Potato Country January 2018

PotatoCountry.com • January 2018 Western focus. National impact.

A Learning Experience

Colorado Potato Beetle Irrigation Essentials PVY Problems

THE STANDARD Experience Amazing Potato Sto

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Vol. 34 No. 1

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

Country Western focus. National impact.

Table of Contents

January 2018 6

12 16

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

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

Andy Jensen.......................................... www.nwpotatoresearch.com Insect Identification

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

A Learning Experience

Bruce Huffaker ................................................. napmn@napmn.com

RHD Inc.

Market Report

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

Potato Growers of Washington

Colorado Potato Beetle Management Innovations

Brian Feist ...................................brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com Operations Manager, Advertising

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

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

PVY Problems

Montana Seed Potato Seminar

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

20 Irrigation Essentials Buyers' Guide

22 Potato Industry Gearing Up for 2018 National Potato Council

24 2017 Presents Unique Challenges in Columbia Basin

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

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

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

It is produced by Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group. For information on reprints call (208) 520-6461.

Editorial Board

Washington State Potato Commission

30 Exports Reach Record Levels – But We Ain’t Done Yet!

Potatoes USA

32 Quality Control

Bill Brewer

chris Voigt

Idaho Potato Commission

Executive Director

Executive Director

Washington State Potato Commission

Oregon Potato Commission

34 Without An Integrated Approach 38 The Value of Bargaining Associations Potato Growers of Washington

A relative newcomer to the potato industry, Nate Lancaster helps oversee production of RHD Inc.’s 4,000 acres of potatoes.

See story on page 6.

Potato Country

(503) 239-4763

Departments

On The Cover

4

(509) 765-8845

January 2018

18 19 26 28 31 36

Insect Quiz Disease Quiz New Products In the News Calendar Market Report

Nina Zidack

Frank Muir

Jim Ehrlich

Montana Seed Potato Certification

Idaho Potato Commission

Colorado Potato Administrative Committee

Director

(406) 994-3150

President/CEO

(208) 334-2350

President/CEO

(719) 852-3322

the value of your potato harvest.

One of the keys to a successful season is keeping your eye on the task at hand while also looking ahead. We’re here to help you push what’s possible with a planned approach, agronomic insights and a portfolio of products designed to control yield-robbing diseases, invasive weeds and insects.

Let’s Grow Smart together and get more, acre after acre, season after season. Talk to your BASF Authorized Retailer or visit agproducts.basf.us Always read and follow label directions.

Grow Smart is a trademark of BASF Corporation. © 2017 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved. APN 17-SPC-0009

A Learning Experience Story and photos by Denise Keller, Editor

Riding atop the digger, Nate Lancaster separates some debris from the freshly harvested potatoes.

L

ike most potato growers, Nate Lancaster knows farming is an everchanging battle. And for many in the Columbia Basin, the 2017 growing season was a textbook example of just that. From weather to wildfires, the season presented its share of new challenges and reminded Lancaster that there’s always more to learn.

Lancaster helps manage 4,000 acres of potatoes for RHD Inc. in Connell, Washington. The farm grows Shepody, Ranger Russet, Alturas, Clearwater Russet, Umatilla Russet and Russet Burbank for the processing market. The remainder of the farm’s 10,000 acres are planted in timothy, alfalfa, seed corn and carrot seed, along with some occasional crops of lettuce, beans, peas and sweet corn.

The 2017 potato growing season got off to a slow start. Winter was one of the coldest and wettest in years, according to Lancaster. After more cold, wet weather in the early spring delayed planting by three weeks for RHD, cloudy conditions and smoke from area wildfires kept the crop from getting its usual amount of sunlight. By mid-season, plants appeared fairly typical above the surface. But underground, tubers were not bulking like they usually do.

“What the reason for that was, I couldn’t tell you. If I knew the answer, I’d be a millionaire,” Lancaster says, adding that in addition to sunlight, many other variables including water and nutrients also impact tuber initiation and set.

By harvest, some varieties had bounced back while others including Ranger Russet were still affected. Earlier varieties also had a harder time because the shorter season left less time to recuperate.

In the end, the season served as a reminder to stay on top of things in the field, from soil moisture levels to fertilizer applications.

“Just when you think you have everything figured out, something else happens. You always have to be looking 10 days out versus looking at tomorrow.

You have to see the next step and be there before it happens,” Lancaster says.

“The biggest thing I learned is to not get too stressed about little things. There is stuff you can control and stuff you can’t.

Control what you can; don’t worry about stuff you can’t.”

Crews at RHD Inc. harvest potatoes into a crop cart. A pair of new crop carts helped the farm cut production time by three to four hours per day in 2017. Photo courtesy Nate Lancaster

Nate Lancaster with RHD Inc. helps manage the farm’s 4,000 acres of potatoes.

RHD Inc. Improving Operations

Facing challenges and finding innovative solutions was not unique to 2017 for RHD. The farm has made several changes in the last few years to improve operations.

Last year, Lancaster took a more proactive approach with the farm’s fertilizer program, making more consistent fertilizer applications rather than trying to “play catch up” based on results of soil and petiole samples. The change seemed to increase yield, he says.

Also in the field, Lancaster is taking extra precautions to control nematodes.

With the limited availability of Vydate, Lancaster, like many growers, has been double-fumigating with metam sodium and Telone in the fall to ensure coverage. He’s also trying to lessen reliance on fumigation through good field selection, choosing to plant spuds in ground with high organic matter and nutrients throughout the field.

RHD streamlined harvest operations with the purchase of two crop carts in 2017. The harvester fills a 35-ton crop

RHD Inc. crews harvest the 2017 potato crop. Photo courtesy Nate Lancaster

cart, which then transfers the spuds into a 10-wheeler, allowing the harvester to continue digging while the truck is transporting potatoes out of the field. The increased efficiency cuts production time by three to four hours per day. The crop cart also acts as a packing tractor, and the boom’s belt and chain eliminate dirt as the potatoes load into the 10-wheeler.

Lancaster says RHD may purchase additional crop carts, but the equipment

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Potato Country

January 2018

may not be suited for all spuds going into storage because the additional handling could increase bruising.

Half of RHD’s potatoes go into storage.

Keeping the potatoes bruise-free is a challenge. Last year, to prevent bruising Clearwater Russets, which bruise more easily than other varieties, the potatoes were moved into storage using only a 36-inch piler, bypassing the even-flow tub and sorting table. With this setup, crews were only able to unload 700 tons per day instead of the usual 1,100.

“It’s slowing things down, but as long as Nate Lancaster checks on operations at a potato storage as crews unload and pile a truckload of Clearwater Russets.

Protect the perimeter.

Your potato crop could be under attack, and you don’t even know it. A major underground threat to potato plants, Rhizoctonia can creep in, causing uneven plant emergence and inconsistent tuber sizing resulting in poor quality of the crop. Seed treatments can be effective, but once young roots, stolons and stems grow out of that perimeter of protection, they’re totally vulnerable. Unless you treat in-furrow with Elatus® fungicide. Because of its two active ingredients, one of which Rhizoctonia has never faced, Elatus provides long-lasting protection from soil borne diseases throughout the mound. To learn more, visit SyngentaUS.com/Elatus

©2016 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Elatus,® the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

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RHD Inc. there’s a benefit at the back end, it’s worth it,� Lancaster says. “The quality that we put into storage affects the quality that we get out. The time that we take going into storage is seen a month or two into storage and the storability of the potato. The better you take care of it going in, the longer it’s going to last.�

Continuing Education

Despite the challenges in farming, Lancaster is glad to be growing potatoes.

A relative newcomer to the potato industry, he approached RHD Inc. owner Rob Davis about a job opportunity four years ago. As a new hire, Lancaster handled groundwork and water management on the southern half of the farm. “Rob was my mentor and showed me the ropes. He had enough faith in me to basically give me all the acres down south,� Lancaster recalls.

Lancaster now oversees the potato crop from planting to digging, including fertilizer and pest management, in 22 potato fields from Pasco to Paterson. “Every day I learn something new.

