INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
February 28, 2019
Articles, Grower of the Month
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Pride of the Nation: Navajo Agricultural Products Industry makes good on its promise to improve the land and its people

Navajo Agricultural Products Industry makes good on its promise to improve the land and its people
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February 28, 2019
Fungicide, New Products

Fungicide Buyers' Guide

Black dot. Late blight. Fusarium wilt. Ugly names attached to truly ugly diseases with the potential to completely wreck an entire potato crop. This buyers’ guide showcases some solutions in the fight.
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February 28, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

New Product: Rocket Seeds by Compass Minerals : Innovative seed nutrition portfolio delivers patent-pending formulations with unique combination of nutrients

Innovative seed nutrition portfolio delivers patent-pending formulations with unique combination of nutrients
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February 28, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer

Wilbur-Ellis Acquires Wiles Brothers Fertilizer: National distributor acquires full-service agribusiness retailer

National distributor acquires full-service agribusiness retailer
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February 27, 2019
Articles, Herbicide, Irrigation

Keeping Herbicides Out of Ground and Surface Water: These six field practices can protect water quality from herbicide applications.

These six field practices can protect water quality from herbicide applications.
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February 27, 2019
New Products

New Product: Ceres Center-Pivot Analytics Suite: Company launches first imagery solution for pivot-irrigated crops that uses AI to automatically detect and alert farmers of issues in their fields

Company launches first imagery solution for pivot-irrigated crops that uses AI to automatically detect and alert farmers of issues in their fields
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February 27, 2019
Articles

Richardson International Completes Acquisition of Wesson

Richardson International Limited announces that the acquisition of Wesson, a leading U.S. premium retail brand of cooking oils.
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February 27, 2019
Articles, New Products

Five Ways Satellite Imagery Can Do Your Dirty Work

Farmers are using satellite imagery in a number of unexpected ways to help them do the dirty work of in-season and year-round management.
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February 26, 2019
Articles

Farmers Growing More Dependent on Off-farm Income

So many farmers are dependent on off-farm income in today's economy that lenders say the worst threat to farmers is a general economic recession, the chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation said Tuesday.
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February 26, 2019
Articles

Idaho Market to Lift with Burbanks

Movement of Norkotah potatoes in Idaho continues at a steady pace as russet suppliers begin anticipating when the Burbank will take over as the dominant variety for the remainder of the season.
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February 26, 2019
Articles

Export Demand High for U.S. Potatoes

Offshore demand for U.S. potatoes continues to trend upward, marketers say.
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February 26, 2019
Articles

Valent U.S.A. Appoints McBay VP of Sales

Valent U.S.A. LLC has appointed Dion McBay as vice president of sales, effective Feb. 25.
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February 25, 2019
Articles, New Products

Farm Dog, John Deere, ADAMA Unveil Mobile-to-Sprayer Integration Solution

The solution increases labor efficiency on the farm by simplifying information sharing and reducing the likelihood of operational errors for agronomists, growers and spray equipment operators.
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February 25, 2019
Articles

More Varieties = More Sales Opportunities

Potatoes may be a traditional staple with consumers, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for something new, marketers say.
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February 22, 2019
Articles
Jim Offner

Potato Marketing is an Information Business

Marketers have a stronger price this year on which to base their sales of potatoes, perhaps thanks, in part, to strong demand from the processing sector.
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February 22, 2019
Articles, Irrigation
Trevor Mecham

The Past, Present and Future of Precision Agriculture

With today’s shift toward acronyms like IOT (Internet of Things), ag IOT, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and a plethora of other letters, it can be hard to see the value in adopting new data-centric products and services.
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February 21, 2019
New Products

New Product: Loftness 12-Ton FertiLogix Spreaders

The FB1210 12-ton fertilizer spreader and L1230 12-ton lime/fertilizer spreader are variable-rate-ready with hydraulic-driven conveyors and spinners for precision application.
— Read More
February 21, 2019
Articles

