INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
January 30, 2015
Event Calendar

Wisconsin Growers to Meet

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association will hold its annual meeting and educational conference Feb. 3-5 in Stevens Point, Wis.
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January 30, 2015
Kathleen Thomas Gaspar

Colorado Yellows Bringing Outside Business

Thus far the 2014-15 shipping season has been good to Colorado grower-shippers, according to Monte Vista Potato Growers’ general manager Jason Tillman.
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January 29, 2015
Fertilizer

Fertilizer Institute President Testifies Before Senate Committee : Testimony focused on fertilizer industry's concerns regarding transport

The Fertilizer Institute's president, Chris Jahn, testified Jan. 28 before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on the challenges and importance of transporting fertilizer by rail.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Jerry Wright, UPGA President/CEO

Big Oil Sounds a Lot like Big Potatoes: Facing a familiar problem

An article I recently read sounded eerily reminiscent of the potato category.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Meredith Myers, USPB Public Relations Manager

Folks Are Listening: Newly published research shows potatoes can be part of a weight-loss regimen

On Oct. 18 I was attending an event at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Atlanta.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Pam Hutchinson and Phillip Nolte, 2015 Idaho Potato Conference Co-chairs

It's That Time of Year Again!: University of Idaho Potato Conference

Yes, it’s time for the 47th Annual University of Idaho Potato Conference and 36th Ag Expo!
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Frank Muir, IPC President and CEO

Riding for the Brand: Getting all Idaho growers on board

Several times a year I have the opportunity to meet with Idaho potato growers, processors and shippers to share details of the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) annual consumer, foodservice, retail and international marketing programs, present the new telev
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
John Keeling, NPC Exec VP and CEO

What's the Buzz?: Attention on pollinator health increases

On Nov. 12, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a White House Pollinator Health Task Force listening session on pollinator protection, or honeybee protection, an issue that has received elevated attention in agricultural and environmental cir
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Scott Weybright, Washington State University

Brought to Light: Center helps scientists measure light to find mutations

Plants use light during photosynthesis.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M University

Chipping Away: Texas A&M-led zebra chip control effort honored by USDA

A multi-state effort led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research to control the potato psyllid and reduce losses from zebra chip disease of potato was recognized by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Festival of Colors: Delicious, nutritious and colorful varieties

America’s favorite vegetable is almost fat-free and a good source of potassium, iron and vitamin C.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Goodbye, Corn Crowns: Helping microbes digest residue earlier reduces late nitrogen

Data from two years of research on adding a soil-applied microbial food source to corn fields postharvest is pointing to a promising “triple crown” effect when setting up and improving the follow-on potato crop.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Not Just for Growers: New study shows value of neonicontinoids

Reports from a new study, which for the first time will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the economic and societal benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides in North America, have been released over the past few months.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Dr. Thomas Jensen, Director, IPNI North American Program

Patchwork Fields: Why is micronutrient availability to patchy?

When we think of applying fertilizer, the nutrients that come to mind initially are usually the major nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S).
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Stephen Long and Xin-Guang Zhu

Photosynthesis: The Final Frontier: Improving yields through plants' conversion efficiency

Yield potential is the yield per unit land area that a genotype can achieve at a given location in the absence of abiotic and biotic stresses.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Seed Potatoes

Reporting From...: 2014 state seed potato reports

Colorado’s San Luis Valley is an ideal location for seed potato production.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Supervillains?: Dispelling common misconceptions about superweeds

Use of the term “superweed” has exploded in recent years and is frequently featured in news reports about herbicide-resistant weeds choking out crops.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

A Golden Opportunity: Golden nematode controlled with fungi

Nearly 15,000 acres of Veracruz, on the West Coast of Mexico, are dedicated to the production of potatoes.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Dirty Air: Innovation in potato storage environment

Potato and other vegetable storage facilities are largely controlled by ventilation systems using outdoor air as a cleansing and oxidizing medium.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Down the Drain: Tile drains a major path for phosphorus loss, studies find

