INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
August 31, 2022
Articles

Potatoes USA Appoints 2022-23 Domestic Marketing Committee Co-Chairs

Denver – Steve Elfering of Boise, Idaho, and Travis Meacham of Moses Lake, Washington, were elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 9, 2022, at the organization’s annual meeting.
— Read More
August 31, 2022
New Products

StrikeHold For Critical Ag Heavy Equipment Maintenance: Anti-corrosion lubricant originally developed for the U.S. military protects important agricultural equipment to ensure reliable performance

For farmers, StrikeHold anti-corrosion protectant, lubricant and cleaner is now available to help prevent heavy equipment failure and downtime due to rust from frequent exposure to moisture and environmental contaminants (salt, nitrogen, dirt and dust).
— Read More
August 30, 2022
Articles

J.M. Huber Corporation Signs Agreement To Acquire Biolchim Group From NB Renaissance, Chequers Capital And Management Team

Atlanta – J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber), a global, family-owned specialty engineered materials manufacturing company, announced today that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire full control of the Biolchim Group from NB Renaissance, Chequers Capit
— Read More
August 30, 2022
New Products

Protect Potato Crops From Pests, Disease For Stands That Deliver: A strong early-season potato stand provides opportunity for increased quality marketable yield

Greensboro, N.C. - As potato growers are working to maximize their yield potential for the 2022 harvest, it's also time to start thinking about maximizing crop potential for the 2023 season.
— Read More
August 29, 2022
Articles
Margaret Lawrence

Multistate Research Efforts Benefit The Humble Potato

Potatoes are the most widely grown and consumed vegetable in the United States. Potatoes’ popularity is a result of their versatility and affordability, as well as being a tasty and nutrient-dense food choice.
— Read More
August 29, 2022
Articles

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Issues Statement Of Principles

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, has released its statement of principl
— Read More
August 28, 2022
Articles
Sean Ellis, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Idaho Wheat Commission Gets New Executive Director

Pocatello – The Idaho Wheat Commission’s new executive director knows who her boss is, or rather, who her bosses are.
— Read More
August 28, 2022
Articles

FDA, Mexican Counterparts Report Progress In Food Safety At Second Annual Partnership Meeting

Silver Spring, Md., — Late last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its regulatory counterparts in Mexico – the Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) and the National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and
— Read More
August 27, 2022
Articles

Trimble, CLAAS Strategic Alliance Develops Next-Generation Precision Farming System For CLAAS Agriculture Equipment

Sunnyvale, Calif., — As part of a strategic alliance, Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) and CLAAS have developed a next-generation precision farming system for CLAAS tractors, combines and forage harvesters.
— Read More
August 26, 2022
Articles
John O'Connell, University of Idaho

U Of I Undergraduate Biotechnology And Plant Genomics Major Unlocking High-Tech Skills

To Tana Rayburn, creating that first genetically modified crop as an undergraduate student in University of Idaho’s biotechnology program was akin to working magic.
— Read More
August 26, 2022
Articles

New Biological Sensor Detects Hidden Disease In Potatoes

Despite advances in increased food production, half of all the world's harvested food is lost due to rots caused by microorganisms. Plants emit various volatile organic compounds into their surrounding environment, which can be monitored for early detecti
— Read More
August 25, 2022
Articles

Retail Potato Sales Increase April – June 2022

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales and decreased slightly in volume from April - June 2022, compared to the same period in 2021.
— Read More
August 25, 2022
Articles

Ministry Of Agrarian Policy And Food Of Ukraine To Strengthen Agriculture Sector With UNDP Support

Kyiv – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine to cooperate on increasing the competitiveness of Ukraine’s agriculture sector.
— Read More
August 24, 2022
Articles

Corteva Completes $242 Million Expansion Of Michigan Manufacturing Facility

Corteva Agriscience leaders and employees, along with community members from the Great Lakes Bay Region, gathered to celebrate the completion of a $242 million capital investment project that expands global capacity of its spinosyns: high-demand insect ma
— Read More
August 23, 2022
Articles
Nora Olsen and Gustavo Teixeira

