Advertiser Index Hotlinks Click on the Advertiser to Jump Straight to Their Ad CROP PROTECTION BASF Industrial Ventilation, Inc Jet-Ag & Fruit Guard
Liphatech, Inc. Marrone Bio Innovations
GROWTH PROMOTERS Compass Minerals Protassium+
Compass Minerals Nu-Trax P+
POTATO SEED
British Columbia Seed Potato Growers Association Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association Dick Bedlington Farms Edmonton Potato Growers Eugene Cole Farm Fleming Farms Idaho Certified Seed Potatoes
C.S.I. Nutri-Cal
Kimm Brothers
EQUIPMENT
Lake Seed
All Star Manufacturing & Design American Wholesale Co. Dammer Diker/ Tillage Master Double M Ag and Irrigation EZ Tarp Greentronics Industrial Ventilation, Inc
Lane Farms
Noffsinger Skone Irrigation Inc Suberizer
Streich and Associates, Inc.
Imperium
SHOWS
Potato Expo University of Idaho Potato Conference Washington Oregon Potato Conference
Manhattan Potato Growers Montana Seed Parkinson Seed Farm Penfold Farms Pieper Farms Potato Growers of Alberta Skinner Spuds Washington State Seed
CONSULTING &TESTING Ag World
Stukenholtz
Click on this symbol to watch a video
Country PotatoCountry.com • January 2017
Husband-and-Wife Team Page 24
Planning for the '17 Crop Irrigation Essentials
Super-PesT! Page 14
VISION DESIGN PERFORMANCE The Complete Storage Company
VISION DESIGN PERFORMAN
Design sets Suberizer apart
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www.suberizer.com
Vol. 33 No. 1
Country
Table of Contents
w w w . Po t a t o Co u n t r y . c o m Columbia Media Group PO Box 333 Roberts, Idaho 83444 Phone: (208) 520-6461
January 2017 6 National Potato Council
Editorial Board
New Opportunities Arise After Election
14 Colorado Potato Beetle
Washington State Potato Commission
Holding Off a Potato Super-Pest
(509) 765-8845
19 Washington State Potato Commission
Chris Voigt
Executive Director
2016 Potato Season Provides Profits, Challenges
20 Buyers' Guide
Oregon Potato Commission
Irrigation Essentials
(503) 239-4763
24 Bunger Farms
Husband-and-Wife Team Grows Farm, Family
Insect Identification Quiz: Andy Jensen, Ph.D., regional research director, Washington, Idaho and Oregon potato commissions.
32 Montana Seed Potato Seminar
Disease Identification Quiz: Dr. Jeff Miller, plant pathologist and president and CEO of Miller Research, Rupert, Idaho.
34 Crop Protection
Denise Keller .......................
[email protected]
Preventing Water Fights
Potato Country Contacts Editor
Planning Tips for 2017 Success
Dave Alexander ....................
[email protected] Publisher, Advertising
Brian Feist ............................
[email protected]
38 Potato Growers of Washington
Advertising
Making the Grade
Colorado potato beetle has exhibited an incredible ability to rapidly adapt to chemical management tools. See story page 14. Photo courtesy Michael Crossley, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Departments
On The Cover Josh and Jenn Bunger grow 300 acres of Ranger Russets in Pasco, Wash. Jenn farmed alongside her dad, then on her own and now with Josh.
4
Bill Brewer
Executive Director
Potato Country
January 2017
8 10 23 31 35 36
In the News New Products Insect Quiz Disease Quiz Calendar Market Report
EDITORIAL INFORMATION Potato Country is interested in newsworthy material related to potato production and marketing. Contributions from all segments of the industry are welcome. Submit news releases, new product submissions, stories and photos via email to:
[email protected]. ADVERTISING SALES For information about advertising rates, mechanics, deadlines, copy submission, mailing, contract conditions and other information, call Dave Alexander at (208) 520-6461 or email
[email protected]. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION U.S........................ 1 year, $18.00; 2 years $31.00, 3 years, $41.00. Canada ................. 1 year, $30.00; 2 years $49.00; 3 years 68.00. Foreign ................. 1 year, $45.00; 2 years $85.00; 3 years $121.00. Payments accepted by check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Subscriptions can be entered online at www.potatocountry.com. Email address changes/corrections to
[email protected] or send to Potato Country, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444. Potato Country magazine (ISSN 0886-4780), is published eight times per year and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices. It is produced by Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group. For information on reprints call (208) 520-6461.
Sustainable.
Ef fe c t i v e . Protection Against Nematodes
Better Yield and Harvest Quality
Majestene reduces nematode populations by
Activates a plant’s natural defenses to protect
limiting egg laying, egg hatch, and prevents or
against a variety of fungal and bacterial diseases,
reduces tuber infection.
resulting in higher quality and yields.
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learn more: marronebio.com/potato
2015 Field Trial, Mt. Vernon, WA
© 2017 Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. Marrone Bio Innovations, Regalia, Majestene and logos are trademarks of Marrone Bio Innovations.
National Potato Council
New Opportunities Arise After Election By John Keeling, NPC Vice President and CEO
A
fter the whirlwind of this past election season, the dust will begin to settle, and we all will move forward with our daily lives and businesses. Every four to eight years, there is a new president elected. It is important to keep in perspective the idea that change is normal. Political change is a key building block in our government; without it, we can never make balanced progress. As we do with each new administration, NPC is assessing the potential policy options for potato growers and noting where we might find potential roadblocks. There are promising opportunities for regulatory reform and tax reform. Getting EPA back on track and back to using a transparent regulatory process and sound science will take center stage for many agriculture groups. There is support for this among leadership. House Speaker Paul Ryan stated agriculture is an example of a sector that’s over-regulated, and he pledged to make regulatory relief a priority in the next Congress. NPC also sees an opening for stronger, more effective trade deals. President-elect Donald Trump has emphasized his business acumen and his strong skillset in the art of deal-making. Being a tough negotiator and obtaining good trade agreements has the National Potato Council’s support. Trump could potentially bring the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries back to the table to fix the items he views as deficient and move forward with a rebranded “Trump TPP.” Dropping out of TPP would prevent adding 128,000 jobs to the economy, with the biggest gains in the agricultural sector, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. This would not help the goal of growing U.S. jobs and, as a result, he could opt to rework rather than scrap TPP. 6
Potato Country
January 2017
The design of our three branches of government is to guarantee that policy changes at a thoughtful pace. Integral to the process is a system of checks and balances. The unique structures of the House and Senate are an important part of that system. We do not have a parliamentary form of government, so holding the presidency as well as majorities in both the House and Senate is a strong position, but it does not necessarily allow legislative success without bipartisan support. While the election determined the Republicans maintained the majority in the House and control of the Senate, they do not have the 60 Senate votes they need to invoke cloture or bring debate to an end.
"Dropping out of TPP would prevent adding 128,000 jobs to the economy, with the biggest gains in the agricultural sector." The founding fathers gave a good deal of power to the minority. No party or individual in the majority ever likes it when their efforts can be thwarted by the minority. Those of us with longer memories remember that inevitably your party, whichever one it is, will eventually be back in the minority again and you will be enjoying the ability to have a voice in how the debate proceeds. Obviously, this functions best when there is desire to actually seek solutions and real willingness to reach compromise. NPC is looking forward to working with the new members of Congress and the new administration. We will seek opportunities to address potato industry priorities and work cooperatively with both sides of the aisle to move the legislative process forward.
