Potato Grower February 2025

Pump It Up: Getting Ready For Irrigation Season PAGE 16

Buyers’ Guide Irrigation PAGE 20

New Crop Villains PAGE 26

The Heavy-Weight in Pulvi-Mulchers Gets BIGGER.

The 3600 Series Pulvi-Mulcher from Brillion features wider working widths, increased trash clearance and reduced downtime in the field.

The series is available in 21’, 25’, 30’ and 36’ working widths. The 30’ model weighs 80% more than the popular WL360 for more clod crushing power. The 36’ unit is the widest PulviMulcher offered by Brillion.

All 3600 Series models feature 8” roller axles with heavy-duty bearings that improve reliability and reduce maintenance interruptions in the field.

The design includes three rows of two-piece edge bent s-tines on overall 6” spacing. 25” of under frame clearance improves trash flow through the machine. A leveling harrow in front of the rear roller helps level ridges left by the shanks.

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New to the 3631 series is the 24” Notched Ductile Iron wheel to provide even more clod crushing power with its heavy weight.

Brillion, WI 54110 855.320.0373 ©2021 Brillion Farm Equipment

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Volume 53 Issue 2

CONTENT ENTS

Santa enjoys some free tots during the pregame festivities at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, ID.

DEPARTMENTS 6 8

Calendar

DIGGIN’ IN 26

Palmer Amaranth: The New Villain In The Pacific Northwest’s Crops

28

Plant Essential Oils: A New Option For Controlling Root-Knot Nematodes Beyond Fumigants

The Eyes Have It Darn Near Perfect Pigskin Prognosticator

10

New Products

14

Around the Vine

FEATURES 16

Pump It Up: Getting Ready For Irrigation Season

COLUMNS 34

Here are six steps to take to make sure your irrigation pump is ready for the upcoming watering season.

BUYERS’ GUIDE 20

Irrigation

4 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

Potatoes USA

U.S. Frozen Potato Demand Remains Strong, With Challenges And Opportunities For Future Growth

36

National Potato Council The Dietary Guidelines Report – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The Idaho Potato Commission cautions people not to be duped by knock-off potatoes.

In its latest TV commercial, the Idaho Potato Commission humorously highlights the growing problem of knock-off potatoes by showcasing imposters peddling imposter spuds – urging viewers to look for the “Grown In Idaho ” seal. The ad is running nationally ®

on popular networks including TBS, TNT, Food Network, Discovery, HGTV, ID, Animal Planet, and TLC. Additionally, it can be seen on streaming platforms like Discovery+, Hulu Live, and Sling.

View the spot anytime at IdahoPotato.com

WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 5

POTATO GROWER

Publisher POTATO GROWER May 2009 - $3.95 - Serving The National Potato Industry - www.potatogrower.com

Jason Harris

Editor POTATO GROWER May 2009 - $3.95 - Serving The National Potato Industry - www.potatogrower.com

Published 13 times a year by Harris Publishing Inc.

Subscriptions: U.S. and Possessions $24.00 per year, International $120.00 per year.

To subscribe call (800) 638-0135

May 2009 - $3.95 - Serving The National Potato Industry - www.potatogrower.com

Copyright 2024 Harris Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Back issues available at $5 per copy. Limited quantities.

Publisher not responsible for content of materials submitted.

CALENDAR

Lane Lindstrom lane@potatogrower.com

Advertising Director Rob Erickson rob.erickson@potatogrower.com

Production Laci Thompson

Graphic Artists Laci Thompson

Circulation Chuck Harris

IT Department Chuck Harris

PRESIDENT Jason Harris VICE PRESIDENT Chuck Harris

Accounting Clayton Ward

Feb. 4-6

Feb. 24-28

Feb. 4-6

Feb. 27-28

Southern Rocky Mountain Agriculture Conference Ski Hi Regional Event Center Monte Vista, Colorado https://agconferencesrm.com/ Wisconsin Grower Education Conference & Industry Show Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center Stevens Point, Wisconsin www.wisconsinpotatoes.com

Feb. 11-13

World Ag Expo International Agri-Center Tulare, California www.worldagexpo.com

Feb. 12-15

National Farm Machinery Show Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, Kentucky www.farmmachineryshow.org

VICE PRESIDENT Ryan Harris TREASURER Clayton Ward

Feb. 18

Northland Potato Growers Association Annual Meeting Alerus Center Grand Forks, North Dakota www.northlandpotatoes.com

Canadian Publisher’s Agreement No. 40606038, Customer No. 7004671.

Mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho, and at additional mailing offices.

Also Publishers of Sugar Producer

NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL (202) 682-9456 www.nationalpotatocouncil.org

POTATOES USA (303) 369-7783 www.potatoesusa.com

FOUNDED BY Darryl Harris Corporate Offices: HARRIS PUBLISHING INC. 520 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID 83402 (208) 524-7000 www.potatogrower.com

UNITED POTATO GROWERS OF AMERICA (801) 266-5050

www.unitedpotatousa.com

ALLIANCE FOR POTATO RESEARCH & EDUCATION

www.apre.org

FALLS PRINTING PLAN

•

PRINT

•

PROMOTE

Printed in Idaho Falls, ID

by Falls Printing rob.erickson@fallsprinting.com

POTATO ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (734) 239-8022

www.potatoassociation.org

INTERNATIONAL POTATO CENTER

www.cipotato.org

6 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

Feb. 18

Miller Research Potato Pest Management Seminar Historic Wilson Theater Rupert, Idaho millerresearch.com

Feb. 19-20

International Crop Expo Alerus Center Grand Forks, North Dakota https://cropexpo.com/

Feb. 20-22

Montana Agri-Trade Exposition MetraPark Billings, Montana Themateshow.com

Feb. 21-23

Western Farm Show American Royal Complex Kansas City, Missouri westernfarmshow.com

NPC Washington Summit Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf Washington, DC www.nationalpotatocouncil.org USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Virginia www.usda.gov/oce/ag-outlook-forum

March 2-4

Commodity Classic Colorado Convention Center Denver, Colorado https://commodityclassic.com/

March 6-8

Southern Exposure Orlando World Center Marriott Orlando, Florida www.seproducecouncil.com

March 10-12

Potatoes USA Spring Meeting Denver, Colorado https://potatoesusa.com/

March 20-22

North America Farm & Power Show Four Seasons Centre Owatonna, Minnesota www.tradexpos.com

March 30-April 1, 2025

SNAXPO Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida www.snaxpo.com

April 1-3

63rd WPS Farm Show Experimental Aircraft Association Grounds Oshkosh, Wisconsin Wisconsinpublicservice.com/partners/ agriculture/farm-show/

June 24-27

National Potato Council Summer Meeting Coeur d’Alene Resort Coeur d’Alene, Idaho www.nationalpotatocouncil.org

July 27-31

Potato Association Of America Annual Meeting Madison, Wisconsin Potatoassociation.org

THE EYES HAVE IT

Darn Near Perfect Pigskin Prognosticator Only one team let me down this college football season

Lane Lindstrom, Editor

University of Idaho potato researcher Mike Thornton enjoys some Famous Idaho Potato Bowl pregame festivities prior to the 2024 matchup between Fresno State and Northern Illinois.

I wasn’t planning on writing a column for this, the February issue of Potato Grower Magazine. Everyone needs a break from Lane every once in awhile.

Before you go to thinking I couldn’t resist this time, what I’m really doing is following up on my column from last fall (“Pigskin And Potatoes Prognosticator,” Potato Grower Magazine, September 2024, page 8).

In that column I made some bold predictions of college football games pitting land grant colleges/universities against each other. It wasn’t just that these were land grant schools. The common thread between them is that they are from potato-producing states.

Now that the regular season is over, I’m proud to announce that I finished 6-1 in my predictions. That’s

“The common thread between them is that they are from potato-producing states.

8 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

a healthy 85.7 winning percentage. I am a bit disappointed in the Wisconsin Badgers though, as they kept me from having a perfect 100 percent pigskin prognostication percentage by losing to the Minnesota Gophers Thanksgiving weekend. And they lost at home no less, which is kind of unheard of as the Badgers have a really good home record.

Here are my 2024 college football season results … from the games I picked. My picks are in bold.

• Sept. 7 – Montana State beat Maine 41-24 • Sept. 14 – North Dakota beat Idaho State 52-28 (and yes, I know neither of

those schools are land grant universities but they were playing in the Potato Bowl so that’s my justification.)

• Oct. 5 – Oregon State beat Colorado State 39-31 in overtime. (I was sweatin’ that one but the Beavers pulled it off.

• Nov. 23 – Idaho beat Idaho State 40-17. (Again, Idaho State is not the land grant university in Idaho but they were playing for the Potato State Trophy, a traveling rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual football game between the two schools.)

• Nov. 23 - Oregon State beat ` Washington State 41-38 • Nov. 23 – Nebraska beat Wisconsin 44-25 • Nov. 29 – Minnesota beat Wisconsin 24-7. (Did I mention that the Badgers let me down?)

