INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
March 30, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes
Kasia Duellman, University of Idaho Extension Seed Potato Specialist

The Best Start: Which seed practices work best? Liquid vs. dust, whole vs. cut

Which seed practices work best? Liquid vs. dust, whole vs. cut
— Read More
March 30, 2019
Articles, Herbicide
Pamela J.S. Hutchinson, UI potato cropping systems

Good Timing: When herbicides are applied is as important as the what or how

When herbicides are applied is as important as the what or how
— Read More
March 30, 2019
Articles
Anna King

Late Snow in Northwest Puts Fry Market in Question

The fertile fields in Washington and Oregon are just now drying out from severe winter snows not seen for 100 years.
— Read More
March 29, 2019
Herbicide, New Products

Herbicide Buyers' Guide

It takes serious work and planning to make sure your potatoes live in comfort and aren’t crowded out of their rightful space. Our herbicide buyers’ guide is here to help you make the most well-informed decision possible when it comes to weed control this
— Read More
March 29, 2019
New Products

New Product: Spectrum WatchDog Wireless Rain+Temp Station : Manage field activities in real time using Sigfox low-power wide area (LPWA) network

Manage field activities in real time using Sigfox low-power wide area (LPWA) network
— Read More
March 29, 2019
Articles

Researcher to Explore Farm Labor Shortages, Immigration Policy: Agribusiness professor finds that deporting undocumented workers would have huge cost impact

Agribusiness professor finds that deporting undocumented workers would have huge cost impact
— Read More
March 29, 2019
Articles
Jake Lake, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University

Who’s Leading Whom?: How the fresh and processing markets feed off and depend on each other

How the fresh and processing markets feed off and depend on each other
— Read More
March 28, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, New Products

Beating Early Blight: Timing is everything when it comes to fungicide application.

Timing is everything when it comes to fungicide application.
— Read More
March 28, 2019
Articles
Garrett Hottle

Spring Brings Hope, Anxiety to Idaho Growers

As the warmer months begin to roll in and irrigation canals are beginning to open across Idaho, farmers don't have much time to talk. "We're all way too busy," says producer Kyle Bowers.
— Read More
March 28, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes
Carol Miller

Opinion: How to Improve Seed Programs

Most potato seed-certifying bodies ensure growers plant healthy, clean tubers. The systems are working as intended. Yet with so many different groups operating with their own list of rules, problems can arise.
— Read More
March 28, 2019
Articles, Between the Rows

Between the Rows: #YOLO: You only live once? I don’t think so.

You only live once? I don’t think so.
— Read More
March 28, 2019
Articles, Grower of the Month
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

The Home Place: Wingard Farms in Elk River, Minn.

Wingard Farms in Elk River, Minn.
— Read More
March 28, 2019
Articles

Potatoes USA Annual Meeting Report

Potatoes USA held the 47th annual meeting of the National Potato Promotion Board March 12-14 in Denver. This is an annual gathering of the full 100-plus-member board made up of growers and allied industry members from around the country.
— Read More
March 27, 2019
Fertilizer, Herbicide, New Products

West Central Adds Starter Fertilizer, Adjuvant to Lineup

West Central Distribution has developed starter fertilizer Paralign, which helps increase nutrient uptake, and adjuvant Last Chance, which has shown to increase efficacy of herbicides.
— Read More
March 27, 2019
Articles

Looking Back at Maine-New Brunswick Potato Trade War

Nearly 40 years ago, Maine farmers brought their rotten potatoes to New Brunswick border crossings and put them to use. Angry about cheaper potatoes imported from Canada, they staged protests and blocked several border points.
— Read More
March 27, 2019
Articles

USDA Offers Conservation Assistance to Landowners

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service plans to invest $450 million this year through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program to help private landowners, tribes, land trusts and other groups restore and protect wetlands, agricultural lan
— Read More
March 27, 2019
Articles
Carol M. Bareuther

Rise of Fast-Fix Potatoes Adds Excitement to Category: Knowing what convenience-driven consumers crave can give grocer produce sections a big lift.

