Potato Country September/October 2021

PotatoCountry.com • September-October 2021 Western focus. National impact.

OSU Field Day

Advertiser Index Agri-Stor ............................21 Colorado Cert. Potatoes ....31 Fleming Farms...................16 Forte ..................................17 Greentronics ........................9 Group Ag ...........................10 IVI ........................................3 Lake Seed .........................22 Milestone ...........................31 Montana Certified Seed .....13 Montana Seed Seminar .....24 NovaSource .......................27 NPC ...................................15 PNVA .................................23 Precision Pros Painting .....12 R&H ...................................30 Skone Irrigation .................28 Spud Equipment.com...........5 Stukenholtz ........................29 Suberizer .............................2 Teleos Ag Solutions ...........32 Titan Steel ...........................5 Western Trailers ................23

Research Reports Return

Storage Essentials How to Win This Storage Season North American Growers Expand Potato Acreage

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Vol. 37 No. 6

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

Country Western focus. National impact.

Table of Contents

September/October 2021

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

Ben Eborn ........................................................ napmn@napmn.com

6 Research Reports Return

Market Report

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

OSU Potato Field Day

Potato Growers of Washington

10 How to Win This Storage Season

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

14 Having a Field Day

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.

18 Storage Essentials

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.

WSU Potato Field Day Buyers' Guide

22 Diversifying Restaurant Menus With a

Readily Available Ingredient: Potatoes Potatoes USA

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

28 North American Growers Expand

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.

Potato Acreage

Editorial Board

Market Report

Gary Roth

Chris Voigt

A yellow flag marks a plant that shows symptoms commonly associated with Potato virus Y in the Washington State University seed lot trial. Find out how this year’s planted seed lot samples fared on page 14.

On The Cover Sagar Sathuvalli with Oregon State University (OSU) weighs the pros and cons of the newest cultivars and varieties in development at the OSU Potato Field Day. Learn about the latest research shared at the

Potato Country

Executive Director

Washington State Potato Commission

Oregon Potato Commission

(509) 765-8845

(503) 239-4763

Departments 11 Calendar 25 Disease Quiz 26 In the News 30 PGW Column

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

event on page 6.

4

Executive Director

September / October 2021

(406) 994-3150

(208) 334-2350

(719) 852-3322

(208) 709-7553

Steve Wilcox & Layne Walker 50+ Years of Combined Experience

BuiltWithTitan.com

sw.titansteel@gmail.com PILERS

2007 Milestone 42” all belt, 230 3ph remote 2000 Wemco 36” all belt, 480 3ph, remote 1996 Double L model 831, 230 Volt 3ph, remote Belt chain 1995 Spudnik 550 36” 3ph belted Chain, remote 1994 Spudnik 550 36” all belt 230 volt 3ph remote 1993 Spudnik 550 36’’ 1ph belted Chain, remote 1993 Spudnik 525 30” 3ph, remote, Belt Chain 1990 DL 811 30” BC Elev. 3ph Remote 1987 Spudnik 550 30” Belt Chain, 230 V 3ph 1985 DL 813 BC Elev. 30” 3ph 1984 & 85 Spudnik 450 Pilers 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

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CONVEYORS - STRAIGHT

EVEN FLOWS

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BEDS

Double L 809 30” x 38’ 3ph x 4 Double L 808 30” x 25’ 3ph Spudnik 1200 30” x 40’ 3ph x 2 Spudnik 1200 30” x 30’ 3ph x2 Spudnik 1200 30” x 20’ Hopper 3ph 1998 Spudnik 925 72” 3ph 230 Volt 1991 Spudnik 910 60” 3ph 480 volt

DIRT ELIMINATOR W/ SIZER 2011 Mayo 72” DE, Sizer 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 1994 Milestone 72” Dirt Elim. Sizer, 2 – 24” x 12’ stingers

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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” Grimm 6 row cup 36” w/ Fert.

Allan Press Wheels - PEI 2004 Spudnik 8060 36” row semi mount 1996 Lockwood 6 row pick mechanical 1995 Kverneland 4 row 3200 – 36”

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New Logan 36” Tare Piler 3ph VFD Double L 30” x 30’’ Tare piler Double L 815 24” x 25’ 1975 Milestone Cutter to Truck piler

2020 Allan 3 row Electric- PEI WATER DAMMERS 2004 Spudnik 9060 cultivator, bed shaper, 2010 Lockwood 784H - ID props 2009 Spudnik 6400 – ID ROCK/CLOD/ELIMINATORS 1990 AG Engineering 6 row 36” hyd reset 2010 Double 953 - ID 2018 Lockwood Mobile Air Vac 2009 Double L 953 -- ID MISC. 2017 Harriston 4240 CH ellis table, Peg belt 2007 Double L 853 – ID Scooper belly dump unloader attachment blower 3ph 2005 Spudnik 6400 bunker - ID Mayo Scooper belly dump unloader CONVEYORS - TELESCOPIC 2015 Lockwood Air Vac 8, 480 Volt 3ph 2000 Double L 873 - ID attachment 2011 Spudnik 1250 36/42 x 65’ 230 V 3ph 2013 Harriston 4240 Clod Hopper 3ph 2001 Spudnik 6400 Shop built 30”/36” x 65’ 480 V 3ph 2004 Harriston 3240 Clod Hopper 3ph NOT COMPLETE LIST. CALL OR CHECK 1996 Double L 853 - ID STI 30” x 75’ 3ph 1997 Harriston Model 200 Clod Hopper 1 ph 1996 Lockwood 4640 4 row - OH Double L 810 30” x 50’ 3ph 1994 Harriston Model 200 Clod Hopper 1 ph 1997 Lockwood 4620 2 row - ID BRUCE: (208)390-5120 | BRUCEN@TRISTEELMFG.COM • EVAN: (208)757-8481 | EVANN@TRISTEELMFG.COM • ERIC: (701)629-7090 | ERICD@TRISTEELMFG.COM