USDA Terminates Potato Marketing Order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is terminating the marketing order regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in designated counties of Virginia and North Carolina.
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February 21, 2019
Articles

Digital Tools Will Shape Future of Food Production

Mike Stern, head of The Climate Corporation and Digital Farming for Bayer Crop Sciences, shares his positive perspective on the power and potential of digital farming.
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February 21, 2019
Articles

Farm Groups Defend Crop Insurance Budget

Sixty organizations sent a letter this week to the House and Senate Budget Committees, as well as agriculture secretary Sonny Perdue, urging them to protect crop insurance during the Farm Bill budget process.
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February 21, 2019
Articles
Nazimi Açikgöz

New Breeding Techniques to Counter Climate Change

It is imperative that we breed new varieties of plants to make agriculture more sustainable, given increasing food demand and a warming climate.
— Read More
February 21, 2019
Articles

Black Gold Hires Chief Production Officer

Grand Forks, N.D.-based Black Gold Farms has hired Kerwin Bradley as the company's chief production officer.
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February 20, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

Valmont, Prospera Partner to Create Autonomous Solution

The collaboration sets the course to provide growers with autonomous crop management solutions to generate greater returns, while requiring fewer production inputs and resources.
— Read More
February 18, 2019
Articles

Farming's Toll on Producers' Mental Health: Food producers face specific challenges that can lead to anxiety, farmer says

Food producers face specific challenges that can lead to anxiety, farmer says
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February 18, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer

Influencing Potato Dry Matter Content

Dry matter content is important for both fresh markets and processing. Tubers with dry matter above 18 to 20 percent tend to be more susceptible to bruising and tubers disintegrate more readily when cooked.
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February 18, 2019
Fertilizer, Fungicide, Herbicide, Insecticide, Irrigation, New Products

New Product: DripByDrip

Bayer, Netafim and BGN Technologies join forces in a research project that combines soil research, digital prediction tools and state-of-the art drip technology by Netafim to develop best practices for using drip irrigation as a delivery system for Bayer'
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February 14, 2019
Articles, Irrigation

PERC Announces 2019 Propane Farm Incentive Program: Producers can save up to $5,000 toward the purchase of new propane-powered equipment with help from the limited-time program.

Producers can save up to $5,000 toward the purchase of new propane-powered equipment with help from the limited-time program.
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February 14, 2019
Articles

Report Shows Potatoes Still a Favorite

Ever a consumer favorite, potatoes topped the list as the most popular vegetable in the Fresh Trends 2018 survey. It was also the No. 3 item overall that consumers said they purchased.
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February 14, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

Senninger to Offer Maxijet Micro-Sprays

Senninger is expanding its micro-irrigation product line by promoting Maxijet micro-sprays and components, designed for easier and more efficient micro-irrigation.
— Read More
February 13, 2019
New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Kubota M7 Gen 2 Tractors: Kubota’s biggest tractor just got better, now featuring new semi-power shift transmission

Kubota’s biggest tractor just got better, now featuring new semi-power shift transmission
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February 13, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

New Product: Lindsay FieldNET Pivot Watch: The industry’s most universal remote irrigation monitoring solution is low-cost, offers do-it-yourself installation and works on any pivot brand.

The industry’s most universal remote irrigation monitoring solution is low-cost, offers do-it-yourself installation and works on any pivot brand.
— Read More
February 12, 2019
Articles
Nicholas Staropoli

'Locally Grown' Doesn't Always Mean 'Sustainable'

When perusing your neighborhood farmer’s market for the best head of kale, you should be cognizant of the fact that there’s something these vendors aren’t telling you: the ‘eat local’ movement may be broken.
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February 12, 2019
Articles
Chloe Teboe

Legislators Promote Potatoes in U.S.-China Trade Talks: Maine senators Susan Collins and Angus King and representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden have joined a bipartisan group, asking that the U.S.