Every day has something new I have to

problem-solve, whether it’s equipment, people or the crop,� Lancaster says. “Last year, I felt more comfortable than ever with fertilizer and water, but I’m still learning. I’d like to say I’ve got it down, but I know I’m nowhere even close.�

To learn more about all aspects of the industry, Lancaster attended the 2017 Potato Industry Leadership Institute, held in Maine and Washington D.C. The program provides training in leadership, public policy, marketing, team building and communication. The weeklong event included a tour of a McCain Foods processing plant and lobbying visits to Capitol Hill.

Participation was fun, challenging and pushed Lancaster out of his comfort zone.

He went home with new knowledge, skills and a desire to eventually take on a leadership position in the industry.

The progressive nature of the business and the constantly changing routine of farming make Lancaster’s work enjoyable.

And the people make the potato industry one he’s proud to be part of. “I think farming is a pretty tightknit community because everybody is working

their butt off and it doesn’t always pay off, so everybody wants to help each other out,� he observes, adding that he’s had many people lend him a helping hand. “Nobody is going to turn their back on you. If you have a question you need the answer to, they’re going to give you the truth and help you out.�

Nate Lancaster checks soil moisture levels in a field of Russet Burbanks near the end of the 2017 season.

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Colorado Potato Beetle Management Innovations

By Mark Milenski and Manuel Campos, Entomologist, BioSafe Systems

Colorado potato beetles, such as the adult seen here, feed on the foliage of potatoes.

T

he year 1859 may not hold much significance to most people in the potato industry; however, it was during that year that a new, highly destructive pest first targeted potato crops in the Nebraska Territory. This pest has had many names including the potato bug, Colorado beetle and ten-striped spearman, but most know it by its common name, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata).

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) was first identified in 1824 from specimens collected on buffalo-bur (Solanum rostratum) in the Rocky Mountains, leading to its distinctive name. CPB quickly developed a reputation as one of the most invasive pests attacking solanaceae crops, which include eggplants, tomatoes and peppers; however, over time it developed a strong attraction to potato crops.

This tiny, yet distinctive, pest – with adults having a bright yellow-orange body and five bold, brown stripes along the length of each of its elytra – is considered among the most devastating insect defoliators of potatoes. Its larvae, 12

Potato Country

January 2018

identified by their large nine-segment abdomen and orange-pink color, may also defoliate potato plants, resulting in yield losses up to 100 percent if the damage occurs prior to tuber formation.

Female CPBs are highly prolific and capable of laying between 300 and 500 eggs in a four- to five-week period, with eggs typically deposited in batches of 30 under host leaves. Larvae move through four distinct instar growth stages, with the fourth stage lasting four to seven days.

Once they reach full size, they transition to non-feeding pre-pupa and drop to the soil to burrow several inches down and pupate.

Within five to 10 days, the adult beetle emerges to feed and mate, advancing from egg to adult in as few as 21 days.

Depending on the region, some locations can see three or more generations per season.

Management Challenges

The most challenging trait of CPB is its uncanny ability to develop rapid resistance to conventional insecticides.

CPB can develop rapid resistance due to a

variety of mechanisms, including enhanced metabolism, target site insensitivity, reduced insecticide penetration and increased excretion.

Many conventional insecticides have shown rapid reduction in efficacy, with different populations in different geographic regions developing known resistance to an estimated 56 conventional insecticides. A few examples of common chemistries with known CPB resistance include carbamates, organophosphates, synthetic pyrethroids/pyrethrins and neonicotinoids. There also has been evidence of CPB developing behavioral resistance, meaning larvae and/or adults migrate away from treated areas where resistance to an insecticide has been established. The larvae or adult may migrate out of the field, but it only pushes them into another nearby host.

Resistance management practices are critical for effective control of CPB. A combination of cultural, biological and chemical strategies is required to maintain consistent management of larvae and adult populations. Monitoring

Management Innovations

bassiana and imidacloprid, providing increased efficacy against multiple Although there isn’t one cure-all instar stages and adults. Although trials insecticide or 100-percent-suppression program to manage Colorado potato beetle, are still being conducted on additional new and innovative tools and strategies are compatibility between Beauveria bassiana and other traditional insecticides, the being developed through the collaboration of university researchers, growers and bio- unique ANT-03 strain has proven to be highly aggressive on CPB and is a innovation companies. Some of these new powerful tool that has not shown resistance tools are showing promising results when potential. incorporated in IPM programs for CPB. Botanical insecticides/nematicides are This Colorado potato beetle is covered in Some products that are gaining traction in a mycoinsecticide containing the fungus the fight against CPB are mycoinsecticides used to control the early lifecycle of CPB Beauveria bassiana, which infects the insect by acting as an insect growth regulator. containing the fungus Beauveria bassiana through direct contact, ingestion of treated Tests using a 3-percent concentration of or botanical insect growth regulators made foliage and through transfer from one beetle to azadirachtin have shown that it can help another. with plant extracts such as azadirachtin. break up resistant populations of early Beauveria bassiana, specifically the larval stages and has shown synergistic ANT-03 strain, which is approved for and pest thresholds should be utilized properties when used in combination with organic production, has shown replicated as a key component in a grower’s IPM bio-controls such as Beauveria bassiana in-field trial results of up to 80 percent program, with many educational resources and other conventional insecticides. Some reduction in larvae and 75 percent suggesting chemical application when studies have found that rotational sprays reduction in adult beetles.

This unique thresholds reach 15 adults, 75 small of azadirachtin-based insecticides and strain of Beauveria bassiana infects CPB larvae or 30 large larvae per 50 plants.

Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) have shown through direct contact with fungal spores, Potato crops can typically tolerate 20 stronger efficacy against early larval stages through ingestion of treated host foliage percent defoliation without reduction in than either product used individually; and through transfer from one beetle yield, although this is highly dependent however, it was noted efficacy was to another. Beauveria bassiana conidia on time of season and cultivar. Some strongest when azadirachtin was applied aggressively release additional spores cultural controls that can be employed first and followed four to five days after into the field environment, helping to and have proven to effectively reduce withBeetle a Bt. Larvae (L3-L4) provide control of larval and adult beetles Percent (%) Control of BioCeres WP on Colorado Potato CPB incidence and severity include crop There is no true silver bullet product throughout most of the season. rotation, use of mechanical barriers, early or approach to managing Colorado potato In addition, studies have shown or late planting100 and trap crops. beetle in potatoes or any other affected synergistic properties between Beauveria

Percent control of BioCeres WP on Colorado Potato Beetle Larvae (L3-L4)

% Control on Larvae L3-L4

80

80 72

71.7

71

60

40

20 0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 1

3

2

4

Weeks

BioCeres WP 1.6 lbs./acre

Untreated Control PotatoCountry.com

13

Colorado Potato Beetle Percent (%) Control of Colorado Potato Beetle with BioCeres WP Percent control of Colorado Potato Beetle with BioCeres WP 100 80 a

% Control in Field

80

75 a

74 a

60

40 25 b 20 0 c

0

0 c Larvae L3-L4

Untreated Control

Adults Imidacloprid 3 fl. oz./acre

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Potato Country

January 2018

BioCeres WP 3 lbs./acre crops. The only way to reduce crop losses and achieve long-term management of CPB is through a truly integrated approach to help inhibit the further development of resistance challenges. Growers must understand the enemy they’re battling and utilize a multi-attack strategy that rotates different insecticide groups and incorporates non-chemical cultural practices in an IPM program. We’ve all heard it before and it’s been repeated time and time again, but a discussion of CPB warrants reiterating the age-old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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PVY Problems Story and photos by Brian Feist

L

ike many potato producing areas in North America, the Canadian province of New Brunswick was having issues with Potato Virus Y (PVY). Also, as in other jurisdictions, New Brunswick seemed to be losing a lot of seed potato growers along with seed acreage. In the last 10 years, New Brunswick had lost about 40 percent of its seed acreage, which is of great concern to the industry.