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5

OSU Potato Field Day

Research Reports Return Story and photos by Denise Keller, Editor

O

ther than limiting the number of attendees, splitting the group into smaller cohorts and disinfecting the microphone between speakers, it felt like a normal Oregon State University (OSU) Potato Field Day on June 23 at OSU’s Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The 70 or so guests

allowed to attend the field day heard research presentations on topics including soil health, nutrient management and nematode management.

Soil Health

OSU plant pathologist Ken Frost updated attendees on an ongoing research

OSU agronomist Ray Qin updates growers on nutrition recommendations for some of the newer potato varieties.

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September / October 2021

project looking at how crop rotation and fumigation affect potato yield and diseases. In the trial, researchers are comparing non-fumigated plots to plots treated with either chloropicrin or metam sodium, and comparing a threeyear crop rotation with back-to-back crops of potatoes. In the plots planted This numbered clone is a contender for the baby potato market.

continuously in potatoes, the researchers are essentially trying to drive soil biology in the “wrong direction.”

Now in the trial’s third year, Frost is beginning to see potato early dying occurring, especially in the back-to-back crops of potatoes with no fumigation.

As expected, fumigation treatments are less impacted. He is also beginning to see yield differences in the continuous potato rotation. Reporting that pathogen numbers are building, Frost mentioned that chloropicrin might be slightly better on some oomycete pathogens. And finally, plant senescence in non-fumigated plots occurred two to three weeks earlier than in fumigated plots.

Alex Karasev with the University of Idaho (left) and Fahrettin Goktepe with SunRain Varieties chat during a break between sessions.

Nutrient Management

OSU agronomist Ray Qin reported on a field trial that began in late April 2021 to quantify the optimum rate of nitrogen for new potato varieties. The trial looks at Rainier Russet, as well as Russet Burbank for comparison. Rainier Russet, a cultivar released in 2020, is described as a medium- to late-maturing selection with oblong to long, large, attractive tubers. It has high protein, high antioxidant levels, high specific gravity, light fry color, low acrylamide levels, and few internal and external tuber defects.

In the trial, Qin tested five rates of nitrogen and regularly measured soil and petiole samples during the crop growing season. Upon harvest, the yield and grade, specific gravity, internal defect and fry quality will be measured. Meanwhile, data based on drone imagery and on-site sensors will be collected.

Qin expects that the trial will identify the optimal nitrogen application rate for Rainier Russet. The trial will also help evaluate the potential of using drone imagery and on-site sensors to measure plants’ nitrogen requirements.

The agronomist also shared updates on four other ongoing trials evaluating potassium requirements, blackspot bruise susceptibility, fertilizer types, and nitrogen application timing and rates.

PotatoCountry.com

7

OSU Potato Field Day OSU’s Sagar Sathuvalli (left) tells a field day attendee about an up and coming potato variety on display.

Nematode Management

In a 25-minute presentation, Russ Ingham, Oregon State University nematologist, set out to summarize everything he’s learned about nematode management during his 30 years of studying Columbia root-knot and stubby root nematodes in potatoes. His senior faculty research assistant, Nadine Wade, delivered the presentation on his behalf.

Wade began by reminding growers that nematode management for the next potato crop should begin as soon as the current crop of potatoes is harvested.

Outlining the keys to managing Columbia root knot nematode populations between potato crops, Wade recommended planting the best hosts, such as field corn, early in the cropping sequence. Finish the sequence with a short-season crop such as wheat, peas or sweet corn in order to plant a green manure crop in late summer.

Sample at the end of the sequence, and use appropriate nematicides if necessary.

Also use a poor host sequence to bring populations down, such as green pea, then lima bean followed by a mustard blend green manure crop.

OSU’s Aymeric Goyer brings his audience up to speed on research to breed for resistance to Potato virus Y.

8

Potato Country

September / October 2021

Discussing the use of green manure crops to manage nematodes, Wade added that they work best when followed by a nematicide such as Vydate or Mocap or a reduced rate of Telone. Mocap, she noted, works well for Northern root-knot nematodes but does not provide adequate control of Columbia root-knot nematodes.

As for fumigation, water-run metam sodium alone cannot control nematodes, but growers can improve control through the use of shanked-in metam and Telone, Wade said. However, deep shanked Telone may not kill all nematodes in the surface. She suggested following Telone with water-run or shallow shanked-in metam or Vydate.

When the rotation returns to spuds, choose the shortest season potato cultivar possible and plant nematode-free seed.

Harvest as soon as possible, avoiding leaving tubers in the ground for long periods after vine kill. Pointing out that symptoms continue to develop above 42 degrees Fahrenheit, Wade said to store potatoes as cool as possible and process as soon as possible.

Field day attendees examine leaves that show symptoms of Potato virus Y.

Field day attendees check out a display featuring some of the new clones being considered for release.