Maine congressional delegation have joined a bipartisan group, asking that the U.S. potato industry be considered in trade negotiations with China.
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February 12, 2019
New Products, Potato Equipment

AGCO Earns Seven AE50 Awards: As an organization, AGCO receives more AE50 Awards than any other OEM

As an organization, AGCO receives more AE50 Awards than any other OEM
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February 12, 2019
Articles, Irrigation

Water Value: Determining irrigation’s dollar value to agriculture

Determining irrigation’s dollar value to agriculture
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February 12, 2019
Articles
Buzz Shahan, Chief Operating Officer, United Potato Growers of America

Rethinking Economic Policy: The “why” of business decisions is as important as the “what.”

The “why” of business decisions is as important as the “what.”
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February 11, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes

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
February 11, 2019
Event Calendar
Nate Chesher, Marketing Manager, Michigan Potato Industry Commission

Calendar: Michigan Winter Potato Conference

The Michigan Potato Industry Commission invites everyone to attend the 2019 Winter Potato Conference, Feb. 13-15 in Grand Rapids, Mich., where attendees will enter a world of discovery on issues and practices that will help advance the Michigan potato ind
— Read More
February 11, 2019
Articles

McCain Eyes Property in Caldwell, Idaho

After plans to build a large facility in Caldwell, Idaho, fell through last year, McCain Foods USA, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of frozen potato products, is again eyeing property in the city.
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February 11, 2019
Articles

Genomics Offers Insights for Potato Breeding

Potato breeding doesn’t turn out a lot of winners. A breeder may find something with commercial value in just 1 out of 200,000 plants. Jeffrey Endelman is trying to improve those odds through the same genomic strategies used in the livestock industry.
— Read More
February 11, 2019
Insecticide, New Products

New Product: Spear-Lep Bioinsecticide

Targeting lepidopteran and coleopteran pests such as loopers, worms, caterpillars and beetles, field trials of Spear-Lep demonstrate results of equivalency or superiority to conventional insecticides with a desirable environmental profile.
— Read More
February 11, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, Fungicide, Herbicide

American Vanguard Celebrates 50 Years

American Vanguard Corporation, parent company to AMVAC Chemical Corporation, is celebrating 50 years in business.
— Read More
February 10, 2019
Articles, Insecticide

Nice Shade of Yellow: Novel mustard meal extract for control of the PCN

Novel mustard meal extract for control of the PCN
— Read More
February 09, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, Seed Potatoes
Syngenta

Treat It Right: Managing Fusarium dry rot with seed treatments

Managing Fusarium dry rot with seed treatments
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February 09, 2019
Articles, Grower of the Month
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

The Network: Massachusetts-based Cambridge Farms’ distribution channel on the East Coast is built on integrity and quality.

Massachusetts-based Cambridge Farms’ distribution channel on the East Coast is built on integrity and quality.
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February 09, 2019
New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Sprayer Boom Extensions

These John Deere 40 Series boom extensions can extend sprayer widths from 120 to 132 feet and are available from Hunt Seed Company.
— Read More
February 08, 2019
Articles, Insecticide

Grower Recounts Battle with Nematodes

Bryan Searle of Shelley, Idaho, recounts the economic challenges and social impact he encountered when the pale cyst nematode was detected in potato fields in southern Idaho in 2016.
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February 08, 2019
Articles

Idaho Potato Industry Asked for Input in Freight Policy

Input is essential for guiding the State of Idaho and Idaho Transportation Department in important policy, investment and planning decisions as it pertains to freight movement within the state.
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February 08, 2019
New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: TireGrabber

Available from Hunt Seed Company, theTireGrabber’s user-friendly wrist-like action can move in any direction to pick up, swing or rotate tires using a three-point pressure system that reduces wear and tear and increases safety.
— Read More
February 08, 2019
Articles, Potato Harvesting

Up-Close Look at P.E.I. Harvest

Get an up-close look at the people, planning and processing technologies that help the Keenan family at Rollo Bay Holdings send 50 million pounds of potatoes from field to table during a busy harvest.
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February 08, 2019
Articles

Kelling Inducted to WPVGA Hall of Fame

University of Wisconsin-Madison soil scientist Keith Kelling was inducted into the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Hall of Fame Feb. 6.
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February 07, 2019
Articles
Patrick Hayes, Bob Zemetra, & Sagar Sathuvalli, Oregon State University

Why Keep Breeding More Crop Varieties?