Dr. Mathuresh Singh was among the researchers who suspected that one of the leading causes of the decline in growers was the prevalence of PVY in New Brunswick’s seed potatoes. Many regions have to deal with the virus, but New Brunswick was hit especially hard. Singh set about finding a way to battle PVY that was efficient and effective so that the province could grow more seed potatoes.

Singh presented his findings at the Montana Seed Potato Seminar in a

Montana Seed Potato Seminar attendees enjoy breakfast and good company.

presentation titled “Management of PVY through combined use of mineral oil and insecticide along with other cultural practices.” As the title suggests, a key part of the solution was the use of mineral oil.

Singh began his research by studying

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Potato Country

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Dr. Mathuresh Singh speaks about the use of mineral oil to control Potato Virus Y.

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aphids, their presence during the growing season and the role they play in spreading the virus. He and his research team were able to determine that it wasn’t any one species of aphids causing the disease, so the disease wasn’t going to be controlled with just an insecticide.

Next, they studied the spread of disease by monitoring disease-free plants, and they found that disease spread was taking place all through the season, starting very early.

Finally, they added mineral oil. For the first time, they saw real tangible, repeatable differences. Singh and his team were able to determine that the mineral oil served as a type of physical barrier that deterred the insects and kept the virus from being transmitted to potato plants when leaves were penetrated by insects carrying the virus. As oil penetrates in leaves, it inhibited the movement of virus in plants, as well.

With this knowledge, New Brunswick seed potato growers began to implement a system that included frequent applications of mineral oil supplemented with insecticides, starting early and continuing until the crop was top-killed. Other recommendations included planting clean seed or seed with extremely low PVY and rouging early, especially in tractor rows LD where disease can spread mechanically.

The researchers watched closely and gave guidance as necessary. As a result, New Brunswick saw a huge drop in PVY, and Singh sees a great future for potato growers in the region.

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Nina Zidack hosts a full agenda of speakers at the Montana Seed Potato Seminar.

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519-669-4698•greentronics.com PotatoCountry.com 17

Insect Biology Quiz

2

Dr. Andy Jensen This material is provided courtesy of Andy Jensen, Ph.D., Manager of the Northwest Potato Research Consortium.

For more information, visit www.nwpotatoresearch.com.

1 3 There has been a lot of talk and worry lately about lygus bugs causing damage in potato fields.

Questions: 1. Which of these insects is a lygus bug?

2. What are the other insects?

4

ANSWERS, PAGE 38

For a FREE CertiďŹ cation Directory, email Dr. Nina Zidack at potatocert@montana.edu

Uncompromising Standards, Generation after Generation. We have the seed for you! www.montanaspud.org

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Potato Country

January 2018

167820MonPot13h.indd 1

9/18/17 11:45 AM

Dr. Jeff Miller

Know Your Potato Diseases

Disease Identification Quiz These tubers are showing some problems at harvest. Can you identify the disease or disorder and name the causal agent?

B A

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

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

ANSWERS, PAGE 38

Our isolated northern location along with our group of 10 experienced growers have been producing exceptional seed potatoes with increased energy and the lowest possible disease levels for over 50 years.

Our longevity and historical performance have made us a valued resource and seed potato supplier to growers across North America and the world.

With over 100 varieties including main crop and specialty selections, we invite you to give us a call to discuss how we can help you make this growing season the best one yet.

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Irrigation

Water Treatment Resources

www.watertreatmentresources.com Accu-Tab Tablet chlorination System

The Accu-Tab tablet chlorination system by Water Treatment Resources provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution to many irrigation, food packing, and freshcut industry’s safety and operational concerns. Recent outbreaks have brought more government and public scrutiny to food safety. Accu-Tab effectively chlorinates well water, surface water and reuse water supplies to help reduce maintenance by controlling algae and iron buildup that can cause line clogs in irrigation systems. It also kills harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. An alternative to gas and bleach, Accu-Tab combines chlorinators with 68 percent calcium hypochlorite tablets that deliver consistent and controllable chlorine residuals.

Valley Irrigation

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The new Valley X-Tec advanced DC drive motor with FastPass technology delivers the ultimate combination: topperforming speed for quick irrigation cycles and dynamic power to take on even the toughest terrains. It operates at up to twice the speed of a standard, high-speed AC center drive motor. The advanced DC drive can move at speeds as low as 1 RPM – just 1 percent of maximum motor speed – or ramp up to a fast 136 RPM. Valley X-Tec can also move at full torque at any speed to handle rough terrain, like rocks, hills and slopes, moving pivots with ease. The patented alignment technology and robust DC motor keep the pivot moving at a smooth and consistent pace, even over varied terrain.

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C.S.I. CHEMICAL CORP. 515-707-3373

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Watermark Soil Moisture Sensor

The Irrometer Company Inc. has been manufacturing soil moisture products and accessories worldwide for nearly 70 years. Irrometer’s continuous innovation helps scientists, farmers and consultants, alike, accurately measure available water.

The Watermark is a simple, affordable and effective tool that acts as an artificial root for measuring the water a crop is extracting. This takes measurements from the place most important to the crop: the root zone.

Like a fuel gauge tells you how much gas is in your vehicle, the Watermark tells you how much water is available for your crop. The Watermark is a maintenance-free, permanent-type sensor that does not need to be site calibrated and is buffered for salinity.

Lindsay

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FieldNET Advisor, an advanced irrigation management solution, will be available for use on potatoes and other crops for the 2018 growing season. The latest addition to the FieldNET by Lindsay line of products, the tool uses patented technology to deliver the information growers need to make faster, better-informed decisions about when, where and how much to irrigate – improving yields while reducing water usage and other input costs.

A recipient of the 2018 AE50 Award recognizing innovative design, the tool is the first, fully closed-loop precision irrigation system. It gathers field information, automatically combines it with third-party data and then processes everything into simple, easy-tounderstand irrigation and variable rate irrigation plans. The grower can then put those plans into action with the simple touch of a button on a smartphone or tablet.

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Sulfur burners are an economical way to treat your water. They create a sulfurous acid, which helps break down bicarbonates in your water, which also lowers your pH instantly. This allows for nutrients in the water to be utilized, improves penetration in the soil and uses less water. It helps eliminate scale and algae in your ponds or reservoirs and keeps your waterlines clean. It is organic/OMRI approved and is typically 70 percent less expensive than sulfuric acid.

PotatoCountry.com

21

National Potato Council

Potato Industry Gearing Up for 2018

By John Keeling, NPC Vice President and CEO

I

t is hard to believe that 2017 is already gone, but our plans for the new year are already in high gear.

Each year, January brings the Potato Expo and the National Potato Council annual meeting. This year, we will be in Orlando, Florida, with an outstanding lineup of speakers and issues important to the health of the industry.

Some of the issues we thought would be front and center in 2017 have yet to see a resolution and will again be priorities as we look to the future. So we thought it is appropriate to take a moment to reflect on two of them.

First, the efforts to renegotiate NAFTA clearly began with a lot of energy as the new administration sought to make good on its campaign promises. However, with each successive round, it has become increasingly clear that finding an acceptable deal will be both complicated and time-consuming.

Observers can become so focused on concerns with NAFTA that they lose sight of the agreement’s value over the past 25 years. For the potato industry, NAFTA has been a rousing success.

The volume of potato trade that occurs between the three parties

Alberta seed potatoes are the best you can buy.

(Canada, Mexico and the United States) has grown by hundreds of millions of dollars annually, benefitting all players.

As the three countries strive to conclude the NAFTA renegotiation sometime in 2018, our message to all parties is like the medical community’s Hippocratic oath of “first do no harm.”

For all the political focus, this agreement’s benefits far outweigh the negatives. Undermining or losing it would be a major mistake for our country and our industry.

Also during 2017, there was a glimmer of congressional optimism that a new farm bill could be passed well in advance of the current bill’s expiration. Fueled by that optimism, the fruit and vegetable industry, under the umbrella of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), began a seven-month process that reviewed every piece of the farm bill that affects our industry.

It resulted in a comprehensive set of industry recommendations to improve our federal farm policy. That policy is increasingly turning its attention to delivering value for our producers.