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9

Storage Season

How to Win This Storage Season Story by Ken Young, Director of Product Quality, Agri-Stor Companies Photos by Angie Rader

I

used to coach a lot of basketball, and I can still remember one of my first timeouts in a tight game situation. Our team was losing by a couple of points.

Many things were going wrong on the court, and the clock was winding down. I remember my players staring at me while I grunted incoherently and pointed at scribbles on my clipboard. My capacity to think and communicate went AWOL when my team needed me the most. I don’t remember if we won or lost that game. But I do know that my practice plans started to include a two-minute drill to rehearse the game plan for those final two minutes of a game. What are we doing? Why? What happens if…? We needed to practice thinking through the scenarios, communicating with each other

and executing the game plan.

It’s a bit of a stretch to apply coaching basketball to managing potato storages, but there is a parallel. Harvest time is a bit like the end of the game: lots of moving parts to manage, quick judgement calls based on limited information, a ticking clock and high stakes. A pile of potatoes can run out the door within the first month if not managed well. There’s an entire year’s crop on the line. It’s best to have a game plan.

A typical storage season involves preparing the building and ventilation system. Along with equipment checks and repairs, a thorough cleaning followed by a disinfecting treatment is a must.

Cleaning and removing all organic material and foreign material prior to

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Potato Country

September / October 2021

disinfecting maximizes the efficacy of the treatment. Maintenance should be done prior to harvest. Making sure the system is working is just the beginning.

Measuring air speeds in ducts and transition areas and calculating the CFM produced by the fans is critical for making adjustments during storage.

You should know how much CFM the ventilation system can deliver.

Recommendations such as 20 CFM/ ton of potatoes are just a reference, and ideally, the storage manager can adjust fan speeds to higher and lower rates while maintaining balanced airflow in each duct. Additional pre-season preparation includes: • Checking the operation of all electrical, mechanical, humidification and cooling components.

• Knowing what to expect in terms of normal run times with/without refrigeration during normal harvest temperatures. Heat and carbon dioxide become problems during standby hours.

• Knowing the humidification capacity - above 95 percent relative humidity even when fresh-air doors are wide open.

• Checking sensors and calibrating if needed (temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide).

Calendar Oct. 28-30

PMA Fresh Summit New Orleans www.freshsummit.com

Nov. 10-11

Montana Seed Potato Seminar

Holiday Inn Missoula, Mont. www.mtseedpotatoseminar.com

Nov. 17-18

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference and Trade Show Three Rivers Convention Center Kennewick, Wash.

Sheri Nolan, (509) 585-5460 or www.pnva.org

Jan. 5-6

Potato Expo 2022

Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif. www.potato-expo.com Editor’s note: Information was correct at presstime. Please contact event organizers to check for possible changes.

Potatoes are piled into a storage facility.

There are some aspects to storing potatoes that are predictable each year.

The storage game plan should attempt to specify: • Fan speed settings for removing field heat as potatoes are being loaded into the storage.

• The target relative humidity range – the acceptable amount of free water.

• The targeted date to reach holding

temperature and ideal cooling ramp rate (degrees per day).

• Initial disinfection treatment date range to neutralize incoming soil pathogens and prevent disease outbreaks.

• An approximate date for sprout inhibitor application.

Some events are not predictable, but common enough to prepare for. For

ThePotatoPodcast.com

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11

Storage Season example, excessive heat or extreme weather conditions during harvest and storage loading can be challenging.

Cold potatoes going into a warm storage is problematic, but can be handled by allowing the cold potatoes to gradually come to storage temperature before providing ventilation to those ducts.

Identifying pink rot coming out of the field means that a decision has to be made quickly: treat the problem while loading the storage or risk waiting until the storage is filled. In addition to disinfectant applications, fan speeds, humidity settings and initial temperature settings can all be used to combat high rates of breakdown and disease. Later in the storage season, issues can include early dormancy break, ceiling condensation and dripping, inverted pile temperatures, hot spots and fry-color darkening.

It’s important to note that each solution to a given storage problem usually has a less desirable tradeoff. Thinking through choices ahead of time can make it easier to think clearly when faced with a particular dilemma. In a high breakdown situation, the solution is often to increase

A conveyor carries spuds into storage.

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Potato Country

September / October 2021

A cellar manager operates the piler at Wanders Farms in Wilder, Idaho.

fan speeds and decrease humidity to less than 90 percent to dry up the rot and slow bacterial spread. The tradeoff is an increase in moisture loss (shrink) from the entire pile as even the healthy potatoes have to deal with the difference in vapor pressure. Similar tradeoffs that can occur are: • High air volumes which help remove pile heat, but become counterproductive at excessive speeds as refrigeration and evaporative media efficiencies both drop. Excessive air speed through

ducts also strips moisture from the air, leading to shrink and pressure bruise.

• Holding potatoes at higher temperatures for longer periods can “burn off” sugars to improve process quality, but also incubates diseasecausing pathogens.

The best storage manager with the perfect storage building, ventilation system and crop protection program still has only a limited number of tools for maintaining a quality potato pile – those being air flow, temperature, humidity, and a suite of

disinfectant treatment options and sproutinhibiting applications. One could argue that the automating ability of the latest generation of control panels represents an additional tool that wasn’t available in years past. Nonetheless, the surest way to a successful storage season is to anticipate the challenges rather than react to situations. Create your game plan. Help minimize breakdown and storage losses with planning and preparation. You can have a winning storage season this year.