Managing Heat In Storage

(ED--We made a mistake in the headline of this potato storage heat story we featured in the September issue of Potato Grower Magazine. Here is the story with the correct headline. Our apologies to the authors.)
— Read More
August 23, 2022
Potato Harvesting

And The Potato Harvest Begins

Eagle Eye Produce, a top-tier grower and shipper of fresh produce, will start shipping new crop russet, red, and yellow potatoes from their packing facilities in Idaho and Washington this week.
— Read More
August 23, 2022
Articles

Idaho’s Thornton, Oregon’s Rykbost Honored As PAA Life Members

Four potato researchers were honored for the work with potatoes, being named Honorary Life Members by the Potato Association of America (PAA).
— Read More
August 22, 2022
Articles

Maine’s Porter, Oregon’s Ingham Honored As PAA Life Members

Four potato researchers were honored for the work with potatoes, being named Honorary Life Members by the Potato Association of America (PAA).
— Read More
August 22, 2022
Articles
Sean Ellis, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Idaho Set To Break Record For Total Farm Revenue

Pocatello – Barring an unforeseen catastrophe, Idaho will almost certainly set a record for total farm-gate receipts this year.
— Read More
August 21, 2022
Articles

Sabanto Raises $17 Million Series A To Drive Autonomy Into Agriculture

Chicago -- Swarming farm autonomy company Sabanto, Inc. announced it has closed an oversubscribed $17 million Series A funding round led by leading agtech venture firm Fulcrum Global Capital, with participation from DCVC Bio, Hico Capital, Yara Growth Ven
— Read More
August 21, 2022
Articles

Farm Bureau Members Among Potato Commission Appointees

County Farm Bureau members Travis Horkey (Monroe), Dale Johnson (Iron Range) and Jon Yoder (St. Joseph) were recently appointed by Gov. Whitmer to the Michigan Potato Industry Commission. The appointees are subject to Senate approval and will serve a term
— Read More
August 20, 2022
Articles

Equipment Finance Industry Confidence Improves In August

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released the August 2022 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). The index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business con
— Read More
August 20, 2022
Articles
Scott Elliott, ARS Office of Communications

ARS Scientists Team Up To Fight Flies: Researchers join forces, use coconut to create longest-lasting natural insect repellent

Every year, stable flies and other blood-feeding pests take a $2.2 billion bite out of agriculture. Recently, three scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) decided to combine forces to combat the irritating insects. In a collaborative effo
— Read More
August 19, 2022
Articles
Benjamin Phillips, Michigan State University Extension

Mechanical Weed Control Field Day Coming To Southwest Michigan

The Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day is the nation’s largest field day focused on mechanical weed control. The Land Connection is partnering with Michigan State University Extension to host the event Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Michigan State Univers
— Read More
August 19, 2022
Articles

Farmers Receive About 15 To 18 Percent Of Retail Price For Fresh Potatoes

Food processors, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers transform raw agricultural commodities into convenient food products for U.S. consumers. Value added to commodities through these companies’ marketing services and money paid to farmers for their
— Read More
August 18, 2022
Articles

Valent BioSciences Announces Significant R&D Investments

Libertyville, Ill. -- To promote its industry leadership in biorational and biostimulant product innovation, Valent BioSciences LLC has announced significant investments at several of its key research and development facilities. These enhancements are in
— Read More
August 18, 2022
Articles

Idaho Potato Harvest Photo Contest

Once again, the Idaho Potato Commission is having its Idaho potato harvest photo contest.
— Read More
August 17, 2022
Articles

ABB To Acquire Siemens Low Voltage NEMA Motor Business

ABB announced it has signed an agreement to purchase Siemens’ low voltage NEMA motor business. With manufacturing operations in Guadalajara, Mexico, this acquisition provides a well-regarded product portfolio, a longstanding North American customer base,
— Read More
August 17, 2022
New Products
Margy Eckelkamp, The Daily Scoop

