Potato Country December 2021

2022

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Polysulphate is a natural fit for high quality potatoes Soluble, easily-absorbed, and cost-effective, Polysulphate contains four key plant nutrients in a single application. Through gradual release of K, Mg, S and Ca – all in sulfate form – Polysulphate is less prone to leaching. Innovative and highly versatile, this natural mineral can be applied in the Fall or the Spring.

S

K

Mg

Ca

19.2% S

14% K20

3.6% Mg

12.2% Ca

For more information contact Patrick Giannetti 602-284-9309 Patrick.Giannetti@icl-group.com

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

Vol. 37 No. 8

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

Country Western focus. National impact.

Table of Contents

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

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

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

December 2021

Insect Identification

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

6 2022 Buyers' Guide 20 Breeding Beetle-Resistant Potatoes 22 Influencing the Influencers Potato Farm Tour and Experience

24 Potato Sales Strong in Marketing Year 2020-21 Potatoes USA

28 US French Fry Trade Rebounds Market Report

Ben Eborn ........................................................ napmn@napmn.com Market Report

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

Potato Growers of Washington

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial Board

Gary Roth

Chris Voigt

The Washington State Potato Commission serves hot French fries outside its fry van at the Potato Farm Tour and Experience. See the story on page 22.

Photo courtesy Hannah Lorsch Photo & Film.

On The Cover From seed to storage, our 2022 Buyers’ Guide gives

4

Oregon Potato Commission

(503) 239-4763

19 New Products 23 Calendar

Check out the complete

30 PGW Column

December 2021

Washington State Potato Commission

Departments

26 In the News

Potato Country

Executive Director

(509) 765-8845

you options for everything. listings on pages 6-19.

Executive Director

Nina Zidack

Frank Muir

Jim Ehrlich

Montana Seed Potato Certification

Idaho Potato Commission

Colorado Potato Administrative Committee

Director

President/CEO

President/CEO

30 Advertiser Index

(406) 994-3150

(208) 334-2350

(719) 852-3322

WHEN IT COMES TO MARKETING WE NEVER DROP THE BALL We do, however, drop the potato At the Idaho Potato Commission, we’re proud to be a sponsor of the annual free New Year’s Eve Idaho® Potato Drop Celebration at the Idaho State Capitol. Each year, the Idaho® Potato Drop hosts 30,000 local spec-taters and reaches over 500 million people worldwide via news outlets including USA Today, The Today Show, Reader’s Digest, the Travel Channel and others. With music, snow play, fireworks and more, this exciting event promotes community and commerce in Idaho, while creating new buzz for America’s favorite potatoes. When it comes to promoting the sales of your potatoes, we never drop the ball.

IDAHOPOTATO.COM

2022 Buyers’ Guide T

here are a lot of moving parts involved in growing and marketing a potato crop - from needing the right products to protect your crop from pests and pathogens to having the right equipment to efficiently navigate the season.

For most growers, packers and shippers, this translates into a constant to-do list, shopping list and wish list.

Whether your list has you searching for a new harvester or just some innovative irrigation equipment, you’ll find an extensive list of suppliers in Potato Country’s 2022 Buyers’ Guide. Think of the following pages as your rolodex of resources available to help you enjoy a successful season, from seed to storage.

CROP INPUTS............ 7-8 Fertilizers and Growth Promoters Fungicides Herbicides Insecticides/Pesticides/Fumigants Nematicides

EQUIPMENT ............ 9-10 Bagging/Packaging Harvesters/Harvesting Planters/Planting Scales/Weighing Seed Cutters and Seed Treaters Tillage Trailers Used Equipment

MISCELLANEOUS ...... 11 Auctioneers Consulting Labs Irrigation Parts

SEED ...................... 12-16 STORAGE ............... 17-19

Building Maintenance Chemicals for Storage Construction Dehumidifying Equipment Refrigeration & Cooling Temperature and Humidity Monitoring Ventilation/Humidification

6

Potato Country

December 2021

CROP INPUTS FERTILIZERS & GROWTH PROMOTERS

FUNGICIDES Bayer

AgroLiquid

www.agroliquid.com

Pro-Germinator, Sure-K, Kalibrate, Liberate Ca

Chemport, Inc.

1716 Montana Ave El Paso, TX 79902 (800) 247-2480 or Walt Grigg (509) 952-7558 www.nutri-cal.com

Nutri-Cal: The calcium solution

Oro Agri

2788 S. Maple Ave. Fresno, CA 93725 www.oroagriusa.com

NANOCAL sub-micronized calcium

QLF

3586 Hwy 23 North P.O. Box 240 Dodgeville, WI 53533 (608) 935-2345 www.qlf.com L-CBF Boost

800 North Lindbergh Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63167 (866) 99-BAYER www.CropScience.Bayer.us Luna

Corteva Agriscience Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us

Tanos fungicide, Vertisan fungicide, Dithane F-45 fungicide

Jet Harvest Solutions (877) 866-5773 www.jetharvest.com Biological fungicides

Syngenta Crop Vitality

(800) 525-2803 www.cropvitality.com

CaTs calcium thiosulfate liquid fertilizer

Ferticell

5865 S. Kyrene Rd., Suite 1 Tempe, AZ 85283 (480) 361-1300 www.ferticellusa.com

ProCal 3-0-0 Plus 20Ca, Calcium 880Plus

Redox

130 S 100 W Burley, ID 83318 (208) 678-2610 www.redoxgrows.com

Redox is a bio-nutrient company that focuses on sustainable plant nutrition. Each Redox product has been scientifically developed to address specific plant needs in four key areas: Abiotic Stress Defense, Soil Health, Yield & Quality, and Root Development.

SQM North America ICL

Patrick Giannetti (602) 284-9309 Patrick.Giannetti@icl-group.com www.polysulphate.com/us

Soluble, easily-absorbed, and costeffective, Polysulphate contains four key plant nutrients in a single application. Through gradual release of S (19.2% S), K (14% K2O), Mg (3.6% Mg) and Ca (12.2% Ca) – all in sulfate form – Polysulphate is less prone to leaching. Innovative and highly versatile, this natural mineral can be applied in the Fall or the Spring. Polysulphate is suitable alone or in blends.

2727 Paces Ferry Rd SE Bldg. 2, Ste 1425 Atlanta, GA 30339 (888) 241-0233 spn-northamerica@sqm.com www.sqmnutrition.com Ultrasol K Plus and Qrop KN potassium nitrate

Customer Center 1-866-SYNGENTA www.SyngentaUS.com/Potatoes Elatus and Orondis fungicides

HERBICIDES Corteva Agriscience

Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us Matrix herbicide

Vive

www.vivecrop.com AZteroid FC 3.3

INSECTICIDES PESTICIDES FUMIGANTS Bayer

800 North Lindbergh Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63167 (866) 99-BAYER www.CropScience.Bayer.us Movento, Velum Prime

Corteva Agriscience Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us

Transform insecticide, Vydate C-LV insecticide/nematicide, Lannate insecticide, Delegate WG insecticide PotatoCountry.com

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2022 Buyers’ Guide CROP INPUTS INSECTICIDES PESTICIDES FUMIGANTS (CONT.)

Nichino America, Inc.

4550 Linden Hill Road, Suite 501 Wilmington, DE 19808 (888) 740-7700 www.nichino.net Torac insecticide

Rozol Vole Bait Pellets are labeled to control voles on border areas / buffer strips adjacent to any crop.

Not labeled for use in food or feed crops. Rozol Vole Bait is labeled for two broadcast treatments of 10 lbs. per acre and bait station use. Perfect for Fall-Winter use around potato and sugar beet fields to lower vole populations after harvest and reduce winter breeding, and for Spring use to reduce vole migration into fields, and limit feeding on newly-planted seed.

In Idaho there is an aerial Special Local Needs (SLN) label for border application.

Rozol paraffinized pellets are moisture resistant, something growers need to consider throughout the vole treatment season. Voles often feed continuously under snow cover.

Rozol Vole Bait is a restricted-use pesticide.

www.vivecrop.com

Bifender FC, Xyler FC, Midac FC, Averland

NEMATICIDES Corteva Agriscience

Indianapolis, IN www.corteva.us

Liphatech, Inc.

