INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
October 31, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, Insecticide
Seth Truscott, Washington State University

Defensive Gurus

Helping safeguard the Northwest’s valuable potato crop from emerging threats—tiny, parasitic worms and a fungus-like pathogen that spreads a devastating virus—two scientists at Washington State University have launched new research into better plant defen
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October 31, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products

New Product: MinTerra Fertilizer Solutions

MinTech Enterprises LLC, a full-service material handling solution provider, has launched its new MinTerra line aimed at resolving dust, caking and binding issues for the fertilizer industry.
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October 31, 2019
Articles, Potato Harvesting
Ann Bailey

Red River Valley Could See Millions in Potato Losses

Successive nights of sub-freezing temperatures have caused an estimated $45 million in damage to the Red River Valley red and yellow potato crops.
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October 31, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer

HELM Agro US Hires VP of Sales

HELM Agro US, Inc., a global manufacturer of high-quality crop protection and fertilizer products, announces the hiring of Aaron Locker as vice president of sales for the organization’s U.S. business.
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October 31, 2019
Articles

Vestaron Adds Jackson as Director of Regulatory Affairs

Industry veteran Scott Jackson has been added to the executive team for Vestaron Corporation as its new director of regulatory affairs.
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October 30, 2019
Articles
Chris Koger

IPC Welcomes New Commissioners

The Idaho Potato Commission, has three new commissioners, who were sworn in during the commission’s October meeting.
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October 30, 2019
Articles
Joshua Peguero

Minnesota Growers Push for Disaster Declaration

One farmer even told Governor Tim Walz at a roundtable discussion that it will be game over for his crops if the cold holds for the next few days.
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October 30, 2019
Articles, Event Calendar

Adelaide to Host 2023 World Potato Congress

Experienced researchers and industry experts from across the globe will converge on South Australia in 2023 after Adelaide won the rights to host the 2023 World Potato Congress.
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October 30, 2019
Articles
Jessie Higgins

Fall Weather Could Reduce U.S. Potato Supplies

Potatoes could be in short supply during the coming year after several fall weather events hindered harvests in key areas.
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October 30, 2019
Articles

Crop Insurance Receives Bipartisan Praise

The 2018 Farm Bill was passed last December and included key provisions to strengthen crop insurance and solidify its position as the most important risk management tool for farmers.
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October 30, 2019
Articles, Seed Potatoes, Smorgasbord

The Smorgasbord: La Belle Russet

La Belle Russet is an early- to medium-maturing variety with good early-season yields of oblong-long, medium-russeted tubers. It is notable for its production of attractive tubers produced in varied growing environments across North America.
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October 28, 2019
Articles, Grower of the Month
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Pièce de Résistance

Marketing Quebec’s vibrant potato industry
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October 28, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer

Fisher Joins BioLiNE as R&D Director

Experienced product and market development expert John Fisher has joined BioLiNE Corporation as the company’s new director of product innovation and market development.
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October 28, 2019
Articles

Manual Available for Potato Sustainability Initiative Survey

Most process, and some fresh, growers are requested to participate in the PSI sustainability survey.
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October 28, 2019
New Products

New Product: American-Newlong A1-PB EL Bag-Closing System

The fully automatic, height-adjustable bag-closing system is designed for paper, poly-woven, jute or woven cloth bags. This first-of-its-kind system provides an attractive and consistent finished product.
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October 28, 2019
Articles

Maine Potatoes Sold Successfully at Eastern States Expo

Maine’s classic russet potato was a big hit at this year’s Eastern States Exposition--the East Coast's biggest fair--with more than 65,600 sold to visitors there.
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October 28, 2019
Articles
Jim Offner

Russets Still Rule in Idaho; Reds & Yellows Here to Stay

Potatoes may be a dinner table staple, but they don’t have to be boring, marketers of Idaho potatoes say.
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October 25, 2019
Articles
Corbett Kull

What Every Farmland Rental Agreement Should Include

What happens to farmland values in the future might depend upon whether higher crop prices offset the potentially negative influence of higher interest rates or whether lower prices compound them.
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October 25, 2019
Articles, Irrigation, New Products
Tanner Oliphant