PotatoCountry.com

13

WSU Potato Field Day

Having a Field Day Story and photos by Denise Keller, Editor

W

hile Washington State University (WSU) opted for a drop-in event in lieu of its usual field day format in order to allow for social distancing, attendees welcomed the chance to socialize at the annual event. Growers and others in the industry were invited to the WSU Othello Research Unit on June 24 to view the results of this year’s seed lot trial and talk with researchers about other projects.

An estimated 150 people stopped in, a number that falls 100 short of the usual field day crowd. Organizers were happy with the turnout, however, and said attendees seemed relieved that the field day was happening – even with the more relaxed structure – after the 2020 event was canceled. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to network and catch up as they walked through the seed lot trial.

Seed Lot Trial

WSU has been conducting an annual seed lot trial for 58 years to provide a venue for seed producers and commercial growers to see how seed performs in the Columbia Basin.

Overall, this year’s planted seed lot samples looked good, according to Mark Pavek, a potato specialist with WSU. Compared to previous trials, this year’s trial included fewer seed lots showing symptoms of Potato virus Y (PVY).

Pavek noted that just one or two seed lots had high rates of PVY compared to the half dozen lots typically plagued with the disease. In addition, the occurrence of seed-borne blackleg was not much of a problem this year, and potato leafroll has disappeared.

“These seed lots are samples of what’s actually out in the growers’ fields. And if they look good here, they should look good out in growers’ fields, and that means growers have the potential to have good yields. They’ve started out on the right foot,” Pavek said.

While the reason behind the increase in quality is unclear, it could be attributed

14

Potato Country

Field day attendees view a demonstration plot of a trial evaluating different sizes of cut seed.

The Washington State Potato Commission’s Brandy Tucker (left) and Angie Griffith serve French fries outside of the commission’s new food truck. The van, dubbed Frieda the Fry Van, is equipped with two fryers and was set up at the field day.

September / October 2021

POTATO EXPO JANUARY 5-6, 2022

WSU Potato Field Day to favorable growing conditions in seed production areas last year, fewer aphids or better management, Pavek suggested.

Regardless of the reason, Pavek is pleased to see the change.

“When we see a year like this where there’s less virus, it’s good for everybody – the commercial grower, the seed grower – more people are happy than not,” Pavek said. “And that’s why the seed lot trial is here is to keep a gauge on seed quality coming into Washington state that’s being used by commercial growers.”

The trial included fewer varieties this year. While the decrease doesn’t necessarily reflect a change in planting within the industry, it could give a snapshot of industry trends. This year’s trial included 20 different cultivars. In the past, the trial has included as many as 43 varieties and as few as 8 in 1962.

The annual seed lot trial gives growers an opportunity to see how seed performs in the Columbia Basin.

Other Research

Field day attendees were also able to check out a demonstration plot of a fullscale field trial evaluating different sizes of cut seed, ranging from 1 ounce to 3.5 ounces. The trial includes four varieties: Umatilla Russet, Clearwater Russet, Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet. The trial is also evaluating whole seed sizes for Clearwater Russet.

The researchers will harvest the plots in September and look at yield, tuber size and quality and will also run an economic analysis. This will be the second year of data to report. Pavek’s team will repeat the trial one more year before making any recommendations.

Additional trials being conducted at the research station include new variety trials and crop nutrition studies.

Field day attendees gather in the field to discuss a new variety.

A WSU research trial tests various sizes of cut seed.

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Potato Country

September / October 2021

Angie Griffith with the Washington State Potato Commission scoops up some French fries to serve at the field day.

Mark Pavek, a WSU potato specialist, coordinates the seed lot trial each year at the WSU Othello Research Unit.

Hot French fries are ready for field day attendees to enjoy.

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208.970.0091 PotatoCountry.com

17

Storage Essentials Buyers' Guide 1,4Group

www.14group.com 1,4Sight

As a global supplier of innovative dormancy and sprout-inhibiting products for the potato storage industry, 1,4Group aims to help the Earth and all its inhabitants grow and thrive for many generations to come. The company’s flagship product 1,4Sight, a proven biocontrol, helps alleviate shoulder bruise and reduce shrink and can be applied shortly after door closure to establish a deep dormancy.

The team at 1,4Group is dedicated to the development of new and improved post-harvest chemical applications through continuous improvements of product formulations and integrated supports systems. From the harvest of the crop to delivery at the customer’s dock, growers will find a complete family of complementary treatments that protect the quality and condition of their potatoes.

Agri-Stor Companies www.agri-stor.com

Refrigeration and Refrigeration Controls

Agri-Stor Companies offers innovative controls and automation for post-harvest. The Agri-Star Control Panel provides accountability and reporting through the entire farm management chain. This allows for a better strategy for storage by correlating data to performance.

Agri-Stor’s condensing units are custom ordered to suit each situation and environment. They are available either with a control that is integrated with the AgriStar Panel or installed as a separate refrigeration controller. The ability to use controls to intelligently rotate usage of expensive compressors, automate the automated defrost cycle and monitor mechanical failures make AgriStor controls indispensable for potato operations.

Disinfecting Services LLC www.disinfectingservices.net

Post-Harvest Applications, Fogging, Storage Cleaning

Disinfecting Services specializes in post-harvest applications on stored potatoes and fogging potatoes in storages for disease management, as well as cleaning and disinfecting potato storages to meet GAP standards. Disinfecting Services offers plenum pipe straightening, plenum pipe cleaning and disinfecting, humidification system flushes, AC coil washing and piler applicator cleaning.