(888) 331-7900 www.liphatech.com/ag-fieldorchard/voles/

Vive

NovaSource Crop Protection Products

Vydate C-LV insecticide/nematicide

(800) 525-2803 www.novasource.com

Sectagon-42 and Sectagon-K54 fumigants

Teleos Ag Solutions (833) 679-1942 www.teleosag.com

TeloneTM II soil fumigant

Trident Ag Products

PO Box 1909 Woodland, WA 98674 (360) 225-3588 www.StrikeFumigants.com Strike Fumigant

The NUTRI-CAL Difference Unlocking The Key To Calcium INCREASES OVERALL POTATO YIELD

PROVIDES LONGER STORAGE QUALITY • REDUCES INTERNAL DEFECTS AND WEIGHT LOSS

Western States

509-952-7558 Kent Wasden 208-390-7878 Call Walt Grigg at 8

Potato Country

December 2021

www.nutri-cal.com

CHEMPORT, INC. 800-247-2480

EQUIPMENT BAGGING PACKAGING

Greentronics, Inc.

75 Arthur Street North Elmira, ON N3B 2A1 (519) 669-4698 www.greentronics.com

RiteWeight In-line Conveyor System

Harriston-Mayo

Hermiston: (844) 261-0508 Pasco: (509) 544-9030 www.HarristonMayo.com

Kerian Machines P.O. Box 311 Grafton, ND 58237 (701) 352-0480 sales@kerian.com www.kerian.com Kerian Speed Sizer

Rietveld Equipment

4067 E. 4000 N. Road Bourbonnais, IL 60914 (815) 936-9800 john@rietveldequipment.com www.rietveldequipment.com

ThorPack

W6788 5th Avenue Road Bryant, WI 54418 (715) 627-7333 www.thorpack.com

Adjustable automatic master potato baler

Volm Companies

Antigo, WI (Corporate Headquarters) 1804 Edison St. Antigo, WI 54409 (800) 253-4737 Idaho Falls, ID 3721 W 65th South Idaho Falls, ID 83402 (208) 524-0600 Pasco, WA 5702 Industrial Way Suite 101 Pasco, WA 99301 (509) 547-3437 Fresno, CA 3440 S East Ave. Suite 104 Fresno, CA 93725 (800) 253-4737 Monte Vista, CO 1100 S Country Rd 3 E Monte Vista, CO 81144 (719) 852-3499 Ancaster, ON 1283 Cormorant Dr. Unit 1 Ancaster, ON L9G 4V5 (905) 648-7300 www.volmcompanies.com

Distributor for Allround, Tosca, Upmann, and Meconaf

HARVESTERS HARVESTING Greentronics, Inc.

75 Arthur Street North Elmira, ON N3B 2A1 (519) 669-4698 www.greentronics.com

RiteTrace automated track and trace system. Records and tracks loads from known field locations to known storage locations. Included HarvestView software generates Field and Bin maps with reports by load, field, and date. Integrates with Greentronic’s RiteYield yield monitor, specially developed for root crop and vegetable harvesters. Both systems are available to run on displays from John Deere and Trimble, allowing users to view a yield map and other details in real time. Free demo program.

Harriston-Mayo

Hermiston: (844) 261-0508 Pasco: (509) 544-9030 www.HarristonMayo.com

Lockwood Manufacturing (800) 247-7335 www.lockwoodmfg.com

Planting, Handling, and Harvesting Equipment

Milestone

395 West Hwy 39 Blackfoot, ID 83221 (800) 574-1852 www.Milestone-Equipment.com

PLANTERS PLANTING SYMACH Palletizers

315 27th Ave NE Minneapolis MN 55418 (612) 760-8864 marco.maljaars@bwpackagingsystems.com www.symach.nl/en/ Specialists in potato palletizing, pallet wrapping, and conveying systems

Yakima Label

925 N. 5th Ave Yakima, WA 98902 (509) 955-8400 josh@yakimalabel.com www.yakimalabel.com

Dammer Diker

P.O. Box 2814 Tri-Cities, WA 99302 (509) 582-8900 www.dammerdiker.com

Custom packaging labels

PotatoCountry.com

9

2022 Buyers’ Guide EQUIPMENT PLANTERS PLANTING (CONT.) Lockwood Manufacturing

(800) 247-7335 www.lockwoodmfg.com

Planting, Handling, and Harvesting Equipment

Micro-Trak Systems, Inc.

P.O. Box 99, 111 E. LeRay Avenue Eagle Lake, MN 56024 (800) 328-9613 www.micro-trak.com Precision auto-rate controllers and flow meters

Monosem Inc.

1001 Blake St. Edwardsville, KS 66111 (913) 438-1700 www.monosem-inc.com

Custom Planters Built-to-Order

SEED CUTTERS & SEED TREATERS All Star Manufacturing & Design LLC

1557 South SandHill Road Orem, UT 84058 (801) 225-4180 www.allstarmfgllc.com

Milestone

395 West Hwy 39 Blackfoot, ID 83221 (800) 574-1852 www.Milestone-Equipment.com

TILLAGE R & H Machine

115 Roedel Avenue Caldwell, ID 83605 (800) 321-6568 rh@rhmachine.com www.rhmachine.com

Long-wearing chrome alloy

SCALES / WEIGHING TRAILERS Harriston-Mayo Greentronics, Inc.

75 Arthur Street North Elmira, ON N3B 2A1 (519) 669-4698 www.greentronics.com

Hermiston: (844) 261-0508 Pasco: (509) 544-9030 www.HarristonMayo.com

RiteWeight in-line conveyor system

Rietveld Equipment

4067 E. 4000 N. Road Bourbonnais, IL 60914 (815) 936-9800 john@rietveldequipment.com www.rietveldequipment.com Distributor for Allround, Tosca, Upmann, and Meconaf

10

Potato Country

December 2021

Western Trailers

251 W. Gowen Rd. Boise ID 83716 (888) 344-2539 www.WesternTrailers.com

Build the best, than keep making it better

USED EQUIPMENT

All Star Manufacturing & Design LLC

1557 South Sand Hill Road Orem, UT 84058 (801) 225-4180 www.allstarmfgllc.com

Harriston-Mayo

Hermiston: (844) 261-0508 Pasco: (509) 544-9030 www.HarristonMayo.com

Lockwood Manufacturing (800) 247-7335 www.lockwoodmfg.com

Planting, Handling, and Harvesting Equipment

Milestone

395 West Hwy 39 Blackfoot, ID 83221 (800) 574-1852 www.Milestone-Equipment.com

Spud Equipment

Bruce: (208) 390-5920 Evan: (208) 757-8481 www.SpudEquip.com

MISC

AUCTIONEERS Pirrung Auctioneers, Inc.

PO Box 607, Wayland, NY 14572 (585) 728-2520 www.pirrunginc.com

CONSULTING LABS

Potato Inspections Ag World Support Systems PO Box 1696 Moses Lake, WA 98837 (509) 765-0698 www.AgInspections.com

The Leader In Ag Inspection Services

Stukenholtz Laboratory Inc. P.O. Box 353 2924 Addison Ave. E Twin Falls, ID 83301 (208) 734-3050 (800) 759-3050 www.stukenholtz.com

IRRIGATION Disinfecting Services, LLC

1265 Siddoway Drive Rexburg, ID 83440 (208) 356-5332 www.disinfectingservices.net

Flo Pro and Power Flush irrigation line cleaners

PARTS Noffsinger

500 6th Ave. P.O. Box 1150 Greeley, CO 80632 (970) 352-0463 or (800) 525-8922 Menahga, MN: (218) 564-5149 Filer, ID: (208) 326-4306 www.noffsingermfg.com

Skone Irrigation & Supply 2051 W. 1st Warden, WA 98857 (509) 349-7364 1304 E. Hillsboro Pasco, WA 99301 (509) 545-8420 www.SkoneIrrigation.com

Accurate Sprinkler Packages

R & H Machine

115 Roedel Ave. Caldwell, ID 83605 (800) 321-6568 rh@rhmachine.com www.rhmachine.com Long-wearing chrome alloy parts

Stay on target

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

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

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

11

2022 Buyers’ Guide SEED ALASKA

For more information and a copy of the Alaska Certified Seed Potato Grower listings, contact:

Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture 1800 Glenn Highway, Ste. 12 Palmer, AK 99645 (907) 745-7200 or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ak

CALIFORNIA

For more information and a copy of the current California Certified Seed Potato Applicant Directory, contact:

