Your crops deserve more than just conventional fertilizer. Dairy Doo® blends will feed the biology that drives nutrient uptake, improves soil structure, and sets your crop up for success from the start.
Our Custom Blends are built for your acres, your soil tests, and your goals—because when you farm the soil first, you grow better potatoes.
✅ Proven on farms across across Michigan and beyond
✅ Available for broadcast or in-furrow application
✅ Backed by agronomists who understand your crop
Start your season the Dairy Doo way. Call today or visit DairyDoo.com to connect with a soil health expert. (231) 734-2451
Products that Profit
Take Control of your ROI with BRANDT® Smart Quatro® Plus
BRANDT Smart Quatro Plus isn’t just a foliar solution – it’s an investment in maximizing crop performance. With a complete package including B, Mg, Mo and Zn, it provides crops with the nutrients they need to thrive. The result? Healthier crops and better yields. Take Control with BRANDT Smart Quatro Plus and watch your profits grow.
DIGGIN’ IN
28 Potato Cyst Nematodes Control With Trap Crops And Crop Rotation
30 From Field To Table: How Farmers Are Navigating The Challenges Of Forever Chemicals
32 UC Riverside Research Explores A New Way To Fight Devastating Weeds
33 Idaho Potato Commission Fueling The World’s Best: Idaho Potatoes At The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals
35 National Potato Council
2025 Washington Summit: Advancing The Policy Agenda For Potato Growers
37 Potatoes USA
National Chip Program Participants See Unique Value In Industry Collaboration
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ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
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PRODUCTION
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GRAPHIC ARTISTS
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CIRCULATION
Chuck Harris
IT DEPARTMENT
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ACCOUNTING
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CALENDAR
MAY 12-15
Food Safety Conference
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, Illinois www.food-safety.com
MAY 16-18
North Carolina Potato Festival
Elizabeth City, North Carolina https://www.ncpotatofestival.com/
JUNE 3 AND 5
12th Annual Ag World Golf Classic
June 3 – Canyon Lake Golf Course, Kennewick, Washington
June 5 – The Links at Moses Pointe, Moses Lake, Washington https://agworldgolf.com
JUNE 15-17
Washington Potato & Onion Association Convention
Coeur d’Alene Resort
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho http://wapotatoonion.com
FOUNDED BY Darryl Harris
CORPORATE OFFICES:
HARRIS PUBLISHING INC. 190 E 1st Street Idaho Falls, ID 83401 208-523-1500 www.potatogrower.com
NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL (202) 682-9456 www.nationalpotatocouncil.org
POTATOES USA (303) 369-7783 www.potatoesusa.com
UNITED POTATO GROWERS OF AMERICA (801) 266-5050 www.unitedpotatousa.com
ALLIANCE FOR POTATO RESEARCH & EDUCATION www.apre.org
POTATO ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (734) 239-8022 www.potatoassociation.org
Printed in Idaho Falls, ID by Falls Printing rob.erickson@fallsprinting.com
INTERNATIONAL POTATO CENTER www.cipotato.org
JUNE 24
University of Idaho Field Day –Aberdeen
UI Aberdeen Research and Extension Center Aberdeen, Idaho brentb@uidaho.edu
UI Kimberly Research and Extension Center Kimberly, Idaho amjackson@uidaho.edu
JULY 14
Potato Grower Magazine Golf Tournament
Idaho Falls Country Club
Idaho Falls, Idaho www.potatogrower.com/golf
JULY 15-17
Potato Sustainability Alliance Summer Symposium
The Culinary Institute of Canada Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canad a https://potatosustainability.org/
JULY 27-31
Potato Association Of America Annual Meeting
Madison, Wisconsin potatoassociation.org
AUGUST 3-6
Soil & Water Conservation Society Annual Conference
Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa, California www.swcs.org/events
AUGUST 13-14
Idaho Irrigation Equipment Association Summer Meeting
Twin Falls, Idaho idahoirrigationequipmentassociation.org
AUGUST 27-29
Idaho Grower Shippers Association Annual Convention
Sun Valley Resort
Sun Valley, Idaho www.idahoshippers.org
SEPTEMBER 9-11
Husker Harvest Days
Grand Island, Nebraska huskerharvestdays.com
NEW PRODUCTS
Trimble,
PTx Trimble
Expand Technology To Maintain Precision, Continuous Operations In Ag Industry
Trimble and PTx Trimble announced the availability of Trimble IonoGuard for the precision agriculture industry. IonoGuard is a next-generation technology engineered to enhance RTK GNSS signal tracking and hardware positioning performance.
IonoGuard helps ensure more reliable and accurate positioning by reducing the risk of signal loss and maintaining signal integrity during challenging ionospheric conditions.
Every 11 years, solar activity peaks, causing ionospheric disturbances such as scintillation and signal noise that
can result in unreliable positioning. Solar Cycle 25, which began in 2024 and is expected to last through 2026, could pose significant challenges with the potential for global disruptions. While solar cycle disturbances are a phenomena noticed by few in most occurrences, highprecision RTK GNSS users in equatorial regions are regularly impacted by solar activity year-round, inflicting costly interruptions on agricultural operations.
Trimble IonoGuard is available on the PTx Trimble NAV-900 guidance controller via the latest PTx Trimble Precision-IQ firmware release and Trimble base stations that support the ProPoint GNSS positioning engine, sold and distributed by PTx Trimble. When combined, users can achieve maximum RTK performance.
For more information, visit https://ptxtrimble.com.
Scorch EXT Receives 24(c)
Registration In Colorado For Control Of Kochia In Fallow
Nufarm Americas announced that Scorch EXT Herbicide has received 24(c) registration in Colorado for broadleaf weed control in fallow and eco-fallow fields. A herbicide premix powered by Nufarm’s proprietary Duplosan technology, Scorch EXT was developed in response to the increasing threat of kochia, including biotypes resistant to glyphosate, dicamba, 2,4-D and/or fluroxypyr in groups 2, 5, 9 and 14.
Surveys by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) have increasingly identified kochia among the most troublesome weeds pressuring cereal grains, field corn and grain sorghum growers, making kochia control in fallow a critical management requirement. Research by leading Colorado State University and Kansas State University weed scientists, including Dr. Lovreet Shergill, Dr. Phil Westra and Dr. Vipan Kumar, has verified resistance to glyphosate, dicamba, 2,4-D and/ or fluroxypyr in various populations of kochia. Additionally, kochia biotypes resistant to more than one herbicide have grown substantially in recent years. Scorch EXT features a combination of dichlorprop-p, dicamba and 2,4-D. Dichlorprop-p is an active ingredient historically used in mixtures for brush control that remained unexplored until recently. In the past few years, university and third-party research with Scorch EXT has demonstrated excellent and very consistent control of kochia. Scorch EXT is an ideal option where resistant kochia and other tough-tocontrol broadleaf weeds are a threat. Previously approved in Kansas and Montana, it’s now labeled in Colorado under a 24(c) label for use in fallow or eco-fallow fields to control kochia, Russian thistle, common lambsquarters, Canada thistle, Palmer amaranth, wild mustard and tansy mustard.
In addition to the 24(c) labels in Kansas, Colorado and Montana, Scorch EXT is also approved for IVM applications, including general farmstead and non-crop areas including rights-of-way, fence rows and industrial sites. It is currently pending EPA registration for additional crop uses. For more information, visit nufarm.com/uscrop.
NEW PRODUCTS
Case IH SenseApply Offers
Affordable,
Versatile Sense And Act Application Technology
Case IH is launching SenseApply technology, an economical and adaptable automated Live variable rate application solution, purposefully designed to maximize the output of every input.
SenseApply consists of a single cab-mounted camera system that offers multi-season uses for unmatched versatility and productivity without compromising quality or functionality.
• Base + Boost applies a consistent base rate over the entire boom while boosting individual nozzle sections to a higher rate when passing over areas with higher weed pressure
Live Variable Rate Application (VRA)
• Burndown VRA
• Nitrogen VRA
• Harvest Aid VRA
• Plant Growth Regulator VRA
• Fungicide VRA
SenseApply technology includes lifetime Live VRA use and a one-time activation fee for Selective Spray, eliminating both per acre fees and annual fees for the life of the device. The technology is designed for simple and efficient application, at speeds of up to 25 mph, with the camera self-calibrating to the crop within the first 150 feet during Live VRA. The SenseApply camera – which is mounted on top of the cab to maximize field of view –senses plant biomass and responds accordingly, depending on the application type the operator selected.
For more information, visit www.caseih.com.
Pro Farm Group Introduces ARINO
Insecticide/Nematicide For Use In Potatoes
Pro Farm Group introduces ARINO insecticide/ nematicide for the management of nematodes and wireworms in potatoes, onions and other bulb and tuberous vegetables.
Arino is powered by RinoTec technology, a novel biocontrol agent that stops root feeding of plant-parasitic nematodes, wireworms, white grubs and other costly pests. RinoTec has received U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency registration, and Arino is being used in on-farm demonstrations during the 2025 growing season.