Disinfecting Services also has its own line of post-harvest chemical products, including Harvest 6.0, a strong disinfectant labeled for potatoes; Bio Ultra, a high-foaming detergent designed to penetrate into heavily contaminated surfaces and break down contaminants from storage walls; Growers’ Shield, a soil treatment that when combined with Harvest 6.0 moves deeper into the surface to disinfect floors; and Cell Guard, a product used to improve airflow by cleaning and maintaining open air passages in humidification systems, which increases the life of the media.

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September / October 2021

Greentronics

www.greentronics.com RiteWeight In-line Conveyor Scale

Greentronics recently added several new features to its RiteWeight in-line conveyor scale product. The new features are designed to automate harvest and storage data recording.

Data are uploaded via an Android phone or tablet to the Greentronics cloud server for processing and reporting in near real-time. Maps and reports can be viewed, downloaded, and shared or printed from anywhere via secure log-in. A range of reports detail how much crop is stored and where it was grown. 2D maps show where crop is stored by date, field and variety. By including a crop temperature sensor with the scale, maps will provide a temperature profile for each cellar.

Maps allow growers to easily complete traceability reports. Harvest and storage progress can be monitored from anywhere. Reports show inventory levels. Other scales and yield monitors may be added to provide further details about performance in the field and trash percentage.

The scale can also be used as a rate controller for applying chemicals more uniformly and efficiently.

Group Ag

www.groupag.com Storage Ventilation, Post-Harvest Chemical Application

GroupAg is a full-service post-harvest company. The core of the business services includes potato storage ventilation and post-harvest chemical application. Proprietary application methods are efficient and effective. With industry-leading products and expertise, GroupAg can help create and maintain the ideal conditions to maximize the value of the crop through the storage and shipping processes. GroupAg offers engineering expertise to design and build storage ventilation systems with industry-leading components and can service and maintain any existing system.

GroupAg represents and distributes the following: 1,4Group chemicals, Decco chemicals, BioSafe Systems chemicals, BTU Ventilation products, Forte Humidifiers, JTS refrigeration, ATEC Indirex cooling systems and Caldwell/Chief axial fans.

GroupAg

www.fortehumidifiers.com Forte Humidifiers

Forte Humidifiers have proven to be a 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. In addition, all Forte Humidifiers have been carefully designed and constructed with materials that resist corrosion from water and acids, and thus can double as chemical applicators.

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Storage Essentials Industrial Ventilation Inc. www.ivi-air.com

Climate Control and Ventilation Systems

Industrial Ventilation Inc. (IVI) offers state-of-the-art ventilation technology and climate control for stored potatoes. Growers turn to IVI from the ground up, from building design services to equipment systems and installation.

IVI’s Imperium control panel puts storage control right at growers’ fingertips and includes a handy mobile app. The Imperium features intuitive operation with extensive capabilities including historical data, helping users determine the best parameters for their current storage conditions.

IVI service technicians understand prompt response is critical in troubleshooting solutions.

IVI’s chemical service application is rooted in years of experience. With evolving market demands – both at home and abroad, for fresh or frozen – IVI is adept at customized plans for growers’ unique needs. IVI offers a comprehensive line of application options and proven solutions to address sprout control, cut black, dormancy and more. IVI welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to each customer’s best storage outcome and bottom line.

Pacific Building Systems www.pbsbuildings.com Steel Buildings

PBS proudly serves business owners, communities and farmers throughout the Pacific Northwest by offering the experience and products to meet potato growers’ crop storage building needs. As experts in the pre-engineered metal building industry since 1962, PBS designs, details, engineers and manufactures steel buildings.

PBS offers tailor-made solutions that provide building functionality and durability. The company offers multiple bulk storage methods, effective building optimization and quality building products.

Through the use of sound engineering, superior steel and seasoned experience, PBS provides metal buildings that answer the processing and storage requirements concerning today’s agricultural community.

Suberizer Inc.

www.suberizer.com Storage Facilities

Suberizer Inc. is a second-generation construction company that specializes in designing and manufacturing raw product storage facilities. The company’s goal is to provide clients with a cost-effective design that meets expectations for tomorrow’s market. Suberizer’s dedication, knowledge and experience for nearly 50 years set the company apart. Suberizer has been exposed to nearly every spectrum of the potato and onion storage market. Its team addresses everything from start to finish, including project planning, storage and building design, types of construction, civil and structural engineering, ventilation system and air distribution solutions, refrigeration systems and electrical work.

Titan Steel

www.builtwithtitan.com Meridian and Varco Pruden Buildings

Titan Steel has a combined experience of more than 50 years building straight and arch wall metal buildings. Primarily offering Meridian and Varco Pruden buildings, Titan Steel has the ability to meet the needs of all its customers. With the technology and products offered from both Meridian and Varco Pruden, combined with Titan Steel’s building experience, businesses receive a quality product that will take their storage to the next level for years to come.

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Potato Country

September / October 2021

Potatoes USA

Diversifying Restaurant Menus With a Readily Available Ingredient: Potatoes

By RJ Harvey, Potatoes USA Culinary Director

O

ver the last year, restaurant operators experienced changing consumer demand, restrictions, closures and labor shortages. The industry’s vulnerability had many foodservice owners looking for ways to reduce expenses while stimulating consumer demand.

Streamlining menus, saving on labor, reducing food costs and creating dishes with ingredients that consumers love were all top of mind.