Knowing what convenience-driven consumers crave can give grocer produce sections a big lift.
— Read More
March 26, 2019
Articles

Pressure Continues on P.E.I. Potato Supply

Supplies of potatoes from Canada’s Prince Edward Island province are very tight. It is estimated that 7,000 acres of potatoes had to be left unharvested last fall.
— Read More
March 25, 2019
New Products, Potato Equipment, Potato Harvesting

Product: Lockwood 656DD Windrower

Lockwood’s 656DD six-row windrower includes a double discharge, allowing a grower to dump potatoes in two different rows to improve harvester efficiency.
— Read More
March 25, 2019
Articles

Canada: Common Scab Research Reveals Surprising Results

An Ontario research project on common scab in potatoes, supported by the Ontario Potato Board, has yielded surprising results. The fact that S. stelliscabiei is the most common species and not S. scabiei as expected is a major breakthrough.
— Read More
March 25, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, New Products

New Product: Westbridge DART Fungicide EC

Westbridge Agricultural Products announces that the EPA has approved the registration of its DART Fungicide EC for control of a wide range of fruit and vegetable diseases.
— Read More
March 25, 2019
Articles

Potatoes USA Elects Leadership for 2019-20

Potatoes USA concluded its 47th annual meeting on March 14. During this meeting, a new board chairman and executive committee were elected to lead the industry for the coming year.
— Read More
March 22, 2019
Articles

NPC: Millions in Fry Exports Could be Lost to Mexico

The National Potato Council says retaliatory tariffs levied by Mexico could cost the U.S. potato industry upwards of $80 million.
— Read More
March 22, 2019
Herbicide

Don’t Let Mother Nature Ambush Your Weed Management Plan

From weather conditions to pest pressures and commodity prices, the only thing you can count on each year is unpredictability. But that doesn’t mean you have to let chance dictate how your season will turn out.
— Read More
March 22, 2019
Articles

Dinglasan Promoted to Vive VP of Product Development

Vive Crop Protection announces the promotion of Jordan Dinglasan to vice president of product development.
— Read More
March 22, 2019
Seed Potatoes

The Keys to Good Potato Crop Establishment

Establishing a strong potato plants early in the season is one of the simplest ways to maximize your chances of a healthier overall crop.
— Read More
March 21, 2019
New Products

Sentera Announces Real-Time Analytics for FieldAgent: Scouts can sample 100× more points and achieve better field coverage than manual methods

Scouts can sample 100× more points and achieve better field coverage than manual methods
— Read More
March 21, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

Fertilgold Organics Earns OMRI Listing for 21 Products

Fertilgold Organics, a brand of organic fertilizer products from Bio Huma Netics, Inc., has achieved Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listing for 21 initial products.
— Read More
March 21, 2019
Articles

Feed a Bee Program Reaches 50-State Milestone: Bayer national pollinator forage initiative achieves goal of funding the creation of new pollinator-attractant wildflowers in all 50 states to support

Bayer national pollinator forage initiative achieves goal of funding the creation of new pollinator-attractant wildflowers in all 50 states to support honey bees
— Read More
March 21, 2019
Articles, New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Tong Jacuzzi Pre-Soak Tank

Built to combine de-stoning, pre-soak and floating debris removal within the machine’s heavy-duty water-filled tank, the new system has been designed to provide a gentle way to effectively pre-clean heavily soiled crop prior to washing.
— Read More
March 21, 2019
Articles

30 New Members Sworn into Potatoes USA Board

During Potatoes USA's annual meeting March 11-14, formal board business was conducted, including the swearing in of new members and the electing of new administrative committee and executive committee members.
— Read More
March 21, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes
Carol Miller

What are the Elements of a Good Seed Potato Program?