K File #1259
CROP
|
PROBLEM
POTATOES
|
YIELD-ROBBING CHLORIDE
the case against chloride
Why Potato Growers Are Making the Switch to Protassium+ Many potato growers replenish their fields with K sources that contain high levels of potassium and chloride. While high potassium content is beneficial, high chloride content often leads to nutritional imbalances and nutrient displacement. To avoid the harmful effects of chloride, growers have turned to Protassium+ sulfate TM
of potash, a premium K source with more to offer.
SOLUTION
|
REPLENISH WITH PROTASSIUM+TM
THE NEED FOR
POTASSIUM Potatoes remove up to 56 lbs. of K 2O/100 cwt of yield1. Results show that replenishing fields with Protassium+ produces up to 5 Tons/acre more than fields treated with muriate of potash2.
BETTER STORABILITY Protassium+ delivers nutrients that help reduce shrinkage and sprouting in storage. In fact, potatoes treated with Protassium+ have fewer sprouts per tuber after 200 days in storage versus potatoes treated with other K sources (like muriate of potash)3.
Muriate of Potash
CHLORIDE
Less than 1%
47%
SALT INDEX
* 2 Lowest of all major potassium sources
0.85 per unit of K O
1.93 per unit of K 2O
SULFATE SULFUR
17%
0%
POTASSIUM
50%
60%
VERSATILITY
8 grades
Limited
ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
OMRI CDFA
No
BEST VALUE
✓
X
Contact your local retailer or Compass Minerals at 800.743.7258
PROTASSIUMPLUS.COM *Lower salt index has higher level of safety. ©2017 Compass Minerals. All rights reserved. 1 “Potatoes + K.” Potatoes: Surveying the Need. Compass Minerals. protassiumplus.com/surveying-the-need-in-potatoes 2 “Proof Is in the Potatoes.” Field Trial Emphasizes Benefits of Potassium for Potatoes. Holland Agricultural Services. protassiumplus.com/knowledge-center/post/proof-is-in-the-potatoes 3 “How to Win the Potato Storage Loss Battle.” Colorado State University. protassiumplus.com/knowledge-center/post/how-to-win-the-potato-storage-loss-battle 4 “The Interaction of Sulfur and Scab Disease.” The Roles of Sulfur in Nutrient – Disease Interactions. Purdue University Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. protassiumplus.com/knowledge-center/post/the-interaction-of-sulfur-and-scab-disease in 5 “Proof Is in the Potatoes.” Field Trial Emphasizes Benefits of Potassium for Potatoes. Holland Agricultural Services. protassiumplus.com/knowledge-center/post/proof-is-in-the-potatoes
TWO ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS Protassium+ provides potatoes the necessary nutrients for optimum yield, including 17% sulfate sulfur. The sulfate sulfur in Protassium+ can help keep potatoes healthy by inhibiting the spread of powdery scab disease4.
MORE U.S. NO. 1S Results show potatoes treated with Protassium+ yield 3 Tons more U.S. No. 1s per acre than potatoes treated with muriate of potash5.
In the News
RPE Expands Marketing Team RPE, a Bancroft, Wisconsin grower and year-round shipper of potatoes and onions, has hired Tim Huffcutt as its new marketing director. Huffcutt has worked in corporate public relations, communications and marketing for most of his career. He most recently worked in the healthcare industry with responsibilities ranging from market research, planning and digital strategy to customer relationship management and new business/acquisition activities.
Skinny Potatoes to Hit Store Shelves
Recognizing that the 100-calorie measurement resonates with today’s consumers, Schmieding Produce is adding the same controlled calorie serving to the potato segment. The company is marketing spuds weighing about 4.8 ounces apiece, which amounts to a 100-calorie serving, under the name Skinny Potatoes. Schmmieding plans to sell the premium product in 3-pound bags, with approximately 10 potatoes in a bag, at a recommended retail price of $2.99. The recommended price point of the organic alternative will be between $3.49 and $3.99. Distribution will be allocated to a select number of stores beginning in January.
WSPC Touts Potatoes in Southeast Asia
The Washington State Potato Commission’s (WSPC) latest trade mission to Southeast Asia focused on customer relations in Vietnam and potato chips in Myanmar. Myanmar, also known as Burma, represents an entirely new market. Prior to the November trade mission, the commission shipped about 250 pounds of Washington potatoes to be made into potato chips by Myanmar processors in hopes of impressing them with the quality. Vietnam already buys some U.S. potatoes. Despite tariffs, U.S. sales of potatoes to Vietnam were picking up until falling sharply in the last two years. The slowdown at West Coast ports in 2014 and 2015 delayed shipments and cost U.S. growers export customers. The WSPC delegation met with retailers to build relationships and tout the quality of Washington table stock potatoes.
Bacterium Discovered at MSU Registered for Commercial Use A naturally occurring bacterium discovered by Montana State University (MSU) professor Barry Jacobsen has been registered for commercial use and sale by Certis USA under the product name LifeGard. Jacobsen isolated the bacterium, Bacillus mycoides isolate J, or BmJ WG, in 1994 from a Montana field of sugar beets that had been devastated by a Cercospora leaf spot outbreak. His early research showed the bacterium activated the natural immune defenses of plants against bacterial, viral and fungal diseases. Additional research by Certis found the bacterium can be effective in fighting off diseases in a long list of crops including potatoes.
8
Potato Country
January 2017
Younger Generations Eating More Veggies Millennials and Gen Zs are driving the growth in fresh and frozen vegetable consumption, according to The NPD Group. Consumers under age 40 are eating 52 percent more fresh vegetables and 59 percent more frozen vegetables compared to a decade ago. People age 60 and up, however, decreased their consumption of fresh vegetables by 30 percent and frozen vegetables by 4 percent over the same period. The NPD Group chalks up the increased veggie intake among Millennials and Gen Zs to their interest in healthy eating. The research group forecasts fresh vegetable consumption to jump another 10 percent over the next several years and frozen vegetable consumption to inch up by 3 percent through 2024.
a plan for whatever comes next season. Weather, weeds, insects, diseases — you never know what any given season will throw at you. But you can always count on the full support of your experienced BASF representative. Grow Smart™ with BASF is our personal commitment to your success. We work closely with you to deliver a personalized plan with an innovative portfolio, accurate and timely information, and a range of resources to help you grow better potatoes, and your operation’s success, acre after acre, season after season. Learn more at GrowSmartPotatoes.com
Always read and follow label directions. Grow Smart is a registered trademark of BASF. © 2016 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved. APN 16-SPC-0006
New Products
Syngenta Introduces Orondis Opti Premix Syngenta’s Orondis Opti fungicide, currently sold as a multi-pack, will be commercially available in a premix formulation for the 2017 growing season pending individual state registrations. This formulation will offer enhanced application flexibility and convenience. Orondis Opti combines the active ingredients in Orondis and Bravo fungicides into a product that protects crops when they are most actively growing to maximize marketable yields, according to Syngenta. The fungicide offers control of Oomycete diseases in specialty and vegetable crops. In potatoes, the product primarily targets late blight. In addition, from the chlorothalonil component in Orondis Opti, Orondis will contribute to the management of black dot, Botrytis vine rot and early blight. Visit www.syngenta-us.com/fungicides/orondis.