One versatile ingredient was already in many kitchens throughout the industry. According to Datassential, 84 percent of restaurants have potatoes on their menu, which means many establishments have some form of fresh, frozen or dehydrated potato product in stock.

Because potatoes continue to trend with consumers (ranked as America’s #1 vegetable for the fifth year in a row) and restaurant kitchens keep them readily on hand, the last year was an opportunity to show operators how potatoes can meet their culinary needs.

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Potato Country

September / October 2021

Pat

Showcasing potato versatility was a critical component of reaching restaurant operators. For example, taking loaded fries, a restaurant classic that is up 15 percent on menus, and adding a global spin provides a fresh take on a beloved dish.

The combination of toppings are vast - from American pub fries with bratwurst and sauerkraut to Italian cacio e pepe loaded hash brown bites to Chinese sweet and sour chicken on waffle fries.

These global fry recipes highlight how an existing product, such as potatoes, can reduce food costs through its versatility while also creating new menu items that consumers are craving.

In addition to cost reduction, providing more delivery options became a priority as restrictions ensued. Restaurants wasted no time finding ways to be more efficient with delivery while maintaining food quality. Restaurant operators understand that this feature is staying long term, and therefore their solutions need to support their bandwidth.

This gave the potato industry another opportunity to showcase potatoes as a problem-solver by highlighting how potatoes can simplify delivery and take-out, such as taking a simple, lower-cost item like a casserole and making it a bakeat-home item. From slow-braised beef pot roast to chicken “tot”

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Potatoes USA pie, these craveable dishes showed foodservice operators how potatoes could fit into their long-term delivery strategy while keeping costs down. Potatoes were also often included as a side dish for delivery items, so it was crucial to educate operators on simple and easy ways to reduce moisture in packing, so consumers still get that crispy restaurant fry. To simplify the process for packaging delivery potatoes, several guides were developed for download, as well.

While many restaurants struggled, pizza chains thrived through the pandemic since they were already focused on delivery. The potato industry focused on this segment to create some amazing new dishes, including loaded baked potato pizza, hash brown crusted mozzarella sticks and even a zesty pesto potato mushroom pizza for plant-loving customers.

Culinary development is just the beginning, but what is more important is getting these ideas in front of operators. Beautiful imagery showcasing these ideas on social media keeps everyone excited about potatoes. As America’s favorite vegetable, in conjunction with the operational efficiencies potatoes provide, operators continue to turn to potatoes as a valued ingredient on their menus.

To learn more about how to help support and increase potato usage at foodservice, please contact RJ Harvey at rj@potatoesusa.com.

November 10th & 11th, 2021

24

Potato Country

September / October 2021

Know Your Potato Diseases

Disease Identification Quiz Dr. Jeff Miller 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

Disease #1 (The symptom shown on the left does not go all the way down to the seed piece.)

Some areas of the U.S. have dealt with record high temperatures this growing season. These relatively high temperatures have caused greater canopy growth. In an effort to deal with the high temperatures, some growers increased irrigation in an attempt to help reduce plant and soil temperatures. The combination of these factors has favored the development of the three diseases shown here. Can you identify these diseases along with the causal agent?

Answers Page 27 Disease #2

Disease #3

PotatoCountry.com

25

In the News

NPC Hires Program Coordinator

The National Potato Council (NPC) recently welcomed Ethan Keller to serve as the organization’s program coordinator.

The 2021 Ohio State University graduate will support the execution and implementation of NPC programs to engage and inform its membership.

Keller will also assist with the association’s annual convention, membership programs, meetings, industry publications, association governance, public policy and activities. Additionally, he will support the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) through a variety of communications tools, meetings and programs.

Keller previously worked with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and the Ohio Beef Council, where he helped coordinate membership initiatives and producer communications.

North American Potato Market News Changes Hands

Bruce Huffaker, president of North American Potato Market News and author of Potato Country’s Market Report column, has sold his business to Ben Eborn, owner of Eborn Agribusiness LLC. Eborn has a master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Idaho. His graduate studies focused on farm and ranch financial management and commodity marketing.

He spent 12 years working for the University of Idaho as the county extension agent in Teton County, Idaho. He then spent six years as an extension agricultural economist. His work focused on farm and ranch management, production economics and farm succession. Eborn has been responsible for developing the Idaho potato costs and returns estimates for the past five years.

Huffaker will work with Eborn on a consulting basis during the transition.

Certis Welcomes VP of Marketing

Certis Biologicals has added Chris Judd to the Certis leadership team as the global vice president of marketing. His previous roles include global growth and asset management in bringing new products to market and evaluating existing assets for maximum value proposition within marketing at BASF and Novozymes.

In his new position with Certis, Judd says product marketing will be key to continuing to meet the needs of customers and channel partners, both with existing products and a robust innovation pipeline.

26

Potato Country

September / October 2021

Lamb Weston Plans Expansion in Idaho

Lamb Weston has announced plans to expand French fry processing capacity at its facility in American Falls, Idaho. Plans call for construction of a new French fry processing line, with expected capacity to produce more than 350 million pounds of frozen French fries and other potato products per year. Construction of the new line is expected to be completed by mid2023 and will add approximately 130 new jobs. The total investment is expected to be approximately $415 million and will include additional modernization of the existing facility, which was built in 1961.

Idaho Potato Companies Form Marketing Agreement

ProSource Produce LLC and Arrowhead Potato Co. have entered into an exclusive sales and marketing agreement. The agreement increases the year-round Idaho potato packing and sales capacity available from ProSource Produce LLC. ProSource is a grower owned and operated sales and marketing company based in Hailey, Idaho.

