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PublicationsMailAgreement40030841SPUDSMART.COMFALL2014THEBENEFITSOFBRANDINGAEROPONICPRODUCTIONANEWWAYTOGROWPOTATOESVariableRateIrrigationWIREWORMCONTROLISBIFENTHRINTHEANSWERBestPracticesforMinimizingBruisingFIELDDAYSResearchersShowcasePlotTrialsAcrosstheCountry CASEIHMAGNUMROWTRACThemostpowerfulMagnumtractoryet-theRowtracprovidesleadinghorsepowerandfuelefciencywiththebenetsofawheeledmachinebutotationperksofatrackedmodel.WhetheryouaretillingplantingseedingorharvestingtheMagnumRowtraccomesintwomodelsavailablewith8.7Lenginethatboasts340or380HP.Minimalsoildisturbancewhenturning-lesscompactionandmoretractionthismachineoffersyoutheperformanceofaSteigerbroughttoyouinaxedframedrowcroptractor.VisitRockyMountainEquipmenttodayforthefullperformancedetailsandbenetsofowningaCaseIHMagnumRowtrac.1-855-RME-1427ROCKYMTN.COMRockyMountainEquipmentDEPENDABLEISWHATWEDO. 1FALL2014Features04WIREWORMCONTROLTheelusiveSilverBullet.06ANEWWAYTOGROWCouldaeroponicseedpotatoproductionbethewayofthefuture12POTATOSHOWPLACEAlookinsidetheCanadianPotatoMuseuminOLearyP.E.I.18MAKINGANAMEHowpotato-basedbusinessescanbenetfrombranding.22NUTRITIONINACOMPACTPACKAGEOntarioresearchersstudyinghealthbenetsofpigmentedpotatoesandhowtopromotethem.24ACHANGEOFSCENERYAirporthostsPotatoGrowersofAlbertaSouthFieldDay.26ABUGSLIFELookingbackatthecolourfulpastofColoradoPotatoBeetle.contentsfall2014spudsmart.comyouronlinepotatobusinessresource12263406OntheCoverKaylyLetkemanofGaiaConsultingcollectingpetiolesamplesforanitrogenmanagementplottestattheCanada-ManitobaCropDiversicationCentrewhichheldaeldtrialtourforgrowersatitsCarberryMan.siteinAugust.PublicationsMailAgreement40030841SPUDSMART.COMFALL2014THEBENEFITSOFBRANDINGAEROPONICPRODUCTIONANEWWAYTOGROWPOTATOESVariableRateIrrigationWIREWORMCONTROLISBIFENTHRINTHEANSWERBestPracticesforMinimizingBruisingFIELDDAYSResearchersShowcasePlotTrialsAcrosstheCountryPlus36EYEONTHENATIONPotatonewsfromacrossthecountry.Departments02FROMOURDESKThebenetsofelddays.32ROUNTABLEBestpracticesforminimizingbruising.34INTHEFIELDBEDPLANTINGUPDATERecentstudyillustratesbenetsofusingthisalternativetoridgedrowplanting.44TUBERTALKWITHLUKIEPIETERSEAssessingvariablerateirrigation.48MARKETNEWSCanadiancropproductionguresfor2014.50WORLREVIEWNewsandinsightsfromaroundtheglobe.52ATTHEROOTBreakingindustrynews.56GROWERSPOTLIGHTAlbertasWindianaFarms SPUDSMART.COM2Fall2014Vol.11No.4SpudSmartisaresourceforCanadianpotatoproducersandisdedicatedtothepromotionofinnovationsustainablesuccessandgrowerprotability.SubscriptionsCanadaCDN45.00yearplusGSTInternationalCDN95.00yearIssuesInk6327435CanadaLtd.403-313PacicAvenueWinnipegMBR3A0M2Phone204453-1965Fax204475-5247e-mailissuesissuesink.comspudsmart.comPublisherShawnBrooksbrookissuesink.comEditorMarkHalsallmhalsallissuesink.comEditorialJulieDeeringLindsayHoffmanShannonSchindleMarcZienkiewiczEditorialAdvisorLukiePieterseEditorialAdvisoryBoardKhalilAl-MughrabiPhDPathologistPotatoDevelopmentCentreNewBrunswickDepartmentofAgricultureAquacultureandFisheriesBenoitBizimunguPhDScientistBreederPotatoResearchCentreRobertC.BobHamiltonProductManagerPotatoesVegetablesEngageAgroJasonKehlerOwnerManagerKehlerFarmsLtd.KeithKuhlChairmanCanadianPotatoCouncilBillMoonsTerritorySalesManagerHorticultureBayerCropScienceRickD.PetersPhDResearchScientistAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadaJanetPorchakMBANationalMarketingManagerUAPCanadaTracyShinners-CarnelleyPhDDirectorResearchQualityEnhancementPeakoftheMarketBertTuplingOwnerShareholderTuplingFarmsLtd.PeterVanderZaagPhDOwnerSunrisePotatoHubertZandstraPhDDirectorGeneralEmeritusInternationalPotatoCenterMarketingmarketingissuesink.comCraigArmstrongBrendaEzinickiMaeganMarriottSamMostafaHitenShahArtandProductionKyleDratowanyTheresaKurjewiczCalebMacDonaldVinceMendellaLesleyNakonechnyCirculationDeanFrenchBradGordonSpudSmartmakesnoexpressedorimpliedwarrantiesofmerchantabilityortnessforaparticularpurposeorotherwiseconcerningtheuseofanyproductandassumesnoliabilityforanyinjuryordamagedirectorconsequentialincurredfromtheuseofsuchproductsorservicestherein.FederalProvincialandMunicipallawsandregulationssupersedetheinformationcontainedherein.PublicationsMailAgreementNo.40030841.ReturnundeliverableCanadianaddressestoIssuesInk403-313PacicAvenueWinnipegMBR3A0M2PRINTEDINCANADAPleaserecyclewherefacilitiesexist.Nopartofthismagazinemaybereproducedwithoutthewrittenpermissionofthepublisher.PrivacyCodeToviewourprivacypolicygotoourwebsiteatspudsmart.comFROMOURDESKTheBenetsofFieldDaysByMarkHalsallFIELDDAYS.Mostpotato-producingregionsofthecountrysawatleastoneofthesethispastsummerprovidinggrowerswiththeopportunitytolearnaboutnewvarietiesandagronomicpracticescheckoutthelatestfarmequipmentandtechnologiesandnetworkwiththeirpeersandindustrytypes.Andperhapsevenasimportantlyrelaxalittlebit.PeterVanderZaagwhowasMCatthe2014OntarioFieldDayinAllistonOnt.inAugustwilltellyouonereasongrowersenjoygoingtoelddaysistogetabitofabreakintheirbusysummer.WerefocusedonthegrindstoneandthenwesortofgetachancetosayHeyhowareyouguysdoinghowarethingsgoingsaysVanderZaag.Hefeelselddaysaretypicallymorerelaxedthattheoff-seasonpotatotradeshowsandconferencesandthatforgrowersconnectingoutdoorsataelddayisagreatwaytocatchupwiththeirfriendsandneighbours.Youreoutwalkingaroundlookingatallthisnewequipmentandtheresmorefarmtalkinarelaxedkindofatmosphere.Plustheresalwaysgoodfoodhelaughs.Thepotatocommunityissmallandinmanyrespectsafamily.VanderZaagsaysforhimthehighlightofthisyearsOntarioFieldDaywaswheneveryonegatheredtocongratulatehisuncleretiredgrowerHarryJacobVanderZaagonhis90thbirthday.HiskidsandhisgrandkidswerethereandeverybodysangHappyBirthdaytohimhesays.Everybodyallthoughtitwasgreat.SPUDSMARTstaffandcorrespondentsvisitedanumberelddayeventsacrossthecountrythispastsummer.ContributorLorenaPahlattendedthePotatoGrowersofAlbertaSouthFieldDayheldinTaberAlta.inAugustherreportcanbefoundonpage24.AttheUniversityofGuelphsPotatoResearchFieldDayinAugustwespoketoacoupleofOntarioresearchscientistswhodeliveredpresentationsontheimportanttopicofpotatonutrition.Thatarticleisonpage22.Iwasfortunateenoughtoattendaelddayeventmyself.AtthePotatoFieldTrialTourhostedbytheCanada-ManitobaCropDiversicationCentreinCarberryMan.inAugustIwasabletoseeandhearaboutinnovativeresearchworkinsuchareasasnitrogenmanagementandvariablerateirrigationVRI.TuberTalkonpage44includesinsightsonVRIfromagronomistAlisonNelsonwhomImetattheeldday.KaylyLetkemanwasoneofthosehardatworkinoneofthenitrogenmanagementtestplotswhenIwasouttherethatdayandhersmilegracesthecoverofthisissueofSpudSmart. Acondentgrowerdoesntneedtoboast.Andneitherdowe.Inthisbusinessitsnotaboutwhatyousayitsaboutwhatyoudo.AndTitanEmestoseed-piecetreatmentsuredelivers.Itllhelpprotectyourcropagainstthebroadestspectrumofinsectsandagainstallmajorseed-bornediseasesincludingrhizoctoniasilverscurfandfusariumevencurrentresistantstrains.Whenyoucanseethatyourcoverageisthisgoodcondencecomesnaturally.VisitTitanEmesto.caandseewhatcondencecandoforyou.BayerCropScience.caor1888-283-6847orcontactyourBayerCropSciencerepresentative.Alwaysreadandfollowlabeldirections.EmestoandTitanaretrademarksoftheBayerGroup.BayerCropScienceisamemberofCropLifeCanada. SPUDSMART.COM4WITHWIREWORMSontheriseinCanadaandthemainweaponagainstthemsoontobetakenoffthemarketitsaquestionthatstopofmindformanypotatoproducersthesedays.IsthereanothersilverbulletouttherethatwilltaketheplaceofThimetWirewormsarethinhard-bodiedlarvaeoftheclickbeetlethatfeedontherootsofcerealsandothercropsincludingpotatoes.InrecentyearsThimet15Ghasbeentheinsecticideofchoiceforpotatogrowersghtingtocontrolthisvoraciouspestinthehardest-hitareasofthecountrysuchasPrinceEdwardIslandwhereproducershavebeenplaguedbywirewormsforyearsandtheproblemcontinuestoworsen.HoweverCanadasregulatorsarephasingoutThimetasaresultofenviron-mentalconcernsandtheorganophospateinsecticidewillnolongerbeavailableforuseonpotatoesasofAug.12015.ThismoveispartoftheNationalPesticideRiskReductionStrategyforWirewormdevisedbyAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadaalongwithHealthCanadasPestManagementRegulatoryAgency.TheAAFCswebpageoutliningthestrategystatesTraditionallywirewormshavebeencontrolledusingorganophosphateinsecticides.ThereissignicantriskassociatedwiththeuseoforganophosphateFEATUREproductsandtheyarethereforebeingwithdrawnfromregistration.ThestrategydevelopedforwirewormriskreductionisthuscenteredontheneedtofindlowerriskreplacementpestcontrolproductsandpracticesforthecontrolofwireworminCanadianagriculture.Underthestrategyresearchershavebeeninvestigatingnewoptionsforwirewormcontrolwhichincludenumerousinitiativesinvolvingdifferentcombinationsofcroprotationsaswellasinsecticideefcacystudies.ManyintheindustryhaveheldouthopethatpronilasuccessfulweaponagainstwirewormsinpotatoesintheUnitedStatescouldbethesilverbullettoreplaceThimetandprovideeffectivelong-lastingcontrolofthepestinCanada.FipronilhoweverisntregisteredinthiscountryanditsuptothechemicalindustrytodecidetopursueregistrationoftheproductforuseonpotatoesinCanada.ThathasnthappenedyetandisntlikelytoanytimesoonaccordingtoBobVernonwholeadsanAAFCnationalwirewormresearchproject.VernonsaysatoppriorityforhisteamisndingareplacementforThimet.OneofControllingWIREWORMSAsthesituationworsensinpotatoeldsinPrinceEdwardIslandandotherareasofCanadathesearchisintensifyingforachemicalreplacementforThimet.IsbifenthrintheactiveingredientinrecentlyregisteredpesticideCapturetheanswertheirstrategiesinvolvedcombiningverylowamountsofpronilwithlowamountsofanneonicotinoidinsecticidecreatinganeffectivetreatmentforwirewormsincerealcrops.ItpronilwasaperfecttforwirewormcontrolinCanadasaysVernonaddingthatthelowdosageofpronilusedinhiswirewormtreatmentlessthanonegramofpronilperacrewouldresultinamuchlowerenvironmentimpactthanThimetforexample.TubercontainingmaturelarvaeofthePacicCoastwirewormLimoniuscanus. 5FALL2014NewProductonMarketTheremaybehopeonthehorizonhowever.TheindustryiswelcominganewweaponagainstwirewormthisyearwiththeintroductionofCapture.RegisteredbyFMCforcontrollingwireworminpotatoesandraspberriesthispastMaythenewinsecticidefeaturesasyntheticpyrethoidknownasbifenthrinasitsactiveingredient.BifenthrindoesnotdegradeinlightorsoillikeregularpyrethoidsandwillgivethegrowingseasoncontrolofwirewormdamagesaysMcMillanFMCsbusinessmanagerforEasternCanada.McMillansaysthecompanysbifenthrinproductisknownasBrigadeintheUnitedStatesandthatitshasbeenusedextensivelyformanyyearstocontrolwirewormdamageinpotatoessouthoftheborder.HoweverhesoundsacautionarynoteforCanadiangrowershopingforasilverbullet.Itsnotthesilverbulletthatsgoingtoeliminatethewirewormissuehesays.Wirewormsarestillgoingtobeanissue.ButCapturecertainlyprovidesaprotectivezonelikeThimettohelpprotectthetubersagainstwirewormattack.McMillanmaintainsCapturestudiesconductedinCanadaoverthepastfewyearshaveconcludedtheproductcomparesfavorablytoThimetincontrollingwirewormdamage.HesaysgrowersinPrinceEdwardIslandhaveusedCaptureonpotatoeldsthissummerforthersttimeandtheywillbeabletoevaluateforthemselveshowthepesticidestacksupagainstThimet.McMillansayshispreliminaryobservationsduringarecentvisittoPrinceEdwardIslandlookedverypromisingindicatingthatCapturewouldlikelygivethesametuberprotectionfromwirewormthatThimetdoes.TracyShinners-CarnelleyresearchandqualityenhancementdirectorforManitobasPeakoftheMarketsayswiththeclockistickingdownonThimetgrowersareeagerforanygoodnewsrelatedtoalternativewirewormtreatments.ThereiscertainlyinteresttotrybifenthrinonaeldscaleatthefarmleveltogetagoodsenseofhowitreallydoescomparetoThimetshesays.Vernonandhisteamhaveassessedtheefcacyofthenewinsecticideinplottrialsandhesaysintrialworkbifenthrinworksquitewell.BecausetheproductinnotsystemicheaddsthebestresultswereproducedwhenCapturewasusedincombinationwithaneonicotinoidinsecticidelikeTitanorAdmiretoprovideabove-groundprotectionagainstpestslikeColoradopotatobeetle.BifenthrinalongwithaneonicotinoidappearstogivethesamelevelofcropprotectioningeneralasThimetdoessaysVernon.HestresseshoweverthatadditionaleldstudiesandcontinuedresearcharerequiredtoadequatelyassesswhetherwirewormsareactuallykilledbyCaptureoriftheyarejustbeingrepelledorsuppressedbythechemical.Vernonsaysthefactthatsomegrow-ershavebeenabletotrialCaptureontheirownfarmsthisyearwillgoalongwayto-wardsdeterminingtheproductsefcacyonalargescale.ImsomewhatoptimisticaboutbifenthrinbutImalittleworriedthatweregoingtobetakingoneproductoffthemarketandsimplyreplacingitwithanotherleavingfarmerswithjustonechemicalhesays.Itwouldbegreattohavetwoproductsthatyoucanusetocombatthispestintermsofresistanceandthatsortofthing.VernonalsostressestheurgencyofhavingaprovenalternativetoThimetinplaceandreadilyavailableforpotatoproducersbeforeThimetistakenoffthemarketnextsummer.OurfarmershavetohavesomethingthatgivesthemexceptionalcontrolespeciallyinPrinceEdwardIslandwherewirewormpressureisextremelyhighandgettinghigherhesays.ThisisalsohappeningonthePrairieswirewormpopulationsrightacrossCanadaaregrowingandinsomeareastheyarereachingepidemiclevels.Andifwedonthavesomethingthatwillcontrolthemthenwereinbigtrouble.MarkHalsallWirewormpopulationsrightacrossCanadaaregrowingandinsomeareastheyarereachingepidemiclevels.Andifwedonthavesomethingthatwillcontrolthemthenwereinbigtrouble.BobVernonMaturelarvaeoftheHypnoidusbicolortopandSelatosomusdestructorthetwomostimportantwirewormpestsinthePrairieprovinces.AllphotoscourtesyofWimvanHerk. SPUDSMART.COM6CANADIANRESEARCHERSareexperi-mentingwithanewmethodofgrowingseedpotatoesandtheresultslookprom-ising.ScientistsattheAlbertaAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentCropDiversica-tionCentresayaeroponicpotatoproduc-tionwhichessentiallyinvolvesgrowingpotatoesinairratherthansoilhasthepotentialtorevolutionizehowseedpota-toesaregrowninCanada.PotatoresearchscientistMicheleKonschuhbasedinBrooksAlta.isleadingtheevaluationofacommercialaeroponicproductionsystemforseedpotatoes.ThetechnologybeingstudiedistheVitalFarmsPotatoIncubatorPIP-200anaeroponicseedpotatoproductionsystemfromNorthBrightTechnologiesinChicagodesignedtooptimizetheyieldandqualityofseedpotatomini-tubers.ThepotatoesKonschuhandherteamareharvestingtheirfourthroundoftubersfromtheirgreenhousearegrownsuspendedinairandfedthroughmisting.Shehopesthetechnologywillallowresearcherstogrowsignicantlymoreseedpotatoesperplantthaniscurrentlypossibleusingtraditionalgreenhousemethods.Inaregulargreenhousewegetanaverageofonetovetubersperplantinpottingmix.Intheaeroponicsystemwereaimingtoget10timesmorethanthatshesays.RightnowIthink10to20isrealistichere.Weveseenashighas17tubersperplantonsomeofthevarietieswevegrown.ThatssignicantKonschuhsaysnotingthattheabilitytouseaeroponicstoANEWWAYTOGROWCouldaeroponicseedpotatoproductionbethewayofthefutureinCanadaResearchersareworkingtogurethatout.produce10timesmoreseedpotatoesthantraditionalgreenhousemethodswouldservetomakeCanadamorecompetitiveintheseedpotatomarket.IthinktheresalotofpotentialforaeroponicsinCanadabecauseweneedtoincreaseourproductivity.Wevegotourcostofproductionaslowaswecangowiththemethodswereusingnowandwerenotkeepingpacewithimportmaterialshesays.Weneedtomakesurewehaveavaluechainherethatshealthyandstrongandeveryoneinthevaluechainhastobeabletomakeaprot.Wefeelthismightbeawaytodoit.PlayingCatch-UpCanadaisalatearrivalontheaeroponicpotatoproductionscenenotesCanadianpotatogrowerPeterVanderZaagofOntariosSunrisePotatoStorage.VanderZaagservesontheboardoftrusteesoftheInternationalPotatoCenterCIPwhosemissionistoworkwithglobalpartnerstoachievefoodsecuritywell-beingandgenderequityinrootandtuberfarmingandfoodsystemsinthedevelopingworld.VanderZaagusedtoworkasaCIPscientistanduniversityprofessorinAsia.OneofhisformergraduatestudentsHeWeiledaChineseprojectthatusedaeroponictechnologytogrowmini-tubersafteradevastatingearthquakeinChinasSichuanprovincein2008.VanderZaagsaysafterearthquaketherewasanimpetustoimplementaeroponicpotatoproductiononalargeFEATURE 7FALL2014scaletheWorldBankgavefundingtoChineseauthoritiesandCIPtobeginlarge-scaleresearchproductionofpotatoesaeroponicallytohelpthosewhohadlosteverythingintheearthquake.ThatresearchcontinuestobecarriedoutattheSichuanAcademyofAgriculturalSciencesaswellasbyfarmersinprivategreenhousesinChinaandithasyieldedsomeimpressiveresults.Aresearchpaperco-authoredbyVanderZaagHeWeiandK.Y.XieExperiencewithaeroponicsforpre-basicseedpotatoproductioninSichuanChinareferstotuberproductionashighas75tubersperplantdependingonthevariety.Thishasbeenanamazingstorywherethisstartmoneytogetthisontoacommercialscalehastakenoff.InSichuanthisisdoneonahugescaleproducingbasicseedthroughaeroponicsVanderZaagsays.Thebeautyistherearenodiseasesthatcanbecarriedbytheseedtubersfromgenerationtogeneration.Theresnobacteriaorotherpathogensthatcaninfectthetubers.Whenyougrowtheminsoilthatsaproblembutwithaeroponicsitisnt.Youcancontroltheconditionsperfectly.Withmistingyougetaveryhighyield.PriortoitsuseinChinagrowersinSouthKoreabegangrowingmini-tubersAeroponicallygrownseedpotatoesbeingharvestedattheSichuanAcademyofAgriculturalSciencesinChengduChina.IthinktheresalotofpotentialforaeroponicsinCanadabecauseweneedtoincreaseourproductivity.Wevegotourcostofproductionaslowaswecangowiththemethodswereusingnow.MicheleKonschuhaeroponicallyinthe1990s.ItsbeenusedinVietnamaswell.NASAbackinthe1980swantedtohavepeoplelivingonMarsandthemoon.TheirresearchfocusedonhowcanwegetplantstogrowinairVanderZaagsays.ThistranslatedintomanyscientiststhinkingabouthowtheycouldapplythistogrowingplantshereonEarthwherewehavetodealwithpathogenswhicharedetrimentaltomanycropsincludingpotatoes.ItsnotjusttheeliminationofpathogensthatmakesaeroponicsidealforpotatogrowingKonschuhnotes.Becauseaeroponicsactuallyallowsustoharvestabovegroundandnotbelowgroundyoucanactuallyseethetubersformandyoucanpickthemwhentheyretherightsize.Iftheyreburiedinpottingmixyoukindofhavetotakeyourchancesuntiltheendoftheyearandifyougorootingaroundinthereaheadoftimeyourelikelytodamagerootsortheplantshesays.Themainobjectiveofaeroponicsinmyviewisntsomuchtoavoidusingsoilbuttotryandgettubersofexactlytherightsizeandacontinuousharvest.ConsistentProductUsingaeroponicstoproducetubersofthesamesizeisthereasonmanygrowersaroundtheworldareadoptingthisnewtechnology.KonschuhandherteamhavereceivedhelpfuladviceonusingthePIP-200fromHilkoBosaDutchgrowerwhohelpeddevelopthetechnology.HebeganusingaeroponicsaftertiringofwhathesayswastheinconsistentqualityhewasgettinginseedtuberspurchasedfrompremiumseedpotatoproducersintheNetherlands.Wewereoftendisappointedwiththeseedtuberswebought.Wewantedtohavehealthyseedpotatoesandreducethenumberofeldgenerations.Thereforeweproducemini-tubersinthegreenhouseandafterwardsweonlyhavethreeeldgenerationssodiseaseswillnotbuildupBossays.Itsalsoeconomicalheadds.HereintheNetherlandsitsabout45Eurocentsalmost70centsinCanadiancurrencyperseedpotatoifyoubuyfromalargeproducer.Ifyouneedacouplehundredthousandmini-tubersyouhavetospendabout70000eurosperyearforthemall.Westartedtolookatdifferentwayswecoulddoitbyourselves.BoshashadsuccesswiththePIP-100anearlierversionofthePIP-200PhotocourtesyofPeterVanderZaag. SPUDSMART.COM8hittingyieldlevelsofmorethan40tubersperplant.ThoseyieldlevelsaredueinparttotheidealclimatethatexistsintheNetherlandsandsomeofthespecicvarietiesBosgrowsbutalotofhardworkandtrialanderrorhasgoneintoitaswell.Inthebeginningwehadtolearnaboutpropernutritionmoistureallthosefactorshesays.Youhavetohavesomeknowledgeaboutthattogetadecentyield.Therearealwayspossibleimprovementsyoucanmake.Wereveryhappywithhowitisgoingrightnow.CanadaandtheNetherlandsareofcoursehalfaworldapart.WhatworksforgrowersinEuropeisnotnecessarilygoingtoworkinCanadaandKonschuhhasdiscoveredthatforherself.WehavedifferentgrowingconditionsinCanadaandwedontgrowthesamevarietiestheydotheresoImnotsurethelevelstheyreseeingintheNetherlandsareattainablehereshesays.WerendingthatinthegreenhouseyouneedtoknowmoreaboutwhatyouredoingwithoutMotherNaturehelpingyouasmuch.Youdontgetairexchangewithwind.WerendingthatmaybeweneedtosupplementtheCO2inthegreenhouseorbringinfreshairinthewintersincewerenotventingtotheoutsidelikewewouldinaeldsetting.Itsalearningprocessthatsforsure.Thebeautyistherearenodiseasesthatcanbecarriedbytheseedtubersfromgenerationtogeneration.Theresnobacteriaorotherpathogensthatcaninfectthetubers.Whenyougrowtheminsoilthatsaproblembutwithaeroponicsitisnt.PeterVanderZaagForAllyourElectricalCommercialResidentialIndustrialIrrigationCableFaultLocatesTrenchingBackhoeVentilationVentilationHumidificationClimateControlRefrigerationTonyAdriaansenPh204-841-3865CharlesHoferPh204-841-3861 1.800.265.2268www.alpinep.comIIICalltoseewhyfarmersarechoosingALPINELiquidStarterFertilizerANDALPINEMicroBoltMicronutrients2014.NACHURSALPINESOLUTIONS.ALLRIGHTSRESERVED.ALPINEandALPINEMicroBoltareregisteredtrademarksofNACHURSALPINESOLUTIONS.ALPINEyourtrustedsupplierofhigh-qualityliquidfertilizersoundfertilityprogramsandreliableapplicationequipmentforover40years. SPUDSMART.COM10WhilesuchtechnicalchallengesdoposeapotentialstumblingblockforgrowerslookingtoadoptaeroponictechnologyVanderZaagnotesthathavingalmosttotalcontrolovergrowingconditionsisamajorbenetofthetechnology.ThemajorchallengeinhisviewistomakeaeroponicscommerciallyviableinCanada.Itisntforthesmallpersonitsforlargerproducerstodohesays.Itreallycomesdowntowhetheritmakeseconomicsenseandfarmersbegintosayyestoit.TheeconomicviabilityofthePIP-200issomethingKonschuhandherteamareevaluatingitwasbroughttoBrookstobeevaluatedattherequestofthePotatoGrowersofAlberta.Theeconomicthresholdforusislikely15to22tubersperplant.Ifwecanbeatthatthesystemmakesnancialsense.IfnotwerecommendgrowerslookatalternativesystemsbuttherearenonecommerciallyavailablethatImawareofshesays.TherearealotofgenericplansonlinesopeoplecandeveloptheirownaeroponicsystemsforpotatoesKonschuhadds.MarcZienkiewiczAlbertaresearchscientistMicheleKonschuhleftisleadingtheevaluationofthePIP-200acommercialaeroponicsystemforgrowingseedpotatoes.BDOiscommittedtoworkingwithproducersandagribusinessownersacrossthecountryprovidinghands-onfarmexperienceandknowledgetoclients.Ourdedicatedteamcanhelpyouaddresstheissuesaffectingyourindustry.Withover100ofcesinCanadandyourlocalBDOofceatwww.bdo.ca.PeoplewhoknowAgricultureknowBDO.AssuranceAccountingTaxAdvisorywww.bdo.caBDOHELPSFARMSGROWPhotocourtesyofZengguangPanAlbertaAgricultureandRuralDevelopment. ANYCROP.ANYSTAGE.ANYWEATHER.WhileharshweathercropstressisinevitableforCanadianfarmerslosingyieldandprofittoitdoesnthavetobe.Bio-Forgeprotectsyourcropandhelpsfightthroughharshgrowingconditionsthatstealyieldandprofit.GuaranteedWriteMotherNatureherlastcheque.LearnmoreaboutBio-ForgeandtheBio-ForgeProfitGuaranteebyvisitingwww.stollerenterprises.caprofitguaranteeorcall1-855-787-4414.ApplyBio-ForgeandStollerwillguaranteeanincreaseinnetprofitorwellreplaceit.SatisfactionGuaranteed SPUDSMART.COM12FEATURESomeonesuggestedturningasmallP.E.I.townslocalmuseumintoafull-edgedinternationaltouristattraction.TheresultistheCanadianPotatoMuseum.POTATOSHOWPLACEAgiantberglasspotatowelcomesvisitorstotheCanadianPotatoMuseum. 