Potato Bytes
Potato News
Friday, August 29, 2008
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Northern Plains Potato Growers Association
Office News
From NPPGA Marketing Director, Ted Kreis ~ Barnesville Potato Days– Hats off to the folks in Barnesville again this year. I made the trip down there last Saturday and was not disappointed.
The potato sack fashion show was cool, but I’m afraid you would have to use a lot of Downy in your wash if burlap becomes fashionable. My brother-in-law and I decided the Classic Car Show in the city park was a great place to be while the wives shopped the many vendor tents set up on Main Street.
I decided to sit out the strong man competition this year and give someone else a chance. Next year I’ll have to make it down on Friday for the famous mashed potato wrestling. I think I’ll sit that one out too. The two day event draws thousands to Barnesville every fall, and is a great salute to the potato industry in the valley.
Big Lake “B” Price Strengthens -– The Market News was reporting $23 A’s and $26 B’s last Wednesday. Later digs in Minnesota are producing fewer B’s which has strengthened the B price $3/cwt. compared to last week. Big Lake area shippers are trying to hold prices despite Eastern Canada shipping potatoes to eastern U.S. markets much cheaper.
Idaho Russet Prices Starting Out Strong – New crop50 to 80 count russet cartons are selling for $25 each compared to $8.50 last year. Non-A size 50 lb. bales are selling for $11.25 compared to $4.62 last year.
Red River Valley – Some potatoes are being dug, but harvest of the storage crop in the Valley will begin in earnest next week. The Valley will avoid competing with Big Lake again this year. That strategy proved very successful last year.
From Nick David, ND-MN Extension Potato Agronomist ~ Seminar Scheduled to Educate Growers on New EPA Regulations for Vapam and Sectagon 42 - As most of you are aware of, the EPA has determined that metam sodium (Vapam or Sectagon 42) is eligible for re-registration. However, they are proposing many mitigation practices to reduce human health risks. Many of these practices can be easily implemented, but several are going to limit when, how, and even if you can fumigate some of your fields. I am planning a meeting for Thursday, September 4 th, from noon until 3:30 pm at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, North Dakota (Lunch will be provided). The objective of this meeting is to discuss how these proposed practices will affect your fumigation practices and how you can appropriately express your concerns to EPA. Without the use of metam sodium, Veticillium dahliae would reduce yields in many fields to the point where it wouldn’t be economical to raise spuds. I strongly encourage you to attend this meeting if possible. I expect the registrants, AMVAC and Tessenderlo Kerley, as well as the state departments of ag to be present at this meeting. Unfortunately, a representative from the EPA will not be able to attend, but they have expressed interest in meeting with ND and MN growers in late September or early October. Below is the agenda for the meeting.
Welcome and Introductions
Nick David, NDSU and University of Minnesota Potato Agronomist
Overview of EPA Proposed Measures
Nick David
Buffer Zone Analysis for Metam Sodium Applications
Ralph Frederick, AMVAC
Bob Gestring, Tessenderlo Kerley
Examples of how proposed mitigation measures will impact fumigation practices
Nick David
When and how to submit comments to the EPA
Nick David
Grower Commenting Period
Please RSVP by Tuesday Sept 2 nd at
or (701) 799-8457
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Thompson Announces Selection Dates – North Dakota Potato Breeder Susie Thompson has announced she and her staff will be at the Langdon Research and Extension Center beginning Thursday (Sept. 4) to select varieties. Susie estimates the selection process will take 5-6 days weather permitting. Interested growers are urged to stop by. Call Susie at 701-799-8536 for more information.
NDSU Staffers Looking for Digger Chains
Wanted: About 12’ of digger chain links for 2 row potato digger. Links measure 21 ⅛” center to center, and 22¼” edge to edge with a 2 ⅜” pitch.
Contact: Susie Thompson
NDSU Dept. of Plant Sciences
701-799-8536 Cell
Or
Dick Miller
701-730-0429 Cell
Wanted: Chain for one-row potato digger. 24’’ wide, 3/8” diameter with ½” pitch. Need 19-20 feet. Will take new or used, anything has got to be better than what I have. Also looking for nose cone rollers for one-row digger in good condition.
Contact:Dean A. Peterson
NDSU Plant Pathology Department
701-231-8362 Office
701-231-8471 Shop
701-730-3841 Cell
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Bytes Trivia ~ Last week’s Trivia winner was Delta Daggett, from Daggett Truck Line in Frazee, MN. (Delta was a balloon handler for the Healthy Mr. Potato Head balloon in last year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.) Delta knew India is the country with over 60% of the world’s tigers.