Precision Ag in Water Use

Water is, of course, the thing that has the biggest impact on yields. Water is also one of the least tracked data points when examining yields.
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October 25, 2019
Articles
Jim Offner

Exporters Optimistic about 2020 Shipments

U.S. potato and potato product exports have been on a growth trajectory in recent years, having risen 4.58 percent in volume and 4.63 percent in value in 2017 compared to 2016, for example.
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October 25, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

New Product: McCrometer Non-Programmable Registers

Flow meter manufacturer McCrometer, Inc. recently announced the newest feature to its agriculture product suite: non-programmable digital registers accompanying propeller meters.
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October 25, 2019
Articles
Tom Karst

United's Klompien the Consummate Potato Professional

“He treats people with dignity and respect, even if he doesn’t agree with them.”
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October 24, 2019
Articles, Potato Harvesting

N.D. Grower Struggles to Complete Harvest

Hoverson Farms had about 17 inches of rain and another 20 inches of snow since Sept. 1, and after waiting on muddy, flooded fields to dry, Carl Hoverson needs to get his potatoes out of the ground before temperatures drop too low.
— Read More
October 24, 2019
New Products

Ceres Imaging Announces New Features, Product Improvements

New features reflect evolving grower demands and continued focus on helping growers go from data to clear next steps in achieving maximum yields and profits.
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October 24, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, New Products

New Product: Xyler FC Fungicide

The EPA recently registered Xyler FC fungicide (metalaxyl), and it becomes the fifth product in Vive Crop Protection’s lineup.
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October 23, 2019
Articles

Simplot, Yield10 Partner to Evaluate New Potato Traits

Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. has signed a research agreement with Boise, Idaho-based J. R. Simplot Company to evaluate three novel yield traits in potato. Under the agreement with Yield10, Simplot plans to conduct research with these yield traits within its r
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October 23, 2019
Articles

Michael Wilbur Joins Wilbur-Ellis Board

Michael D. Wilbur has joined Wilbur-Ellis’s board of directors. Wilbur currently serves as president and CEO of Cavallo Ventures, Inc., the venture capital arm of Wilbur-Ellis.
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October 23, 2019
Articles
Sean Ellis, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Idaho Ag Production Value Up 3 Percent in 2018

Potato production value was $1.03 billion, a 5 percent increase from 2017.
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October 23, 2019
Articles

Idaho Potatoes Continue to Grow at Foodservice

Restaurants, institutions and other foodservice outlets continue to provide strong support for the Idaho potato industry, suppliers say.
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October 22, 2019
Articles

Trade Updates with Mexico, Japan, China

The National Potato Council talks about the latest trade deals with some of the U.S.'s biggest trading partners, and what it could mean for the U.S. potato industry.
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October 22, 2019
Articles

Western Growers Names Puglia as President/CEO

The Western Growers board of directors has unanimously selected Dave Puglia as the organization’s next president and CEO. Puglia will succeed retiring president and CEO Tom Nassif.
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October 22, 2019
Articles
Jim Offner

Idaho Anticipates Strong Potato Crop

The Idaho potato season is well underway, with plenty of supplies for holiday dinners, marketers say.
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October 22, 2019
Seed Potatoes
Jeffrey B. Roth

Survival of the Fittest Tuber

University of Maine scientists test 50,000 unique potato seeds annually to find next new variety.
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October 21, 2019
Articles
Matthew Impelli

Study: Potatoes as Effective as Carb Gels for Athletic Performance

According to a new study, consuming potatoes may be just as effective as popular carbohydrate gels for an athlete's performance.
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October 21, 2019
Articles

Cal-Ore Keeps Pace with Potato Consumers

Boxing potatoes decades ago wouldn’t necessarily have been a storage strategy for Sid Staunton and Cal-Ore, but this is 2019. The operation is working to expand on a boxing storage strategy that produces a higher-quality product.
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October 21, 2019
Articles

