INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
February 28, 2014
Irrigation
Dan Hansen

Research Key to Efficiency in Wisconsin’s Vegetable Industry

STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Every year, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetables Growers Association (WPVGA) spends about one-third of its total budget on research.
— Read More
February 27, 2014
Seed Potatoes

PVMI Request for Proposals : Sublicense for production and marketing of new specialty yellow potato with red eyes

The Potato Variety Management Institute (PVMI) has established a relationship with the Oregon State University (OSU) potato breeding program, which has developed a specialty potato with yellow skin, red eyes and yellow flesh that appears to have unique po
— Read More
February 27, 2014
Erin Voegele

USDA Releases Preliminary Data from 2012 Census of Agriculture

Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack issued a statement noting that the preliminary data provides “a snapshot of a strong rural America that has remained stable during difficult economic times.”
— Read More
February 26, 2014
Kristi Pihl, Tri-City Herald

Columbia Basin Potato Contracts in Jeopardy

Columbia Basin potato growers aren't likely to have contracts for this year's crop before they start to plant.
— Read More
February 25, 2014
Potato Harvesting
Andy Nelson

North American Potato Production Down in 2013

Fall potato production in the U.S. and Canada fell 3 percent from 2012 to 2013.
— Read More
February 24, 2014
New Products, Potato Storage

Potato Bruising Thwarted by New Machine: The EZ Down displayed at expo in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

A potato grower and two of his employees from Orwell Cove, Prince Edward Island, are banking on a new piece of equipment they’ve designed to stop the food from bruising.
— Read More
February 24, 2014
Insecticide

Webcast Helps Growers Understand Phytoplasmas

A webcast presented last week by the Plant Management Network provides insight into diseases caused by phytoplasmas in potatoes.
— Read More
February 22, 2014
Fungicide, Herbicide, Insecticide

Proposed Changes to the Workforce Protection Standards: Regulations surrounding farmworker protections updated

Washington — The EPA on Thursday announced proposed changes to the agricultural Worker Protection Standards. This is the first time in 21 years that the rules and regulations concerning American farmworkers and pesticide safety will be updated.
— Read More
February 21, 2014
Irrigation

Recent Storms Ease Some Water Shortage Fears

A Pineapple Express weather system began dumping wet snow and rain across Idaho earlier this month, and now water managers are revising their outlook.
— Read More
February 20, 2014

American Farmland Trust to Host Cover Crop Webinars : Webinars to discuss cover crops’ relationship to soil health, yields, environmental impact

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the American Society of Agronomy will be hosting a four-part webinar series in March to educate agricultural producers and others on the benefits of using cover crops to reduce the cost of farming, imp
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February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue
Phillip Nolte, UI seed potato pathologist

Be Prepared: In-depth information on irrigation available

With the focus of this month’s buyer’s guide on irrigation, I thought this might be a good time to showcase a couple of University of Idaho publications that provide in-depth, science-based guidelines on how to accomplish the vital task of getting your po
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Beating Them Back: Panel: Herbicide-resistant weeds threaten U.S. farms

International weed-resistance experts warn U.S. crop producers that herbicide-resistant weeds are aggressively taking hold in many parts of the country and pose a significant threat to U.S. crop productivity and profitability.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

BioSafe Systems Names Davis Agriculture, Food Safety Brand Manager

BioSafe Systems announces the recent addition of Alyssa Davis to the team as brand manager for the agriculture and food safety markets.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue
Robert Larkin, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS

Complementary Crops: Maine researchers develop crop rotation best practices for potatoes

Crop rotations, in general, provide numerous benefits to potato production, and serve multiple functions.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Driving Mr. Donnie: A Kid and His Truck

The summer before I went to college, I worked framing houses for my contractor uncle.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

FBSciences Receives EPA Registration of New Active Ingredient

FBSciences, Inc., an emerging leader in plant health innovation, announces the key active ingredient in its technology platform has been granted EPA registration for use as a plant growth regulator (PGR).
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Finding the Right Balance: Fertilization and crop prices