Ultimately, the excellent leaders of the House and Senate agriculture committees did not have their optimism rewarded. The congressional calendar did not allow for the farm bill to move forward ahead of schedule in 2017, as tax reform and other issues captured lawmakers’ attention.

When the farm bill does have an opportunity to move forward in early 2018, the potato industry and our colleagues are prepared to effectively advocate for our priorities. Due to the comprehensive work of the SCFBA, we possess substantive recommendations on how to enhance federal farm policy to our benefit and the benefit of our consumers. Among them are enhanced research funding, an increased focus on nutrition programs and ensuring that our export promotion programs keep pace with the investments our foreign competitors are making.

NPC has devoted substantial time to the NAFTA negotiations and the farm bill process because we sincerely believe these issues will deliver increasing value for our industry if handled properly.

We look forward to the challenge of bringing those benefits to you in 2018 and wish you the best for the new year.

We have earned the confidence and trust of potato growers for over 30 years.

See what everyone’s talking about.

Potato Growers of Alberta www.albertapotatoes.ca

Dammer Diker/Tillage Master 800-627-9099 or 509-582-8900 www.dammerdiker.com

22

Potato Country

January 2018

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Spudequipment.com Pilers 1993 Spudnik 550 36” x 50’ 1992 Spudnik 525 30” x 48’ Conveyors 2006 Spudnik 1200 SC 36” x 30’ 230V 3ph w/hyd tip dwn 6- 2002 Spudnik 1205 SC 30” x 30’ 230 V 3ph 2002 Spudnik 1250 SC 30” x 40’ 230 volt 3ph 1998 Spudnik TC 36/42/65 230 V 3ph 10- 93 Double L 809 SC 30” x 38’, 3ph 93 Double L 808 SC 30” x 25’, 3ph 94 Milestone TC 30/36 x 60’, 3ph – 2 92 Milestone SC 30” x 30’ reconditioned 90 Spudnik 1200 HC 30”x 30’ 230V 3ph 1989 Spudnik 1200 TC 30”/36”x 65’ 230V 3ph Dirt Elim./Sizer 03 Spudnik 995 72” BC Peg Belt, Finger rolls, sizer, 3ph 2002 Milestone MSDES 72” 230 volt 3ph 97 Spudnik 995 60” DE/Sizer 3ph 1996 Milestone MSDES 72” 3ph 94 Spudnik 900 Sizer 72” 230V 3ph Vsp pulley’s 89 Milestone 72” Belt, Finger Rolls, Sizer, Table 1ph Dirt Eliminators 2006 Double L model 907 72” 3ph 99 Milestone 60” Finger rolls, Table, 3ph 98 Milestone 48” Finger rolls, Table, 3ph 89 Spudnik 950 72” BC, fingers, Belt Table, 3ph 94 Double L 806 DE 44” 230 volt 3ph 87 Spudnik 900 48” 220 volt 1ph 87 Better Built 42” 220 volt 1ph 76 Spudnik 900 48” sorter Rock/Clod/Eliminators

2012 Harriston Clod Hopper 4240 x 4-96”drums 2007 Harriston Clod Hopper 240 x 2 -96” drums 2000 Harriston Clod Hopper 200 x 2-80” drums 1995 Harriston Clod Hopper 200 x 2-80” drums 1994 STI 1260 Sand Machine

Even Flows 2016 Milestone 100cwt with pup 2000 Spudnik 1800 600cwt 1993 Spudnik 1800 600cwt Shop built 150 cwt Stingers 1994 Double L 30” x 12’ belt 1993 Spudnik 30” x 8’ belt 1988 Spudnik 2200 30” x 10’ BC fingers x 2 Beds 2012 Logan LP 20’ combo 2007 Ag Bulk Bed 20’ Combo pto/elec Red 1998 Double L 801 20’ dual drive 1995 Logan 90 series 20’ Combo White 1995 Double L 801 20’ Electric White 1985 Logan 20’ Electric Red Trucks 2007 Sterling 13spd MB 425hp, no bed, frame for 22’ bed, has PTO. 1994 Freightliner FLD120 60 series motor, 13spd w/2010 Logan LP22’ bed Electric over hydraulic 1991 Volvo/white L10-280hp cumm. motor, Spicer 7spd, 1999 Double L 801 Bed 20’ combo/ dual drive Trailers 2011 STC 4 axle 53’ trailer PTO & Electric 2003 Red River 2axle 45’, pto, full swing door, plastic liner, chain oiler, solid belt 2002 Trinity 3 axle 49’ w/31” chain full swing door 2001 Trinity 2 axle 42’, 25” chain, PTO & Elec. Crossovers/Wind rowers 2008 Spudnik 6140 Four Row LH 2008 Spudnik 6140 Four Row RH 2007 Double L 851 Four row 2003 Lockwood 5000 Four Row LH 1995 Lockwood 2000 Two Row RH 1993 Lockwood 2000 Two Row LH

Harvesters 2014 Lockwood 574 2012 Lockwood 474 CR 2009 Spudnik 5640 2008 Lockwood 474H 2005 Spudnik 6400 2002 Double L 853 2000 Double L 873 1994 Logan 90 series two row

Water Dammers 2017 Logan Yield Pro 6 row 1993 Ag Engineering Six Row 1991 Ag Engineering Four Row Hyd reset

Seed Cutters 2013 Better Built 72” 2011 Milesetone 72” 2000 Milestone 60” 1996 Milestone 60” 1994 Milestone 48”

Warehouse/Packaging 2017 Tri Steel Double Tote filler Odenburg Halo 1000 40” optical grader 2yr use Odenburg Halo 1500 60” optical grader rebuilt 2016 Odenburg Halo 2000 80” optical grader 2yr use 2011 Tong & Peel Roll Sizer 4 drop large volume, gently used Exeter 10 lane sizer with laser camera sizing 2012 Daumer CB 67 Wicket bagger 2012 Kwik Lok 865 Bag closer 2004 Daumer PA 25D Auto Weighing Machine Stainless 1997 Daumer PA 25 Auto Weighing Machine Even Flow 10’ W x 7’ T x 29’L 750 cwt 18” tilt 18” discharge 2001 Tri Steel Conveyor 18” x 9’ 2013 Tri Steel Elev. Conv 12” x 21’ flights 2000lb Tote filler single and double shop built

Treaters 2011 Better Built 10’ x 10” 2008 Excel Liquid & powder 10’ x 10” 1989 Better Built 10’ x 8” Planters 2014 Lockwood 6 row Pick 36”row Fertilizer 2010 Lockwood 6 row Air Cup 36” 2009 Lockwood 6 row Pick 34” Mechanical 2005 Grimme GL 6 row 34” hyd.

2005 Lockwood 6 row Pick 36” 2003 Kverneland 3300 Six row 34” 1996 Kverneland 3200 Four row 36” 1994 Logan Four Row cup 36” 1993 Logan Six Row cup 36” Planter/Tare/Piler 1990 Milestone Utility PIler 16” 1975 Milestone Utility Piler 12” Shop Built 18” x 18’

Shredder/Vine Beaters 2014 Newhouse 2520 eight row 2001 Newhouse 4 row tire roller 1992 Ace 4 row steel rollers

Miscellaneous 2015 Great Plains 7329 DH Tandem Disk 29’ 2011 Brandt 13 x 70 swing Auger 2009 Wishek 714 NT 30’ Disc 2011 Great Plains 5317 Turbo Chisel John Deere 24’ Folding Drills 6” Landoll 2230 Disk 26’

Bruce: (208)390-5120 | brucen@tristeelmfg.com Evan: (208)757-8481 | evann@tristeelmfg.com PotatoCountry.com

23

Washington State Potato Commission

2017 Presents Unique Challenges in Columbia Basin

By Matthew Blua, Washington State Potato Commission Director of Industry Outreach

B

ack by popular demand, the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) sponsored an end-of-season meeting for Columbia Basin potato growers to discuss challenges unique to 2017 with each other and with Washington State University (WSU) scientists. In attendance were four WSU scientists, two WSPC directors and about two dozen potato growers and agricultural support personnel.