13FALL2014IFTHERESAPLACEthatsmoreappropriatefortheCanadianPotatoMuseumyoucanmaketheargumentthatyoucouldntdobetterthanthetownofOLearyinPrinceEdwardIsland.P.E.I.ofcourseproducesalargeportionofCanadaspotatoes.OLearyatownwithobviousIrishoriginsishosttotheannualPotatoBlossomFestivalinJulyandissituatedintheheartoffarmcountrysurroundedbythebeautifulredrollinghillsoftheIslandabouta90-minutedrivewestofCharlottetown.Whenyouretheretheresnodoubtyoureinpotatocountry.WhenIsetouttovisitthemuseuminmid-JulytheshouldersoftheNo.2HighwaytoOLearysportedmanyhand-writtensignsofferingnewpotatoesacropthatbysomeaccountscameuptwoweekslatethisyear.Justbeforetheturn-offintotowntherewasabrightredself-serveboxofnewpotatoesonaprivatedrivewaycharging5.50forthreepounds.Helpyourself.ButwhilethewesternendofPrinceCountythewesternmostofP.E.I.sthreecountiesmaybetheideallocationforapotatomuseumitwasntexactlyplannedasmuseummanagerDonnaRowleyexplainedtome.Theoriginalmuseumwasacommunitymuseumshesaid.Dr.GeorgeDewarthefounderhadapassionforpreservation.OneconsultantthroughtheCommunityMuseumsAssociationofPrinceEdwardIslandmadethesuggestionthatwechangethefocusofthemuseum.Thenamechangesoftheplaceovertheyearsshowtheevolutionofthefacility.AtonetimeitwastheOLearyPotatoMuseumthentheP.E.I.PotatoMuseum.NowitstheCanadianPotatoMuseum.TherealsohappenstobeamuseumcalledPotatoWorldinFlorenceville-BristolN.B.butitsanewerfacility.Therearealsoacoupleofpotato-themedmuseumsintheUnitedStatesandseveralinEurope.GiantPotatoThemuseumitselfisahandsomebuildingjustoffthemainstripofOLearyobviousforthegiganticfour-metre-tallberglasspotatooutside.RowleysaysitsoneofthemostphotographedobjectsinthiscorneroftheIsland.Thoughseveralyearsoldthemuseumlooksbrandnewthankstoarecentrenovation.BoardmemberandvolunteerStanleyMacDonaldwhowasdealingwithadmissionsthatdayofferedsomepotato-basedfudgeattheentranceandmentioneditsa14000-square-footfacility.TherearealsolargemuseumgroundswitholderpreservedbuildingsfromthecommunityrevealingthefacilitysinitialOLeary-focusedorigins.ThemuseumofcoursecontainstheingredientscommontoanagriculturalmuseumincludinganareadisplayingoldermachineryincludingsomepiecesfromtheAllanPotatoHandlingEquipmentcompanyanIslandlegendanindustry-specichalloffamedisplaysonthehistoryofthepotatoalineupofpotatodiseaseshumorouslydisplayedinaseriesofpotatocofnsandanintroductorylm.VisitorswilllearnmorethanafewintriguingfactslikehowtheInternationalPotatoCenterinPeruwasatonetimethreatenedbyShiningPathguerillasandthattheFrenchonceconsideredthepotatoadangerousaphrodisiactheingestionofwhichmayleadtolarge-headedchildrenamongotherthings.TheresalsoabeautifulcafeteriaandasmallsectiondevotedtoOLearyitself.This1920stractorisamongthevintageequipmentfeaturedattheCanadianPotatoMuseum.Beforetherenovationsitwasagoodmuseum.Nowitsagreatmuseum.GarryLinkletterInAugusttheCanadianPotatoMuseumandthePrinceEdwardIslandPotatoBoardannouncedthepremiereofaseriesofonlinevideosaboutthehistoryofthepotatoonPrinceEdwardIsland.TheorganizationshiredretiredCBCagriculturaljournalistIanPetrieandnancedtheprojectwithhelpfromtheP.E.I.2014Fundputinplacetocelebratethe150thanniversaryofthe1864CharlottetownConferenceamajorearlystepinthecreationofCanada.ThevideolaunchtookplaceattheCanadianPotatoMuseumwithmanyleadersintheindustrypastandpresentattending.Thevideoseriesisbeingplayedonavideoloopatthemuseumandcanalsobeviewedatyoutube.comuserPEIpotatoes.P.E.I.sVideoHistoryProjectAllphotoscourtesyoftheCanadianPotatoMuseum. SPUDSMART.COM14Thepracticeinvolvingmusselmudalsomakesaninterestingappearanceatthemuseum.P.E.I.potatofarmersoftheearly20thcenturyrecognizedtheneedforabetterfertilizerontheireldsandturnedtowhatwassurroundingthemmudfromwherethelocalriverbedsmettheocean.ItturnedoutthestuffwasrichwithlimefromoystershellssoitbecamearegularIslandeventtohookthehorsesuptoatypeofdiggerthatwouldgathertherichmudoneisondisplay.Theeventualavailabilityofcheapmainlandlimeputanendtothepracticeexceptforonebriefrevivalinthe1980s.DisplaysattheCanadianPotatoMuseumincludethis1929horse-drawnpotatosprayer.ThoughnotdirectlyassociatedwiththemuseumPrinceEdwardIslandPotatoBoardChairmanGaryLinkletterstronglybelievesinthevalueoftheplace.IthinkthepotatohasbeensoimportanttoP.E.I.overtheyearssaidLinkletter.ThemuseumsagreatplaceforIslanderstogototakealookattheirrootsitsgreatforpeopletoseewhattheindustryoftheirimmediateancestorswas.Alsoitsextremelywelldone.Beforetherenovationsitwasagoodmuseum.Nowitsagreatmuseum.Linkletterspecicallymentionedoneofthedisplaysthersttwo-rowpotatoharvesterbuiltbyDonnieAllanoftheaforementionedAllanPotatoHandlingEquipmentthathecallsatruepieceofIslandheritage.TheP.E.I.PotatoBoardandthemuseumworktogethertoputontheannualToeTapsTaterseventpartoftheP.E.I.FallFlavoursFestivalwhereacelebritychefisbroughtintocookupapotato-themeddinnertomusicalaccompaniment.TheyalsocollaborateonotherprojectsliketherecentlyunveiledseriesofonlinevideosaboutthehistoryofthepotatoonPrinceEdwardIslandthatsalsoshowingatthemuseum.Themuseumisaseasonaloneopenfrommid-Maytomid-October.ThoughoffthebeatenpathandasignicantdriveawayfromanythingrelatedtoAnneofGreenGablesinthosesixmonthstheCanadianPotatoMuseumreceivesabout7000visitorsdownslightlyfromapeakof11000whentheConfederationBridgefirstopenedin1997.AndRowleyalsomentionsthatitstrickytoguidepeopletothesite.ProvincialsignageallowsusonesignshesaidmentioningtherearelawsCURRENTVARIETIES HUGEINVENTORYATWHOLESALEPRICING.BACKEDBYOURSATISFACTIONGUARANTEE.www.GALLANTSALES.comSPECIALIZINGINPOTATOEQUIPMENTCONTACTDAVEATGALLANTSALES568BernatRd.GrandePointeManitoba1-204-254-8126davegallantsales.com2010Milestone60SeedCutterOnly1SeasonUsageLoadedIncludingDoubleStackedDischargeConveyorsImmaculate.MilestoneLiquidSeedTreaterUsedOnly1DayLiveBottomboxesTelescopicPilersConveyorsEvenowHoppersClodhoppersDirtEleminatorsHarvestersWindrowersSeedCuttersTreatersPlantersPlanterFillersPolishersFeltDryersShakerSizersRollingTablesBaggersSewers....andmuchmoreIfwedonthaveitwewilllocateitforyou2012Logan53AllBeltTelescopicPilerlightUsageNEWLogan24LiveBottomBoxNEWLogan85TelescopicConveyorOtherLengthsSizesAvailableNEWTri-SteelVegetablePolisherNEWTri-SteelFeltDryerCanadianDealerforTri-SteelMfgLoganFarmEquipment. SPUDSMART.COM16inplacesoasnottoclutterthebeautifulIslandlandscapewithtoomanybillboardsfortouristattractions.EducationisKeyWhenaskedwhetherthemuseumismeanttoappealtopeopleintheindustryoroutsideofitmuseummanagerRowleysaidAlittlebitofbotheducationiskey.Weoffertoursfreetoschools.thefocusisonthehistoryofthepotatobecausetheresneverbeenamuseumwiththatfocus.AsidefromschooltoursthemuseumplayshosttomanyinterestedpartiesfromfarawayincludingseniorsNewEnglandersoff-seasonAustralianandNewZealanderfarmersandvariousvisitingEuropeans.WedogetalotoffarmersheresaidRowley.Itsamazinghowmanyfarm-relatedfolkscomehere.Butthemuseumisntimmunetothetrendyeither.TherearealotoffoodiesthatcomethroughtoosaidRowley.Thefoodiesmaywanttohitthepotato-themedcafeteriawhichofferspotatofudgeWetypicallyrunoutofiteverydayandhavetomakeanewbatchRowleysaidpotatoicecreamchowderP.E.I.potatosoupchilicheesefriespoutineandloadedpotatoskins.TherearenohamburgersorhotdogssaidRowley.Rowleyalsomentionsacoupleontheirhoneymoondidafarmtour.PrinceEdwardIslandstourismsectorishighlydevelopedandthereisoneparticularin-depthtourismprogramcalledAuthenticP.E.I.ExperiencesofwhichtheSpudsFudgeandTalesFarmTourisoneoption.Itincludesahalf-dayofactivitiesthatincludevisitstoapotatofarmandtheCanadianPotatoMuseumcompletewithacookinglessonthatincludesthepotatofudgerecipe.AsfarasgoalsforthemuseumRowleysaidBeinganon-proftyoualwayswanttobesustainabletopreservewhatwehaveandimprovewhatwehave.JimChliboykoAssistingthefarmingcommunityinitspursuitofimprovedyieldsandqualityisaprivilegeCanGrowdoesnttakelightly.WeareproudofeverygrowerrelationshipthatwehavebuiltandwouldliketoexpressourappreciationforyourbusinesscontinuedtrustandsupportofCanGrowformulations.SuperSta-DryPowerStartandPivotPowerwouldnotbethesuccesstheyaretodayinoptimizingyieldsacrosstheirrespectivemarketswithoutyourcontributions.Successistheresultofgreatpartnershipsandweappreciateyours.3971OldWalnutRoadP.O.Box429AlvinstonOntarioCanadaN0N1A0cangrow.comEASTERNCANADAContactJaccodeLangeUtopiaOntario705-333-1231visioncangrow.comWESTERNCANADAContactHalReedTaberAlberta403-634-1671jemcangrow.comContacttheCanGrowpotatospecialistinyourarearealizetheadvantageofhighermarketableyieldsthroughimprovedqualityquantityandstorabilityandjointhegrowinglistofCanGrowsuccessstories. Fromtheharvestofyourcroptoyourcustomersdock......wehaveacompletefamilyofstorageproductsthatprovidesproutandpeepcontrolextendingthenaturaldormancyandeldfreshnessofyourpotatoes.3929-160Ave.EdmontonABT5Y3J7780218-7810borr14group.cawww.14group.ca14GROUPsDMNproductshavebeenalongtimecomponentofourstoragetreatmentplans.Spudstreatedwith14SIGHTincombinationwithCIPCresultinbettersproutcontrolandimprovedqualityoutofstorage.Iapplyitinthefallorearlyspringinstoragedependingonthenaturaldormancyofthevariety.Theyholdbetterandseemrmerwithfewersproutingproblems.Wealsouse14SHIPanin-transitsprouttreatmenttoextenddormancyandaidtheappearanceofshippedpotatoes.-KentPetersonKemcoWadaFarmsWehaveused14GROUPsDMNproductsforseveralyears.Weapply14SIGHTshortlyafterweplaceourpotatoesintostorage.Ithelpscontrolsproutsandextendsdormancysafeguardingthepotatoqualityintolatesummer.14SEEDisappliedtoourseedpotatoeswhensproutinggetsoutofcontrol.Itworksgreat.DougJohnFieldManagerPotandonProduceLLCTWONEWPRODUCTSTHATENHANCEthenatu-raldormancyofstoredpotatoesarenowregisteredforuseinCanada.Followingyearsofresearchandusebygrowersandshippersthese14-DMNbasedprod-uctshaveproventobesuccessfulincontrollingsproutswhilemaintainingtheeldfreshnessofpotatoes.14-DMNforSeedPotatoes14SEEDisarevolutionarynewtoolforseedmanage-ment.Itrestoresandextendsthenaturaldormancyofthepotatowhilemaintainingtheseedsvigor.Thesproutsuppressionistemporaryinnatureandfullyreversible.Itdissipatesoutofthepotatooveraperiodoftimedependingonthestoragetemperatureven-tilationrateandtimeapplied.14SEEDcanbeappliedimmediatelyafterharvestduringthestorageseasonorupto60dayspriortoplanting.NewDMNProductsExtendNaturalDormancyofPotatoesShipwithConfdence14SHIPisanaerosoldormancyenhancerthattreatsfreshpotatoesrightintheshippingcontainer.Itsspeciallyformulatedfogpermeatesbagsandboxesgivingthemonenalapplicationonthewaytomarketthatcontrolspeepsandmaintainstheirfreshappearance.Nothingismorefrustratingthandealingwitharejectedloadoffreshpotatoesthatleftthedockingreatshape.Whethersentinasemi-truckrailcarorshippingcontainerfreshpackshippersaredependentupontransportcompaniestogettheirpotatoestomarketbeforetheystarttosprout.Delayssuchasbreakdownsweatherorlostrailcarsal-mostinevitablyresultinpartialortotalloadrejectionsordiscounts.Thissimplecosteffectiveproduct14SHIPishelpingshippersvaporizecostlyloadrejections.Forinformationonanyofthe14-DMNproductscallBillOrrat14GROUPCANADA708218-7810orborr14group.ca.14-DMNpotatodormancyenhancersregisteredforCanada.780218-7810 SPUDSMART.COM18BRANDINGHASBECOMEanincreasinglyimportantdimensionofbusinessmarketingascompaniestussletodifferentiatethemselvesfromtheircompetitorsinacrowdedmarketplace.Andmanyofthosetakingthestepintobrandingsayitsawinningstrategy.Thepotatoindustryisnoexception.SuccessstoriesincludePEIPotatoesEdmontonsTheLittlePotatoCompanyandManitobasSouthernPotatoCo.whichhaveallembracedbrandingandre-brandingstrategiesasawaytooptimizetheircustomerreach.Allthreearecontinuallyworkingonbrandandproductawarenessbothdomesticallyandinternationally.AmarketinginitiativeofthePrinceEdwardIslandPotatoBoardPEIPotatoesisarguablythestrongestpotatobrandinthecountry.Forthepastfewyearstheboardhasfocussedondeterminingtheequityofitspotatobrandandmaintainingitsstrongpositioninthemarketplace.AccordingtoKendraMillsmarketingdirectoroftheP.E.I.PotatoBoardsomelarge-scaleresearchprojectshavehelpedincreaseunderstandingofcustomerawarenessofPEIPotatoesnotonlydomesticallybutalsoabroad.OurresearchhasshownthatconsumerawarenessintheprovinceandacrossCanadaisquitehighwithourbrandat96percentstatesMills.WhensurveyedmostpeopleassociatePrinceEdwardIslandwithbeachesgolfAnneofGreenGablesandpotatoes.Thisishowmarketingbyplaceoforiginisalsohelpingexpandourbrandawareness.Millsnotesthereisahighlycompetitivefoodlandscapewithotherproductslikebreadpastaandricecompetingforaplaceinshoppersfoodbaskets.Asaresulttheboardhasalsobeenworkinghardtodispelmythsandhelpconsumersunderstandthenutritionalvalueofpotatoes.TheLittlePotatoCompanyisrecognizedasoneofthemostinnovativepotatomarketersinCanada.AccordingtoJoannaGietzthermsmarketingmanagerTheLittlePotatoCompanyhasadoptedabrandingstrategythatcontinuestoopennewdoorsresultinginnotonlyincreasedsalesbutalsogreatercustomerawarenessacrossthecountry.MaintainingourbrandisimportantsaysGietz.WealsohavenewpackagingandarenowexpandingourmarketingstrategythroughsocialmediasuchasFacebooktooffermoreengagementwithourcustomerbasethroughnutritionalinformationrecipesandcomparativedata.OneofManitobaslargestpotatooperationsSouthernManitobaPotatoisbeingtransformedintoSouthernPotatoCo.Re-brandingeffortsatthesuccessfulfamilyrmarefocusingnotjustonthecompanyslonghistoryandrichheritageinthepotatobusinessbutexcitingopportunitiesintheyearsahead.MarlonKuhlvice-presidentoffreshandchippingpotatoesforSouthernPotatoMAKINGANAMEThereisachangetransformingtheCanadianpotatolandscapeitscalledbrandinganditsbuildingmomentum.Eye-catchingpackagingisonewayTheLittlePotatoCompanycreatespowerfulbrandrecognition.LefttorightMarlonKeithandJeremyKuhlofSouthernPotatoCo.along-establishedfamilybusinessthatrecentlyadoptedanewnameaspartofastrategicrebrandingeffort.PhotocourtesyofPixels.FEATURE