California Crop Improvement Association Parsons Seed Certification Center University of California One Shields Ave. Davis, CA 95691-8540 (530) 752-0544 ccia@ucdavis.edu, ccia.ucdavis.edu

COLORADO

For more information on the Colorado program and a copy of the current Crop Directory and Field Inspection Readings, contact:

San Luis Valley Research Center 0249 East Rd. 9 N. Center, CO 81125 (719) 754-3496 slvctr@colostate.edu potatoes.colostate.edu www.coloradocertifiedpotatogrowers. com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-co

San Acacio Seed, LLC

P.O. Box 451 San Luis, Colorado 81152 (719) 588-0131 (505) 787-7054 (719) 850-4014 www.sanacacioseed.com

Varieties: Russet 296,278,8, Revelle Russet, Centennial Russet, Yellow Soraya, Red Modoc

IDAHO

Copies of the Idaho Certified Potato Seed Grower Directory, containing field readings and other important information, may be obtained by contacting: Idaho Crop Improvement Association 1680 Foote Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83402 (208) 522-9198 Meridian office: (208) 884-8225 www.idahocrop.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-id

Arnold Farms

10308 N. Hwy 32 Felt, ID 83424 (208) 456-2874 Jeremy: (208) 313-2875 Eric: (208) 313-5422 office@arnoldseed.com www.arnoldseed.com

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Norkotah (278, 296, Jorde), Clearwater, Teton Russet, Ranger, Northwest Norkotah (111, 218)

Russet Seed Available for 2022 Crop Season! Call and Reserve Your Seed Order With Us Today!

Clean Seed Grown in Complete Isolation!

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

505.787.7054 • www.sanacacioseed.com • 719.588.0131 12

Potato Country

December 2021

MAINE

For more information and a copy of the State of Maine Seed Certification Book: Seed Certification Division of Animal & Plant Health 744 Main Street, Ste. 1 Presque Isle, ME 04769 (207) 769-5061 flannery@mainepotatoes.com www.mainepotatoes.com Maine potato dealer list: www.potatocountry.com/seed-me

MICHIGAN

For more information and a copy of the Michigan Certified Seed Potatoes Crop Year Directory, contact: Michigan Seed Potato Assoc.

P.O. Box 1865 Gaylord, MI 49734 (989) 732-4433 jwamspa@gmail.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-mi

MINNESOTA

For more information and a copy of the current Minnesota Certified Seed Potato Directory, contact: Seed Potato Certification Office 312 4th Ave. NE East Grand Forks, MN 56721 (218) 773-4956 www.mda.state.mn.us or www.potatocountry.com/seed-mn

MONTANA

For a copy of the Montana Certified Seed Potato Directory, including certification rules and regulations, contact: Dr. Nina Zidack, director Seed Potato Certification P.O. Box 172060 MSU-Bozeman Bozeman, MT 59717-2060 (406) 994-3150 potatocert@montana.edu www.montanaspud.org or www.potatocountry.com/seed-mt

SEED

Buyan Ranch Inc.

242 Bivens Creek Rd. Sheridan, MT 59749 Bill: (406) 842-5142 Cell: (406) 596-5142 Marcus: (406) 596-7353

Varieties: Umatilla (G2 & G3), Russett Burbank (G3), Clearwater Russet (G2 & G3)

Cottom Seed

1750 East Bench Road Dillon, MT 59725 (406) 660-6266 www.cottomseed.com

Varieties: Russett Burbank, Ranger Russet, Norkotah Colo (3), Norkotah TX278

Droge Farms Inc.

7590 Stagecoach Trail Rd. Manhattan, MT 59741 Glenn: (406) 282-7588 Vern: (406) 282-7580 Tim’s cell: (406) 539-7200 Glenn’s cell: (406) 580-7588 Vern’s cell: (406) 539-6586 gdroge@littleappletech.com vpdroge@gmail.com Varieties: Alturas, Clearwater, Burbank, Teton Russet

Fleming Farms Inc.

P.O. Box 220 Pablo, MT 59855 Pat: (406) 675-8620 Neil: (406) 675-2241 Pat’s cell: (406) 253-2365 Varieties: Ranger Russet

Kimm Brothers Farming Inc. 6293 West Dry Creek Road Manhattan, MT 59741 (406) 580-4537

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet

Kimm Seed Potatoes

6140 Kimm Rd. Manhattan, MT 59741 (406) 282-7592 Bill’s cell: (406) 580-7592 Varieties: Russet Burbank, Clearwater, Umatilla

Lake Farms Inc.

59969 Hwy. 93 Ronan, MT 59864 Jack: (406) 676-4297 Jack’s cell: (406) 253-4297 jlake@ronan.net

Varieties: Alturas, Burbank, Atlantic, Rangers, Clearwater

Lake Seed Inc.

35822 Spring Creek Rd. Ronan, MT 59864 Dan: (406) 253-3638 Dave: (406) 261-4432 Pat: (406) 253-3284 Tim: (406) 253-3689 Warehouse: (406) 676-2174

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet

Manhattan Seed Potato Growers

6265 West Dry Creek Road Manhattan, MT 59741

Schutter Seed Farm Inc.

3627 Wooden Shoe Rd. Manhattan, MT 59741 Nick’s office: (406) 284-6422 cell: (406) 539-6125, scale: (406) 282-7777

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Umatilla, Dakota Russet, Clearwater

Streich & Associates Inc. 955 Columbia Falls Stage Kalispell, MT 59901 Steve: (406) 756-8644 Steve’s cell: (406) 253-2276 Paul: (406) 253-0642 spudtruck@montanasky.net

Varieties: Russet Burbank, Umatilla

NEBRASKA

For more information and a copy of the current Nebraska Certified Seed Potato Directory, contact: Potato Certification Association of Nebraska P.O. Box 339/100 Depot St. Alliance, NE 69301 (308) 762-1674 www.nebraskapotatoes.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ne

PotatoCountry.com

13

2022 Buyers’ Guide SEED WASHINGTON

For a copy of the current Washington Certified Seed Potato Directory, including field readings, contact:

CSS Farms

CSS Farms, LLC 5911 2nd Ave W Kearney, NE 68847 www.cssfarms.com

NEW YORK

For more information and a copy of the New York Certified Seed Potato Crop Directory, contact: New York Seed Improvement Project 103C Leland Lab Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 (607) 255-9869 nysip@cornell.edu or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ny

NORTH DAKOTA

For more information and a copy of the North Dakota Seed Potato Directory: North Dakota State Seed Department P.O. Box 5257 Fargo, ND 58105 (701) 231-5400 www.ndseed.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-nd

OREGON

For a directory of Oregon certified seed potato growers, including Oregon seed potato certification standards, contact:

Oregon Seed Certification Service 31 Crop Science Building Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-3003 (541) 737-4513 osu-cert@oregonstate.edu seedcert.oregonstate.edu/potatoes or www.potatocountry.com/seed-or

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Potato Country

December 2021

Washington State Seed Potato Commission P.O. Box 286 Lynden, WA 98264 (360) 354-4670 www.waseedpotato.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-wa

WISCONSIN

For more information and a copy of the Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Directory, contact: Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association P.O. Box 328 Antigo, WI 54409 (715) 623-4039 abcrockford@wisc.edu www.potatoseed.org or www.potatocountry.com/seed-wi

ALBERTA, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Alberta Seed Potato Directory, contact: Potato Growers of Alberta c/o Stacey Bajema, Seed Coordinator 17507 Fort Rd. Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3 (780) 415-2305 stacey@albertapotatoes.ca www.albertapotatoes.ca or www.potatocountry.com/seed-ab

Edmonton Potato Growers

12220 - 170 Street Edmonton, AB T5V 1L7 Darcy Olson: (800) 362-9791 or (780) 447-1860 darcyo@epg.ab.ca Grower List: www.potatocountry.com/seed-ed

Parkland Potato Varieties Paul Sawatzky Adam Nelubowich 2908 Ellwood Drive, SW Edmonton, AB T6X 0A9 (780) 435-3122 paul@parklandpotato.com; adam@parklandpotato.com www.parklandpotato.com

Varieties: AAC Hamer, Anouk, Arizona, Bellanita, Bridget, Constance, Excellency, Roko, Rosagold, Volare, Yellow Star, as well as open varieties