So I’m feeling pretty good about myself but may retire from potato/ pigskin prognostication as I don’t know I’ll be able to match this year’s accomplishments.

Hmmm, so much for not writing anything for this month’s issue … PG

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NEW PRODUCTS

Nelson Irrigation TWIG-V Plus Wins Irrigation Association’s 2024 New Product Contest In Ag Irrigation Category The TWIG-V Plus Wireless Solenoid integrates a 12 VDC latching solenoid with TWIG-V Wireless 900 MHz radio network compatibility, providing a truly wireless solution with no need for wire connections between the solenoid and RTU. It is solar-powered with a rechargeable battery that can last up to five irrigation seasons. The system offers fast response times, with radio commands executed within three seconds. An optional SE “Switch Enabled” model can connect to a flow or pressure switch to verify valve operation. It features integrated mounting for 800 or 1000 Series Valves and an adaptable orifice to adjust valve reaction speed. The sealed enclosure protects the electronics from water exposure.

Most growers who successfully use an automated wireless control system report that the return on investment can be achieved in as little as one year,

primarily due to labor savings. The TWIG-V Plus adds to this return on investment by combining two products, an RTU and a solenoid, in one -- a cost savings of approximately 40 percent.

For more information, visit nelsonirrigation.com/ products/twig-wireless-controls/Twig-v-plus

New PHOSFORCE Nutrient Enhancer Unlocks Organic Phosphorus To Boost Crop Productivity And Soil Health Now farmers can access tied-up phosphorus in soil, resulting in immediate activity and predictable their soil through the new enzyme mode of action reactions, regardless of field conditions. in PHOSFORCE nutrient enhancer from Koch PHOSFORCE has proven effective in many years of Agronomic Services. trial data to support its performance in improving soil This novel phosphorus use efficiency product works health and crop productivity. In corn, tissue sampling immediately to create more plant-available phosphorus results show corn treated with PHOSFORCE had in soils, resulting in optimal crop root systems, increased 23 percent more phosphorus than untreated corn, yield and improved soil fertility and health in row crops and treated corn averaged a 5 bu/A yield advantage and more. over untreated corn. In soybeans, yield advantages Soils contain organic phosphorus which is tied up over untreated crops averaged 3.5 bu/A. In other and unavailable to plants. PHOSFORCE uses a unique crops, PHOSFORCE showed a 22.4 cwt/A yield gain active ingredient — phosphodiesterase, a naturally in potatoes and a 57 lb/A yield increase in cotton. occurring enzyme — to accelerate biochemical Additionally, when PHOSFORCE is applied, side-byreactions in the soil and unlock tied-up organic side root digs reveal improved lateral root formation for phosphorus. This makes phosphorus more readily increased plant nutrient uptake, and soil tests show an available for plant uptake to support healthy root overall increase in soil activity. development, improve vigor, and provide nutritional PHOSFORCE is formulated to be a flexible and balance to overcome early environmental stress. convenient addition to most crop production systems, One application of PHOSFORCE works with features that include: A liquid solution compatible immediately to provide several weeks of consistent with commonly used herbicides, starter fertilizers, phosphorus mineralization in the soil. This is because UAN products and water, making it easy to incorporate PHOSFORCE derives its performance from enzymes into current practices.The ability to be applied on the which do not need to grow, survive or propagate in the surface, in the furrow, as a sidedress or through other applications such as fertigation.

This is concentrated formulation that provides a two-year shelf life and versatility to target the ideal application for corn, soybeans, cotton, potatoes and other crops.

For more information, visit PHOSFORCE nutrient enhancer.

10 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

Paid Advertorial

New Formulation Adds to Envita’s On-Farm Appeal Envita®, the season-long nitrogen-fixing biological from Azotic Technologies Limited, has been revealed as the third most common biostimulant used by North American farmers.

“A WG formulation allows us to make the packaging smaller, more compact. Not only does that reduce the storage footprint but handling too.

The report, compiled by Stratus Ag Research from 2023 data, also shows that nearly 25 per cent of farmers across North America routinely deploy biostimulants. More than half expressed a positive attitude towards biostimulants, with a further quarter saying that although ‘unconvinced’, they would consider using them.

“What’s more, the new formulation increases product stability, bringing with it prolonged, multi-season shelf life,” he adds.

And while a fifth said they wanted to see more evidence of their effectiveness, just two per cent of respondents said they would ‘never’ use biostimulants.

Persuading some of those doubters is one of the reasons behind a new formulation of Azotic®’s pioneer product, which is based on the Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (Gd) bacterium. Azotic hopes to appeal to new users by emphasising the new formulation’s easy-mixing, easy-use qualities – aspects that are common to many conventional agchem products, yet not always found in biological formulations.

“

“Growers still have the choice between in-furrow or foliar application, and Envita WG retains the same, wide tank-mix compatibility, ensuring multiple opportunities for application during the growing season.”

Several years of use in the US potato crop have demonstrated how Envita, with its ability to give the growing plant an ‘always-on’ nitrogen source after colonization of the plant cells by Gd, ‘irons out’ the stress factors associated with depressed yield and unfavorable tuber size distribution.

“Potato plants tend to enter a stress phase when they can’t satisfy nitrogen requirements,” Bishop explains. “Yes, soil nitrogen levels may appear adequate, but even just a brief drop in soil moisture – often the case between irrigation events – can be enough to interrupt nitrogen uptake.”

Envita… ‘irons out’ the stress factors associated with depressed yield and unfavorable tuber size distribution.

When this happens repeatedly, the plant keeps setting, with poor tuber sizes the result. Treatment with Envita, however, allows a potato crop to take these short-term deficits in their stride.

Scott Bishop, Azotic Technologies’ manager for the Mid-West, says the Stratus findings chime with feedback received by the Azotic team – that many growers are receptive to the concept of biologicals and want to ‘give them a go’.

A Marshall, MI, trial focused on Manistee and Russet Norkotah, saw Envita-treated potatoes return at least 54 sacks more Grade A tubers, with an average of 84 sacks more. Overall total yield for Russet Norkotah was nearly 119 cwt/acre over the grower standard practice treatment.

“It’s why Envita has found favor across more than two million acres of cropland. There’s a lot of interest in finding out how to use them, how they fit into conventional programs.

“But therein lies one of the concerns, not just about Envita but all biologicals,” he points out. “Can you use them in the same way that you use other crop protection products?”

That challenge – to develop a more user-friendly Envita formulation – is not without its difficulties. Microbe-based products require special treatment during manufacture, to ensure microbial populations remain high and viable in use.

They can also prove less resilient during transportation and storage.

“It’s testament to the skill and scientific expertise of the Azotic formulation team that they’ve been successful in producing a high-performing wettable granule,” says Bishop.

“Envita WG contains the same unique strain of Gd, but in a more user-friendly formulation.”

“It’s an opportunity that’s available to organic growers too: Envita received OMRI certification in January 2024,” Bishop concludes.

Azotic offers a Performance Guarantee Program as a riskfree way to trying Gd. Call 1-877-ENVITA1, or email info@ envitasupport.com.

AI-Based Robotic Potato Sorter Improves Product Grading, Slashes Costs Fresh-pack potato processors struggle to find workers for the final inspection of potato sorting and grading. Even when sheds can adequately staff, defects still reach customers, and acceptable potatoes are wasted.

Now, for the first time, a robotic sorter is available to automate final inspection, ensuring accurate grading, increasing profits, and allowing managers to redeploy scarce workers to other tasks.

The SiftAI Robotic Sorter combines a delta robot with an AI-based vision inspection system. Each system is programmed with AI models for overall potato size and shape or presence of defects like bruises, cracks, percent green, and other cosmetic features. Installed over a roller table, the SiftAI cameras collect images of all sides of the potato.

For any potatoes that grade outside the AI model’s acceptance criteria, the system triggers the robotic arm to pick up and remove the potato from the product stream at rates between 80-100 picks per minute with two-robot system configurations. The SiftAI Robotic Sorter inspects potatoes with the same dexterity and speed as a human inspector but with much higher accuracy that increases profitability and reduces customer chargebacks.

Currently, the industry goal is to have no more than 5 percent of defective potatoes reaching customers, which is the limit set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. What’s more, human inspectors typically discard 10-20 percent of acceptable potatoes, reducing profits. In beta testing, the new AI-enabled robotic sorter dramatically reduced the percentage of missed defects and misgraded potatoes.

Adding increased profitability to the labor savings, the financial impact of automation is significant. The investment pays for itself in fewer than two years.

The system’s high accuracy is possible because its technology is not like the basic AI commonly used by other vision inspection systems. Instead, the system uses AI built on 12 years of development

by AI scientists and years of experience in the potato industry.

For more information, visit www. kpmanalytics.com.

12 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

Rivulis Launches D4000: A Breakthrough In Drip Irrigation For Challenging Terrain Rivulis has released its groundbreaking D4000 PC drip irrigation system. This revolutionary thin-wall pressure-compensated drip line is designed to make drip irrigation possible on land previously inaccessible for drip irrigation, allowing growers to maximize their productivity and profitability.