Farm Bureau: Seeding Rural Resilience Act Will Help Producers

The Seeding Rural Resilience Act creates three initiatives aimed at promoting mental health awareness in rural America.
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October 17, 2019
New Products

New Product: Boss HTX V-Plow

The HTX V-plow brings all the power and innovation of Boss V-plows to light-duty and half-ton pickup trucks.
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October 17, 2019
Fertilizer, New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Kuhn MDS .2 Series Twin-Disc Fertilizer Spreaders

Designed for a wide variety of crop operations, the Kuhn MDS .2 Series offers many features and options to help operators succeed in almost any broadcast fertilizer or cover crop application.
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October 17, 2019
Articles

FMC’s Coen Named to ARA Exec Committee

FMC commercial director Christina Coen will represent crop protection and seed supplier members.
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October 17, 2019
Articles

Michigan Farm Bureau Expects Record Lows for Crops

If projections are fulfilled, many of the state's producers will see a low turnout of several crops this season.
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October 17, 2019
Articles

Differentiating in Produce through Packaging

Packaging can help keep produce safe from bruising and contamination, tell a brand story and help producers differentiate their product from their competitors in a variety of other ways.
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October 17, 2019
Articles

How Cover Crops Can Help Environment & Produce More Potatoes

The P.E.I. Potato Board, potato growers and watershed groups across the island are teaming up on some new research about cover crops this fall. Sixteen field trials are currently underway across the province.
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October 15, 2019
Articles, Herbicide, New Products

Keep Your Weed Seed Bank Account Low

There are still some tried and true methods growers can incorporate to maximize outputs. Weed seed bank management is one such tool that should be a top focus as we approach this year’s corn and soybean harvest.
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October 15, 2019
Articles

Idaho's 2018 Ag Value Released by USDA

Value of Idaho’s 2018 agricultural production totaled $7.69 billion, up 3 percent from the previous year’s value.
— Read More
October 15, 2019
New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Massey Ferguson 5700 Global Series Tractors

These durable workhorses, equipped with Dyna-4 transmission, provide operators with greater efficiency.
— Read More
October 15, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, Potato Storage

Preserve Quality in Storage with Effective Fungicides

The first 10 to 14 days of storage are critical for quality preservation of a potato crop. During this time, risk of disease infection through minor damage sustained during harvest threatens to reduce tuber marketability and weight.
— Read More
October 15, 2019
Articles, Herbicide, New Products

Don't Cut Corners with Cheap Herbicides

It’s all about the bottom line, and in times like these it can be tempting to rationalize that by spending less on herbicides. But, as the saying goes, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.”
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October 14, 2019
Irrigation, New Products

New Product: Valley Insights

Valley Insights, powered by Prospera, uses AI to detect crop health and irrigation concerns early.
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October 14, 2019
Articles, Fertilizer, Fungicide, Insecticide, New Products

Varner Joins Vive Crop Protection

Vive Crop Protection announces that Mark Varner has joined the Vive team as key account manager.
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October 14, 2019
Articles, Potato Harvesting, Seed Potatoes

Idaho Seed Crop May Be Smaller than Normal

"This has been a really weird year," says seed potato grower Clen Atchley. "I don't think in all our years we've been farming, we've ever had a fall that got this cold this quick."
— Read More
October 11, 2019
Articles

Grower Launches Logistics Company

Horizon Logistics is a new company formed by the Halverson Family and Black Gold Farms. Headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D., Horizon Logistics is described as an independent, full-service, asset-based transportation company serving Black Gold Farms, and ot
— Read More
October 10, 2019
Articles, Potato Harvesting

Community Rallies Around Grower as Big Freeze Closes In

Some potato growers still in the midst of their harvest, are lamenting the early freeze, which could damage their potato crop. Thankfully, other members of the community are stepping up to help.
— Read More
October 09, 2019
Potato Harvesting

Photo Gallery: Ball Brothers Harvest

Ball Brothers Produce allowed Potato Grower to come out for harvest last week in Hamer, Idaho. Here's a taste of what we saw.
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October 09, 2019
Articles