Solanum International Inc. Hendrik Bakker Stony Plain, AB, T7Z 0B1 (780) 991-4302 inquire@solanum-int.com

Varieties: Abbot, Alaska Bloom, Austrian Crescent, Autumn Rose, Banana, Big Rossa, Bonnata KWS, Cerata KWS, Cerisa, Connect, Erika, Fioretta, French Fingerling, Gemson, Goldeye, Gourmandine, Jazzy, Krone, Labella, Lady Amarilla, Laperla, Little Giant, Lollipop, Melody, Mimi, Musica, Purple Magic, Queen Anne, Rande’s Golden Gem, Red Apple, Red Snapper, Red Thumb, River Russet, Snow Finger, Soprano, Violetta

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current seed guide, contact: BC Certified Seed Potato Growers Association c/o 5628 64th Street Delta, BC V4K 4E2 bcseedpotatoes.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-bc

POTATO EXPO JANUARY 5-6, 2022

2022 Buyers’ Guide SEED MANITOBA, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current seed guide, contact:

Seed Potato Growers Association of Manitoba Leonard Rossnagel Box 545 Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3B9 (204) 856-9171 leonard@manitobaseedpotatoes.com www.manitobaseedpotatoes.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-mb

NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current New Brunswick Seed Potato Growers’ Certification List, contact:

Potatoes New Brunswick P.O. Box 7878 succ. Main Grand Falls, NB E3Z 3E8 (506) 473-3036 gfpotato@potatoesnb.com www.nbseedpotatoes.com or www.potatocountry.com/seed-nb

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Prince Edward Island Seed Potato Certification List and Grower Directory, contact:

M.K. Sonier, Seed Coordinator Prince Edward Island Potato Board 90 Hillstrom Avenue Charlottetown, PEI C1E 2C6 (902) 892-6551 potato@peipotato.org www.peipotato.org or www.potatocountry.com/seed-pei

SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Saskatchewan Seed Potato Directory, contact:

Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association Desseri Ackerman, Manager Box 386, Outlook, SK S0L 2N0 (306) 867-2078 sspga@sasktel.net www.sspga.ca or www.potatocountry.com/seed-sk

QUEBEC, CANADA

For more information and a copy of the current Quebec Certified Seed Potatoes Directory, contact:

Les Producteurs de pommes de terre du Québec, 555, boul.

Roland-Therrien, bureau 375 Longueuil, QC J4H 4E7 (450) 679-0530 www.pptq.ca

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 60 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.

Contact us to discuss how we can help make this year’s crop the best it can be.

Toll Free: 1 (800) 362–9791

(780) 447-1860 • darcyo@epg.ab.ca Edmonton Potato Growers 12220 – 170 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 1L7

16

Potato Country

December 2021

STORAGE BUILDING MAINTENANCE Precision Pros Painting

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CHEMICALS FOR STORAGE

THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE.

Agri-Stor Companies (208) 733-7000 www.agri-stor.com

Agri-Stor has crop protection from the field, through storage, and all the way to the fresh market or processor. We carry a full line of Organic products for those specialty markets as well.

From disinfectants to sprout control, we have the quality products and the application expertise to handle a wide variety of crop protection solutions.

In addition to crop protection, we provide all ventilation, refrigeration, and humidification for your storage – including climate controls.

Group Ag

(208) 356-7800 info@groupag.com www.groupag.com

GroupAg is a full-service postharvest care company. GroupAg represents and distributes the following:1,4Group, Decco, Biosafe Systems, BTU Ventilation Products, Forte Humidifiers, JTS Refrigeration, A-tec Indirex, Caldwell/Chief

Jet Harvest Solutions (877) 866-5773 www.jetharvest.com

Jet-Ag (Thermal Fogging), Jet-Oxide, Jet-Wash & Bio-Save

Learn more at

agri-stor.com PotatoCountry.com

17

2022 Buyers’ Guide STORAGE CONSTRUCTION Suberizer, Inc.

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com

Industrial Ventilation, Inc. 723 E. Karcher Road Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 463-6305 www.ivi-air.com

(208) 709-7553 www.builtwithtitan.com

Authorized builders for Varco-Pruden and Meridian

DEHUMIDIFYING EQUIPMENT

Suberizer, Inc.

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com

TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY MONITORING

Suberizer, Inc.

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com

REFRIGERATION & COOLING Agri-Stor Companies

(208) 733-7000 www.agri-stor.com

Agri-Stor has crop protection from the field, through storage, and all the way to the fresh market or processor. We carry a full line of Organic products for those specialty markets as well.

From disinfectants to sprout control, we have the quality products and the application expertise to handle a wide variety of crop protection solutions.

In addition to crop protection, we provide all ventilation, refrigeration, and humidification for your storage – including climate controls.

Group Ag

(208) 356-7800 info@groupag.com www.groupag.com

GroupAg is a full-service postharvest care company. GroupAg represents and distributes the following:1,4Group, Decco, Biosafe Systems, BTU Ventilation Products, Forte Humidifiers, JTS Refrigeration, A-tec Indirex, Caldwell/Chief

18

Potato Country

December 2021

723 E. Karcher Road Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 463-6305 www.ivi-air.com

Suberizer, Inc.

Potato Storage Structure Kits

Titan Steel

Industrial Ventilation, Inc.

Agri-Stor Companies (208) 733-7000 www.agri-stor.com

Agri-Stor has crop protection from the field, through storage, and all the way to the fresh market or processor. We carry a full line of Organic products for those specialty markets as well.

From disinfectants to sprout control, we have the quality products and the application expertise to handle a wide variety of crop protection solutions.

In addition to crop protection, we provide all ventilation, refrigeration, and humidification for your storage – including climate controls.

Group Ag

(208) 356-7800 info@groupag.com www.groupag.com

GroupAg is a full-service postharvest care company. GroupAg represents and distributes the following:1,4Group, Decco, Biosafe Systems, BTU Ventilation Products, Forte Humidifiers, JTS Refrigeration, A-tec Indirex, Caldwell/Chief

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com

VENTILATION/ HUMIDIFICATION Agri-Stor Companies (208) 733-7000 www.agri-stor.com

Agri-Stor has crop protection from the field, through storage, and all the way to the fresh market or processor. We carry a full line of Organic products for those specialty markets as well.

From disinfectants to sprout control, we have the quality products and the application expertise to handle a wide variety of crop protection solutions.

In addition to crop protection, we provide all ventilation, refrigeration, and humidification for your storage – including climate controls.

Group Ag

(208) 356-7800 info@groupag.com www.groupag.com

GroupAg is a full-service postharvest care company. GroupAg represents and distributes the following:1,4Group, Decco, Biosafe Systems, BTU Ventilation Products, Forte Humidifiers, JTS Refrigeration, A-tec Indirex, Caldwell/Chief

STORAGE Forte Humidifiers

(208) 970-0091 info@groupagproducts.com www.fortehumidifiers.com

Forte Humidifiers are proven to be the most cost-effective solution for achieving ideal humidity levels in potato storages. While being offered at a fraction of the cost of the current market alternatives, Forte Humidifiers produce a superior fog quality and allow for more adaptable installations.

All Forte Humidifiers have been carefully designed and constructed with materials that resist corrosion from water and acids, and thus can double to be used as chemical applicators.

Industrial Ventilation, Inc. 723 E. Karcher Road Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 463-6305 www.ivi-air.com

New Products

International Organizations Develop DiseaseProof Potato

The International Potato Center (CIP) and Germany-based nonprofit organization Crop Trust are releasing CIP-Matilde, a new potato they’re billing as disease resistant. The variety was developed by farmers, breeders and scientists in Peru by identifying wild potatoes with resistance to disease and incorporating this resistance into cultivated varieties.

After 11 years in development, the outcome is a tasty tuber that also withstands late blight, according to the developers.

Visit www.croptrust.org/blog/thefuture-of-food-is-wild.

Company Taking Pre-Orders for 2022 Robotic Weeder

The Carbon Robotics LaserWeeder targets one of farming’s most significant challenges: weeds. By leveraging computer vision and laser technology, Carbon Robotics delivers chemical-free, no-till weed control for specialty crops. The LaserWeeder utilizes thermal energy from industrial lasers to eradicate weeds at the meristem without harming valuable crops or disturbing soil.