Here is this week’s Trivia question: What is the medical term for a lateral curvature of the spine? Send your answer to tkreis@nppga.org. The winner will receive a ruler-calculator.
This Week’s Amazing Fact : A giraffe can clean its own ears with its 21-inch long tongue!
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NDSU Blightline ~ Welcome to the NDSU Blightline for August 29 th sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection.
Current recommendations: This is the final Blightline report for 2008 season. Conditions for the spread and development of late blight continue to be unfavorable in most of the region during the past two days and late blight has still not been reported in North Dakota or Minnesota. Congratulation to everyone in the potato industry for their effort and hard work in controlling late blight this year.
We want to thank everyone or using the Blightline, and we extend our thanks to Syngenta for their financial support, NDAWN for their continued support and cooperation. Thanks also to Julie Pasche for her assistance with the Blightline, and Darla Bakko for being the voice of the Blightline.
Thank you for using the NDSU Blightline.
Industry News
From the National Potato Council ~ From the National Potato Council ~ ESA Consultative Practice under Review - On August 15, the Department of Interior (Interior) proposed in the Federal Register to amend regulations governing interagency cooperation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. They are proposing these changes to clarify several definitions, to clarify when the section 7 regulations are applicable and the correct standards for effects analysis, and to establish time frames for the informal consultation process. Particularly as Interior is confronted with new and more complex issues, it is important that we have a section 7 consultation process that clearly sets out key definitions and the applicability of that process. As we negotiate the complexities of consultations in the 21st century, we need to have a regulatory framework that supplies guidance to shape those consultations as envisioned by the Act. Comments must be received by September 15, 2008. The National Potato Council is a member of the National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition (NESARC) that is a coalition currently reviewing the proposed changes for comments. The Pesticide Policy Coalition of which NPC, commodity groups and pesticide registrants are members, is also preparing comments.
USDA Not Supporting Sustainability - Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent a letter to the Leonardo Academy President Michael Arny, stating that the Leonardo Academy draft standard was highly restrictive in achieving sustainability. USDA also noted in their letter that each farmer would be required to set plans to become certified organic and be working towards becoming certified organic to fit into the draft standard which is not how USDA views sustainability. USDA believes that standards developed for U.S. agriculture need to be consistent with U.S. law and policies. Therefore, the USDA is not supporting the drafting process used by the Leonardo Academy. The National Potato Council (NPC) is currently engaging in the Leonardo Academy drafting process, in order to better understand how their proposal will affect the potato industry.
APHIS Implementation Meeting – Farm Bill - On August 20, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) Farm Bill 2008 implementation team that met with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS-PPQ) deputy administrator Rebecca Bech, her associate Paul Eggert, and Riverdale-based staffers Matt Royer and John Bowers. He discussed the likely budget scenario of a continuing resolution at the Fiscal Year 2008 level perhaps even through Fiscal Year 2009. APHIS’ timeline is to have a draft business plan ready for review within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by the beginning of September, and hopefully will be completed by October 1 so that a timely request can be made to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to apportion the first increment of funding. John Keeling, NPC Exec. VP & CEO, is the co-chair of the SCFBA and will continue to provide USDA with specialty crop information.
COOL Webinar Available - On August 8, the United Fresh, NPC, Florida Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and several other groups provided a webinar on compliance with the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program that will become effective on Sept. 30, 2008. If you were unable to participate in the webinar, the entire webinar has been placed on a web link. NPC provided financial support for the webinar in order for this information to be available to the potato industry. Please click on website below to view COOL webinar .
Surface Transportation Board Comment Letter - On July 22, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) held a public hearing on the Common Carrier Obligation of Railroads – Transportation of Hazardous Materials. There has been debate by STB regarding the railroads’ concern over the liability associated with rail transportation of toxic-by-inhalation (TIH) materials, which includes anhydrous ammonia. The National Potato Council (NPC) submitted comments regarding the beneficial value of anhydrous ammonia use in agriculture as well as the safety issues involved with the railroads continuing to haul anhydrous ammonia versus trucks hauling hazardous materials. Based on discussions with STB officials there are no immediate plans by the STB to modify existing regulations on the transportation of TIH.
Specialty Crop Advisory Panel - Ed Schneider, Vice President of the National Potato Council attended the Specialty Crop Advisory Panel in Ellensburg, Washington on August 21. The Specialty Crop Advisory Panel was created when the Specialty Crop Competiveness Act was passed by Congress in 2004. The panel is required to report to USDA on issues impacting the specialty crop industry and to make recommendations for changes in USDA policy to address those issues. Schneider provided comments regarding issues of concern to potato growers and other specialty crop growers, such as food safety, pest and disease management, research and transportation.