The D4000 PC, equipped with advanced pressure-compensation technology, ensures uniform water distribution across varying landscapes, including hilly terrain with slopes. Unlike traditional nonpc thin-wall drip systems, which are restricted due to the lack of pressure compensation, the D4000 PC paves the way for precision irrigation on longer flat terrains and even sloped terrains, transforming agricultural practices and expanding farming possibilities.

The D4000 PC is designed specifically for high-value vegetable crops, establishing a new standard in drip irrigation. Key features include: Revolutionary Design: The D4000 PC’s pressure-compensated system delivers consistent flow rates, optimizing water use and ensuring crops receive the precise water and fertilizer needed for optimal growth.

Maximized Land Use: Growers can transform previously unusable land into productive fields, enhancing output and profitability while maintaining sustainable farming practices.

Efficiency: With the ability to extend lateral runs by up to 25 percent and to reduce the diameter of the tubing, the D4000 PC minimizes material and labor costs, making field management simpler and more economical.

Sustainable Solution: Constructed from fully recyclable materials, the D4000 PC aligns with global trends toward environmentally responsible farming practices, ensuring that growers can maintain their commitment to sustainability.

Game-Changing Performance In Challenging Terrains: The D4000 PC’s design allows it to overcome the limitations of traditional irrigation systems, providing significant

advantages for growers facing the toughest field challenges. Its innovative pressure compensation technology enables uniform irrigation even on slopes, ensuring efficient water and fertilizer use and healthier crops.

Extensive field trials demonstrate the D4000 PC’s exceptional performance, maintaining consistent flow rates under varying pressure conditions.

For example, in a tomato field test, the system showed no decline in efficiency, delivering uniform water distribution even when there was a significant pressure increase. It is designed for flexibility, with

customizable dripper spacing and flow rates of 0.16gph and 0.23gph, making it suitable for various crops and soil types.

For more information, visit https:// www.rivulis.com/. PG

WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 13

AROUND THE VINE

Vantage-Northwest Transforms Into Agri-Service PTx, Delivering Seamless Precision-Farming Integration Agri-Service, an AGCO farm equipment dealership with 10 locations across Idaho and eastern Washington, is integrating its precision-farming division, VantageNorthwest, under the Agri-Service brand to create a more seamless customer experience. The division will now be known as Agri-Service PTx. Agri-Service acquired Vantage-Northwest in December 2018, expanding its precision-farming capabilities for customers throughout the Pacific Northwest. The newly integrated division offers such cutting-edge precision-farming solutions as PTx Trimble and Precision Planting.

The advanced precision-farming technology available via PTx Trimble includes GPS-guided systems for efficient land management, planting, and resource utilization to boost farm productivity. Meanwhile, Precision Planting agronomic technology delivers innovative solutions for planting, application, seeding, and soil management to enhance crop yields.

Ryan Hermann, sales operation manager at AgriService PTx, said customers will enjoy numerous benefits from the move.

“Our advanced technology solutions for precise planting, resource management, and farm operations can help farmers increase yields and efficiency,” he said. “With dedicated local service support at each dealership, Agri-Service PTx can keep our customers’ equipment operating smoothly and minimize downtime.

And by bringing the division in-house, we now offer seamless, fully-integrated technology solutions with the equipment we sell, ensuring our customers maximize the value of their investment.”

Hermann said in-house training is being conducted over the next few months to ensure smooth implementation and that the company will deploy four in-house product specialists regionally to cover AgriService’s growing territory.

According to Hermann, Agri-Service is working with AGCO Finance to offer financing options to customers.

And while the division’s focus will remain primarily supporting AGCO equipment, he said Agri-Service PTx plans to extend its precision-farming technology to customers operating mixed fleets in the future.

For more information, visit agri-service.com.

University Of Idaho Announces First Endowed Deanship In Institution’s History The J.R. Simplot Family Foundation has made a significant gift to establish University of Idaho’s first endowed deanship in support of the land-grant institution’s broad efforts to benefit Idaho agriculture.

The J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) pays homage to the Idaho-based agribusiness company’s founder, the late J.R. Simplot, and the Simplot family’s legacy within Idaho agriculture and with U of I. Annual distributions from the endowment will support the CALS dean’s priorities in perpetuity. By providing sustained financial support, an endowed deanship ensures continuity in leadership and a stable foundation for long-term strategic planning.

This stability enables the dean to pursue ambitious projects and invest in innovative initiatives. Such resources help attract top faculty members, improve student experiences and elevate the college’s contributions toward supporting and improving the agriculture industry.

“We’re grateful for the generosity of the J.R. Simplot Family Foundation,” U of I President Scott Green said. “It is fitting to name this deanship after Simplot given the family’s legacy in Idaho and agriculture.

This is a milestone for the U of I in establishing our first endowed dean’s position and we look forward to building on this great partnership.”

As the agricultural college for Idaho’s land-grant university, CALS is charged to advance the health

14 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and welfare of people, animals and the environment through research and education in agriculture, community, human and rural development, natural resources, nutrition and life sciences. In this role, the college collaborates extensively with stakeholders like the J.R. Simplot Company in fulfilling its mission.

Michael P. Parrella, who will be retiring in June 2025, will be the first to hold the title of J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural and

Life Sciences.

The university is embarking upon a national search for a new dean to build on the momentum the college has gained under Parrella’s leadership. Since he became dean in 2016, CALS has enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and made great strides toward expanding and improving its programs and research infrastructure throughout the state.

AGCO Celebrates Grand Opening of AGCO Technician Training Center At Parkland College

The new AGCO Technician Training Center at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, is the home of the AGCO AAS program, which is registered as an official apprenticeship through the U.S. Department of Labor. With 18,000 square feet of shop space and three state-of-the-art immersive classrooms, the facility will equip technicians with world-class skills for highdemand careers. Photo by Craig Pessman, Parkland College

AGCO Corporation celebrated Corporation, this advanced training the grand opening of the AGCO center is set to revolutionize diesel Technician Training Center at Parkland technology education and address the College in Champaign, Illinois. The new critical shortage of skilled technicians in 22,000-square-foot facility is the home of the agricultural industry. the school’s AGCO Agriculture Service The AGCO AAS program Technician Associate in Applied Science at Parkland College is registered as an (A.A.S.) degree program, which provides official apprenticeship through the U.S. instruction specific to the company’s Department of Labor, providing students popular machinery and precision ag with a unique combination of classroom technologies. learning, 1paid2024-12-10 on-the-job11:52 training Made 02-25 possible by aGrowers $5 Magazine AD (7x5).v1.pdf Potato am and nationally recognized credentials. million donation from AGCO

The new facility offers state-of-theart immersive classroom technology, 18,000 square feet of shop space stocked with special tooling and training aids and access to some of the latest equipment from AGCO’s Fendt, Massey Ferguson and PTx brands for a highly relevant, hands-on learning environment.

The location will also host training events for AGCO’s dealer network, at which student-apprentices can learn alongside veteran industry technicians. PG

WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 15

PUMP IT

Getting Ready For Irrigation Season

Potato growers work hard to get their fields to look like this. Irrigation – both in amount and timing – is one of the biggest keys to helping a potato crop grow and reach its full potential and marketability. And having a wellmaintained and properly working pump is as integral to an irrigation system as any other component.

6 steps to get your pump ready for the season | By Jerry Cook (ED—In the January issue, we shared a story [“Irrigation Season: Start With Inspections And Repairs,” Potato Grower Magazine, January, 2025, page 40] that details what growers can do to prepare their irrigation systems for the upcoming growing season. In this story, pump specialist Jerry Cook focuses on the pump part of the irrigation system.)

16 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

O UP

ne of the most important components of an irrigation system is the pump. It’s pretty tough to get much water on a field if the pump goes down or is malfunctioning.

With today’s sophisticated and extremely efficient irrigation systems any downtime can be costly for growers so performing some off-season inspections and maintenance can save a lot of time – and potential heartache – during the irrigation season.

And that includes the pump.

Here are six steps to help get (or keep) your pump in top shape for the irrigation season.

1.

2.

3.

Check the electrical panel. Shut the main disconnect off. Open the panel and make sure mice haven’t built a nest inside and/or chewed through the wires. Checking the panel also provides an opportunity to check if other debris is in there, debris that could create havoc with the electrical equipment.

Walk around the pump site. Look for broken conduit and/or exposed wire(s). These might be sticking out from the snow drifts that usually form around the pump station. This job might be a little easier if your area doesn’t get much snow. If there is much snow, you may have to do some clearing before you can inspect.

Check the electric motors.

Make sure the motors spin free.

They might have rusted up over the winter.

TOP: Doing a thorough visual inspection of your pump site(s) could reveal exposed wires, broken conduit, damaged housing or something else that might be amiss. Snow and snow drifts could make this task a bit more challenging but this is an important step nonetheless. Photo by steverts/Getty Images MIDDLE & BOTTOM: There might be locations where you need a barrier of some sort to keep cattle or other large animals away from the pump station.

