INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
September 30, 2020
New Products

New Product: Joker RX Series

Along with the 20-inch concave notched blade that has come standard on previous Joker models, the RX Series can achieve thorough horizontal fractures at working depths from the surface down to 4 to 5 inches.
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September 29, 2020
Articles
Andy Robinson & Eugenia Banks

Potato Tuber Second Growth

Secondary growth often manifests as heat sprouts, tuber chaining and tuber malformations. This physiological disorder decreases yield and quality of the tubers in the field.
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September 29, 2020
Articles
Robert Johansson, USDA Chief Economist

America’s Farmers: Resilient Throughout Pandemic

The disruptive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. agricultural system have been broad and varied. And they follow several years of trying production and market conditions for U.S. farmers.
— Read More
September 29, 2020
Articles, Irrigation

Can Brackish Water be Used for Potato Irrigation?

New trials run by Innovative Farmers Field lab and funded by AHDB in the UK will research the possibility of using brackish water for potato irrigation.
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September 29, 2020
Articles, Potato Harvesting
Alexander MacDougall

How Drought Affects Maine Potato Harvest

The USDA has made Aroostook farmers, as well as those living in adjacent counties, eligible for emergency funding through the Farm Service Agency to help make up for the loss in crops.
— Read More
September 24, 2020
Herbicide, New Products

New Product: Ampersand Adjuvant

Attune Agriculture's OMRI-listed adjuvant, Ampersand, can reduce the use rate of organic herbicides by 50 percent while maintaining the same level of performance as high use rates.
— Read More
September 24, 2020
New Products

New Product: Massey Ferguson M Series Compact Tractors

New turbocharged diesel engines, styling updates, comfort and convenience refinements headline five new models
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September 24, 2020
Articles, Irrigation

Reinke Recognizes Dealer with Longevity Award

Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has recognized Rain for Rent in Nampa, Idaho with a five-year PLUS Program Longevity Award.
— Read More
September 24, 2020
Articles

Farmer Veteran Coalition Announces New State Chapters

Farmer Veteran Coalition announces new state chapters in Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tenneesee.
— Read More
September 22, 2020
New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: WAI Global Starters & Alternators

Company provides immediate access to the most superior products available
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September 22, 2020
Articles

Apply Now for USDA Reap Grant Program

The Propane Education & Research Council encourages producers to apply for the USDA Rural Energy for America Program Grant, which offers funding for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The new deadline is Nov. 2.
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September 22, 2020
Articles
American Phytopathological Society

New Resistance Gene to Fight P. infestans

In a recent collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the James Hutton institute, scientists identified a diploid wild potato with a high resistance to P. infestans.
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September 21, 2020
Articles, Potato Harvesting
Ann Bailey

Harvest Rolls along in North Dakota

On a hazy, cool mid-September morning, Samantha and Thomas Shephard stand side by side, pitching dirt clumps out of the conveyor belt moving their crop from a truck into a Crystal Chippers warehouse.
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September 21, 2020
Articles
Emma Gwyther

Massachusetts Farm Carries on Family Tradition

If you buy potatoes from the grocery store or get a side of fries when out to eat on the East Coast, there is a good chance you’ve tasted potatoes grown at Teddy C. Smiarowski Farm in Hatfield, Mass.
— Read More
September 21, 2020
Articles

Pilot Program to Explore Growing Potatoes in Extreme North

Northern Farm Training Institute to test seed varieties to see which do best in Canada's North
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September 18, 2020
New Products, Potato Storage

Storage Equipment & Chemicals Buyers' Guide

To help ensure your potatoes are comfortable and safe until the day they become delectable delicacies, we present to you this storage equipment buyers’ guide, with many of the industry’s leading innovations for making sure your crop leaves storage looking
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September 18, 2020
Articles

Chaos: Potato markets can be as calm or chaotic as producers choose for them to be.

Potato markets can be as calm or chaotic as producers choose for them to be.
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September 18, 2020
Articles, New Products, Potato Equipment

Tong: Record Sales of Next-Gen Barrel Washer

Tong Engineering has announced record sales of the company’s next-generation stainless steel barrel washer throughout 2020.
— Read More
September 18, 2020
Articles

EPA Announces Interim Decision on Triazines

EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler declared these fundamental crop management tools safe for continued use in controlling resilient weeds.
— Read More
September 18, 2020
Articles
Jim Offner

San Luis Valley Answers Potato Demand during Pandemic

Many San Luis Valley potato suppliers have kept their product moving well into retail outlets even amid the pandemic.
— Read More
September 18, 2020
New Products

New Product: Airdown

The Airdown system allows truck drivers to quickly and easily decrease and increase tire air pressure when switching between on- and off-road driving.
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September 18, 2020
Articles, Potato Storage
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Top 5: Considering Application of Storage Chemicals

Every potato-growing operation is unique, and storage needs are nearly as diverse as those for planting, irrigating and fertilizing a crop.
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September 18, 2020
Articles