DevelopTogetherYanqing28-30JulyForaBetterFuturewww.2015bjwpc.com9thBeijing20152015BEIJINGWorldPotatoCongressThewebsitehasbeenofficiallylanuchedpleaseloginwww.2015bjwpc.com28-30July2015YanqingBeijingChinaWelcometoYanqingCountyofBeijing SPUDSMART.COM20FOROVER25YEARSBau-ManhasbeendesigningperfectingandmanufacturingsomeofthemostdurableconveyorsandlivebottomtruckboxesforCanadianpotatogrowers.WhenyoupurchaseaBau-MantruckboxorconveyoryougetDependabilityAlloursystemsareover-engineeredyourinvestmentisprotectedandprotableCustomizableOptionsChoosefrommultipleoptionstosuityourspecicfarmsrequirementsBAUMANPOTATOTRANSPORTANDCONVEYINGEQUIPMENTLetourexpertsbuildyouoneofthemostdurableandfeature-richtruckboxesorconveyorsyoulleverown.ChoosefromawideselectionofstraighttelescopicorpivotingconveyorsandthehighestqualitylivebottomtruckboxesProvenPerformanceFor25yearswevehadonemissiondeliverthehighestqualityproductandreturnoninvestmenttothefarmer.Wevedeliveredonbothwithsuperiorproductandexcellentcustomerserviceandsupport.TolearnmoreaboutBau-Manconveyorslivebottomboxesandourcompletelineofpotatohandlingequipmentcontactusforafreeproductliteraturepackageorspeakwithoneofourfriendlyproductadvisors.1-866-325-9374infogeneralmetal.cawww.generalmetal.casaysthatwhiletheyareveryproudtobeafamily-ownedandrunbusinesssince1960theyalsowantcustomerstoknowtheyarebuoyantaboutthefutureofthecompany.AlongwithanewbrandingstrategywehavealsoadoptedthepositioninglineofGrowingPartnershipstoshowourdedicationtobuildingandmaintainingstrongrelationshipsintheindustrysaysKuhl.MaintainingLeadershipManyintheCanadianpotatoindustryarenotonlyembracingbrandingandsocialmediamarketingbutareworkinghardtomaintainleadershipinthemarketplace.WeallneedtobuildavoicearoundourbrandsexplainsMills.Itsimportanttoremainfocusedonthebrandbecausetherearehighexpectationsassocialmediakeepsitspopularity.Weneedtoremainrelevanttoconsumersandbeengagedwithouraudienceonaone-on-onebasis.TodayssocialmediatoolsalsoprovidegoodmeasurementsofaudiencelikesanddislikesaswellasprovidingawaytomeasuremarketingproductreachwhichaccordingtoMillsareimportantgaugesfordeterminingbrandpackagingacceptance.Gietzagreesthatonceabrandisestablishedinthemarketplacetheworkisbynomeansdone.Itsjustasimportanttotakestepstoconstantlymaintainthatawareness.WhetheritisyourbrandoryourproductyouneedtoremainengagedwithyourconsumerbasesaysGietz.Youneedtoremainonyourtoesandhavefreshandnewmarketingideastokeepconsumersbuyingourproducts.KuhlnotesthatproductqualityisessentialtoSouthernPotatosbrandasafamily-ownedgroweranddistributorofpotatoesthroughoutNorthAmerica.Withnewspecialtyproductscomingonmarketsuchasfngerlingsandcreamersweknewthatstrategicrebrandingwasessentialtomaintainandgrowourpresenceintheindustryhesays.InternationalAvenuesAsCanadianpotatocompaniescontinuetoembraceandfocusonbrandingandmarketingopportunitiesherearehometherearealsosometantalizingprospectsforincreasingbrandawarenessataninternationallevel.ForinstancetheP.E.I.PotatoBoardhasrealizedthevalueofco-brandingwithotherpartnerstohelpstrengthentheIslandspotatobrand.PEIPotatoeshasalignedwithotheragricultural-basedindustriessuchasbeefproducersandtheseafoodindustrytocometogetherandcreatetheIslandasatopculinarydestinationsaysMills.Wehavelearnedtomarkettogetherbecauseweproducesomeofthebestfoodaroundtheworld.AsanexampleMillspointstotheannualShellfshFestivalwhichdrawsmanyinternationalvisitorstotheIslandeachfalltosampleP.E.Isculinarydelightsincludingpotatoes.TheLittlePotatoCompanyisalsocreatingnewfootholdsabroadthankstoitssuccessfulbrandingcampaign.InternationallywehaveopenedsomenewdoorsascustomerscannowidentifywithourpackagingandlogoexplainsGietz.Wearesoexcitedtoseesuccessfromourhardworkandweplantomaintainandgrowonthismomentum.Themaintakeawayfromallthreeindustryspecialistsforsuccessfulbrandingistoknowwhatmakesyouuniqueinthemarketplaceandtousethattoreallystandoutattheretaillevel.ItsessentialthatconsumersunderstandandknowyourbrandandproductofferingssaysMills.ShannonSchindle PILEUPYOURPROFITS1.855.264.6262adama.comAliasArrowPyrinexandSilencerareregisteredtrademarksofAdamaAgricultureSolutionsCanadaLtd.Allothersareregisteredtrademarksoftheirrespectivecompanies.Alwaysreadandfollowlabeldirections.73-109.14ProtectyourpotatoesANDyourprofits.Adamaoffersfourproductstoprotectyourpotatocropandmaximizeyourproductionutilizingthesameactivesthatyoualreadyrelyon.AdamaistherightchoiceforprovidingoptimumcontrolofgrassyweedsandpestslikeColoradopotatobeetlesleafhoppersandaphids.SupportchoiceaskforAdamaproductsbyname.SameactiveasSelectandCenturionArrowClethodimSameactiveasLorsbanChlorpyrifosPyrinexSameactiveasMatadorSilencerLambda-cyhalothrinSameactiveasAdmireAliasImidacloprid SPUDSMART.COM22POTATOESAREAMONGthehealthiestvegetablesavailabletoconsumersbutthefocusonreducingcarbohydrateintakeinmanyweightlossplanshasgiventhemablackeye.NowtwoOntarioresearchscientistsareworkingtorestorethepotatoshealthyproleinanefforttore-educatethepublicandprovidegrowerswithmoreinformationtoshareaboutthenutritionalvalueofpotatoesparticularlythehealthbenetsofcolouredtubers.AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadaresearcherRongCaoandReenaPinherooftheUniversityofGuelphsDepartmentofFoodSciencespokeabouttheirworkatthePotatoResearchFieldDayheldFEATURETwoOntarioscientistsareresearchingthehealthbenetsofpotatoesparticularlypigmentedtubersandhowtosharethisknowledgewithconsumers.NutritioninaCompactPackageAug.13attheUofGEloraResearchStationnearGuelph.Attendeesweretoldthatthelong-termgoaloftheseprojectsistomaintainandpossiblyincreasethesustainabilityofOntariospotatoindustry.InCanadathecostofanunhealthylifestyleisaround30billionperyearCaosays.Theproblemrelatestopoordietsuchastoofewfruitsandvegetablestoomuchfattoolittlebreandtoolittlewaterintake.Hesaysthatpotatoesfallintothefunctionalfoodcategorybecausetheyoffersolutionstomanyoftheseproblems.AspartofhisresearchCaoislookingatthenutritionalvalueofpigmentedpotatoes.ThecolourpurplefoundinblueberriesPotatoresearchscientistReenaPinheroatworkatherlabattheUniversityofGuelphDepartmentofFoodScience.PhotocourtesyofReenaPinhero. 23FALL2014andcolouredvegetablessuchaspotatoesisassociatedwithhealthbenetsbecauseofantioxidantpropertiesproducedbyanthocyaninsagroupofavonoidsresponsibleforcreatingthepurplepigment.Caobelievesconsumerswouldbebetterservedtogettheirnutritionfromthesourceratherthantakingcommercialsupplementstoreplacenutrientswethinkwelack.AspartofhisresearchCaoisexaminingthephytochemicalsthatarefoundmostlyontheskinpeelandseedcoatsofvegetablesfruitsandgrainsrespectively.Thesecompoundsareproducedbytheplantstoprotectthemselvesheexplains.Buttherearesubgroupsandeachoneworksondifferentaspectsofhumanhealth.ForexamplepolyphenolsarenotonlythemselvesantioxidantsbutalsohelptoregeneratevitaminsCandE.Ifthesevitaminsdontregeneratetheymustbereplacedoften.Caosresearchmightexplainhowpigmentedpotatoescanbeincorporatedintoourdietforincreasedhealthbenetssuchasanimprovedantioxidantandanti-inammatorydefencesysteminhumans.AccordingtoCaoallthebioactivephytochemicalsneedtobestableinorderforthebodytoabsorbthembutthatcanbeanissueduringstorageprocessingordigestion.Hesaysresearchshowsthatthebodyisbetterequippedtoabsorbthesecompoundsbyacquiringthemthroughfoodratherthanpills.RecentresearchshowsthatcertainphytochemicalsinpotatoesparticularlypurplecolouredonescansignicantlyinhibitkeyenzymesregulatingbloodglucoseCaoexplains.Wehavealsofoundthatcolouredpotatoeswillreducebloodglucoselevelinanimalsandhumans.Peoplearestartingtoaskforpurplepotatoesbutsofartheindustryhasnotbeenabletosupplyenoughloosestocktosatisfyconsumerdemand.EducatingConsumersAnewresearchprojectstartedin2014bytheUniversityofGuelphsPinherowillenhancetheworkofCaoandhisteam.Pinherosworkisdesignedtohelpeducateconsumersaboutwhypotatoesareahealthychoice.Shesaysmostconsumersdontunderstandthatpotatoesoffergoodnutritionalvaluefortheircost.Thatsthereasonherresearchfocusesonspreadingthemessage.Potatoesareacarbohydrate-richfoodwhichhasmadethemundesirablePinherosays.Butwhenconsumedinmoderationpotatoesdonotcontributetoweightgain.Whiletheglycemicindexofsomepotatoesreportedaremediumtohighthatneedstobebalancedagainsttheamountperserving.Potatoesare80percentwaterandonly20percentcarbohydratessheexplains.TheyarealsohighinvitaminsBandCandpotassiumandareasourceoffolateandiron.AndasCaosresearchhasshowncolouredpotatoesarealsohighinantioxidants.Whilepotatogrowersarefamiliarwiththenutritionalvalueoftheircrophowtosharethisinformationandprovideconcreteproofcanbechallenging.OurresearchwillconsidermaturitygrowingconditionsandvarietyversusmoisturecontentproteinthestructureandconditionofstarchphytochemicalsglycemicindexandglycemicloadPinherosays.Sheexplainsthatitsimportanttocompareglycemicindexwithglycemicloadbecausetheglycemicindexshowsthepotentialoffoodstoraisebloodglucoselevelswhiletheglycemicloadistheamountactuallyconsumedperserving.InitiallyPinherowillanalyse11to15earlycolouredpotatovarietiessuchasPurpleFiestaDakotaPearlChaleurandAdora.Shewillexaminethevariouscomponentsthatcouldmodifypotatostarchdigestibilityandtheeffectonglycemicindexandglycemicloadaswellasothernutritionalqualities.Thisresearchisdesignedtoprovidethepotatoindustrywithnutritionalinformationondifferentvarietiesidentifyvarietieswithhighantioxidantbenetslowglycemicindicesandglycemicloadsandimprovethesustainabilityoftheindustry.OurgoalistoofferinformationtoeducateconsumersaboutthebenetsofpotatoesPinherosays.BothPinheroandCaoarecommittedtogivingthepotatoindustryconcreteinformationthatcanbesharedwithconsumersinanefforttorestorepotatoestotheirprimaryperchasaNorthAmericanfoodstaple.CaoadmitsthatCanadiansocietaltasteshavechangedandstarchisnowbeingingestedfrommanysourcessuchaspastaorrice.Whereonceeverymealmighthavecontainedaservingofpotatoesconsumersarenolongereatingpotatoeswiththatkindofregularity.Pinherobelievesthatpoundforpoundconsumerscangetahigheramountofantioxidantsfromcolouredpotatoesthantheequivalentamountofblueberries.Sheaddsthatcentforcentpotatoesareamuchmorevaluableandeconomicwaytogetantioxidantsthanblueberries.Inadditionpotatoesareavailableformuchoftheyearversusblueberriesorotherantioxidant-richfoodsthatareonlyavailableforashorttime.WhilemanyofCaosresearchresultsareavailabletothepublicPinheroisintheinitialstagesofherresearchwithrecommendationsexpectedintwotothreeyears.Inthemeantimegrowerscandotheirbittospreadthemessageaboutthenutritionalbenetsofpotatoesbysharingsomehealthfactsthatarealreadyavailable.Growerscanalsoincludenewcultivarsintheircroppingplanstoincreasetheavailabilityofantioxidant-richcolouredvarietiesforconsumers. SPUDSMART.COM24POTATOGROWERSOFALBERTAoptedforachangeinvenueandformatforitsannualSouthFieldDayonAug.14choosingtheTaberAirportjustoutsideTaberAlta.forthesiteofthisyearsevent.Theelddayattractedmorethan130peopleandwasheldincollaborationwithKinniburghSprayServicesalocalaerialcropprotectionrmthatsponsoredthelocationfortheevent.ThecompanyhadseveralsprayplanesondisplayadenitecrowdpleaserAlsofeaturedwerelargemachinerydisplaysfromWesternTractorandRockyMountainEquipmentaswellasaplanterfromChinCouleeSpudFarmsofCoaldaleAlta.InadditionlocalgrowerLyleYpmaofSLMSpudFarmsinTabershowedoffhislatestcustom-builtharvester.Ypmahasbuiltthreeharvestermodelsoverthepastveyearsmodifyingtheequipmenttoaccommodatehisspecicrequirementsforfarmingmorethan3000acresofprocessingpotatoes.FarmersEdgeTrimbleandSunriseAgofTaberwerealsoonhandwithdisplaysfocusingonvariableratetechnology.FEATUREAirportchosenforsiteofthisyearsPotatoGrowersofAlbertaSouthFieldDay.ACHANGEOFSCENERYCompanyrepsexplainedhowgrowerscanmaximizetheirproductionpotentialefcientlybymanagingspecicareaswithdifferentyieldpotentialswithintheeldaswellashowaccessingreal-timedatacanassistwithfungicideapplicationsthroughoutthegrowingseason.OtherequipmentdealersparticipatingintheeventincludedGlasEquipmentHorizonImplementsBangasEquipmentCanadaandGrowersSupply.NewVarietiesonViewFreshlydugvarietiesfromthePGAfreshpotatotrialswerealsoonview.Allofthevarietiesarecookedandtaste-testedbyPGAstaffmemberswhodistributepotatoesharvestedfromthetestplotstolocalfoodbanks.AccordingtoorganizerstheButterypotatoesayellowvarietywereahitintermsoftaste.Bordeauxared-skinnedvarietywithyelloweshlookedtobeagoodperformerwhilethenutty-avouredHotPurplesweresaidtoretaintheirbeetcolourwhencooked.DuringtheelddayIspokewithAndyHoferamemberoftheEnchantHutteriteColonywhogrowsSangreafreshpotatovarietymarketedthroughThomasFresh.HesaidconsistencyinproducinganideallysizedtastypotatoisthekeytoSangressuccess.HoferwhosbeenattendingthePGASouthFieldDayforseveralyearssaidhewasdenitelyinfavouroftryingsomethingnewanddifferentforthisyearsevent.TheelddayfeaturedalunchsponsoredbyATBFinancialandMiyanagaFarms.ShaunKinniburghpresidentofKinniburghSprayServicesconcludedthedayseventsbyofferingafreerideinoneofthecompanyssprayplanes.Thewinnerwasannouncedthroughafriendlyauctionthatraised800fortheKidneyFoundationofCanada.ThiswasinrecognitionofKinniburghstwobrotherswhowererecoveringinthehospitalafterakidneytransplantprocedure.KinniburghSprayServiceshadseveralsprayplanesondisplayatthePotatoGrowersofAlbertaSouthFieldDay.LorenaPahlistheexecutivedirectoroftheAlbertaSeedGrowersAssociation.SheattendedthisyearsPGASouthFieldDayeventinTaberAlta.andprovidesthisreport.PhotocourtesyofLorenaPahl. 2014Lindsay.Allrightsreserved.ZimmaticFieldNETGrowsmartWatertronicsandLAKOSaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksoftheLindsayCorporationanditssubsidiaries.SeparatorsandFiltrationSolutionsTHELINDSAYADVANTAGEDURABLERUGGEDEASYTOUSEINTEGRATEDTECHNOLOGIESBROADESTLINEOFSOLUTIONSSOLUTIONSTHATADDVALUEREDUCERISKINCREASEPROFITS.Lindsaysruggedequipmentintegratedtechnologiesandplug-and-playadd-onswillmakethemostofyouroperationfromasinglereliablesource.Pumpspivotsltrationandremotecontrolallworktogethertomaximizeyouryields.VisityourlocalZimmaticbyLindsaydealertocustomizetherightsystemforyourneeds.www.lindsayadvantage.comTHELINDSAYADVANTAGETHEBESTLINEOFIRRIGATIONSOLUTIONS.PERIOD. SPUDSMART.COM26FEATURETheColoradopotatobeetlehasspreadthroughoutNorthAmericaandotherpartsoftheglobewhilerepellingalleffortstoeradicateit.Heresalookbackatthecolourfulpastofthisresilientandhighlyvexingbug.THECOLORADOpotatobeetleisarguablythemostdevastatinginsectpestofpotatoeswithmostofthedamagedonebyitsvoraciouslarva.ThispestoccupiesaninterestingplaceinNorthAmericanpotatohistory.ItsfrstdiscoveryintheUnitedStateswasintheRockyMountainsin1811whenitwasfoundfeedingonsandburawildrelativeofthepotato.ThenameColoradopotatobeetleisreallyamisnomerbecauseitdidnotoriginateinColorado.InsteaditisbelievedtohavecomefromMexico.Forawhilethebeetlewasknownbydifferentnamessuchaspotatobugten-linedbeetleandten-stripedspearman.In1867entomologistCharlesV.RileywasthefrsttocointhetermColoradopotatobeetleinhisbookPotatoPests.InhisbookRileydescribedingreatdetailthemigrationofthebeetleasitsrangeexpandedacrossNorthAmerica.Itsappetiteforpotatowasnotknownuntil1859whenearlysettlerswestofOmahaNeb.spottedthepestdevouringtheirpotatocrops.Thebeetlequicklyspreadfurthereastwardoftenhitchhikingalongthenewly-builtrailroadsandmovingacrosstheU.S.about130kilometersperyearonaverage.By1874ithadreachedtheEastCoast.In1876theNewYorkTimesreportedthatColoradopotatobeetleswerehamperingtheprogressofatrainontheCentralRailroadattheGrinnellStation.Asreportedinthenewspapertherailswerecoveredwiththemforamileandafterafewrevolutionsofthedriversthewheelslostthefrictionandslippedasifoiled.ABUGSLIFEThelarvaoftheColoradopotatobeetlecausesthemostdamagetopotatoplants.PhotocourtesyofWalterdeJong. 27FALL2014CrossingintoCanadaIn1870thebeetlecrossedtheDetroitRiverintoCanada.InhisbookRileydescribedtheriverasliterallyswarmingwithbeetlesandtheywerecrossingLakeErieonshipschipsstavesboardsoranyotherfoatingobjectwhichpresenteditself.By1883thebeetlehadreachedCanadaspotato-producinghubPrinceEdwardIsland.Thebeetlequicklyspreadfurthereastwardoftenhitchhikingalongthenewly-builtrailroadsandmovingacrosstheU.S.about130kilometersperyearonaverage.DuringorimmediatelyaftertheFirstWorldWartheColoradopotatobeetlebecameestablishedaroundAmericanmilitarybasesneartheFrenchcityofBordeaux.BytheSecondWorldWarthebughadspreadacrossmuchofEurope.DuringthatwarboththeAlliesandNaziGermanyconsidereddroppingColoradopotatobeetlesoneachotherspotatoelds.TheGermangovernmentclaimedthatAmericanplanesweredroppingAmikferAmi-beetlesoverGermanpotatoeldsandevensetupapotatobeetledefenceservice.AfterthewarSoviet-controlledEastGermanyalsoaccusedtheAmericansofdroppingpotatobeetlesonitselds.Thepropagandawasreinforcedbythepublicationofalargenumberofpostersandtreatises.AlthoughseveralgovernmentsconductedresearchonhowtousetheColoradopotatobeetleinentomologicalwarfarethereisnoevidencethatthebeetlewaseverusedtoattackthefoodsuppliesofenemynations.Inlessthanacenturythispesthadestablisheditselfaroundtheglobebutitdidsowithouttheaidofwarringarmies.PosterfromtheformerGermanDemocraticRepublicEastGermany.ThetextreadsAmi-beetlesaretodestroyourharvest.Withthattheyarealsoendangeringthebasisofyourlife.Todestroythepotatobeetlesisabattleagainsttheimperialists.TheghtagainstthedisastrouspestfromtheUSAisabattleforpeaceImagecourtesyofAndreiAlyokhinpotatobeetle.org. SPUDSMART.COM28Theratherphotogenicadultbeetleshavebeenfeaturedinsomeratherunusualplacesincludingonpostagestampsandinearrings.Inthe1870stheadultbeetlehadsuchahighproleinsocietythatforafewyearsblack-andyellow-stripedeveninggownswerefashionable.AjokeatthetimehadpotatobeetlesstudyingmailinglistsofseedcompaniestondoutwhohadorderedseedpotatoesMechanicaltoChemicalControlBeforetheuseofpesticidesfarmershadtopickthebugsoffthepotatoleavesbyhand.Bythelate1800ssomemechanicaldevicesappearedonthemarket.ThesimplestofthesewereThebugpickerinventedbyPrinceEdwardIslandsAllanHunterinthelate1890sworkedbywhackingbeetlesoffpotatoplantsandintotraysofkerosene.PhotocourtesyofP.E.I.PotatoMuseum.eldadvantageFromsandstosiltloamstoclaystheeldadvantagegoestofertilizerprogramsthatincludeSulf-Nammoniumsulfate21-0-0-24SfromHoneywell.Itoffersessentialcropnutrition24sulfatesulfurand21loss-resistantammoniumnitrogenthatisreadilyavailabletoplants.Sulf-Nalsoprovidesyouwithpeaceofmindasitcanbetransportedstoredandappliedwithoutanyofthehandlingconcernsofammoniumnitrate.Andwiththeavailablelarge-crystalgranulargradeyouhavetheperfectingredienttoaddtoahigh-qualitybulkfertilizerblend.Tolearnmoreandaccessagronomicandsalessupportpleasevisitwww.sulfn.comScanthiscodetovisitourwebsiteImageprovidedbyPEIPotatoBoard Box545PortagelaPrairieMBR1N3B9Phone204-239-6932mbseedpotatoesgmail.comMEMBERSAMFarmVenturesAdriaansenFarmsAlmasippiIrrigationFarmsBorderFarmsESPOFarmsHaskettGrowersKroekerFarmsLakelandSeedRodFehrLtd.SiemensSeedSouthernManitobaPotatoCo.SpruceDriveFarmsSpudPlainsFarmsSwansfleetAllianceSEEDVARIETIESACPeregrineRedAdoraAmperaAtlanticBananaCaribeCarlitaCarreraChieftanDakotaPearlDarkRedNorlandGoldRushIvoryCrispLadyClaireMonticelloMozartMusicaNorlandRangerRussetRedPontiacRussetBurbankRussetNorkotahRussianBlueSangreSatinaShepodySmartSuperiorSylvanaUmatillaRussetVikingYukonGoldStopbytheSPGAMdisplayatthePotatoGrowersofAlbertaconferenceManitobaPotatoProductionDaysandatPotatoExpoinFlorida. SPUDSMART.COM30potatobeetlepincerssoonfollowedbyseveralothermoresophisticateddevices.Duringthe1890sPrinceEdwardIslandinventorAllanHunterdevisedamachinewhichheproducedandsoldtolocalpotatofarmers.Huntersbugpickerresembledawheelbarrowandwaspushedbetweenrowsofpotatoplants.Asthemachinemovedthepaddlesonbothsideswhackedbeetlesoffthepotatoleavesandintotraysofkerosenebelowkillingthebugs.Howeveritwasclearthatneitherpickingbyhandnormechanicalbugpickerswerecapableoftrulycontrollingthisvoraciouspest.AnumberofinsecticidesaimedatkillingColoradopotatobeetleswereevaluatedinthe1860sand1870s.Amongthemwasacopper-arseniccompoundcalledParisGreenwhichwhendilutedwithouranddustedonpotatoplantswasfoundtobeeffective.Thiswasinessencetherstlarge-scaleuseofaninsecticideonanagriculturalcrop.BreedingforGeneticResistanceOtherinsecticidessuchasleadarsenateandDDTwereusedinsubsequentdecades.Howeverthepotatobeetlehasbecomenotoriousforitsdevelopmentofresistancetovirtuallyallinsecticidesthathavebeenusedagainstit.MorerecentlyscientistshavebeenadvocatinganintegratedpestmanagementapproachwhichincludesThepotatobeetlehasbecomenotoriousforitsdevelopmentofresistancetovirtuallyallinsecticidesthathavebeenusedagainstit.variousnon-chemicalapproachesincludingculturalpracticesandtheuseofnaturalenemies.ThelatestdevelopmentsinColoradopotatobeetlecontrolalsoincludenewpotatovarietiesbredtoberesistanttothistoughpest.TheBolivianwildspeciesS.berthaultiiisresistanttotheColoradopotatobeetleandmanyotherinsects.Thisresistanceisbasedonglandularhairsonthelowersideoftheleaves.Whenaninsectrubsagainstahairtheglandrupturesandexudesaglue-likesubstancethattrapsthebugimpedingitsmovementsoiteventuallystarves.ScientistsatCornellUniversityinIthicaN.Y.haveincorporatedthistraitintotwocommercialcultivarsPrinceHairyandKingHarry.In2007theMailorderGardeningAssociationhonouredKingHarrywithaGreenThumbAwardasoneofthatyearsbestnewplantvarieties.HielkeDeJongGettoknowVisitFMCcrop.catolearnmore.WeredevelopinggreatchemistryforproducersalloverCanada.Weoerarangeofsolutionsforcropprotectionchallengesinhorticultureandaresuretohaveaproductthattsyourneeds.Alwaysreadandfollowlabeldirections.PounceandCapturearerestrictedusepesticides.FMCCommandAimPounceandCapturearetrademarksandInvestinginfarmingsfutureisaservicemarkofFMCCorporation.BeleafisatrademarkofIshiharaSangyoKaishaLtd.2014FMCCorporation.Allrightsreserved.HerbicideFungicideInsecticideInsecticideInsecticideHerbicide