This pump supplies an irrigation canal in northern California and its upkeep and maintenance is key to supplying areas farms and fields. This pump delivers upwards of 11,000 gallons per minute to the canal that feeds area irrigation systems.

WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 17

4.

5.

6.

TOP: All manner of debris can blow into a canal or ditch before, during and after the irrigation season. Any debris, natural or man-made, can create havoc with your irrigation system’s pump(s). That means some foreign object potentially being sucked into the pump. If that happens, you might have to pull the pump to unplug it. Photo by Yasin Caglayan/ Getty Images MIDDLE: Sometimes, where the water comes out, like shown here on southern Idaho’s Cranney Farms, isn’t very close to where the pump is. This water is filling one of Cranney Farm’s irrigation ponds, which is then used to water surrounding fields. Monitoring water flow can also help notify of any potential pump problems.

BOTTOM: One of the challenges with pump maintenance can be the sheer number and size of pumps on a grower’s properties. The variety of pumps can be a challenge to inspect, upkeep and maintain but a simple plan can prevent a potential myriad of problems during the irrigation season. Photo by Brian Brown/Getty Images

18 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

Change the oil in the motors if they have oiled bearings.

Some pump motors have oiled bearings while some do not. Most of the deep wells and short couple turbines do have oiled bearings.

Drain the dripper tanks and put fresh oil in them. Make sure the dripper valve is working. Oil is cheap compared to rebuilding a pump. Or the downtime you will have getting it rebuilt.

Clean, clean, clean. In some pump stations growers pump out of canals, ditches and the pumps sit inside a concrete vault. Look down in there clean out any debris, tumble weeds, plastic bags (and bottles), tree branches, etc. It is a lot easier to clean out now, before the water is in the canal or ditch and debris gets sucked up in the pump. If that isn’t enough, you have to pull the pump to unplug it, taking more time and energy.

Not every grower feels comfortable with the electrical part of the pumping system.

And some don’t like checking their pump(s).

If either of those are the case for you or if you have questions or are looking for some help with certain aspects of your pump, you should call a reputable irrigation pump service.

Preventive maintenance goes along way. It might not take care of every thing, but it can help.

Cook works at Circle Z Ag and Irrigation. For more information, call 208-881-5160 or visit www. circlezag.com. PG

Building the best and making it better…your way!

When you invest in a Western Spud Express® you can rest assured your new trailer has been built to stand up to the rigors the potato industry can dish out. The backbone of the Express is our high tensile steel main frame, treated with our level 4 paint system. Year after year the Spud Express delivers quickly and gently the biggest payloads, along with the highest resale value of any potato trailer on the market!

Learn more at www.westerntrailer.com or call 888.344.2539

"Buildings that Endure, Quality that Assures."

208.793.0892 www.titansteelidaho.com WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 19

BUYERS’ GUIDE

IRRIGATION

Dragon-Line Mobile Drip Irrigation (844) 424-3724 | www.dragonline.net Dragon-Line

Dragon-Line Mobile Drip Irrigation combines the efficiency of surface drip irrigation with the flexibility and economics of mechanized irrigation systems. It converts any pivot or linear to drip irrigation. Dragon-Line is powered by the Rivulis D5000 pressure-compensating self-flushing emitter which is welded into the internal heavy wall of the drip-line. It is fully operational at 10 psi.

Dragon-Line’s orange drip-line tubing and flexible hose allow for precise water placement and reversing. Its unique, adjustable design eliminates wheel track issues and reduces evaporation, soil compaction and crusting. Save 20-50 percent on water, labor and energy when you convert your system to Dragon-Line. Apply water and fertilizer precisely where it’s needed for any type or size of crop. Keep your foliage dry, disease-free and thriving. With DragonLine, your water won’t run off – it makes every drop of water count, banking water into your soil and dollars into your account.

Nelson Irrigation Corporation (509) 525-7660 | www.nelsonirrigation.com R65 End Of Pivot Sprinklers

R65 End Of Pivot Sprinklers

20 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

The new R65 and inverted R65i are further extending Nelson’s multi-stream, end-of-pivot sprinkler performance.

With a narrower body and new nozzle system, the sprinklers reach farther and better fill in the water pattern.

They use the same blue/green plates as the R55. Focused streams increase effective radius for increased coverage. A 270-degree water pattern brings water behind sprinkler for overlap with pivot sprinklers for increased uniformity at end of iron. The R65 nozzle is shaped to provide a distribution pattern that complements the sprinklers on the iron to maximize uniformity of the traveled profile.

Save water, save energy and do a better job of irrigating with Nelson Irrigation Products.

IRRIGATION

FieldNET

Lindsay Corporation (866) 404-5049 | www.lindsay.com/fieldnetnextgen FieldNET Advisor

FieldNET Advisor is the smartest irrigation solution on the market for potato and sugarbeet producers who want to maximize yields as they grow healthier and more uniform crops, increasing their operation’s bottom line.

Recognized as the 2025 AE50 award winner from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, FieldNET Advisor is a whole farm water management solution. Made to help simplify complex irrigation decisions, it’s an easy-to-use tool utilizing real-time agronomic data collected from on-farm Pessl weather stations.

By combining FieldNET Advisor’s recommendations with the advanced agronomics of FieldNET and Zimmatic pivots, growers are empowered to build more sustainable farming practices while reducing risk and operational downtime, significantly expanding the traditional capabilities of the pivots in their fields.

in the chemigation and fertigation industry. Choose from our robust Full Range units or the lightweight and versatile E-Z Meter Injection Series, both designed with user-friendly features to meet your agricultural needs.

The Full Range models boast proven piston pump technology, offering exceptional durability and reliability for demanding applications. The E-Z Meter Series stands out for its portability and an easy-to-read setting system, perfect for quick adjustments and movement between pivots.

Available in simplex and duplex configurations, these fertilizer and chemical injection pumps are tailored for advanced fertigation and chemigation processes. Built with 316 stainless steel, chemically resistant polypropylene, and top-tier seals, these pumps ensure superior performance and longevity in the harshest conditions.

Seametrics (800) 975-8153 | www.seametrics.com

John Blue Company (800) 253-2583 | johnblue.com

AG Series Flowmeters, Ranger Telemetry Transmitter

Irrigation Injection Pumps

Experience unmatched accuracy, quality and dependability with John Blue irrigation injection pumps — trusted leaders

The Seametrics AG series magnetic flowmeters feature no moving parts to foul or wear out, offer long battery life and operate in the toughest of flow conditions. These meters can be installed near the well, on the pivot, or anywhere there’s a need to measure water use. They offer a long battery life and are backed by an industry-leading 5-year warranty. Also available is the Ranger telemetry transmitter. The Ranger is a robust, cost-effective, reliable, easy way to deliver your flow meter and sensor data where you need it, when you need it. The Ranger comes complete mobile device ready with cloud interface to send meter information by text or email. Startup is simple; no external power needed. Install the Ranger in minutes and start managing your water resources … wirelessly.

WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 21

BUYERS’ GUIDE

IRRIGATION

T-L Irrigation (402) 462-4128 | www.tlirr.com Edge Controller

The Edge Controller gives irrigators the power to monitor and control pivot operations remotely from any device.

With no physical control panel needed at the pivot point, the controller is strategically installed on the end tower, increasing accuracy and reliability of pivot function.

Having the pivot water pressure sensor at the end tower is optimal, as it ensures the entire system is reaching the necessary water pressure for consistent, uniform application. The water pressure sensor is wired directly into the Edge Controller as are sensors and controls for critical functions like direction control, GPS position and end tower speed.

The Edge Controller provides closed-loop speed control. Real-time data is constantly incoming, and adjustments are being made right at the end tower to provide precise pivot speed. Combined with the steady movement of T-L Irrigation hydrostatic drives, this system provides even, precise application—all controlled and monitored remotely.

The Edge Solar eliminates the span cable and collector ring otherwise needed to provide 24-volt DC power to the controller. Solar panels are installed next to the Edge Controller at the end tower, converting to fully wireless. Edge Solar provides extra peace of mind where span cable theft is a concern.

The Edge Controller and the Edge Solar option are available for new systems and can be easily retrofitted to existing systems.

22 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

IRRIGATION Irrometer Company (951) 682-9505 | www.irrometer.com IRROcloud IC-10 Sensor Monitor

The IRROcloud IC-10 Sensor Monitor is a simple, affordable and reliable solution for automatically collecting sensor data for irrigation scheduling and storing it in the cloud for quick access at any time. Using only four C batteries with a 2 plus year life, the IC-10 Sensor Monitor reads up to 10 sensors and reports directly to IRROcloud without any need for additional gateways or devices.

With no need for a solar panel or height requirement to communicate with other devices, the IC-10 can easily be installed in orchards or beneath center pivots. The IC-10 reads and reports on soil moisture, air and soil temperature, rain and pressure. The IRROcloud web platform provides an intuitive interface with a quick reference dashboard, graphing suite, and optional frost alerting.

