INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
October 31, 2020
Articles, Event Calendar

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Set for Dec. 22

ESPN announced Friday that the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (FIPB) will kick off on Saturday, Dec. 22.
— Read More
October 30, 2020
Articles
David Marino Jr.

Maine Expects Smaller Potato Crop, Lower Revenues

The rain that poured across Aroostook County, Maine, in late September after one of the driest summers on record was too late to save the region’s potato farmers from a smaller harvest.
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October 30, 2020
Articles
Ann Bailey

Red River Valley Growers Face More Losses

The farmers whose crops were left unharvested were waiting for rain to soften the dirt clods. Then temperatures dipped into the low double digits and froze many potatoes.
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October 30, 2020
Event Calendar

Commodity Classic Announces Transition to Digital Experience

In-person 2021 event will not take place due to COVID-19 restrictions
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October 29, 2020
Articles, Event Calendar

Potato Expo 2021 Goes 100 Percent Virtual

The NPC has made the decision to make Potato Expo 2021 a fully virtual experience Jan. 5-7.
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October 29, 2020
Articles
Tyrell Marchant, Editor

Fresh Perspective

FreshEd Academy, the Produce Marketing Association’s online training platform, teaches producers how best to manage produce safety risks.
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October 29, 2020
Event Calendar

Calendar: 39th Annual Agribusiness Management Conference

A series of seven sessions will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday or Thursday in the four-week window, except Veterans Day.
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October 29, 2020
Articles

Idaho Farm GDP Has Grown 210 Percent Since 1997

USDA data shows that farmers and ranchers are the main driver behind the significant growth in the state’s overall agricultural sector over the past few decades.
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October 28, 2020
Articles

UI Team Conducts Research on Two Potato Viruses

Entomologists from the University of Idaho are leading 10 state research projects focused on PVY and PMTV.
— Read More
October 28, 2020
Event Calendar

Calendar: 2020 IAPP Annual Meeting

Virtual conference for Idaho Association of Plant Protection to be held Nov. 4-5
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October 28, 2020
New Products

FarmVisionAI Releases Mobile App

The app brings FarmVisionAI’s horticulturist-trained AI to a smart phone platform that can be used while scouting plants and walking the farm.
— Read More
October 28, 2020
Articles, Irrigation, New Products

New Product: Toro Drip Irrigation Fittings

New Toro Fittings provide superior quality and performance
— Read More
October 27, 2020
New Products

New Product: Kubota L60LE Series

A deluxe compact tractor line prioritizing quality and comfort, at an affordable price point
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October 27, 2020
Articles, Event Calendar

Purdue Offering Virtual Workshop on Farmland Leasing

The Purdue Extension Land Lease Team is hosting two virtual workshops for landowners and farmers to learn more about farmland leases, legal aspects of leases and leasing trends.
— Read More
October 27, 2020
Articles, Potato Harvesting
Jack Schemmel

Cold Weather Shouldn't Impact S. Idaho Harvest too Much

With cold temperatures this past weekend and record lows Monday morning, how might area farmers be affected?
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October 27, 2020
Articles
Alexis Stockford

Manitoba Growers See Smooth Harvest but Short Yield

Manitoba won’t see the undug acres of 2018 and 2019, although many yields aren’t bursting any storages
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October 26, 2020
New Products

New Product: Massey Ferguson 1800E, 2800E Series Compact Tractors

New powerful diesel engines, improved hydraulics top the list of performance enhancements
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October 26, 2020
Articles, Irrigation, New Products

New Product: Valley Pump Command : An intelligent, automated control solution for irrigation pumps

An intelligent, automated control solution for irrigation pumps
— Read More
October 26, 2020
Event Calendar

HZPC Organizes Potato Days Live

This year, the event will be held virtually Wednesday, Nov. 4, at HZPC's partners' homes. The theme is "Let's Connect!"
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October 26, 2020
Articles, Event Calendar

UI Pesticide Recertification Webinar Series

The University of Idaho Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program is offering one-hour webinars for pesticide recertification credit, via Zoom (no camera required) video conferencing.
— Read More
October 26, 2020
Articles

Drexel Adds to Sales Team

Drexel Chemical Company announces the addition of Judd Moore as the company’s Upper Midwest sales representative.
— Read More
October 26, 2020
New Products, Potato Equipment

New Product: Summers Supercoulter Samurai Tillage Tool

The Supercoulter Samurai tillage tool provides an ideal option for those who enjoy the simplicity and benefits of true vertical tillage tools, but wish to move more dirt than the original Summers Supercoulter.
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October 26, 2020
Articles