Laser weeding is a high-precision solution that improves crop yield, reduces farming costs, and creates sustainable paths for regenerative and organic farming. A single LaserWeeder can weed 15 to 20 acres per day and eliminate up to 100,000 weeds per hour.

Carbon Robotics’ 2021 models are sold out, but new models for the 2022 growing season are available for pre-order.

Visit carbonrobotics.com.

Suberizer, Inc.

14222 NE 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 (425) 747-8900 www.suberizer.com Photo courtesy Carbon Robotics

T-L Irrigation Rolls Out Pro Pivot Controller

ThePotatoPodcast.com

T-L Irrigation Co. has introduced a pro version of its Precision Point Touch pivot controller. The add-on board combined with a firmware upgrade replaces multiple external systems for simplified and functional pivot operation, according to the company.

The Precision Point Touch Pro features water pump control, water-pressure triggered start, two additional auxiliary equipment controls, water pressure monitoring, detailed safety readouts for easy troubleshooting, USB data logging of multiple system parameters, load control and telemetry connect-ability. The controller can be retrofitted to an existing Touch system or added as an option to a new pivot.

Visit www.tlirr.com.

PotatoCountry.com

19

Breeding Beetle-Resistant Potatoes P otatoes are the most consumed vegetable in the United States.

According to the USDA, U.S. farmers grew more than 42 billion pounds of potatoes in 2019. That’s 128 pounds of potatoes per person.

But farmers growing potatoes face many challenges. One tiny, yet devastating, pest is the Colorado potato beetle. It can cause immense damage to potato crops. It’s also notorious for becoming resistant to chemical insecticides.

In a new study, published in Crop Science, researchers describe genetic tools to develop potato varieties with improved natural resistance to the potato bug. Crop Science is a publication of the Crop Science Society of America.

They also developed key genetic resources – called recombinant inbred lines – that will aid in breeding new potato varieties.

The Colorado potato beetle can devastate potato production. But some wild relatives of the domesticated potatoes have natural defenses against these beetles. These wild plants make their own beetle-killing compounds.

“Some of these compounds can kill Colorado potato beetle larvae,” says Natalie Kaiser, lead author of the study.

“These compounds also dramatically reduce adult beetle feeding.”

But consuming large amounts of these compounds can have adverse health effects in humans.

While beetles chomp on potato leaves, humans obviously do not.

“So, it is desirable to create potato varieties that make these anti-beetle compounds only in their leaves,” says Kaiser, a researcher at Michigan State University.

But generating this beetle-resistant variety of potato has been a challenge

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Potato Country

December 2021

Study author Natalie Kaiser crossbreeds potatoes that have strong Colorado potato beetle resistance to potatoes with good tuber production. Photo courtesy Natalie Kaiser

of many layers. One challenge is testing potato varieties for beetle resistance.

Field trials can take months, if not years.

They can also be costly and resource intensive.

Kaiser and colleagues developed a research shortcut. They compared the chemical profile of hundreds of individual potatoes with their resistance to the Colorado potato beetle in the field.

“We found chemical signatures that could predict resistance to Colorado potato beetles,” Kaiser says. “Breeders can select resistant potatoes with a simple chemical measurement instead of having to conduct field trials.”

This method could save time and money.

Another obstacle in breeding beetleresistant potatoes is the sheer amount of genetic information breeders need.

“There are several genes controlling the types and amounts of anti-beetle compounds that any given potato variety will produce,” Kaiser says.

It is challenging to track all those genes during breeding. Potato breeders also have to keep in mind other traits, such as yields and tuber appearance.

“There are approximately 40 important traits to consider when developing a new potato variety,” Kaiser says. “Assembling the right combination of genes controlling all these traits is crucial.”

This process is complicated by the fact that potato varieties often have four copies of every gene. Potato isn’t the only crop to have multiple gene copies, which is called polyploidy.

Having four copies of each gene can make potato genetics complicated, according to Kaiser. “Each of the four copies can be a different version of the gene,” she says.

One way around the four-copies problem is to use potato varieties that naturally only have two copies of each gene. Humans, like most animals, have two copies of every gene – one each from male and female parents. This is called diploid.

But many diploid potato varieties are self-incompatible.

“This means that a plant will not set fruit and seed when a flower is pollinated with its own pollen,” Kaiser says.

This reproductive barrier makes breeding very challenging.

Kaiser and her team developed diploid potatoes that are self-compatible.

Through this process, Kaiser and her team discovered that multiple genes and the environment determine whether some potatoes can produce self-fruit and seed.

The new potato varieties and genetic tools will allow researchers to “examine the genetic foundations of self-fertility, and insect and disease resistance,” according to Kaiser.

“This way, we can create new potato varieties that were previously infeasible,” she says.

Researchers at Michigan State University are extending this research in field trials this summer. “We will screen new potato varieties for individuals that have good tuber characteristics along with beetle resistance,” Kaiser says.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published by the Crop Science Society of America at www.crops.org/news/sciencenews/breeding-beetle-resistant-potatoes.

The fruit of the wild potato variety Solanum chacoense, which is naturally diploid, has been bred to produce seeds and fruit upon self-pollination. Photo courtesy Luca M. Kaiser

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21

Influencing the Influencers Photos courtesy Hannah Lorsch Photo & Film

T

here’s probably no potato farm more photographed than Weber Farms after 22 social media influencers spent the day at the Quincy, Washington, farm.

“From the moment they got there, the cameras were out and they were recording and photographing everything,” says Brandy Tucker, Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) director of marketing and operations.

The WSPC hosted the group at the Potato Farm Tour and Experience in mid-October to educate consumers about the Washington state potato industry through social media influencers.

“So many people in today’s world get their information from influencers rather than from the news. The influencers are relatable, and people trust them,” Tucker says.

While the WSPC often hosts farm tours for legislators and the like, this was the commission’s first consumer event.

The influencers are now sharing their experiences with their followers and creating recipes for their followers to replicate.

The hope is that a day on the farm will ultimately lead to sales in the store.

“By educating the consumers, they are going to be more aware of the products they buy in the store, they are going to

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Potato Country

December 2021

Potato grower Adam Weber helps social media influencer Kena Peay dig potatoes during her visit to Weber Farms in Quincy, Wash., in mid-October.

see where their potatoes were grown, and now buy products from Washington,” Tucker says. “Anytime we can show people where their food comes from and how safe it is grown here in Washington, it’s a win-win for growers and consumers alike.”

The event started with a self-guided tour of the agricultural exhibits at the Quincy Valley Historic Museum followed by a meal prepared with potatoes in almost every dish. A potato grower joined each table of influencers for lunch and discussion.

Next on the agenda was time in the field at Weber Farms, where grower Adam Weber spoke to the influencers about the growing process, sustainable growing practices, food safety in Washington, and water and labor challenges. The influencers had an opportunity to watch a potato harvester in action and even dug up a few spuds themselves before making their way to a potato storage shed to see how the crop is unloaded and stored.

Organizers shared with the group that the particular shed they visited held enough potatoes to feed the city of San Francisco for a year, pointing out the importance of conventional farming in feeding the mass population.

The WSPC worked with Digital Mark Group (DMG) to put together the event. DMG used its more than 15 years of experience in influencer technology to help the WSPC select influencers who live in Washington, Oregon or California and who are branded as lifestyle influencers, health and fitness influencers or foodies.

“We have had nothing but positive feedback from the influencers. Immediately, they were posting the day of the event.

None of that was part of the contracted work, so basically they were all organic posts because the influencers were excited to share with their followers where they were and what they were

doing,” Tucker says. “Many of their stories and posts have told their followers that they did not realize all that went into growing their food and that they realize they have been taking for granted the farm-to-plate journey.”

The influencers’ initial posts tagged with @wapotatoes received 460,000 impressions within 24 hours of the event.

A week later, 75 posts had racked up more than 1 million impressions. These organic posts were followed by the paid portion of the event, which began in November and included blog posts, recipes and additional social media content about the influencers’ experience with Washington potatoes.

Social media influencers check out a potato storage shed during a tour of Weber Farms.

Calendar Jan. 5-6

Potato Expo 2022

Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif. www.potato-expo.com

Jan. 18–20

Idaho Potato Conference and Ag Expo Pond Student Union Building and Holt Arena Pocatello, Idaho Kristy Mayer, kristym@uidaho.edu

Jan. 25–27

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

Feb. 28 – March 3

2022 NPC Washington Summit

Washington Marriott at Metro Center, Washington D.C. www.nationalpotatocouncil.org

Editor’s note: Information was correct at presstime. Please contact event organizers to check for possible changes.