Irrigation Accessories Company (IACO) (360) 896-9440 | www.boombacks.com/

IACO Hose Boom

The Hose Boom is available in 10- or 15-foot lengths. Use the Double Hose Boom to create a 30-foot spread between sprinklers. The Hose Boom is the No. 1 selling Boomback in the world. It comes with hose preinstalled, so water never touches the steel, eliminating the possibility of rust flakes plugging the nozzle. The Hose Boom can be used with any full- or part-circle sprinkler on the market today. Hose Booms come with all the necessary parts to hang a piece of hose or to be pulled up close with IACO’s custom-designed Torque Clip and Side Force Control Fitting for use with part-circle sprinklers. Install four Hose Booms trailing the tower with partcircle sprinklers for dry wheel track or put them in opposing directions for the tower cloud to lower the Average Application Rate (AAR). You can download the free Boombacks APP and quickly calculate the difference in the AAR from drops to hose booms. Available for Apple or Android.

Ceres Imaging (888) 704-9398 | www.ceresimaging.net Water Demand Maps

In challenging conditions, precision irrigation requires more than guesswork. Water Demand Maps from Ceres Imaging use aerial data from your fields to help you visualize variability across your operation, so you can confidently conserve water without compromising crop health. When water is scarce, costly, or both, farm profits depend on irrigating only as much as necessary to protect yields. But for many busy growers, identifying where and how water needs vary across a large operation can depend on guesswork—estimating with generic crop coefficients that may not match real-world conditions in the field.

Water Demand Maps provide a powerful alternative. Ceres Imaging assesses variability in your crop canopy to generate Kc values specific to your fields, then maps these custom values to your existing irrigation zones. The result: an intuitive and highly customizable tool to guide irrigation scheduling and strategy.

WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 23

BUYERS’ GUIDE

IRRIGATION Reinke Manufacturing www.reinke.com/swing-arm www.howirain.com

Valley www.valleyirrigation.com Valley Scheduling

Enhance yield potential and profitability with Valley Scheduling, optimizing resource usage through precise watering and fertigation. Say goodbye to guesswork and complex calculations as our advanced agriculture app simplifies irrigation decisions for you. By analyzing soil moisture, weather conditions, crop type, and growth stage, it provides clear recommendations on when and how much irrigation is needed. This data is then utilized to create a precise irrigation schedule, ensuring crops receive the optimal amount of water at the right time. Valley Scheduling is committed to averting over-irrigation, curbing water wastage and addressing potential environmental concerns, while also preventing under-irrigation to safeguard crop growth.

SNF (912) 884-3366 | www.agriculture.snf.com

SOILPAM Tracklogs

SOILPAM Tracklogs have several benefits, including increased soil moisture in the root zone, decreased soil crusting, and reduced wheel track ruts caused by center pivot irrigation systems. The Tracklog allows for longer periods of soil treatment and hangs from pivot irrigation systems, treating the soil below and reducing wheel track ruts.

24 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

Electronic Swing Arm Corner

Reinke’s electronic swing arm corner (ESAC) technology is available for growers in the U.S. and Canada. The winner of both an AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the Irrigation Association New Product People’s Choice Award for agriculture irrigation, ESAC provides highly efficient, uniform water application to increase yields under Swing Arm corners.

Dedicated to irrigation innovation, Reinke searches out ways to help growers get the most from their operations.

With the electronic zone control of Reinke’s Swing Arm Corner (SAC), growers have been able to increase the number of irrigated acres in their fields. Combined with ESAC, they now have the technology to control sprinkler water application and virtually eliminate under- and over-watering on corners.

In field research, ESAC improved water precision application, making it a major improvement for irregularly shaped fields and corner applications on rectangular fields. With electronic zone control based on GPS positioning, ESAC then optimizes water or chemical applications to individual field specifications by controlling sprinklers utilizing either six or 12 zones.

ReinCloud and CropX

Maximize the performance of your Reinke irrigation system with CropX and ReinCloud. By integrating the technologies and support of two industry leaders, growers are able to access soil health information with the world’s finest irrigation scheduling tools.

Built by farmers for farmers, the CropX soil monitoring sensor is far more than a tool. Each sensor leverages thousands of data points above and below

IRRIGATION

ground—including soil health, crop behavior, precise weather patterns, topography maps and more. CropX auto-optimizes Reinke irrigation scheduling by reading those data points in real time to maximize yield and minimize waste.

Whether controlling 400 acres or 4,000, CropX integration through Reinke’s ReinCloud software platform creates a complete solution for understanding crops and controlling irrigation with power and precision.

From high-level data to in-depth graphs, ReinCloud + CropX crunch the numbers so growers can make informed decisions on the go, staying connected on any device—smart phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

Agri-Inject metering pumps operating properly through the season. These advanced, top-quality lubricants ensure outstanding and proven wear protection; resistance to oxidation, which prevents formation of sludge; and non-foaming, superior performance with hydraulic actuation. Combining Agri-Inject MacRoy Series G metering pumps with Pump Defender provides efficiency, accuracy and reliability when delivering vital nutrients to crops. PG

Agri-Inject, Inc. (970) 848-5336 | www.agri-inject.com MacRoy Series G System

The MacRoy Series G line of metering pumps from Agri-Inject are designed specifically to provide operating efficiency and economy for large-scale fluid injection projects.

MacRoy Series G Pumps are ideal for precisely applying fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, soil amendments, acid products, wetting agents and more through an irrigation system. These high-quality pumps are engineered and constructed to handle high-viscosity fluids and non-soluble materials in slurry form with ease.

Pump Defender Oil

Pump Defender heavy-duty injection pump oil stems from the maker of the world’s most recognized and trusted chemigation and fertigation systems.

Pump Defender features advanced proprietary formulas designed to keep WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 25

DIGGIN’ IN U OF I|

By Albert Adjesiwor

This shows how tall Palmer amaranth can get. And each plant can produce up to a half million seeds. Albert Adjesiwor is in the foreground.

Palmer Amaranth: The New Villain in the Pacific Northwest’s Crops Weed is already showing resistance to herbicides In the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest, farmers battle plenty of foes: fickle weather, fluctuating markets and ever-hungry pests. But in recent years, a sneaky new contender has joined the fight, weaving its way through fields and threatening crops like potatoes. Meet Palmer amaranth, aka, “the careless weed.”

You might wonder, “What’s the big deal about a weed?” Well, if weeds had superpowers, Palmer amaranth would be wearing a cape. This annual plant might sound like an ancient wizard from a fantasy novel, but to farmers, it’s the ultimate supervillain.

Native to the southwestern U.S., it has been sneaking its way across the country, hitching rides on contaminated seed, feed supplements, farm equipment, and even the bottoms of muddy boots. And now, it’s here in the Pacific Northwest, threatening some of the region’s most valuable crops.

In fact, over the past two years, we have fielded several calls regarding Palmer amaranth in potato and other crops, as well as in right-of-way areas.

Some of these started as just a few scattered plants that have now become thick patches that would be nearly impossible to get rid of.

What Makes Palmer Amaranth A Nightmare?

For starters, Palmer amaranth is the supervillain of weeds — it grows lightning-fast, reaching up to three inches a day under the right conditions.

Picture this: you walk into a field in the morning, and by evening, you swear a small forest has appeared. Mature plants can reach 6-8 feet tall, towering over crops like potatoes, stealing sunlight, water and nutrients.

But this weed isn’t just aggressive; it’s a clever shape-shifter. Palmer amaranth can produce up to half a million seeds

26 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

Palmer amaranth can grow up to three inches a day, eventually reaching heights of up to 6-8 feet tall. per plant. Those seeds scatter like glitter in the wind (and if you’ve ever tried to clean up glitter, you know it doesn’t go away). To make matters worse, some populations have developed resistance to multiple herbicides.

These resistance cases include herbicides in Groups 2, 3, 5, 9,

10, 14, and 15 which include Matrix (rimsulfuron); Prowl H2O (pendimethalin) and Sonalan (ethalfluralin); metribuzin; glyphosate; glufosinate (Rely and others); Reflex (fomesafen) and Chateau (flumioxazin); Outlook (dimethenamid-p), Dual Magnum (s-metolachlor), and Zidua (pyroxasulfone); respectively.

Herbicides in Groups 4 e.g., 2,4D, and 27 e.g., mesotrione (Callisto and others), also no longer provide control of some populations of Palmer amaranth due to resistance. About 70 percent of the Palmer amaranth samples analyzed in the lab were glyphosate-resistant, and 80 percent were resistant to Matrix (rimsulfuron).

What Can Potato Growers Do? We recommend an all-hands-ondeck approach, including rigorous field scouting, clean equipment practices and rotating crops to outsmart this weed.

