their annual reception on the show floor, Tuesday evening, including delicious appetizers and refreshments.

continued on pg. 24

Left: Deep in conversation at lunch on Wednesday are, from left to right, Dianne and Nick Somers and Jeanine McCain of Plover River Farms, Brian Stroetz from Wheeler’s Chevrolet, and Peter Joyce, consultant for Potatoes USA.

Right: Eugene Mancl (left) and Greg Johnson (right) of Ron’s Refrigeration were happy to host Thad Failor (second from left) and Ragen Darrington (second from right) of Industrial Ventilation, Inc. at the booth for the duration of the 2024 Industry Show.

Draw of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Is Stronger Than Ever. . . continued from pg. 23

The WPVGA Associate Division Banquet, Wednesday evening, is the premier social event in the Wisconsin potato industry, including a social hour with appetizers and refreshments, dinner, Industry and WPVGA Hall of Fame awards, and entertainment.

In addition to the annual Industry Awards and WPVGA Hall of Fame induction, drawings for cash prizes totaled $1,500, including more than 10 individual cash prizes and a $500 grand prize winner whose name was drawn after the awards banquet and

the evening’s entertainment.

The WPVGA Associate Division was happy to have UW-Stevens Point jazz group, the Mat Chapman Quintet, provide up-tempo entertainment for the evening.

The entertainment and camaraderie that went along with it was a nice way to wrap up yet another record-breaking Grower Education Conference & Industry Show.

Thank you to all sponsors who made the 2024 UW Extension & WPVGA Grower Education Conference & Industry Show possible! Please see the ad thanking sponsors on page 37

Above: During lunch on Tuesday, WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan, at left in both images, honored Mike Carter of Bushmans’ Inc. (first image) and Bill Guenthner (second image) from Guenthner Farms with plaques in appreciation for their service on the WPVGA Board of Directors. Carter and Guenthner each completed their second terms on the Board. At a brief meeting held immediately following the WPVGA Annual Meeting, February 8, in Stevens Point, the Board of Directors elected Charlie Mattek of J.W. Mattek & Sons Inc. as its president for 2024, John Bustamante of Wysocki Family of Companies as vice president, Alex Okray from Okray Family Farms as secretary, and Wendy Dykstra, Alsum Farms & Produce, to the treasurer position. The rest of the WPVGA Board of Directors includes Mike Baginski, Baginski Farms, Randy Fleishauer from Plover River Farms, John Hopfensperger of Bushmans’ Inc., Josh Knights from Heartland Farms, Inc., and J.D. Schroeder, Schroeder Bros. Farms, Inc.

Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary President Heidi Schleicher updates Wednesday Awards Banquet guests on the Auxiliary’s activities, fundraisers, and educational initiatives and programs.

WPVGA Presents Industry Awards to Deserving Members

Ag industry professionals dedicated to service recognized at the 2024 banquet

The premier social event in the Wisconsin potato industry, the WPVGA Associate Division Awards Banquet includes a social hour with appetizers and refreshments, this year sponsored by American Drone, Nichino America and Volm Companies, dinner, presentation of the awards, including the WPVGA Hall of Fame induction, and entertainment.

A nice way to cap off the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, the Awards Banquet recognizes those who go above and beyond in furthering the causes of the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growing industry.

An impressive group of awards recipients was recognized.

The WPVGA Associate Division Business Person of the Year Award was presented to Bill Page of Insight FS. Bill started his career with Farm Bureau Cooperative in August of 1977. At the time, the coop had $1.5 million in agronomy sales.

His job morphed over the years from salesman into sales manager and purchasing. The company name was changed a couple times, grew, and merged with other Growmark locations and is now Insight FS. Currently the agronomy sales in the Antigo location are over $28 million,

while total sales for the location are over $55 million. Bill now handles sales and purchasing for specialty crops, and in 2020, Bill was named Certified Crop Advisor of the Year.

continued on pg. 26

Bill Page

Draw of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Is

When Bill was in college, potatoes

101 didn’t exist. That class started the day Bill started work at Farm Bureau Coop. It was taught by the smartest, nicest, and most successful people you could ever meet—the farmers.

From Antigo and Rhinelander to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, these growers are why he is here today.

As one nominator stated, “Bill has worked with the growers of the Antigo area for his entire 40-plusyear career. During that time, he has helped growers improve their yields while only selling what is needed by the growers. He does not sell extra fertilizer just to sell more product; he is a firm believer that if the farm is successful, then he will be.”

Bill is soon to be retiring and his contributions to the industry will be sorely missed.

Randy Fleishauer of Plover River Farms, Stevens Point, was named the WPVGA Volunteer of the Year.

The general manager of Plover River Farms Alliance since 2017, Randy is the out-going president and a current member of the WPVGA Board of Directors.

For 25 years, Fleishauer worked as a

farm manager specializing in potato and wheat production for R.D. Offutt Company in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

After 25 years, and with a strong agricultural background and love for Wisconsin and the Midwest, Fleishauer joined a farm known for sustainable and eco-friendly practices, including prairie restoration

on portions of the land as part of the Wisconsin Healthy Grown program. Owned by Nick Somers, Plover River Farms has been in his family for generations.

Randy is chairman of the WPVGA Vegetable and Processor Relations (Frozen) committees, and a board member on the Research and Grower Ed Planning committees.

He also serves on the National Potato Council Advisory Committee to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and was appointed to the Wisconsin Ag Producers Security Council.

As the out-going WPVGA board president, Fleishauer also presented the President’s Award to his coworker, Dan Walsch, in grateful appreciation for outstanding service and dedication to Plover River Farms.

In 2017, Dan started working at Plover River Farms as an intern, and after graduation, joined the farm on a full-time basis as an agronomist.

He oversees field operations, scouting, spraying, irrigation scheduling and harvest operations.

Dan Walsch

Randy Fleishauer

Dan has been influential in implementing more diversified cover crop systems, minimizing tillage passes and maximizing nutrient use efficiency.

A graduate of the WPVGA Member Development Program in 2022, Dan enjoys the day-to-day variability of farming and working with the team at Plover River Farms, saying it’s the

team that makes overcoming daily challenges easier.

This year’s WPVGA Young Grower of the Year Award went to Charlie Husnick, a farm manager for Baginski Farms, Inc., in Antigo.

Charlie was hired at Baginski’s, in 2015, where they grow a rotation of seed potatoes, soybeans, and oats across 2,000 acres annually.

Charlie was a 2018 graduate of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute, and a 2019 Graduate of the WPVGA Member Development Leadership Training Program.

He currently serves on the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board and the United Potato Growers of Wisconsin Board, as well as being a Wisconsin representative on Potatoes USA.

The WPVGA Researcher of the Year Award was presented to Brooke Babler. Brooke is the associate program director of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program and previously served as certification and research manager.

She oversees seed potato certification in Wisconsin, including a substantial diagnostic program to support clean potatoes, potato tissue culture maintenance, and the production of mini tubers for earliest generation seed production in Wisconsin.

Further, Brooke provides education and outreach on potato production and potato certification. Her research includes evaluating the performance of potato plantlets grown in potted,

Draw of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Is Stronger Than Ever. . . continued from pg. 26

Brooke Babler

Richard Pavelski

Charlie Husnick

hydroponic and aeroponic systems.

Winner of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Seed Industry Leadership Award in 2023, she is a potato expert with great leadership in disease diagnostics and the certification process.

Richard Pavelski received the AgriCommunicator Award for excellence in communication and outstanding service to the potato and vegetable industry.

Dick is a fourth-generation farmer with roots dating back to 1873 when his great-grandfather, August Pavelski, emigrated from Poland. Dick is the founder of Heartland Farms, Inc. in Hancock, one of the largest growers of chipping potatoes in the nation with over 20,000 acres of potatoes and vegetables.

A past president and Hall of Fame member of the WPVGA, Pavelski has served on the United States Potato Board and the National Potato Council and was a director of the National Fertilizer Solutions Association.

He is a past president of the Wisconsin Fertilizer and Chemical Association as well as the Wisconsin Agri-Business Council.

The Farming for the Future Foundation was founded by the Pavelski family and incorporated as a 501 C3 non-profit charitable organization in 2018.

Dick says, “Our mission is simple. People want to know where their food comes from, and farmers want to share those stories. We want to create common ground where people can learn more directly from the industry without taking away from the important work that must be completed to feed the growing world.”

“With a grand opening in December of 2023, the Food + Farm Exploration Center is the physical manifestation of our mission,” he adds.

continued on pg. 30

Draw of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Is Stronger Than Ever. . . continued from pg. 29

Special Industry Appreciate Awards went to Kevin Schleicher of Wysocki Family Farms, Bancroft, and Dr. Paul Bethke, a member of the UW potato team.

Dr. Bethke joined the potato team in Madison as a researcher with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and as a faculty member in the Department of Horticulture.

His research has focused on how different potato varieties respond to environmental conditions in the field and in storage, and how those responses influence potato tuber quality.

Over the years, his group has done research on cold-induced sweetening, senescent sweetening, skin set, stem-end chip defect, sugar end defect, acrylamide mitigation, the appearance of red skinned potatoes, aerial imaging, lenticels, Potato Virus Y, and diploid potatoes.

Paul has given timely updates on research at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station Field Day, the annual Grower Education Conference, and in articles written for the Badger Common’Tater.

Most of his research projects were done in collaboration with other members of the potato research team and with members of the grower community.

Schleicher is the director of sales for Wysocki Family of Companies in Bancroft, which raises 25,000 acres of chipping potatoes, process potatoes, fresh potatoes, canning crops, and grains.

He currently serves as the president of the Wisconsin Potato Coalition, which partners with the University of Wisconsin to improve the efficiency of seed potato production at the Lelah Starks Elite Foundation Seed Potato Farm in Rhinelander.

Kevin also serves as a Wisconsin

representative on the Potatoes USA Board of Directors, serving on the Administrative and International Marketing committees, and as vice chair on the Executive Committee of the Portage County Business Council. During dinner and after the awards ceremony, the UW-Stevens Point jazz group, the Mat Chapman Quintet, entertained guests. During the entertainment, cash prizes were awarded to attendees lucky enough to have their names drawn at the banquet.

continued on pg. 32

2024 INDUSTRY AWARDS RECIPIENTS

Associate Division Business Person of the Year: Bill Page

WPVGA Volunteer of the Year: Randy Fleishauer

WPVGA Young Grower of the Year:

Charlie Husnick

WPVGA Researcher of the Year: Brooke Babler

WPVGA Board President’s Award: Dan Walsch

Agri-Communicator Award: Richard Pavelski

WPVGA Industry Appreciation Awards: Kevin Schleicher and Paul Bethke

Recognition of out-going WPVGA Board Members: Mike Carter and Bill Guenthner

Recognition of out-going WPVGA Associate Division Board Member: Andy Verhasselt

WPVGA Hall of Fame Induction: Ron Krueger

Kevin Schleicher

Dr. Paul Bethke

Draw of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Is Stronger Than Ever. . . continued from pg. 30

Ron Krueger Enters the WPVGA Hall of Fame

Longtime general manager of Eagle River Seed Farm, Ron Krueger was inducted into the WPVGA Hall of Fame at the industry’s annual Awards Banquet on February 7, 2024.