The U.S. potato seed industry can be difficult to navigate. Each region or state has its own rules for certifying seeds, which creates a certain level of inconsistency.
— Read More
March 20, 2019
Articles, Irrigation

Senninger Welcomes New Australasia Area Manager

Senninger Irrigation announces the recent hire of Martin Porter, who joins the company’s international department as Senninger’s new area manager for Australasia.
— Read More
March 19, 2019
Articles, New Products

Growers Edge Financial Delivers Data-Driven Fintech Platform for Agriculture: Expands machine-learning fintech offering to help growers manage and grow profitability

Expands machine-learning fintech offering to help growers manage and grow profitability
— Read More
March 18, 2019
Articles, New Products

Kubota Accelerates its Large Tractor Business : Customized OEM agreement reached with manufacturer Buhler to expand tractor lineup

Customized OEM agreement reached with manufacturer Buhler to expand tractor lineup
— Read More
March 18, 2019
Event Calendar

Calendar: PAA Annual Meeting: July 28-Aug. 1 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

July 28-Aug. 1 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
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March 18, 2019
Articles

Sen. Collins Meets with Maine Potato Board

Prior to the meeting, Collins delivered remarks at the National Potato Council Fly-In annual meeting.
— Read More
March 18, 2019
Articles

The Role of Day Length, Light Intensity in Potato Breeding

Peter VanderZaag, a world-renowned authority on potato breeding and potato seed systems, presents on the geographic constraints in potato breeding
— Read More
March 16, 2019
Event Calendar

Calendar: United Fresh Convention & Expo 2019: June 10-12 in Chicago

June 10-12 in Chicago
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March 15, 2019
Articles
Astrid Van Den Broek

Idaho Russet Supplies Tighten Up

Idaho russet potatoes are going to be short until the new crop comes in late summer.
— Read More
March 15, 2019
Articles
Kate Zook, Program Analyst, Office of Energy and Environmental Policy, USDA Office of the Chief Econ

USDA Report Provides Data on Conservation Practices

In a new report, USDA is offering consolidated data on ten years’ worth of greenhouse gas-reducing conservation practices in the United States.
— Read More
March 15, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, Irrigation

Controlled-Release Fertilizer Performs Well in N.Y. Potato Trials: Reduced nitrogen leaching on Long Island is critical to conserving local water.

Reduced nitrogen leaching on Long Island is critical to conserving local water.
— Read More
March 15, 2019
Articles

Syngenta Scholarship Program Now Open: $20,000 in total awards are available to selected applicants. Applications are being accepted until May 27, 2019.

$20,000 in total awards are available to selected applicants. Applications are being accepted until May 27, 2019.
— Read More
March 15, 2019
Articles
Tom Karst

Keeling Stresses Importance of Trade Gains

With his end-of-July retirement date rapidly approaching, John Keeling appeared at the 2019 Potatoes USA Annual Meeting for the last time as executive vice president and CEO of the National Potato Council.
— Read More
March 14, 2019
Articles
Alex Burch

Snow Delays Planting in Washington

The clock is ticking for potato growers in the Columbia Basin to get their spuds planted in the ground, but the snow is stopping them.
— Read More
March 14, 2019
Fungicide, New Products

Get In Fields Early with Strike Fumigants

Strike chloropicrin products can get you planting faster than any other fumigant on the market. Strike will allow you to plant 10 to 14 days after application when applied alone.
— Read More
March 13, 2019
Fertilizer, Fungicide, Insecticide, New Products

BioSafe Introduces Sustainable Soils Program

This “Sustainable Soils Program” is a crop-neutral, flexible program that gives growers the assurance that their plants will grow quickly without succumbing to disease and nematodes.
— Read More
March 13, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

Prepare for Growing Season with ESN Smart Nitrogen

A proprietary flexible polymer coating protects the nitrogen contained within from loss mechanisms like heavy rains, dry, windy conditions, and microbial attacks caused by standing water.
— Read More
March 11, 2019
Articles, Insecticide

Idaho Receives USDA Grants to Fight Crop Pests

State awarded $1.7 million from USDA to combat crop pests, including pale cyst nematode
— Read More
March 11, 2019
Articles
Jim Offner

Jones Potato Farm Starts Small Packs

The Florida company will pack 3s and 5s; reds and yellows; fingerlings and some purples in the new facility.
— Read More
March 11, 2019
Articles

USDA Announces Appointments to National Potato Promotion Board

Agriculture secretary Sonny Perdue today appointed 31 members to the National Potato Promotion Board. Each representative will serve a three-year term of office.
— Read More
March 09, 2019
Articles, Irrigation, Final Countdown

Top 5 Causes of Irrigation Pump Problems

If you have been around irrigation and pumping stations, you probably are aware that things don’t always go as planned.
— Read More
March 08, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, Fungicide, Herbicide, Insecticide
Lynn Grooms

Stay in Bounds: Steps to Mitigate Spray Drift: Growers and applicators should use all the information and tools available to prevent or reduce spray drift.