Changes in crop prices often generate questions about the economics of fertilization.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue
Jerry P. Wright

Free to Choose

A great advantage to living in America is being free to choose.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Grower of the Month: Tom and Corrie Enander of Grenora, N.D

Some people spend their entire lives looking and never find it. Others grow tired of the search, give up, and learn to be content with what life hands them. Most don’t know what to call it, but envy those who have found it.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Growers Plan New Strategies to Combat Weed Resistance

Three out of four growers who participated in a recent survey by BASF suspect that glyphosate resistance is a cause of their tough-to-control weeds.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Growmark Becomes NAMA Sustaining Partner

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) announced that Growmark, a cooperative organization based in Bloomington, Ill., has become a NAMA sustaining partner.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue
Frank Muir, IPC President and CEO

IPC to the Rescue: Helping consumers understand the health benefits of potatoes

Promoting the nutritional profile of Idaho potatoes is a year-long initiative for the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC).
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Is Potassium Fertilizer Really Necessary?: Examining the possibilities

Recently, the question has been raised of whether or not agriculture should be using potassium (K) fertilizers.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Koch Names New Senior Agronomist

WICHITA, Kan.—Koch Agronomic Services, LLC (KAS), recently announced Dr. Rigas E. Karamanos has joined the team as a senior agronomist in Canada.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Mitas Teams with CLAAS

Mitas announces it has signed a long-term agreement with CLAAS, one of the major manufacturers of agricultural machinery.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

More Boise

What have you been up to lately?
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

New Products: Latest and Greatest

T.G. Schmeiser Co., Inc. introduces the Schmeiser Grader Blade (SGB) Series now available in 20-, 30- and 40-foot working widths.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

New Recyclable MDF Developed in UK: Natural sources including potatoes help to create new award-winning product

A new biodegradable and recyclable form of medium density fiberboard (MDF) has been created that could dramatically reduce the problem of future waste.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Rigas Karamanos: Regalia Maxx Biofungicide Receives International Registrations, Certification

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI) announces FMC, the exclusive Latin America distributor for its Regalia Maxx biofungicide, has received new product registrations in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

The Mission of the Center for Food Integrity

Don’t lie
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

The Power of Deliciousness: New research suggests potatoes be portrayed as finished product

At the core of the United States Potato Board (USPB) retail program is the mandate to enable retailers to reconnect the potato category with their customers by identifying what appeals most to their shoppers.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue
Herbicide
David Fairbourn

Understanding Millennials: New USPB consumer research focuses on younger audience

The United States Potato Board (USPB) is committed to designing and conducting consumer research that enables the industry to identify opportunities and make informed decisions to increase demand for potatoes.
— Read More
February 20, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

USDA Survey of Irrigators Under Way

USDA’s Census for Agriculture collects critical information about the business of growing food.
— Read More
February 19, 2014
Daniel Vanderhorst

USPB Seeking New Members

The USDA is seeking nominations for the U.S. Potato Board. Applications are due by July 1.
— Read More
February 18, 2014
Fungicide

New GM Potato ‘Immune to Famine Fungus’

A new strain of British genetically modified potato appears to be immune to the devastating fungus responsible for the great Irish famine of 1845, research has shown.
— Read More
February 17, 2014

Northwest Farm Credit Services Scholarship Deadline Looms: Deadline March 1

Sons or daughters of current Northwest Farm Credit Services customers, or customers’ employees, are eligible to apply for a college scholarship from Northwest FCS.
— Read More
February 17, 2014
Seed Potatoes

Maine Seed Curator Forms New Grassroots Group

After a rift in the community of seed-savers, Will Bonsall takes matters into his own hands to continue protecting hundreds of varieties of potatoes and other plants.
— Read More
February 14, 2014

Scientists Strive to Produce Perfect Chip Potato : New varieties unveiled at federal Potato Research Centre in Canada

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick — Potatoes bred to make great potato chips were the feature attraction at the annual unveiling of new potato varieties at the federal Potato Research Centre in Fredericton this week.
— Read More
February 14, 2014
Irrigation