NPC Welcomes USDA’s Expanded CFAP 2

CFAP 2 to help growers absorb impact of ongoing food service disruptions
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September 18, 2020
Articles
Frank Muir, IPC President and CEO

Adjusting Our Focus: Pandemic-driven shifts in marketing strategies

Pandemic-driven shifts in marketing strategies
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September 18, 2020
Articles
Kendra Keenan, Global Marketing Manager for Foodservice, Potatoes USA

Finding a Way: Foodservice innovation with potatoes in turbulent times

Foodservice innovation with potatoes in turbulent times
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September 17, 2020
Articles, New Products

Vive Adds to Sales Team

Five agricultural professionals recently joined Vive Crop Protection to support the company’s unique product offerings across the U.S.
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September 16, 2020
Articles

P.E.I. Potato Farmers Still Feeling Drought

Many potato fields across Prince Edward Island are not in the condition they are usually at this time of year due to the hot and dry conditions for much of July and August.
— Read More
September 16, 2020
Articles, Potato Harvesting
Jim Offner

San Luis Valley Potato Suppliers Anticipate Good Year

“We have had more growing degree days because of warmer temperatures, so the crop is at least a week ahead of average.”
— Read More
September 16, 2020
Articles

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers, Communities Affected by Wildfires

The Department of Agriculture announces availability of assistance for residents and agricultural producers affected by recent wildfires.
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September 16, 2020
Articles, Potato Storage
Phillip Wharton, University of Idaho

Clean Up Your Act: Potato sanitation for healthy tubers in storage

Potato sanitation for healthy tubers in storage
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September 16, 2020
Articles, Fungicide, Herbicide, Potato Harvesting, Potato Storage
Glenn Letendre & Tyrell Marchant

The Autumn Season: Formulating a successful fall chemical plan

Formulating a successful fall chemical plan
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September 15, 2020
Articles, New Products

ServiTech Upgrades Bridge Field Intelligence Platform

Only single-source management program available for lab service, agronomy expertise and technology
— Read More
September 15, 2020
Articles

University of Missouri Electrocutes Resistant Weeds

Researchers are looking to nonchemical answers for resistant weeds.
— Read More
September 15, 2020
Articles, New Products, Potato Storage
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

A Place in the Sun

Gietzen Solar helps growers maximize their energy efficiency
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September 15, 2020
Articles, Irrigation
Derek M. Heeren

Now is the Time to Check Pivot Performance

When a center pivot is running below the designed operating pressure, decreases in water application uniformity can occur, which, in turn, decrease yields.
— Read More
September 15, 2020
Articles

Idaho Pesticide Disposal Program

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has released its schedule for the fall 2020 Pesticide Disposal Program.
— Read More
September 15, 2020
Articles
Kyle Mangum

Permit Approved for E. Idaho Chip Manufacturer

Roots Chips plans to build a small facility that would employ up to five people to process potatoes and turn them into chips near Aberdeen, Idaho.
— Read More
September 15, 2020
Articles

American Agri-Women Support Affordable, Nutritious Food for Families

AAW members have been key players in distributing food boxes, donating food items they grow and raise, and addressing concerns about the national food supply.
— Read More
September 15, 2020
Articles
Michael Hollan

Reese's Rumored to Be Debuting Potato Chip-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cups

According to one Instagram poster, Reeses' Big Cups with Potato Chips will be available soon.
— Read More
September 14, 2020
Articles

Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Washington Potato Industry

Total economic losses from potato production and processing in 2020 stemming from the demand shocks of COVID-19 are expected to amount to roughly $1 billion in gross state product.
— Read More
September 14, 2020
Articles, Irrigation

Alberta Researchers Study Precision Irrigation in Potatoes

Researchers in southern Alberta are studying how potato farmers and their crops could benefit from new irrigation technology.
— Read More
September 14, 2020
Articles, Potato Equipment

Lockwood Continues to Expand Service Team

SS Equipment, Lockwood’s service dealer in the Columbia Basin, has hired Justin Benzel as a dedicated Lockwood service technician.
— Read More
September 14, 2020
Articles

New Feature Allows Entities to Conduct Online Business with USDA

An update to farmers.gov now provides access to farmers and ranchers who are members of an entity, as well as individuals and entities with powers of attorney, to conduct online business with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
— Read More
September 14, 2020
Articles

Research Team Launches Virus Control Research

A University of Idaho team will use a $5.8 million USDA grant to research a pair of viruses that cause major losses in the potato industry.
— Read More
September 14, 2020
Articles
Rebecca Copley

San Luis Valley Farmers Look Ahead

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September 14, 2020
Articles, Seed Potatoes
Joe Kertzman, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association

Gathering Place

U.S. Potato Genebank in Wisconsin supports potato industry in a big way
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September 11, 2020
Articles

Trump, Biden Outline Agricultural Priorities

The American Farm Bureau Federation asked the presidential candidates to respond with their stances on several topics directly affecting America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
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September 10, 2020
Articles