Greenhouse bioassays have shown that potato herbicides such as Chateau, Dual Magnum, Linex, Metribuzin, Outlook, Sonalan, Reflex, and Zidua still provided very good control of Palmer amaranth collected from the PNW. However, a

Efficacy of selected potato herbicides on Palmer amaranth collected from PNW Herbicide % Palmer amaranth control Matrix (rimsulfuron) 29 Prowl H2O (pendimethalin) 70 Eptam (EPTC) 71 Linex 4L (linuron) 90 Tricor 4F (metribuzin) 93 Zidua SC (pyroxasulfone) 94 Sonalan HFP (ethalfluralin) 95 Reflex (fomesafen) 97 Chateau EZ (flumioxazin) 99 Dual Magnum (S-metolachlor) 99 Outlook (dimethenamid-p) 99 one-time application of any of these herbicides may not provide season-long control of Palmer amaranth. This means that even if growers get effective control at the beginning of the season, there may still be late-emerging Palmer amaranth that must be controlled to prevent crop

3- 2014 Better Built 72” model 400 3ph 2013 Ag Engineering 4 row Dammer Diker Hyd. 2023 2008 Newhouse 2002 Better Built 72”P1951 6 row Pull type Rollers ResetDouble L 6540 34” bed 4 row 1996 Double L 851 36”Tillage bed 4 row 36/38” Ag Engineering 4 row Master 2006 Newhouse P1751 6 row 3pt Rollers 34/36” 2005 Lockwood 5000 4 row RH 2018 Better Built 12” Liquid/Dry treater 2008 Spudnik 6140 4 row LH 2005 Milestone 42” Liquid Treater Spudnik 100 24” 2019 Spudnik 61403ph 32” rows R&L discharge 1993Milestone Spudnik42” 550Barrel 36” BCduster Elev. 48’ boom 3ph 2003 Spudnik 1000 Scoop trailer Remote 2005 Milestone 36” Barrel duster 2023 Double L 7040 Legend 34” bed 4 row 1998 Double 831 36”8”BCCannon Elev./49’ boom 3ph 1994 Better BuiltL CDT10Duster 2019 Double L 953 Std Bed 4 row Elec VFD’s remote 2018 Double L 7340 36” bed 4 row 1991 Double L 813 30” BC Elev./ 49’ boom 3ph 1996Double Trinity 42’ Elec4&row PTO Mayo Telescopic BoomBCPlanter filler 3ph 2002 L 873Trailer 36” bed 198524”Double L 811 30” Elev./ 49’Boom 1990Lockwood Double L 802 PTO only Double L 815 24” x 25’ 2012 474H22’4 row 1990 Spudnik 550 30” BC Elev./48’ boom 3ph 1989Spudnik Double L5625 802 36” 22’ Electric Lockwood 2001 bed 2 row remote20” x 18’ 1996 Spudnik 2100 20’ Electric 2004 Milestone 36” All belt Arcing / 48’ boom 1983 Logan 20B Electric 20’ remote 20083ph Grimme GL36 Cup 6 row 36” Pull Hitch 1996 Ford L9000 Auto, Cummins 2000 Wemco 36” AllCup belt6Arcing / 49’boom 2002 Kverneland 3300 row 36” Pull Hitch3ph 2011 2200 2012Spudnik Logan 22’ bed30” x 10’ 3ph All HYD remote 2011 Lockwood 6 row Air Cup 34” semi mount hyd drive 2015 Double L 832 36” BC with fingers 1979Spudnik Spudnik8080 500Pull Belttype Chain 3ph 36” 2008 cup,30”8 row, 1998 Kverneland 3200 4 row planter 36” 2- 1996 Double L 851 36” bed L & RH 4 rows 2002 60’4Tel. 2013 Logan Scoop Pro model SC30- 30” 2009Milestone Lockwood30” 554x LH rowConv. 3ph 1991 30”5000 x 60’RHTel. Conv. 3ph Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 2005Milestone Lockwood 4 row 2005 Spudnik 780 42” BC Elev./50’ Boom 3ph 2001 Spudnik 100 24” 3ph 2008Spudnik Spudnik1255 614030/36/85 LH 4 row Tel. Conv. 3ph drive Remote wheel & steering Spudnik 1000 2019 Spudnik 6140 32” rows R&L discharge 1995 Spudnik 550Scoop 30” BCtrailer Elev. /48’ boom 3ph 1996 STI 30” x 70’ 480 volt 3ph Remote 1992 Spudnik 525 36” BC Elev./48’ boom 3ph 230 7-2019 1998Double D L 809 30”/38’ 3ph4 Str. L 953 Std Bed row Conv. voltDouble Remote L 802 22’ bed 2001 Str. Conv.

2018Spudnik Double L1205 734030”/40’ 36” bed3ph 4 row 1998 Double L 8314200 36” BC 2002 Spudnik 22’Elev./49’ Electric boom 3ph 2016 Double L 973 36” bed 4 row Elec1998 remote Spudnik 2100 20’ Electric 2002 Double L 873 36”conv. bed 4onrow 19911996 Double L 8132100 30” BC 49’ boom 3ph Spudnik 20’Elev./ Electric Kerina 60” with cross wheels with hitch Grimme w/ multi-sep.

2004 36”Electric All belt 20’ Arcing / 48’ boom 3ph 1982Milestone Logan 20B Kerian 60”GT1700 with 2-2 row Distribution Conveyors 2012 Lockwood 474H 4 row remote 1983 Logan 20B Electric 20’ 2005 Lockwood 474H 4 row 2000 Wemco 36” All belt Arcing / 49’boom 3ph All 2001 Spudnik 5625 36” bed 2 row HYD remote

yield loss and Palmer amaranth seed production.

Adjesiwor is an assistant professor and Extension Weed Potato Specialist at the University of Idaho’s Kimberly Research and Extension Center. He can be reached at aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu. PG

2008 Spudnik 8080 Pull type cup, 8 row, 36” 2007 8060 hyd. Drive, 34” Finger rolls dirt 2005Spudnik Milestone MSDSE84 belt Elev. & sizing, split picking Cross out conv.

2011Milestone Spudnik 96” 2014 72”990 BC Elev. Reverse roll table sizingBetter tableBuilt split 72” picking cross out conv.

2002 2004Milestone Spudnik 995 A dirt & Size roll 1989 48” DES 22072” VoltQ1ph tables, split picking 230 volt 3ph.

2002 Spudnik 72” DE belt elev 2018 Built96” 12”480 Liquid/Dry 2017Better Milestone 3phasetreater 2007 Liquid Treaterrollers, 36” ellis table, 2006Milestone Spudnik 995 72”Finger 2017 Milestone 96” 480 3phase Milestone Treater 36” Belt Chain tableLiquid 230 Volt 3phase 2006 SpudnikL 1336 995 72”Finger rollers, ellis table, 2006 2015 Double 36”x 85’ 3ph 2005 Milestone 36” Barrel duster BeltDouble Chain table 2000 L 836 230 36” xVolt 85’3phase 3ph 1994 Better Built CDT10- 8” Cannon Duster 1994 Double L 820 30” x 60’ 3ph 2012 Harriston 3240 CH fingers peg belt blower 2- 2001 Spudnik 1255 30/36/85 sizing fingers 480 V 3ph 3phSpudnik drive wheel & steer 2002 Harriston 240 CH Ellis table peg belt blower 2015 991 Air Sep 72” 3phase 480 V 1996 STI 30” x 70’3240 480Clod volt Hopper, 3ph Finger table, 2023 230 VNorwest 3ph 6 row rolling cultivator 2004 Harriston 2013 Ag Engineering 4 row Dammer Diker Hyd. peg belt blower 3ph Reset 1995 Harriston 200 Clod Hopper finger Table 3ph 1993 Harriston 200 Clod Hopper Belted Chain 3ph 1996 Ag Engineering 6 row Dammer Diker Hyd. 1996 Double L 860 600cwt 42” Elevator 36” Reset 5- Spudnik 1205 42” x 40’ 3ph 3ph 4 row Tillage master Hyd. Reset Agdischarge Engineering 5- Spudnik 1205 36” x 40’ 3ph 2013 Mayo Surge40’ Hopper Mayo 4455 Hopper 300cwt 3ph, 2 belt stingers Lilliston rowSurge rolling cultivator 3- 2000 DL 455 877 36”/ 3ph 300wt 3ph, stingers 2013 1994 Spudnik 600cwt 1994 Spudnik 1800 600cwt 48” Elevator 36’ 5- 1998 DL 8091800 30”/38’ 3ph 3ph 1992 Spudnik30” 1800 6003ph cwt 3ph discharge 2005 Mayo 3ph single Tote filler 5- Milestone x 30’ 1988 Spudnik 1800 525cwt 30” Elevator 30” 3ph 2002 Kverneland 3300 Cup 6 row 36” Pull type, Tridischarge Steel Pendulum Washer, Stainless Steel Hyd. Drive Kwik Locs 2007 Harriston 6 row Cup semi mount 36” Alliston 48”bagger x 8’ rolling table Ag2017 Pack weigher 1995 9256 72” 480Mount volt 3ph 2006Spudnik Harriston row Acorns Cup semi 36’ Allistonflows Flume destoner 3-Even 9’W48''Wx13'L x 20’ x 12’SSwith Tilt belts Kerian 60”W x 6’ L, 3adjustable lanes 1” to 5”, 2011 Lockwood 6 row Air Cup 34” semi mount Kwik Locs Kerian Sizer- 60” with two 60” cross belts 3phase smooth rolls hyd drive Ag Pack weigher bagger Kerian 60”W x8069 10’ L,bed 4 adjustable 2013 Spudnik planter 9lanes units1”into6 row Grain Treater USC LP2000 with seed wheel 4.5”, rib rolls pull Type Newhouse 6 row Vine Shredder 2005 Spudnik 1600 Collector 60’’ conveyor, 3 2005 Milestone MSDSE84 belt Elev. Finger rolls stingers dirtMayo & sizing, splitshift picking Cross out conv.