The company currently serves foodservice, retail and wholesale customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America.

Arrowhead Potato Co., which also does business as Moss Produce LLC, is a family operated farming and fresh-pack operation in Rupert, Idaho. The company employs more than 50 people and has been serving the foodservice and retail industries for over 35 years.

Know Your Disease Answers (from page 25)

Disinfecting Services Names New VP Disinfecting Services LLC has hired Garrett Pace as the company’s new vice president of operations.

Pace grew up in Utah and has been living in Rexburg, Idaho, for the past 21 years.

He has been involved in farming and construction businesses for 20 years.

Disinfecting Services is located in Rexburg and has been providing storage disinfecting services and applying disinfectants on stored potatoes for the past 28 years.

Drexel Adds to Sales Team

Disease #1 is aerial stem rot caused by Dickeya and Pectobacterium species.

These are bacteria and are not controlled by fungicides. Applications of copper-based products and Tanos have shown some suppression, but these are not effective as curative applications.

Disease #2 is white mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Fungicide applications of boscalid (Endura), fluopyram (Luna Tranquility and Velum Prime) and fluazinum (Omega) have been the most effective in controlling this disease when applications are made prior to the onset of disease. Research has shown that lateseason applications provide little benefit.

Disease #3 is gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea. This pathogen primarily attacks senescing tissue. Applications of pyrimethanil (Luna Tranquility and Scala) NOVA-Crate-Ads-Sectagon-v4.pdf 1 6/5/20 4:46 PM have been the most effective in reducing this disease.

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Drexel Chemical Company has promoted Zack Wilbanks to an inside sales position. He will be the contact point for Drexel’s outside sales team’s product-related questions including availability, pricing and order status and will maintain the sales responsibility for specialty accounts which he has been servicing the last few years.

Before joining Drexel as a marketing assistant and then a sales representative covering specialty products, Wilbanks graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.

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PotatoCountry.com

27

Market Report

North American Growers Expand N

orth American potato growers planted 3.2 percent more ground to potatoes this year than they did during 2020. Acreage remains slightly below 2019 plantings. When estimating production, however, planting is only the first step in the process. We also must account for abandonment and yields. Here, we discuss planted acres, abandonment and potential yields for the U.S. and Canada in order to estimate 2021 North American potato production.

Then, we explore demand challenges facing the potato industry.

Planted Acreage

USDA reports that U.S. growers planted 943,000 acres to potatoes in 2021. That is 22,000 more acres than they planted a year ago, a 2.4 percent increase. Preliminary data from Canada show that growers in that country planted 378,625 acres to potatoes this year. That exceeded the 2020 area by 19,145 acres, a 5.3 percent increase. The combined North American potato area is 1.322 million acres, up 41,145 acres, or 3.2 percent, from the 2020 crop.

Due to the market disruption created by the pandemic, U.S. and Canadian growers reduced their 2020 planted area by 0.7 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. Since 2019, Canadian potato acres have expanded by 4.6 percent, while U.S. potato acres remain 2.1 percent

28

Potato Country

below pre-pandemic levels. Overall, the total North American potato acreage fell 3,000 acres short of the 2019 crop.

Abandonment

USDA projects this year’s harvested potato area at 935,200 acres. That is 21,100 acres more than growers harvested in 2020, a 2.3 percent increase. A year ago, U.S. growers abandoned 6,900 acres of potatoes, 0.7 percent of the planted acreage. During the previous five years, abandonment has averaged 2.7 percent of the potato area.

Canadian growers abandoned 1.3 percent of the potatoes they planted in 2020. That is close to historical norms, excluding 2018 and 2019 when losses totaled 5.2 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively, due to adverse harvest conditions. If we use 1.4 percent for this year’s projected abandonment, Canada’s 2021 harvested area would be 373,324 acres.

Based on these harvested acreage estimates, the combined North American 2021 harvested acreage would be 1,308,524 acres, a 1.3 percent increase from 2020 levels.

Yields, Potential Production

The U.S. long-term trend yield is 460 cwt per acre. That is up from the current estimate for last year’s yield, 453 cwt per acre. Using the trend yield and projected abandonment, the U.S. would be expected to produce 430.2 million cwt of potatoes during 2021. That would be 16 million cwt more than 2020 production, a 3.9 percent increase. It would exceed 2019 production by 5.8 million cwt or 1.4 percent Canada’s average potato yield has increased by about 3.5 cwt per acre per year for the past 20 years. The trend yield for the 2021 crop is 319 cwt per acre. The current estimate for last year’s crop is 294 cwt per acre. With a trend yield and average abandonment, Canada

September / October 2021

would produce a 119.1 million cwt crop during 2021. That would exceed 2020 production by 14.9 million cwt, a 14.3 percent increase.

Average abandonment and trend yields suggest that North America’s 2021 potato crop could total 549.3 million cwt. That would exceed 2020 production by 30.7 million cwt or 5.9 percent. It also would be 18.3 million cwt or 3.4 percent more than the five-year average production for the U.S. and Canada combined.

Using trend-line yields and average abandonment is a good place to start estimating total production. It only takes average growing conditions to produce a trend-line yield. However, there are many other factors, such as the drought over the western U.S. and Canada, that can and will impact production between the time I write this article and the time you read it. A lot can happen before harvest is complete.

