INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
January 29, 2014

Farm bill passes House after years of disagreement

After years of setbacks, a nearly $100 billion-a-year compromise farm bill cleared the House on Wednesday despite strong opposition from conservatives who sought a bigger cut in food stamps.
— Read More
January 28, 2014

Congress calling for inclusion of fresh white potatoes in WIC Program

Over the past few years, members of Congress and their staff who have taken a close look at this issue have urged USDA to reverse its policy that prevents WIC participants from buying fresh potatoes with their program vouchers.
— Read More
January 28, 2014

Call to action on farm bill

The House and Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee finalized an agreement Monday on the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly known as the 2014 farm bill).
— Read More
January 28, 2014
Insecticide
John O'Connell, Capital Press

Program Makes Inroads Against Zebra Chip

Zebra chip infection rates are down in Idaho, but researchers say they still need more data before they can relent on their program to protect growers from the disease.
— Read More
January 25, 2014
Grower of the Month, Seed Potatoes
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

It Ain’t Always Easy…: Silver Creek Seed of Picabo, Idaho

Silver Creek Seed of Picabo, Idaho
— Read More
January 24, 2014
Irrigation

IIEA Elects New Officers for 2014

Elections for the 2014 Officers and Board of Directors for the Idaho Irrigation Equipment Association were held recently in Burley, Idaho.
— Read More
January 24, 2014
Event Calendar, Fungicide, Irrigation
Kaitlin Loukides, ABC Local News 8

Idaho Convention Highlights Issues Growers Face

POCATELLO, Idaho - Potato growers from every region in the West attended the 46th Annual Potato Conference held at Idaho State University in Pocatello.
— Read More
January 21, 2014

NPC Lobbies for Potatoes: Growers seek to reverse ban on "white" potatoes

Tucked into the 1,582-page 2014 spending bill passed by Congress this week are 85 words that aspire to end the government's decade-long war on the potato.
— Read More
January 20, 2014

Idaho's Randy Hardy Elected NPC President

OAKLEY, Idaho - Southern Idaho grower Randy Hardy was elected this month to serve as president of the National Potato Council (NPC) at the group's annual meeting in San Antonio.
— Read More
January 17, 2014
Irrigation
Carol Ryan Dumas

Managing Aquifer Recharge Complicated: Name of the game is consistency, officials say

BURLEY, Idaho - Flood irrigation practices in the early days of irrigation on the Eastern Snake River Plain boosted water levels in the aquifer, which lay beneath it. But as irrigation efficiencies improved, less water reached the aquifer, contributing to
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

ABM Files Patents for Produce-Tracking Biological Barcode

Advanced Biological Marketing (ABM) filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) two patents to develop organic microbial encoding, or a biological barcode, for the tracking of produce from the farm to customers’ tables.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Ashton Kutcher and Me: What an actor taught me about hard work and entitlement

“I believe that opportunity looks a lot like hard work … I was always just lucky to have a job, and every job I had was a stepping stone to my next job.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Brandt Increases Sales Leadership in Northwest

Brandt, a leading manufacturer of agricultural specialty products, announced that Rich Sowieralski has joined the company as territory sales manager over the Pacific Northwest for the specialty formulations group.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Case IH Equipment Designed with Potato Growers in Mind: Company announces largest ever new product line

Each type of potato requires a special set of circumstances in order to yield a successful crop, including the right equipment to get the job done and to do it well.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
David Parish, NFPT Program Manager

Digging for the Best: Understanding the National Fry Processing Trial program

The driving force behind the National Fry Processing Trials (NFPT) Project was a common objective held by the processing industry.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
John Keeling, NPC Exec VP and CEO

Fertilizer

Since the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in January 2011, the ag world has been bracing for a flood of new FDA rules governing the way agricultural products are produced, shipped and sold.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Harriston-Mayo Acquires Idaho Facility

Harriston-Mayo, a Minnesota manufacturer of potato planting and handling equipment based in North Dakota and Minnesota, has announced the purchase of a facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

How’s the family doing?

