INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
January 31, 2019
Articles

Three Tips for Cover Crop Success

While there can be some added upfront costs, such as purchasing seed, many farmers are utilizing cover crops within their operation because of the long-term benefits.
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January 31, 2019
Fungicide, New Products

Management of Verticillium Wilt in Potato Fields

The application of Elatus fungicide in-furrow at planting for the control of Rhizoctonia, black dot and silver scurf has been shown to suppress Verticillium levels.
— Read More
January 31, 2019
Articles

Technology Helps with Potato, Onion Challenges

Technology can’t change the weather, but it is helping onion and potato growers improve production, protect crops, and find new ways to fight insects and diseases.
— Read More
January 30, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

New Product: IACO Quad Pod

The Quad Pod by IACO is a standalone support structure that transforms a traditional handline into an automated irrigation system.
— Read More
January 30, 2019
Event Calendar

Calendar: Western Food Safety Summit: May 1-2 in Salinas, Calif.; early bird registration ends Feb. 1

May 1-2 in Salinas, Calif.; early bird registration ends Feb. 1
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January 30, 2019
Articles, Insecticide, New Products

Protect Potato Yields From Vector-Borne Diseases

Pathogens like potato virus Y and zebra chip disease cause substantial internal damage to potato crops and can have major economic impacts. Aphids and psyllids serve as vectors for these pathogens, making them even harder to control.
— Read More
January 30, 2019
Articles
Ruth Heide

Colorado Summit Shares Ag Challenges

“We are in a rough situation, and chances are things will get worse before they get better,” Crystal Carpenter, senior economist with CoBank, told attendees at the San Luis Valley Potato Business Summit.
— Read More
January 29, 2019
Articles

Consumer Values Changing

Modern consumers spend more and more money on food. They also often eat out. Foodservice is flourishing more than ever before.
— Read More
January 29, 2019
Articles, Insecticide, New Products

New Product: Marrone Majestene

Majestene protects the plant from yield-robbing nematodes, thereby promoting stronger, healthier roots and more robust yields.
— Read More
January 29, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, Fungicide, Herbicide, Insecticide

Forecast: Global AgChem Market to Surge by 2023

A significant rise in world population and food demand is projected by 2023. In order to serve this purpose, farmers will double the use of agrochemicals in some form or the other.
— Read More
January 29, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

Lindsay, Nutrien Partner to Improve Water Use Efficiency: The collaboration will help growers maximize yield per unit of water application.

The collaboration will help growers maximize yield per unit of water application.
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January 28, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, New Products

Brook Joins AMVAC as Sales Rep

American Vanguard Corporation recently hired Brandon Brook as a sales representative for the Pacific Northwest region.
— Read More
January 28, 2019
Articles
John O'Connell

Report: East Idaho Growers Breaking Even

Idaho potato farmers are getting paid about the same amount for their spuds as they're investing in raising them, according to a University of Idaho Extension agricultural economist's recent report.
— Read More
January 28, 2019
Articles
Chavie Lieber

Can Americans Learn to Love 'Ugly' Produce?: $160 billion worth of produce in the US gets tossed every year. Misfits Markets wants you to eat ugly produce instead.

$160 billion worth of produce in the US gets tossed every year. Misfits Markets wants you to eat ugly produce instead.
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January 28, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, New Products

Verdesian Campaign Highlights Nutrient Use Efficiency : “Keep It In Your Plants” campaign aims to show farmers the detriments of nutrient loss.

“Keep It In Your Plants” campaign aims to show farmers the detriments of nutrient loss.
— Read More
January 28, 2019
Articles

Shutdown Doesn't Delay Potato Research at Idaho Station

The University of Idaho staff at the Aberdeen Research and Extension Center are taking care of business during the federal government’s impasse and harvesting first-generation tubers they have developed.
— Read More
January 28, 2019
Articles

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chef Shares Performance Secrets

"When developing a meal plan, it's critical to choose high-quality ingredients and create dishes that are tasty but also fit the athlete's lifestyle."
— Read More
January 27, 2019
Articles, Event Calendar, Seed Potatoes
Desirai Schild

Seminar Emphasizes Importance of Clean Seed

The 50th annual Idaho Seed Potato Growers Seminar offered optimism and information on how using certified seed is decreasing a variety of potato diseases.
— Read More
January 25, 2019
Articles

Manitoba: Canada's New Potato King?