The WPVGA Hall of Fame honors lifetime achievement in the development of the state’s potato industry. It is the intention of the WPVGA to continue to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the potato industry in Wisconsin by making annual Hall of Fame inductions.

Born in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, to Clarence and Joy Krueger,

Ron’s family, including two brothers and one sister, lived on a dairy farm, in Irma, that had been in the family since the early part of the 1900’s.

“My grandfather grew potatoes, strawberries, miscellaneous vegetables and had a few dairy cows. My parents built on the dairy portion of the farm until they were milking around 32 head—not a very large operation by today’s standards, but sustainable for that time,” Ron relates.

Ron is a graduate of Tomahawk High School and attended UW-Stevens Point. “When

I went off to college, I swore I would never return to farming,” he says. “Later, I was extremely glad that I had the opportunity to return to agriculture as a career.”

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He began his career in 1977 as the farm supervisor for the Frito-Lay Genetics research farm, in Starks, Wisconsin. After 15 years with FritoLay, Ron moved on to become the general manager for Felix Zeloski Farms, in 1992, and stayed for 30 years before his retirement in 2022. Felix Zeloski Farms became Eagle River Seed Farm, LLC, in 2014.

EAGLE RIVER SEED FARM

Nestled in the middle of the world’s largest inland chain of lakes, Eagle River Seed Farm supports a tremendous amount of wildlife as well as natural scenic beauty. Established by Felix M. Zeloski, his son, Dennis, took over in 1973.

In his career, Krueger oversaw the growing of 1,100 acres of early generation certified seed potatoes (including numerous varieties),

Ron Krueger was inducted into the WPVGA Hall of Fame, February 7, for his lifelong commitment to the Wisconsin potato industry.

certified seed oats, barley, wheat, soybeans, and clover.

Ron was active in the WPVGA, serving four three-year terms on the Board of Directors, including a term as president in 2005. He was co-chair of WPVGA Research Committee, and Government Affairs and SpudPro committees, working on the SpudPro Committee from its inception until his retirement.

Ron also sat on the Board of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association for two separate sixyear terms, including four years as president.

“Dennis was the person who encouraged me to join the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors. That was my introduction to the inner workings of the Wisconsin potato industry,” Ron notes.

AWARDS & HONORS

Ron’s awards and honors include the 2006 and 2014 WPVGA Volunteer of the Year Award, 2013 Wisconsin Seed Potato Industry Leadership Award,

2007 Frito-Lay Seed Supplier of the Year honor, and National Potato Council Environmental Stewardship Award.

Ron and his wife, Mary, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on September 21 of this year. They have two daughters, Kara and Katee, five grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren.

In his free time, Ron enjoys golf, hunting, boating and woodworking.

“I’ve learned so much over the years from people like Dennis, the University of Wisconsin research team, and other growers who have been more than willing to share their knowledge and experiences,” Ron says.

“I am personally grateful every day for the opportunities I’ve had and the people I’ve met along the way who’ve contributed to my success,” he concludes.

Congratulations, Ron, on your induction into the WPVGA Hall of Fame.

Complete List of WPVGA Hall of Fame Members and Years Inducted

1990

Joseph L. Bushman

Ben H. Diercks

Myron Mommsen

Edward J. Okray

John Okray

W. James Prosser

Lelah Starks

James D. Swan

Barron G. West

Felix Zeloski

1991

Henry M. Darling

Robert H. Diercks

Melvin E. Luther

Albert M. Pavelski

Henry L. Woodward

1992

Lawrence Krogwold

Michael Patrykus

John A. Schoenemann

Clarence Worzella

Louis E. Wysocki

1993

Champ Bean Tanner

Ernest Bushman

Melvin Hugo Rominsky

Lawrence (Larry) Lapcinski

Wayne Brittenham

1994

James Burns, Sr.

Myron D. Groskopp

James Wencel

(J.W.) Mattek

Hal Roberts

1995

A.F. (Bill) Hoeft

Bennett Katz

Eugene Katz

Donn “Hokey” West

1996

Charles M. Creuziger

Alois (Al) Okray

Joseph Jacob Okray

Stanley J. Peloquin

1997

Anton (Tony) Gallenberg

Howard F. Chilewski

1998

Dave Curwen

Francis Gilson

Emil Perzinski

1999

John J. Bushman

James G. Milward

2000

Dean Kincaid

Henry V. Sowinski

2001

(Presented in Feb. 2002)

James J. Mattek

Francis X. Wysocki

2002

2004

(Presented in Feb. 2005)

Jerome Bushman

Harold Sargent

2005

(Presented in Feb. 2006)

Ed Wade

Dennis Zeloski

2006

(Presented in Feb. 2007)

Don Kichefski

2007

(Presented in Feb. 2008)

Walt Stevenson

2008

(Presented in Feb. 2009)

Victor Anthony

Jeffrey Wyman

2009

(Presented in Feb. 2010)

John Landa

Robert Stodola

2010

(Presented in Feb. 2011)

John H. Schroeder

August Winkler

2011

(Presented in Feb. 2012)

Fred and Kathryne Meyer

Howard “Skip” Tenpas

2012

(Presented in Feb. 2013)

Steve Diercks

Mike Finnessy

2013

(Presented in Feb. 2014)

Myron Soik

2014

(Presented in Feb. 2015)

Robert Helbach

2015

(Presented in Feb. 2016)

Charles Cofer

Robert Guenthner

2016

(Presented in Feb. 2017)

Donald Hamerski

Richard Pavelski

2017

(Presented in Feb. 2018)

Nick Somers

2018

(Presented in Feb. 2019)

Dr. Keith Kelling

2019

(Presented in Feb. 2020)

Larry Alsum

Dick Okray

2020

(Presented in Feb. 2021)

Marv Worzella

Norm Worzella

2021

(Presented in Feb. 2022)

Paul Miller

(Presented in Feb. 2003)

Robert Hougas

Gerri Okray

2003

(Presented in Jan. 2004}

Larry Binning

Peter Wallendal

2022

(Presented in Feb. 2023)

Randy Van Haren

2023

(Presented in Feb. 2024)

Ron Krueger

Now News

Wisconsin potato growers were honored, February 1, 2024, for crop year 2022 results during the McCain Grower Awards Banquet at Sentry World, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

The annual awards banquet includes a social hour and dinner while

McCain Grower Awards Banquet Honors Farmers

Top potato operations recognized for crops produced in the 2022 growing season

recognizing Wisconsin potato growers who excel in fulfilling their previous year’s contracts with McCain Foods.

Following the social hour, guests were welcomed into the dining room by Morgan Smolarek, field manager of McCain Foods USA, for dinner and

the awards banquet.

Several members of the McCain management team greeted them and gave short speeches, including Sol Giantomasi, plant manager, and Daniel Metheringham, vice president of agriculture, North America.

“Tonight is about celebrating,” Metheringham said. “We’re making good progress and outperforming the market. We’re looking at 2-4 percent growth, and McCain is building a new, sustainable, net-zero manufacturing plant in Alberta.”

Above: Growers recognized for producing quality crops in the 2022 growing season pose with McCain Foods representatives at the February awards banquet. Standing from,

are Alex

left to right,

Chisholm, Sol Giantomasi, Kelly Verhaalen, Chad Kraft, Mike Johnson, Nathan Bula, Alex Rideout, Gary Bula, Daniel Metheringham, Brad Garner, T.J. Kennedy, Wes Meddaugh, Ian Miller, Max Mortenson, Cody Johnson, Howie Marceau, and Morgan Smolarek. Left: Daniel Metheringham (left), McCain Foods vice president of agriculture, North America, congratulates Ian Miller (right) for Paul Miller Farms landing the Champion Bruise Free Award.

REMAINING COMPETITIVE

“We have to remain competitive,” he added. “Hopefully we can continue to grow the business, outperform the competition, and continued on pg. 36

Right It was all in the family when, from left to right, Nathan, Gary, and Bryan Bula accepted McCain Foods awards for Class A Champion¬-Burbank/Umatilla (Nathan Bula Farms) and Class A Reserve Champion-Burbank/Umatilla (Gary Bula Farms).

Left: Max Mortenson poses with the Champion Grower Award that Mortenson Brothers Farms garnered for the 2022 crop year.

help build the French fry market. We are spending a significant amount of money on plants.”

Metheringham went on to say that it’s been a good couple of crop years, and most importantly, the quality of potatoes has helped McCain Foods succeed.

“How do we maintain Wisconsin as a main crop grower?” he asked. “Having a North American strategy is great, but how do we excel in each area? Investment in variety in Wisconsin is key to the region.”

“You’re going to see some of the mini tubers we’re growing in the next couple years,” Metheringham remarked. “I think it’s going to transform the industry. I do believe we have varieties we’re going to deliver.”

His remarks were a nice way to segue into the awards portion

of the banquet, including monetary rewards and trophies given to potato

Champion Bruise Free—All Growers -Burbank/Umatilla—$1,000

growers for another job well done.

continued on pg. 38

Crop Year 2022 Grower Champions

Paul Miller Farms

Champion Grower—All Growers-Ranger Russet—$2,000 Mortenson Brothers Farms

Class AA Champion¬—$2,000

Direct Delivery-Class AA +200,000 cwt.-Burbank/Umatilla

Class AA Reserve Champion—$1,000

Direct Delivery-Class AA +200,000 cwt.-Burbank/Umatilla

Troy W. Fischer Rockford, IL 815.494.4349

Class A Champion¬—$2,000

Direct Delivery-Class A <200,000 cwt.-Burbank/Umatilla

Class A Reserve Champion¬—$1,000

Direct Delivery-Class A <200,000 cwt.-Burbank/Umatilla

Champion Grower Storage¬—$2,000

All Storage Growers-Burbank/Umatilla

RD Offutt Company Midwest

Heartland Farms Inc.

Nathan Bula Farms

Gary Bula Farms

Weekly Farms Inc.

Accepting the Class AA Reserve Champion¬-Burbank/Umatilla Award for Heartland Farms are T.J. Kennedy (left) and Wes Meddaugh.