SPUDSMART.COM32ROUNDTABLESuccessfulgrowerssharetheirthoughtsonbestmanagementpracticesinpotatoproduction.MinimizingBruiseDamageRANDYVISSERRandyVisserhasbeengrowingpotatoesforcloseto20yearsathisfamilyfarminPrinceEdwardIsland.MARKKELLERMarkKellergrows5000acresofprocessingpotatoesforthefrenchfryindustryathisfarmjusteastofBrandonMan.MIKEWINDMikeWindhasbeengrowingchipperpotatoesathisAlbertafarmsince1990.MINIMIZINGBRUISEDAMAGEisaprimaryconcernforpotatogrowersnotonlywhenharvestingthecropbutduringhandlingandstorage.WeputthequestionofbestmanagementpracticesforpreventingorreducingtuberbruisingtothreegrowersfromacrossthecountryRandyVisserofGerritVisserandSonsinOrwellCoveP.E.I.MarkKellerofElkHavenFarmsinBrandonMan.andMikeWindofWindianaFarmsinTaberAlta.HerestheirtakeonthebestoftheBMPsforminimizingtuberbruising.TheRightHarvestConditionsPotatobruisingstartsassoonasthetubersarepluckedfromthegroundsoitsimportanttomonitorweatherconditionscloselyatthestartofharvest.VisserKellerandWindallagreeyoudontwanttostartdigginguppotatoeswhenitstoohotortoocoldoutside.Windsaysthehottesttheyllharvestisatabout20Candthat10Cisaboutthelowesttemperatureatwhichtheyllconsiderdigging.ForVisserthatfigureisalittlelowerYouprobablywanttoavoidgoingbelow7Catharvesttime.Kelleralsostressestheimportanceofmakingsurethesoilisattherightmoisturelevelfordigging.Wewaterourfieldsbeforewedigthemuphesays.Wewanttomakesurethegroundisalittlebitwetsothepotatoescancarrydirtwiththem.Kelleraddstheyalsodigdeepenoughtoprovidesufficientdirttohelpcushionthetubersduringhandling.Youwanttomakesurethediggeriscarryingenoughdirtwiththepotatoessoyourenothandlingthembythemselves.Wemakesureoperatorscarryenoughdirtallthewaytothetopofthemachine.MinimizingDropsReducingdropsduringthepotatohandlingprocessisanotherkeyconsideration.Vissersaysitscriticaltokeepacloseeyeonthosedropseverystepofthewayfromharvesttostoragebin.FromthewindrowerstotheharvestertothetruckstothereceivinglineeverydropisimportanttomakesurethatitsgoingtominimizebruisingexplainsVisser.Thiscanbedonebysuchmeansasensuringdropsdeflecttheproductalittlebitsoitsnotaharddroporbyremovingthebottomsfromconveyorequipmentsothebeltactuallyhasgotabitofaspringandsomegivetoitsothentheresnotaharddeadblowhesays.Visseraddstheyvefoundthattuberbruisingisalsorelatedtohowmanydropsandturnsortransitionpointsthereareintheproductionline.Thatsbecausethedamagethatcanoccurintransitionpointsisoftencumulative.BasicallythefewerdropsandturnsthebettersaysVisser.Therearewaystomanagethislikeusingonelongconveyorbelttocoveradistanceratherthantwoshorterones.Kellersruleofthumbisyouneverdroppotatoesmorethansixinchesatanytime.Headdsitsalsoimportanttoensureyourbeltsarerunningslowlyandarefullatalltimestominimizethejostlingthatcancontributetotuberbruising.PerilsofPilingOnPilingpotatoestoohighcanbearecipeforpressurebruisingaprimarysourceoftuberdamageinstorage.Howhighthatyoumakethosepileswillmakeadifference.saysVisser.Itsvarietyspecificbutthemoreyouputontopthemoreweightonthosebottompotatoes.Ifyoukeepitdownto13feetorlessthenyouremuchbetteroffIthink.SUPPORTEDBY 33FALL2014HighHumidityHumiditysimportantinthestorageforsure.Ifyouhaveittoodryinthepilethenpotatoeswillrespireanddehydrate.SoyouwanttokeepthatupashighasyoucansaysVisser.Theonlythingyouhavetobealittlecarefulofisifyougetfreemoistureinyourpilesthatwillopenyouuptootherissueslikepossiblerotshesays.Soyoudontwantitsoakingwetinthereeither.Wealwayssaythat95percenthumidityorplusisfineaslongasyoudonthavefreemoistureinthepilesaysVisser.Thehigherthebetterasfaraswereconcerned.Vissersayshisoperationisaddingnewcomputerizedsensorstotheirstorageventilationsystems.Thisenablesrelativehumiditytobemonitoredmorequicklyandinrealtime.WecanliterallygoontheInternetanywheremyphonemycomputerinmyofficeorathomeorwhateverandmonitorthosesystemshesays.Windsaysadequatehumidityinthestoragebincutsdownonchancesoftuberrotssettinginsincethishelpscoolthepotatopilesdownandwillalsohelpbruisedpotatoesheal.Wetrytokeepitaround95percenthumidityinthereaspotatoescomeinforthehealingprocesshesays.Kelleragreesonthe95percentbenchmarkandsaysitsimportanttohavetheproperhumiditysettingsfromthestart.WheneverpossibleyoushouldhavetherighthumidityrightoffthebatespeciallyforUmatillaandRussetssothatyoureareminimizebruisingthefirstfewweeksgoinginwhiletheygetsuberized.DifferencesinVarietiesOneofthechallengesinbruisemanagementisthatsomevarietiesbruisemoreeasilythanothers.AsanexampleWindreferstochipperroundwhitepotatoeswhichhesaysaredefinitelymoresusceptibletopressurebruisingthanavarietylikeRussetBurbank.Firstoftheallwithroundwhitesyouwanttomakesureyoureputtinginaproductthatsveryclean.Youdontwanttoputanydirtinthepilebecausethatllblockyourairoffhesays.Iguesswiththewholehandlingprocedureyoujusthavetobemorecareful.Vissersaysasensiblestrategyistomanagebruisedamagebyfocusingonyourmostsusceptiblevariety.SomeoftheseyellowvarietiesYukonGoldforexamplecanbequiteabitmoresensitivetohandling.OvertheyearswevegrownalotofYukonGoldsowevelearnedalotabouthandlingfromthatvarietyhesays.Whatyouwanttodoistakeyourmostsensitivevarietyandusethatasyourbenchmark.IfyoucantakethatoneinwithoutmarkingituporbruisingititcertainlydoesnthurtthemoreresilientvarietytobehandledgentlytooVisserexplains.Youtakesomeofyourworstcasescenariosoryourmostsusceptiblevarietiesandbuildyourproductionaroundthatthatskindofwhatwedo.ByMarkHalsallHarvesttimeatMikeWindsfarminTaberAlta.Windstressestheimportanceofharvestingpotatoesintherightweatherconditions.PhotocourtesyofMikeWind. SPUDSMART.COM34INTHEFIELDFIVE-ROWBEDPLANTINGofpotatoescomeswithsomeinherentadvantagesovertraditionalridgedrowplanting.ThatsthendingofarecentManitobastudycarriedouttodeterminehowdifferentbedplantingtechniquescaneffectpotatoplantpopulationsintermsofyieldtuberproleandqualityforfrenchfryprocessing.BedplantingofpotatoeshasbeengainingattentioninCanadaaftergrowersinIdahoandelsewhereinthePacicNorthweststartedexperimentingwiththetechniqueasanalternativetotheconventionalridgedrowsystem.Inabeddesignmultiplerowsofpotatoesareplantedintoanelevatedatarea.Thiscongurationreducesthenumberoffurrowsinaeldthusincreasingthesurfaceareaforoptimaldistributionofpotatoroots.In2011GaiaConsultingwascommissionedtoconductthebedplantingresearchatCanada-ManitobaCropDiversicationCentresresearchsiteinCarberryMan.FundingfortheprojectcamefromtheCanadiangovernmentsGrowingForward1programaswellasfromKeystonePotatoProducersAssociationSimplotCanadaandMcCainFoodsCanada.SpudSmartrstreportedonthestudywhichcomparedpotatoesgrowninaconventionalridgedrowcongurationtoave-rowbedcongurationinourspring2013issueandtheresultsarenowin.Tuberproleisthebiggestadvantageofbedplantingsaysstudyco-authorDarinGibsonofGaiaConsulting.TheresearchersBedPlantingStudyResultsShowBenetsSmallertubersyieldincreasesreductioninirrigationwatertoutedasmainadvantagesofalternativetoridgedrowplanting.foundthatbedcongurationresultedinmoretubersperplotandthosetuberstendedtobesmaller.LargetubersrepresentarealdisincentiveforprocessorsGibsonsays.Thebiggestbenetwesawwithbedplantingistubersizeandgettingmoretubersofthesizetheprocessorswanttoseeforfrenchfryprocessing.ChadBerrycanattesttobedplantingspositiveeffectontubersize.BerryownerofOverandUndertheHillFarmsnearGlenboroMan.usesabedplantingsystemonalmostone-fthofhis1600acresofpotatoes.Itshisfourthyearusingthetechniquewhichallowshimtogrowverowsofpotatoesinthesamespacewheretherehadbeenfour.FewestBenetswithRussetBurbanksOurqualitybonusesarepaidbasedonsizeproleanditdenitelyhelpsusouttherehesays.Inditveryvariety-specicthoughheadds.AccordingtoBerryhesseenhismostsignicanttubersizeimprovementswithInnovatorRangerandUmatilla.HesnoticedtheleastamountofbenetwithRussetBurbank.Onedrawbackresearcherssawwithbedplantingaslightlydifferenttuberproleintheouterrowhasbeentakencareofsomewhatbyusingslightlytighterspacingintheouterrow.ThestudyalsofoundthatbedplantingproducedslightlyhigheryieldsthantraditionalridgedrowtechniquesGibsonGrowerChadBerryusedave-rowbedplantertoseedpartofhispotatoacreageathisManitobafarmlastyear.PhotocourtesyofChadBerry. 35FALL2014saysabout25hundredweightofadditionalpotatoyieldwasattainedonaverage.Thestudyusedaplotsizeof24by60feet.Eightrowsofridgedrowswereplantedcomparedto10rowsusingthebedplantingtechnique.Berryhasalsonoticedanaverageofveto10percenthigheryieldusingbedplanting.IdontthinkmostgrowerswillndaverydramaticincreaseinyieldbutitsthereGibsonsays.Anothermodestbenettobedplantingthatthestudyauthorsfoundwasinregardtoirrigationwateruse.Becausethebedplantingtechniqueallowsthesoiltoretainmoremoisturelessirrigationwaterwasrequired.Soilmoisturewasmaintainedataminimumof75percentavailablesoilwateraccordingtothestudyresults.Gibsonaddsthatbedplantingwilllikelybecomemorepopularwithtimebuthedoesntexpectittobecomethedominantformofpotatoplantingfortheindustry.RussettBurbankisstillthemostwidelygrownvarietyandwehaventseenthebenetinthatvarietylikeweveseeninsomeoftheothershesays.Bedplantingalsorequiresexpensiveequipment.Conventionalplanterscantbeusedmeaningspecializedequipmenthastobebroughtinforseedingandpossiblyforotherpurposes.ItsalotofexpenseyouneedmachineryyoudidnthavebeforeBerryadds.Heusesbothconventionalridgedrowandbedplantingonhisfarm.Youhavetoruntwodifferentunitsandthatmeansmorepeopleandmoreequipment.MarcZienkiewiczandMarkHalsallAlbertaseedpotatoesarethebestyoucanbuy.Wehaveearnedthecondenceandtrustofpotatogrowersforover30years.Seewhateveryonestalkingabout.PotatoGrowersofAlbertawww.albertapotatoes.ca SPUDSMART.COM36SPUDSMART.COMeyeNEWBRUNSWICKByLouisOuelletteMarketInformationCo-ordinatorPotatoesNewBrunswickItwasaverypleasantsummerhereinNewBrunswick.Alatespringgotthecropintothegroundabouttwoweeksbehindnor-malplantingtimebutalmostidealtemperatureshelpedthisyearscropmakeupsomemuch-neededtimeoverthegrowingseason.Asofmid-SeptemberthenorthernpartofNewBrunswickspo-tatobelthadreceivedadequaterainandmanygrowerswereex-pectingabove-averageyieldswithexcellentquality.ProducersinthesouthernareasofthepotatobeltsawlittlerainduringAugustandwerecountingonsomemuch-neededrainbeforeharvesttohelpthepotatoesduringtheimportantbulkingstage.Thatbeingsaidqualityisexpectedtobeverygoodforthe2014crop.HarvestingactivitiesstartedinearlyAugustforchippingpotatoeswiththeremainderoftheharvestscheduledtobeginaroundmid-September.PRINCEEDWARDISLANDByGaryLinkletterChairmanPrinceEdwardIslandPotatoBoardWhilethewintermonthsaretraditionallyplanningseasonforthepotatoindustrythespringandsummerof2014sawIslandgrowersparticipatinginthedevelopmentofanupdatedstrategicplanforthePrinceEdwardIslandPotatoBoard.Theinputsessionsincludedface-to-facegrowermeetingsaswellasthesolicitationoffeedbackusingelectroniccommunicationmethods.Althoughthefocuswasongettinggrowerfeedbackandinputdealersalsohadanopportunitytocontributetheirthoughtsasinformationwasgatheredtosetthedirectiongoingforward.Therewillbenodramaticchangeinthedirectionofthepotatoboardbutoutsideinuencesandproductiontechnologydochangeovertheyearsandthisinuencesthedirectionofboardactivitiessomewhat.UnderconsiderationisanincreasedfocusonndingwayswecanmakechangesinproductiontransportationandmarketingtohelptheP.E.I.potatoindustrybemorecompetitiveandincreasemarginsforgrowersrespondingtonewdiseaseandinsectpestpressuresandadaptingtonewmarketdemandsandconsumerpreferences.ThenewstrategicplanwillbepresentedforgrowerapprovalattheboardsannualgeneralmeetinginNovember.AsweenteranotherwintermarketingandplanningseasoncommunicationwithgrowerstosharemarketinformationwithgovernmenttodevelopprogramsandpoliciesthathelptheindustryandwiththegeneralpublictosharefactualproductionandeconomicinformationwillcontinuetobekeypartsoftheP.E.I.PotatoBoardsstrategygoingforward.QUEBECByClementLalancetteGeneralManagerFederationdesProducteursdePommesdeTerreduQuebecIngeneralwehadgoodweatherconditionsthispastsummerexceptforsomedroughtconditionsinafewareas.TheeasternpartoftheprovincewasparticularlyaffectedwithlowprecipitationinJulyandAugust.Anestimated44250acresofpotatowereplantedthisyearinQuebecaboutthesameacreageas2013.Generallyweanticipateaverageyieldsthataresimilartolastyear.Howeveryieldsmaybelowerinthoseareasthatexperiencedadroughtperiodorwherepotatoeshadnotbeenirrigated.Alsoformanyvarietieswecouldseefewertubersperplantthisyearthannormal.Asofmid-Septemberqualityseemsgoodwithveryfewinternaldefectslikebrownheartandhollowheart.Commonscabhasbeenobservedregularlywithdifferentintensitylevels.ONTARIOByPeterVanderZaagOwnerSunrisePotatoThesummerof2014wasacoolandwetformostOntariopotato-growingareasprovidingidealgrowingconditionsforpotatoes.Thecropgrewandmaturednaturallyandyieldsareexcellent.Lateblightwasaconcerninthelatterpartofthegrowingseasonbutanexten-sivesprayprogramprovidednearperfectcontrol.Marketdemandforfreshpotatoesremainsgood.Asofmid-Septemberharvestingwasprogressingwellwithfavourableharvestingconditions. 