INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Big Investments: Location, quality driving current land values

As 2014 came to a close, land values had stabilized from the double-digit increases of the past few years, according to Farmers National Company, the nation’s leading farm and ranch real estate company.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
David Fairbourn, USPB ICP Manager

Branching Out: Smart Potato Campaign turns to international potato cuisines

Two years ago, the United States Potato Board (USPB) launched an umbrella marketing campaign called “SMAPO,” otherwise known as the Smart Potato Campaign, in Japan to highlight and promote the use of U.S. frozen and dehydrated potatoes in new foodservice
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Dirt Road Traffic Jam: Taking time to stop

One crisp afternoon last fall, I was driving down a dirt road, lost in my thoughts, enjoying the beauty of the country around me, when I had to stop.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Flying High: Analyzing the role of UAS in agriculture's future

There are very few points in time when a person can help influence the future of an industry they love.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Blair Richardson, President & CEO, USPB

Know Thy Customer!: Study shows consumer base is changing

One of the core responsibilities of the United States Potato Board (USPB) is to help the industry understand and properly target consumers with products and promotions.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Phillip Nolte, Nora Olsen, Jeff Miller and Phillip Wharton

Late Blight 2015?: Guarding for the upcoming year

The 2014 potato production season in Idaho included a couple of surprises.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Jim Blome, President & CEO, Bayer CropScience LP Head Crop Protection, North American Region

Modern Agriculture Based on Sound Science: Why we do what we do

Like so many Americans, I’m fascinated by the technological advancements that have fundamentally changed the way we live.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Irrigation, New Products

New Products

Heart of Nature is mining a USDA organic-approved natural sulfur deposit in Central Nevada that also contains potassium and all micronutrients required for plant growth.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Jerry Wright, UPGA President/CEO

Pouring It On: Oil's tale of supply/demand/price

In September of 1960, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela got together and formed the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Science Denial and Today's Food Consumer: New CFI research cracks code to informed decision-making

Overwhelming scientific consensus tells us that genetically modified foods are safe and that humans contribute more to antibiotic resistance than animals.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Frank Muir, IPC President and CEO

Showing Off: Preparing for Retail Display Contest

The Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) annual Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest is bigger and better than ever before.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Sustainability, Stewardship and the Nutrient Management Plan: Getting consumers and producers on the same page

Demand for sustainability information is building. According to Canada’s Provision Coalition, today’s sustainability-conscious consumers want to know the whole story—cradle to grave—behind their food purchases.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
John Keeling, Executive VP and CEO, National Potato Council

The Magnificent Seven: NPC past presidents honored for WIC accomplishment

At the National Potato Council (NPC) Annual Meeting on Jan. 9 in Orlando, Fla., seven NPC past presidents were invited to come on stage to be recognized for their involvement in adding fresh white potatoes to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Fungicide
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

The Power of Potatoes: Bayer CropScience strives to leave better world at Potato Expo

During the 2015 Potato Expo in Orlando, Fla., Bayer CropScience demonstrated the power of one of the world’s most important staple crops through its “Share the Spuds” giving campaign.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Jonathan Whitworth, Rich Novy, Shoanpius Mondal and Darren Hall

Y Resist?: Potato virus Y progression in Premier Russet, development of PVY-resistant cultivars

In 2006 Premier Russet was released by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, the three states that comprise the Northwest (Tri-State) Potato Variety Development Program.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Weed Science Society of America

Zero Tolerance: Growers battle herbicide resistance with harvest-time weed seed controls

Experts with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) say one often-ignored strategy for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds is now getting a second look.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Irrigation
Cinch Munson, Director of Agriculture Business Development, Propane Education & Research Council

Cost-Saving Power: Fueling profit growth with propane-powered irrigation

Irrigation is one of the most energy-intensive farming operations, and diesel has long been the fuel of choice for growers.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Irrigation Products Buyer's Guide

New 1000 Series valves save energy with higher flow capacity and lower friction loss—better than any other valve on the market.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Irrigation
John Farner, Government & Public Affairs Director, Irrigation Association

Looking Forward: 2015 forecast for irrigated agriculture

A drop in the bucket.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Grower of the Month
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Standing for Something: Grower of the Month Moore Farms of Arvin, Calif.