Stops Feeding And Repels Soil Pests To Minimize Crop Loss
Arino is applied at planting as an in-furrow liquid treatment. It provides activity against Columbia rootknot nematode, lesion nematode and northern root-knot nematode, as well as white grubs and wireworms.
• Within the soil, Arino is absorbed by roots and moves through the seedling’s developing root system, providing protection at a crucial developmental stage.
• When ingested by the pest during root feeding, it acts as a stomach poison, stopping pest feeding and the resulting damage that reduces crop yields and lowers crop quality and marketability. In the case of root-knot nematodes, Arino prevents the formation of the pests’ feeding sites, leading to the nematodes’ eventual starvation.
• RinoTec also generates a reaction within the plant roots that repels nematodes to help further protect seedlings.
Convenient, Effective Pest Control Alternative
The naturally sourced, biological-based components powering Arino insecticide/nematicide feature:
• Exemption from tolerance and established MRLs.
• Tank-mix compatibility with a wide range of crop protection products and fertilizers including 10-34-0.
• No buffer requirement when soil-applied at planting.
• Minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, a 4-hour restricted entry interval (REI), and a 0-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) upon application.
• No closed mixing system requirement, providing convenience not previously available from other liquid infurrow insecticides.
• A low impact on beneficials and pollinators.
• Shelf-stable formulation and storage characteristics similar to other crop protection products
Arino will be available for use in 2026 pending state registrations.
For more information, visit ProFarmGroup.com.
PPM Technologies Introduces CookWright Continuous Frying System
PPM Technologies has introduced its new CookWright continuous frying system. Designed to maximize production efficiency and product quality, this versatile fryer offers customizable heating, belt and filtration configurations to ensure each processor gets the ideal fryer for their unique application.
CookWright combines precise temperature management with innovative oil filtration to produce consistent, high-quality results while improving fuel efficiency and
maximizing sanitation.
CookWright excels in frying potato chips, corn-based snacks, extruded snacks, pita chips, plantain chips, nuts and seeds, proteins like pork rinds, appetizers like spring rolls and more. Available in a range of capacities, the system can be customized with different belt designs depending on product characteristics such as whether the product floats, sinks or changes buoyancy during frying. Heating options include direct-fired immersion tubes, gas-fired heat exchangers and indirect thermal fluid exchange, with single or multi-zone heating configurations available.
Oil quality is preserved through a state-of-the-art filtration system that features PPM’s patent-pending drum filter and secondary filtration options, when needed. This advanced oil management technology extends oil life and improves product appearance and taste while reducing operational costs. CookWright’s continuous oil circulation with multiple inlets ensures uniform heat distribution throughout the fryer.
Equipped with upgraded sensors and controls that enhance operational reliability and monitoring, CookWright collects valuable data including temperature logs, operating hours and fault histories, which are accessible through its intuitive touchscreen HMI. The sophisticated controls enable easy integration with plant-wide systems for monitoring overall equipment efficiency.
Engineered for durability in demanding food processing environments, CookWright is built with high-temperature bearings, oversized bearings for enhanced reliability, stainlesssteel reducers and totally-enclosed, non-ventilated stainless-steel motors designed to withstand washdown conditions. The fryer features CIP (clean-in-place) functionality with dedicated controls to simplify and streamline the cleaning and sanitation process. For more information, visit www.ppmtech.com.
New Holland Launches IntelliSense Sprayer Automation; Most Versatile And Productive Sense And Act Technology On The Market
New Holland has introduced IntelliSense Sprayer Automation, the most comprehensive application automation solution on the market and a factory offering for new Model Year 2026 Guardian series front boom sprayers: the SP310F, SP370F and SP410F.
The system can be used on a wide spectrum of crops — from corn, soybeans and cotton to pulse crops and small grains like wheat and canola — with an unprecedented list of full-season application functions, including herbicide, fungicide, plant growth regulator, nitrogen and harvest aid. This technology is accessible with no annual subscription requirements or per-acre fees.
Unique Positioning Creates An Eagle Eye Vantage
Unlike other smart apply technology familiar to North American applicators and farmers, which employ multiple boom-mounted
cameras, IntelliSense Sprayer Automation uses a single cabmounted, factory-fit SenseApply Camera unit.
The SenseApply camera unit is a forward-looking, multi-spectral vision system that enables IntelliSense Sprayer Automation to continuously scan upcoming field conditions (50 feet out in front of the sprayer) across the full width of the boom from a high vantage point atop the cab. The result: an expanded vision of the field that generates quicker and longer leading assessments, allowing the operator to drive and apply accurately at a faster speed than any other sense and act technology on the market today.
Comprehensive Group Of Unique Sprayer Functions Drives Application Productivity
The leading aspect of the new IntelliSense Sprayer Automation is its Selective Spray function. It offers operators the choice of two application types to enhance herbicide applications: Spot Spraying and Base + Boost.
Spot Spraying utilizes green-on-brown functionality and operates by detecting weeds smaller in stature (less than two inches in height) and activates nozzles on the boom that correspond to the location of the detected weed.
Where an operator is applying a broadcast herbicide over a field, Base + Boost mode applies a uniform base rate across the entire coverage width and activates a localized boost rate from nozzles where weeds are detected. When the SenseApply camera identifies a weed, IntelliSense Sprayer Automation boosts the maximum application rate for that single weed within the herbicide’s prescription rate range.
These two operations offer farmers enhanced capabilities to utilize their herbicide application: the ability to apply a broadcast herbicide to knock out smaller weeds and a prescription rate to manage larger weeds. Within both Selective Spray modes, the operator can alter sensitivity and coverage area. This means the operator can adjust the system’s responsiveness to weed size based on a scale of small, medium or high and the target application area where a weed is detected.
Beyond Selective Spray, IntelliSense Sprayer Automation bolsters its capabilities with a range of full-season live variable rate application functions that further elevate a sprayer’s productivity, utility and overall operating ROI. Functions include nitrogen variable rate application (VRA), plant growth regulator VRA, fungicide VRA, harvest aid VRA and burndown VRA. These functions operate by automatically adjusting the amount of each input applied (nitrogen, PGR, fungicide, harvest aid and burndown) based on detected biomass health levels.
To further in-field productivity, a Guardian front boom sprayer actively engaging one of the VRA functions can operate at speeds up to 25 mph. If Selective Spray is in active use, the sprayer can run at speeds up to 19 mph. This is an industry-leading speed range that ensures sprayer operators can maintain a high level of in-field performance and quality of application to maximize every ounce of input running through the boom.
For more information, visit https://agriculture. newholland.com/en-us/nar.
AROUND THE VINE
Update On Scott Bame Story
We inadvertently left out the footnotes from Scott Bame’s financial story in the March issue [“Position Your Farm To Withstand An Economic Downturn With Proactive Strategy And Optimism,” Potato Grower, March 2025, page 22]. So here is the paragraph with footnote numbers, followed by the footnotes.
“As we near the 2025 growing season, the market for potatoes is mixed. While processing demand is up just slightly, the overall potato market remains flat and growers should expect continued pressure on margins. Farm income was down in 2024 for the second year in a row (1) with profitability also declining for the third straight year. Some growers have financial reserves to carry them through a short-term period of decline, but as these conditions stretch out over the long-term, savings are running dry. Financial institutions are also responding to the market with tighter credit thresholds (2), which means it’s going to be more difficult to access capital than it has been in recent history.
(1) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2024, December 3). Farm sector income & finances: Farm sector income forecast, https://www.ers. usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-sector-income-finances/farmsector-income-forecast/
(2) American Bankers Association. 2024 Ag Lender Survey, https://www.aba.com/-/media/documents/reference-and-guides/2024-aglender-survey-fin.pdf
Ted Tschirky Of Washington Elected National Potato Council President
Washington, D.C. — The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2025 roster of Executive Committee leaders at the organization’s annual Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, Ted Tschirky of Pasco, Wash., was elected to serve as the council’s president for the next 12 months.
Previously serving as NPC’s first vice president and vice president of Trade Affairs, Tschirky has been actively involved in state and national potato associations for more than 20 years. A third-generation farmer in Washington’s Columbia River basin, Tschirky served on the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) prior to joining NPC in a leadership role.
During his involvement with WSPC, he traveled to D.C. often to advocate on behalf of the state’s potato industry and saw the impact NPC was having not only on a national level but with international trade as well. He also learned how important establishing solid relationships with state and federal representatives was for the overall wealth and health of the industry.
“As this year’s council president, I want to encourage our executive committee and board members to get involved with their state representatives as much as possible,” Tschirky said, “which, in turn, helps build stronger relationships on the federal level. When it comes to policies affecting agriculture, it should be our goal for
elected officials to come to us and ask how these rules and regulations would affect our business. It takes time to get to this point, so let’s make it a commitment to get there at all levels.”