China Market Access - John Keeling, Executive Vice President & CEO of the National Potato Council (NPC) and member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding U.S. fresh potato market access to China. The USTR had asked APAC members to provide information on China’s compliance with WTO trade regulations since China is a relatively new WTO member. For potatoes, China has been slow to allow fresh potatoes into China. The U.S. potato industry has attempted several strategies to obtain market access and work with the Chinese in addressing their concerns with pest risk. NPC will continue to try to get China to move on these issues.
From the Minnesota Dept. of Ag ~ MDA To Offer Free Waste Pesticide Collection In Seven Southeastern Counties - Program already has collected more than 82,000 pounds of waste pesticide this summer – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a new program called “Clean Sweep” to help homeowners and farmers safely dispose of unwanted and unusable pesticides. A round of collections will be held September 15-18 in seven southeast Minnesota counties.
The Clean Sweep collections are open to farmers, households, commercial pesticide applicators, golf courses, lawn care companies, structural pest control operators and other pesticide users. There is no cost to participate and no pre-registration is required. The program will accept unwanted, unusable agricultural and residential pesticides including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and rodenticides. However, crop oils, adjuvants, pesticide rinsate, fertilizer, treated seed, contaminated soil and empty pesticide containers will not be accepted.
MDA is partnering with regional and county hazardous waste facilities to offer disposal opportunities in every county around the state. The southeast county collections will be held at the following locations and times:
Houston County September 15, Houston County Fairgrounds, Caledonia, 2 ‑ 4 p.m.
Mower County September 16, Harvest States Cooperative, Elkton, 9 ‑ 11 a.m.
Steele County September 16, Central Valley Cooperative, 502 SW 42 nd Street, Ellendale, 2 ‑ 4 p.m.
Freeborn County September 17, Freeborn County Fairgrounds, Albert Lea, 9 ‑ 11 a.m.
Waseca County September 17, Waseca County Landfill, 4.5 miles south of Waseca on Hwy 13, 2 ‑ 4 p.m.
Rice County September 18, Rice County Recycling Center, 3800 E 145 th, Dundas, 9 ‑ 11 a.m.
Scott County September 18, Hwy Ag/Genesis, 820 Main St E, Belle Plaine, 2 ‑ 4 p.m.
Future collection events will be posted on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us (found “In the Spotlight” box). Interested farmers and homeowners can also contact the MDA Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division at 651-201-6562.
According to MDA Commissioner Gene Hugoson, the department has collected and safely disposed of more than 82,000 pounds of waste pesticide since the program started earlier this summer.
“As a farmer myself, I know how helpful it is to have a convenient and safe way to get rid of unused pesticides,” Commissioner Hugoson said. “We’re pleased that this new Clean Sweep program will offer Minnesotans more opportunities to safely dispose of these products.”
From the USPB ~ US Potato Exports Reach Record High For Second Year in a Row - Total US potato exports for frozen, fresh, dehydrated, chips and seed potatoes and potato products were valued at $1.11 billion in the July 2007 to June 2008 marketing year (MY2008). This marks an 11.35 percent increase over MY2007 and represents the fifth consecutive year of export growth. The volume of exports increased 10.28 percent for a total of 1.2 million metric tons (MT). The fresh weight equivalent of these exports comes to 53.4 million cwt of potatoes that left the United States for foreign markets.
These increases were led by continued growth in the largest export category, frozen potatoes, which grew by 12 percent in volume to 760,355 MT. The value increase was a whopping 20 percent to over $655 million. This growth was led by substantial increases to the United States Potato Board’s (USPB’s) target markets in Asia. Japan, the largest export market, with 38 percent of total frozen exports, grew 6 percent to 269,105 MT.
The highest rates of growth were in Southeast Asia where sales to Malaysia were up 69 percent, Thailand—up 32 percent, Indonesia—up 31 percent and the Philippines—up 12 percent. Combined exports to China and Hong Kong reached 76,877 MT—up 22 percent over the previous year.
Sales of specialty products helped frozen exports to Korea grow by 21 percent to 33,976 MT. The only real disappointment was a 7 percent decline in exports to Mexico—down to 84,112 MT from 90,433 MT in MY2007. Much of this decline appears to be attributable to very low priced retail product from Canada and the EU eroding US market share at retail. Exports of fresh potatoes (table ‐ stock and chip ‐ stock) increased by 15 percent to 293,230 MT, valued at $135 million. In this case the growth mainly came from Mexico and Canada. Canada accounts for 59 percent of total fresh exports and grew by 4 percent this past year. Mexico is the second largest market. Despite the restrictions on exports to the 26 kilometer frontier zone, exports still grew by 23 percent to 56,588 MT valued at $26 million.