The 2017 growing season was marked by an earlier and higher than usual incidence of late blight, likely brought on by frequent spring showers. Dr. Dennis Johnson, WSU plant pathologist, indicated that sources of late blight likely

included infected seed potatoes, potato cull piles and volunteer potato plants.

Johnson emphasized that the potato community would benefit from growers vigilantly scouting for late blight and reporting it to him so he could confirm identification and spread the word.

Late blight disseminates quickly, and treatments need to be applied before infections are established.

Because of efforts by Johnson and the WSPC to advise growers, late blight was prevented from spreading widely and impacting production.

Dr. Carrie Wohleb, WSU regional vegetable crops specialist, noted lower than average populations of important pests including potato psyllids, the vector of the zebra chip pathogen. She said this is likely due to cold temperatures that kept overwintering populations in check for the 2017 potato season. Zebra chip

outbreaks were not observed in 2017, and out of 107 psyllids examined for the zebra chip pathogen throughout the Columbia Basin, none tested positive.

Discussions led by Dr. Tim Waters, WSU Extension entomologist, focused on lygus bugs, a difficult to manage pest, as well as outbreaks of thrips likely associated with insecticide usage that impacted thrips’ natural enemies.

Dr. Mark Pavek, WSU agronomist, led discussions focused on potato yields, particularly his findings of increased yields per acre associated with narrower row spacing.

Other discussions surrounded potato leaf “crinkling” symptoms that appeared like pathogen-induced diseases but might have been due to a combination of herbicide phytoxicity under cold-wet conditions, insect feeding damage or smoke damage associated with wildfires.

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25

New Products

Zimmatic Introduces Water Pumping, Filtration Products

Zimmatic by Lindsay has introduced a fully integrated line of water pumping and filtration products designed to help growers maximize the efficiency of their irrigation systems.

The pumping products include Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) panels, which automatically adjust pump speed to match the system demand, saving energy and water. Zimmatic recently added a new programmable logic controller (PLC) to the VFD pump panels. The controller’s 3.5-inch touchscreen guides users through a start-up menu, allowing for quick set-up and easy-to-understand monitoring, according to the company. The VFDs also can be integrated with FieldNET by Lindsay for continuous remote monitoring and control.

Zimmatic’s filtration products include sand separators, pump protection separators and pump intake screens. The products are designed to maximize water flow, reduce waste and prevent premature equipment wear.

Visit www.zimmatic.com.

EPA Registers Howler Fungicide

AgBiome’s Howler fungicide has received registration from the EPA. The biological fungicide is designed to control diseases including Botrytis, Colletotrichum, Phytophthora, Pythium and Rhizoctonia. Howler fights disease with three modes of action: metabolic, enzymatic and exclusion by competing with invading pathogens. The active ingredient destroys pathogenic fungi, stops fungal development and protects plant surfaces, according to the company.

Howler is OMRI-listed for use in certified organic production and can be used at each phase of crop production with a zero-day pre-harvest interval and a four-hour restricted-entry interval.

Visit www.agbiome.com.

MANHATTAN Seed Potato Growers Family Operations Committed to the Highest Standards in the Industry  Isolation Ideal for Insect Control  All Seed Summer and Southern Tested for Virus  Excellent Quality Controlled by Rigid Rouging and Sanitation Practices  Many Varieties Available with Good Readings  Top Yields and Tuber Uniformity from Years of Line Selecting  2016 Late Blight-Free Potatoes Eugene Cole Bill Cole Glenn & Vern Droge Dan Dyk Doug Dyk TRB Dykema Foth Farms Sid & Tim Kamps Bill & Scott Kimm

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Potato Country

January 2018

406-282-7519 406-284-3378 406-581-7567 406-284-3718 406-388-4609 406-282-7983 406-284-4233 406-282-7931 406-284-6075

CVS Rolls out Electric Utility Truck

Central Valley Supply (CVS) has introduced a 100 percent electric utility truck. The Yosemite by airEoso Motor Corporation is billed as durable and rugged and built to offer strength, reliability and cost savings. It runs on standard car batteries, plugs into a 110-volt outlet, and requires no fuel and minimal maintenance. Operating costs are 75 percent less than that of a typical gaspowered utility truck, according to CVS. One-ton and half-ton models with purpose-based customizable beds, 1,500-pound towing capacity and optional four-wheel drive are available. The rollresistant suspension and disc brakes are said to provide nimble and sure-footed handling on the road and in the field. Yosemite’s high-torque electric motor provides a minimum 80-mile or eight-hour battery life.

Call (833) AIR-EOSO.

Sprayer Earns Award for Innovation

John Deere’s ExactApply Nozzle Control System has received the AE50 Award for 2018 from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

The award highlights innovative designs in product engineering in the food and agriculture industries.

Introduced in 2016, the ExactApply Nozzle Control system provides improved coverage and control of spray applications with its Pulse Width Modulation (30 hertz pulsing) and automatic A/B nozzle switching from the sprayer cab. The system also offers turn compensation, individual nozzle on/off control, LED lights in each nozzle body for improved visibility, and smart diagnostics to improve, monitor and document sprayer applications at the nozzle.

According to John Deere, ExactApply enhances existing technology currently in the market and combines it into one product completely integrated into John Deere R-Series Sprayers and rate control systems.

Visit www.johndeere.com.

Lindsay Launches New GPS Guidance Option

Lindsay Corporation has introduced a new GPS guidance option for Zimmatic 9500L systems. The new product is designed to let growers navigate Zimmatic lateral systems with sub-inch accuracy and make real-time adjustments to the run path and end points. The GPS guidance option is ideal for installations where furrow or wire guidance is unsuitable or difficult to maintain.

According to Lindsay, benefits include easy path management, real-time RTK correction and fast start-up times. A single GPS base station can be shared by multiple 9500L systems within operational distance limits. The GPS guidance option can be retrofitted onto existing Zimmatic 9500L systems.

Visit www.zimmatic.com.

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PotatoCountry.com

27

In the News

Purple Potatoes May Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer

Purple potatoes may help ward off colon cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases, according to recent research at Pennsylvania State University. Experiments were conducted on pigs, which have a digestive system similar to humans, according to the researchers.

Compared to the control group, pigs fed a high-calorie diet had higher levels of colonic mucosal interleukin-6 (IL-6), a protein linked to the growth of cancer cells.

However, pigs fed the high-calorie diet supplemented with purple potatoes had IL-6 levels six times lower the control group.

Understanding how these compounds work on a molecular level could be an initial step toward finding treatments for people with cancer, the researchers said. Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

Myanmar Processors Prefer US Chipping Potatoes

The first shipment of U.S. chipping potatoes arrived in the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar in September. The container of approximately 25 tons was distributed among four processing companies. The processors usually use local Myanmar potatoes, but had been experiencing issues with inconsistent quality and size. Potatoes USA arranged a trial shipment to demonstrate the quality of U.S. chip-stock potatoes.

The processors reported that U.S. potatoes produced chips that were far superior to those made from local potatoes. Waste was reduced, the shape and color were better, the chips absorbed less oil, and the taste was delicious. Several processors expressed interest in purchasing U.S. chip-stock potatoes.

U.S. fresh and seed potatoes were the first American produce products approved for importation into Myanmar under new rules for fresh horticulture products.

Grants Fund Washington Potato Projects

Potato researchers at Washington State University (WSU) got a big boost to their budget thanks to specialty crop block grant funds. Just shy of $500,000 will fund two projects.

Half of the money will help Rick Knowles and Mark Pavek evaluate the efficacy of crop enhancement products for potatoes and develop plant growth regulating techniques to manipulate tuber set, size distribution and shape. The research will lead to increased profitability and efficiency and reduced waste, according to Knowles.

In a separate project, researchers Sindhuja Sankaran and Lav Khot, along with Brenda Schroeder with the University of Idaho, will work to develop sensing technologies for early disease detection in storage. This will allow growers to implement better management practices and reduce losses in storage. The technology could also be adapted for other crops such as onions.

An additional $250,000 grant was awarded to the Washington Grown program, a television series that shares stories about the state’s agricultural products including potatoes.