At age 18, Tschirky’s first “official” farming project was with Future Farmers of America, growing potatoes for Lamb Weston. For nearly 45 years, he’s carried on his family’s legacy which started with his great-grandparents migrating from Switzerland and originally settling in Oregon. His father began the Washington Tschirky Farms in the 1950s. The business now grows mostly potatoes for processing and includes a storage facility.
The full NPC Executive Committee roster includes:
• Ted Tschirky (Pasco, Wash.) – President
• Ben Sklarczyk (Johannesburg, Mich.) – First Vice President and Vice President of Grower Outreach and Industry Research
• Chris Olsen (Othello, Wash.) – Vice President of Environmental Affairs
• TJ Hall (Hoople, N.D.)– Vice President of Finance
• Dean Gibson (Paul, Idaho) – Vice President of Legislative Affairs
• Brett Jensen (Idaho Falls, Idaho) – Vice President of Trade Affairs
• Bob Mattive (Monte Vista, Colo.) – Immediate Past President
• Kam Quarles (NPC CEO) – Non-voting Member For more information, visit nationalpotatocouncil.org.
LOCKWOOD Launches New Website
LOCKWOOD Manufacturing has announced the launch
of a completely updated website design. After months of design and testing, LOCKWOOD launched the new site in February, prior to the potato planting season.
The new website includes improved features and tools users are accustomed to, as well as new additions to help create an easy-to-navigate site.
“Our primary goal during the redesign process was to make the site user friendly and responsive across all platforms and devices,” said Nick Chiodo, LOCKWOOD Marketing Manager. “We worked to ensure that our website visitors can locate the information they need quickly.”
Among many updates, the redesigned website layout includes an improved dealer locator, quick links to popular tools and a streamlined design to view equipment available for sale. On top of these interactive features, LOCKWOOD’s product lineup is highlighted on redesigned product pages that incorporate photo slideshows and video links to see the equipment in action.
“The best part is that the website is open 24/7/365!” said Chiodo. “Visit us any time or drop us a line on the new Contact page.”
For more information, visit lockwoodmfg.com.
AROUND THE VINE
Fisher Cats Announce Space Potatoes
Alternate Identity
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, proud Double-A partners of the Toronto Blue Jays since 2004, launched their alternate identity, the New Hampshire Space Potatoes, Feb. 19.
With rooted history beyond baseball in New Hampshire, the Space Potatoes opened their season April 19 at Delta Dental Stadium.
“I’ve been amazed at watching our staff bring the Space Potatoes identity to life,” said Fisher Cats General Manager Taylor Fisher. “It’s been a lot of fun to combine two notable New Hampshire firsts into one brand, and I’m so excited to watch our fans get to enjoy it in 2025.”
Much like the Manchester Chicken Tenders launch in 2022, the Space Potatoes identity is backed by the wide-ranging lore of firsts in New Hampshire. On top of being the state’s official vegetable since 2013, the white potato first found American soil in Londonderry (Derry), New Hampshire, by early 18th century Scots Irish settlers.
The Fisher Cats mash the potato’s roots in New Hampshire with the infamous Barney & Betty Hill incident that occurred on Route 3 in New Hampshire’s White Mountains late in the summer of 1961, remarked as the first widely reported alien abduction in the United States.
Additional information on the New Hampshire Space Potatoes, including tickets, dates, merchandise, and more can be found at https://www.milb.com/new-hampshire/ team/space-potatoes.
Opening Day 2025 for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats is Friday, April 4, at Delta Dental Stadium against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
Dr. Mike Graham Appointed As New Head Of R&D For Bayer’s Crop Science Division
Bayer announced that Dr. Mike Graham will become the new head of Research & Development (R&D) for Bayer’s Crop Science division and serve as member of the Leadership Team. He will succeed Dr. Robert Reiter who has
decided to retire after 27 years with the company and 34 years in the industry.
In his current role, Graham is leading the company’s Plant Breeding organization and has profound expertise in R&D and agriculture. The change became effective April 15, 2025.
Reiter joined the company in 1998. He helped revolutionize breeding through the use of genotypic selection and led the development of an industry-leading genotyping platform. Over the years, Bob Reiter has held various senior roles in R&D, helping to further shape Bayer’s industry-leading seed and trait capabilities.
After serving as head of Global Supply Chain, he became head of R&D for the Crop Science division in 2018. Under his leadership, Bayer successfully advanced upcoming blockbuster products like the new herbicide Icafolin and the Preceon Smart Corn System which has the potential to revolutionize corn production going forward.
Reiter will actively support his successor in taking over his new responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition.
Graham joined the company in 1996. From his early days as a plant breeder, he has steadily advanced his career, taking on roles with increasing responsibility. Throughout this period, he has been deeply involved in the design and development of next-generation seed, traits and customer-focused solutions. Most recently, Graham has led Bayer’s global Plant Breeding organization, driving the advancement of the industry-leading breeding pipeline by reimagining breeding and technical methodologies as well as spearheading the digital evolution. He will be based in St. Louis, MO. The successor to Graham as Plant Breeding lead will be announced at a later point in time.
For more information, visit www.bayer.com.
Dr. Mike Graham
Dr. Robert Reiter
AMVAC, DPH Biologicals Sign Regional
Distribution Agreement
American Vanguard Corporation announced that its crop business unit, AMVAC, entered into a regional distribution agreement with DPH Biologicals, a leading developer and supplier of agricultural biologicals.
The agreement significantly expands American Vanguard’s GreenSolutions portfolio and increases availability of biological products throughout the U.S. while also expanding DPH Bio’s footprint into specialty crop markets.
Under the long-term agreement, AMVAC resells DPH Bio’s key products, which include TerraTrove SP-1 Classic and TerraTrove AmplAphex biofertilizers as well as BellaTrove Companion Maxx, a novel EPA-approved biocontrol product with both fungicidal and nematocidal activity that is unique in its category. In addition, AMVAC distributes future product offerings, utilizing DPH Bio’s TerraTrove technology platform for biofertilizers and the BellaTrove platform for biocontrol products.
DPH Bio significantly strengthens its market access in the U.S. by partnering with AMVAC’s U.S. commercial and operational teams with an initial focus on specialty crop markets. With the agreement, AMVAC is servicing DPH Bio’s existing customers in the western and southern regions by providing enhanced commercial and technical support.
The combination of DPH Bio’s leading products with AMVAC’s GreenSolutions portfolio provides an industry-leading offering for AMVAC’s grower, distributor and retail partners. The addition of DPH Bio’s TerraTrove products complements AMVAC’s current biostimulant portfolio, while Bella Trove Companion Maxx provides a novel biocontrol solution for AMVAC to complement its extensive crop protection portfolio.
Douglas (Dak) A. Kaye III, chief executive officer of American Vanguard, highlighted DPH Bio’s technical know-how and experienced management team as key advantages of the distribution agreement. Kaye said, “DPH Bio, in addition to its current products, also has a great pipeline of future products. Along with our growing GreenSolutions portfolio, this collaboration has the potential to significantly increase the value, access, and use of biological products in Western and Southern U.S. crop markets for years to come.”
For more information, visit www.dphbio. com and www.american-vanguard.com.
BRANDT Expands Discovery And Innovation Team
BRANDT, a leading agriculture retailer and manufacturer of specialty input products, has announced that Tyler Richmond, Ph.D., has joined the BRANDT Discovery and Innovation team.
Richmond will focus on agronomic research and advancing crop production in the Delta and Southeast regions using BRANDT products and technologies. Richmond will play a key role in incorporating and positioning BRANDT products into grower programs that enhance plant health for increased yields. He brings experience in soil fertility, plant nutrition and field research that will prove valuable in supporting the BRANDT sales team and their customers.
“We are excited to welcome Tyler to the team,” said Brian Haschemeyer, VP of BRANDT Discovery and Innovation. “His expertise in agronomy and research will help us refine and expand our product portfolio, ensuring we continue delivering high-quality, science-driven solutions to growers.”
His focus will be on key BRANDT product categories and technologies such as BRANDT Seedflow planter box solutions, BRANDT EnzUp technology, BRANDT Smart System foliar nutrients and other developing biological and adjuvant technologies.
Richmond holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Science in Crop Sciences from the University of Arkansas. He earned a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Mississippi State University.
For more information, visit www.brandt.co.
Lindsay FieldNET Advisor Earns American Society Of Agricultural & Biological Engineers AE50 Award
Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, is honored to announce that FieldNET AdvisorWhole Farm Water Management has earned the 2025 AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
A whole farm water management solution, FieldNET Advisor simplifies irrigation decisions for growers with real-time data and a simplified subscription.
The AE50 Awards recognize the best innovations in engineering and technology for agriculture, food and biological systems. Since 1986, the organization has annually honored 50 innovations with significant engineering advancement and impact on the market they serve.
FieldNET Advisor helps growers around the world monitor irrigation patterns and check soil moisture levels. Additionally, the package also offers growers:
• Easy enrollment for the whole operation and customized recommendations to grower management preferences.