The USPB’s target markets in Asia, while much smaller, also imported increased quantities of fresh US Potatoes. This growth was led by fresh potato exports of 12,989 MT to Korea—a 448 percent increase, and 16,000 MT to Taiwan—a 28 percent increase. The largest percentage increase was 769 percent as over 5,000 MT of chipping potatoes were exported to the Philippines. Thailand is also a new and growing chip ‐ stock market with exports up 223 percent to 2,733 MT.
Malaysia imports both chip ‐ stock and table ‐ stock and saw an increase of 74 percent up to 7,395 MT. Hong Kong and Singapore are mainly table ‐ stock markets and experienced growth of 5 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Despite the short supplies and significantly higher prices, exports to the USPB’s target markets in Asia were able to remain stable due to strong demand in these markets.
Dehydrated potato exports were the only category registering a decline in MY2008, as reduced supplies in the United States restricted availability for the foreign markets. Total exports were down 12 percent by volume to 88,963 MT with value off 7 percent to $132 million. The biggest decline was in exports to Mexico, down 50 percent as demand from the Frito ‐ Lay Stax plant dried up.
Seed potato exports remained at roughly the same level with a slight increase to 11,203 MT, valued at $6 million. There was good growth in the USPB’s target markets of Nicaragua and Uruguay, and exports of US Seed Potatoes to Brazil and Sri Lanka were the first ever for these markets.
From USPB Public Relations Manager Meredith Myers - I wanted to share this site with you, because we’re all getting into social media at one level or another…plus I’m just so excited this site is a reality—it’s been a labor of love for the past several months! The US Potato Board created www.momsdinnerhelper.com to help moms get dinner on the table with a little less stress. In addition to recipes, this site provides conversation starters and other tips for getting the family together for dinner at least one more time a week. We also encourage other moms to share recipes and tips for their dinnertime successes. It’s part of our overall campaign to “Peel Back the Truth” on potato nutrition.
Post a recipe, share advice, blog on your favorite subject. I’d love to know what you think of our newest on-line resource! I know I’m sending this link to folks who aren’t “moms,” but I would bet you run upon some helpful information or know someone who would find this site a good resource… Visit www.momsdinnerhelper.com. I look forward to your thoughts.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI), being held February 19-26, 2009. The Institute is an eight-day program designed to identify, develop and cultivate new leaders within the potato industry. The Institute focuses on leadership development, public policy, marketing, trade, team building, public communication, presentation skills and more. Participants are selected through state organization nominations and a committee facilitated by the National Potato Council (NPC) and the USPB, who jointly coordinate the program. The Institute receives a major sponsorship from Syngenta, who has long been committed to leadership development in agriculture.
The 2009 Institute will begin in the Columbia Basin in Oregon where participants will receive an overview of the US potato industry, including domestic and international marketing. Tours of local production and processing will be held, in addition to exposure to the unique attributes of the growing area and market. Participants will then head to Washington, D.C., where the focus will move to national legislative and regulatory priorities for the US potato industry and skills training. Training sessions will include presentation skills, leadership development, media training, and lobbying skills.
“If you have a passion for potatoes, the Leadership Institute is the best investment you will make,” asserts Ernie Ford, a grower from the San Luis Valley of Colorado, who was elected by the 2007 class to serve as the grower leader in 2008, then one month later, put his newly honed leadership skills to work by being nominated to the USPB and elected to the USPB Administrative Committee, serving on the Industry Communications & Policy Committee. “You’ll be able to tell people how much passion you have for the industry and show them by leading us all into the future!”
Attached is the Institute registration form. If you are interested in participating in the 2009 Potato Industry Leadership Institute, contact the NPC or your local state organization. Applications are due October 31, 2008.
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Make Plans Now to Attend POTATO EXPO 2009 in San Antonio January 7-9 - Learn more about the POTATO EXPO 2009 by visiting www.potato-expo.com.
Many national potato organizations are scheduling meetings in San Antonio the week of the Expo including PMANA, the National Potato Council, the United Potato Growers of America, the US Potato Board, and the American Potato Trade Alliance. For a complete schedule of these meetings, go to: http://www.potato-expo.com/mc/community/vieweventcalendar.do?orgId=napc&selCalendarMonth=0&selCalendarYear=2009 .
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Items for Potato Bytes? - If you would like to submit an item or announce an upcoming event in Potato Bytes, or if you have a story idea for the Valley Potato Grower magazine, please call (218) 773-3633 or send an e-mail to communication@nppga.org.