Simplot is spending $400 million to expand its french fry processing plant in Portage la Prairie. The larger factory, double the size of the existing plant, will be operational in early 2020.
— Read More
January 25, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes

Upper Peninsula Variety Trial Results Now Available: A small-scale field trial of 35 different potato varieties were planted in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, allowing farmers to survey results and choose p

A small-scale field trial of 35 different potato varieties were planted in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, allowing farmers to survey results and choose promising varieties.
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January 24, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer

Why Does Soil pH Matter?

The availability of some plant nutrients is affected by soil pH. Field crops perform best at a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8, depending on the crop.
— Read More
January 24, 2019
Articles

Dollars Up, Volume Varies During Holidays

The value of total store potato sales increased by 1.5 percent during the second quarter of the marketing year compared to previous marketing year. Volume declined by 1.8 percent across all categories.
— Read More
January 24, 2019
Articles

Rising Prices May Pressure Fry Deals: Menu favorite faces squeeze from poor European potato crop

Menu favorite faces squeeze from poor European potato crop
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January 24, 2019
Articles

China’s Plants Sprout (and Die) on Moon: For the first time ever, plants were sprouted on the moon–but didn’t survive long–as part of a biosphere experiment on China’s Chang’e-4 lander.

For the first time ever, plants were sprouted on the moon–but didn’t survive long–as part of a biosphere experiment on China’s Chang’e-4 lander.
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January 23, 2019
Articles, Insecticide, New Products

Vestaron Appoints Mitchell as Marketing Director : Sherry Mitchell provides extensive crop protection strategic experience to Vestaron as it develops its peptide-based brands for crop and ornamental ma

Sherry Mitchell provides extensive crop protection strategic experience to Vestaron as it develops its peptide-based brands for crop and ornamental markets.
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January 22, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

H2OExcel Recommended as Spring Seed Treatment

Utilizing Brookside Agra’s natural water conservation agent and soil amendment H2OExcel as a seed treatment in spring can boost overall crop emergence, quality and growth rate.
— Read More
January 22, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

New Product: Encourage NANOCAL by Oro Agri

Oro Agri announces the introduction of Encourage NANOCAL, a liquid, soil-applied product designed to supply potatoes with readily available calcium during periods of high demand such as tuber formation.
— Read More
January 22, 2019
Articles, New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Tong Barrel Washer

Tong Engineering has announced its next-generation barrel washer as the company continues to advance its complete range of vegetable washing solutions.
— Read More
January 22, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, New Products

United Phosphorus (UPI) Changes Name to UPL NA

UPL, a global leader in the production of high-quality crop protection products, announces that the company changed the name of its North American operation from United Phosphorus, Inc., to UPL NA Inc., effective Jan. 1.
— Read More
January 22, 2019
Articles
Hannah Anderson

The Little Potato Company Shares Its Story

Angela Santiago co-founded The Little Potato Company Ltd. 21 years ago with her father, who missed the delicious little “creamer” potatoes of his child in the Netherlands.
— Read More
January 21, 2019
Articles

NPPGA President Discusses Industry Challenges

New Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) president Donavon Johnson discusses some of the challenges in the potato industry at Potato Expo.
— Read More
January 21, 2019
Articles, Potato Storage

Keeping Quality Up: Using peroxyacetic acid for increasing quality and decreasing loss

Using peroxyacetic acid for increasing quality and decreasing loss
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January 21, 2019
Articles

Maine School District Reinstates Harvest Break: The largest district in Presque Isle had ended the break, intended to allow students to help with the harvest, but business leaders complained.

The largest district in Presque Isle had ended the break, intended to allow students to help with the harvest, but business leaders complained.
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January 21, 2019
Articles, Event Calendar
Bill Schaefer

Idaho Potato Conference Set to Begin

The 51st annual conference will convene Wednesday in the Pond Student Union on the Idaho State University campus and concludes Thursday afternoon.
— Read More
January 21, 2019
Articles

Texas A&M Institute to Address Diet-Related Health: Through precision nutrition, institute will connect agriculture, dietary health and food

Through precision nutrition, institute will connect agriculture, dietary health and food.
— Read More
January 18, 2019
Articles

Michigan Potatoes Launches “Free Groceries” Campaign : Statewide retail campaign will help promote Michigan’s growers

Statewide retail campaign will help promote Michigan’s growers
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January 17, 2019
Articles, New Products, Potato Storage