37FALL2014FALL2014The2014OntarioPotatoFieldwasheldAug.21stinAllistonOnt.ThiseventwashostedbyHJVEquipmentandwasorganizedbyEugeniaBankspotatospecialistwiththeOntarioMinistryofAgricultureFoodandRuralAffairs.Theapproximately300attendeesgrowerscropconsultantsandpotatoindustrypeoplehadtheopportunitytogetacquaintedwithinnovativepotatoequipmentsuchasSpudniksAirSepHarvesteraswellaswithalargenumberofnewpotatovarietiesgrowninnearbyplotsincommercialelds.Networkingamongtheelddayattendeescreatedavibrantandfriendlyatmospherethatalongwithfavourableweathercontributedtothesuccessofthisannualevent.WearemostfortunatetohavesuchpassionatepotatospecialistinEugeniaBankswhomakestheseeventssoworthwhile.MANITOBAByDanSawatskyGeneralManagerKeystonePotatoProducersAssociationCommentsvarywhengrowersareaskedaboutcropexpectationsthisyear.Althoughthecropwasplantedonaveragetwoweeksbehindnormalplantingdatesidealtemperaturesallowedthecroptoadvancequickly.Testdigsareshowingahightubersetwithuniformgrowth.LittlerainfallinJulyandthroughthersthalfofAugustkepttheirrigationequipmentbusy.Theprocessingacreagewasfullyirrigatedwhilethefreshsideoftheindustrylaggedbehind.TrimbleIrrigateIQTakecompletecontrolofyourirrigationwithTrimbleIrrigateIQ.Withvariablerateirrigationandexclusionzonesreal-timedatamonitoringaswellasahostofotherfeaturesyourirrigationhasneverbeenmoreefficient.ContactustolearnmoreaboutIrrigateIQandotherTrimbleproducts.OtherProductsBigDogandBILScrapersBRONAdd-OnPlowsDrainTileStringerTrailersTrimbleWM-DrainandWM-TopoWolverineDitcherPrinscoDrainTileTrimbleConnectedFarm1.888.717.9635CALLTOLLFREEwww.AgWaterSupply.caVISITUSONLINEEquippinggrowersforwatermanagement. SPUDSMART.COM38SPUDSMART.COMeyeThesummerdryspellendedinmid-Augustwithsomeareasreceivinguptoseveninchesofrainduringthethirdweekofthatmonthwhichhasresultedinsomeminorlosses.RaincontinuedintoearlySeptember.TherewasasetbackforsomeproducerswhorelyonwaterpumpedfromtheAssiniboineRiverinJulywhenamajorrainfalleventupstreaminSaskatchewancausedtherivertooverowitsbanksinundatingirrigationpumpsandequipment.Growershadtoscrambleandimprovisetosupplywateratatimewhencropwaterdemandwashigh.TransitionintonewcropforSimplotandMcCainFoodsoccurredonAug.18and24.Earlydirectdeliveryproductwasasvariedasproducersexpectationswithsomeeldsyieldingwellwithsur-prisingtubersizeandotherswheretheyieldwasdownwithasmallertuberprole.Continualrainhascontributedtoachallengingstartfornewsea-sondeliveries.ThemainRussetBurbankstoragecropwillrequiremoretimeanddrierweathertorealizeitspotential.TheindustryinManitobacontinuestoinvestinresearchtarget-edatincreasingyieldandquality.ThepotatoresearchelddayheldAug.14attheCanada-ManitobaCropDiversicationCentreinCarberryMan.highlightedinitiativesinvolvingfertilityandwaterusage.Growinginterestinvariablerateirrigationhasalsoprompt-edresearchinthatarea.Planninghasbegunforthe2015ManitobaPotatoProductionDaysConferencetobeheldJan.26to28inBrandonMan.Moreinformationisavailableatmbpotatodays.ca.BRITISHCOLUMBIAByTomDemmaGeneralManagerBCVegetableMarketingCommissionAlleyesareonBritishColumbiasmainpotatocropandthevariouspotatovarietieswhichwhenharvestedwillenterintostorageforsellinglaterinthemarketingyear.Theweatherthroughoutthegrowingseasonhasbeenremark-ablyconducivetocropdevelopment.Daytimetemperaturesweresteadilywarmbutwithfewoverlyhotdays.Bymid-Septemberanyhintoffallweatherhadyettoappearsothosefarmersbegin-ningthestoragepotatoharvestwereworkinginidealconditions.Thememoryof2010sexcessmoistureeventisstillprevalentineveryonesmindandissomethingnoonewishestoseeagain.Theyieldforearly-croppotatoesfellwithinthenormalrangethisyear.Therearesimilarexpectationsforthemainstoragecropthatmostlyhadyettobeharvestedbymid-September.Thereisnotalkofabumpercrophowevergrowersareoptimisticastubersizeandqualityofearlycroppotatoeswasgoodandthisisexpectedtobethecaseforthemainstoragecrop.Thequalityoftablestockpotatoesisalsoshapinguptobeexcellent.ThepotatopricingpictureinBritishColumbiaremainsunclearduetothepotatosupplyandmarketsituationintheU.S.PacicNorthwest.ItsasimilarsituationformostotherproducersinWest-ernCanadaandtheUnitedStateswhofacethefundamentalandasyettheunanswerablequestionastowhatthemarketingseasonwillbringinthewayofreturns.Everyonesfocusatpresentisonharvestingandmaintainingqualityinstorage.ALBERTAByTerenceHochsteinExecutiveDirectorPotatoGrowersofAlbertaInmanyareasAlbertasstarttoSeptemberlookedlikeamid-Decemberblizzard.Somepartsoftheprovincereceivedupto12inchesofthewhitestuffandexperiencedtemperaturesascoldas-9C.Fortunatelythiswasshort-livedandmostofthepotatoacresremainedunscathed.Ourgrowingseasonhasbeenalloverthemapthisyearalatestartsomecatch-upandthenvirtuallynomoistureforthoseareaswithnoirrigation.LateAugustbroughtalotofraintothesouthanditjustkeptcoming.Asofmid-Septemberharvestwaslookingtobelonganddrawnoutwithawholelotofwaitinginbetweensomeveryfrustrat-ingharvestdays.Overallwearelookingatanaverageyieldfortheprocessingareasalbeitthatcouldchangedependingonhowmanyacresthatmayhavetobeabandonedduetotheexcessivemoistureconditions.Ourseedvolumelookstobedownthisyearaswellduetotheearlydryconditions.Onlytimewilltellastowhatournumberswilllooklikecomethenishofharvest.Fallbringsthestartofmeetingandconferenceseason.Albertagrowerswillonceagainhostthe48thannualAlbertaPotatoCon-ferenceandTradeShowinRedDeerAlta.fromNov.18to20..PlanBCVegetaBleMarketingCoMMission 39FALL2014FALL2014onjoiningusforthreedaysofinformationandnetworkingwithpotatoindustryrepresentativesfromacrossthecountry.Formoreinformationvisitalbertapotatoes.caorcontactthePGAofceat403-223-2262.SASKATCHEWANByDesseriAckermanManagerSaskatchewanSeedPotatoGrowersAssociationTheSaskatchewanSeedPotatoGrowersAssociationhelditssemi-annualgeneralmeetingAug.19.RegionalCanadianFoodInspectionAgencyrepresentativesaddressedseveralconcernsthatSSPGAmembershadabouttheCanadiangovernmentsSeedPotatoTuberQualityManagementProgramandpotatocystnematodetesting.WhileclaritywasprovidedconcernremainsthatthetestingrequirementswillburdenSaskatchewanproducersgiventhelargeacreagesthattheytypicallymanage.MembersalsodiscussedtheirconcernabouttheremovalofThimetfromthemarketwithoutavailableviablealternativesforcontrollingwireworm.JeremyGermanasenioragrologistwithG-MacsAgTeamInc.updatedgrowersontheirnewagronomicservicesavailabletopotatoproducers.Asofmid-Septemberproducerswerereportingexcellenttuberqualitybutyieldsweredownfromlastyearsbumpercrop.Itappearsthattherewillbeanaverageyieldthisyear.TheSSPGAwillholditsannualgeneralmeetingandconferenceinSaskatoononNov.27.Guestspeakersandatradeshowareplanned.FullEquipmentLinePilersEvenFlowBinsScoopersConveyorsCultivatorsEliminatorsBulkBedsPlantersWindrowersandHarvesterswww.spudnik.com CanadianagricultureBigbusiness.Bigopportunity.Bigresponsibility.1in8Canadianjobsareinagandagri-foodFoodandbeverageprocessingisCanadaslargestmanufacturingindustrywith93.7billionINSHIPMENTSCanadaswineandgrapeindustrycontributes6.8billionineconomicimpacteveryyearTheworldwillneed60morefoodby2050andwellhelpllthatdemandAgMoreThanEver.caCanadaistheintheworldforlowfoodprocessingcostsG7inthe1Canadaranks THEREALSTORYOFAGMostofusinagricultureseethegreatopportunitiesinfrontofus.Weknowagisavitalandforward-thinkingindustryripewithopportunityandthatwecareabouttheenvironmentanimalwelfareandproducingsafehealthyfoodforagrowingworld.Butthegeneralpublicoftenhearsadierentstory.WhyBecauseforthemostpartourindustryisnttheonetellingit.ToreachitsfullpotentialagneedseveryoneintheindustrytospeakupsotherealstoryofCanadianagcanbeheard.YoudontneedapodiumorsoapboxjustadesiretoshareyouragpridewiththeworldandAgMoreThanEvercanhelp.AgMoreThanEverisanindustry-drivencausethatprovidesresourcesandaforumforagvocatestotelltherealpositivestoryofCanadianag.Weremadeupofover300partnersand450agvocatesallcommittedtoimprovingperceptionsdispellingmythsandcreatingpositivedialogueaboutagriculture.Wevemadegreatprogressinourrsttwoyearsbutweneedtokeepgrowingbecausechangingperceptionsisanongoingjobmadeeasierwhenallofusdoourpart.Togetherwecanshareouroptimismineectiveandengagingways.VisitAgMoreThanEver.catodayandndouthowyoucangetinvolved.Letsgrowtogether IntroducingthenewandimprovedAgMoreanEver.caTHEREALSTORYOFAGOuronlinehubforagvocatesjustgotbetterweveoverhauledthesitetomakeiteasierforyoutotelltherealpositivestoryofCanadianag. HereareafewwaystogetinvolvedandmakethemostofthesiteTHEREALSTORYOFAG5.FollowusonsocialmediaOurTwitterFacebookandInstagramfeedsaregreatplacestojointheconversation.Shareourcontentoraddyourownsothatwecanshareitwithothers.CheckitoutandletusknowwhatyouthinkAgMoreThanEver.ca4.BecomeapartnerAgMoreThanEverisbuiltonpartnerships.OurpartnerscomefrommanydierentbackgroundstoactivelygrowawarenessofthecauseandspreadpositivemessagesaboutCanadianagtotheiremployeesassociatescustomersandthepublic.Ifyoudliketobecomeapartneroursiteistheplacetostart.1.JoinouragvocatelistAddingyournametoouragvocatelistisagreatwaytoshowyoursupportfortheindustry.Joinacommunityoflike-mindedpeopleandreceiveanemailfromuseverymonthwithagvocatetipstohelpyouspeakupforag.2.UseourresourcesWevemadeourresourceseasiertonavigateandaddednewcontenttohelpyoushoweveryoneyourpassionforag.Thesectionislledwitheasy-to-sharefactsphotosinfographicsandmore.3.ShareyourstoryShareexamplesofyouragvocacyinaction.HowhaveyoudispelledmythsstartedconversationsorsharedyouragpridewiththeworldYourstorycanserveasagreatexampleforotheragvocates. SPUDSMART.COM44TUBERTALKINRECENTYEARStheconceptknownasvariablerateirrigationorVRIhasbecomeacatchphraseamongirrigationspecialistsandgrowersalike.Somewouldevendescribeitasprecisionagricultureappliedtoirrigation.InessenceVRIistheprocessofapplyingdifferingirrigationamountstomatchcropwaterdemandsatasmallscalewithinaparticularfield.MostirrigationequipmentmanufacturersinCanadanowadaysoffersystemsthatareorcanberetrofittedwiththenecessarytechnologyneededtoenablethesesystemstobeusedforVRI.VariableRateIrrigationTheNextBigThinginIrrigatedAgricultureapaperpublishedlastyearbyirrigationspecialistswithAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadaandAlbertaAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentnotesthefollowingcomponentsofVRItechnologySprinklercontrolvalveswatervalvesthatopenandcloseinresponsetoacontrolsignalcontrollingindividualsprinklersordefinedbanksofsprinklersApivotpositioningsystemusuallyaglobalpositioningsystemthislocatestheexactpositionofthepivotsystemwithinthefieldAnelectroniccontrolpanelthisprocessestheinformationuploadedbytheoperatorandsendscontrolsignalstothesprinklervalvesinaccordancewiththepivotlocationinthefieldandthedesiredwaterapplicationdepthalongthesystemVRIsystemusersareprovidedwithsoftwarethatcreatesaprescriptionWhythisalternativetoconventionalirrigationtechniquesisgettingalotofattentioninpotatoproductioncircles.VariableRateIrrigationByLukiePieterseLukiePieterseisaconsultantandwriterwithdecadesofexperienceinthepotatosectorfromgrowinghisowndrip-irrigatedpotatoestowritinginternationalpotatonews.TuberTalkisaninsiderstakeontheissuesimpactingtheindustry.indicatingthedesiredapplicationdepthsfordefinedareasbeneaththeirrigationsystem.Theprescriptionisthenuploadedtothecentrepivotselectroniccontrolpanelwhichreferencestheprescriptionwhensendingoutcontrolsignalsandcyclesthesignaltoassociatedcontrolvalvestoachievethedesiredwaterapplicationamountforthatparticularareaofthefield.BenefitsofVRIProponentsofVRIprovideseveralreasonsforitbeingbeneficial.AmongthebenefitslistedintheAAFCandAARDreportStressesduetodroughtandexcessmoistureareavoidedreducingtheincidenceofcropdiseaseandstress-relatedcropqualityproblemsReducedwateruseupto15percentaccordingtosomeestimatesReducedenergyuseasaresultofreducedpumpingatthefieldlevelaswellasfromthewatersourcetothefieldPotentialfortheprecisionapplicationofnutrientsthroughfertigationVRIenthusiastsoftenpointoutthatifareasofaparticularfieldareeitherunder-irrigatedorover-irrigatedyieldpotentialwillnotbemaximizednomatteratwhatrateotherinputsareapplied.VRItechnologyanditsapplicationhavebeenputtothetestbyCanadianpotatoresearchersandgrowersalikeoverthepastfewyears.DuringtheManitobaPotatoProductionDayseventinBrandonMan.earlierthisyearJeffBronschofSunriseAgafarmproductionmanagementcompanyinTaberAlta.talkedaboutaVRIprojectheconductedalongwithacoupleofAlbertapotatogrowersin2012.InaninterviewwithSpudSmartmagazineduringtheconfer-enceBronschsaidthathesbeeninvolvedintrialswithVRItechnol-ogyatthegrowerlevelforthepastthreeyears.Whatheandhisre-searchteamareinvestigatingishowVRItechniquescanbeusedtohelpdevelopfieldprescriptionsthataddresssoilvariability.AccordingtoBronschtheoutstandingvalueofVRIforpotatoproductionisminimizingthatproductionvariabilitysothatthegroweratharvestwouldhaveauniformcropacrossthefieldandminimizewaste.Bronschfurtherpointedoutthatfromaproductionstandpointthereisamaturityaspectthatcomesintoplaywherepartofthecropwouldnotbematurewhileotherpartsof 