Digital Sorters Launched for Specialty Potato Products
Key Technology describes its new VERYX digital sorters for potato strips and specialty potato products as featuring an innovative mechanical architecture, sustainable all-sided surface inspection, unique multi-sensor Pixel Fusion, high resolution cameras and laser sensors, intelligent ejection system and extreme ease-of-use. Ideal for wet and frozen French fries and specialty potato products, the sorters maximize foreign material and defect removal to enhance product quality while virtually eliminating false rejects to ensure maximum yield, according to the company. Visit www.key.net/products/veryx.
Huma Gro App Released for Android
The Huma Gro app for Android smart phones is now available on Google Play. The free app provides a foliar application calculator for determining how much product to apply to specific crops on any size field based on lab analysis. It also features a frequently updated product document library, a product mixing guide, and the ability to save product application data and calculations by field. The iOS version of the Huma Gro app will be available sometime in 2017.
10
Potato Country
January 2017
RTI-Ag Offers Mycorrhizal Inoculant
The majority of healthy soils contain mycorrhizae, which help the plant’s root system with the uptake of key nutrients and water. However, most soils have been depleted of these super fungi, according to RTI-Ag. The company’s Mykos Gold is designed to re-establish mycorrhizal fungi in the soil to help maximize yield, improve quality and overall plant performance, and ensure a healthy and bio-diverse soil. Mykos Gold consists of single species arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that work symbiotically with the roots of a plant. In addition, Mykos Gold forms hyphae, the fungal body, which increases the root mass resulting in more absorption of essential elements for survival. The fungal network can transport nutrients over large distances and deliver them directly into the root cell; in exchange, the plants supply Mykos Gold with energy in the form of carbohydrates. Visit www.RTI-Ag.com.
RITETRACE Track & Trace System
Tracks from known locations in the field to precise layers and areas in storage Fully-automated traceability solution Provides clear links between field and storage track quality characteristics Provides data for efficiency analyses and a variety of management reports Modular design to suit any size operation Straightforward components are easy to install Integrates with Greentronics yield monitor
from FIELD
to TRUCK
to STORAGE
to DETAILED MAPS
519-669-4698•greentronics.com www.PotatoCountry.com
11
New Products
Greentronics Unveils Traceability System Greentronics has just introduced the RiteTrace Track and Trace system as the newest addition to its product line. The traceability system automates recordkeeping and logs data for harvest dates, times and locations and each load’s location in storage, linking stored produce to locations in the field. This fulfills many traceability requirements and offers the agronomic benefit of allowing growers to trace quality in storage back to the field. The system has a modular design to suit various operation sizes, and components are easy to install, according to Greentronics. Visit www.greentronics.com.
Agrian Enhances Software Suite
Agrian Inc. provides a unified, web and mobile software solution. Its platform is designed for growers, crop consultants and food processors. Agrian has enhanced its software suite to incorporate both agronomy and compliance into one seamless system. These enhancements include recordkeeping, Global GAP requirements, scouting, imagery, fumigant management plans, crop planning, field sampling and lab analysis, all backed by the largest manufacturer indemnified label database, according to Agrian. Agrian helps growers and their consultants construct management zones and variable rate prescriptions based on yield, moisture data and soil type. Its mobile platform allows users to sample for tissue, petiole, nematode and soil. Visit www.agrian.com.
Worksaver Manufactures Pallet Forks Worksaver’s skid steer pallet forks are designed to mount to any skid steer using the “universal” quick-attach mounting system. The forks are rated at 4,000 pounds and feature spring-loaded latches for easy spacing adjustment, as well as solid steel alloy tapered forks for easy loading of palletized materials. Visit www.worksaver.com/pallet-forks. 12
Potato Country
January 2017
Zeba Makes a Comeback
United Phosphorus, Inc. (UPI) is re-introducing Zeba, a starch-based soil enhancement product for use on crops including potatoes. Zeba is said to be capable of absorbing more than 400 times its own weight in water and releasing that moisture back to plants as they need it. This leads to higher germination rates and greater transplant survival rates. Zeba has also been proven to increase nutrient use efficiency by plants, leading to more uniform crops that produce higher quality yields, according to the company. Over time, Zeba’s starch-based formulation breaks down and becomes food for soil microbes, leaving no detrimental residues behind. Visit www.upi-usa.com.
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13
Holding off a Potato
Super-PesT!
By Michael Crossley, PhD student, University of Wisconsin-Madison “Bugs rule and the rest of us are just trying to survive.” – Mark Crossley, West Michigan IPM
Few insect pests of agriculture make my uncle’s sentiment more strongly felt than the Colorado potato beetle (CPB). Since acquiring a taste for the cultivated potato along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in 1859, CPB has spread as far as Siberia and western China, and demanded considerable control efforts to protect potato yields. From DDT to thiamethoxam, CPB has exhibited an incredible ability to rapidly adapt to chemical management tools. This ability to rapidly evolve resistance to insecticides has made CPB particularly troublesome,
with many early American farmers seriously considering management by hand-picking or flamethrowers in the wake of repeated control failures. Prolific pests like CPB beg the question: What enables such rapid adaptation to management strategies? Fortunately, CPB populations have not all exhibited equal adaptability across their geographic range, with a prominent sanctuary from insecticide resistance persisting in the Pacific Northwest for almost a century. The maintained susceptibility to insecticides in Idaho, Oregon and Washington presents both an opportunity and a precarious situation: Perhaps we can learn something about rapid adaptation from populations that
seem to be unable to adapt; but perhaps it is only a matter of time before CPB resistance problems catch up with Pacific Northwest potato growers. As part of my PhD research, I am working to identify the factors contributing to the maintained susceptibility to insecticides among CPB in the Pacific Northwest. Below, I briefly describe five possibilities (Figure 1) I think are worth exploring.
Factor #1:
Alternate Host Plants Winters are generally not as harsh in the Pacific Northwest as in many parts of the Midwest and East Coast. This facilitates survival of unharvested
While Colorado potato beetles in many potato-producing regions have developed resistance to insecticides, a prominent sanctuary from insecticide resistance has persisted in the Pacific Northwest for almost a century. Photo courtesy Silvia Rondon, Oregon State University
14
Potato Country
January 2017
Figure 1. Five possible factors contributing to the maintained susceptibility to insecticides among Colorado potato beetle populations in the Pacific Northwest. tubers that give rise to volunteer potatoes the following year. Over the last two years collecting CPB in Oregon and Washington, I have had more success finding beetles on volunteer potatoes popping up in carrot, corn, pea and wheat fields than I have in actual potato fields. You might view this as a problem; volunteers are providing food to beetles that otherwise might have starved. But the flipside of that coin is that insecticidesusceptible beetles are being allowed to
persist that otherwise might have been wiped out by insecticide-treated potato fields.
Factor #2:
Natural Enemies
Any factor that reduces the size of a population will limit the strength of natural selection acting on the population. So even if insecticides are applied to potatoes at planting every year, smaller populations will be less likely to evolve
resistance (Figure 2). Natural enemies (parasitoids, pathogens, predators) can be a significant cause of mortality. Unfortunately, throughout most of CPB’s range, natural enemies barely make a dent on population abundance. For example, in Wisconsin, I have observed that one in 10,000 beetles might be parasitized by a tachinid fly. However, in Oregon, I have noticed some fields with as many as one in 10 beetles parasitized by the same fly species.
Figure 2. Even if the same proportion of individuals are resistant to insecticides (yellow-colored beetles), the likelihood that resistance is completely lost due to mortality unrelated to insecticides (such as a harsh winter or parasitism by natural enemies) is higher for the smaller population.
www.PotatoCountry.com
15
Super-PesT!