Enhancements Made to Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The USDA released the final rule for its Environmental Quality Incentives Program, updating the program as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and integrating feedback from agricultural producers and others.
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October 26, 2020
Articles

Nichino America Establishes Subsidiary in Mexico

Nichino America, Inc. has formed a new subsidiary, Nichino Mexico de S. de R.L. de C.V., to manage and promote the crop protection business in Mexico.
— Read More
October 26, 2020
Articles, Seed Potatoes

Yale’s Quest for a Better Potato

Through a partnership with the Netherlands-based potato seed company HZPC, the university is growing potatoes tailor-made for the local climate and soil types.
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October 26, 2020

Yield Editor: Improving the Harvest Process

USDA-ARS’s Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit in Columbia, Mo., is helping farmers correct and analyze their yield data more efficiently and more effectively.
— Read More
October 23, 2020
Articles
Sandy Lindblad Lee

Optimism for Red River Valley Potato Industry

The outlook is good for high-quality crops of red and yellow potatoes from North Dakota and Minnesota.
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October 23, 2020
Articles
Jim Offner

Idaho Potato Industry Adjusts to Pandemic's Blow to Foodservice

Potato sales have taken a big turn toward the retail channel during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and suppliers of Idaho spuds have adapted.
— Read More
October 23, 2020
Articles

Potato Sales Exceed 5-Year Records

Record potato sales continued at retail from July through September 2020.
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October 23, 2020
Articles
Adam Russell

Research Collaboration Could Be ‘Game Changer’ for Polyploid Breeders

Genetics tools to speed hybridization in the works
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October 21, 2020
Articles, Event Calendar

Calendar: Farmer Veteran Coalition Virtual Conference

Veterans gather in service to America a second time by feeding the nation
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October 21, 2020
Articles

Fumasi Named Head of RaboResearch North America

Agribusiness researcher and economist leads team to serve Rabobank and Rabo AgriFinance clients
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October 21, 2020
Articles

Irrigation Association Scholarship Program Now Open

Open to students at two- and four-year institutions of higher education, the Irrigation Association scholarship program provides students with financial support. Students who are pursuing irrigation-related degrees and careers are encouraged to apply.
— Read More
October 21, 2020
Articles, Irrigation
Richard Restuccia

Four Benefits of Mobile Drip Irrigation

Mobile drip irrigation combines center pivot irrigation and drip irrigation technology for agricultural irrigation, and the benefits are literally saving farms.
— Read More
October 20, 2020
Articles, New Products

New Product: Zephyr Horizontal Motion Conveyor

Key Technology introduces Zephyr, its next-generation horizontal motion conveyor.
— Read More
October 20, 2020
Articles
Jim Offner

Bagged Potato Demand Surges during Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has put packaging at a premium, marketers say.
— Read More
October 20, 2020
Articles, Seed Potatoes

Maine Certified Seed Potato Book Available

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has made the 2020 Maine Certified Seed Potato book available.
— Read More
October 20, 2020
Articles

NPC Supports Bill Providing Ag Exemption for Hours-of-Service Rules

Introduced by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), the HAULS Act of 2020 modernizes the agricultural exemption to the hours-of-service rules and provides much needed regulatory relief.
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October 20, 2020
Articles

P.E.I. Touts Unique Potato Environment

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board used its virtual booth at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Expo to highlight the region’s advantages as a potato supplier.
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October 20, 2020
Articles, Event Calendar, Irrigation

IA to Host Virtual Ag Irrigation Summit

The Irrigation Association is hosting its first Agricultural Irrigation Summit on Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Eastern.
— Read More
October 20, 2020
Articles, Potato Harvesting

When One Season Ends, Another Begins

With the craziness of the year, let’s look at the season from four different locations across the U.S.
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October 19, 2020
Articles
Chris Koger

Proposal Terminates Washington Potato Marketing Order

The USDA is taking steps to officially dissolve the marketing order for potatoes in the state of Washington.
— Read More
October 19, 2020
Articles

AGCO Names Parker-Smith Director of Global Sustainability

Newly created role to bring broader vision for sustainability across the company
— Read More
October 19, 2020
Articles
Jim Offner

Idaho Potatoes Find Markets in Spite of Pandemic

Idaho potato sales are threading their way through the COVID-19 pandemic by spiking in retail stores while recovering in the foodservice sector, marketers say.
— Read More
October 16, 2020
Articles, New Products

Caltec Ag Partners with Locus

Caltec Ag announces that it now represents Locus Ag Solutions, producers of Rhizolizer and Pantego microbial products, in the western states.
— Read More
October 16, 2020
New Products