• Satellite imagery estimates crop water usage providing up-to-date data that automatically tracks how conditions change through the growing season; wind, hail, disease and other factors are all accounted for.
• Data on the whole farm at a glance, including crop canopy development, crop water use, weather and irrigation recommendations.
• Ability to more easily review data and execute irrigation decisions on a mobile device.
• Simplified, whole-farm pricing with only one subscription to manage.
• Connection to on-farm Pessl weather stations, incorporating FieldNET with local weather data and irrigation recommendations.
By combining FieldNET Advisor’s recommendations with the advanced agronomics of FieldNET and Zimmatic machine health features, Lindsay has transformed the way growers irrigate crops. Integrated pivots support healthier crops and more sustainable farming practices while reducing risk and operational downtime, significantly expanding the traditional capabilities of pivots.
For more information, visit lindsay.com/fieldnetnextgen.
By Kiran Shetty, PhD, Potato Technical Development Lead, Syngenta
EARLY STEPS TO REDUCE KEY DISEASES IN POTATO PRODUCTION
The potato industry has had its share of ups and downs over the past few years. As growers, you constantly face challenges such as climate change, shifts in agronomic practices and emerging disease threats.
No growing season is ever the same, but you can take steps, like implementing soil health management practices, to help ensure your season starts and ends on a positive note.
Soil health and early-season disease management go hand in hand. Multiple factors influence inoculum levels, which in turn affect potato seed health, germination and the overall growth and development of the potato plant.
Stronger SpudS:Healthy Soil,
How Soil Health Impacts Early-Season Disease Management
As a potato grower, you are faced with soilborne disease pressures that threaten the yield and quality of your potatoes at all stages of growth. Diseases such as pink rot and Pythium thrive in wet, poorly drained soils and warm temperatures. Pink rot — a fungal disease that can survive in the soil for extended periods — typically begins in the stolon of the potato plant and can quickly spread to the tubers causing decay. Pythium leak can infect potatoes through wounds in the tubers, resulting in internal watery rot. Pythium species also produce mobile spores that can travel through the soil to infect plant tissue either at or
before seed germination. Additionally, with emerging bacterial threats and an increase in nematode populations — which can vector diseases like Verticillium wilt — soil health management will be crucial for a successful season. These challenges can carry into the height of the growing season, leading to systemic problems. Soil conditions — such as organic matter, texture, compaction and
crop residue — all influence pathogen prevalence and the plants’ susceptibility to additional lateseason threats. As fumigation practices decline, integrating multiple management strategies becomes essential for maintaining a healthy soil ecosystem and preventing disease. Effective soil health management not only mitigates disease risks but also contributes to crop quality and stronger economic returns.
Proper Soil Health Management Practices
Provide Economic Benefits
According to a 2023 study by the Soil Health Institute, implementing soil health management systems can reduce growers’ costs by an average of $16 per acre for potato cultivation. Additionally, those who adopt these systems can see a potential yield increase of up to 35 percent. Healthy soil is the foundation for maximizing potato yield potential and profitability. It enhances crop growth and conserves fuel and equipment expenses through improved water retention, nutrient availability and reduced compaction.
Compacted soil, on the other hand, can restrict drainage and growth, leading to increased fertilizer application and the need for additional equipment passes to prepare the soil. This not only raises input costs but also reduces the total return on investment as more inputs are required to achieve the same crop growth.
A Long-Term Investment In Sustainability And Profitability
To guarantee sustainability and long-term profitability for your operation, it will be important for you to have an integrated, yet evolving, approach to soil health management. Soil is a dynamic living ecosystem that requires constant attention to address new challenges that arise.
Sustainable potato production relies on combining conventional farming with modern crop protection and soil health practices. Innovative treatments and strong soil management help fields withstand the pressure of early-season diseases and soilborne threats. For more information about targeted solutions for improving soil health and preventing disease, reach out to your local Syngenta representative or visit https://www.syngenta-us.com/ fungicides/orondis-gold-dc for more product technical information.
Best Practices For Potato Soil Health And Crop Productivity
Determining what your soil needs to be healthy is just the beginning. To maximize your potato production through effective soil health management, consider the following best practices:
1.
3.
Field Mapping and Risk Assessment: Soil health can affect potato growing conditions for years to come so it’s important to recognize and assess historical problems with soil profiles to determine the right course of action for planting.
2.
Crop Rotation: It’s also important to rotate crops planted year over year. Crop rotation is essential in maintaining the health of your potatoes. Proper rotation can reduce disease pressures, improve soil health, enhance the quality of your yields and reduce soil depletion.
Plant Cover Crops: Consider planting cover crops between rows during the off-season. These crops can prevent wind and water erosion, improve soil water retention and enhance overall soil health. They also boost biodiversity, making your crops more resilient to threats.
4.
5.
Tillage Practices: Proper tillage is required to provide the optimum conditions for seed germination. Tillage will also contribute to the enhancement of soil structure by providing aeration and drainage.
Fungicide Treatments: Targeted soil-applied fungicide treatments will help to mitigate the severity of soilborne disease pathogens. In addition to the practices mentioned above, applying a fungicide like Orondis Gold DC will help prevent and control pink rot, Pythium leak and Pythium diseases. Reducing disease levels in the soil decreases the risk of soil health challenges.
Potato Grower Golf Scramble
The Potato Industry's Most "Rewarding" Day!
GROWERS PLAY FREE
All skill levels welcome
One free player per family/farm/operation
Each team must have a combined handicap exceeding 60 The two best players’ combined handicap must be 15 or more Field is limited to the first 144 paid entries
All players (men & women) must adhere to the dress code of the Idaho Falls Country Club. For more information call (208) 523-5762.
BUYERS’ GUIDE PESTICIDES
Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your state or local extension service to ensure registration status.
Vantacor insect control powered by Rynaxypyr active delivers the industry standard active ingredient for
long residual control of Lepidopteran pests. This highly concentrated formulation of Rynaxypyr active uses a low use rate to target key insects like Colorado potato beetle, cabbage looper, armyworm and grasshoppers that can diminish profitability in potatoes. Vantacor is applied at a rate of 0.7 to 2.5 fluid ounces per acre for improved mixing, less packaging, and minimal impact on many important beneficial insects.
Carbine 50WG
To help stop aphid and psyllid damage within 30 minutes to one hour of ingestion, growers can use Carbine 50WG insecticide from FMC. It works by affecting the potassium channels in the pests’ nervous systems, permanently and irreversibly putting a stop to feeding. Carbine 50WG helps protect both sides of the leaf from disease-transmitting insects due to its translaminar activity. Controlling these pests can halt the spread of potato virus Y and zebra chip disease, which can cause substantial internal damage to potato crops and, eventually, substantial economic losses.
PESTICIDES
Vive Crop Protection (416) 260-8889
www.vivecrop.com
AZterknot
AZterknot is designed to maximize potato crop health by significantly improving plant growth, stress tolerance and disease control. It enhances nutrient uptake and photosynthesis, leading to stronger, healthier plants that are more resilient to environmental stress factors like heat and drought. This means greener plants with longerlasting vitality throughout the growing season.
A dual mode-of-action fungicide (combining Azoxystrobin + Reynoutria sachalinensis extract), AZterknot delivers robust, broad-spectrum disease control. It targets major potato diseases like powdery mildew, early blight and brown spot. By incorporating AZterknot into the growing process early in the season, farmers can better protect their crops against fungal infections that compromise tuber yield and quality.
AZterknot can be applied in an in-furrow application at planting and in foliar applications during row closure. AZterknot enhances standability, maximizes vigor, and maintains greener, healthier plants, all while improving plant performance under stressful conditions to increase yield potential.
Gowan USA (800) 883-1844
https://www.gowanco.com/
Potato Portfolio
Since 1962, beginning as a crop consultancy, Gowan Company has been rooted in agriculture, providing trusted expertise and innovative solutions for growers. This familyowned, American business works to understand growers’ challenges and is committed to delivering products and services that maximize yield and quality. Gowan provides solutions for the unique needs of potato producers.
Gowan USA’s dedicated sales representatives and development teams regularly work with potato growers and researchers to ensure that each product performs optimally in the field.
Fungicides: Badge SC & X2, Gavel, Reason, Zing!
Herbicides: Eptam, Sonalan HFP, Trflan HFP, Vida
Insecticides: Imidan, Onager OPTEK, Aza-Direct
Syngenta Crop Protection (800) 334-9481
www.syngenta-us.com
Orondis Gold DC
Protect your potatoes from pink rot and Pythium leak and other Pythium seedling diseases with Orondis Gold DC fungicide. A combination of oxathiapiprolin and mefenoxam, Orondis Gold DC is designed for soil application to provide preventative, residual and systemic activity against Oomycete diseases in potatoes. Through its dual modes of action, Orondis Gold DC offers growers resistance mitigation in addition to helping secure early crop establishment through soilborne disease prevention. Orondis Gold DC allows for ease of application and is highly effective at lower active ingredient use rates. Don’t settle for less when you can choose best-in-class control with Orondis Gold DC.