NPC Annual Meeting Rescheduled to February

The meeting, which usually takes place during Potato Expo in early January, has been moved to Feb. 22-25 to coincide with the Potato D.C. Fly-In.
— Read More
September 10, 2020
Articles, Fungicide, Potato Harvesting
Jaime Willbur and Lee Duynslager, Michigan State University, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Michigan Late Blight Forecast

No late blight reported. Weather-based risk is medium throughout Michigan.
— Read More
September 10, 2020
Articles

MountainKing Adds Colorado Grower to Sales Team

MountainKing Potatoes has added Cindy Adkins, a former owner and operator of the nation's largest certified organic packer of fingerling potatoes, to its team of sales representatives
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September 10, 2020
Articles

Red River Valley Potato Harvest Underway as Prices Drop for Reds

After many months of high red potato prices, buyers are having to be convinced to start promoting reds again, leading to a huge red potato price drop over the past several weeks.
— Read More
September 08, 2020
Articles

Potato LEAF Awards Scholarship to Texas A&M Student

The Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation announces Jeewan Pandey as the recipient of its 2020-21 academic scholarship.
— Read More
September 08, 2020
Articles, Between the Rows
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Between the Rows: Inclined to Judge: Should a bad first (or second) impression be such a big deal?

Should a bad first (or second) impression be such a big deal?
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September 08, 2020
Articles

What Does CFAP Mean for Specialty Crop Producers?

USDA-AMS answers a few questions on how the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program can assist specialty crop growers.
— Read More
September 08, 2020
Articles, Potato Harvesting
Rand Green

Wada Farms Expects Excellent 2020 Colorado Potato Crop

The San Luis Valley has had chilly nights and warm days, which should lead to a good size profile and a very nice yield.
— Read More
September 08, 2020
Articles
Florencia Colella, Michigan State University Extension

Am I Running a Commercial Farm?

Know the difference between hobby and commercial farming, and the IRS expectations of each type of farm.
— Read More
September 08, 2020
Articles

What is Farmers' Relationship Status with USDA?

The short answer: It's complicated.
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September 08, 2020
Articles
Stephen Okeyo

Youth, Women Top Syngenta Foundation's Agenda

The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture in East Africa diversity and inclusion best practices advocate for the development of agricultural innovations for all smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs regardless of gender and age.
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September 04, 2020
Articles

Lockwood/Double L Hire Salesman for Columbia Basin

Lockwood has expanded its sales and service reach for customers in the Columbia Basin. Collaborating with Double L, Larry Benzel will represent both companies as the area’s regional salesman.
— Read More
September 03, 2020
New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Kuhn HR 1030, 1040 Series Power Harrows

These power harrows carry Kuhn’s solid reputation into a new generation with updated features and even better performance.
— Read More
September 03, 2020
Articles

AI Research Project Aims to Develop the Farm of the Future

The National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes program awarded a five year, $20 million grant to explore foundational AI goals and innovative uses of AI to develop a prototype autonomous “farm of the future.”
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September 03, 2020
Articles, Fungicide

Late Blight Present in Upstate N.Y.

The Cornell University Cooperative Extension Vegetable Program is warning farmers about the presence of late blight in the Chautauqua County, N.Y.
— Read More
September 02, 2020
New Products

New Product: Fendt 900 Vario MT Track Tractors

Track tractors with unsurpassed ride comfort, power backed by a legacy of quality and commitment to service
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September 02, 2020
Articles

A Look Back at Idaho's Potato Industry History

Henry Spalding first introduced potatoes to Idaho in the 1830s, when he was also introducing Christianity to the Nez Perce Indians in the Lapwai area in northern Idaho.
— Read More
September 02, 2020
New Products

New Product: BioSafe SaniDate All-Purpose Disinfectant

BioSafe Systems’ SaniDate All-Purpose Disinfectant is now labeled to kill human coronavirus.
— Read More
September 02, 2020
Articles
Brian German

Potato Varieties Showing Promise in California Trials

Several potato varieties have shown promise in the Kern County Potato Variety Trial in southern California.
— Read More
September 02, 2020
Articles

Tasteful Selections Adds Store Locator to Website

New online feature will help consumers find bite-size potatoes near them
— Read More
September 02, 2020
Articles

Vive, A&L Collaborate on Sustainable Tech Project

Vive Crop Protection and A&L Biologicals, Inc. are harnessing the power of their combined technologies in an Sustainable Development Technology Canada project.
— Read More
September 01, 2020
Irrigation, New Products

New Product: Toro Flex Connect Layflat Connection System

New layflat fittings are easier to install, remove and reuse
— Read More
September 01, 2020
Articles

Utz Potato Chips Goes Public

Potato chip maker Utz Brands went public Monday after 99 years in business.
— Read More
September 01, 2020
Articles

Stefanou Named as New ERS Administrator

USDA has named Spiro Stefanou to lead the Economic Research Service as its new administrator.
— Read More