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2015 Double BC with fingers 2004Spudnik Spudnik2200 995 DES 72”30”x10’ Q A dirt3ph & Size roll 2014 All belt tables, split picking 3ph. & RH 3ph 2-1993 Spudnik 2200 All230 beltvolt 30 x10’LH 2002 Spudnik 72” DE belt elev

WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 27

DIGGIN’ IN ESSENTIAL OILS|

By Peter Feng, PhD

Plant Essential Oils: A New Option For Controlling Root-Knot Nematodes Beyond Fumigants Root-knot nematodes are one of the major pathogens in agricultural production. These nematodes infect the roots of plants, causing root tissue swelling, which hinders nutrient absorption, suppresses crop growth and development, and ultimately leads to reduced yields.

Root-knot nematodes are widespread globally, being especially prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.

Traditionally, chemical agents such as nematicides, especially fumigants, have been used to control these pests. While fumigants offer excellent soil-clearing effects, they also eliminate beneficial soil microorganisms, and most nematicides can only target nematodes themselves, without killing nematode egg masses.

With the push for sustainable agriculture, research has increasingly focused on developing natural, safe and environmentally-friendly control methods, with essential oils showing significant potential in controlling rootknot nematodes.

Essential oils are volatile substances extracted from aromatic plants’ leaves, stems, flowers and roots. These oils have bioactive properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects. Rich in aldehydes, terpenes, phenols and esters, essential oils have natural pest and disease-fighting abilities. In combating root-knot nematodes, many essential oils have demonstrated the ability to inhibit nematode activity, prevent reproduction and reduce infection rates in plants.

Essential oils can control root-knot nematodes through several mechanisms.

First, the active components in essential oils can directly affect the nematodes’ nervous system, disrupting their movement and reproductive ability.

Many studies have found that essential oils containing terpene compounds, such as thyme oil, peppermint oil and cinnamon oil, effectively paralyze nematodes, preventing them from infesting plant roots.

TOP: The effect of nematodes on potatoes is fairly evident as shown in this photo. RIGHT: Essential oils may help control root-knot nematodes.

Photos courtesy of JH Biotech.

Additionally, essential oils have strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which inhibit the growth and reproduction of root-knot nematodes. Essential oils like clove oil and lemongrass oil are rich in phenolic compounds that can destroy nematode cell membranes, leading to their death.

Moreover, essential oils can boost plants’ immune systems, promote healthy root growth and increase crop resistance to nematodes.

In recent years, numerous studies on essential oils for controlling root-knot nematodes have shown varying effects.

One study tested 16 different essential oils for their lethal effects on root-knot nematodes and found that wormwood, cinnamon, peppermint, lemon balm, lemon eucalyptus, rue and clove oils were effective in killing half of the nematodes at dilutions higher than 500x. Cinnamon oil proved the most effective, killing more than 50 percent of the nematodes at concentrations as low as 1/10,000 and inhibiting egg

28 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2025

mass hatching at concentrations of 1/1000. Since cinnamon oil is a 25(b) exempt material, it is easily available on the market in plant protection products based on cinnamon oil.

In addition, some commercial essential oil products are gradually being applied in agriculture for rootknot nematode control. Neem oil, for example, has broad-spectrum insecticidal and antibacterial properties and has been proven effective against root-knot nematodes.

The main active ingredient in neem oil, Azadirachtin, inhibits nematode reproduction and prevents egg hatching.

Neem oil is currently classified as an EPA-registered pesticide, which makes it more expensive than 25(b) exempt products, complicating its promotion.

The main components of clove oil and cinnamon oil, such as eugenol

and cinnamaldehyde, are effective in controlling soil-borne diseases like damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani, wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum and bacterial wilt caused

by Ralstonia solanacearum. Therefore, applying plant protection essential oil products based on cinnamon oil can not only reduce the damage caused by root-knot nematodes to crop roots but also lessen the impact of other soil-borne diseases on crops.

The primary advantage of using essential oils to control root-knot nematodes lies in their natural and environmentally-friendly characteristics.

Compared to traditional chemical nematicides, essential oils do not pollute the soil, water sources, or ecosystems, and they pose relatively low risks to human health. Additionally, essential oils have multiple bioactive properties; beyond controlling nematodes, they promote plant health and reduce reliance on other pesticides and fertilizers.

However, there are challenges in using essential oils for nematode control.

First, essential oils are volatile, and their residual effect in the soil is relatively short, potentially requiring frequent applications to maintain effectiveness.

Alternatively, applying them in a fumigant-like manner — before planting, covering them with plastic to enhance volatility — could improve efficacy.

Additionally, the cost of different essential oils varies significantly, with some highly effective oils being relatively expensive, which presents challenges for large-scale agricultural production.

Moreover, the effectiveness of essential oils can be influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and soil type, requiring adjustments based on specific conditions in practical applications.

In conclusion, essential oils show significant potential as a natural and environmentally-friendly alternative for controlling root-knot nematodes. With advancements in agricultural technology and increasing demand for sustainable agriculture, essential oils are likely to become an essential part of future integrated pest management strategies.

For more information, visit https:// jhbiotech.com/.

Feng is product division manager at JH Biotech. PG WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 29

SEED SECTION

SEED INC.

The Potato Grower Seed Lot is where you will find seed producers from Manitoba to Maine, from Montana to Michigan—all conveniently gathered in one place.

If you’re a seed grower interested in being a part of The Seed Lot, call Rob at (208) 542-2218.

POTATOEH Experience the vigour of the north. With colder winters and long summer days, Alberta Seed Potatoes are the best choice for a higher yielding potato crop.

Ideal climate, profitable results.

Check out the seed directory at

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BIG SKY SEED

Planted With Precision •Alturas •Clearwater Russet

Grown To Perfection • ‘Dark Red’ Norland •Nordonnas

Conn Crapo 208 313 6310 ~ conncrapo@gmail.com Matt Graham 406 949 0445 ~ bigskyseed@gmail.com

Harvested With Care •Ranger Russet •Russet Burbank

PO Box 1003 Townsend, MT 59644

EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY SEEDSEED EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY POTATOES SINCE 1960.

POTATOES SINCE 1960.

Our isolated Northern location along with our group of 10 Our isolated Northern along with our group of 10 experienced experienced growerslocation havebeen producing exceptional seedpotatoes growers have been producing exceptional seed potatoes with increased with increased energy andthe lowestpossible disease levels forover energy and the lowest possible disease levels for over 50 years.

50 years.

Our andand historical performance have made usmade a valued Ourlongevity longevity historical performance have usresource avalued and seed potato supplier to growers across North America and the world. resource andseed potato supplier togrowers acrossNorth America and With the over world.

100 varieties including main crop and specialty selections, weWith inviteover you to100 givevarieties us a call toincluding discuss howmain we cancrop help you this andmake specialty growing season bestyou oneto yet. selections, wethe invite giveusacalltodiscusshowwecanhelp you make this growing season the best one yet.

Contact Darcy Olson for the latest info on availability of varieties & generations

ContactDarcyOlsonforthelatestinfoonavailabilityofvarieties&generations Email: darcyo@epg.ab.ca • Toll Free: 1 (800) 362-9791 • Ph: (780) 447-1860 Email: darcyo@epg.ab.ca • Toll Free: 1 (800) 362-9791 • Ph: (780) 447-1860 Edmonton Potato Growers Ltd. 12220 - 170 Street, Edmonton, AB T55V 1 L7 Edmonton Potato Growers, 12220 - 170 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 1L7

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

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Since 1942

CERTIFIED SEED

GEN II & III

• Russet Burbank • Norkotah L-3 •278 Jared Baum 652-7974 • 390-8889 Ashton, ID 83420

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Potatoes USA

Blair Richardson, CEO Potatoes USA

U.S. Frozen Potato Demand Remains Strong, With Challenges And Opportunities For Future Growth Fries could experience record growth by 2028 Potatoes have seen exceptional growth in demand over the past decade — particularly frozen potatoes — and the trend is not reversing. Reported volumes for potatoes grown and sold in the United States are up 16 percent since 2014 and up 6 percent since 2019 (1). This undeniable positive change in consumer behavior brings remarkable opportunities for potato growers, processors, importers and others.