New Product: Drexel Sprout-Stop

Sprout-Stop from Drexel Chemical is a liquid growth retardant used to prevent sprouting in potatoes and onions.
— Read More
January 17, 2019
Articles

Deadline Approaching for Irrigation Foundation Scholarship

Apply by Feb. 15 to be considered for the 2019 Irrigation Foundation scholarship program. The scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, are awarded based on the candidate’s letter of intent, financial need, resume, list of irrigation courses and letter
— Read More
January 17, 2019
New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Kuhn Krause Dominator 4856

Kuhn North America, Inc., introduces the new Dominator 4856 combination primary tillage system boasting product features designed to provide optimal compaction removal and residue handling, while reducing maintenance time.
— Read More
January 17, 2019
Articles

HELM Agro US Hires Taylor

HELM Agro US, Inc. has hired Craig Taylor as the company’s new Northern Corn Belt regional sales manager. He will promote sales of the HELM crop protection portfolio and support the company’s distributor and retailer network in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska,
— Read More
January 16, 2019
New Products

New Product: Flexicon Bulk-Out Bulk Bag Discharger

A new Bulk-Out bulk bag discharger from Flexicon features stainless steel open-channel construction for applications in which contamination of the product or equipment cannot be tolerated.
— Read More
January 16, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes

2018 State Certified Seed Potato Reports

The past year was a pretty good one for most seed producers across the U.S.
— Read More
January 16, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

Resolution: Work Smarter, Not Harder

There is a plethora of tools to help do the job more efficiently, freeing you to use your time for other, more enjoyable things.
— Read More
January 16, 2019
Articles

Trump Formally Nominates Wheeler to Head EPA

President Trump has formally nominated Andrew Wheeler, a former energy lobbyist who has led the agency in an acting capacity for six months, to serve as EPA administrator.
— Read More
January 16, 2019
Event Calendar, Seed Potatoes
Natalie Parletta

World Potato Crop Suffering "Inbreeding Depression": Study says modern propagation techniques are reducing crop fitness

According to researchers, a large proportion of the world's potato crops are suffering from severe depression, the weakening of an organism’s genetic makeup from excessive breeding with close relatives.
— Read More
January 15, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

New Product: Brandt GlucoPro Plant Growth Regulator

GlucoPro is a revolutionary new plant growth regulator and the first molecule of its kind in agriculture.
— Read More
January 14, 2019
New Products, Potato Equipment

Tractor Buyers' Guide

Here’s your chance to get a glimpse of some of those enormous mechanical beauties that chug along through every grower’s daydreams.
— Read More
January 14, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

New Product: Legion Bio Chem EnduraSeed: Newly launched seed treatment adds to robust biological product offering

Newly launched seed treatment adds to robust biological product offering
— Read More
January 14, 2019
Articles

Potato Biodiversity Film Released

“Opening the Earth: The Potato King” is a documentary about Peruvian Julio Hancco, one of the few remaining true guardians of biodiversity left in the world.
— Read More
January 14, 2019
Articles

The Traceability Trend

Mintel, a global market research company, named traceability—the ability to see where food comes from, what it’s made with, and by whom—one of the five most important food and drink trends for 2018.
— Read More
January 14, 2019
Articles

USDA Broadband Program Will Boost Rural Economy

Rural broadband is essential to modern agriculture, the farmers and ranchers who grow our food and to the quality of life for rural Americans.
— Read More
January 10, 2019
Articles
Bruce Pavlik, Cynthia Wilson, John Bamberg, Alfonso del Rio & Lisbeth Louderback

The Archaeology of Potatoes: Understanding the transition from wild to domesticated to market

Understanding the transition from wild potato species to the domesticated to market
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January 08, 2019
Articles, Irrigation
Deana Knuteson & Jed Colquhoun

When Water Works : Wisconsin Water Stewards program puts water conservation strategies in action

Wisconsin Water Stewards program puts water conservation strategies in action
— Read More
January 08, 2019
Articles, Grower of the Month
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Peak Performance: MountainKing’s long climb to the top

MountainKing’s long climb to the top
— Read More
January 08, 2019
Articles, Herbicide, New Products

FMC to Introduce Two New Herbicide Modes Of Action in Next Decade

In a world where resistant weeds run rampant, one chemical company is bringing relief to producers. FMC will introduce a novel rice herbicide and a corn and soybean herbicide in the next five to 10 years.
— Read More
January 07, 2019
Articles