Miravis Prime
Miravis Prime fungicide combines two powerful active ingredients — ADEPIDYN technology — (FRAC group 7) and fludioxonil (FRAC group 12) to help potato growers protect their yield potential. Boasting the most advanced chemistry in its class, Miravis Prime helps to prevent and provide excellent control against key potato diseases such as early blight and white mold for up to three weeks. Miravis Prime recharges and complements integrated pest management spray programs and helps increase marketable yield potential, even under intense disease pressure. Miravis Prime is available to potato growers in the fresh, processor and export markets.
TriCal Group https://.strikefumigants.com
Strike Soil Fumigant
Strike formulations are chloropicrin-based products and some of the most effective soil fumigants for managing soil-borne pests and pathogens in potatoes and other crops. Pre-plant soil fumigation treatment is the first step in a successful soil health and pest management system. Strike can be applied alone or in combination with other fumigants via shank injections. The Strike product line helps farmers grow a cleaner, greener and more sustainable crop year after year.
PESTICIDES
Agro USA (984) 260-0407 summitagro-usa.com
Harvanta 50SL
Harvanta 50SL insecticide provides potato growers with a proven option for effective control of their key insect problems. Driven by its active ingredient Cyclapryn, Harvanta is an IRAC Group 28 diamide insecticide. And an important feature is that potato growers in many states can apply Harvanta at significantly lower rates for effective control of Colorado potato beetle. Growers who are interested in using this lower rate should consult the 2(ee) recommendation on the Summit Agro website. Advantages of Harvanta include its excellent efficacy against Lepidopteran pests and its broad-spectrum efficacy on chewing and sucking insects in both adults and larvae. It is an ideal partner for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Plus, Harvanta is a valuable tool for Insect Resistance Management (IRM) programs.
Double Nickel LC
Double Nickel LC is a broad-spectrum preventive biofungicide for controlling or suppressing fungal and bacterial plant diseases.
LifeGard WG
LifeGard WG, the first in a new class of biological disease control agents used to manage early, late and Cercospora blights in potatoes, as well as white mold.
www.basf.com/us/en.html
PESTICIDES
Earthtrend Soil & Earthtrend
Foliar PGRs
Provysol
Provysol fungicide, powered by Revysol fungicide active ingredient, is the first and only isopropanol azole chemistry that is a truly unique solution for disease control. With an innovative molecular structure, Provysol fungicide provides better and longer lasting control of potato early blight than the industry standard early blight fungicides.
Engineered with a flexible molecule, Provysol fungicide quickly penetrates plants for fast, long-lasting control. Designed for low-growing plants that can be excellent hosts for diseases, Provysol fungicide can be a foundational application in a fungicide spray program, delivering early protection for long-lasting control and success.
UPL (610) 491-2800
www.upl-ltd.com/us
Assail
Assail insecticide (IRAC 4A) provides broad-spectrum insect control in potatoes. Whether the concern is aphid, Colorado potato beetle, leafhopper or whitefly, Assail can help take the worry away. With its translaminar activity, Assail performs more like a systemic insecticide, providing weeks of control. Assail has also been recognized as a bee-friendly product when good application stewardship is followed.
Rimon
Rimon insecticide (IRAC 15) is a broad-spectrum larvicide and ovicide that provides excellent control of key pests in potatoes, including Colorado potato beetle and European corn borer. An insect growth regulator, Rimon goes after eggs, larvae and nymphs. Its unique mode of action makes it an excellent resistance management tool.
SAN Agrow (800) 876-2767
www.san-agrow.com
Earthtrend Soil and Earthtrend Foliar Plant Growth Regulators help to maximize potato production by accompanying you throughout the growing season, from seed piece treatment to chemigation. The components in Earthtrend PGR products work in combination to produce activity greater than the sum of its parts. These products are designed to stimulate root and tuber growth and improve overall potato quality, thus increasing the number of marketable potatoes. Use as part of an effective crop management program to enhance the efficacy of starter and pre-plant fertilizers, promote robust root development and tuber initiation, control tuber size and improve uniformity, and boost the activation of disease defense-genes.
Earthtrend Soil improves germination, seedling vigor, uniformity and growth, and overall crop quality. It also reduces transplant shock in new plantings.
Earthtrend Foliar stimulates leaf initiation, regulates flowering and improves crop growth, uniformity and quality.
Earthtrend products can be used together or as standalone products. They are easy to use and are compatible as a tank mix with herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, nematicides and fertilizers.
AMVAC (888) 462-6822 www.amvac.com
Ecozin Plus 1.2% ME
Ecozin Plus 1.2% ME, a product from AMVAC’s Green Solutions portfolio, effectively target a wide range of insects that can be detrimental to potato growth, with low use rates and whole-plant protection in organic and nonorganic operations. Treated plants exhibit reduced feeding damage or egg-laying by insect pests through a repellant action of the product. Ecozin Plus 1.2% ME utilizes a botanical insect growth regulator (IGR) to control insects in the larval/nymphal and pupal stages by interfering with the molting process.
AbbA Ultra
AbbA Ultra miticide/insecticide is a foundational tool for potato growers to control Colorado potato beetle, Liriomyza leafminers, potato psyllids and spider mites. Growers see exceptional efficacy with AbbA Ultra’s advanced formulation technology. The product contains twice the concentration of abamectin than some other formulations, which creates an easy conversion rate. Plus, using half of the standard abamectin product containing 0.15 pounds of active ingredient per gallon allows users to save time and money with half the storage, transportation and container disposal.
PESTICIDES
75-Day IPM Program
The Bayer family of products is powerful, especially when used together. Combined, they create an agronomic force field around your crops, providing protection during the first 75 days, when potatoes are most susceptible to pests and disease. Safeguard your potatoes with the Bayer 75-Day Integrated Pest Management program.
Admire Pro is a soil- and foliar-applied systemic insecticide that provides economical and enduring control of damaging insects in potatoes.
Emesto Silver seed treatment fungicide provides excellent protection against seed-borne
Rhizoctonia and Fusarium (including resistant strains), and good activity on silver scurf. Emesto Silver-treated seed pieces withstand natural infection after being held for 61 days versus untreated.
Minuet is a soil-applied biological fungicide. It forms a symbiosis with the plant and triggers activation of root and plant growth to support healthy plants, increase crop quality, and enhance yield potential.
Movento HL insecticide features powerful, two-way movement throughout the plant to protect it from a broad range of insects, mites and nematodes.
Sivanto Prime insecticide precisely targets key damaging pests with minimal impact on beneficial insects.
Velum Prime nematicide moves from the plant’s roots to the leaves, suppressing nematodes below ground while helping to protect root health.
Schulz, Paige Hickman, and Louise-Marie Dandurand
Figure 1. Globodera pallida cyst crushed under microscope with encysted eggs released.
Potato Cyst Nematode Control With Trap Crops And Crop Rotation
Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are soil-dwelling microscopic roundworms that infect and feed on the roots of host plants. One economically important group of PPNs are the potato cyst nematodes, which are devastating to potato.
The potato cyst nematodes Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis are found in most potato-growing regions of the world. However, in the United States, potato cyst nematodes are quarantined pests regulated by USDA-APHIS and are found only in isolated infestations. New York has had an infestation of the golden nematode, G. rostochiensis, since the 1940s with currently 5,945 infested acres. In Idaho, the pale cyst nematode, G. pallida, was found in 2006 with currently 3,538 infested acres.
Potato cyst nematodes originated in the Andes in South America where they coevolved with their primary host, the potato. Other hosts include some solanaceous crops such as tomato and eggplant. Potato cyst nematodes persist in the soil as cysts full of hundreds of eggs. In the absence of its host, encysted eggs can remain dormant but viable in the soil for 30 plus years. Cysts are spread through the movement of any infested soil -- for instance, clinging to tubers or field equipment.
Host plants produce hatching factors in their root exudates that cause the nematode to become active and hatch. Once hatched, juveniles move into the root of the host plant to grow, develop and form a feeding site. Fertilized females will swell and burst through the root, creating new cysts
Figure 2. Pale cyst nematode, Globodera pallida cysts on susceptible potato roots in the field. Example cysts indicated by yellow arrows.
full of eggs. Developing cysts can be seen on the surface of the roots. The pale cyst nematode gets its name because cysts on the roots appear white, while the golden nematode produces yellow cysts on the roots. Mature cysts of both species will fall off into the soil and turn brown. If left uncontrolled, severe infestations of potato cyst nematodes are devastating to potato yields and can cause up to 80 percent yield loss on susceptible varieties.