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2024 UW-Madison Division of Extension and WPVGA Grower Education Conference and 74th Annual Industry Show

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supporting T H Agri-Chemicals, The Little Potato Vista Financial Thank you for supporting this eve

UN Adopts International Day of Potato

World Potato Congress announces United Nations General Assembly resolution

The World Potato Congress Inc. is pleased to announce that the resolution on the International Day of the Potato has been adopted by consensus of the United Nations General Assembly.

It has been a passionate endeavor by the World Potato Congress (WPC) Board of Directors and international advisors.

This initiative was seen through to fruition with great effort by WPC Director André Devaux and Romain Cools, previous WPC president, who have interacted and coordinated over the last few years on behalf of WPC with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), and the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs of Peru.

The first event will be held May 30, 2024, and will be an annual celebration on this date.

A press release issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states, “The potato plays a fundamental role for global food security and nutrition, as well as for income generation. There is a need for small-scale farmers and value chain operators to adopt sustainable practices and ensure environmental protection and social equity.”

PERU INITIATED PROPOSAL

Since June 2022, through its diplomatic missions abroad and presenting within the framework of the 11th World Potato Congress (Dublin, Ireland), Peru initiated the proposal for the establishment of an International Potato Day.

Subsequently, between July 2022 and 2023, this initiative was managed in Rome, Italy, within the framework of the various bodies of the FAO, to finally be approved by consensus in the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The impetus for the International Day of Potato, which builds upon the International Year of Potato that was observed in 2008, originates from the need to emphasize the significant role of the potato in tackling prevalent global issues, such as food insecurity, poverty and environmental threats.

“This International Day will shed light on the significant value of the potato—nutritional, economic, environmental and cultural. It will also highlight the contribution of the potato to global food security, poverty reduction and the livelihoods of millions, while emphasizing the key role of indigenous peoples’ knowledge and practices,” says FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol.

This is an exciting initiative as we head into the next World Potato Congress event in Adelaide, Australia, June 23-26, 2024.

To read the official FAO release, visit: https://www.fao.org/newsroom/ detail/fao-welcomes-decision-tocelebrate-international-day-ofpotato-annually-on-may-30/en.

The International Day of the Potato was adopted by consensus of the United Nations General Assembly in December 2023. Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Peru

Compeer Financial Awards General Use Grants

Fund for Rural America gives to organizations working to enrich agriculture

Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, has awarded 34 General Use Grants, totaling $190,975. General Use Grants fund initiatives and organizations working to enrich agriculture and rural America, aligning with Compeer Financial’s mission.

These grants will directly impact the lives of 594,000 people, with one quarter of the funding having a direct impact on farmers across the grant’s categories of education, environment, technology, or quality of life. In addition, half of the grants will support rural vitality through educational experiences or local healthcare.

This is the twelfth cycle of the grant, which has awarded more than $2.5 million and impacted the lives of over six million people since inception. The Fund will offer this grant again in May 2024 to provide funding for summer 2024.

“The Fund is proud to provide support to the communities in which our team members live and work,” says Karen Schieler, senior corporate giving specialist at Compeer Financial. “The General Use Grants directly contribute to the health and vibrancy of rural America. These innovative ideas and work make a lasting difference.”

The organizations receiving support from the General Use Grant Program throughout Wisconsin, include:

• Amery School District: F.A.R.M Educational Trail and Cleanup Project

• Food, Faith and Farming Network: Southwest Wisconsin Seed

Money Initiative

• Foxhead Regenerative Agriculture Project: development of the Upper Fox Local Food and Farms Guide

• Good Neighbor Clinic of Sauk Prairie: refrigerator purchase for medication

• Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership: youth leadership seminar

• Junior Achievement of Wisconsin: financial literacy and work readiness programming

• Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County, Inc.: garden irrigation

•

• Northwood Technical College Foundation: equipment for medical laboratory technician program

• Rusk County Land Conservation and Development Department: equipment for no-till program

• UW-Madison Extension, Trempealeau County: upgrades and expansion to community garden

• Vernon Economic Development food production

CoVantage Returns $6 Million in Patronage

Members who borrowed and saved with credit union in 2023 receive payment

A record $6 million in patronage has been deposited into the accounts of members who borrowed and saved with CoVantage Credit Union in 2023. This is the largest patronage payment in the history of CoVantage Credit Union. In the last five years, $25 million has been returned to members specifically through patronage.

Patronage is a concept that originated many years ago as a way for cooperatives like CoVantage to give extra value to those who use their services. CoVantage is one of a few credit unions in the country that continues the practice, and this marks the 43rd consecutive year that CoVantage member-owners have

received this unique financial benefit.

According to CoVantage Board Chair Dennis Haltinner, “I am proud to serve on the board of a credit union that lives by its mission. When the

Board and I met at the end of the year, we determined how much income was needed to fund regular dividends and operating expenses, and to maintain reserves to protect

the credit union.”

“Because of our financial strength,” Haltinner continues, “and the fact that more and more members are trusting CoVantage with their deposits, loans and cards, 2023 was a successful year for our organization.”

“We are thrilled to be able to give back $6 million, our largest patronage payment ever,” he says. “On behalf of the directors, I want to extend my thanks to new and long-time members, and for believing in the mission and participating in our success.”

The year-end patronage payment includes a bonus based on dividends earned for those who save, and a loan interest rebate for those who borrow.

BONUS ON DIVIDENDS

CoVantage depositors received a bonus on dividends earned on eligible certificate, money market, and savings accounts. Borrowers received a rebate of their total 2023 interest paid on eligible vehicle, home equity, in-house mortgage, credit card, and commercial loans.

CoVantage President Charlie Zanayed says, “Being able to provide outstanding value through patronage, great rates, no overdraft fees, and technology enhancements are key to living our mission.”

“When we compare rates and fees CoVantage members received on their loans and deposits to banks in Wisconsin,” Zanayed continues, “in 2023 members earned $47 million more in direct financial benefits with CoVantage.”

“Additionally,” he says, “we do not charge overdraft fees, which amounts to approximately $6 million more in member value that CoVantage members receive annually.”

“Because of our mission-focus commitment, in September 2023,

CoVantage was ranked second in the nation out of over 4,000 credit unions for providing great rates and low fees [as reported by Callahan, an independent credit union research company],” Zanayed remarks.

“This was the 16th year in a row CoVantage was honored to be in the top 1% of credit unions for providing outstanding member

value,” he concludes. “And while this recognition is nice, serving memberowners and meeting your financial needs is what matters the most to us. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.”

Further information about the CoVantage patronage program can be found at https://covantagecu.org/ patronage.

People

Kenneth Husnick Passes

Away Peacefully

He and his wife owned and operated Antigo potato farm for over 50 years

Kenneth C. Husnick, 89, of Antigo, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 13, at his home surrounded by family under the care of LeRoyer Hospice.

Ken was born January 24, 1934, in Antigo, a son of the late Wenzel and Bertha (Engel) Husnick, Sr.

He attended St. John Catholic School and was a 1952 graduate of Antigo High School, then enlisted in the United States Army the same year.

Ken married Agnes “Aggie” Zima on August 30, 1958, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Antigo. She survives. The couple recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Together, they successfully owned and operated a potato farm in the Antigo area for over 50 years, and he was extremely proud that the farm remains in the family today.

He was a lifelong member of Saints Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church, in Antigo, where he served as a parish council member and usher. He was also a proud member of the Monsignor Conrad Saile Council 1002 Knights of Columbus.

In addition, Ken served as clerk and supervisor of the Town of Rolling for over 30 years and sat on the Antigo Co-op Board of Directors, now CoVantage Credit Union, for 27 years, serving as treasurer of that board for much of that time.

Ken enjoyed hunting and fishing, time at the cabin, attending auctions, trips to the casino with his wife, and putzing in his workshop, but what he cherished most was quality time with his family, which included playing multiple card games.

KIDS ACTIVITIES

Over the years, Ken and Aggie never missed any activities of their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Ken is survived by two daughters, Diane (Mike) Eder, of Wausau, and Kathy (Mark) Westen, of Antigo; three sons, Dan (Beth) of Antigo, Gary (Mary McLain) of Eland, and Mike (Dawn) of Wausau; 13 grandchildren, Matt, Becky (Andy), Amanda (Joe), Chelsey, Lucas (Nicole), Chloe (Nick), Charlie (Chelsea), Bradley, Jack, Julia, Sam (fiancé Maria), Anika and Peter; and seven great-grandchildren, Kendyl, Kole, Jace, Ethan, Lyla,

Arlo and Sawyer.

He is further survived by three brothers, Raymond (Judy), Donald (Virginia), and Herb (Kitty), all of Antigo; and four sisters-in-law, Rosemary Husnick, Loretta Husnick, and Lorraine Frisch, all of Antigo, and Dorothy Zima of Fond du Lac.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Evelyn Menting and Mary Schisel; brothers, Wenzel, Leon, Eugene, and Lamond “Jim”; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Husnick, Shirley Husnick, and Mary Brown; and brothers-in-law, Matt Menting, Leonard Schisel, Donald Zima and Floyd Frisch.

A funeral Mass was held on Saturday, January 20, at Saints Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann and Rev. George Daniel concelebrating. Burial was in Queen of Peace Cemetery, and Military Honors took place at the church following the Mass.

Visitation was at the Bradley Funeral Home. The Knights of Columbus led a rosary, and a parish wake service was held Friday, with visitation continuing Saturday at the funeral home.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Kenneth Husnick, please visit https://tree.tributestore.com/ memorial-tree?oId=30387038&_ ga=2.72089750.482148968.1706646 619-969387814.1694555028.

Kenneth C. Husnick

January 24, 1934 – January 13, 2024

Selenske Named Certified Crop Adviser of the Year

Matt recognized as a leader in the field who delivers

Matt Selenske, manager of Allied Cooperative’s Pest Pros Division, in Plainfield, Wisconsin, is the 2023 Wisconsin Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) of the Year.

The Wisconsin CCA of the Year Award recognizes a member who delivers exceptional customer service, is highly innovative, has shown that they are a leader in their field, and has contributed substantially to the exchange of ideas and the transfer of agronomic knowledge within the agriculture industry.

For 25 years, Selenske has been a crop adviser in Central Wisconsin. Matt holds an immense diversity of knowledge in his toolbelt as he scouts and advises on a large range of high dollar crops that include, but are not limited to, potatoes, field corn, silage corn, sweet corn, seed corn, soybeans, snap beans, asparagus, alfalfa, blueberries, and strawberries.

He works with over 30 farms that range from only a few hundred acres to over 7,000 acres. In total, he advises on over 25,000 acres each summer.

Matt also serves as president of the WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors.

A letter of recommendation, from one of his growers, states, “Matt is always researching new methods and technologies and shares his knowledge widely with growers and other crop consultants. In turn, this helps contribute to the ever-growing sustainability practices that are needed in today’s world.”