IPC Adds Grower Relations Page to Website

The Idaho Potato Commission has added a new “Grower Relations Tab” under the “Industry” section of the commission's website.
— Read More
January 07, 2019
Articles

NNZ Makes New Hires

NNZ USA, a supplier of packaging for agricultural markets, recently hired David Larkin as vice president of sales and marketing, Jarek Sochacki as technical director, Chip Manuel as sales manager, and Steve Carey as sales manager.
— Read More
January 07, 2019
Articles

Scientists Hack Photosynthesis to Boost yields

An international team of researchers has, for the first time, demonstrated that by fixing a common glitch in photosynthesis, a crop's yield could be improved by around 40 percent.
— Read More
January 07, 2019
Articles, Event Calendar

AMVAC VP to Present at Potato Business Summit

Bob Trogele, chief operating officer and executive vice president of American Vanguard, parent company of AMVAC, will present a global AgChem outlook and implications on the U.S. potato industry at the Potato Business Summit this week.
— Read More
January 07, 2019
New Products

New App Connects Beekeepers and Growers

Pollination Network, a mobile app that connects beekeepers and growers, helps beekeepers find jobs with nearby growers, and it allows growers to post public listings and hire beekeepers within the app.
— Read More
January 06, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer
George Silva, Michigan State University Extension

Year-End Fertilizer Prices: The year-end retail prices of all major fertilizers were higher in 2018 compared to 2017, according to USDA statistics.

The year-end retail prices of all major fertilizers were higher in 2018 compared to 2017, according to USDA statistics.
— Read More
January 05, 2019
Articles, Irrigation, New Products

Reinke Recognizes Rain for Rent

Reinke recently recognized Rain for Rent, as one of the top 10 highest-selling Reinke dealerships throughout the U.S. and Canada, in acknowledgment of the company’s marketing year success.
— Read More
January 05, 2019
Articles
Tom Karst

Preservation Technology Awaits Commercial Use

Jerry Twinam has created a patented process that preserves fresh peeled and cut potatoes for at least 35 days when the product is refrigerated.
— Read More
January 04, 2019
Articles

Peruvians Breeding 'Super Potato': New variety contains twice as much iron and zinc as conventional tubers

New variety contains twice as much iron and zinc as most conventional tubers
— Read More
January 04, 2019
Articles

Experiment Shows Potato Could Grow on Mars

A recent experiment has taken place in the Peruvian capital, Lima. The experiment saw a potato plant growing in conditions similar to what you might find on the surface of Mars.
— Read More
January 04, 2019
Articles

Canadian Bank Launches Relief Program for P.E.I. Growers

The Bank of Montreal has launched a financial relief program for potato farmers affected by P.E.I.’s adverse weather during the 2018 harvest.
— Read More
January 04, 2019
Articles

Cavendish Fry Plant Fueled by Scraps

What goes around comes around at Cavendish Farms' plant in New Annan, P.E.I.—potato scraps from the french fry plant are used at the nearby biogas facility to fuel the fry factory they came from.
— Read More
January 04, 2019
Articles
Julia Bayly

Agri-Women Reconnecting Maine to Its Ag Roots

As far as Pam Townsend is concerned, even if someone has never set foot on a farm before, they are connected to agriculture.
— Read More
January 02, 2019
Articles

Global Fry Shortage Likely Looming

“There are a lot of issues in the global potato market that will impact the U.S.,” Bruce Huffaker told participants during the University of Idaho Ag Outlook.
— Read More
January 02, 2019
Articles

McCain Celebrates 40 Years in Manitoba

Throughout 2019, McCain Foods will celebrate 40 years of sustained operation and investment in Manitoba together with employees, growers and neighbors in the local communities where it operates: Carberry and Portage la Prairie.
— Read More
January 02, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes
Magdalen Lindeberg

Lamoka Among Top Chipping Potato in U.S.

A 2018 report on seed potato acreage from the Potato Association of America reveals that Lamoka is the chipping potato cultivar most widely planted for seed in the U.S.
— Read More
January 02, 2019
Articles
Ron Sterk

USDA Announces GMO Labeling Standard

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Dec. 20 announced the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which requires food manufacturers, importers and certain retailers to label foods containing genetically modified or bioengineered ingredients.
— Read More