Figure 3. Field sizes are generally larger in the Pacific Northwest than elsewhere in the U.S., meaning crop rotation may have a greater reducing effect on Colorado potato beetle populations over time. Images created with Google Earth
Factor #3:
Landscape Connectivity
Field sizes are generally larger in the Pacific Northwest than elsewhere in the U.S. (Figure 3). So when crops are rotated across the landscape over time, the distance between today’s and last year’s potato is effectively larger. We know that rotating potatoes just onequarter of a mile significantly reduces CPB population abundance and delays the timing of infestation. It is possible that the Pacific Northwest agricultural landscape is less connected and that crop rotation, like natural enemies, is greatly reducing CPB population sizes
and working in opposition to selection imposed by insecticides.
Factor #4:
Genetic Variation We have found that CPB populations in the Pacific Northwest have much lower genetic diversity than elsewhere in the U.S. (Figure 4). We can only speculate as to why. Mountains may present a barrier to dispersal. Perhaps a few beetles hitched a ride with settlers across the Rocky Mountains, resulting in a population of beetles with only a fraction of the genetic diversity observed elsewhere. How does this relate to insecticide resistance? The genetic variation necessary to adapt to
insecticides may have been lost along the journey. But a word of caution is warranted here: We have found that resistance to insecticides can be conferred by numerous (hundreds of) genes, and it is highly unlikely that CPBs could lose resistance-conferring variation at all of these genes. CPB may turn out to be just as adaptable in the Pacific Northwest as elsewhere in the U.S. Moving forward, I intend to compare genetic variation at resistance genes among CPB in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest to test this possibility.
Factor #5:
Management Practices
Maybe growers in the Pacific Northwest are just doing a better job managing CPB. Good management practices include rotating crops, rotating insecticides used, using recommended label rates and application frequencies (no more, no less), and using scoutingbased information to decide when to treat infestations. An important note about rotating insecticides: it is the mode of action that counts. Confusingly, many insecticides that go by different names have the same
Figure 4. Colorado potato beetles in Idaho, Oregon and Washington have much lower genetic diversity than elsewhere in the U.S. On the map, each color represents a unique genetic variant found in the region. More pie slices = more genetic diversity. N = number of beetles sampled. Data credited to Grapputo et al. 2005, Vic Izzo, and Michael Crossley
16
Potato Country
January 2017
This University of Wisconsin research trial, in which Colorado potato beetles remained untreated for most of the summer, demonstrates what can happen during a control failure. Photo courtesy Michael Crossley, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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LANE FARMS
• Ranger • Shepody • Norkotah •
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17
Super-PesT! mode of action. For example, Bayer’s Admire Pro and Syngenta’s CruiserMaxx contain different active ingredients that have the same mode of action. Do not expect to delay evolution of resistance to neonicotinoids if you’re rotating these chemicals. Always consult the insecticide label and the Insecticide Resistance Mode of Action Committee (www.irac-online. org/modes-of-action) to ensure you are effectively rotating chemicals. It is clear that CPB is capable of rapid adaptation, which makes the maintenance of susceptibility to insecticides in the Pacific Northwest incredible. When
pests seem to be well controlled by current management practices, it can be easy to think they will never adapt. But history warns us this is rarely the case. It is critical that good management practices continue to be implemented and that insecticide resistance be monitored regularly. Do you know the last time insecticide resistance was systematically measured in this region? 1984 – in just a few locations in Idaho and with chemicals that have since been banned. I think it is about time we update the resistance baselines in our nation’s top potato-producing region. Talk
to your local extension agent about doing this in your area. I am curious to hear your thoughts on CPB resistance to insecticides in the Pacific Northwest. Do you think one of my five factors stands out more than the others? Or is it a combination of factors? Or something I haven’t thought of? Please write me your thoughts at
[email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
Our isolated northern location along with our group of 10 experienced growers have been producing exceptional seed potatoes with increased energy and the lowest possible disease levels for over 50 years. Our longevity and historical performance have made us a valued resource and seed potato supplier to growers across North America and the world. With over 100 varieties including main crop and specialty selections, we invite you to give us a call to discuss how we can help you make this growing season the best one yet.
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Potato Country
January 2017
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Washington State Potato Commission
2016 Potato Season Provides Profits, Challenges By Matthew Blua, Washington State Potato Commission Director of Industry Outreach
C
olumbia Basin potato growers, scientists and Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) personnel met on Dec. 5 to discuss “the good, the bad and the ugly” with regard to the 2016 potato growing season. This season created both good profits and high anxiety for Columbia Basin growers. The reason for profits is clear: overall good yields and high quality that we have come to expect from the area. The anxiety is rather complicated. This season was marked by an “early decline,” basically potato plants that seem to be worn out and susceptible to a multitude of problems. This normally happens late in the season; yet this year, it happened much earlier than anticipated. At the crux of the issue seems to be a mild winter and warm spring with unusually moderate summer temperatures. The combined effect was to allow insect pests, and perhaps plant pathogens, to overwinter in higher numbers and overwhelm potato plants. At the same time, the mild temperatures throughout the growing season seemed to allow quicker than usual potato physiological development, thus concentrating the season. This year was marked by high population densities of insect pests, including psyllids, thrips and lygus bugs. Most damaging of these are psyllids, which can spread a bacterial pathogen causing zebra chip disease and can induce “psyllid yellows” as a result of large numbers feeding. High population densities of thrips and lygus bugs cause substantial feeding damage.
Early outbreaks of late blight and outbreaks of early blight and potato purple top disease round out the challenges for potato growers this season. In attendance for this meeting were four Washington State University
scientists, two Oregon State University scientists, four WSPC directors, and approximately 20 potato growers and crop advisors.
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19
Irrigation Essentials Buyers' Guide
Water Treatment Resources www.watertreatmentresources.com
Accu-Tab Tablet Chlorination System
The Accu-Tab tablet chlorination system by Water Treatment Resources provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution to many irrigation, food packing and fresh-cut industry’s safety and operational concerns. Recent outbreaks have brought more government and public scrutiny to food safety. AccuTab effectively chlorinates well water, surface water and reuse water supplies to help reduce maintenance by controlling algae and iron build-up that can cause line clogs in irrigation systems. It also kills harmful bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella. An alternative to gas and bleach, Accu-Tab combines chlorinators with 68 percent calcium hypochlorite tablets that deliver consistent and controllable chlorine residuals.
Irrometer Company
IRROmesh Wireless System
www.irrometer.com/975.html
The Irrometer Company’s IRROmesh is a wireless solar-powered data logging system. This system is self-initializing, self-routing, self-healing and utilizes compact, solar-powered wireless radio nodes. Nodes are transceiver devices for measurement of soil moisture, soil temperature and other environmental features. When deployed in an interactive mesh radio network, nodes collect data that transmits to the base node where it can be transmitted to an external device or the internet for compilation and viewing. Internet data service is available for management, storage and display in real-time.
Lindsay Corporation
www.growsmart.com/precision-vri-2
Growsmart Precision VRI
Growsmart by Lindsay Precision VRI gives growers the ability to precisely control the amount of water applied to every part of their field – and now it’s available via FieldNET, an easy-to-use remote irrigation and monitoring solution. With Precision VRI, growers can apply the optimum amount of water, nutrients or chemicals over multiple crops, soil types and terrains to maximize yields while reducing irrigation costs and overwatering. When integrated with FieldNET, growers have the freedom to easily create and modify variable rate plans, select which plan to run and control the complete operation of their pivot and lateral systems from virtually anywhere.