Foodservice We’ve seen historic menu penetration for fries in foodservice over the last decade — from 57.2 percent of U.S. restaurant menus featuring fries in 2014 to 59.6 percent in 2024. While menu penetration doesn’t measure volume, it’s a key indicator for a category’s desirability in foodservice. Menu penetration for fries is expected to grow to a record 60.9 percent by 2028, which should support longerterm demand (2).

While this is positive, we must recognize inflation’s impact on foodservice traffic in 2023 and early 2024 (3). Foodservice menu prices remained at historic highs in 2023, rising more than 7 percent for the second straight year, according to Technomic (4). By the end of Q1 2024, 45 percent of restaurants had increased menu prices again, and more than half of restaurants said they expected another future increase (5).

These cost increases limited consumer

“Potatoes’ growth over the past decade is truly impressive.”

Photo courtesy of Lamb Weston traffic. When Technomic asked consumers why they were eating out less, more than three-quarters said, “Prices are too high.”

Sixty percent reported, “My budget for ordering foodservice has decreased (6).”

General economic factors are still impacting short-term demand, but there are signs of improvement. Technomic estimates growth in both limited-service and full-service restaurants in 2025, where most frozen potato sales are found (7). “Expect burgers to recover for sure, and the chicken players will continue to show strong growth,” said Technomic. “These are both good for fries (8).”

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Retail Meanwhile, U.S. retail potato sales are strong. Total dollar sales increased for all potato types except fresh from July 2023-June 2024, and the most significant increase was in frozen (+14.6 percent).

Volume sales for that period remained steady. This is an impressive accomplishment at retail considering the sharp price increases for frozen products. Overall, retail sales since July 2023 are nearly 10 percent greater than fiscal year 2019 and only 4.5 percent less than fiscal year 2020’s pandemic pantry-loading high (9).

In another sign of the potato market’s

strength, international companies are building new processing capacity in the United States (10). Over time, this increased capacity should rebalance imports, which have more than doubled over the past decade (11), while U.S. consumption outpaced supplies – especially for many frozen products. In the future, U.S. farmers should have more opportunities to use American-grown potatoes to help meet the demand these companies previously filled with potatoes from other parts of the world (12).

International Markets It’s also worth looking at international markets, particularly Mexico. The opportunity to ship fresh potatoes to markets throughout Mexico has had a measurable impact on the U.S. potato industry, creating new opportunities for growers and shippers. Mexico was the United States’ largest potato export market for the second year in a row in the July 2023–June 2024 period, and we expect consumer demand there to keep expanding (13).

While we see more competitors globally, we also believe global demand for potatoes and potato products will expand over the coming decade (14). Interest from China, India and Turkey in producing more frozen products will likely disrupt some regional markets in the coming years. However, we hope greater access to supplies will (over time) also create more demand in these markets where most potatoes are still marketed in a fresh format.

Potatoes’ growth over the past decade is truly impressive. While the rate of growth may have slowed in some areas over the past year, the category is still expanding and riding a historical peak, with new demand records again in 2024. All things considered, the future for potatoes is bright.

We do, of course, face several challenges, including new competitors and uncertain economic factors. How we react to these challenges will determine our success both individually and as an industry.

1. Potatoes USA Volume Assessments 2. Datassential, Fries the food SNAP TM Food Profile 3.Technomic State of the Industry Midyear Report 2024 4. Technomic Top 500 Chain Foodservice Report 2024 5. Technomic State of the Industry Midyear Report 2024

6. Technomic State of the Industry Midyear Report 2024 7. Technomic State of the Industry Midyear Report 2024 8. Email - SRG x Technomic Help on explaining Fries in FS decline (and optimism looking forward) 9. Circana Retail Sales Report_FY24 July 2023_June 2024 10. Point/Plover Metro Wire, March 25, 2024 https://spmetrowire.com/new-state-law-securescitys-spot-as-finalist-eyed-by-belgium-potato-

processor-150-jobs/ 11. Potatoes USA Volume Assessments 12. World Potato Markets - A Global Perspective of Potato Processing 13. Trade Data Monitor compiles the data from the United States Department of Commerce, Foreign Trade Division, using the Harmonized Coding System, Schedule B https://potatoesusa. com/news-events/us-potato-exports-july-2023june-2024/ 14. World Potato Markets - A Global Perspective of Potato Processing PG

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Proven Since 1973 Specializing In: • Potato Storages • Feed Barns • Shops • Hangars • Commercial Buildings Brad Hill Potato Cellars/ Storage (208) 351-1035

Bob Conger Chief Financial Officer (208) 709-0161 WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 35

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National Potato Council Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council

The Dietary Guidelines Report — One Step Forward, Two Steps Back Some recommendations are head-scratching In early December, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) released its 2025 Scientific Report. This report was created by a group of academics and other experts as a first step in rewriting the federal government’s advice to Americans on what a healthy diet looks like.

Though it took two years to develop, there are some recommendations within it that undermine the “scientific” part of its title and are head-scratching, to say the least.

Now, the secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (HHS) have the responsibility to accept, reject or amend this document. This is an excellent opportunity to restore scientifically grounded, common-sense advice in whatever is ultimately finalized.

A Welcome Rejection Of Potato Reclassification Early in the process, observers became concerned about the questions the government and these academics were asking and where those ideas might lead. A glaring one was the notion that potatoes could be reclassified out of the vegetable category or made interchangeable with grains.

This suggestion was made by antipotato activists in the past. Fortunately, this time around -- after the idea became an international viral sensation that ended up in global media, including as part The Tonight Show’s opening monologue as an example of absurd government overreach -- the

“Interestingly, media outlets were highly critical of the agriculture industry seeking representation on the committee but didn’t say a thing about the activists.” committee discarded that notion in its submitted report.

Moving potatoes into the grain category could have had cascading and long-lasting effects on schools and feeding programs reliant on costeffective, nutritious options. For the millions of Americans served by these programs, potatoes remain a vital part of the diet-- as much for their affordability as for their nutritional value.

Thankfully, sound judgment (and common sense) prevailed, and the committee reaffirmed that potatoes are indeed a vegetable -- a decision grounded in horticultural and nutritional science.

The Contradiction In Reducing Vegetable Consumption While the notion of reclassifying potatoes was discarded, the report unfortunately included a perplexing recommendation — a reduction in the consumption of starchy vegetables. In short, for a country that does not eat enough vegetables, this report’s bizarre remedy urges further reductions in vegetable consumption.

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For a nation struggling with food insecurity and chronic diseases linked to poor nutrition, advising a decrease in consumption of any vegetable category is neither good science nor good policy.

Potatoes and other starchy vegetables are nutrient-dense powerhouses.

They’re rich in potassium, vitamin C, fiber and other essential nutrients, all at a low cost to consumers. For children in particular, potatoes can serve as a gateway food, helping to incorporate other vegetables into their diets.

Research supports that when potatoes are included in meals, children are more likely to consume a greater variety of vegetables, helping to instill lifelong healthy eating habits.

Where Did The Science Go? One deeply concerning aspect of the DGAC’s process was its seeming detachment from robust nutritional science, replaced instead by issues that are more political in nature.

In simple terms, the nutrient content of a commodity was deemphasized, while the way in which the commodity is produced (sustainability, social justice

ideals, etc.) was introduced.

For potatoes specifically, the committee’s recommendation to reduce starchy vegetable consumption was unsupported by existing data and undermines public health goals.

However, it was recommended previously by food activists, dating back to the Congressional battles during the Obama administration, with a goal to keep potatoes out of school meals.

Instead of resurrecting these old battles and decreasing vegetable consumption, efforts should pivot toward the nutritionally valid goal of increasing vegetable consumption overall. In fact, research shows us that potatoes actually incentivize the consumption of other vegetables.

Should we be surprised by these efforts? No. Activist groups were very bold as the committee was being formed in seeking to populate the committee with individuals who were likely to carry their political agendas. Interestingly, media outlets were highly critical of the agriculture industry seeking representation on the committee but didn’t say a thing about the activists.

The government’s choice to tilt

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

2020 - 2025 Make Every Bite Count With the Dietary Guidelines Ninth Edition • DietaryGuidelines.gov

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representation on the committee toward political/activist voices may explain the initial extreme questions and recommendations that depart from nutrition science. When decisions as influential as federal dietary guidelines are made, it is critical that the government is getting actual advice based on the evidence, not the view that is the most popular. Guidelines need to be evidence-based, balanced, and actionable.

Implications For Policy And Communities The release of the DGAC report marks the beginning of a political process, where USDA and HHS Secretaries will shape the final version of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. While the existing report has set the stage, the possibility for adjustments, particularly with an entirely new set of administration decision makers remains. Those individuals should view this as an opportunity to consider the more exotic recommendations for what they are, incorporate stakeholder feedback, and correct the document’s glaring

Photo courtesy of Idaho Potato Commission. inconsistencies.

As the National Potato Council and our state and national partners have affirmed, potatoes are crucial to America’s food system — offering unparalleled nutritional and economic

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value. We will continue to urge policymakers to consider the broader implications of these recommendations as they work to align federal dietary policies with science-based facts and common sense. PG

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