New Adjuvant In The Mix Brings Tech From Medical Industry

When introducing Hydrovant, the team at Corbet Scientific says it aims to bring a whole new category of adjuvants to the market.
— Read More
August 16, 2022
Articles

Kind Of What We Would Expect …

During a recent trip to Colorado, we took some time to swing by the Potatoes USA office in Denver to say hi and meet all the great people there.
— Read More
August 16, 2022
Articles

Trust, Critical Thinking, And Potatoes

As a scientist working in potato breeding for over 40 years, one may wonder why I am talking about trust and critical thinking. Globally, we struggle to find consensus on sustainable solutions to grand challenges, such as climate change, food security, an
— Read More
August 15, 2022
Articles

New University Research Scientist Works To Preserve Potatoes For U.S. Food Supply: Masaki Shimono conducts research to mitigate disease during potato storage

Masaki Shimono has joined the University of Nevada, Reno College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources as a research scientist, studying beneficial microbes to improve and mitigate disease in potatoes during storage.
— Read More
August 15, 2022
Articles

Lethbridge College Research Project Gets More Potatoes From Field To Market

Currently, the best way to find out whether or not a potato is good to go to market is basic and old-fashioned – cut it open and look to see if there are defects. The process is time-consuming and destructive, taking good potatoes off the production line
— Read More
August 13, 2022
Articles

WCCO Belting Named To Fast Company’s ‘100 Best Workplaces For Innovators’: List to be published in September issue of the magazine

Wahpeton, N.D. – WCCO Belting (WCCO) has been named to the ‘100 Best Workplaces for Innovators’ list by Fast Company. The list celebrates company cultures that empower employees at all levels to improve processes, create new products, or invent new ways o
— Read More
August 13, 2022
Articles

USDA Announces August 2022 Lending Rates For Agricultural Producers

Washington – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for August 2022, which were effective Aug. 1, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or exp
— Read More
August 12, 2022
Articles

University Of Idaho Weekly Spore Trap Information

Below is the spore trap information for week 6 as gathered and compiled by the University of Idaho researchers.
— Read More
August 12, 2022
Articles
Times of India

Allahabad University Teachers Get Patent For Potato Energy Bar For Kids, Athletes

Prayagraj, India - Efforts by a team of scientists from the Centre of Food Technology of Allahabad University got a real boost of energy when an energy bar developed by them received the patent issued by the government of India.
— Read More
August 11, 2022
Articles
Keith Good, University of Illinois

World Food Prices Post Sharp Decline in July, as Three More Ships Depart Ukraine Under Black Sea Export Deal

Bloomberg writer Aine Quinn reported today that, “Global food prices fell the most since 2008 after concerns over supplies of grains and vegetable oils eased as Ukraine moved toward restarting exports.
— Read More
August 11, 2022
Articles

University Of Idaho Field Day Coming Up

The University of Idaho will be hosting a field day covering potatoes, sugarbeets and onions Thursday, Aug. 18 at the Parma Research and Extension Center in western Idaho.
— Read More
August 10, 2022
Articles
John O'Connell, University of Idaho

U Of I Researcher Drums Up Success As Scientist Through Music

Pam Hutchinson draws a parallel between identifying weeds in a potato field and wowing a crowd with a drum solo.
— Read More
August 10, 2022
Articles

Tasmanian Potato Growers Start Ditching Spuds After Stalemate On Price Negotiations

We came across this YouTube video from ABC news talking about potatoes in Tasmania.
— Read More
August 09, 2022
Articles

Boozman: Reckless Tax-And-Spending Bill Sets “Bad Precedent For Farm Bill Programs”

Washington — U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) said the reckless tax-and-spending deal brokered between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) “sets a parti
— Read More
August 09, 2022
Articles

Public-Private Potato Breeding Partnership For Smallholder Farmers Enters Second Phase