New Product: Dynamic Systems SIMBA Lite

The new, low-cost SIMBA system is designed to give smaller produce growers/packers/shippers accessibility to the features of higher-level traceability and inventory systems.
— Read More
October 16, 2020
Articles

IGSA Scholarship Winners Announced

The Idaho potato industry congratulates the students who were awarded a total of $14,000 in scholarships from the Idaho Grower Shippers Association.
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October 16, 2020
Articles
Florencia Colella, Michigan State University Extension

Intro to Recordkeeping for Farm Businesses

Learn the basics of farm accounting in this short article.
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October 15, 2020
Articles

Managing Stubborn Oomycete Plant Pathogens

Be included in the 2021 Plant Health Progress focus issue
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October 15, 2020
Articles
Lynn Grooms

Building Trust in the Food Supply

A unique partnership is working together to promote profitable conservation practices and share those achievements with the public.
— Read More
October 15, 2020
Articles
Kaity Lloyd

Technology Reduces Farm Labor Needs

As farmers continue to struggle with labor shortages, technology steps in with innovative tools to help bridge the gap.
— Read More
October 15, 2020
Articles, Event Calendar

American Farm Bureau Convention Goes Virtual

The American Farm Bureau Federation announced today that its 102nd Annual Convention will be held online.
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October 15, 2020
Articles
Jose Beduya

Cornell Unites Science, Policy to Fight Hunger

New farming methods and crops that perform better in a changing environment are essential to higher living standards, but obtaining these innovations are too often impossible for small-scale farmers.
— Read More
October 15, 2020
Articles

HAULS Act Provides Flexibility for Moving Ag Commodities, Livestock

The Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety Act of 2020 would help accommodate the seasonal spikes in transportation of food, fiber and other agricultural supplies by modernizing the agricultural exemption to the hours-of-service rules.
— Read More
October 15, 2020
Articles
Dustin Nelson

Moe's Introduces Potato Burrito

In the wake of Taco Bell nixing potatoes from its menu, Moe's Southwest Grill is stepping up to make sure potatoes stay in burritos when you need them most.
— Read More
October 14, 2020
Articles
Barb Glenn, CEO, NASDA

Next Administration Must Make Ag a Priority

Biden or Trump, expectations for the next administration should be clear.
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October 13, 2020
Articles

RCIS Joins in #AgMentalHealthWeek

As severe weather and other challenges elevate stress, a global effort aims to raise awareness of farmers’ mental health risks and resources—as well as gaps.
— Read More
October 13, 2020
Fertilizer, Fungicide, Herbicide, Insecticide, New Products

New Product: Xena Spreader-Sticker

Westbridge Agricultural Products introduces Xena Spreader-Sticker, a new OMRI- and WSDA-listed product now available for use on all certified organic crops.
— Read More
October 13, 2020
Articles
Julia Bayly

The Science Behind Which Potatoes Work for Different Types of Cooking

Baked, mashed, roasted, boiled or pan-fried, there’s a lot more that goes into what makes a potato taste the way it does than preparation and condiments.
— Read More
October 13, 2020
Articles
Jonathan Ahl

Ag Issues Unlikely to Swing Presidential Election

Farmers are looking closely at what they might be able to expect from four more years of Donald Trump versus a Joe Biden administration, but they aren't finding a lot of solid answers.
— Read More
October 13, 2020
Articles
Cynthia David

Smaller Potato Packages a Popular Option

Grower-shippers of Red River Valley potatoes offer a selection of consumer packs in addition to the larger-sized sacks, cartons and totes they ship to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers.
— Read More
October 13, 2020
Articles

RDO Equipment Celebrates Women of FFA

As part of the continuing celebration of 50 years of inclusion of women in FFA, RDO Equipment Co. has partnered with the South Dakota FFA Foundation, donating 175 jackets.
— Read More
October 13, 2020
Articles
Paula Mohr

Report Shows Value of Minnesota Ag Industry

Metro counties are where most employees in ag, forestry industries work.
— Read More
October 08, 2020
Articles

Family with Deep Idaho Roots Creates Real Idaho Potato Chips

Brothers Marc and Kyle Nehring put their heads together a few years ago and set out to create an authentic, savory potato chip made from real Idaho potatoes.
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October 08, 2020
Articles
Sean Ellis, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Idaho Ag Dept. Awards Specialty Crop Grants

ISDA has announced it will award a total of $1.8 million this year to 17 different projects that aim to benefit specialty crop growers in Idaho.
— Read More
October 08, 2020
Articles
Tom Burfield