“I always look forward to the grower meetings that he organizes,” the grower continues. “These meetings not only help everyone improve their successes, but also enlarge grower communication, which brings together a wide range of different ideas and practices. He leads by

exeptional customer service

example and is instrumental in helping the younger generation propel.”

Each year, Matt spends a substantial amount of time training and mentoring a team of agronomists, as well as a team of 10-plus summer scouts. Along the way, he always finds

time to advocate for the CCA program and encourages all his staff to work towards CCA certification.

SOLUTIONS FOR GROWERS

In preparation for the next growing season, Matt works with hundreds of growers and coworkers, helping

Matt Selenske (left), of Allied Cooperative’s Pest Pros Division, was named 2023 Wisconsin Certified Crop Adviser of the Year. Matt also serves as president of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Associate Division Board of Directors.

continued from pg. 43

them determine soil sampling needs and any lime or fertilizer recommendations. During the growing season, he is always looking for any problems that may arise and trying his best to find a solution for the grower.

Matt can change his approach and recommendations to fit the widely different programs of each one of his growers. It is not a “one size fits all” approach. Matt considers the different products and rates each one of his growers uses, and he helps build a custom plan for each farm that works best for them.

As each growing season nears an end, Matt helps with yield assessments,

and for potatoes, helps determine when a field could be harvested, or vine killed.

Once the growing season is over, Matt is still observing harvest yields and looking at tuber size, quality, and yield. If asked to, Matt is also happy to advise on potato storage or any storage diseases that show up over the winter.

Each spring, Matt holds meetings with all his growers to go over how the past growing season went and how they can improve for this upcoming season. He takes the time to listen to any struggles they had and brainstorms how they can be changed for the next year.

Congratulations, Matt Selenske, from the Wisconsin CCA Board and CCA’s from across the state of Wisconsin for being recognized with this outstanding award.

CCAs are partners with farmers on the front lines of critical decisions in agriculture. The risks are high, and the pressure has increased with tight margins, new technology, pest concerns and consumer pushes for sustainability.

To learn more about the Certified Crop Adviser program or to find a CCA near you, visit www.certifiedcropadviser.org.

Chad Glaze Taken from this Life After Accident

Entrepreneur started Vine Vest North and 4G Family Farms and Farm Supply

Chad “Cleatus” Glaze, 48, of Merrill, Wisconsin, was tragically taken from this life on Sunday, December 31, 2023, in a Utility Terrain Vehicle accident.

Chad was born February 23, 1975, in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Jerry and Ila Glaze. He was their treasure. He lived in Nevada for several years, where his love for the western lifestyle emerged before moving back to the Midwest.

Chad graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in Broad Area Agriculture. If you’d have asked him to see his business card-sized diploma, he carried it in his wallet for proof!

He was a proud member of the rodeo team, riding broncs and breaking his collarbone in the process. He and his friends founded the Boar’s Nest Country Club, spending their time making mischief and attempting to “avoid” trouble.

He married Kristin Barth, the love

of his life, on October 19, 2001. Together they raised two amazing kids, ran a successful business, and kept the home and farm of their dreams. They made their life together everything they’d wanted—kids, cows, horses, llamas, land, and love. What else could they want?

He was an entrepreneur at heart and started Vine Vest North and more recently 4G Family Farms and farm supply. Vine Vest was a labor of love. His customers became friends and his philosophy of always doing what’s right for them earned him respect.

Chad attended the Missouri Auction School, the Harvard of auction schools, after which he started working as an auctioneer for Wausau Sales. He obtained his real estate license and was soon selling real estate at auction, which gave him a lot of satisfaction. He simply loved being at an auction.

RODEO ANNOUNCER

One of his other talents was being a

Chad Glaze

February 23, 1975 – December 31, 2023

rodeo announcer. He announced the River Falls college rodeo for several years. He passed his love for rodeo onto Katy, delighted when this past

year she was crowned Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Princess.

Chad was the past president of the Partnership for Progressive Agriculture, past president of the Market Animal Sale Committee, a board member for the NTC Agricultural Center of Excellence, 4H leader and announced the market animal sale for many years.

In 2023, he ran for and was elected chairman for the Town of Berlin. He was quickly learning many things about local government and, we believed, was destined to run for higher office. He enjoyed the challenge of improving the organizations, and that thought process led him to join many different boards, often dragging Kris along with him. If he joined it, so did she.

Chad was larger than life in so many ways. He had an unbelievable smile

and a contagious laugh. He would laugh so hard that tears would leak from his bright blue eyes. When the storytelling started and his eyes began to twinkle, you couldn’t help but feel good and want to be in his presence. Many a night was spent telling stories in the card room, built specifically for Chad to entertain their friends.

Chad absolutely loved to hunt. Spending time at the hunting shack in Ogema or on the annual hunting trip to Montana brought so much joy to his life. The people he met along the way soon became family to all of us. Sometimes we thought he enjoyed the planning process almost as much as the trip!

Being an avid fisherman, he knew every lake in Wisconsin and exactly what fish you could catch there. He loved going to Canada to fish, had just started an annual trip to Bluffy Lake and was so excited to have Jase

join him this year on the adventure of the year.

Being a self-proclaimed foodie, he was always on the search for the best

prime rib. Just try to go somewhere that didn’t have prime rib on a Saturday night, and you’d be met with the, “Are you sure you want to go there to eat?” question.

BEST THING ON THE MENU

Before long, you’d be headed to his

RRfavorite prime rib restaurant, and you’d be happy about it because you’d made him happy. If you named any town in Wisconsin, he could tell you not only the best place to eat, but the best thing on the menu.

His love for his family was all consuming. Chad’s family was his everything and he would do anything to help Kris, Jase and Katy achieve their goals. If you said you wanted to do it, he’d say, “Make it happen,” and he’d help you do just that.

He often told Kris that everything he did was for them. Everything. And he was right. One of the highlights of his year was being able to ride along with Jase in the big rig. His love for his kids was an amazing thing to witness.

For him, family was the company you keep. The friends in our lives are the best. They are truly the family we got to choose. Not a day went by that Chad wasn’t talking, laughing with or planning some adventures with his friends.

If you said you needed something, Chad was there to help you. If you were a friend of his, you were a friend for life. More than 25 years after leaving River Falls, he could still walk into Mel’s and someone would know him, calling out to their old friend Cleatus.

There was often talk of holding a class on his absolute favorite movie, Lonesome Dove. After all, according to Chad, everything you needed to know in life could be learned from Lonesome Dove.

Most of the recipients of these lessons would be the kids’ friends. He freely imparted life lessons to the young adults that were often in the house. They’d greet him with a “Hello, Father Chad, Chadwick, Chadweiser, Papa Cleatus,” and

he’d beam with pride.

“IT’S BEEN QUITE A PARTY, AIN’T IT?”

Thank you to everyone who has stopped, called, messaged, fed us, offered and gave assistance, and sent us love as we maneuver through these days without our beloved husband, father, son and friend. Our love for him, and you, is unending.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Ila Glaze; cousin, Ryan Ruesch; brother-in-law, Bobby Schuma; uncle, Tony Baranowski Jr.; aunt, Dian Schmidt; and maternal grandmother, Esther Kirkeide.

Chad is survived by his love, Kris Glaze, son, Jase, and daughter, Katy, all of Merrill; his father, Jerry Glaze, mother and father-in-law, Barbara and Brian Barth, of Casa Grande, Arizona; grandmother, Lorene Baran; aunts and uncles, Jim and Mary Lou Glaze, Rex and Barb Ruesch, Rod and Paula Ruesch, Reno and Patti Ruesch, Ray Ruesch, Larry Schmidt, and Stacy Baranowski; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He’d expect cowboy hats, boots, and Western wear at his service. As Chad would say, “Is this ranchy enough?”

A funeral service was held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, in Wausau (Village of Maine) with Rev. Maggie Westaby officiating. The visitation was Friday and Saturday at Peterson/ Kraemer Funeral Home in Wausau. A private burial took place later.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer. com. Memorials may be directed to the family for a scholarship fund that will be established.

The service is available on the St. John Facebook page, https:// www.facebook.com/groups/ St.JohnTownofMaine/.

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Badger Beat

Too Many of the Wrong Kinds of Aphids in Potatoes

Large populations need to develop on crops to cause direct damage to plants

By Russell L. Groves, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology

Aphids, also known as plant lice, are soft-bodied, sucking insects. They feed on plant sap and excrete a sugary honeydew that often attracts ants and can even create conditions for sooty mold growth.

Aphids are found all over the world, and a significant number of species are found here in northern temperate zones. There are an estimated 1,500 species in North America and approximately 5,000 worldwide, although only a few are considered serious pests of agricultural crops.

Very large populations of aphids need to develop on crops to cause direct damage to plants via their sap-feeding. What is often more problematic for crops are aphids that transmit viral pathogens and some bacteria.

Most aphids are about 1/8-inch long and all are soft-bodied. Their pearshaped bodies have “exhaust pipes”

Above: Dr. Russell L. Groves, UW-Madison Department of Entomology, gives a crop pest control update at the 2023 Langlade Agricultural Research Station Field Day, in Antigo.

(cornicles) protruding from the back end of the abdomen used to exude droplets of a defensive wax. This wax can deter some predators and parasites, but also acts to limit the loss of water from their cuticles.

There are several aphid species capable of attacking a variety of different plant types. There are some species, however, that have a unique affinity for only a few types of plants.

In Wisconsin, the aphids that pose the most serious problem to Wisconsin vegetable production include the green peach, melon, and potato aphids. These three species have wide host ranges and can feed

Aphids’ pear-shaped bodies have “exhaust pipes” (cornicles) protruding from the back end of the abdomen used to exude droplets of a defensive wax.

aphids are searching for host plants, they randomly land and will first “taste test” the plant by making several probes into cells near the surface of the leaf.

TESTING

upon and infest a large variety of host plants, including potato.

Some of the more common aphid species in Wisconsin are listed in Table 1

and won’t colonize potato. Colonizing aphids will feed and reproduce on potato as a preferred host.

The immigrating aphid, if carrying

PVY, will inoculate the plant during its taste testing and then subsequently feed long term in the

continued on pg. 50

is determined to be a suitable host, the aphid will subsequently feed in the vascular tissue (phloem) through the plant. Aphids can transmit plant viruses between plants when they conduct these taste are feeding on a preferred host.

When aphids are searching for host plants, they randomly land and will first “taste test” the plant by making several brief probes into cells near the surface of the leaf.

TASTE TESTING

If the plant is determined to be a suitable host, the aphid will subsequently feed in the vascular tissue (phloem) that carries sap through the plant. Aphids can transmit plant viruses between plants when they conduct these taste tests or when they are feeding on a preferred host.