The power’s out right now here, and the kids keep asking me what they can do with no power.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

IDEAg Becomes NAMA Sustaining Partner

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) announced that IDEAg Group, LLC has become a sustaining partner.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Irrigation Association names Smart Marketing Contest Winners

Falls Church, Va. — The Irrigation Association’s Smart Irrigation Month Committee named the winners of its fourth annual Smart Marketing Contest.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Keeping an Eye Out: NPC Calls for Consistency in Food Safety Rules

A myth can be compared to an air mattress: There is nothing in it, but it is wonderfully comfortable. When deflated, it drops you with a jolt.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Mahindra Donates Tractor for Education

HOUSTON, Texas — Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) for use in its Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Institute. OSUIT offers one of the leading technical programs in the nation, educating highly trained future employees critical to the s
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
Blair Richardson, USPB President & CEO

Making the Most of an Unprecedented Opportunity: What the opening of the Mexico fresh potato market could mean

Looking back over my first five months with the United States Potato Board, one of the more impressive things about this industry is how well it works together on many important issues such as market access.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Managing Nitrogen: Understanding what steps to take in your field

The early 20th century discovery of how to synthesize nitrogen (N) fertilizer was a transformational even in human history.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Mythbusters: Getting potatoes on American tables

The United States Potato Board calls itself the “catalyst for positive change” in the potato industry, the “central organizing force in implementing programs that will increase demand for potatoes.”
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

New Products

New, obsolete and reconditioned switchgear and circuit breakers are available from Western States Circuit Breakers.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Pedal to the Metal: APRE Pushes Potato Nutrition Science Forward

In 2013, several of the Alliance for Potato Research and Education’s (APRE) scientific initiatives got the green flag and gathered speed on the research and education straightaway.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Seed Grower of the Year: Mark Johnson of Picabo, Idaho

If you’re in the seed potato industry, you’ve probably heard of and recognize Mark Johnson of Silver Creek Seed in Picabo, Idaho.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Syngenta Offers National Scholarship

GREENSBORO, N.C. — In conjunction with its 12-year anniversary this past November, Syngenta is proud to announce the new national Syngenta Agricultural Scholarship. The scholarship will launch in January 2014.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Syngenta Potato Scholarship Winner Selected

Syngenta announces Katie McKenna, a freshman at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, is the 2013 recipient of the $5,000 Syngenta Potato Scholarship. McKenna, a biology major and member of 4-H, has strong ties to agriculture.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
Sue Kennedy

The Great Big Idaho Potato Truck

“Is it real?” is still the No. 1 question asked by folks who see The Great Big Idaho Potato Truck.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
Jerry P. Wright

The Last Man Standing Myth: Fresh potatoes and the reality of capitalism

In November, I had the pleasure of traveling to Idaho Falls, Idaho for the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) annual Whistle Stop Tour.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
Phillip Nolte & Nora Olsen

The Potato Event of the Year: University of Idaho Potato Conference

The 46th Annual University of Idaho Potato Conference and 35th Ag Expo are scheduled for Jan. 21-23, 2014, at Idaho State University.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

TOMRA Appoints New Global Head of Food Business

Sensor-based food sorting solutions pioneer TOMRA Sorting Solutions, which creates sensor-based technologies for sorting, peeling and process analytics, has appointed Ashley Hunter as senior vice president and head of its food business.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Tough as Steel

Helping growers make their livelihood safer is the reason behind Safe-T-Pull.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
Dr. Axel Elling and Danny Humphreys

Unwelcome Visitor: Columbia root-knot nematode

Nematodes are small worms that live in diverse environments, including oceans, rivers and soil.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Ventilation Retrofits: When does it make sense to remodel your potato storage ventilation system?

The first thing to consider is the location of the building.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Verdesian Life Sciences Acquires INTX Microbials

Cary, N.C., and Kentland, Ind. — Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC, a Paine & Partners, LLC company, announced that it has acquired INTX Microbials, LLC, a world-class provider of inoculant, seed treatment and biological growth enhancement products.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Where it All Begins: State Seed Potato Reports

Colorado’s San Luis Valley is an ideal location for seed potato production
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue
Ashley Boucher

Where’d That Come From?: Decreasing risk with the Produce Traceability Initiative

The mission of the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) is simple: to help your business fight risk.
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Worker Liaison Service Sets Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program Apart

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — A successful program is administered by Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services (F.A.R.M.S.).
— Read More
January 17, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Workhorses: Potato Grower's Buyer's Guide

A new year means one thing: New models of everything, including tractors. Manufacturers have unveiled powerful new row-crop tractors made to pull any implement and new and more versatile than ever utility tractors.
— Read More
January 16, 2014
Insecticide, New Products
Mateusz Perkowski

Next-generation Pest Maps Track Life Cycles

New maps will allow farmers to better visualize the development of pests based on degree day models.
— Read More
January 15, 2014
Irrigation