It’s been largely ignored in the past as a route for phosphorus loss from farms, but the buried network of drainage pipes known as the tile system can carry away as much phosphorus as surface runoff.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Maureen Storey, President and CEO, Alliance for Potato Research and Education

Fully Immersed: Dietitians, bloggers find there's a lot to love about potatoes at Potato Immersion Experience

For the second consecutive year, the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) sponsored select nutrition communicators from the United States and Canada for a hands-on immersion experience in all aspects of potato production, research and nutriti
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Questions and Answers: The Biotechnology Industry Organization's commitment to transparency

Now, perhaps more than at any other time in history, food producers are faced with the challenge of pleasing a discriminating, fastidious consumer base.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Tractors Buyer's Guide: Bring in the Muscles

A lot goes down on the farm, and growers owe much to technological advances in equipment and chemicals they wouldn’t have dreamed of 50 years ago.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Articles
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Considerable Cultivar Collection: The Tri-States' Potato Management Variety Institute

In 1949, in a nod to the Pacific Northwest’s prolific potato production capabilities, the USDA established a potato research breeding program at its research station in Aberdeen, Idaho.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Embracing the Possible: Tuberosum Technologies

Imagine what it would be like if once a year, you were to open up your mailbox to find a small package, perhaps even a simple envelope, labeled “Potato Seed.”
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

APRE Creates President's Circle

Maureen Storey, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) in October announced the formation of the APRE President’s Circle, a new membership category designed to strengthen industry value chain collaboration and en
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

H.J. Baker opens Plant in China

Global agricultural firm H.J. Baker recently held a grand opening at its Lianyungang, China, Sulphur Bentonite Plant.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Innate Potatoes Deregulated

The J.R. Simplot Company announces that the USDA has deregulated Innate potatoes, enabling them to be sold in the United States.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

McCrometer Names new President

McCrometer, a leading provider of flow measurement and wireless solutions, has announced the promotion of Melissa Aquino to the role of president.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Murano Named Director of Borlaug Institute

Dr. Elsa Murano, professor and president emerita of Texas A&M University, has been named director of the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Grower of the Month

Promoting All Potatoes, All The Time: Nolan Masser of Pennsylvania

Nolan Masser of Pennsylvania
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Servi-Tech Names New CEO

Servi-Tech, the largest agronomic firm in the U.S., announces the appointment of Greg Ruehle as its new president and CEO.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

TKI Star Level Safety Designation Renewed

The OSHA division of the U.S. Department of Labor has recognized the Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. (TKI) plant in Burley, Idaho, for continued excellence at the highest level of employee safety and health.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Valley Honored by Education Magazine

Valley University, the training organization of Valley Irrigation, has received an esteemed Learning in Practice Award from Chief Learning Officer magazine.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

BioSafe Names Byers SE Territory Manager

BioSafe Systems announces the hiring of Brent Byers as Southeast Territory Manager for its agrichemical division, supporting the crop protection, water treatment and food safety business segments.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

New Products: Latest and Greatest

Net Irrigate, a manufacturer of wireless agricultural irrigation monitoring (WAIM) technology, announces WireRat 4.0, an update to its WireRat technology that offers pivot owners new benefits like the ability to self-test the system and increased battery
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January 28, 2015

New USPB Members Named

On Jan. 21, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack appointed/reappointed 33 grower members to serve on the United States Potato Board for three-year terms.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Setting the Pace: Agriculture is as fast-paced as any business

Job hunting is a slow, miserable slog. I think potential employers know this, so in order to make themselves more desirable as an employment destination, they do all they can to spice up job descriptions.
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

Tomra Opens Facility in Slovakia

Tomra Sorting Solutions and Prologis, Inc., the global leader in industrial real estate, in October celebrated the grand opening of a 135,000-square-foot, facility in Bratislava, Slovakia, that is fully customized to accommodate Tomra’s production and dis
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January 28, 2015| Published in the January 2015 issue