Potato virus Y (PVY) can be transmitted by different aphid species that both colonize and prefer potato, species that dislike and won’t colonize potato. Colonizing aphids will feed and reproduce on potato as host.

immigrating aphid, if carrying PVY, will inoculate the plant during its taste testing and then subsequently phloem while it deposits offspring on the plant. The non-winged offspring are likely to acquire the spread it as they walk to adjacent plants.

In potato, Potato virus Y (PVY) can be transmitted by different aphid species that both colonize and prefer potato, as well as species that dislike

Let Your Soil Live A Little ™

Produced by Dramm Corporation • Manitowoc, WI

colonies get too crowded, winged forms of offspring will be generated and those will fly to other distances to more fields, taking the virus with them.

Table 1: Common Wisconsin aphid species

aphids are generally more efficient vectors of PVY than non aphids can pose a significant threat by introducing and moving virus into and within a field.

season of 2023, we observed aphid captures in the Midwest the mean captures measured in (2010-2022).

phloem while it deposits offspring on the plant. The non-winged offspring are likely to acquire the virus and then can spread it as they walk to adjacent plants.

If the aphid colonies get too crowded, winged forms of offspring will be generated and those will fly to other plants or longer distances to more fields, taking the virus with them.

ing figure illustrates that average were generally similar across the 8 locations in the state of Wisconsin Antigo, Eau Claire, Seymour, Hancock, Lancaster, and Walworth) through this

aphids within seconds. PVY adheres quickly to the aphid’s stylet during acquires PVY and can subsequently inoculate a plant within seconds have to be a preferred host

COLONIZING SPECIES

Colonizing aphids usually feed on new, succulent shoot tips or young leaves, often on the underside of the leaves. Non-colonizing winged aphids are those species that do not feed on potato but may taste test several plants as they move through the field, acquiring and inoculating virus as they go.

of the aphid, but instead only needs to be a

however, the aphid compositions in 2023 contained a significant specifically a lot of green peach aphid. This can be a challenging species PVY.

were examined more closely, however, the aphid compositions in 2023 contained a significant the potato has a high transmission efficiency for PVY.

acquired and transmitted by aphids within seconds. PVY adheres quickly to the aphid’s stylet durin probes. Within seconds tests another plant.

transmission promote the movement of PVY. winged until finding spring and fall and periodically summer.

regions, many aphids produce eggs to a primary plant host. In spring, winged aphids migrate to summer host plants.

50

conditions. While most offspring do not have wings and will move produced when the colony gets crowded or in response to poor host plant

birth to live young throughout the parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction),

While colonizing aphids are generally more efficient vectors of PVY than non-colonizers, the sheer numbers of migrating non-colorizing aphids can pose a significant threat by introducing and moving virus into and within a field.

In the production season of 2023, we observed average (mean) aphid captures in the Midwest suction traps like the mean captures measured in previous years (2010-2022).

The accompanying figure illustrates that average aphid captures were generally similar across the eight trapping locations in the state of Wisconsin (Rhinelander, Antigo, Eau Claire, Seymour, Hancock, Arlington, Lancaster, and Walworth) through this timeframe.

POTATO COLONIZING SPECIES

When the data were examined more closely, however, the aphid compositions in 2023 contained a significant percentage of the potatocolonizing species, and specifically a lot of green peach aphid. This can be a challenging species in potato as it has a high transmission efficiency for PVY.

Recall that PVY is acquired and transmitted by aphids within seconds. PVY adheres quickly to the aphid’s stylet during taste testing probes. Within seconds, the aphid acquires PVY and can subsequently inoculate a plant within seconds when it taste tests another plant.

For this type of transmission, the plant does not have to be a preferred host of the aphid, but instead only needs to be a host of the virus.

Aphid life cycles promote the movement of PVY. Every time the winged aphids migrate, they probe along the way until finding a suitable host plant. This happens in spring and fall and periodically throughout the summer.

In temperate regions, many aphids produce eggs to survive winter on a primary plant host. In spring, eggs hatch and winged aphids migrate to secondary, summer host plants.

Females will give birth to live young throughout the year via parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction), often producing several generations.

One adult female can birth 20 to 50 nymphs that can mature in five to nine days under ideal summer conditions. While most offspring do not have wings and will move only to adjacent plants, winged forms will be produced when the colony gets crowded or in response to poor host plant quality. These winged aphids will migrate to other plants.

The abundance of green peach aphid captures in the late summer of 2023 suggests that populations were likely developing a local crop like potato, and then after crowding had occurred in the crop, they began to produce winged individuals that started to fly and were captured in the suction traps.

Adult Colorado potato beetles colonize early emerging potatoes. Photo courtesy of D. Cappaert (www.insectimages.org)

The cartoon illustrates soil-applied use of a systemic insecticide. Photo courtesy of A. Huseth (http://psep.cce.cornell.edu/))

2024 Outlook for Crop Farmland Values

At current USDA cost of production projections, corn and soybean prices are set to decline closer to their respective cost of production levels

Guy Haselmann, head of thought leadership at MetLife Investment Management (MIM), recently sat down with Sue Aguilar, associate director of agricultural finance at MIM, to discuss the state of farm values and credit.

Guy: How have U.S. farm values been affected by increasing interest rates and elevated commodity prices? Sue: It has been a net positive so far. A steep increase in U.S. farmland values began in late 2021 and accelerated in 2022, reaching a record 12% year-over-year growth, driven mainly by greater demand for high-quality cropland.

Despite higher interest rates and some moderation in the farm economy in recent months, strength in farm real estate values persisted in 2023. However, prices in 2023 increased at a slower pace, rising 7.4% year-over-year.

Guy: What has been the main driver behind the increase in activity and farmland values? Sue: Momentum in land market value over the past few years has been mainly driven by competition for quality cropland, while at the same time, there is a limited amount of land coming to market.

To illustrate, according to industry reports, less than 1% of farmland is available for sale in any given year. The last few years have been quite good for the farmers who have built up strong cash positions due to robust commodity markets and strong cash rents.

Guy Haselmann is head of thought leadership for MetLife Investment Management.

According to data collected by Farmer’s National (a farm real estate broker that conducts auctions), approximately 80% of cropland transactions occur among farm

operators who seek to expand their operations.

Institutional investor appetite has been present in the farm real estate market dating back a few decades. However, over the last 10 years, there has been a consistent increase in flow of institutional capital into the segment.

Guy: What is the incentive for these institutional investors— those who are not farmers? Sue: For institutional investors, adding farmland to their investments can enhance portfolio diversification and risk-adjusted performance.

Most recently, the impact of inflation, steady cash returns, stock market volatility and geopolitical risks have led many investors to seek out alternative investment opportunities that are less correlated to their existing exposures but can outperform traditional asset classes.

Farmland is a real asset and is

typically positively correlated to inflation. For instance, from 2010 through 2022, farmland values, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), grew 4.7% on average. Comparatively, average inflation during the same period was 2.4%.

In essence, using this comparison, we can see that for institutional investors, investing in farmland can serve as a capital preservation tool in an investment portfolio.

Guy: Is it possible that these institutional buyers with no ties to the local community can influence land prices? Sue: Earlier I mentioned that approximately 80% of cropland transactions are between producers. The remaining 20% is comprised of individual and institutional investors, and in this subset, only a fifth of transaction activity is driven by institutional investors.

Thus, institutional investor influence is still relatively small.

Guy: What does the future look like for farmland values? Sue: In the near term, commodity prices will likely continue to be heavily influenced by geopolitical tensions, the rerouting

Sue Aguilar serves as associate director of agricultural finance for MetLife Investment Management.

of commodity trade flows and global tight stocks-to-use ratios.

Currently, farmland values remain high. However, they’re tracking at a slower pace of growth. Going forward, moderation in farm incomes and the highest interest rates in over two decades will weigh on the recent stellar growth we have seen in farmland values.

It is important to note, however, that a growing population will always mean a growing need for food, shelter, and clothing—all of which require land.

Guy: The December Federal Open Market Committee minutes from the Federal Reserve stated that rates were “likely at or near their peak for this tightening cycle” and the Reserve’s Summary of Economic Projections forecasts three rate cuts in 2024. If rates are cut due to a recession, is that good or bad for farmland prices? Sue: As

your question implies, preliminary projections suggest that official interest rates have peaked or are close to peaking.

MetLife Investment Management views a most likely outcome as the U.S. entering a mild recession in 2024 and that the Fed will begin a rate cut cycle around mid-2024.

A reduction in interest rates will support farmland prices and profitability. Whereas a continuous increase in interest rates represents a considerable headwind to farmland markets.

A rising interest rate environment drives interest expense higher, which in turn limits producers’ liquidity.

Guy: How have borrowing costs affected farmland loan demand and farm real estate values? Sue: Loan demand has been soft because farmers have ample liquidity due to consecutive years of high farm

incomes. Additionally, the average fixed interest rate on farm loans rose to about 8% in the second half of 2023.

This is the highest rate in over 20 years. Currently, farmers don’t really need as much debt, and debt is more expensive, so lending volumes are down.

The impact on values has been less direct. As financing has become more expensive, it is muting upward pressure on land values. As I mentioned before, in 2022, land values grew 12% year-over-year on average, while in 2023 values grew 7% year-over-year.

Most of this slowing is related to the moderation in commodity prices and higher interest rates.

Guy: What is MetLife Investment Management’s view about current farmer sentiment and the ag economy? Sue: Farmers always deal

2024 Outlook for Crop Farmland Values.

with quite a bit of uncertainty, but today they are generally optimistic. They are less concerned about interest rates as they generally have high farm incomes and working capital remains healthy.

Although commodity prices have eased, input costs throughout 2023 have significantly decreased from 2022 record highs. This has helped keep farm economics on solid footing.

For 2024, we must remember that commodity prices go through cycles, and prices have the tendency to trend back toward the commodity’s cost of production. At current USDA cost of production projections, corn and soybean prices are set to decline closer to their respective cost of production levels.

Likely, we can expect farmland values to plateau in 2024, or at best, achieve

“It is important to note that a growing population will always mean a growing need for food, shelter, and clothing—all of which require land.”

– Sue Aguilar, associate director of agriculture finance, MetLife Investment Management

a slower rate of growth year-overyear of under 5%.

This document has been prepared by MetLife Investment Management (MIM) solely for informational purposes and does not constitute a recommendation regarding any investments or the provision of any investment advice or the offer or provision of any investment product or service, nor does it constitute or form part of any advertisement

of, offer for sale or subscription of, solicitation or invitation of any offer or recommendation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or investment advisory services.

The views expressed herein are solely those of MIM and do not necessarily reflect, nor are they necessarily consistent with, the views held by, or the forecasts utilized by, the entities within the MetLife enterprise that provide insurance products, annuities and employee benefit programs.