Jet Harvest Solutions Expands Sales Team

Jet Harvest Solutions has hired Matthew Ohl as the company’s Pacific Northwest sales representative.

Ohl will be based in West Richland, Washington, and will primarily handle sales in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Ohl started his agriculture career with the J.R. Simplot Company in 2014 and worked with crops including potatoes, onions, corn, peas, alfalfa and wheat. He has a degree in ag technology and management from Washington State University.

“We’re pleased to have a fulltime person dedicated to the Pacific Northwest,” said Bill Grant, owner and director of business development. “Matt has a lot of energy and passion to help each warehouse and grower produce the best piece of produce possible.”

Jet Harvest Solutions is a Florida-based provider of agricultural chemistries and biological products.

28

Potato Country

January 2018

Ag World Golf Classic Donates $73K to Charity Ag World wrapped up 2017 by presenting a $73,492 check to Ronald McDonald House Charities Inland Northwest. Columbia Basin potato producers, processors and industry supporters raised the money at the fourth annual Ag World Golf Classic in June.

Nearly 150 golfers, along with more than 100 sponsors and donors took part in the tournament.

In the last four years, the tournament has raised more than $233,000 for the charity. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest provides temporary lodging, comfort and support for families with children accessing medical services in Spokane, Washington, and supports related efforts to improve children’s health in the region.

The fifth annual tourney is set for June 13 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick, Washington. Register at agworldgolf.com.

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29

Potatoes USA

Exports Reach Record Levels – But We Ain’t Done Yet!

By John Toaspern, Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USA

E

xports remain a growth engine for the U.S. potato market.

Exports have grown from less than 10 percent of total product to 20 percent in the past 20 years. They now account for one in every five rows of potatoes produced, and in some areas such as the Pacific Northwest, they account for considerably more. This is why it is so exciting that U.S. exports of potatoes and potato products reached the record value of $1,758,130,172 and record volume of 1,712,364 metric tons (MT) for the July 2016 – June 2017 marketing year. At the fresh weight equivalent (FWE), this represents the movement of 71,837,331 hundredweight of potatoes out of the U.S. market.

For the recently completed marketing year; fresh potato exports were up 9 percent, potato chip exports were up 5 percent and frozen product exports were up 3 percent. Exports of dehydrated potatoes were down 10 percent. Frozen exports account for 60 percent of the total exports at the FWE, dehy is 24 percent and fresh 15 percent. Japan remains the largest export market, with Canada a very close second and Mexico not far behind.

Korea is now the fourth largest market with China fifth.

These levels were achieved despite serious challenges in the international marketplace. First and foremost, the continuing expansion of potato production and processing in the European Union, all geared for export, has resulted in the EU gaining significant market share. The exporters in Europe gained footholds in the U.S. target markets in Asia as a result of the West Coast port slowdowns in 2014-2015. Another challenge has been the strengthening of the U.S. dollar both against competitor currencies and in relationship to the currencies of our customers. Finally, competitors are moving forward with free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the FTAs between Australia and Japan in 2015 and Australia and China in 2015 and the ongoing FTA talks between the EU and the Philippines, and Vietnam and Japan.

With worldwide trade in potatoes and potato products averaging 8 percent annual growth, significant opportunities remain for U.S. exports to continue to grow. While the competition from the EU, Canada, China and even smaller producers such as Turkey, Egypt and South Africa will continue to increase, the prospects still look good for U.S. exports. The dollar has begun to weaken, with the Euro in

particular strengthening, up 11 percent against the dollar since March. U.S. processors are expanding capacity, much of it geared toward exports, which will alleviate some of the supply constraints, but further expansion is needed to fully take advantage of these international opportunities.

The high quality of U.S. potatoes and products sets them apart, and Potatoes USA international marketing programs distinguish U.S. products and create new demand. Potatoes USA implements international marketing programs in 12 targeted markets in Asia and Latin America. These programs promote frozen, dehy, table-stock and chip-stock to all sectors: foodservice, retail, food manufacturing and consumers. Potatoes USA also supports the expansion of exports of U.S. seed potatoes to growers in different markets. Potatoes USA works closely with the National Potato Council to assist the U.S. government to overcome market access barriers to U.S. exports. All of these programs are funded with a combination of checkoff dollars and USDA export development funds.

For more information on Potatoes USA marketing programs, including detailed export figures, visit www.potatoesusa.com/grower.

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Calendar Jan. 10-12

Potato Expo 2018

Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, Fla. Visit www.potato-expo.com

Jan. 12-13

NPC 2018 Annual Meeting

Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, Fla. Contact Hillary Hutchins, hillaryh@nationalpotatocouncil.org

Jan. 15-16

Jan. 16–18

Feb. 21-22

Pond Student Union Building and Holt Arena, Pocatello, Idaho Contact Jill Randall, jillr@uidaho.edu

Western Laboratories, Parma, Idaho Contact Western Laboratories, western@westernlaboratories.com

50th Annual Idaho Potato Conference and 39th Ag Expo

Jan. 23

The Ten Commandments of Growing Potatoes

Shoshone-Bannock Hotel, Fort Hall, Idaho Contact TPS Labs, (956) 383-0739

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Springhill Suites, Kennewick, Wash.

Contact Western Laboratories, western@westernlaboratories.com

Jan. 16

Jan. 23–25

Spud School 2018

The Ten Commandments of Growing Potatoes

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Clarion Hotel, Pocatello, Idaho Contact Western Laboratories, western@westernlaboratories.com

Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash.

Visit www.potatoconference.com

Understanding Soils and Plant Nutrition

Feb. 26 – March 1 Potato D.C. Fly-in

Capital Hilton, Washington, DC Contact Hillary Hutchins, hillaryh@nationalpotatocouncil.org Editor’s note:To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller at editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com.

Please send your information 90 days in advance.

Join us on June 13, 2018 for the

5th Annual Ag World Golf Classic Canyon Lakes, Kennewick, WA

PotatoCountry.com

31

Quality Control

By Bill Schaefer

W

hen you’re the best at what you do, you have to be always improving to stay ahead of the pack, just like the fivetime Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

“Love them or hate them, but the New England Patriots embraced the concept of always improving,” said Frank Muir, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) president and CEO. “Making sure they stay ahead of everybody else, that’s what makes them champions. Idaho potatoes have got to be the New England Patriots of the potato industry. We cannot rest on our laurels.”

Muir issued his challenge to Idaho potato growers during the IPC’s recent “The Big Idaho Potato Harvest Meeting 2017.”

“We’ve got to be always improving,” Muir told the audience. “Your competitors, all the states, are benchmarking against you. You’re the number one and unless you’re staying aggressive ahead of them, they will catch you.”

Standing before an audience of more than 300 people at the Shoshone-Bannock Event Center in Ft. Hall, Muir told the audience that the number one issue facing Idaho growers is quality control.

“Quality in the last two years has continued to be a declining issue, a declining trend, and we’ve got to fix it,” Muir said. “Quality is the number one adjective consumers use to describe Idaho potatoes.”

Consumers will pay a premium for Idaho potatoes, but they expect a quality

potato when they pay a premium price, he said.

The IPC is working with University of Idaho potato researchers Mike Thornton and Nora Olsen to help resolve some of the quality issues that occur during harvest and in storage. The IPC also is printing a quality best practices handbook and will be holding quality improvement workshops.

Along with researchers, the IPC is also working with a major retailer to help resolve the quality issues in store.

“How many retailers would do that?”

Muir asked the audience. “It tells you how strong your brand is.”

He said that growers, shippers and the commission need to take necessary action to protect the Idaho brand that is recognized as not only the nation’s best potato, but the best globally.

“When you have a premium brand, it has got to be backed by premium quality,” Muir said. “Here’s the question: Can we meet the challenge to maintain our image as the premium potato in the world?”

Muir encouraged growers to visit shippers and packers to see what their product looks like as it goes out to retailers and consumers.

Sales, Marketing

Shifting gears to more positive news, Muir said there was good news in the fresh potato market sector despite the quality issues.

“Last year, we shipped a record 38 million hundred-weight (cwt),” Muir said.