Red River Valley Anticipates Strong Crop

Growers in northwestern Minnesota and northeastern North Dakota say growing conditions have been great this season, and they expect a good-size crop, far superior to last year’s.
— Read More
October 08, 2020
Articles

American Agri-Women Foundation Awards Scholarships

The American Agri-Women Foundation has chosen five scholarship recipients whoplay a positive role in their communities, encourage the present generation of agriculture, and desire to continue their education in agricultural pursuits.
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October 07, 2020
Articles, Fertilizer

Imaging Project Targets Fertilizer Use

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October 07, 2020
Event Calendar, Irrigation

Calendar: Agricultural Irrigation Summit

Virtual event to be held Nov. 5 as part of Irrigation Association's Education Week+
— Read More
October 07, 2020
Articles
Derek Farnsworth

U.S. COVID-19 Policy Affecting Ag Labor

Discussing the major policies affecting the supply and demand of labor in agricultural production during the pandemic.
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October 07, 2020
Articles, New Products

AGCO to Establish New Dealership

AgRevolution dealership to continue supporting producers who rely on equipment manufactured by AGCO
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October 06, 2020
Articles
Jonathan LaPorte, Michigan State University Extension

USDA Releases 2020 Farmland Cash Rent Values

The "USDA Farmland Cash Rent" report is a listing of the county rental rates dating from 2009 to the 2020 year.
— Read More
October 06, 2020
Articles

Potatoes USA Hires Conversation Architect

Natalia Cervantes joins Potatoes USA as the organization’s new conversation architect. Her role will strengthen demand for U.S. potatoes through media relations, digital and online marketing, and social media.
— Read More
October 06, 2020
Articles, New Products

New Product: GROPRO Vigilance Organic Nematicide

One of GROPRO’s flagship products is Vigilance nematicide, which protects potato roots but also adds no stress to the whole plant.
— Read More
October 06, 2020
Articles

Some Maine Growers Expect Lower Yields

Some potato farmers in Aroostook County could see lower yields this year because of extreme drought in the region.
— Read More
October 06, 2020
Articles
Maggie Dresser

Montana Growers Hope for Better Market

When the height of the coronavirus pandemic first took hold last spring, forcing a nationwide shutdown, seed potato grower Steve Streich gave away 70,000 pounds of potatoes.
— Read More
October 06, 2020
Articles

Farm Bureau's Grassroots Efforts

At annual meetings, county Farm Bureaus are working to find solutions to the issues impacting Montana’s No. 1 industry.
— Read More
October 06, 2020
Articles

Looking into Pest Resistance in Wild Potatoes

Wageningen University & Research is investigating wild potato varieties for resistance to a wide range of potato diseases and pests.
— Read More
October 06, 2020
Articles

Tiny & Terrific

Small potatoes are a big deal for Tasteful Selections
— Read More
October 06, 2020
Articles

Ag Barometer Rises as Crop Prices Rally

Farmer sentiment hit a post-pandemic high in September.
— Read More
October 02, 2020
Articles
Nancy Russell

P.E.I. Looks for Ways to Grow Scab-Resistant Potatoes

"Scab would be definitely on top of their radar in terms of a disease they want some solutions for."
— Read More
October 02, 2020
Articles
Koster Kennard

High School Athletes Double as Farmhands during Harvest

Wake up in time to get to practice at 6:45 a.m., work up to a 15-hour day harvesting potatoes, then go to sleep to get up and do it again. That’s the life of a high school athlete in southeastern Idaho for weeks during the season known to locals as spud h
— Read More
October 02, 2020
Articles, Irrigation

Researchers Use Satellite Imaging to Map Groundwater

Satellite data reveals variability in the intensity of groundwater use for different crops in California's Central Valley, a boon for irrigation policymaking across the state
— Read More
October 01, 2020
Articles, Fungicide, New Products

Plan Now to Protect 2021 Crop

If there is any upside to a field with a history of soilborne disease, it’s that you know what to expect going into a new season. One of the most common and serious potato diseases is Rhizoctonia.
— Read More
October 01, 2020
Articles, Potato Harvesting

Idaho Potato Harvest Starts Strong

Potato growers, packers and processors in eastern Idaho say the first part of the 2020 crop looks very promising.
— Read More
October 01, 2020
Articles
Idaho Potato Commission

IPC's "Dr. Potato" a Huge Online Resource

Answers to hundreds of consumer questions can easily be found at Dr. Potato on the Idaho Potato Commission’s website.
— Read More
October 01, 2020
Articles, Potato Harvesting

Red River Valley Expects Nice Potato Crop

Since heavy rain in late June, the weather has been perfect for growing potatoes in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota.
— Read More