Seed Piece

WSPIA Shares Program at Annual Seed Meeting

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association hosts researchers and producers

The nationally respected Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA) presented reports, winter test updates, production, research, and results to the industry during the 64th Annual Meeting, January 31, 2024, at North Star Lanes in Antigo.

Amanda Gevens, chair, professor and extension specialist in the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Plant Pathology Department, presented departmental updates and regulatory information regarding potato wart.

Gevens, who is also the administrative director of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP), says she will continue in that role, as well as being chair of the department for a couple more years.

Above: The 2024 WSPIA Board of Directors stands proud, including, from left to right, Charlie Husnick (vice president), Andy Schroeder, Jeff Suchon (president), Clover Spacek, and Mitch Mattek (secretary/ treasurer).

She showed some slides that the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection offered concerning potato wart coming out of Prince Edward Island (PEI). “The National Potato Council calls the spread of PEI potato wart to the United States a ‘matter of time,’ in comments to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” Gevens noted.

“Our role is to ramp up education and our knowledge of the pathogen and how to contain it,” she added.

Brooke Babler, WSPCP research program associate director, has had conversations with federal and state regulators providing comments and feedback to the Canadian ag management group concerning their policies.

“What we’ve been asked to do is provide feedback regarding the Canadian policy,” Gevens says. “A few comments Brooke gave included that the policy is not strong enough.

Niles Franc, Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP) field inspector and plant disease specialist, described winter testing at Twin Bridge Farms, in Hawaii, as part of the annual operation.

The ranking of fields has not worked or resulted in improved reduction in potato wart spread on PEI.”

WEAK POLICY

“We had comments from Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association,” Gevens adds. “Many have responded on your behalf regarding a policy we think is just too weak. It’s been about 15 years, and there’s too much spread. We need to do more in eastern Canada to reduce spread.”

Chemical management is very limited with wart, Gevens explained. Over 80 years of exploration for potato wart treatment around the globe, only a few chemistries have some level of reduction, including mercury, sulfur, copper, chlorine-based chemicals, and formaldehyde, but they are not silver bullets.

Babler provided WSPCP program updates and discussed post-harvest testing, and Dianna Kessler and Niles Franc, plant disease specialists and field inspectors, described winter testing at Twin Bridge Farms,

in Hawaii, as part of the annual operation.

“There were a couple locations with poor emergence compared to last year. Weed management was incredible, the best plot to walk and inspect,” Franc said. “Twin Bridges was in charge of management again this year and did a good job with weekly fungicide applications. There

was also not a lot of insect activity.”

Regarding the post-harvest, Babler said, “Last year, we had some issues with grow-outs, so this year, we grew out at the West Madison Ag Research Station. We leaf tested via ELISA after harvest on December 18, and visual and laboratory testing was completed January 26.”

continued on pg. 58

Brooke Babler, WSPCP associate director, provided program updates and discussed postharvest ELISA leaf, visual and laboratory testing.

Matt Mattek presented Dianna Kessler with the Wisconsin Seed Potato Industry Leadership Award for outstanding service as an asset to the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA) and her work with the State Farm and WSPCP.

Newly elected President of the WSPIA Board of Directors Jeff Suchon (left) honored Out-going President Matt Mattek with a nice plaque in appreciation for his service.

Seed Piece. . . continued from pg. 57

Cody Bandoch and Matt Young provided a State Farm overview and an update on the Wisconsin Potato Coalition, which partners with the University of Wisconsin to improve the efficiency of seed potato production at the Lelah Starks Elite Foundation Seed Potato Farm, in Rhinelander.

The coalition increased yield by 29 percent over last year. “We had a pretty good growing season this year, being able to irrigate throughout the night to make sure the crop had enough water,” Bandoch said.

AVAILABLE SEED

“We do still have a lot of seed available,” he added. “Get ahold of me or Matt. We have Atlantic, Dark Red Norland, Lamoka, Mackinaw, Plover Russet, Red Norland, and Reveille Russet.”

“Congratulations to Cody and Matt, who did a good job just coming into this. They’re new to all this,” said Mike Baginski of Baginski Farms and the Wisconsin Potato Coalition.

“To go from the level where we were at to where we are now, it was a 180-degree turnaround. Thanks to the Seed Certification Program and to all you growers out there.”

Russ Groves, professor and chair, UW-Madison Department of Entomology, discussed “Managing Key Pests of Potato Without Neonicotinoid Insecticides” and “Exploring Historic and Current Potato Virus Y Dynamics in Wisconsin Seed Potato Production.”

“We’ve been pretty lucky to have these USDA Specialty Crops Research grants. They’re important, almost all going back to 2009 and focusing on managing virus diseases and necrotic virus of potato tobacco rattle virus

64th Annual Seed Meeting Sponsors

Goldrush Sponsors

AgCountry Farm Credit Services

Insight FS

Nutrien Ag Solutions-Great Lakes Rural Mutual Insurance Co., Antigo

Swiderski Equipment, Inc.

Syngenta Crop Protection

Volm Companies

Silverton Sponsors

AMVAC Chemical Corp.

Bio-Gro, Inc.

Riesterer & Schnell, Inc.

Roberts Irrigation Company, Inc.

Southside Tire Co., Inc.

TH Agri-Chemicals, Inc.

T.I.P., Inc. / AgGrow Solutions

Superior Sponsors

AgSource Laboratories

Big Iron Equipment, Inc.

BMO Bank

Chase Bank, Antigo

Jay-Mar, Inc.

Kretz Truck Brokerage LLC

Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.

Quinlan’s Equipment, Inc.

Warner & Warner, Inc.

and mop top virus, and PVY is part of that as well,” Groves said.

“PVYO has been diminishing, but PVYN, I can’t describe why it’s here the last couple of years,” he continued. “PVYN, it was a necrotic strain in tobacco, a recombinant strain, and PVYNO is a recombinant strain of PVYN and PVYO. If we add them all up, we have a majority of strains being recombinant strains. That’s the direction we’re moving. Virus is changing, always morphing, that’s what we’re seeing.”

“Our inspectors do a great job, but to be able to see these symptoms is not easy,” Groves says.

“Now there are headwinds on use of neonicotinoids. What do we do to manage without them? How do we manage our potato production systems in the absence of neonics?” he asks.

EFFICIENCY & SUSTAINABILITY

One solution, Groves suggests, is to increase the efficiency and sustainability of certified seed potato production in the absence of Group 4A neonicotinoids.

Chuck Bolte of AgSource Laboratories explained trends his team is

During the 64th Annual Seed Meeting, potato grower John E. Bushman (left) of Bushman Associates, Inc., Wittenberg, talked best practices with Yi Wang (right), associate professor and extension potato and vegetable production specialist in the UW-Madison Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences.

seeing in soil tests in the Antigo and surrounding areas, looking at pH levels, as well as phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

“We are slowly increasing pH back up since 2018,” he noted. “We bottomed out in 2015-’17. We want to shoot for optimum pH.”

“Soil testing for phosphorus, which averaged 249 ppm [parts per million] in soil tests from 2012-2014, now, between 2021-2023, shows that the average is down to 175 ppm,” Bolte details. “That’s a pretty big drop in phosphorus.”

“We’re trending downward for the last 12 years, 20% on average for phosphorus, and this is dramatic for watershed management. We’re doing a pretty good job,” he concluded.

Yi Wang, associate professor and extension potato and vegetable production specialist in the UWMadison Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, updated Annual Seed Meeting attendees on her team’s trial “Evaluating Seed Potato Yield as Influenced by InSeason Split Application of Nitrogen.”

In all, there was very minimum nitrate leaching, but even the controls had high yields, which is a confounding factor from extra nitrogen in irrigation water.

NOT A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN YIELD

“There was not a significant drop in yield with lower levels of nitrogen,” Wang says. “They were maintaining high levels of petiole nitrogen.”

“How do we increase yield?” she asks. “It’s still a question. We need to test the benefits of nitrogen split on commercial fields [those where, perhaps, there is not as much nitrogen in the irrigation water and systems].”

Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Executive Director Tamas Houlihan said the association together with its grower and associate division members celebrated 75 years of

progress in 2023.

“We’ve done a lot with UW and CALS, field days, research, and the Grower Ed Conference & Industry Show, one of the best, if not the best events of its kind in industry, to name just a few of many programs,” Houlihan said. “A lot of farms, farm workers and families are better off because of it.”

“Thanks to all our WPVGA members, the seed board, and staff,” he said. “I’m proud of how we all work together to meet challenges. We’re all in good hands, and I look forward to the next 75 years of progress.”

The WSPIA Board held its annual business meeting, including election of officers and one new board member, Mitch Mattek of J.W. Mattek & Sons, Inc., and the presentation of a nice plaque to out-going board president, Matt Mattek, in appreciation for his service.

In turn, Matt presented Dianna Kessler with the Wisconsin Seed Potato Industry Leadership Award for outstanding service as an asset to the WSPIA and her work with the State Farm and WSPCP.

Jeff Suchon of Bushman’s Riverside Ranch, Crivitz, was elected WSPIA Board of Directors president for 2024,

succeeding Matt Mattek. Charlie Husnick of Baginski Farms, Antigo, was elected vice president and Mitch Mattek was elected secretary/ treasurer.

In addition to the three officers, the other two WSPIA Board directors are Andy Schroeder of Schroeder Bros. Farms, Antigo, and Clover Spacek from Eagle River Seed Farm

Chuck Bolte of AgSource Laboratories explained trends his team is seeing in soil tests in the Antigo and surrounding areas, looking at pH levels, as well as phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

Auxiliary News

By Datonn Ammel, Vice President, WPGA

Hello, everyone,and welcome back to Auxiliary News. Is anyone else in complete disbelief that it’s already March?! 2024 is flying by and we’ll be planting before we know it.

The ladies of the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary had a very busy winter, including visits to various schools with Alice in Dairyland as

part of our Potatoes in the Classroom program (more to come on that in a later issue, so stay tuned), the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, and a winter Auxiliary networking event.

For this year’s winter event, we were so excited to host a cooking and cocktail class at the Food + Farm Exploration Center of Plover,

Enjoying their

Food +

Wisconsin, on January 23. We made a delicious Potato Curry Soup, which turned out to be perfect for the cold winter months, and cocktails using potato vodka, of course.

Above:

time at the

Farm Exploration Center during a winter cooking and cocktail class are, from left to right, Carole Gagas, Marie Reid, Kathy Bartsch, and Diane Wysocki.

Above: The Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary held a winter event at the Food + Farm Exploration Center, in Plover, Wisconsin, where they made a delicious Potato Curry Soup and cocktails using potato vodka.

I think it’s safe to say we all had a blast! The Food + Farm Exploration Center has a full kitchen lab perfect for cooking classes, and we were very thankful to be able to utilize it.