Valley Irrigation
www.valleyICON.com
ICON Smart Panels
Growers are about to gain smarter, simpler options for controlling and managing their irrigation pivots. Valley, a leader in precision irrigation, is proud to introduce the new Valley ICON family of smart panels, providing intuitive control for any center pivot irrigation machine. The ICON family has a solution for every grower’s need. Whether you’re buying a new pivot, upgrading your existing panel or changing over from another brand, you have the advantage of operating an intuitive, full-color touchscreen interface with ease and simplicity.
Irrigation Essentials Magnation Water Technologies www.RainlikeWater.com
Aquabolt
Magnation’s chemical-free water softening technology is now paired with static mixing capabilities in the company’s new 2017 product rollout: Aquabolt. Designed to mitigate extreme salt conditions and transform problematic mineral salts into bioavailable nutrients, Aquabolt delivers results with a quantifiable and powerful impact on soil infiltration, improved soil moisture retention by up to 250 percent, stronger plant vigor with optimum capillary action, nutrient absorption and better hydration with 20 percent less water. Aquabolt is designed to eliminate mineral scale buildup, reduce maintenance and maximize the power of your water.
T-L Irrigation Company GPS Navigation Corner System
www.tlirr.com
T-L Irrigation Co., a manufacturer of hydrostatically powered pivot irrigation systems, has received two patents for its GPS Navigation Corner System. These patents protect the unique method of waypoint navigation that the company has implemented for its GPS Navigation Corner System. Also included is the addition of a Wheel Angle Sensor, exclusively offered by T-L Irrigation, for improved track-on-track accuracy, pass after pass, year after year. Combined with T-L’s continuous movement, low maintenance and reliability of T-L’s universal hydrostatic design, the GPS Navigation Corner System represents the optimum in simplicity and pivot corner system performance.
Water Made Right www.WaterMadeRight.com
Sulfur Burners
Sulfur Burners from Water Made Right are an economical way to treat your water. They break down the bicarbonates in the water and, by doing so, also lower your pH instantly. This allows for nutrients in the water to be utilized, as it improves penetration in the soil and uses less water. It helps eliminate scale and algae in your ponds, along with keeping your waterlines clean. It is organic/ OMRI approved and is typically 70 percent less than sulfuric acid.
AquaTech Irrigation Supply (509) 619-9256
Precision Mobile Drip Irrigation
AquaTech Irrigation is working with growers in the Columbia Basin that have a variety of different crops and water needs to achieve high irrigation efficiency and precise water application. Utilizing the Precision Mobile Drip Irrigation system from Netafim Irrigation allows the conservation of water by up to 15-20 percent, lowers disease pressures and increases potential crop yields. With a number of options for row spacing and flow rates, adaptable to any existing pivot or new machine, growers can minimize evaporation, decrease runoff and virtually eliminate wheel tracks. 22
Potato Country
January 2017
Insect Identification Quiz Dr. Andy Jensen
Sometimes the full life cycle of an insect is hard to appreciate, facilitate or manage because the life stage(s) that affects your crop or biological control looks so different from, or exists in very different places than, the other life stage(s). Quite likely, you have seen both of the insect life stages shown here.
A B Here is a simple true or false question for you: These two photos show life stages of a single insect species.
This material is provided courtesy of Andy Jensen, Ph.D., Manager of the Northwest Potato Research Consortium. For more information, visit www.nwpotatoresearch.com.
ANSWERS, PAGE 38
www.PotatoCountry.com
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Jenn Bunger had her own potato contract before establishing Bunger Farms with her husband, Josh, in 2011. She now balances farming, motherhood and a part-time nursing job.
Husband-and-Wife Team Grows Farm, Family Story and photos by Denise Keller, Editor You can take the girl off the farm, but you can’t take farming out of the girl. At least that seems to ring true in Jenn Bunger’s case. A single summer away from the family farm was enough for Jenn to know where she belonged. She returned to farm alongside her dad and then on her own and now farms with her husband, Josh. Together, they are tackling the challenges, celebrating the successes and setting goals for their growing operation.
Daughter, Farmer, Partner After growing up working for her dad, Jack Holzer, a process potato grower in Pasco, Washington, Jenn earned her degree and started a nursing career in Western Washington. But the first summer
away from the farm was miserable, she recalls. “I have always been a tomboy. I love machinery. I love getting dirty,” she says. The new nurse began cramming all of her shifts at the hospital into one week, allowing her the next week to drive home and work on the farm. While pulling double duty, she convinced her dad that she was serious about farming. Wanting to keep operations separate, her dad instructed her to ask McCain Foods for a potato contract of her own. Holzer vouched for his daughter, and she was given a 90-acre contract in 2008. The fact that as a female farmer she was clearly in the minority was far from her focus. “I never really thought about it until people started saying things to me,” Jenn
Josh and Jenn Bunger take a break from harvest to hand-dig some spuds with their four-year-old son, Elliot.
says, explaining that her grandfather died when she was two years old, and her grandmother, now 85, ran the farm solo for years. “She was the reason I didn’t think it was weird for a woman to farm on her own. I never thought that was strange until I realized there were no other women my age doing this.” In 2011, Jenn married Josh, who had been working for a fresh potato grower for nearly a decade, and the couple established Bunger Farms. With a good working relationship with McCain, the farm’s spud contract was increased to 150 acres the next year and eventually bumped up to 300 acres two years ago. “I am so lucky that my dad gave me the opportunity to farm and trusted that I would be responsible with it. I would
Team not be where I am today without my dad. He taught me how to grow potatoes,” Jenn says. “Josh came with a wealth of knowledge, too. I started the farm out, but we have grown it together and I’m really proud of it.” In the last few years, Jenn’s role on the farm has changed, as she balances farming with raising three children, four-year-old Elliot and two-year-old twins Paige and Piper, and continuing to work part-time as a nurse at a local hospital. While she has let go of some of her daily duties such as managing water and herbicide applications, she still enjoys swathing, raking and baling hay and driving 10-wheelers during potato harvest. “I love working with my husband,” Jenn says. “There are two sets of watchful eyes on the farm.” Josh agrees, appreciating his and Jenn’s shared interest in potatoes and valuing his wife’s level of experience and knowledge in farm operations. “Having someone with on-the-farm experience doing the books has been beneficial,” he adds.
Challenges, Successes, Goals
The Bungers currently farm 1,000 acres consisting of potatoes, alfalfa and blue grass seed, along with some occasional green peas and sweet corn. Their 300 acres of Ranger Russets all go directly to the processor starting in early to mid-August. As relatively new growers, the Bungers have been learning from neighboring farmers and trialing their own techniques to find what works best
Josh Bunger sorts through potatoes as they come in from the field.
BC CERTIFIED SEED POTATO GROWERS Quality British Columbia Seed Potatoes Grown in: Fraser Valley and Pemberton 2016-17 BRITISH COLUMBIA SEED POTATO DIRECTORY www.bcseedpotatoes.com
See us at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference 26
Potato Country
January 2017
• Ranger Russets
• Russet
Burbank
Virus TESTED • Generation III Since 1952 Pat & Neil Fleming • Pablo, MT 59855 (406) 675-8620 • (406) 253-2365
PVX GIII
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We are dedicated to providing you with consistent high quality, high yielding seed that you can depend on year after year. You are cordially invited to stop by to see our facility.