The golden nematode in New York is controlled through a cropping system relying on rotation with resistant varieties. In Idaho, the goals of USDA-APHIS are containment and eradication. The primary controls are phytosanitation and fumigation with Telone II (1,3-dichloropropene). In both states, phytosanitary measures involve restricting infested soil movement by steam sterilization or fumigation of any equipment leaving infested fields.
Potatoes cannot be grown on infested acreage until certain regulatory requirements have been met. Despite production of other crops such as wheat or barley on infested land, the presence of G. pallida causes an estimated loss of $30 million annually to the Idaho potato industry. In New York, G. rostochiensis is controlled through phytosanitary measures and use of a crop rotation with resistant varieties carrying the H1 resistance gene. Once cysts no longer have viable eggs, a rotation plan consisting of two years of resistant potato, one year of a nonhost crop or fallow, and a year of susceptible potatoes is followed.
The key difference between the control strategies for Idaho and New York is that G. rostochiensis-resistant varieties are available for growers. For Idaho growers, however, no commercially accepted russet type varieties are resistant to G. pallida. Because potato cyst nematodes are highly persistent and easily spread, control of these PPNs can be challenging. One control strategy that has been shown to be highly effective is the use of trap crops. Potato cyst nematodes require a specific hatching factor which is released from potato roots or a related species to hatch. Trap crops for potato cyst nematodes are plants that produce a hatching factor that induces hatch of the nematode but are nonhosts, thus preventing the nematode from completing its lifecycle. A great example of an effective trap crop against potato cyst nematodes is Solanum sisymbriifolium, commonly known as litchi tomato. Litchi tomato has been shown to cause 90 to 99 percent reduction of potato cyst nematode when in rotation with a susceptible potato.
(TOP)Figure 3. Golden nematode, Globodera rostochiensis cysts on susceptible potato roots in the field. Example cysts indicated by yellow arrows.
(ABOVE)Figure 4. Dr. Dandurand’s field research site in Shelley, ID. The experiment pictured has microplots designed for Globodera pallida containment growing the trap crops quinoa and litchi tomato, and the nonhost barley.
(RIGHT)Figure 5. A close-up of litchi tomato growing in a microplot at the University of Idaho field research site in Shelley, ID.
While this plant produces an edible fruit and can significantly reduce potato cyst nematode populations in the field, seed is largely unavailable for growers. Thus its use is very limited. However, our research indicates that litchi tomato contains compounds toxic to potato cyst and other nematodes. These toxins may potentially be harnessed to create new nematicidal chemistries targeted specifically for potato cyst and other potato nematodes. Quinoa is another crop that is effective as a trap crop for G. pallida. Although it is not a solanaceous species, quinoa does induce some hatch of G. pallida and can decrease populations of this nematode by 30 to 40 percent. Quinoa also has the added benefit of providing a profitable crop.
Use of resistant potato varieties is ultimately the most effective strategy to control potato cyst nematodes. Current use of varieties resistant to the golden nematode has proven to be very effective in controlling and preventing spread of the nematode in New York.
However, varieties that are resistant to
the golden nematode are not resistant to the pale cyst nematode. In Idaho, the primary market class that are grown are russet type varieties which currently have no resistance to the pale cyst nematode. Although some European varieties are resistant to the pale cyst nematode, few are available in the U.S. for use by growers. A russet-type potato with high resistance to G. pallida is a high research priority and is currently under development for use in Idaho.
To safeguard the U.S. potato industry, multiple control strategies continue to be researched and developed for use in combating these highly invasive and damaging potato nematodes.
(L. Schulz is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Dandurand’s program in the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematology at the University of Idaho. P. Hickman, just completed her Ph.D. and is now a post doc in Dr. Dandurand’s program L.-M. Dandurand is a professor in the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematology at the University of Idaho.
From Field to Table: How Farmers Are Navigating the Challenges of Forever Chemicals
THE GROWING PROBLEM OF PFAS CONTAMINATION IN AGRICULTURE
Farmers, the backbone of our food supply, could be facing an invisible enemy that lurks in their soil and water: PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals.” These harmful substances, once used in a wide range of products, have made their way into farms across the United States, affecting crops, livestock and water supplies.
In some cases, PFAS contamination in agriculture has been linked to the use of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants as fertilizer. The discovery of PFAS in these biosolids has created a growing challenge for farmers, ranchers and rural communities, raising concerns about the potential presence of PFAS in the food they produce. As farmers confront this problem, it is critical to understand the scope of PFAS contamination, the risks involved, and the steps toward potential legal recovery against those ultimately responsible – the manufacturers of PFAS and the products that contained it.
PFAS Contamination On Farms
PFAS are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals that have been used for decades in a variety of products, including non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging and other commercial and consumer products. Their ability to form a layer that resists heat, water and grease made them very useful. However, these same properties also make PFAS dangerous: nearly impossible to break down in the environment, and prone to accumulating in human and animal tissue. As a result, they accumulate over time, contaminating water, soil and food supplies.
PFAS contamination on some farmland has been tied to the use of biosolids — semi-solid materials produced as a byproduct of wastewater treatment — as a fertilizer. For years, biosolids have been considered a cost-effective, nutrient-rich way to improve soil health and many farmers adopted their use to enhance crop growth.
Until very recently, it was not known or even suspected that these biosolids contained PFAS — the risks of these chemicals were concealed by the manufacturers that produced them, in
some cases for decades. Unfortunately, as the dangers of PFAS have come to light and contamination has grown, it has become clear that these chemicals are not only present in biosolids, but resistant to breakdown and prone to accumulate in the environment over time, creating the potential to contaminate crops and livestock raised on land where biosolids were used.
Health And Environmental Risks
In recent years, studies have linked PFAS exposure to a range of serious health issues, including some cancers, thyroid disorders, liver damage, infertility and developmental problems in children. These chemicals are particularly dangerous because they accumulate in the body over time, with long-lasting effects.
For farmers, soil and water contamination by PFAS is a serious concern. PFAS in soil can reach groundwater, contaminating wells used for drinking water or irrigation. Certain crops, particularly leafy greens and forage crops, are prone to absorbing high levels of PFAS from the soil, further spreading the contamination into the food system.
Livestock, particularly dairy cows, are also vulnerable. Cows that graze on contaminated pasture, consume feed grown on PFASaffected land, or drink PFAS-contaminated water can produce milk and meat containing harmful levels of chemicals. With emerging studies revealing elevated PFAS levels in milk, this has quickly become a significant issue for dairy farmers.
Changing Regulatory Landscape
As public awareness of PFAS contaminations increases, state and federal agencies are beginning to take action. At the national level, the U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) has set maximum contaminant levels for certain PFAS in drinking water; however, enforceable federal standards for PFAS in food products and biosolids have yet to be established. The EPA is also conducting a risk assessment of pollutants in biosolids, which may lead to future regulations aimed at reducing the spread of these chemicals on agricultural lands.
At the state level, Maine has led the charge in addressing PFAS contamination in biosolids, becoming the first state to ban the land application of biosolids and sewage sludge-derived fertilizers. This decision followed the discovery of widespread contamination on more than 50 farms, where PFAS levels in soil, water and agricultural products were dangerously high. Other states, including Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin, are using short-term strategies to manage PFAS concentrations in biosolids. Some states, for example, have required wastewater treatment operators to test for concentrations of PFAS in their biosolids, enabling further regulatory action, such as prohibiting the land application of heavily contaminated biosolids. In addition to these biosolid management efforts, some states have also enacted or proposed bans on PFAS in consumer goods — such as food packaging, textiles, and firefighting foam — aimed at preventing PFAS from entering wastewater streams and biosolids in the first place.
Tighter regulations for PFAS in food products could also become a reality. In Maine, for example, state regulations now prohibit the sale of milk with PFAS levels above 210 parts per trillion (ppt), and similar action levels are being considered for beef. Maine’s actions may set a precedent to be followed by other states. These regulations are intended to protect farms by maintaining public confidence in food safety, but they can also impose significant financial and operational burdens on farmers.
Legal Action: Holding Polluters Accountable
As farmers face the financial and environmental challenges posed by PFAS contamination, several avenues of support and
accountability have emerged. Two key strategies are emergency relief funds and legal actions, both of which provide hope for those affected.
Some states and organizations have established emergency relief funds to support PFAS-affected farmers. For example, Maine’s PFAS emergency Relief Fund offers short-term income replacement and testing assistance to farmers whose lands are contaminated by PFAS. However, these funds often fall short of covering the long-term financial burden of PFAS regulations, which may continue for years.
One of the most successful avenues for recovering PFAS contamination costs has been legal action aimed at holding the manufacturers of the PFAS itself accountable. In recent years, hundreds of municipalities and other utilities have sued PFAS manufacturers, resulting in settlements totaling over $14 billion so far. These settlements, while limited to public water systems, show that these chemical companies can be held accountable for the contamination they have caused. Legal action against the PFAS manufacturers brought by others who have been harmed, including farmers, continues.