John C. Moore III wasn’t always so sure he wanted to end up back on the family farm.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

ABM Files Patent on Microbial Research Technique

Advanced Biological Marketing (ABM) announces that its research and development department has filed a patent on Focused Microbial Diversity.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Bayer, FFA to Award Grants

Bayer CropScience, in partnership with the National FFA Organization, will provide grants to inspire interest in agriculture and apiculture professions among America’s youth throughout 2015.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Brandt Expands Distribution of Verdesian Products

Brandt, a leading manufacturer of agricultural specialty products, has signed a new distribution agreement with Verdesian Life Sciences.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Halvorson Wins IPNI Science Award

The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) has named Dr. Ardell D. Halvorson as the winner of the 2014 IPNI Science Award.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

International Flair: The International Potato Center’s work to improve lives

While it’s certainly true that public skepticism and criticism in recent years has dulled a bit of the romance that once accompanied a profession in production agriculture, it’s probably safe to say that most, if not all, growers hold on to the notion tha
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Root Demand Irrigation Wins AE50 Award

Root Demand Irrigation (RDI) gained recognition from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for groundbreaking industry innovation for the development of its subsurface irrigation product.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Bayer Crop Science Staff

Sticking Up for the Little Guys: Study helps improve farmland for beneficial insects and growers alike

Insects and plants have a pact: Hungry bees, butterflies and bumble bees can help themselves to a plant’s sweet nectar in return for spreading its pollen.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Two Zimmatic Products Recognized

Two of Lindsay Corporation’s newest products have earned industry recognition for their innovative designs and attention to detail incorporating technology for modern farming irrigation systems.
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February 28, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

USPB Market Access Program Allocation

The United States Potato Board (USPB) received an allocation of $4,998,892 in program year 2015 Market Access Program (MAP) funds from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) at USDA.
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February 27, 2015

Monsanto Accepting “Farm Mom” Nominations

They are the heart of the families and the backbone of their farm operations. They are farm moms, and they nourish, nurse and care for everything and everyone in their families, on their farms and in their communities.
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February 27, 2015
Potato Storage
Doug Ohlemeier

Mack Farms Joins Fresh Solutions Network

Mack Farms Inc. is the latest potato grower-shipper to join the Fresh Solutions Network.
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February 26, 2015
Samantha Harms

IPC Names Contest Winner

Kate Suletzki, the blogger of A Cup of Sugar, a Pinch of Salt, won Food52’s Best Potato Recipe 2.0 Contest.
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February 26, 2015

USDA Plans Network for Ag Women

Network will bring ag leaders together with common goal of connecting and empowering women in the ag industry
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February 25, 2015

Basque Ag Institute Releases New Varieties

Potatoes are an essential food for humans and now two new varieties produced by the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development have been added to the Registry of Commercial Varieties.
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February 24, 2015
Herbicide

Stewardship and Weed Control

Check out an educational infographic describing the benefits of a good weed control plan, brought to us by our friends at FMC.
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February 23, 2015
Kristi Pihl, Tri-City Herald

Processors Suffer from Strangled Ports

Columbia Basin potato processors slowed down during the West Coast port impasse, making fewer potatoes into french fries, hash browns and other potato products shipped around the world.
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February 23, 2015
George Hohmann

West Virginians Urged to Grow Potatoes

West Virginia State Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick is on a mission to create jobs by convincing West Virginian landowners to produce potatoes—lots of potatoes.
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February 19, 2015
Jonathan Knutson

Industry Wins on WIC, More on To-Do List

American potato growers have fought and won what one industry leader calls “a long, lonely battle” to restore the vegetable to the approved list for the government’s Women, Infants and Children program.
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February 19, 2015
Irrigation

Senninger Launches New Website

Senninger Irrigation, a global leader in agricultural irrigation manufacturing, announces the release of its newly redesigned website.
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February 19, 2015
Potato Harvesting
Andy Nelson