Growers and applicators should use all the information and tools available to prevent or reduce spray drift.
— Read More
March 08, 2019
Articles, Irrigation

Changes at Senninger’s Nebraska Warehouse

Ray Glaser retires in March after more than 28 years as the area manager. Donna Groenke will take on the role of area manager of the North Central U.S.
— Read More
March 08, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer

Fertilizer Additive Market Set for Growth

Technological innovations and modern-day advancements are helping manufacturers develop fertilizer additives that enhance fertilizer performance significantly and increase the average crop yield.
— Read More
March 08, 2019
Articles
David Greenfield

How Frito-Lay Applies Machine Learning

An inside look at how PepsiCo is looking to extend its manufacturing control processes with machine learning to assess quality and improve production efficiencies.
— Read More
March 08, 2019
Articles

Bayer Continues to Contribute to Bee Health: Since 2016, Healthy Hives 2020 has funded 10 bee health research projects; new digital booklet details each project’s ongoing work and success

Since 2016, Healthy Hives 2020 has funded 10 bee health research projects; new digital booklet details each project’s ongoing work and success
— Read More
March 08, 2019
Final Countdown, Articles

Top 10 Packing & Shipping Best Practices

A major issue growers, shippers and retailers face is maintaining the high quality of potatoes from the time they leave an on-farm storage until they reach their final destination in the grocery store.
— Read More
March 07, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes
Katherine Hunt

Cavendish Developing Drought-Resistant Varieties

Cavendish Farms is working to develop potato seeds that can thrive in dry growing conditions on Prince Edward Island, says the company’s president Robert Irving.
— Read More
March 07, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes
Carol Miller

How One Family Keeps Its Seed Potato Crop Clean

When it comes to finding quality potato seed, the supplier’s reputation is everything. And Kimm Seed Potatoes, located in Manhattan, Mont., has one of the best.
— Read More
March 07, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

Fertilizer & Growth Promoter Buyers’ Guide

The outside observer may think farming is as simple as throwing some seed in the ground, watering it once in a while, and waiting for something to grow. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. Even barring disease and drought, it takes a lot t
— Read More
March 07, 2019
Seed Potatoes, Smorgasbord

The Smorgasbord: TerraRossa

TerraRossa is a red-skinned, red-fleshed oblong specialty fresh potato variety. It has also shown promise as a chipping variety, as chips resist fading and retain their rosy color.
— Read More
March 06, 2019
Fungicide, Herbicide, Insecticide, Irrigation, Final Countdown
Bayer CropScience

Top 5 IPM Best Practices

Managing obvious threats like insects, nematodes, diseases and weeds are often at the forefront of integrated pest management tactics, but taking steps to monitor water management and crop rotation are also important in maximizing yield and quality.
— Read More
March 06, 2019
Articles
Kayla Dome, Global Marketing Manager, Potatoes USA

From Cash Cow to Produce Superstar: How potatoes can raise up the entire produce department

How potatoes can raise up the entire produce department
— Read More
March 06, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes

The Benefits of True Potato Seed

Solynta's Charles Miller discusses the benefits of true potato seed, or potatoes grown from seeds instead of tubers.
— Read More
March 06, 2019
Articles
Buzz Shahan, Chief Operating Officer, United Potato Growers of America

Acres of Diamonds: Fresh potatoes’ not-so-hidden worth

Fresh potatoes’ not-so-hidden worth
— Read More
March 06, 2019
Seed Potatoes, Smorgasbord

The Smorgasbord: Jazzy

Jazzy is an excellent-tasting salad-type specialty variety with smooth yellow skin and creamy yellow flesh. It is a very productive variety producing high numbers of small to medium sized tubers per plant.
— Read More
March 06, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

New Product: Valley GPS Corner Guidance

Valley Irrigation announces improvements to Valley GPS Guidance, providing growers with the latest advancements in competitive GPS corner technology.
— Read More
March 06, 2019
Articles