Valley Irrigation Recognizes Premier Dealers

VALLEY, Neb. — Seven Valley Irrigation dealer locations have earned Premier dealer status. This top tier of recognition is a new addition to the Valley Dealer Performance Program.
— Read More
February 13, 2014
Event Calendar

Potato Expo 2014

If the scope of discussions at Potato Expo 2014 is any indication, globalization seems to resonate these days within every corner of the agricultural marketplace. This theme is nothing new to many of us, but it certainly seemed to permeate the lion's shar
— Read More
February 13, 2014| Published in the February 2014 issue

Case IH Specialists Train MachineryLink Staff: Company holds technical training series

Case IH continues to make an impression on the industry. Here is an example of how the company has been making news.
— Read More
February 12, 2014
Insecticide

New Pest Text Alerts

For the 2014 growing season, the University of Idaho is implementing a text message alert process as part of the PNWPestAlert.net website.
— Read More
February 12, 2014
Grower of the Month
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Promised Land: Tom and Corrie Enander of Grenora, N.D.

Tom and Corrie Enander of Grenora, N.D.
— Read More
February 11, 2014
Andy Nelson

Wisconsin Grower Inducted Into Hall of Fame

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association has inducted potato grower Myron Soik into its Hall of Fame.
— Read More
February 10, 2014
Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News

Farm Bill to Impact Maine’s Potato, Dairy, Blueberry Industries

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — President Barack Obama on Friday signed a $956 billion farm bill that is expected to give a boost to farmers in Maine but includes cuts to the food stamp program.
— Read More
February 10, 2014

$2,500 RNM Scholarship Targets Ag Students

The Responsible Nutrient Management Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships in the amount of $2,500; available to students attending an agriculture-related program at a post-secondary educational institution in the United States during the 2014-15 sch
— Read More
February 07, 2014

Irrigation Association Applauds U.S. Congress' Passage of Farm Bill

The Irrigation Association applauds the passage of the farm bill by the U.S. Congress. President Barack Obama will sign the bill, the Agricultural Act of 2014, today in Lansing, Mich.
— Read More
February 07, 2014
Insecticide, Seed Potatoes
John O'Connell, Capital Press

Study Shows PVY Costs Idaho $34 Million Annually

A University of Idaho economist has concluded potato virus Y costs Idaho $34 million per year.
— Read More
February 06, 2014
Irrigation
John O'Connell, Capital Press

Idaho Department of Water Resources Warns of Possible Curtailments

The Idaho Department of Water Resources has warned well users of the potential for curtailment this season due to a bleak water outlook.
— Read More
February 04, 2014
John Keeling

Years of farm bill labor bears fruit

Over the past four years, the farm bill has been an agenda item at every NPC meeting, including the Potato D.C. Fly-In where we lobby Congress on our issues.
— Read More
February 04, 2014
Jen Russell, AgWeb.com

U.S. Senate Approves Farm Bill

The farm bill continues to advance as the U.S. Senate approved the legislation today with a 68-32 vote.
— Read More
February 04, 2014
Seed Potatoes
Lacy Gray, Washington Ag Today

New Potato Varieties in Pacific Northwest

During the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference in Kennewick, Wash., last week, new potato varieties were one of the main topics of discussion by researchers and growers eager to find new varieties that are disease-resistant and offer improved yields.
— Read More
February 04, 2014
Irrigation

Butte Irrigation Owner Named IIEA Person of the Year

Brice Beck, owner of Butte Irrigation, with locations in Paul and Kimberly, Idaho, has been selected as the Idaho Irrigation Equipment Association's 2013 Person of the Year.
— Read More
February 03, 2014
Seed Potatoes

Maine Partnership Unveils Two New Varieties

The Maine Potato Board and University of Maine this week announced the creation of two new potato varieties targeted at the french fry and potato chip industries.
— Read More
February 01, 2014
Seed Potatoes
Matthew Weaver

Researchers Seek New Fresh Pack Varieties

Washington State University researchers are examining new potato varieties as an alternative to the Russet Norkotah.
— Read More