We need to continue breeding new disease resistant crop varieties to ensure a healthy, adequate food supply.
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February 07, 2019
Articles

Breeding Revolution Could Unleash Potential of Potato

In Peru and around the world, enhancing the potato has become a high priority. It is the most important food crop worldwide after wheat and rice.
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February 07, 2019
Articles, New Products

New Product: Agdia AmplifyRP XRT+ Assay: Rapid molecular assay quickly detects blackleg-causing Dickeya spp.

Rapid molecular assay quickly detects blackleg-causing Dickeya spp.
— Read More
February 07, 2019
Articles

Florida Potato Harvest Begins

Florida's potato harvest has kicked off, and growers are happy with conditions during the growing season thus far. At the moment, the harvest is mainly concentrated in southern parts of the state but will gradually make its way north.
— Read More
February 06, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

Irrigation Product Buyers' Guide

There aren’t many things prettier than a beautiful, green field being watered, the summer sun hitting the spray and making a rainbow that follows you as you drive past.
— Read More
February 06, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, New Products

New Product: Valent MycoApply EndoPrime SC: New formulation promotes increased root absorption, nutrient uptake

New formulation promotes increased root absorption, nutrient uptake
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February 06, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer

Gypsum as an Agricultural Product: This common ingredient in drywall can increase yields, improve soil

This common ingredient in drywall can increase yields, improve soil
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February 05, 2019
Articles, New Products, Potato Equipment

Agri-Service Opens New Location: Fruitland, Idaho, facility allows expansion of services and brings line of Fendt tractors to region

Fruitland, Idaho, facility allows expansion of services and brings line of Fendt tractors to region
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February 05, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer

UPL Completes Acquisition of Arysta

UPL Limited announces the completion of its acquisition of Arysta LifeScience Inc. from Platform Specialty Products for $4.2 billion.
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February 04, 2019
Articles

Mart Produce Keeps Added Value at Home

Nearly four decades ago, a group of local farms started a company to wash, sort and package fresh potatoes harvested from their fields—keeping more of the dollars gained from the process at home.
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February 04, 2019
Articles, Fungicide
Alexis Stockford

Canadian Growers Urged to Share Mancozeb Experience

Manitoba potato producers are being urged to share how they use the chemical as their industry attempts to preserve it as an aerial fungicide, and they have just days to do it.
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February 04, 2019
Articles
Eric Freedman

Climate Challenges Potato Growers: Climate change could impact potato chip industry

Study says warming temperatures will require more ventilation and refrigeration — and thus higher energy bills — to store potatoes after harvesting and in the spring and early summer before processors need them
— Read More
February 01, 2019
Articles, Between the Rows

Between the Rows: The Greatest Thing in the World: True love in any of its forms never comes easy.

It doesn’t matter if the love we’re talking about is a dazzling romance, a parent’s incomparable devotion to a child, or a profound love of the land your family has worked for generations. If it’s real, it dang sure ain’t easy.
— Read More
February 01, 2019
Articles

What Are You Eating?: Marketing potatoes as what they are: a high-performance food

Marketing potatoes as what they are: a high-performance food
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February 01, 2019
Fungicide, New Products

AZteroid FC 3.3 Fungicide Receives EPA Approval

AZteroid FC 3.3 is a new higher concentration formulation of the popular AZteroid FC fungicide from Vive Crop Protection.
— Read More