Long-Term Recovery
Mitigating the effects of PFAS contamination on farms is a complex and expansive process. For many farmers, it could require significant investments in new water treatment systems, drilling new wells away from contaminated areas, and purchasing uncontaminated feed. In some cases, entire fields or farms may have to be abandoned, leading to substantial losses of income.
To reduce PFAS levels in livestock, some farmers have had to switch to alternative crops or rotate pastures, ensuring that cattle are fed only “clean” feed. Research shows that while some crops, such as corn and small grains, tend to accumulate lower levels of PFAS, crops grown for livestock forage, such as hay, often retain high concentrations of the chemicals.
While ongoing support from state and federal agencies is essential for farmers facing these challenges, legal action against the companies responsible for PFAS contamination could provide additional financial relief.
Navigating The Future Of Farming In The Age Of PFAS
The challenges posed by PFAS contamination are significant, but they are not impossible to overcome. As more people become aware of the dangers of these “forever chemicals,” there is growing demand for stronger regulations, better support for affected farmers and accountability from the polluters who caused the contamination in the first place.
For farmers, the path forward will require resilience, innovation, and, in many cases may be helped by legal action, to ensure that the burden of remediation is shared with those responsible for the pollution. With ongoing research and financial support, the agricultural industry can take steps to address the impacts of PFAS, safeguarding the environment and ensuring that communities continue to benefit from safe, sustainable food production.
(Sansone is a Senior Partner and Valentina MarastoniBieser, VP Client Engagement at SL Environmental Law Group. For more information, visit www.slenvironment. com.)
More information is available here: https://www.epa.gov/ pfas/pfas-explained.
DIGGIN’ IN
WEED SUICIDE |
Jules Bernstein, Senior Public Information Officer, University of California, Riverside
Triggering Parasitic Plant ‘Suicide’ To Help Farmers
UC RIVERSIDE RESEARCH
EXPLORES A NEW WAY TO FIGHT DEVASTATING WEEDS
Parasitic weeds are ruthless freeloaders, stealing nutrients from crops and devastating harvests. But what if farmers could trick these invaders into self-destructing? Scientists at UC Riverside think they’ve found a way.
Across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, places already struggling with food insecurity, entire fields of staples like rice and sorghum can be lost to a group of insidious weeds that drain crops of their nutrients before they can grow. Farmers battle these parasites with few effective tools, but UCR researchers may be able to turn the weeds’ own biology against them.
This trick is detailed in the journal Science, and at its heart lies a class of hormones called strigolactones — unassuming chemicals that play dual roles. Internally, they help control growth and the plants’ response to stresses like insufficient water. Externally, they do something that is unusual for plant hormones.
“Most of the time, plant hormones do not radiate externally — they aren’t exuded. But these do,” said UCR plant biologist and paper co-author David Nelson. “Plants use strigolactones to attract fungi in the soil that have a beneficial relationship with plant roots.”
Unfortunately for farmers, parasitic weeds have learned to hijack the strigolactone signals, using them as an invitation to invade.
Once the weeds sense the presence of strigolactones, they germinate and latch on to a crop’s roots, draining them of essential nutrients.
“These weeds are waiting for a signal to wake up. We can give them that signal at the wrong time — when there’s no food for them — so they sprout and die,” Nelson said. “It’s like flipping their own switch against them, essentially encouraging them to commit suicide.”
To understand strigolactone production,
the research team led by Yanran Li, formerly at UCR and now at UC San Diego, developed an innovative system using bacteria and yeast. By engineering E. coli and yeast cells to function like tiny chemical factories, they recreated the biological steps necessary to produce these hormones. This breakthrough allows researchers to study strigolactone synthesis in a controlled environment and potentially produce large amounts of these valuable chemicals.
The researchers also studied the enzymes responsible for producing strigolactones, identifying a metabolic branch point that may have been crucial in the evolution of these hormones from internal regulators to external signals.
“This is a powerful system for investigating plant enzymes,” Nelson said. “It enables us to characterize genes that have never been studied before and manipulate them to see how they affect the type of strigolactones being made.”
Beyond agriculture, strigolactones hold promise for medical and environmental applications. Some studies suggest they could be used as anti-cancer or anti-
viral agents, and there is interest in their potential role in combating citrus greening disease, which is doing large-scale damage to citrus crops in Florida.
Scientists still have questions about whether the weed suicide strategy will work in real-world fields. “We’re testing whether we can fine-tune the chemical signal to be even more effective,” Nelson said. “If we can, this could be a gamechanger for farmers battling these weeds.”
This research was supported by the NSFfunded Plants3D traineeship program, led by distinguished UCR professor and geneticist Julia Bailey-Serres. The program trains students to design original biology and engineering solutions to the projected problem of massive-scale global food insecurity.
“The program is so exciting because it helps students learn to use the most cutting-edge technologies to increase crop yields and nutritional value, while also helping themselves professionally,” Bailey-Serres said.
UCR student Annalise Kane, co-first author of the study. Photo by Claudia Sepulveda/UCR
IDAHO
POTATO COMMISSION
Jamey Higham, President and CEO
Fueling The World’s Best: Idaho Potatoes At The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals
The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Sun Valley was more than a competition — it was a global stage for performance, tradition and innovation. With thousands of spectators on-site and millions tuning in via NBC, Peacock and Outside TV, the World Cup Finals highlighted the world’s best skiers while showcasing Idaho’s deep cultural and economic ties — and reinforcing the legacy of Idaho’s most famous crop. For over 85 years, Idaho Potatoes and Sun Valley have shared a connection built on hard work, adventure and excellence. The Finals offered the perfect setting to showcase that legacy — not only by supporting the athletes on the slopes but by demonstrating how Idaho potatoes provide essential fuel for performance, endurance and active lifestyles.
The Power Of Sporting Events As A Brand Platform
Global events like the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals extend beyond competition. They serve as high-impact marketing platforms that create emotional connections with fans, reinforce brand values and build long-term equity. Rather than being a passive sponsor, Idaho Potatoes were woven into the experience — fueling athletes, engaging fans and strengthening brand identity at every touchpoint.
Sporting events provide a unique opportunity to organically connect with passionate fan communities while benefiting from global media exposure. Aligning with elite athletes and worldclass competition elevates brand perception, positioning Idaho potatoes as the go-to fuel for endurance and recovery. Beyond
Spuddy Buddy poses with American ski sensation Lindsey Vonn in Sun Valley.
visibility, these moments create immersive brand experiences that leave a lasting impact.
At the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals, Idaho potatoes were everywhere. From athlete nutrition to fan engagement, each activation reinforced their role in sports performance and the culture of Sun Valley.
Idaho Potatoes Take Center Stage
Throughout the week, Idaho Potatoes played a key role in the Finals experience:
• The Big Idaho Potato Truck made a grand entrance, first stopping at Grocery Outlet before rolling into River Run Lodge, where fans lined up for photo ops and giveaways.
• Spuddy Buddy, our beloved mascot, brought energy to the slops — leading cheers, tossing swag and engaging with fans of all ages.
• Athletes and spectators alike enjoyed free French fries and mashed potatoes at race venues, while après-ski celebrations featured baked potato bars, chips and mashed potato cups.
• IPC branding was seamlessly integrated. In collaboration with Sun Valley’s production team, Idaho potatoes were prominently featured on signage, Jumbotron moments and across key touchpoints.
• The Downhill Bib Draw & Opening Ceremony (March 21) set the stage for the Finals, featuring Idaho potato giveaways, DJ Mix Master Mike, fireworks and a thrilling flyover.
• The Après Party & Slalom Bib Draw (March 26) capped off the week with Idaho potato giveaways, live music from 220 Kid and a final fireworks show.
Idaho potatoes didn’t just sponsor the event — they became part of the Finals’ identity, reinforcing their deep connection to sports, performance and the Sun Valley community.
Fueling Champions, Now And In The Future
Idaho potatoes have long been recognized as a nutritional powerhouse for athletes and active individuals. Packed with
potassium, complex carbohydrates and essential nutrients, they provide the fuel and recovery support necessary for endurance sports like alpine skiing.
But their impact extends beyond nutrition. The Finals provided an opportunity to showcase Idaho potatoes as more than just food for athletes — they fuel communities, economies and cultural traditions. IPC remains committed to celebrating and promoting the unmatched quality of Idaho potatoes — whether through sports partnerships, industry events or global marketing efforts.
As the Crystal Globe champions were crowned and the Finals concluded, one thing was clear: this event wasn’t just about skiing. It was about heritage, resilience and the pursuit of excellence. Looking ahead, we will continue ensuring Idaho potatoes remain at the center of conversations around performance, nutrition and the celebration of world-class talent.
Because when it comes to fueling champions, nothing delivers like Idaho potatoes.
POTATO
COUNCIL
Kam Quarles, CEO
Growers and other potato industry partners pose for a photo during the NPC’s recent Washington Summit. The impressive number of participants in this year’s Summit shows the groups and individuals’ commitment to the industry and ensuring those in Washington know of the potato’s importance to the food supply and economic impact it has.