Now I’m sure you’re wondering if we have any other fun events coming up, and the answer to that is, yes, of course. We will be holding a spring networking event in the Antigo area towards the end of March where you can show your creative side and learn

how to make greeting cards, so be sure to watch for details on that.

Then, you can also visit us selling baked potatoes and French fries at the WPS Farm Show, March 26-28, in Oshkosh.

If any of these activities sound like something you might be interested in, then we want you to join the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary. You can do so by contacting Julie Braun at the Wisconsin Potato &

WPIB Focus

Above: Misti Kinnison, Dakotah Smiley, and Andrea Topper mix ingredients for Potato Curry Soup in the Food + Farm Exploration Center kitchen lab.

Vegetable Growers Association office, 715-623-7683, or email jbraun@ wisconsinpotatoes.com. We would love to have you!

Until next time, Datonn

Vice president, WPGA

New Products

BioConsortia Nitrogen-Fixing Products Benefit Potatoes

Microbial seed treatments increase yields and reduce fertilizer use in row crops like potatoes

BioConsortia, Inc., a leading agricultural technology company that designs and licenses advanced microbial products to reduce the

ecological impacts of agriculture while ensuring crop productivity, today announces that the company has developed nitrogen-fixing

Above: The potato field is treated with BioConsortia’s nitrogen-fixing products.

products to expand the addressable market to new crop opportunities.

2023 field trial results have confirmed that levels of nitrogen-replacement from BioConsortia’s seed and soil treatment products met or exceeded performance expectations when evaluated in potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce.

This important step expands the potential market for BioConsortia’s nitrogen-fixing products and their impact in addressing the environmental impacts of fertilizer runoff and overuse beyond cereals markets.

“The field results in potatoes and other vegetables continue to impress, and we’re excited to continue our work with vegetable seed developers, input providers and growers around the globe as we get one step closer to product launch,” says Dr. Hong Zhu, senior vice president of research and development at BioConsortia, Inc.

Above: The BioConsortia nitrogen-fixing chart shows reduction of fertilizer and higher yield in 2022-’23 field trial results.

“This is an exciting development for BioConsortia and the vegetable industry,” adds Marcus MeadowsSmith, chief executive officer at BioConsortia. “Products like these allow growers to reduce their reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and better meet the challenges of balancing crop productivity with

ecological safety.”

BioConsortia’s nitrogen-fixing seed treatment products have already been validated through hundreds of field trials in cereals like wheat, rice, and corn, where the products routinely deliver increased yield or enable nitrogen displacement.

In fruit and vegetable markets, BioConsortia will offer both seed treatment and formulations designed for application to soil or through drip irrigation.

For further information, please contact info@bioconsortia.com.

Corteva Agriscience Launches Nematicide

Award-winning chemistry controls crop-damaging nematodes and protects soil health

Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic organisms found in soil that feed on the roots of plants. Because they are notoriously difficult for farmers to identify and control, plant-parasitic nematodes represent a significant constraint to the delivery of global food security, causing damage estimated at or exceeding $80 billion per year.1

To address this significant global challenge, Corteva Agriscience has launched Reklemel™ active, a new nematicide to help protect a wide variety of food and row crops from plant-parasitic nematode damage without disrupting the healthy balance of beneficial organisms in soil.

Reklemel active was discovered and developed by Corteva and is the result of more than a decade of research and investment.

“The future of global farming and our ability to feed a growing population rest on innovation. Reklemel demonstrates how Corteva deploys innovation to help farmers meet critical challenges to feed the world,” says Robert King, executive vice president of crop protection business at Corteva Agriscience.

Reklemel received a Reduced

Risk designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to the product’s ability to selectively target plant-parasitic nematodes, its lower use-rates than older nematicides, and its highly favorable environmental and toxicological profile as compared to alternatives.

NEW ACTIVE INGREDIENT

Reklemel is one of the first new active ingredients to be registered under EPA’s updated policy incorporating Endangered Species Act assessments into the pesticide registration process.

Reklemel also received the National Association of Manufacturers’ Sustainability and the Circular Economy Award in recognition that it, through lower use-rates, enables the potential to avoid more than 500M Kg (meters per kilogram) of CO2-equivalent emissions over the next five years.2

Salibro™ nematicide with Reklemel

active is available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, and Australia. Additional registrations are planned globally, including in the European Union, subject to regulatory approvals.

Reklemel is the latest advance brought to market by Corteva to help farmers increase yields, meet climate and other challenges, and ultimately strengthen global food security.

Corteva invests nearly $4 million every single day in research and development. In 2022, the company launched more than 180 new crop protection products globally and advanced nine new active ingredients in its research and development pipeline.

More information can be found at www.corteva.com, or by contacting Larissa Capriotti, 515-805-4854, larissa.capriotti@corteva.com.

[1] (Nicol et al., 2011)

[2] Pending regulatory approvals.

NPC News

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Chairs Head to Hill Members there to advocate for policies supporting unique industry needs

As Farm Bill discussions continue on Capitol Hill, the co-chairs of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) gathered in Washington, D.C. during the second week of February to advocate for policies that will support the unique needs of America’s $64.7 billion specialty crop industry.

The group met all “four corners” of the House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership, including member meetings with Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking member of the committee.

“We have heard that money is tight and that limits the ability for Congress to write a transformative new Farm Bill. However, a comparatively small investment in specialty crop priorities can be transformative for the fruit and vegetable industry that currently receives such limited attention from U.S. farm policy,” says National Potato Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kam Quarles.

The SCFBA was established to advocate for the unique needs of specialty crop growers in the Farm Bill and enhance their overall competitiveness in the face of increasing global competition and regulatory and buyer demands.

The Alliance is co-chaired by Quarles,

Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, and Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers.

Learn more at https:// farmbillalliance.com.

Meeting with Sen. John Boozman (center) are, from left to right, Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance co-chairs Mike Joyner and Dave Puglia, Cathy Joyner, National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles, and Jonathan Cordone, principal and founder of Cordone Consulting LLC.

NPC Presents at Wisconsin and Colorado Grower Meetings

National Potato Council (NPC) Chief Operating Officer Mike Wenkel traveled to Wisconsin and attended the 2024 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, February 6-8, addressing attendees during lunch on Tuesday about ongoing NPC initiatives conducted on behalf of the potato industry.

Meanwhile, at the Southern Rocky Mountain Agriculture Conference and Trade Show, NPC CEO Kam Quarles gave a presentation on Tuesday, February 6, updating growers on what the Council is doing for them. He was joined by Colorado grower Bob Mattive of the NPC Executive Committee.

“At the forefront is maintaining recommendations to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that potatoes are indeed horticulturally a vegetable,” Quarles said.

Other issues covered by Wenkel and Quarles during the meetings

included preventing the spread of Prince Edward Island potato wart, $4 million in appropriations earmarked in the budget to help fund the potato breeding program, pushing back on regulations in the industry, a one-year extension to the Farm Bill, two years of shipping U.S. fresh potatoes into Mexico, and efforts to open Japan’s market to U.S. table stock potatoes.

Left: NPC CEO Kam Quarles provided a political update on Tuesday, February 6, at the Southern Rocky Mountain Agriculture Conference and Trade Show. Photo courtesy of John Waters, Valley Courier, Alamosa, Colorado.

Right: NPC COO Mike Wenkel attended the 2024 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, February 6-8, addressing attendees about ongoing NPC initiatives conducted in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the potato industry.

Powerful Economics Behind Potatoes

Spuds in all forms have become one of the world’s most important agricultural commodities

By Media Decision and author Michael Pollick

The National Potato Council estimates the United States’ domestic potato industry created 714,000 jobs, generated $34.1 billion in wages, and added $53.5 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product in one year alone.

Potatoes in all forms, from flakes to slices to whole spuds, have

become one of the most important agricultural commodities around the world.

“Not only are potatoes an essential and healthy component in our diet, but now we can say unequivocally that they are vital to the American economy,” explains R.J. Andrus

of Idaho’s TBR Farms and president of the National Potato Council.

“Potatoes are an essential component to our prosperity as a nation, built and sustained by America’s potato growers, who put people to work in every city and town across our great country,” Andrus says.

This unassuming but versatile vegetable has found its way into the recipes and culture of virtually every country in the world and has also become a major international commodity.

It is considered a dietary staple in regions where other crops have proven challenging or impossible to produce. The global demand for potatoes continues to grow year after year in a range of markets.

POTATO CHIPS

The potato chip was invented in 1853 by George Speck (later Crum), a cook at the Moon Lake Lodge

Above: The global demand for potatoes continues to grow year after year in a range of markets.

Resort in Saratoga Lake, New York.

A customer’s repeated requests for thinner, crispier French-fried potatoes prompted Speck to fry paper-thin potato slices in oil until they turned brown.

The “Saratoga chip” became popular with other customers, creating a new snack item for the public.

The global potato chip market is projected to reach $40 billion by 2028, largely fueled by the popularity and convenience of shelf-stable potato chips. The United States currently dominates the potato chip marketplace, with companies such as Frito-Lay and Utz producing both plain and flavored products.

While major snack companies such as Frito-Lay and Wise enjoy mainstream success, the potato chip market also has room for niche companies specializing in small-batch production.

A wide range of flavor profiles, fat content, and textures means customers can find a brand that meets their individual needs.

FRENCH FRIES

Although the origins of the French fry remain shrouded in mystery, there can be no doubt the side dish/snack itself is enjoying significant success with consumers.

The global French fry market is expected to reach $18.5 billion by 2027, including both fresh and frozen products. The fast food market alone is fiercely competitive, with potential customers often basing their dining decisions on the quality of a brand’s French fries alone.

Frozen ready-to-cook French fries are also popular in household kitchens, largely because of their ease of preparation and compatibility with other dishes.

continued on pg. 68

Unique operations need unique solutions.

Above-Right: Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6, they’re gluten-free and rich in antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids.

French fries can be served as side dishes for sandwiches, fried fish, and meat entrees, but can also be prepared as a stand-alone snack. They can be deep-fried, baked, air-fried, or even microwaved.

The potatoes can be sliced into crinkle cuts, thick planks, or thin shoestring fries. French fried potatoes perform well with seasonings and can be topped with chili, cheese sauce, and other savory toppings.

DEHYDRATED POTATOES

Potatoes respond well to both dehydration and reconstitution. Dried potato flakes are key to many commercial soups, stews, gravies, and food thickeners. They also serve as the base for instant mashed potatoes, a popular shelf-stable item in home pantries.

Potato flour is a plant-forward alternative to processed wheat and white flour in baked goods.

Dehydrated potatoes are also the foundation of many snack items, most notably Pringle’s brand potato crisps.