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January 2018

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Frank Muir, Idaho Potato Commission president and CEO, outlines issues related to quality, sales and marketing during the Big Idaho Potato Harvest Meeting 2017. Photo by Bill Schaefer

This represents a 12 percent increase of fresh shipments from the previous year.

“People talk about a decline in demand.

Not Idaho,” Muir said. “There’s high demand for Idaho potatoes, and we need to leverage that every single day.”

He said that while carton prices for Idaho potatoes were good throughout the year, bag prices for Idaho potatoes were weak until the end of the year. Muir said that in his opinion, growers could have shipped their potatoes for a higher price.

Muir also had some good news for Idaho’s process growers. At the top of the list was the recent launch by Lamb Weston of frozen retail products called “Grown in Idaho.”

“I’ve been working with the processors for many years trying to get one of the major processors to do just this,” Muir said.

After several studies by Lamb Weston over the past eight years, the company decided to launch several “Grown in Idaho” frozen potato products including Crispy Potato Puffs, Super Crispy Crinkle Cut Fries and Thick Cut Hash Browns.

“You’re going to see frozen execution of our fresh IPC marketing programs, and it’s going to be the largest marketing spin Lamb Weston has ever done behind any of their launches,” Muir said.

Lamb Weston’s national marketing campaign will include Idaho potato farmer Mark Coombs. Coombs has become the familiar face of the IPC’s own national advertising campaign featuring the Idaho potato grower in search of the big Idaho potato truck.

Finally, with the increasing demand for frozen potato products in the U.S. and internationally, Muir said that the IPC has hired Joe Guenthner, University of Idaho professor emeritus of agricultural economics, to do an economic analysis on why Idaho should be the site for the next fry and frozen processing plant.

Lamb Weston’s new “Grown in Idaho” product line includes seven frozen potato products.

Photo courtesy Lamb Weston

PotatoCountry.com

33

WITHOUT An Integrated Approach

By Bob Hesse, Director of Research and Development, Suberizer

“An Integrated Approach” assures desired and expected airflow to truly be delivered to product in the storage bay.

The approach places supreme focus on engineering storage details that are important today.

“WITHOUT An Integrated Approach”, recognizes and addresses commonly-overlooked issues associated with resistance to airflow during development of the Raw Product Storage industry: Airflow through the control system, fanhouse, and plenum to product in the storage bay.

Although history tells us potato activity all started in South America, cultivating potatoes maybe 7,000 years ago, North American potato chronology suggests:  The first potatoes grown in North America may have been planted in New Hampshire about 1719;  President Thomas Jefferson, introduced to French Fries in Paris, France, served them in Monticello about 1780;  Potato production in Idaho, about 1838;  The Columbia Basin Project, initiated serious potato production in Washington State in the 1950s.

During the chronology listed above, although potato storage in various forms took place, no “formal raw product storage industry” really existed. This article is a focus on potato history the past 50 years, or so, with development of the raw product potato storage industry in the United States, which can be considered a revolution in potato storage.

The 50-years of Potato Storage Evolution: Early Basic Potato Storage e

~1965 Frozen French Fries

1950-1960 Early Sixties Onset of the Raw Product Potato Storage Industry

1972 Digital Temp Control

1960-1970 Mid Sixties Mechanical Temperature Control in Potato Storage

1979 Suberizer Envelope Storage

1970-1980

Mid-Eighties Suberizer Air EveryWhere 1980-1990

1972 External Fanhouse and Blow-Through Air Washer

2013 Benefits of An Integrated Approach Serious Attention by French Fry Processors To Raw Product Potato Storage Design 1990-2000

Early Nineties Suberizer AirEverywhere A Revolution in Air distribution for Potato Storage It’s All About Airflow

2000-2010

2010-2020

Turn of The Century Biotech Potato Variety Development: A Major Step by: Simplot Plant Sciences Innate® Potato Program

Frozen French Fry Processing, and the QSRs (Quick-Serve Restaurants) are given the most credit for serious development of the Raw Product Storage Industry, the 50-year period of serious appreciation for Potato Storage Management:          34

Mid Sixties: J. R. Simplot Company provided Frozen French Fries to McDonald’s; Early Seventies: ±0.2 degree F digital temperature control for Supply Air; Introduction of the External Fanhouse; Blow-Through Air Washer Humidification; Introduction of Variable Frequency Drives; Mid-Eighties advancement of Suberizer’s AirEverywhere floor to uniformly distribute airflow through the pile; Developments in the Early Nineties to accurately measure airflow from control system to product in storage; Followed by a revolution in storage engineering to accurately associate airflow and pressure losses; and, Turn of the Century opened the door to An Integrated Approach to raw product storage design.

Potato Country

January 2018

Turn of the Century

(WITHOUT An Integrated Approach, continued)

The Innate Potato Program in Simplot’s Plant Sciences Division, continued biotech variety development, with a serious need to recognize the commonly-overlooked issues associated with getting desired airflow from the control system in the fanhouse precisely delivered to product in the storage bay.

SIMPLOT INNATE® PROGRAM RESEARCH STORAGE 2013 Initiation of An Integrated Approach to Raw Product Storage: Standards developed during the forty years between the early seventies and 2013 associated with storage management, including control system performance and raw product storage design, along with Simplot’s Innate® potato program, recognized the need to engineer a streamlined focus to INTEGRATE: the fanhouse, control system, plenum details and storage design to assure optimum desired supply airflow delivery to product in storage.

A control system and potato storage designed, engineered and constructed based on An Integrated Approach transfers Mixing Chamber Airflow to Product in the Storage with minimum disruption, minimum changes in direction, and absolute minimum resistance to airflow.

Mixing To fully appreciate issues associated STORAGE Chamber with Airflow, An Integrated BAY Approach correlates raw product storage industry progress between the early seventies and 2013, the 50-years of potato storage enlightenment, to assure desired airflow from the control system in the fanhouse is uncorrupted during delivery to product in the storage bay, one of the most completely overlooked issues prior to the Integrated Approach.

Furthermore, one of the least-appreciated elements of storage management is one of the most challenging requirements to absolutely minimize losses and product quality out of storage. An Integrated Approach article related to storage management is scheduled for publication in next month’s February Potato Country issue.

PotatoCountry.com

35

Market Report

Crunch Time Coming for Potato USDA

indicates that U.S. growers produced 436.4 million cwt of potatoes in 2017. That is 3.1 million cwt less than they produced in 2016, a 0.7 percent decline. The total includes a 4.6 million cwt increase in earlyseason potatoes to 38 million cwt. USDA puts the fall potato crop at 398.9 million cwt. That falls 7.7 million cwt short of 2016 production, a 1.9 percent reduction.

Industry experts question whether USDA’s crop estimates reflect the true extent of this year’s production cutbacks.

Even if they are accurate, the production data do not reflect the shift in production between industry market sectors. Fryers are scrambling to line up enough potatoes to keep their plants running until the 2018 harvest gets underway. Shipping point prices for russet table potatoes are running 50 percent ahead of year-earlier prices across the Pacific Northwest. On the other hand, storage chip potato supplies are plentiful, and prices for red and yellow potatoes are running 10 to 20 percent below year-earlier levels in Colorado and in the Midwest. The unbalanced supply situation creates the potential for further strength in markets for open russet potatoes during the next six to nine months.

Pacific Northwest Supply

The Pacific Northwest appears to hold the key for russet potato markets during the remainder of the 2017-18 storage

season. Idaho, Oregon and Washington combined to produce 251.1 million cwt of potatoes in 2017. That is 16.8 million cwt less than those states produced in 2016, a 6.3 percent decline. Growers held more storage potatoes at the beginning of June, but those potatoes cleaned up quickly.

There is no evidence that regional potato disappearance has slowed down during the early part of the season. The region’s Dec. 1 potato stocks are likely to fall at least 9 percent short of year-earlier holdings.

(USDA released data on Dec. 1 potato stocks on Dec. 19 after our press deadline.)

The lack of any slowdown in Northwest potato usage between June and November will crunch this year’s supply shortfall into the last half of the marketing year.