2025 Washington Summit: Advancing
The Policy Agenda For Potato Growers
The NPC Washington Summit provides our industry an annual opportunity for growers to define the trajectory of federal policy. Organized by NPC and supported by the state associations and industry partners, the event helps build meaningful relationships with our allies in the legislative and executive branches and advances the industry’s public policy priorities that can impact our family farms for generations.
With administration officials and members of Congress just weeks in their new position, this year’s Washington Summit, Feb. 24-28, helped set the stage for our 2025 policy
efforts, communicate the challenges facing the potato sector, and advocate for clear objectives – from addressing labor shortages to promoting pro-potato trade policies.
Agricultural Labor
Labor shortages are a persistent challenge within the agricultural sector, and potato growers are no exception. During their Hill visits, growers emphasized the need for a streamlined and scalable guest worker program to ensure farms have access to a reliable workforce.
Taxation For Growers
The tax landscape can be overwhelming for both new farmers and multigenerational growers. NPC continues to advocate for tax incentives that promote investment in farming technologies and infrastructure, helping growers remain competitive in a global market while securing long-term financial sustainability.
2025 Farm Bill
The Farm Bill is a legislative lynchpin for agriculture, and this year’s advocacy
“But their impact extends beyond nutrition. The Finals provided an opportunity to showcase Idaho potatoes as more than just food for athletes — they fuel communities, economies and cultural traditions.”
efforts underscored the importance of securing funding for research, trade promotion, and inspection efforts to protect U.S. growing areas. Lawmakers were urged to recognize the economic impact of the specialty crop industry
Proven Potato
– which comprises over 50 percent of production at the farm gate – in reauthorizing a new bill.
Nutritional Advocacy
Potatoes are among the most nutritious and widely consumed vegetables in the world. Growers continued to defend their inclusion in government-supported nutrition programs like school lunches and SNAP benefits.
Agricultural Research
Cutting-edge research fuels the evolution of best practices and crop innovations. Growers advocated for increased federal investment in potatospecific research, particularly around disease resistance and sustainability.
Trade And Global Competitiveness
International trade is a key growth and stability driver for the potato industry. Prior to heading to Capitol Hill, the NPC Board of Directors adopted a new resolution encouraging the Trump administration to avoid the application of tariffs that could lead to retaliation by our trading partners, which may cost U.S. growers market share to foreign competition and increase the costs of essential inputs. With lawmakers, we called for stricter enforcement of existing trade agreements and the negotiation of new partnerships to open access to international markets, ensuring potato growers remain globally competitive.
Empowering The Industry
The 2025 Washington Summit was not just about setting the agenda. It was about building relationships that will drive lasting improvements for our $100 billion industry. Growers, state partners and our supporters in D.C. must continue to work hand-in-hand to help shape a sustainable and successful policy future for America’s favorite vegetable.
POTATOES USA
John Lundeen, Research Director, Potatoes USA
National Chip Program Participants See Unique Value In Industry Collaboration
The success of the potato industry is built on growers’ ability to introduce new potato varieties that meet market demands. For example, when snack-size bags of potato chips were popularized, the industry responded by breeding smaller potatoes for smaller chips to fit into the bags. Because the needs and expectations of growers and chip processors are constantly evolving, so too is the work of the potato breeders who collaborate with them.
That’s why Potatoes USA’s National Chip Program (NCP) meets every year, bringing together breeders, growers and chip processors to review data on new varieties and discuss which ones might be commercially viable as potato chips.
The NCP, which gathered in Chicago in December to review data on hundreds of new potato variety candidates, was formed in 2008 after chip potato farmers and processors requested a formal process to test and identify new varieties needed in the industry. By focusing on supply, the program
helps growers achieve production goals and meet market demand from processors. At the same time, it gives breeders an opportunity to better understand how potatoes respond to different environments across the United States.
“It’s the broad adaptation of potatoes in a wide range of environments, which is not something we could do individually before,” said Walter De Jong, professor at Cornell University’s School of Integrative Plant Sciences, Plant Breeding and Genetics Section. “The NCP trials are fantastic for identifying varieties that can grow in a wide range of environments, from variation in soils, temperature, rainfall and other environmental factors.”
“This year, the processors bumped up their threshold of specific gravity a little bit,” said David Douches, director of the Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Interdepartmental Graduate Program at Michigan State University. “That’s important information for us because as a breeder, if we don’t
Source: Potatoes USA chart of NCP graduates adopted by the potato industry.
know what the industry is valuing, we’re not making the right decisions in our selections. We take that into account.”
The program sometimes even sees rival breeders cross candidates from separate breeding programs to meet the needs of the industry.
“It’s a collaborative enterprise that really distinguishes potatoes from other crops,” said Jeff Endelman, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences. “Breeders have a friendly rivalry, but primarily we’re working together to advance the whole industry.”
After December’s meeting in Chicago, growers will begin planting the new varieties identified by the NCP. Candidates for the fresh potato market will be shipped further south, while candidates for strong storage qualities will be shipped to northern states. The NCP will start reviewing new data on the candidates this summer.
Growers and processors have also shared appreciation for the NCP, giving them access and knowledge of new potato varieties.
“The NCP trial program has helped develop varieties that have altered the way we source potatoes,” said Phil Gusmano, vice president of purchasing at Better Made Snack Foods. “We are able to use varieties that store much longer into the spring and summer and allow us to stay local in our sourcing. These varieties have better gravity, disease resistance and shelf life than older varieties we previously sourced. Without the NCP trials, we
“That’s why Potatoes USA’s National Chip Program (NCP) meets every year, bringing together breeders, growers and chip processors to review data on new varieties and discuss which ones might be commercially viable as potato chips.”
would not have the quality raw materials we use today.”
The NCP also gives growers an advantage when marketing their crops to customers.
“Heartland Farms has always strived to be a leader in chip production for our customers. Ensuring we plant varieties that allow us to capitalize on yield and quality plays a significant part in that,” said Tom Prasalowicz, farm manager at Heartland Farms in Wisconsin. “Our involvement with the National Chip Program has given us valuable insights on these varieties as well as the opportunity to provide input on variety performance and outlook.”
If you are a potato breeder, grower or processor interested in participating in the NCP, you can learn more here or reach out to Potatoes USA at johnl@potatoesusa.com.
Potatoes USA Elects Steve Elfering As Board Chair, Announces New Executive Committee For 2025-2026
Potatoes USA elected Steve Elfering of Boise, Idaho, as Chair of the Board at its annual meeting.
Potatoes USA also announced its Executive Committee members to lead the organization through 2025-2026.
Elfering is CEO of 1,4GROUP, Inc., a family-owned chemical distribution business that supports potato growers. He has a wide range of experience across his more than three decades in the industry, from growing and marketing fresh potatoes to research to serving as a supplier. Elfering has also been engaged with Potatoes USA for 14 years, including, most recently, chairing the Communications Committee.
“It’s an honor to be elected to lead this group where we all have such a clear sense of why we do this work,” said Elfering.
“We have passion for the product itself, passion for strengthening demand for this fantastic, versatile food, and passion for bringing together the deep expertise of people who make this an amazing industry.”
Elfering wants to continue building on the work that has been done at Potatoes USA while also keeping an eye toward changes in the international market. He has a unique perspective when it comes to the global picture – about 80 percent of 1,4GROUP’s business is international.
“We’re on such a good path. Continuing to educate people about potato nutrition is key, and grower outreach and communication back to the industry is key,” he said. “I also want to look at the impact that competition is having in international markets and make sure we have the best possible strategy in place for U.S. potatoes.”
Elfering also believes the way the industry comes together through Potatoes USA is one of the most important strengths of the organization.
“Those involved in Potatoes USA are competitors to some degree, but when we’re here, we’re walking hand-in-hand to support the industry as a whole and implement programs that make things better for all of us.”
In addition to Elfering, Potatoes USA’s 2025-2026 Executive Committee members include:
• Hunter Gibbs of Washington, N.C., Chair, Market Development Consumer Committee
• Kathy Sponheim of Urbana, Ohio, Chair, Nutrition and Health Committee
• Nathan Bender of Bakersfield, Calif., Co-Chair, Production Research Committee
• Trever Belnap of Hamer, Idaho, Chair, Communications Committee
• Dave Masser of Sacramento, Pa., Chair, Market Development Retail Committee
• Jess Blatchford of Baker City, Ore., Co-Chair, Production Research Committee
• Wendy Dykstra of Rio, Wis., Chair, Finance and Policy Committee
• Cliff Shaw of Monte Vista, Colo., Chair, Culinary Committee
• Travis Meacham of Moses Lake, Wash., Chair, Market Development Foodservice Committee
• Shelley Olsen of Othello, Wash., Immediate Past Chair
“I have full confidence that this executive committee is going to make a notable impact in the year ahead, along with all the Potatoes USA board members,” Elfering said.
Steve Elfering
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