The global dehydrated potato market is expected to reach $9.68 billion by 2030, fueled by growing demand for processed and shelf-stable foods. Increasing interest in plant-based

“Potatoes are an essential component to our prosperity as a nation, built and sustained by America’s potato growers, who put people to work in every city and town across our great country.”

– R.J. Andrus, Idaho’s TBR Farms and president of the National Potato Council

foods has also added to the appeal of dehydrated potatoes as a vegan food thickener or cornstarch alternative. A long shelf life and high nutritional value make dehydrated potato flakes common in emergency food kits.

FRESH POTATOES

Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada lead the world in fresh and chilled potato exports, while Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States are the greatest importers of fresh spuds.

The global fresh potato market is expected to reach $118.15 billion by 2028. While dehydrated or processed potatoes still dominate the overall market, many commercial food producers consider fresh

or chilled potatoes a better choice for their products.

The abundance of fresh potatoes in almost every country has helped turn the root vegetable into a thriving and highly tradeable commodity.

In fact, the Great Potato Famine in Ireland, from 1845 to 1852, spurred several economic revolutions as both importers and exporters struggled to recover from the effects caused by the blight.

Today’s potato crops benefit from disease resistance, soil management, and genetic research advances.

MAKING THE CASE FOR POTATOES

A general shift towards ketogenic and paleo low-carb/high-protein dieting has created something of an identity crisis for the potato, and organizations like the National Potato Council and Potatoes USA are investing in efforts to defend the benefits of the tuber.

For example, potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. An average potato also contains 110 calories per 5.3-ounce serving.

Sweet potatoes are also high in vitamin A, and purple potatoes contain powerful antioxidants, including heart-healthy anthocyanins.

The global potato chip market is projected to reach $40 billion by 2028.

Eyes on Associates

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

Hello, everyone. I hope all who attended the 2024 WPVGA Grower Education Conference & Industry Show had an informative and productive time. I always chuckle

because it seems like I come there with a plan of things I want to accomplish and presentations I’d like to attend, but I fail to account for the networking component of the show.

It is important for all of us to visit with our friends and customers. The show always seems like the kickoff to the upcoming growing season,

Each year, on Wednesday morning of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, the WPVGA Associate Division holds a breakfast, meeting, and board elections. The 2024 WPVGA Associate Division Board is, from left to right, Brady Patoka, Jay-Mar, Inc.; Ethan Olson (vice president), T H Agri-Chemicals, Inc.; Matt Selenske (president), Allied Cooperative’s Pest Pros Division; Melissa Heise, Swiderski Equipment; Brandon Taylor, Exit Realty; Morgan Smolarek (secretary), McCain Foods USA, Inc.; Paul Salm (treasurer), BMO Bank; Sally Suprise, C&D Professional Insurance Services; and Scott Scheer, Vista Financial Services.

Eyes on Associates. . . continued from pg. 69

and the opportunity to visit decreases as we approach spring.

As part of outreach and workforce development, the inaugural Student Leadership Development Workshop was held, Tuesday, February 6, as part of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show.

Selected university and technical college students were invited from around the state to visit the event free of charge to learn about potatoes and the businesses that support and work with growers. They also attended research presentations and learned about interaction between the industry and UW Extension.

With special sessions prepared for them, the students were encouraged to visit the exhibit hall and meet vendors. Though 15 students registered, slightly less than 10 attended. We plan to expand the Student Leadership Development Workshop next year to further showcase our industry.

BOARD MEETING

The Annual Associate Division Board Meeting, Wednesday morning, February 7, was well attended. Much of the discussion focused on how to expand the Industry Show within the exhibit hall and any other options there may be to allow more exhibitors into the show.

We had 30 businesses on the waiting

list this year, which is more than we’ve ever had. That is impressive considering other state potato events are losing participants. Many ideas were presented that the Board will follow up on in the coming weeks.

We elected one new board member at the meeting with the departure of Andy Verhasselt. Thank you for your service, Andy!

Brady Patoka from Jay-Mar, Inc. will serve his first three-year term starting in 2024. We then voted for officers, where we made a couple of changes. Ethan Olson is the new vice

president and Morgan Smolarek is now secretary. Paul Salm retains the treasurer position and I have been reelected as president of the Associate Division Board.

At our next meeting, we will review surveys from the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, and start planning for our next event, the Putt-Tato Open.

Until next time.

Matt Selenske

WPVGA Associate Division President

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.

At lunch on Tuesday, February 6, during the 2024 Industry Show, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (left) presented Andy Verhasselt with a plaque honoring his dedicated service on the Associate Division Board of Directors. Verhasselt, of T.I.P., Inc., completed his term on the Board, having served as vice president in 2023.

Potatoes USA News

Potatoes USA Holds Reverse Trade Mission

International chefs and restaurant leaders get a taste of U.S. potatoes

Potatoes USA hosted a reverse trade mission in October for 24 chefs and key restaurant decisionmakers from 10 major international markets.

Participants enjoyed a week-long tour of potato farms and processing facilities across Idaho, Oregon, and Colorado, and visited the Potatoes USA headquarters in Denver.

They learned all that goes into making high-quality U.S. fresh and processed potatoes, from farm to fork.

Why it matters: Reverse trade missions are an effective way to encourage international foodservice operators to put potatoes on their menus.

During the event, several participants asked for additional resources and expressed their intention to add new U.S. potato menu items at their operations. Potatoes USA expects to see tangible results from this event over the next several months.

Participants joined Potatoes USA from Central America, China, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, representing major foodservice operations and restaurants within their respective countries.

The event focused on the U.S. potato supply chain, with participants visiting:

• Grant 4-D Farms in Nyssa, Oregon, where they learned about measures taken to ensure the quality and safety of U.S. potatoes, technology used on the farm and in storage, and how domestic growing conditions set U.S. potato products apart from others.

• The University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center, which emphasized the science that goes into producing high-quality, safe potatoes.

• Mart Produce/Mart Frozen Foods’ fresh packing and frozen processing facility in Rupert, Idaho, which showcased the advanced technology and scale of production in the U.S. potato industry.

• Miles Willard Technologies, showcasing how dehydrated products are made from whole potatoes.

• A U.S. potato product showcase, which gave participants the opportunity to meet and make connections with U.S. potato suppliers.

• Hands-on culinary training led by Chef R.J. Harvey, director of culinary

at Potatoes USA, and Executive

Sous Chef Aurora Hollenbeck, allowing the participants to put all the U.S. potato inspiration they gained throughout the week into action and think creatively about how U.S. potatoes can fit into their menus.

Based on post-event surveys, some of the most valuable components of the event were the hands-on culinary training and the tours of the farm, storage facility, fresh packing facility and frozen processing facility.

One participant shared, “The field trips were simply mind-blowing, from going to meet the growers, to seeing the facilities, to then going to Potatoes USA headquarters and learning even more from R.J. and Aurora, every detail of that trip will stay with me for a lifetime.”

Reverse trade mission participants joined Potatoes USA from Central America, China, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Ali's Kitchen

Potato Flake Rolls Warm the Soul

Ali baked the rolls on a bitterly cold Sunday for Asian-inspired meatball sliders

Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary

It was a recent snowy, bitterly cold Sunday with a Packer game scheduled for the afternoon. After looking through the food stock available in the house, Mike and I decided that Asian-inspired meatball sliders would be the perfect late lunch to enjoy during the game.

As Mike made a fire in the fireplace, I got to work on the potato rolls to be used as the base for our sliders.

While this recipe takes a while due to allowing the dough to rise, there is minimal hands-on time needed. A bit of effort and patience gives you soft, fluffy, warm rolls, and is there anything better than freshly baked bread on a blustery winter day?

DIRECTIONS

dry ingredients.

With your mixer running on its lowest setting, stir in the warm milk and butter. Mix until combined.

INGREDIENTS:

Potato Flake Rolls

• 1 cup whole milk

• 3 Tbsp. butter

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup dehydrated potato flakes (instant mashed potatoes)

Warm the milk until the mixture reaches 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Put the flour, potato flakes, sugar, and salt into a mixing bowl. I used my stand mixer with the dough hook for this. Give a quick stir to combine the

Place a dish towel over your mixer to cover the bowl for 20 minutes to let the dough rest. If you’re doing this by hand, stir the warmed milk and butter into the dry ingredients, cover the continued on pg. 74

• 3 Tbsp. sugar

• 2 tsp. salt

• 1 3/4 tsp. (1 envelope) instant yeast

• Melted butter for brushing rolls after baking

bowl and let it rest.

Knead the dough until smooth, about 5 minutes by machine or 7 minutes by hand. Cover the kneaded dough and allow it to rise for an hour or two, or until doubled in size.

SIXTEEN DOUGH BALLS

When the dough has risen, carefully turn it out of the bowl onto a lightly oiled worktop. Use a bench scraper or a dull knife to divide the dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.

Place the dough balls in a 13 x 9-inch

baking pan, cover the pan with a dish towel and allow them to rise for another hour or two.

About 20 minutes before the end of your rise time, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Bake the potato rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden and puffy. Brush them with a bit of melted butter right after removing them from the oven.

Serve warm, or store in an airtight container once fully cool.

Enjoy!

Friday, June 21, 2024

Bass Lake Country Club

W10650 Bass Lake Road

Deerbrook, WI 54424

Deadline for sponsorship commitments to be included in June Badger Common'Tater: May 1, 2024*

DINNER SPONSOR $2,500

• Company name/logo on two banners placed in prominent areas

• Company name/logo on dinner ticket & one beverage cart

• Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater

• Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

• Registration and dinner for four golfers

LUNCH SPONSOR $2,000

• Company name/logo on one banner and lunch ticket

• Company name/logo on one beverage cart

• Company name/logo in Badger Common'Tater

• Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

• Registration and dinner for four golfers

GOLDRUSH SPONSOR $1,500

• Company name/logo on one banner

• Company name/logo in Badger Common'Tater

• Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

• Registration and dinner for two golfers

CONTACT KAREN RASMUSSEN

for more details (715) 623-7683

Make checks payable to WSPIA

*We WILL accept sponsors after this date.

MAIL PAYMENT TO:

WSPIA, P.O. Box 173 Antigo, WI 54409

SILVERTON SPONSOR $1,000 BUSHMAN’S RIVERSIDE RANCH

• Company name/logo on one banner

• Company name/logo in Badger Common'Tater

• Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

• Registration and dinner for one golfer

SUPERIOR SPONSOR $500

• Company name/logo on one banner

• Company name/logo in Badger Common'Tater

• Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

OCCUPIED HOLE SPONSOR $300

• Company name on hole sign

• Rights to occupy a hole on the course and provide giveaways*

*If alcohol is being served, it must be purchased through the golf course

• Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

BASIC HOLE SPONSOR $200

• Company name on hole sign

• Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

Since 1998, this tournament raised over $189,000, which was donated to Wisconsin potato research