WeighPack Appoints Engineering Manager

WeighPack Systems, Inc., a leading provider of high performance packaging solutions, announces the appointment of Armin Syroos as engineering manager.
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January 27, 2015
Event Calendar

Farm Data, Biotech Panel to Highlight Ag Outlook Forum: Monsanto, Farm Bureau executives will be on hand for Agricultural Outlook Forum, Feb. 19-20

Data, innovation and technology in agriculture are scheduled topics for February's Agricultural Outlook Forum, an annual meeting organized by the USDA.
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January 26, 2015

NPC Names Award Winners

Each year, the National Potato Council holds an awards banquet at its Annual Meeting to honor individuals whose work has aided the industry in addressing issues that impact potato production.
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January 22, 2015| Published in the December 2014 issue
Event Calendar
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Potato D.C. Fly-in: to be held Feb. 23-26

Each February, potato growers and industry leaders from across the country—men and women for whom I can vouch as being honest, brave and unselfish—descend on the nation’s capital for the National Potato Council-hosted D.C. Fly-In. The event, which has bee
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January 21, 2015

Can the Potato Help China?

The Ministry of Agriculture’s move to make potatoes an increasingly important staple in Chinese kitchens, including the propagation of recipes that rely on the humble tuber, at first glance might appear slightly odd and surprising.
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January 20, 2015

West Coast Problems Hinder Exports

Although Idaho’s shipping pace is ahead of last year, delays by the longshoremen’s union on the West Coast have created a holdup on international exports.
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January 19, 2015
Irrigation

Normal Water Supply Forecast for West

A normal water supply is predicted for much of the West, while the Southwest, Sierra Nevada region and Pacific Northwest are beginning the year drier than normal.
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January 16, 2015
Event Calendar

Potato Growers of Idaho to Hold Auction

The Potato Grower of Idaho annual Grower of the Year awards and fundraising auction will take place Jan. 21 at the Red Lion Hotel in Pocatello, Idaho.
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January 15, 2015
Seed Potatoes
Michael Cavanagh

Australian Diabetic-friendly Potato Marketed

A potato proven to be safe for diabetics will soon be on dinner plates in Idaho.
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January 14, 2015

2015 NPC Leaders Selected

At the NPC's 2015 annual meeting, Dan Lake of Ronan, Mont., was elected to serve as NPC’s president for 2015 and to lead the council’s Executive Committee.
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January 12, 2015
Te-Ping Chen and Chuin-wei Yap

China Pushing Potatoes : Government wants people to eat more “earth beans”

China’s gastronomic traditions may have been developed over the course of several millennia. But if central planners have their way, the country’s cuisine will soon be restyled with the help of the humble potato.
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January 10, 2015
Tom Karst

Asia Market to Lead Export Growth

An expanding middle class in Asia and other regions is one of several reasons to be optimistic about U.S. potato exports, one analyst believes.
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January 07, 2015
Bridget Bergin

Should Dietary Guidelines Include Environmental Agenda?

The USDA's Dietary Guidelines stand to change a good deal in 2015, as an advisory panel advising the process is pushing to include new environmental considerations.
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January 06, 2015

Bayer Encourages Transparency : Bayer CropScience urges farmers to “be seen and heard” on food production practices

More than half of American consumers would like to talk to a farmer even though the vast majority—94 percent—indicated in a recent survey that they have no connection with agriculture or farming.
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January 05, 2015
Matt Brooks

Wisconsin Growers Promote Potato Nutrition

A Wisconsin potato could help you eat healthier for the new year. If you're looking for something gluten-free and low in calories, a Wisconsin potato just might be your answer.
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January 02, 2015
Potato Storage

Aceto FreshPack 50EC Now Available for In-Storage Application

Aceto Agricultural Chemicals Corporation announces that its market-leading FreshPack 50EC product can now be thermally applied to potatoes in-storage to burn buds, stop sprouting, and extend potato dormancy.
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January 01, 2015

Fries Back at McDonald's in Japan

McDonald's Japan said Friday it will resume serving all portion sizes of fries on Jan. 5.
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