Social media influencer Kimberly Tate snaps a picture of French fries served at the Washington State Potato Commission’s Potato Farm Tour and Experience.

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23

Potatoes USA

Potato Sales Strong in Marketing Year 2020-21

By John Toaspern, Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USA

T

he marketing year that ended in June 2021 was unlike any year the potato industry has ever experienced. Starting in July 2020, pandemic restrictions were in full force, which led to greatly reduced sales at foodservice, and in turn, reductions in contract acreage by the frozen processors.

Retail purchases remained extremely strong, though after the initial wave of panic buying was over, shelves were once again relatively full.

As the year progressed, restrictions started to lift, particularly in the spring of 2021 as vaccinations became readily available. At this time, foodservice demand began to return, especially at quick-service restaurants and other

takeout and delivery formats. Retail sales remained well above 2019 but were not at the extremes of the March – June 2020 timeframe.

To help the industry understand the demand for domestically produced potatoes and better understand the sales in the domestic market, Potatoes USA conducts an annual sales and utilization study. This study utilizes retail data from IRI, estimated foodservice sales from Technomics, and import and export data to provide additional clarity of domestically produced potatoes.

The results showed an overall decline of U.S. potato use for the July 2020 – June 2021 marketing year. To be more specific, there was a 6 percent decrease in the fresh weight equivalent volume. This decrease was due to an 8 percent decline in sales to foodservice and the leveling of retail sales from the peak panic buying at the end of the previous marketing

year. This year’s tight supplies of U.S. potatoes, particularly frozen products, were made up for with a 12 percent increase in total imports.

Despite the uncertainties in the international markets and the extreme problems with international shipping, U.S. potato exports increased by 4 percent for the marketing year. The rebound in exports was led by a 9 percent increase in fresh potatoes, a 10 percent increase in potato chips and a 2 percent increase in frozen exports, which accounted for 51 percent of the total. The only product to decline was dehydrated potatoes, down by 4 percent.

Forty percent of U.S. grown potatoes were utilized for frozen processing, followed by fresh processing at 25 percent, chip processing at 23 percent and dehydrated processing at 7 percent.

Production of dehydrated potatoes suffered from tight raw product supplies

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Total U.S. Potato Utilization

In Millions Pounds Fresh Weight Equivalent Total U.S. Potato Utilization In Million Pounds Fresh Weight Equivalent Retail**

+

FS

+

Exports

-

Imports

=

Total Utilization

MY19

14,462

20,459

7,257

5,955

36,224

MY20

15,652

17,873

7,090

6,351

34,263

MY21

15,595

16,495

7,238

7,124

32,204

2YAG % chg, MY19-MY20 YOY

8.2%

-12.6%

-2.3%

6.7%

-5.4%

YAG % chg, MY20-MY21 YOY

-0.4%

-7.7%

2.1%

12.2%

-6.0%

Abs. Lb Chg, MY20-MY21

-57

-1,378

+148

+773

-2,059

There was an overall decline of U.S. potato use for the July 2020 – June 2021 marketing year, ** Retail sales include the estimated pure potato volume from the five focus categories specifically a 6 percent decrease in the fresh weight equivalent volume.

and serious labor issues at the plants.

Looking at sales of potatoes in the domestic market, comprised of domestically produced potatoes as well as imports, retail sales are up compared to three and five years ago, but the declines at foodservice were too great to overcome. For the past 20 years, the trend has been for more and more sales to go through foodservice compared to retail.

This trend has been reversed the past two

years, but it is expected that foodservice will begin to account for an ever-greater share, though not right away.

Total sales at retail were down less than 1 percent, primarily caused by a 2 percent drop in fresh potatoes and chips, as sales in the spring of 2021 did not meet the extreme sales during the panic buying in the spring of 2020. Positively impacting this were sales of frozen products, up by 5 percent, and sales of

refrigerated products, up by 5 percent.

Foodservice had an 8 percent decline in total sales, but frozen potato sales were only down by 4 percent because the quick-service restaurant sector was able to recover the fastest as consumers continued to order fries as a takeout item. Fresh potato sales were down by 11 percent as full-service restaurants have suffered greatly from restrictions and now labor shortages. Chip sales were down by 1 19 percent as the beyond restaurant sector had the largest decline overall and loose chips from large bags were replaced by the single-serving bags, which contain less volume.

While markets are settling into a new normal, it is very important to remember that demand for potatoes remains strong, and potatoes are the #1 vegetable at retail, the top side dish at restaurants and America’s favorite vegetable.

PotatoCountry.com

25

In the News

IPC Names New CEO

Jamey Higham will become the next president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) in early 2022. Born and raised in Idaho, Higham says he is looking forward to building on the spud’s strong global reputation for high quality.

“IPC has done a tremendous job of stewarding the brand, and I’m very humbled and excited for this opportunity,” says Higham, whose high school in Shelley, Idaho, was represented by a russet potato mascot. “I started in the potato industry in 1991, and it’s in my blood.”

Higham launched his career in quality control at Walker Produce in Idaho, followed by several years in sales at Potandon Produce in Idaho Falls. He spent five years at Ford Motor Company in marketing and sales after earning a master’s degree in international business marketing at Arizona State University. Higham returned to Potandon Produce in 2003 for 13 years, ultimately serving as vice president of sales.

In 2016, he was named president and CEO of Farm Fresh Direct, where he helped drive strong growth of the company’s conventional and organic potato lines.

“Jamey is a potato guy through and through, and he really understands the industry,” says Brett Jensen, IPC chairman. “With his lifelong love for Idaho potatoes, we know he’s going to do an amazing job of supporting our growers, shippers and processors around the state.”

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26

Potato Country

December 2021

Washington State Spuds Lose Some Ground

Potatoes dropped to the fourth spot on the list of the top five commodities produced in Washington state in 2020.

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, apples remained the state’s top agricultural commodity with a value of $2 billion for 2020. This is up 7 percent from 2019.

Milk stayed in second place with a value of $1.19 billion, down 7 percent from the previous year.

Wheat moved up to number three with a production value of $949 million last year, up 20 percent from 2019.

Potatoes dropped to number four with a value of $753 million for 2020, down 19 percent from 2019.

Cattle and calves rounded out the top five with a value of $693 million, a 1 percent decrease from the previous year.

IPC Redesigns Website

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) will be starting the new year with a newly redesigned website that includes a more contemporary look, new campaigns and enhanced recipe categorization by diet.

The recipe database containing more than 1,700 recipes is the most visited section of the IPC website.

And now consumers can search for recipes that meet the criteria for various diets such as Whole 30, Mediterranean, vegan, low-sodium, gluten-free or heart-healthy.

The website overhaul also includes promotion of new campaigns and the IPC’s “Meet the Growers” feature, a monthly shoutout to Idaho potato growers.

This year, more than 1.5 million people visited the IPC site, a 16 percent increase in traffic in 12 months and a 43 percent increase over two years. New users increased by 12 percent.

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PotatoCountry.com

27

Market Report

US French Fry Trade Rebou

rozen potato imports and exports have both surged as the U.S. and global economy has rebounded from the pandemic lows. In this article, we look at the change in U.S. French fry exports and imports over the past five years. Due to the trade impact that COVID-19 had during 2020, we compare this year’s trade volumes with the previous three-year average (2017-19). We also discuss some of the challenges that North American exporters will face to maintain their frozen product market share.

Record US USFrench Fry Exports Frozen Product Trade 2020/21

The U.S. exported a record Million2.24 Lbs Exports billion pounds of frozen potatoImports products Sep 155.3031 201.2613 during the yearOctending Aug. 31, 2021.

177.9197 212.1814 179.3175 sales 212.3666by That exceededNov the year-earlier Dec 176.6656 192.3869 260.3 million pounds, or 13.2 percent. It Jan 177.6136 207.922 Feb 186.5314 2019 181.4703 surpassed September-August sales 215.0076 221.8596 by 21.7 millionMar pounds, or 1 percent.

Apr 222.2583 238.2589 Except for the May 2020 trade disruption 188.1599 241.905 242.4679 created by the Jun pandemic174.7377 shutdown, Jul 193.2238 221.8945 U.S. frozen potato exports have Aug product 193.5162 216.5917 2240.254 remained relatively steady over2590.566 the past five years.