So far, several eastern and Midwest states and provinces have experienced nearly ideal growing conditions. Colorado has been hit with damaging hailstorms, while the Red River Valley and the Klamath Basin have serious drought and water shortages. Some states are reporting excellent crops while others expect major yield reductions.

Approximately 88 percent of the U.S. potato crop and 56 percent of the Canadian crop has been impacted by drought. This summer, eight of the 13 major potato producing states and five of the 10 provinces have experienced severe to exceptional drought, according to the North American Drought Monitor.

The full impact of the heat and drought on the 2021 crop remains to be seen.

Considering these factors, North American potato production could fall short of trend yield projections.

Demand is the Wildcard

Potato markets may face complicated demand conditions during the 2021-22

Potato Acreage marketing year. Growers planted more russet table potatoes in 2021 than they did in 2020. The increases in Idaho and Wisconsin were partially offset by cuts in the Columbia Basin, the Klamath Basin and Colorado. Last year’s record yields in Idaho, the San Luis Valley and the Columbia Basin are not likely to be repeated this year. In addition, fryers are likely to purchase open market russet potatoes, as evidence suggests that processing potato supplies could be tight. Yields in the key processing states could be reduced due to adverse growing conditions.

Domestic and export demand for French fries and other frozen products has been strong. Quick-service restaurant sales have been improving. McDonald’s reported that during the second quarter of 2021, its global sales jumped 40.5 percent from year-earlier and 6.9 percent above 2019 levels. Though processing contract volumes are up, in most cases, they remain below 2019 levels. Fryers have the capacity to run more potatoes than they have under contract. Chip potato supplies are likely to be plentiful this year. The supply and demand challenges within each sector make it extremely difficult to project market conditions for the coming year.

In the past, potato demand has been relatively stable. Shifting supply typically is the primary factor driving potato prices. That is not the case in the COVID economy. The pandemic turned demand upside down, and it could continue to disrupt markets. Estimating potato supplies seems like an easy task compared to projecting future demand for potatoes and potato products. Even Mother Nature is more predictable than the pandemic and the government’s response to it.

The pandemic lockdowns have impacted the market sectors differently.

Demand for table potatoes and potato chips increased initially, while French

By Ben Eborn, Publisher, North American Potato Market News

fry demand plummeted. As the economy began recovering, the demand situation has somewhat reversed. In addition to domestic demand volatility, potato export markets have been strong but variable.

The size of this year’s potato crop and unpredictable demand are certain to cause supply and demand challenges and opportunities that could impact markets until the 2022 crop is harvested.

KEY POINTS

• The 2021 North American potato crop could fall short of long-term trend yields due to adverse growing conditions.

• Potato production could fall short of the 2020

production, despite a 3.2 percent increase in acreage.

• The pandemic has impacted potato markets unevenly, creating potential imbalances between industry sectors.

• Processors may need to compete with table potato interests for Russet Burbank potatoes if demand for French fries remains strong.

• Chip potato supplies appear to be more than adequate to meet industry usage requirements.

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.

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29

Potato Growers of Washington

Skin in the Game

By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington

S

ometimes things are so obvious that we have a tendency to overlook them. One example of this was brought up by one of my favorite growers at a negotiating meeting this summer. The grower told the story of how a major local supplier of his was out of stock on a particular item of which he needed a substantial quantity. The supplier said he would contact the manufacturer about getting more in stock. The grower suggested that he just have the manufacturer direct ship him the amount of the item he needed and bill him directly. The local supplier nixed that idea because if that was done, he would not get his 20 percent markup on all of the items that he needed in order “to keep the lights on” at his dealership.

The grower was rightfully worked up over this comment as he could tell that the local supplier was only going to make a phone call and would never touch the items or be out any money or time as the grower would immediately pay the bill either way.

Yet the local supplier would be sure to get his 20 percent margin on a very large order, just for placing that phone call to make the order with no “skin in the game.”

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Potato Country

September / October 2021

After telling this story at the negotiating meeting, the grower went on to ask the processors when he was going to be guaranteed a 20 percent margin for all the “skin he actually has in the potato game” with all of the time spent away from his family all season while growing, managing, harvesting and storing the crop, not to mention the thousands of dollars per acre he has risked to grow the crop. Unfortunately, the grower did not receive a very detailed satisfactory answer to his question, but it makes a very good point that we all know, but rarely talk about.

We have been talking about grower profit margins for the past six years as the processors continue to squeeze them down each year. Are growers still making a profit? In most cases, yes, they are. But they are so far out of line with every other layer of the industry that growers are starting to wonder if they want to stay in the potato game if margins don’t improve greatly in the very near future. No supplier of theirs is lowering their margins to absorb some of the squeeze that the processing companies are putting on the growers, and that includes the processing companies themselves.

At Potato Growers of Washington, we are working hard to get the 2022 contract prices fully negotiated by the time growers need to make cropping decisions for next year. Many growers are looking at growing alternative crops and/or considering other alternatives such as leasing ground to others who have the machinery and expertise to grow these other crops. No potato grower wants to look at alternatives as potatoes have been the top crop to grow in the Columbia Basin for decades. But current economic conditions forced by the processors are making many growers rethink the importance and reliance they have been placing on potatoes in their operations.

The only way this situation will improve is if we all work together. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to sign a pre-season potato contract knowing that as long as you grow an average crop, you will make a reasonable return on your investment? We urge you to work with us and help us raise the bar for all potato growers who supply frozen potato processors.

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