HIGHEST QUALITY 85 to 95 Percent #1’s
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Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association
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(406) 253-3638 (office), (406) 676-2175 (fax) e-mail -
[email protected] 35822 Spring Creek Road l Ronan, MT 59864
NEED SEED? Call us. Producing Nuclear, G1 and G2 seed from high elevation, isolated Seed Farm. Norkotah278 Producing Norkotah- 90 high-quality Norkotah285 Norkotah296 seed potatoes NorkotahC-3 soil from Idaho Norkotah PHP for 30Norkotah years Standard
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www.PotatoCountry.com
27
Team for their operation. They found two years ago that top dressing in lieu of pre-plant fertilizer has contributed to increased tonnage and nitrogen efficiency. Following planting, Josh applies fertilizer directly on each row and pushes nutrients up onto the tops and sides of the potato hills during cultivation, allowing nitrogen to get right to the potatoes. Like other growers, the Bungers are also dealing with the loss of Vydate as a go-to product for in-season nematode control. “With Vydate, you could put it on and go home and sleep at night knowing your plants were taken care of,” Josh describes, noting a lack of comparable alternatives on the market. “We miss that tool.” While Josh has heard of problems in the area resulting from the lack of Vydate, Bunger Farms was fortunate to steer clear of nematode trouble in 2016, the grower says. Potato ground had low nematode counts and was double fumigated with Telone and Vapam as a safety net. The farm also maintains a four-year rotation as another preventative measure. However, in the absence of effective late-season nematode control, nematode populations may build over time, the grower worries. In addition, Vydate helped increase plant vigor, Josh says. Without the product in 2016, it seemed tougher to keep plants alive later in the season, requiring additional applications of other chemicals to control insects and diseases. Another common challenge is the scarce availability of good potato ground in the Columbia Basin. Being a new grower makes it slightly more difficult, Josh says, but many connections in the area have helped to locate and secure land. The Bungers rent a large acreage from a recently retired farmer who handpicked Jenn as a renter based on her impressive work ethic. “That was a good thing that helped me get started on my own just because he was amused to see a girl drive a 10wheeler and then head to the hospital for a shift,” Jenn recounts with a smile. “That was a good endorsement.” Despite any challenges, 2016 was a milestone year for Bunger Farms, a year in which operations from planting through harvest were completed with 28
Potato Country
January 2017
Josh and Jenn Bunger and their son, Elliot, show off some Ranger Russets harvested on their Pasco, Wash. farm.
the growers’ own newly purchased equipment. The farm had reached a size that it needed its own equipment; now the growers are hoping to increase potato production to offset the expense. Increasing contracted acreage is often
easier said than done for fairly new growers in the process market, the Bungers say, but together they are up to the challenge.
Alberta seed potatoes are the best you can buy.
Kimm Brothers Farming, LLC
Manhattan, Montana
Russet Burbank & Ranger Russet Certified Seed Potatoes We have earned the confidence and trust of potato growers for over 30 years. See what everyone’s talking about. Potato Growers of Alberta www.albertapotatoes.ca
“Satisfied Customers for Over 40 years”
Martin & Sue 406/284-3378 Cell Phone 406/580-4537
·PVX and PVY Tested ·Rigid Sanitation ·Beautiful Crop ·Isolated Area ·Visitors Welcome ·Gen. II & III Available
Taylor & Casie 406/580-1745
www.PotatoCountry.com
29
QUALITY • PERFORMANCE • DIRECT MARKETING • LIMITED GENERATION SEED
WASHINGTON CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES
Cascade Farms, Inc. • Lynden, WA 2IÀFH -HII%HGOLQJWRQ Dick Bedlington Farms, LLC • Lynden, WA 2IÀFH 'LFN%HGOLQJWRQ 6FRWW%HGOLQJWRQ ZZZEHGOLQJWRQIDUPVFRP Ebe Farms, LLC)HUQGDOH:$
2IÀFH *UHJ(EH
Famous for growing and marketing quality seed potatoes.
Hawley Farms, LLC)HUQGDOH:$
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P.O. Box286, 286 • Lynden, WA• 98264 • www.waseedpotato.com P.O. Box Lynden, WA 98264 (360) 354-4670 • www.waseedpotato.com
(406) 994-3150 www.montanaspud.org
30
Potato Country
January 2017
Know Your Potato Diseases
Disease
Streich and Associates, Inc.
Dr. Jeff Miller
Identification Quiz A All Varieties • Virus Tested Generation II & III Montana Seed Potatoes Specializing in:
Russet Burbank & Umatilla Modern seed potato facilities Environmentally controlled storage
A. Two different fungi are growing on an artificial growth medium. What are the fungi growing here, and what are the black structures?
Steve Streich • 406-253-2276 Paul Streich • 406-253-0642 955 Columbia Falls Stage • Kalispell, MT 59901
[email protected]
Dr. Jeff Miller, a plant pathologist, is the president and CEO of Miller Research, Rupert, Idaho. He can be contacted by phone: (208) 531-5124; cell: (208) 431-4420; email:
[email protected]
B
ANSWERS, PAGE 34
B. This is the underground stem of a potato plant sliced open longitudinally. What are the brown “stripes” running down the inside of the stem?
C C. What is the disease shown here? Why are the leaflets on one side of the leaf showing more severe symptoms than the other side?
ANSWERS, PAGE 38
www.PotatoCountry.com
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Montana Seed Potato Seminar
Preventing Water Fights
E
very farmer knows that one of the most important resources for any farm is water. Given water’s immense value and limited supply, questions often arise as to who controls water and who gets access to water. The keynote speaker at the 2016 Montana Seed Potato Seminar, held Nov. 2-3 in Missoula, Montana, attempted to clarify this hot topic issue. Russ McElyea is the chief water judge for the Montana Water Court. His job is to make sure that farms are using the correct amount of water in the correct place. With water shortages happening more frequently, the possibility for abuse is always there, resulting in the need for water courts to make sure that water is being shared and used as wisely as possible. As cities grow, they take away water from rural and agricultural areas, leading to disputes between farmers and citizens, McElyea said. He emphasized that this problem is only going to continue getting worse. He said we need an action plan going forward to ensure that farms are getting enough water. Without water, we have no crops; without food, we have no cities. McElyea also said that many farmers are using outdated equipment and are often unknowingly using more water than they have been allocated. Many farms face hefty fines for the
The Lockwood booth at the Montana Seed Potato Seminar stayed busy.
SEED POTATOES
Russet Burbank Russet Norkotah 278 All Clean Readings
Excellent Crop!
Eugene Cole Farm (406) 282-7594 Manhattan, Montana 59741 32
Potato Country
January 2017
Story and photos by Brian Feist
over-usage of water. In addition, updating the equipment is costly and can lead to problems with crops as the adjustments are made. This makes it especially important that farmers take extra time and care to use the correct amount of water. Updating equipment prevents costly fines and loss of crops down the road, ultimately saving money. Overall, the keynote speech pointed out that water is a diminishing resource. As places like California, Montana and much of the West continue to have drought, water will only become more and more precious. We all need water, so we’re going to need to figure out a way to share what little water we have available, McElyea concluded. Meeting attendees included seed potato growers, farm equipment suppliers, chemical producers and others in the ag industry from all over the world. Many were there to sell things or to buy things. Everyone was there to learn how to farm better. Over the course of the event, many topics were covered from row spacing to which new chemicals will be coming out soon and how to use them. Nina Zidack, director of the Montana Seed Potato Certification Program at Montana State University, organized the Montana Seed Potato Seminar.