The International Potato Center (CIP), the globally active Dutch seed potato company HZPC, and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) announce the launch of a second, five-year phase of their partnership to develop climate-resilient po
— Read More
August 08, 2022
Articles

Nathan Bender Assumes Role Of President At Tasteful Selections: Agribusiness veteran, co-founder succeeds father as President

Arvin, California — Nathan Bender, a 16-year agribusiness veteran and co-founder of baby potato category leader Tasteful Selections, has assumed the role of President at the organization he helped establish in 2010.
— Read More
August 08, 2022
Articles

Streamlined Delivery of Emergency Relief Programs Is Win-Win for USDA, Agricultural Producers: New program outperforms predecessor disaster program in speed of assistance and almost 90 percent reduced application burden; online analytics now ava

Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has processed more than 255,000 applications for the new Emergency Relief Program (ERP). USDA has made approximately $6.1 billion, to date, in payments to commodity and specialty crop producers to hel
— Read More
August 07, 2022
Articles

Burgum Urges Federal Agency To Expedite Review Of Fufeng Group Land Purchase And Project

Bismarck, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) conduct an expedited review of Fufeng Group’s rece
— Read More
August 05, 2022
Articles

Dams Are Essential To Wheat Farmers: Wheat growers challenge scientific accuracy, economic impacts of LSRD report

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) filed public comments in response to the Draft Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD) Benefit Replacement Report published on June 9.
— Read More
August 05, 2022
Articles
Lovepreet Singh, Mississippi State University

What Is Trichoderma And How It Is Beneficial?

Have you ever wondered about the living organisms in the soil? Let’s dig into the soil today and meet our very special friend. We will be learning about the secret abilities of this friend and how this tiny friend shows friendship to us. Our friend has a
— Read More
August 04, 2022
Articles

Deadline Extended And More Pre-Filled Forms For 2020 And 2021 Disasters On The Way: More producers to soon receive applications for over $105 million in additional emergency relief

Washington – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will indefinitely extend the deadline for producers to return the pre-filled applications for Phase One of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). A new deadline will be announced af
— Read More
August 04, 2022
Articles
Abby Stetina, The Brussels Times

Fewer Potatoes Produced By Belgian Farmers In 2021

Final agricultural figures for 2021 show a concerning decline in the production of the nation's (Belgium) favourite root vegetable: potatoes.
— Read More
August 03, 2022
Articles
Jenna Hoffman, Farm Journal

New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking

The Biden administration’s initiatives to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 are well underway.
— Read More
August 03, 2022
Jenna Hoffman, Farm Journal

Dutch Farmers Are Protesting A Government Policy Canada And Ireland Are Now Proposing, Is The U.S. Next?

Ag carbon emissions are high on some country’s government dockets this year, as the Netherlands released a 13-year, 25-billion-euro plan to cut nitrogen oxide and ammonia emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
— Read More
August 02, 2022
Articles

An Interesting Slide From 2022 Sweetener Symposium

We spent the day listening to a myriad of speakers talking about a range of subjects related to the sugar industry. The setting was the 37th International Sweetener Symposium.
— Read More
August 02, 2022
Articles

Glacier View Farm Field Trip

While attending the 106th Annual Potato Association of America meeting in Missoula, Montana, in July we were able to take a field trip to Glacier View Farm in Ronan.
— Read More
August 01, 2022
Articles

AMVAC Establishes U.S. GreenSolutions Product Team for Biologicals: Dedicated biological team reaches customers in all major markets

Newport Beach, Calif., – AMVAC, a global technology solutions provider for agriculture, has established a GreenSolutions product team dedicated to their biological portfolio, which consists of biopesticides, biostimulants and biofertilizers.
— Read More
August 01, 2022
Articles

Camera Or Drone Video Can Help Identify Center Pivot Sprinkler Repairs

Imagine being a repairman sent to weld a patch on a leaky center pivot span. Think how helpful the photo or a video of the water application and the leaks would be in helping you determine the location of the needed repair. Even the challenges of changing
— Read More