The industry could hold the DecemberMay usage decline to 9.7 million cwt by pulling June 1 stocks down to 31.4 million cwt, a 16.7 percent decline from last year.

However, at the anticipated DecemberMay usage rate, stocks at that level would equate to a 43.9-day inventory. That is the lowest inventory, relative to daily usage, since 2006, which indicates that supplies would continue to tighten until the 2018 harvest ramps up.

The Pacific Northwest potato supply crunch will impact all sectors of the potato industry. However, market forces will determine which sectors cover their needs and which come up short. Buyers in three sectors, table potato interests, fryers and

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36

Potato Country

January 2018

dehydrators, will be competing for the available supplies. Demand parameters vary significantly by sector.

Sectors Competing for Supplies

Average russet table potato prices have fallen short of production costs for three consecutive years. That prompted growers to limit acreage for the 2017 crop. Those acreage cuts were modest, but when Idaho dehydrators cut back on field-run contracts, the industry expected growers to substitute dual-use varieties rather than switch to other crops. That didn’t happen.

The processors’ miscalculations are a major factor in this year’s supply shortfall.

Fryers have lined up supplies to offset as much of their shortfall as possible. That has included purchases of Russet Burbank potatoes from grower-shipper operations, further limiting supplies of russet table potatoes.

A 50 percent increase in average shipping point prices, relative to last year, reflects the tightness in table potato supplies. However, the impact on shipments, through the end of November, has been limited. Idaho’s fresh shipments from the 2017 crop are down 1.1 million cwt from year-earlier movement, but close to half of that shortfall has been offset by late-season shipments from the 2016 crop.

USDA data suggest that shipments from the Columbia Basin and Oregon have been keeping pace with year-earlier movement, while shipments from the Skagit Valley are up significantly. (Please note that the Washington shipping data reported

by USDA are questionable.) Supplies available for shipment after Jan. 1 will be limited, which is likely to result in further market strength.

Fryers have added capacity in the Columbia Basin this year. There is demand for more product than the fryers can run through their plants. As noted, they have lined up open potatoes to cover a portion of the raw product shortfall. However, that is unlikely to be sufficient to cover sales.

Markets?

They may be in the market for more raw product if they can find potatoes that will fry and meet other customer requirements.

In addition, they are pushing growers to plant more early potatoes and are hoping that those potatoes will be ready for an early start to the 2018 harvest. We are not sure what the price limit will be for open potato purchases. However, we understand that some potatoes have changed hands at prices as high as $9.25 per cwt for use during November and December. Fryers are in a good position to bid raw product away from both fresh packing operations and dehydrators. They also are likely to reduce finished-product inventories to pipeline minimums.

The dehydrators’ lowest-cost raw product is off-grade potatoes from the table potato sector. While a few of those potatoes may be acceptable for fresh sales, most have no other outlet. That is particularly true when supplies of table potatoes exceed demand, as has been the case for the 2014-2016 potato crops. Three years of surplus process-grade potatoes encouraged dehydrators to cut back on field-run contracts for the 2017 crop.

Uncertainties regarding the operations of certain plants resulted in additional cuts.

When prices are high, table potato shippers attempt to recover a larger portion of the potatoes that they run. With fewer fresh potatoes to run, and a higher packout rate, process-grade potato supplies available for dehydration will be much less plentiful than they have been in any of the last three years. Dehydrators will have the option to compete against table potato interests and fryers for open potatoes, but costs are likely to be much higher than they have been for the past three years.

Dehydrators will limit usage to their minimum needs. They will be competing against cheap European product, both in the export market and in some domestic markets. As a result, their potato usage could fall significantly short of last year’s pace.

By Bruce Huffaker, Publisher North American Potato Market News

HUFFAKER'S HIGHLIGHTS • Tight potato supplies in the Pacific Northwest will support prices for processing potatoes and russet table potatoes for the remainder of the storage season.

• Though fall potato production only declined 1.9 percent in 2017, the Pacific Northwest crop is down 6.3 percent.

• The most significant slowdown in usage will occur after Jan. 1.

• Fryers appear to be in the best position to maintain their usage rates.

• Russet table prices are running 50 percent ahead of year-

earlier levels; they are likely to increase as movement slows.

• Dehydrators are likely to cut back on usage due to high prices for raw product and competition from European potato flakes.

Editor’s note: To contact Mr. Huffaker, or to subscribe to North American Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call: 2690 N. Rough Stone Way, Meridian, ID 83646; (208) 525-8397; or e-mail napmn@napmn.com.

PotatoCountry.com

37

Potato Growers of Washington

The Value of Bargaining Associations

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

B

argaining associations have existed for more than a century in the United States, and the question of their value has dogged them from the very beginning.

Those of us who work day in and day out running bargaining associations see the many positive values very clearly. But for those who are not privy to the same up-close and personal impacts that we make, I can see where the questions come in.

No matter how successful we are in negotiating your contract, someone will believe that we should have gotten more.

I understand that and even welcome those discussions at times because they promote healthy dialog necessary for any organization to remain fresh and focused on its members.

While I never expect this view to fully expire, the happenings last fall in Idaho involving a processor circumventing the bargaining association there and “strongarming” growers to sign unfavorable multi-year contracts should be a wakeup call to all growers as to what can happen if a bargaining association was not present and, more specifically, what can happen if both a bargaining association and legislative

requirements are not in place.

There are still some legal questions about the deals that were made in Idaho and how member growers could sign nonapproved contracts in violation of their membership agreements, so I will avoid getting into those details and leave that for the legal minds to unravel. However, the situation that happened in Idaho could never happen in Washington because we have the Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act, which was signed into law on May 12, 1989. This act requires processors of frozen potato products to negotiate in good faith with the bargaining association of record for a minimum of 45 days prior to planting each year.

To be the bargaining association of record, the organization must have members who total either 50 percent of the contract growers or 50 percent of the acres contracted by the processor in question in either of the prior two crop years. Once that threshold is met, the processor is required to bargain in good faith with the association and is barred from making any end runs and offering individual contracts to growers until after the negotiation period has ended.

Further, the act prohibits any processor from discriminating against any member grower. Besides the obvious actions of retaliation for being a member, this also extends to contract terms, conditions and

Know Your Disease Answers (from page 19)

price, and prohibits a non-member from ever getting a higher price than a member grower.

Have you ever wondered why all of the individual deals made by growers over the years have always been at a reduced price no matter how much leverage individuals thought they had? This act is the reason.

Many growers worked very hard to get this bill passed in the spring of 1989, and it was this bill that initiated the transformation from the Washington Potato Growers Association into today’s PGW. While many of those growers have since retired or passed away, their hard work and vision continue to help protect your interest today.

So the next time you wonder what PGW’s value is to you, think what it would be like if you were in the situation of the Idaho growers who had to sign a two-year extension to a contract that was only so-so in the current year and the rest of the industry is poised to take a price increase. Each year the price would continue to spiral down until there was no profit left in the potato contracts.

We are working hard to restore as much of the profitability you have given up in the past four years and appreciate all the support we have received from so many of you. We welcome anyone who is not a member to join and help us as we battle for you going forward.

Know Your Insects Answers (from page 18)

Photo A: This is pink eye and is not truly caused by a pathogen. The bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens has been associated with this disorder, but it is not considered a true cause. This condition develops due to environmental conditions.

Photo B: This is ring rot caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus.

This bacterium is spread through infected seed and equipment or surfaces which become contaminated by infected tubers.

Photo C: This gray discoloration is blackspot bruise. Bruising is the result of internal cell damage caused by some type of impact on the tuber. This is not caused by a pathogen. www.millerresearch.com 38

Potato Country

January 2018

1. Photo 3 is of a lygus bug, a nearly fully grown nymph.

2. Photo 1 is an anthocorid minute pirate bug, which is a predator of aphids and psyllids. Photo 2 is a baby stink bug in the genus Chlorochroa, a kind of bug sometimes found in potato causing leaf wilting. Photo 4 is a Geocoris big-eyed bug, another common predator of aphids and psyllids.

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