The three largest importers, Japan, Mexico and South Korea, accounted for 56.6 percent of the business during the year ending Aug. 31. Japan, the largest importer of U.S. French fries, took 550 million pounds. Mexico more than doubled its purchases of U.S. frozen products during the past year. The country imported 523.4 millionExports poundsImports of U.S. 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21

2.188274 2.160844 2.217571 1.978942 2.239288

frozen products. That is 275.5 million share from 0.4 percent in 2020 to 0.7 pounds more than the 2017-19 average percent. imports, a 100.2 percent increase. At 194.3 million pounds, South Korea’s Record US French Fry Imports imports of U.S. French fries nearly Frozen potato product imports matched the 2017-19 average import have increased in the past three years. volume.

Strong imports have offset reductions Sales to the Philippines, Taiwan and in domestic French fry production since Malaysia were over 100 million pounds March 2020. The U.S. imported a record each. Exports to Canada totaled 103.7 2.57 billion pounds of French fries and million pounds, nearly unchanged from other frozen products during 2020-21. the 2017-19 average. China imported 89 That exceeded the year-earlier import million pounds of French fries during volume by 258.1 million pounds, or the September-August timeframe, 47.5 11.1 percent. It surpassed frozen product percent less than the 2017-19 average. imports by 402.7 million pounds, or 18.6 Sales to the remaining 67 customers percent, during the same timeframe in Monthly US20.9 French2018-19.

Fry Trade totaled 440.7 million pounds, down Year-Ending percent from the 2017-19 average salesAugust 31, All 2021 U.S. French fry imports (other 300 volume. than those from Canada) come from North Europe. Combined September-August 275American fryers captured 29.4 percent of the global frozen Exportspotato Imports frozen product imports from Belgium, 250 product market during the year ending the Netherlands, Germany, France and Aug. 31, 2021, up from 26.2 percent Poland totaled 349.9 million pounds, 225 during the same timeframe in 2020. It up 1.3 percent from last year and 158.8 is also200 up from the 2017-19 average of percent above the 2017-19 average.

27.2 percent. EU processors held 66.3 Belgium fryers took 71.9 percent of the 175 percent of the global market during the business. The Netherlands and Germany 150 September-August timeframe, down from captured 16.1 percent and 9.1 percent of 69.9 percent a year earlier. Argentina the business, respectively.

125 captured 2.9 percent of the market, Due to the integrated nature of the up from 2.6 percent a year ago. New North American French fry industry, we 100 Sep share Oct fell Novto 0.7 Decpercent, Jan Feb Mar the AprU.S. May Aug Zealand’s market consider and Jun CanadaJulto be a down from 1 percent a year earlier. On local trading zone. Otherwise, the U.S. the other hand, China increased its market would appear to be the world’s largest Million Lbs

F

2.048385 2.21761 2.164075 2.308644 2.566761

Annual US French Fry Trade Year Ending Aug. 31

3.00 2.75

Exports

Billion pounds

2.50

Imports

2.25 2.00 1.75 1.50 1.25 1.00

28

Potato Country

December 2021

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

unds

By Ben Eborn, Publisher, North American Potato Market News

importer of frozen potato products. The same operations own plants on both sides of the border. They optimize operations and minimize costs by selling mostly U.S. product to offshore customers and backfilling the U.S. market with Canadian product. Despite the large increase in imports from Europe, Canada’s share of U.S. frozen product imports rose to 86.4 percent from 85 percent a year ago.

The U.S. imported 327.5 million pounds more frozen potato products than it exported during the year ending Aug. 31, 2021. That net import volume is nearly the same as it was a year earlier, at 329.7 million pounds. In contrast, the U.S. exported 53.5 million pounds more than it imported during the same timeframe in 2018-19. The exports outweighed imports by 139.9 million pounds during 2016-17. Then the U.S. became a net importer during 2017-18 when imports surpassed exports by 56.7 million pounds. Net import volumes for the past two years have been the largest since 2006.

KEY POINTS • The U.S. exported a record 2.24 billion pounds of frozen potato products during the year ending Aug. 31, 2021.

• Mexico’s French fry purchases from the U.S. have more than doubled in the past year to 523.4 million pounds.

• North American fryers captured 29.4 percent of the global frozen potato market, up from 26.2 percent a year earlier.

• The U.S. imported a record 2.57 billion pounds of

frozen products during the year ending Aug. 31, 2021.

• Frozen product imports from the EU totaled 349.9 million pounds during September-August, 158.8 percent more than the 2017-19 average.

• Raw product supply limitations, quality issues and

logistical challenges will make it difficult for North American fryers to maintain their share of the global French fry market during the next year.

Editor’s note: To contact Ben Eborn, or to subscribe to North American Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call: P.O. Box 176, Paris, ID 83261; (208) 525-8397; or email napmn@napmn.com.

Challenges Ahead

Global French fry demand has rebounded. Offshore French fry and other frozen product demand has been strong. Frozen product exports have surged despite shipping and logistical bottlenecks. The major processing regions in the U.S. and Canada have reported significant yield reductions for this year’s crop. In addition, raw product supplies for European French fry plants are likely to be tight this year. Quality is off for both the European and North American crops. Reduced raw product recovery rates will further cut into global French fry production. If French fry demand remains strong, fryers will likely push up open market potato prices as they attempt to purchase any fry-quality potatoes they can get a hold of. Short raw product supplies could limit North American fryers’ ability to maintain their share of the global French fry trade.

Agricultural Consulting & Testing • Soil Testing • Irrigation Scheduling • Feed Analysis • Contract Research • Tissue Testing • Pest Management

• Field Research • Grid Sampling • Variable Rate Fertilization • International Testing • Agronomic and CCA Seminars • Nematode Testing

Contact: Paul Stukenholtz, Consulting Agronomist

Crop Consultants: JP Kruckeberg • Bart Kunz • Cameron Brower Antone Christensen • Wess Gibson • Cody McCoy • Kevin Victor

www.stukenholtz.com 208-734-3050 • 800-759-3050

PO Box 353 • 2924 Addison Ave E. • Twin Falls, ID 83301 PotatoCountry.com

29

Potato Growers of Washington

A Fair Price at the Right Time

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

A

s we put another potato crop in the rearview mirror, it is always a good time to reflect on what we have learned and what we hope to do better in the future. There is no doubt that 2021 is a year we all will remember very well – not for the great things that happened, but for the challenges we faced both in the field and at the bargaining table.

Last spring, we were all surprised at the adversarial approach to negotiations that the processors took. For decades, we could always count on them to recognize grower costs and, at the very least, try to keep the contract price in line with those ups and downs. We rarely agreed on just how much costs were changing, but we always saw it moving in the same direction.

2021 was the first time that both sides saw costs increasing, but a 3 percent price reduction was all but dictated to the growers who were already committed to their potato acreage for the year. While the 3 percent price reduction was unanimously voted down, all growers reluctantly signed the contracts when they were offered because they had no other viable choice based on the sunk costs they already had in the potato crop.

PVX GIII l RUSSET BURBANK l RANGER RUSSET

SEED INC.

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

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

You are always welcome to visit our farm.

Let us show you what our program can do for you.

David

Dan Tim

Tim Dan

Dan, Dave, Pat and Tim Lake

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

30

Potato Country

December 2021

Pat

Growers told us loud and clear that they never wanted to be in that position again. They told us loud and clear that they wanted to know what the contract price would be and have an idea of their volume for the next year before they made any commitments to grow potatoes. We heard the growers and made it our main focus to negotiate the 2022 potato contracts in that timeframe.

As we all know, the processors finally came to the table once we reached the Sept. 1 date that growers would start taking advantage of the opportunities that exist this year with other commodities and reduce their available potato acreage for 2022.

The price negotiated was one that I believe was very fair for the majority of the volume being contracted.

Cost of production has risen significantly this year and is projected to rise even more in the coming year. The negotiated price for 2022 covers the projected increase in growing costs for most of the larger operations which make up the majority of the contract volume. We fully recognize that the price increase may not be enough to cover the increase that all growers will face.

However, like in any organization, we have to do what is best for the majority of our volume, even if it is not necessarily best for all individual growers. Based on the fact that the majority of growers as well as the majority of the contract volume both voted to accept this price level, we met the goal that was given to us by our member growers.