Cavendish Processing Facility in Alberta Opens

The $430 million facility, when operating at full production capacity, will process about 735 million pounds of potatoes, employ nearly 240 people and ship fries around the world.
— Read More
October 09, 2019
Articles, Potato Harvesting, Potato Storage
Mike Thornton & Nora Olsen, University of Idaho

Take Action to Protect Against Cold During Harvest

Temperatures will be well below freezing this week across much of Idaho, and there are still some potatoes left in the ground awaiting harvest. Probability of frost damage occurring on some of the remaining crop is high.
— Read More
October 09, 2019
Articles, Potato Harvesting
Lyle Ahrens

Klamath Basin Potato Harvest Going Strong

It’s a busy time of year at Wong Potatoes north of Merrill, Ore.
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October 09, 2019
Articles

Growers Race to Beat Weather

Mud churned under tires on Monday as farmers across northwestern North Dakota and northeastern Minnesota stormed their fields with combines, potato harvesters and sugarbeet lifters in an all-out effort to get crops out of the field before the next round o
— Read More
October 09, 2019
Insecticide, New Products

New Product: Vive Midac FC Insecticide

Potato and sugarbeet growers who want long-lasting control of sucking and chewing pests have a unique new tool. The U.S. EPA recently registered Midac FC (imidacloprid) from Vive Crop Protection.
— Read More
October 09, 2019
Articles

Research Team to Explore Consequences of Sustainability Policies

A rapidly growing global population in the midst of a changing climate had led to serious sustainability issues and choices surrounding water, food and energy.
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October 09, 2019
Articles, Potato Harvesting
Melissa Lizotte

Maine Harvest on Schedule Despite Cool Weather

While last September saw many growers in Aroostook County, Maine, delaying their work in the potato fields due to warmer than average temperatures, this year’s harvest season started with a slight pause due to rain and much cooler early autumn temperature
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October 07, 2019
Articles

Perdue Introduces New Podcast

Secretary of agriculture Sonny Perdue invites farmers and ranchers across the country to his very own podcast, “The Sonnyside of the Farm.” This week, Perdue sits down with Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House press secretary.
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October 03, 2019
Articles
Rand Green

Secondary Displays of Idaho Potatoes Boost Retail Sales

During the past year, the Idaho Potato Commission conducted a research study in partnership with a major retailer to determine the impact of a secondary display on sales.
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October 03, 2019
Articles

Washington Research Institutions Celebrate Centennial

Two Yakima Valley facilities are celebrating a century of aiding agricultural innovation.
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October 03, 2019
Articles, Fungicide
Jaime Willbur & Lee Duynslager

Michigan Late Blight Update

Potato late blight has been reported in Michigan’s Clinton County, with continued confirmed reports in neighboring areas.
— Read More
October 02, 2019
Articles
Tom Karst

Side Delights Starts 'Grown Where It Matters' Campaign

Side Delights is starting a multimedia ad campaign featuring a virtual reality video and podcast programming.
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October 02, 2019
Articles
Roger Betz & Jonathan LaPorte, Michigan State University Extension

Identify Your Farm’s Profitability, Cash Flow

Considerations for the farm business after prevent plant and delayed planting
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October 02, 2019
Articles

USDA Appoints Members to Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Advisory Committee

The ACBFR has been an important part of the USDA strategy to engage, support and service new and beginning farmers.
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October 01, 2019
Articles
Melissa Lizotte

UMPI Opens New Research Greenhouse

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is the home of a new teaching and research greenhouse that will prepare students for real-life work experiences within the agricultural and agribusiness fields.
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October 01, 2019
Articles, New Products, Potato Equipment

Spudnik Acquires STC Trailer

Spudnik Equipment Company LLC announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase STC Trailer LLC of Blackfoot, Idaho. This acquisition will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
— Read More
October 01, 2019
Articles, Fungicide, Potato Storage

Preserve Potato Quality during Storage with Effective Fungicides

The first 10 to 14 days of storage are critical for quality preservation of a potato crop. During this time, risk of disease infection through minor damage sustained during harvest threatens to reduce tuber marketability and weight.
— Read More