Report: Fall Potato Production Up

Fall potato production in the U.S. and Canada in 2014 was up 2 percent from the year before.
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February 18, 2015

Report Highlights Fresh Menu Trends

The latest issue of United Fresh’s Fresh Insights for Foodservice report explores how innovative chefs are adding fresh fruits and vegetables to create flavorful and vibrant winter menus.
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February 17, 2015
Fungicide, Potato Equipment, Potato Storage

“Focus on Potato” Talk Teaches BRR Sanitation

Of the more than 100 diseases of potato, bacterial ring rot is one of the few zero-tolerance pests. If just one seed potato on a farm is found to have this disease, no seed on that farm can be certified.
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February 17, 2015

A Taxing Budget for Farmers

Much has been made about the President’s FY2016 budget and its proposed cuts to the risk management tools on which farmers depend.
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February 14, 2015
Mychel Matthews

Clogged Seaports Jeopardize Idaho Ag

An ongoing contract dispute between terminal operators, shipping companies and the longshoremen who load and unload cargo ships continues to hinder exports on the West Coast.
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February 13, 2015
Seed Potatoes

Venezuelan Growers Stalled: McDonald's out of potatoes

Potato farmers in Venezuela seem to be running out of options after a months-long stall in seed imports has caused the potato supply there to dwindle.
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February 12, 2015
Potato Harvesting
Doug Ohlemeier

Florida Spring Potatoes Running Early

This year’s Florida potato deal is earlier due to higher winter temperatures maturing plants quickly.
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February 12, 2015

Heinz Shakes Up Procurement for Oregon Plant

Heinz Frozen Foods recently announced it is dropping the contracts with potato farmers in eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho.
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February 11, 2015
James McCarthy

Naturally Potatoes' Growth Gives Maine Hope

Since 2010, sales at Naturally Potatoes have grown by 15 percent annually.
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February 10, 2015

Lower Costs Could Help Growers

Lower fuel and fertilizer costs have the potential to make 2015 a better year for potato growers, but it’s not a given.
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February 09, 2015

USDA to Reassess Who Receives Farm Subsidies: Until now, farm subsidies have been available to many people who have never set foot on a farm

The USDA will soon stop providing farm subsidies for anyone who is not “actively engaged” in farming.
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February 09, 2015

Potato Lover’s Month Wedding Giveaway

February is National Potato Lover’s month, and to honor this special time of year the Washington State Potato Commission is looking for one lucky couple who can show they are Washington’s ultimate potato lovers.
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February 07, 2015
Potato Storage
Andy Nelson

Wide Russet Price Gap to Persist

The big price gap between small and large russets isn’t going away anytime soon, grower-shippers said.
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February 06, 2015

Retail Stars to be Honored at United Fresh 2015

The United Fresh Produce Association is now accepting nominations for the 2015 United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program.
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February 05, 2015

USDA Launches Farm Bill Series: Series looks at real-life experiences of Americans impacted by 2014 bill

As the Feb. 7 one-year anniversary of the 2014 farm bill approaches, the USDA said on Monday that it would begin a month-long multimedia project celebrating the “real-life experiences of Americans across the country impacted by the farm bill.”
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February 04, 2015
Amanda Peacher

Heinz Ends Contracts with Some Growers

Potato farmers in eastern Oregon have lost an important contract with Heinz, the company that owns the Ore-Ida brand.
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February 03, 2015
Fungicide, Seed Potatoes
Angela Walker

Canada Potato Wart Rules Set : CFIA says new rules for P.E.I. spuds needed to prevent spread of potato wart

New requirements are in place for exporting potatoes from Prince Edward Island to the United States.
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February 02, 2015
Vicki Jedlicka

Knoflicek Leaves Lasting Legacy

Louis E. Knoflicek, a man who spent his career on the cutting edge of the potato industry died Jan. 24 in Alliance, Neb., at age 100.
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February 02, 2015
Insecticide

Northwest Psyllid Population Declining

Researchers say the number of potato psyllids found harboring the bacterium that causes zebra chip dropped significantly in the Pacific Northwest during 2014.
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