So while Mother Nature may not have done growers any favors with the extreme heat limiting yields and lowering quality, we at Potato Growers of Washington did meet the stated needs of getting the contracts settled in the fall at a price that covers the cost of production increases for most growers. In a challenging year like this one, we feel pretty good about meeting your needs and look forward to a better year in 2022.

Advertiser Index Agri-Stor ............................17

Montana Certified Seed .....26

AllStar ................................32

ND Cert. Seed Potatoes ....27

Arnold Farms .....................21

NPC ...................................15

BC Seed ............................26

Nutri-Cal ..............................8

Colorado Cert. Seed ..........31

PGA ...................................23

EPG ...................................16

R&H ...................................22

Fleming Farms...................27

San Acacio Seed ...............12

Greentronics ......................27

Schutter Seed ....................20

ICL .......................................3

Skone Irrigation .................28

Idaho Crop Improvement ...25

Solanum ............................24

IPC.......................................5

SpudEquip.com .................31

Lake Farms........................21

Stukenholtz ........................29

Lake Seed .........................30

WA State Potatoes ..............2

Micro-Trak ......................... 11

Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association “Quality as High as our Mountains” RUSSET VARIETIES: Russet Norkotah S3 Russet Norkotah S8 Rocky Mountain Russet Silverton Russet Rio Grande Russet Canela Russet Mesa Russet Mercury Russet Fortress Russet Crimson King COLORED VARIETIES: Columbine Gold Colorado Rose Rio Colorado Red Luna Purple Majesty Masquerade Mountain Rose Vista Gold

PLANTERS

2013 Spudnik 8069 bed planter 9 units in 6 row pull 2012 Harriston 6 row cup,36”, pull, dry fert, Allan Press wheels 2007 Lockwood 6 row pick Hyd drive 2004 Spudnik 8060 Cup 6 row 36” Grimme 6 row cup 36” w/ Fert.

Allan Press Wheels 1996 Lockwood 6 row pick mechanical 1995 Kverneland 4 row 3200 – 36”

PLANTER/TARE/PILER

New Logan 36” Tare Piler 3ph VFD Lockwood L24 1500 All belt Tare piler 3ph

WATER DAMMERS

2004 Spudnik 9060 cultivator, bed shaper, props

SEED CUTTERS

2002 Milestone 72” 230 volt 3ph 2000 Milestone 60” 230 volt 3ph 2000 Better Built 46520 60” 3ph

TREATERS

Excel SS combo liquid & dust Treater 2012 Milestone 42” liquid Treater 3ph 2008 Milestone 42” Duster 1996 Milestone 36” Duster

Seed Growers: Zapata Seed Company Worley Family Farms SLV Research Center San Acacio Seed Salazar Farms Rockey Farms, LLC Pro Seed Price Farms Certified Seed, LLC Palmgren Farms, LLC Martinez Farms La Rue Farms H&H Farms G&G Farms Bothell Seed Allied Potato Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association P. O. Box 267 Monte Vista, CO 81144 ColoradoCertifiedPotatoGrowers.com Lyla@ColoradoCertifiedPotatoGrowers.com (719) 274-5996

Lorem ipsum

TRUCKS

2007 Mack 330hp Allison Auto- 2 available

BEDS

New 2022 Logan LP beds available 1985 Logan SB20 Electric 1984 Logan SB20 Electric 1982 Logan SB 20 Electric 1981 Double L 801 20’ Electric

CROSSOVERS/WINDROWERS 2021 Allan 6 row rebuild RH 2015 Allan 6 row LH 2009 Lockwood 554 RH 2006 Allan 6 row LH 2005 Spudnik 6140 LH 2000 Double L 851 4 row LH 1999 Double L 851 4 row RH 1982 Logan 2 row

DIRT ELIMINATOR ONLY

CONVEYORS - TELESCOPIC

M O

2014 Logan Trac Pro 10’ x 30” belt 3ph 2012 Spudnik 2200 10’ x 36” belt 3ph x 2 2010 Logan Trac Pro 12’ x 36” Belt 3ph 2002 Spudik 2200 30” Double L 36” x 12’ all belted chain 3ph Double L 832 BC 30” fingers 1984 Spudnik 2200 Belt 30” x 8’ 3ph x 2

C .

IP

1996 Spudnik 1250 Tel. Conv. 30”/36” x 60’ Hyd. Drive & steer 1989 Spudnik 1200 Tel. Conv. 30” x 50’ Hyd. Drive & steer 1993 STI 30” x 75’ 3ph Tel. Conv.

1989 Double L 810 Tel. conv. 30” x 50’ 3ph 1987 Double L 810 30” x 50’ 3ph

U Q

PILERS

2011 Logan 42” x 53’ boom belted chain, 230 volt 3ph, remote 2003 Double L 813 30” x 49’ belted chain, dirt cross, 220 volt 1ph, remote 2000 Wemco 36” all belt, 480 3ph, remote 1993 Spudnik 550 36’’ 1ph belted Chain, remote 1993 Spudnik 525 30” 3ph, remote, Belt Chain 1987 Spudnik 550 30” Belt Chain, 230 V 3ph 1985 Spudnik 450 Piler 36” 3ph all belt Remote 1982 Spudnik 500 Piler 30” x 45’ 230 volt 3ph 1981 Spudnik 400 Piler 30” x 45’ 220 volt 1ph

E D

U P

STINGERS

CONVEYORS - STRAIGHT Double L 809 30” x 38’ 3ph Double L 808 30” x 25’ 3ph Spudnik 1200 30” x 40’ 3ph x 4 Spudnik 1200 30” x 30’ 3ph x 2

2000 Spudnik 900 60” 230 volt 3ph 1997 DL 807 62” BC with 3 stingers 3ph 1987 Spudnik 60” belt hopper, fingers, BC table 3ph 1985 DL 807 62” BC, with 2- 30” x 12’ stingers 3ph 1984 DL 806 44” BC with 2 stingers 3ph 1986 DL 824 36” BC with 1 stinger 1ph 1986 Spudnik 900 48” 220 V 1ph

ROCK/CLOD/AIR ELIMINATORS 2017 Harriston 4240 CH ellis table, Peg belt blower 3ph 2015 Lockwood Air Vac 8, 480 Volt 3ph 2013 Harriston 4240 Clod Hopper 3ph 2004 Harriston 3240 Clod Hopper 3ph 1998 Harriston 200 Clod Hopper 3ph 1997 Harriston Model 200 Clod Hopper 1 ph 1994 Harriston Model 200 Clod Hopper 1 ph

EVEN FLOWS

SIZER ONLY

2011 Mayo 72” DE, Sizer 3ph 1991 Spudnik 910 60” 3ph 480 volt

1996 Double L 860 600 cwt, belt stingers , manual jacks 1994 Milestone 45cwt 3ph VFD tilt belt 1986Milestone 90cwt 30”Elev.Auto fill 3ph VFD

DIRT ELIMINATOR W/ SIZER

MISC.

2015 Milestone 96” Sizer, Sorter Eliminator 3ph 2010 Milestone MSDS 60” DE, Sizer, Clod drums 230 V 3ph 2000 Double 878 DE 78” 3ph flip down 72” sizer 1997 Double 807 Dirt Elim. 62” BC 3ph Stingers 72” Sizer

Scooper belly dump unloader attachment Mayo Scooper belly dump unloader 2010 Lockwood 784H - ID attachment 2009 Spudnik 6400 – ID 2010 Double 953 - ID 2009 Double L 953 -- ID 2007 Double L 853 – ID 2005 Lockwood 474H SCOOPERS 2005 Spudnik 6400 bunker - ID 2005 Spudnik 150 30” 3ph 2000 Double L 873 - ID NOT COMPLETE LIST. CALL OR CHECK 1990 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 2001 Spudnik 6400 1984 Spudnik 100 24” 1ph 1996 Double L 853 - ID 1982 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 1996 Lockwood 4640 4 row - OH 1993 Double L 837 24” 3ph 1997 Lockwood 4620 2 row - ID BRUCE: (208)390-5120 | BRUCEN@TRISTEELMFG.COM • EVAN: (208)757-8481 | EVANN@TRISTEELMFG.COM • JOSH: (701)340-4554 | JOSHB@TRISTEELMFG.COM

HARVESTERS

S

SPUDEQUIP.COM

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31