Two SWAT Protocols Open for Public Comment : Submit comments through Jan. 31

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Smart Water Application Technologies (SWAT) has released two revised testing protocols for public comment: Sprinkler Head Check Valves Version 2.1 and Spray Head Sprinkler Nozzles Performance Characteristics Version 3.0. Both protocols
— Read More
January 15, 2014
New Products, Potato Storage
Vicky Boyd

New Sprout Control Improves Quality of Storage Potatoes

SAN ANTONIO - With not yet a full season under their belts, applicators are continuing to learn about the nuances of a new chemical that literally burns the eyes off sprouted storage potatoes.
— Read More
January 14, 2014
Seed Potatoes
Nancy Tarnai, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alaska Scientist Focuses on Potato Research

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Jenifer Huang McBeath of the University of Alaska Fairbanks has been researching biological controls and developing environmentally friendly methods for farmers to combat plant diseases since 1985. This work resulted in a patent grante
— Read More
January 13, 2014
Event Calendar

SARE to Host Nationwide Cover Crops Forum

Growers and others in the ag sector are invited to attend a free, live broadcast of the National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health and discuss how to build soil health, improve yields, curb erosion, manage pests and build resilience in their farmi
— Read More
January 11, 2014

Industry Leader Cautions Against Over-planting

SAN ANTONIO - After a disastrous 2012-13 marketing year, fresh-market potato supply and demand appear more in balance for 2013-14, resulting in steady pricing and reasonable returns-but the processing sector still has the potential to affect that.
— Read More
January 10, 2014
New Products, Potato Harvesting, Potato Storage

Simplot Touts Benefits of GMO Potato

Simplot has developed potato varieties through biotechnology and has petitioned USDA for deregulation of the new varieties. The company is working on developing varieties with other desirable traits such as disease resistance and enhanced nutrition.
— Read More
January 09, 2014
Event Calendar

Ag Executive Forum to be Held in Chicago : Global agribusiness challenges are focus of January Chicago event.

"Changing Global Forces and What They Mean for Agriculture" is the theme of the 2014 Ag Executive Forum of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), set for Jan. 28-29 at the Chicago Hilton Hotel in Chicago.
— Read More
January 08, 2014

Potato Expo Opens

The Potato Expo opened Jan. 8. Potato Grower has a booth in the trade show, and is covering the sessions which you can read about in upcoming issues.
— Read More
January 08, 2014

Potato Business Summit: Great Attendance

Great attendance this morning at the Potato Business Summit in San Antonio.
— Read More
January 08, 2014
Irrigation
Dan Wheat

Low Snowpack Raises Drought Concerns

Summer drought is beginning to cross the minds of growers as the Natural Resources Conservation Service says Washington State's snowpack is 44 percent of normal and Oregon's is worse.
— Read More
January 08, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Brookside Agra H2O Excel

Brookside Agra's H2O Excel is an all-natural, biodegradable water conservation agent that helps improve water conservation and reduce the need for water.
— Read More
January 08, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

McCrometer Trendview App

The new TrendView mobile app for McCrometer’s CONNECT Wireless Irrigation and Crop Monitoring System is an innovative smartphone tool that shows farmers and irrigators handy views of what’s going on in their fields.
— Read More
January 08, 2014| Published in the January 2014 issue

Mitas Pneutrac Tire

Mita’s PneuTrac tire brings together the best of both worlds in traditional pneumatic tires and rubber tracks.
— Read More
January 07, 2014
Jenny Hopkinson

Farm Bill Details Expected as Early as Today

Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), one of the farm bill's four principal negotiators, expressed optimism last night that the conference committee will be able to wrap up its work on the legislation this week.
— Read More
January 06, 2014

"Washington Grown" TV Show Expands to PBS

"Washington Grown" begins airing on PBS affiliates beginning Jan. 6. The show blends education about farms with features on area food-related businesses.
— Read More
January 03, 2014
Irrigation
Sean Ellis, Capital Press

Treasure Valley Water Supply Situation Bleak

Farmers in eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho are faced with a third consecutive sparse water year, and snowpack levels aren't helping.
— Read More
January 02, 2014
Potato Storage
Joseph Ditzler, Bend Bulletin

Oregon Grower Giving Away Potatoes

TERREBONNE, Ore. - The once neat rows of stacked cardboard bins are jumbled and sagging now in the storage cellar at Rainshadow Organics off Lower Bridge Way in Terrebone, Ore.
— Read More
January 01, 2014
John O'Connell, Capital Press

No. 2 Spuds Find Fresh-cut Fry Market

The Idaho potato industry has noticed an increase in demand for No. 2 fresh spuds for fresh-cut fries.
— Read More
January 01, 2014
AP

Fries Back at McDonald's in Japan

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