Russ McElyea, the chief water judge for the Montana Water Court, spoke about the need for an action plan to facilitate necessary water sharing.
Industrial Ventilation’s booth at the trade show featured IVI's Imperium advanced precision storage control panel.
Montana Seed Potato Seminar attendees visit the trade show floor.
MANHATTAN Seed Potato Growers Family Operations Committed to the Highest Standards in the Industry Isolation Ideal for Insect Control All Seed Summer and Southern Tested for Virus Excellent Quality Controlled by Rigid Rouging and Sanitation Practices Many Varieties Available with Good Readings Top Yields and Tuber Uniformity from Years of Line Selecting 2016 Late Blight-Free Potatoes Eugene Cole Bill Cole Glenn & Vern Droge Dan Dyk Doug Dyk TRB Dykema Foth Farms Sid & Tim Kamps Bill & Scott Kimm
406-282-7486 406-282-7287 406-282-7588 406-282-7269 406-282-7271 406-581-7171 406-580-6725 406-282-7471 406-282-7592
Dan Kimm Kimm Bros. London Hills Farm Schutter Seed Farm Skinner Spuds VanDyke Farms NW Spring Creek Farms Brian Weidenaar White’s Potato Farm, Inc.
406-282-7519 406-284-3378 406-581-7567 406-284-3718 406-388-4609 406-282-7983 406-284-4233 406-282-7931 406-284-6075
www.manhattanseedspuds.com www.PotatoCountry.com
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Planning Tips for 2017 Success By Tye Shauck, BASF Technical Representative
BASF 2017 Crop Recommendations Reports indicate that 2016 was a very good year for potato growers. Mild temperatures throughout the season helped prevent damage caused by heat stress and, in return, many regions saw strong yields. Now that the season has come to an end, growers should begin to prepare for future unknowns by creating a crop protection plan for 2017. A thorough plan will help growers stay ahead of commonly seen diseases, weeds and insects that rob yield. It is also important for growers to plan for weather-dependent diseases and other unknown factors that could impact next season’s yield. Knowing which product to apply when a devastating disease, such as late blight, strikes is crucial to maintaining a healthy crop. While growers cannot control market prices and weather conditions, they can offset the unknowns by producing highquality potatoes and higher yields. Making planned crop protection applications at specific growth stages will help potato growers stay ahead of profit-stealing pest pressures and make 2017 a successful growing season.
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Potato Country
January 2017
• Remain informed. To stay ahead of weather-dependent diseases, growers should use every resource available to them. By keeping in close contact with a trusted advisor and regularly checking prediction models, you can get a much-needed edge on preventing a devastating blow to yields. • Don’t skimp on inputs. The knee-jerk reaction to low commodity prices is to cut inputs. When considering cost, it is better to look at the cost per unit of production rather than the cost per acre. Always remember that yield and quality are the best way to offset low market prices. • Start out on the right foot. Protect potatoes from early-season disease with an in-furrow application of an effective fungicide, like Priaxor fungicide. An in-furrow application will protect tubers from soil-borne disease such as Rhizoctonia. • Double down on weed control. After planting, apply a pre-emergent mix of Prowl H2O herbicide and Outlook herbicide. These two herbicides make great tank-mix partners with different modes of action to control a broad range of yield-robbing weeds. • Stay on top of disease. Protect against black dot with an early season foliar application of Priaxor fungicide. • Apply at row closure. Apply a fungicide, like Endura fungicide, at row closure for excellent control of white mold and early blight.
Calendar Jan. 17
Idaho Crop Improvement Seed Seminar 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Red Lion Hotel, Pocatello, Idaho Contact
[email protected]
Jan. 17-19
49th Annual Idaho Potato Conference and 38th Ag Expo Pond Student Union Building and Holt Arena, Pocatello, Idaho Visit www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/ conferences/idaho-potato-conference
Jan. 24-26
Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash. Visit www.potatoconference.com
Feb. 13-16
Potato D.C. Fly-in The Mayflower Hotel Washington, DC Contact Hillary Hutchins,
[email protected]
Mar. 2-3
Western Nutrient Management Conference Silver Legacy Resort Reno, Nev. Visit www.ipni.net/WNMC Editor’s note:To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller at
[email protected]. Please send your information 90 days in advance.
Read All Issues Online With Added Videos:
www.PotatoCountry.com NEW/USED WALK-IN COOLER-FREEZER REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS HUGE INVENTORy-ALL SIzES BUy SELL NATIONWIDE
AMERICAN WHOLESALE CO. TOLL FREE 877-220-8882 WWW.AWRCO.COM
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SKINNER SPUDS
ON
UNIFORM 2016 CROP
CONSISTENT QUALITy
STRICT SANITATION PROTOCOL
STATE OF THE ART GREENHOUSE
UMATILLAS CLEARWATERS SHEPPODyS
EARLy GENERATION PROGRAM
SIzED TO BUyERS SPECS
GENERATIONAL FARM
ALL SEED WINTER TESTED
Bill 406-581-1783
HISTORy OF SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
Clark 406-579-5198
IT ALL ADDS UP THE SAME!
Skinner Spuds, Inc 8250 Dry Creek Road Belgrade, MT 59714 email:
[email protected] · fax: 406-388-6673 www.PotatoCountry.com
35
Market Report
Planning for the 2017 Potato Crop The market forces that will govern 2017 fall potato acreage are already in motion. The outlook for the 2017 potato crop is complex. Growers will need to evaluate their actions carefully, based on the industry sector that they serve. At press time, all russet table potatoes grown west of the Mississippi River are selling at prices below the cost of production. On the other hand, prices for red potatoes are record high for this time of the year. Yellow potato prices also are up from year-earlier levels, despite increased shipments. Fryers have plenty of raw product to keep plants running through the storage season, but they might need additional raw product from the 2017 crop to fill their increased plant capacity. Storage supplies of chip potatoes are tight in growing areas east of the Rocky Mountains. Buyers are contracting for extra early-season potatoes during the coming year. However, 2017 storage contract volumes may go down. Below, I review the situation for each of the key commercial industry sectors.
Russet Table Potatoes Russet table potato growers need to be extremely cautious when planning 2017 production. Fresh russet shipments have been running ahead of last year’s pace since the beginning of the 2016-17 marketing season. However, those increases have come at the expense of
prices. Demand for russet table potatoes has been soft. The downtrend is likely to continue. With yields trending upward, the industry will need to cut back on russet potato acreage on a regular basis, at least until russet table potato usage starts to grow at least as fast as yields. The 2017-18 marketing season could be extremely challenging. While potato prices are down from a year ago, they have not declined as much as prices for competing crops. Typically, growers tend to plant more potatoes when prices outperform those for competing crops. That may not hold when potato prices are substantially below production costs.
Red Potatoes Record red potato prices are the result of a crop disaster in the Red River Valley, not a surge in demand for red potatoes. Growers outside of the Red River Valley may be tempted to plant more red potatoes next year due to current price disparities between red potatoes and other varieties. However, there is no reason to expect a repeat of this year’s crop problems in 2017. Valley wash plants are likely to fill up in 2017. Red potato shipments are likely to bounce back to 2015-crop levels, perhaps even higher. We have seen some growth in red potato movement over the past few years. However, that growth has come at the expense of prices. Growers, especially in areas outside of the Red River Valley, need to consider their costs, relative to historical prices (not this year’s inflated
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values), before deciding to shift more ground into red potato production.