Corteva, ZeaKal Announce R&D Collaboration: Companies will collaborate to develop ZeaKal’s proprietary technology to increase yields

Companies will collaborate to develop ZeaKal’s proprietary technology to increase yields
— Read More
March 05, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes, Smorgasbord

The Smorgasbord: Highland Russet

A drought-tolerant, light-skinned, mid- to late-season variety used in both the fresh and processing markets, Highland Russet seed acreage in Canada has more than doubled over the past three years.
— Read More
March 05, 2019
Articles

APHIS Proposes Public Comment on PCN Deregulation

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to allow public review and comment on the protocols for deregulating fields previously infested with pale cyst nematode.
— Read More
March 05, 2019
Articles

Adoption of Precision Ag Grows as Farm Sizes Grow

Since the first auto-steer tractor was introduced in the 1990s, precision agriculture has only gained traction amongst farmers for its cost and time savings benefits—and it’s a trend that’s not likely to slow down anytime soon.
— Read More
March 05, 2019
Articles
John O'Connell

Bill Would Force Processors to Negotiate with Co-op

Legislation pending in Idaho’s House of Representatives would force french fry processors to try negotiating with a growers’ cooperative rather than taking contracts straight to potato farmers’ fields.
— Read More
March 05, 2019
Articles, New Products

PathSensors Breaks into the Potato Testing Industry: Baltimore-based PathSensors is expanding its pathogen detection capabilities to create a high throughput tuber testing assay for the potato industry.

Baltimore-based PathSensors is expanding its pathogen detection capabilities to create a high throughput tuber testing assay for the potato industry.
— Read More
March 05, 2019
Articles
Jim Offner

Idaho Commission Wraps Up Potato Lover's Month

The display program, which runs annually between mid-January and mid-March, has grown from an average of 600 participating retailers in its early years to more than 5,000 entries in the past five years.
— Read More
March 05, 2019
Potato Storage, Final Countdown
Mike Machurek, IVI sales manager

Top 5 Factors to Successful Storage

The two critical environmental factors involved in properly storing potatoes and preventing common potato diseases are temperature and humidity.
— Read More
March 04, 2019
Articles

Ingredion Acquires Western Polymer

Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, has acquired the operations of Western Polymer, which produces native and modified potato starches for food and industrial applications.
— Read More
March 04, 2019
Fungicide, New Products

Nufarm Seed Treatments & Fungicides

Plant protection starts with seed protection. Nufarm seed treatments help protect potato seed from early-season rots, damping off and more.
— Read More
March 02, 2019
Articles
Ronald Goldy, Michigan State University Extension Vegetable Educator

Explaining It All: Genetic engineering works because all organisms translate DNA the same way

Genetic engineering works because all organisms translate DNA the same way.
— Read More
March 02, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, New Products

Plan for the Battle Against Rhizoctonia in Potatoes

You may not be able to see what is lurking underneath your fields, but you can plan now how to protect against it. Rhizoctonia is a common soil inhabitant in the Pacific Northwest that overwinters underground, waiting to infect potato crops.
— Read More
March 02, 2019
Articles, Between the Rows

Between the Rows: Good Directions: How not to get lost in this crazy world

How not to get lost in this crazy world
— Read More
March 01, 2019
Articles

Midwest Bio-Tech Opens Soil Health Lab in Illinois: Biological activity tests quickly provide farmers usable information for critical crop decisions

Biological activity tests quickly provide farmers usable information for critical crop decisions
— Read More
March 01, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, New Products

Suppress Verticillium Wilt in Your Potato Fields

Verticillium wilt is caused by the soilborne Verticillium dahlia, and is a major cause of potato early die. Identifying the fungus early can help ensure healthy fields and a high-yielding potato crop.
— Read More
March 01, 2019
Articles
Sarah Ehrlich

Always Learning: Elevating potato research in Colorado and throughout the world

Elevating potato research in Colorado and throughout the world
— Read More
March 01, 2019
Articles, Potato Storage
Paul Bethke & Troy Fishler

Out in the Cold: Coping with frost-damaged potatoes

Coping with frost-damaged potatoes
— Read More