Yellow Potatoes Yellow potato production is likely to continue growing. AMS data show that yellow potato shipments have been increasing an average of 7.6 percent per year since data collection started, beginning with the 2008 potato crop. The increases have come with limited price erosion. However, it costs more to grow yellow potatoes than it does other varieties. Scab is a major issue that makes it impossible to economically produce yellow potatoes on some potato ground. It is difficult to store yellow potatoes for as long as russets are stored, resulting in heavy cullage for crops held until spring. Growers need to do a lot of research before shifting to yellow potato production, especially if they have not grown yellow varieties in the past.
Processing Potatoes
Fryers may need more raw product from the 2017 crop than they contracted for in 2016. However, the large 2016 crop could modify those requirements. Processing plants are running near capacity, but they will need to run longer than usual on storage potatoes to clean up the 2016 crop. That will reduce the need for new-crop potatoes during the summer months, relative to what it would have been otherwise. In addition, it is difficult to judge how quickly fryers will ramp up
their new capacity. While contract volumes may go up, it would be extremely unwise to plant open potatoes in hopes of selling them to fryers. Growers should tailor their production to match contract volumes as closely as possible. Where changes in cultural practices have resulted in stronger yields, growers need to trim back acreage accordingly.
Chip Potatoes Excessive rainfall in North Dakota, along with drought conditions in Ontario and New York, are responsible for much of this year’s chip potato shortfall. In addition, yields in several growing areas snapped back to average levels after setting records in 2015. While chip companies may need more potatoes during the coming years, it is possible that this year’s problems could result in reduced contract volume for storage potatoes for the 2017 crop and beyond. Northern chip companies have been trying to bypass early-season production in recent years due to high costs and difficulties finding enough trucks to move the raw product. As a result, chip potato production has been in decline in those growing areas for several years. Chip companies need to expand early production in 2017, but growers are unwilling to commit the extra volume unless buyers commit to three-year volume guarantees. Buyers must make room for those commitments, which will reduce the need for storage potatoes.
By Bruce Huffaker, Publisher North American Potato Market News
Huffaker's highlights • Look for fall potato acreage to shift between industry sectors in 2017. • Russet table potato growers will see the most pressure to cut back. • Red potato growers shouldn’t let this year’s record prices lure them into planting more potatoes. Expect Red River Valley production to rebound in 2017. • Yellow potato acreage will continue to grow, but growers need to understand the costs and challenges of growing those potatoes before shifting acreage into that sector. • Fryers may need some extra contract volume in 2017, but that will depend upon how long they can run on storage potatoes from the 2016 crop and how fast they ramp up production on their new lines. • Chip potato buyers may rely less on storage potatoes from the 2017 crop because of long-term commitments that they are making to early new-crop potato growers. Editor’s note: To contact Mr. Huffaker, or to subscribe to North American Potato Market News (published 48 times per year), write or call: 2690 N. Rough Stone Way, Meridian, ID 83646; (208) 525-8397; or e-mail
[email protected].
2017 Planting Outlook Acreage response models paint a mixed picture for the 2017 fall potato area. Models that consider only potato prices, and not prices for competing crops, suggest that growers could plant 4 to 5 percent fewer fall potatoes in 2017 than they did in 2016. On the other hand, when prices for competing crops are added to the equation, the models point to a 1 percent acreage increase. Currently, it appears that the only industry sectors that might be able to absorb extra potato acreage are frozen processing and yellow table potatoes. Even in those sectors, opportunities for growth may be limited.
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Potato Growers of Washington
Making the Grade By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington
A
mong the more common questions that arise each harvest is why would potatoes that are being harvested from the same field but delivered to two or more plants have such a variance in grade? Although the usual first guess is human error, there are several very likely and easy-to-understand answers that need to be considered before arriving at the suspicion of human error. Some aspects of grading potatoes are subjective, and, as such, judgement calls have to be made. Just because two people see borderline calls going different ways doesn’t mean that one is wrong; it is just inherent in the subjectivity of the grading. But this is more about the objective parts of the grade that leave nothing for human judgment, such as size, specific gravity and being deemed bruise-free when there is not an issue of old bruise versus new bruise. My first consideration is always the sample size. If there is significantly more volume going to one plant than another, that sample volume is going to be more representative of the entire grade compared to a few loads going another direction.
Both may meet the minimum sample size, but if you’ve spent any time in the grading areas, you have seen that pulling all the sub samples for various tests leaves very few potatoes, if any, of some categories at the end of the line for the last exams. This can greatly distort the grade as compared to the larger sample graded at the other site, or even compared to another lot graded at the same site. However, when the two samples are weighted accordingly, it almost always comes back to what is truly in the entire field. Even if split samples are evenly matched and both have large enough sample sizes to give an overall representative look at the potatoes, there can be differences in grade simply by the luck of the draw on the sample. Assuming that all loads are sampled correctly and multiple samples are taken from each load at the prescribed times, let’s say there was a problem in the field, such as a low spot that held water or a skip in the spray. If those potatoes were coming across the belt at the time the sample was taken, it could greatly impact the daily grade. Conversely, if that same part of the field was not caught in the sample at the other plant, that grade could be much higher. In the Columbia Basin, we are lucky that we get to use daily average grading for payment rather than truck-by-truck grading
Know Your Disease Answers (from page 31)
Photo A: Verticillium dahlia is growing on the left, and Colletotrichum coccodes is growing on the right. The black structures for Verticillium dahlia are called microsclerotia, and the structures for Colletotrichum coccodes are called sclerotia. Microsclerotia are just smaller sclerotia. Both kinds are hardened masses of fungal mycelium. These structures can survive in the soil in the absence of a susceptible host.
used in many other growing regions. While we see the occasional difference in grade when we split between plants, imagine the variance in grade that would occur if each truckload was graded separately. At the end of the day, whether your potatoes are graded at one site, multiple sites or on a truck-by-truck basis, the weighted average of those samples should come back to being very representative of the potatoes that you delivered. The people who grade your potatoes are not perfect – no one is. But they try hard and take great pride in giving an accurate and fair grade. There may be a lot for all of us to consider when it comes to new methods by which to grade potatoes that are more consistent with the performance of those potatoes in the processing plants, but until we have a new system, we all need to take a step back and fairly evaluate the current one. As someone who sees and gets involved in many grading situations throughout the year, I can tell you that the grade you receive today is more accurate and fair than it has been at any time in my 23 years as your executive director. We will continue to strive for better grading methods. But in the meantime, if you ever have any questions or concerns about the grading of your potatoes, please do not hesitate to contact me, and I would be glad to look into your situation.
Know Your Insects Answers (from page 23)
True. These are the adult female and the egg mass of the common introduced mantis most of us see in our yards and gardens. The egg masses feel like Styrofoam and are glued to buildings, yard debris, scrap wood and the like.
Photo B: The V. dahlia pathogen infects roots and then grows into the vascular system of the potato plant. As the fungus grows in the vascular system, water flow in the plant is interrupted. Photo C: This is Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae. Because the water conducting elements in the plant are plugged due to the fungus, plant leaves begin to wilt. Wilting begins on the lower leaves first and moves up the plant. It is common to see one side of a leaf wilt at first before symptoms consume the entire leaf. Premature plant death occurs as pathogen growth increases. 38
Potato Country
January 2017
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