45FALL2014thesamecropwouldstillbeimmature.Variabilityinmaturityofacropalwayscreatesproblemsinstorageforonewhilethereisalsothematterofdifferencesinsizeprofilebecauseofvariabilityinmaturityacrosscertainsectorsofthefield.AccordingtoBronschUltimatelythegoalistominimizethatvariabilitywithinafieldtomaximizetheeconomicssothereismoreproductinthebagthusminimizingwasteandmaximizingtheinputcost.AlthoughhebelievesthatVRIcanplayaroleinyieldimprovementBronschseesthemostimportantbenefitasimprovedproductquality.Oneexampleofenhancedqualityhesaidisbeingabletodevelopaunifiedcropprofilewithintheparametersofprocessorspecifications.Bronschstressedanimprovementinqualityleadstohighereconomicyieldsincethereislessgradingrequiredafterharvestandnotasmuchproductisthrownawaybecausetheresamoreuniformcrop.BronschacknowledgesthatVRIcurrentlycostsmorethantraditionalirrigationtechniquesbutstressesthereisapaybackortherewouldntbemuchinterest.ThesepaybacksincludeincreasedeconomicyieldsresultingfromhighercropyieldsandqualityandlesswastehesaysaddingthatVRIcanhelpgrowersharvesteveryplantedacreandcapturetheinvestmentofeveryacrebothintermsoffixedcostsandcropinputs.BronschmaintainsVRIcanalsohelpfarmersmaximizethebenefitsofafixedwaterlocation.InsomeareaslikeManitobawateriscapturedinthespringathighflowsanddivertedintostorageponds.Maximizingtheefficiencyanddeliveryofthisfixedallocationtothecropisvaluablehesays.CanadianresearchersstudyingvariablerateirrigationtechnologyanditsapplicationsinpotatoproductionincludeManitobaagronomistAlisonNelson.HANLONAGCENTRE300518thAve.NorthLethbridgeABT1H5V2Phone403.329.8686TollFree1.800.461.5356Cell403.308.0341www.hanlonag.com SPUDSMART.COM46ManitobaStudyDuringafieldtrialtourattheCanada-ManitobaCropDiversificationCentrenearCarberryMan.inAugustagronomistAlisonNelsonspoketoSpudSmartaboutavariablerateirrigationresearchprojectthattheCMCDCstartedthisyear.NelsonindicatedthattheprojectisaimedatcomparingthebenefitsofaVRIsystemwiththoseofaconventionalirrigationsystemonpotatocropstoseehowthetwosystemsdifferintermsofqualityandyieldattheendoftheseason.Theworkiscurrentlyinafact-findingphaseandtheplanisgetaVRIsystemupandrunningsoon.ItshopedthecomparativestudywillbecompletedwithintwoyearsofVRIinstallation.NelsonsaidtheprojectwasspurredonbyrequestsfromManitobaproducersfortheCMCDCtohelpcomeupwithwaystohelpreducesoilmoisturevariationwithinpotatofieldsintheprovince.ResearchinOntarioisalsounderscoringthebenefitsofVRIinpotatoproduction.AstudybytheWaterResourceAdaptationandManagementInitiativeentitledShowcasingvariablerateirrigationtechnologiesintheOntariopotatoindustryhasshownthisirrigationtechniquerequiressubstantiallylessirrigatedwaterbetweennineand26percentandthereareassociatedenergysavingsaswell.TherewasalsoasignificantreductioninfieldrunoffanddrainagereducingtheriskofnitrateleachingwithVRI.AbigobstacletothewidespreadadoptionofVRIisofcoursethecost.Howeverimprovementsinthetechnologyarenarrowingthegapbetweenitandtraditionalirrigationmethods.Onlytimeongoingresearchtrialsandthenatureofgrowerexperiencesatthefieldlevelwiththistechnologywillestablishinthelongrunwhethervariablerateirrigationinpotatoproductionisheretostay.VRICANHELPGROWERSHARVESTEVERYPLANTEDACREANDCAPTURETHEINVESTMENTOFEVERYACREBOTHINTERMSOFFIXEDCOSTSANDCROPINPUTS.JEFFBRONSCHAUTOMATICDROPHEIGHTANDDEPTHCONTROLFORPOTATOHARVESTERSGREENTRONICSCALLUSNOWFORDETAILSANDAFREEINFORMATIONKITINFOGREENTRONICS.COM519-669-4698WWW.GREENTRONICS.COMTHEGREENTRONICSRITEDROPANDRITEDEPTHDISTANCECONTROLSYSTEMSWILLSAVEYOUTIMEMONEYANDOPERATORFATIGUEATHARVESTTIME.DEVELOPEDSPECIFICALLYFORNEWANDUSEDPOTATOHARVESTERSTOAUTOMATICALLYCONTROLDROPHEIGHTANDDIGGINGDEPTH.LessBruisinganddamageinyourpotatoIncreasegroundspeedMoreprofitHappieroperator RAISEYOURSTANDARDSDuPontVertisanfungicideAnewoutlookondiseasemanagement.uestionsAskyourretailercall1-800-667-3925orvisitvertisan.dupont.caVertisan.Higheryield.Higherquality.Higherstandards.Whenitcomestoprotectingyourhigh-valuepotatocropyoushouldntsettleforanythingbutthebest.Vertisanisapowerfulfungicideformanagingrhizoctoniaandearlyblightinpotatocrops.Startyourcropstrongwithaneectivein-furrowapplicationofVertisantoguardagainstearlyrhizoctoniainfectionswhichcanoenleadtolowerpotatoyieldandquality.Vertisanisalsoapowerfultoolagainstsclerotiniaandotheryieldrobbingdiseasesincanolapulsesandsunowers.NomatterwhattheseasonbringsyoucancountonVertisantodeliverhighyieldinghighqualitycrops.Aswithallcropprotectionproductsreadandfollowlabelinstructionscarefully.TheDuPontOvalLogoDuPontThemiraclesofscienceandVertisanareregisteredtrademarksortrademarksofE.I.duPontdeNemoursandCompany.E.I.duPontCanadaCompanyisalicensee.MemberofCropLifeCanada.Copyright2014DuPontCanada.Allrightsreserved. SPUDSMART.COM48SPUDSMART.COMMARKETNEWSWhiletheresnotmuchchangeonthefreshsidetotalpotatocropproductioninCanadaisdownslightlyfromayearago.CanadianCropProduction000cwtProvince201120122013August2014YieldEstimateChange2013-2014Nd.andLabrador90888883-5.7PrinceEdwardIsland245102428425009257933.1NewBrunswick118831443813647140372.9NovaScotia460418450356-20.0Quebec11250110011183010811-8.6Ontario6338750584387952-5.8Manitoba17500207632154518381-14.7Saskatchewan1960162517881763-1.4Alberta164331869518234186672.4BritishColumbia18981925170817522.6TotalCanada9237210074110273699595-3.1CANADASPOTATOcropproductionfor2014isexpectedtobeslightlylowerthanlastyearaccordingtotheUnitedPotatoGrowersofCanada.RecentUPGCguresshowadropofjustoverthreepercentnationallywiththebiggestdeclineinManitobawherecropproductionisexpectedtobedownalmost15percentfromayearago.QuebecwithaclosetoninepercentdeclineandOntariowithanearlysixpercentdroparealsodownsignicantlyfrom2013.HoweverthereareprojectedincreasesofaboutthreepercentinbothofthetwomaincropproducersinAtlanticCanadaPrinceEdwardIslandandNewBrunswick.OtherguresfromUPGCshowvirtuallynochangeincropproductiononthefreshpotatosidefrom2013to2014.OfthemainpotatoproducingprovincesPrinceEdwardIslandat10.5percentwitnessedthelargestincreasewhileQuebechadthebiggestdeclinewithanearly14percentdrop.Thedeclinesintotalpotatocropproductioncanbeattributedtocutsinprocessingacresinmanyareascoupledwithunfavourableweatherinmostpartsofthecountryatthebeginningoftheseason.DespitethecoldwetweatherthatdelayedplantingformanygrowersthisyearscropmanagedtocatchupandwasactuallydoingprettywellheadingintoharvestaccordingtoKevinMacIsaacUPGCgeneralmanager.Thecropwaslateplantingbutthankfullywehadgoodgrowingconditionsforsomepartofthesummerhesays.WerelookingatprettyfavourableyieldsIthink.THEPOTATOsupply-and-demandpicturewasalsoshapinguptobeprettydecentbysummersendaccordingtoMacIsaac.Wereprettywellwhereweshouldbeintermsofproductionhesays.ThatsgoodnewsintermsofpotatopricesalthoughMacIsaacdidcautionthatacontinuationofamarketoversupplytrendinIdahocouldresultinsomepricingpressuregenerallyinNorthAmerica.FALLPOTATOproductionisupintheUnitedStatescomparedtoayearagoaccordingtoBruceHuffakersNorthAmericanPotatoMarketNews.HuffakerexpectsU.S.growerstoproducenearly415millionhundredweightoffallpotatoesin2014a4.1percentincreasefrom2013.lineincropproductionCanadianFreshPotatoProduction000cwtProvinceSeptember2013September2014YieldEstimateChange2013-2014Nd.andLabrador8883-5.7PrinceEdwardIsland7000773810.5NewBrunswick229623442.1NovaScotia1512-20.0Quebec65095621-13.7Ontario43904223-3.8Manitoba248026808.1Saskatchewan11001080-1.8Alberta9169635.1BritishColumbia109311020.8TotalCanada2588725846-0.2SourceUnitedPotatoGrowersofCanadaMarketinformationcourtesyoftheUPGCUPGAandiindustrypartnersandBruceHuffakermarketanalystandpublisherofNorthAmericanPotatoMarketNews.PotatoIrrigationSpecialistsOwnerSales-FokkoBuurmaEmailmidplnsmts.netWebsitewww.midplainsimplements.comServingyouattwolocationsBox610CarberryManitobaR0K0H0Ph204-834-2515Fax204-834-2580cell204-729-6812Box610PortageLaPrairieMBR1N3B9Ph204-239-0584Fax204-239-0564StopbyourboothatManitobaPotatoProductionDays MANITOBAPOTATOPRODUCTIONDAYSPresentationsExhibitorsSpeakersEquipmentFormoreinfophone204-239-6932orvisitusonlineatwww.mbpotatodays.caJANUARY26-282015 SPUDSMART.COM50WORLDNEWSWorldReviewNEWSINSIGHTSFROMAROUNDTHEGLOBE.UnitedStatesDECLININGpotatoconsumptionbyAmericanshasTexasAMAgriLifeResearchbreedersworkingondesignerspudsthatmeetthetimeconstraintsanduniquetastesofayoungergeneration.SowhatwearedoingnowisdevelopinguniquevarietiesthathaveatendencytoappealtotheyoungersetwithhighincomewhoarewillingtotrysomethingdifferentsaysCreightonMilleranAgriLifeResearchpotatobreeder.Thishascontributedtoanincreaseinconsumptionofthesetypesovertherussetswhicharestillthestandard.MillersaysthepotatobreedingprogramistryingtodevelopimprovedvarietiesadaptedspecicallytoenvironmentalconditionsinTexas.HoweversomeofourvarietiesarewidelyadaptedacrosstheU.S.headds.ThreeofthemcollectivelyrepresentthefthlargestnumberofacrescertiedforseedproductionintheU.S.sowevereleasedsomesuccessfulvarietiesandwearedevelopingmoreallthetime.Othervarietiescatchingmoreattentionareredpotatoeswithyellowandwhiteeshandpurple-skinnedpotatoeswithyellowesh.Thetuberswithyelloweshcontaincompoundsthatareantioxidantsandthatappealstothehealth-consciousconsumerMillersays.Soinadditiontohavingtheuniqueappearancetheyarehealthierpotatoes.Alsothisyeartheprogramoffersspecialtypotatoeswithsplashesofredandyellowontheskinthathaveayellowesh.ThesearereferredtoasgourmetpotatoesandthatnicheisreceivingmoreemphasislatelyMillersays.Thesearegenerallyboiledandadduniquecolourtotheplatewhenserved.Millerpointsoutthattherussetpotatoisstilltheprimaryemphasisoftheprogramaddinganewrussetwillsoonbereleasedforcommercialproduction.Itpromisestobeverysuccessfulhesays.SourceTexasAMAgrilifeSpainASPOTATOESarehighlysusceptibletoclimatechangeresearchersatNeiker-TecnaliaanagriculturalresearchanddevelopmentinstituteinSpainarelookingforpotatogenesthatbestadapttoanticipatedclimatechangescharacterizedbyreducedrainfallandincreasedextremesinhotandcoldtemperatures.AspartofthePAPACLIMAprojectdevelopedbyaninternationalconsortiumthepurposeofthisresearchistoidentifythemostresistantgenestocreatenewpotatovarietiesthatwilladapttofutureclimateconditions.Theresearchalsoseekstondouthowthecurrentpotatovarietieswillbehaveinanenvironmentwithincreaseddroughtandmoretemperatureextremes.TheconsortiumiscomprisedofNeiker-TecnaliaandresearchanddevelopmentcentresanduniversitiesinArgentinaUruguayBoliviaPeruEcuadorandCostaRica.CommercialvarietiesnativepotatoesfromSouthAmericaoldvarietiesfromtheCanaryIslandsandwildspeciesareallbeingstudiedaspartoftheproject.Neiker-Tecnaliahasevaluatedhowthesevarietiesbehavewithrespecttodroughtandhighandlowtemperaturesthrougheldtrialsandundercontrolledconditionsingreenhouses.Inallthesetrialsidenticalpotatoesweresowninordertocomparetheirproductionunderdifferentenvironmentalconditions.Researchersanalyzedoutputchlorophyllandwatercontent.Neiker-Tecnaliatechniciansgatheredgeneticinformationonthevarietiesaseachwassubjectedtoadverseconditionsofdroughtcoldandheat.Thisenabledresearcherstoobservewhichgenesareexpressedwhentheplantisunderaspecicstress.Identifyingthesegenesisbelievedtobeanessentialrststeptowardsdevelopingnewvarietiesthatwilladapttofutureclimateconditions.Italsoconstitutesessentialinformationtondouthowthecurrentvarietieswillbehavewhenfacedwiththeeffectsofclimatechange.SourceNeiker-TecnaliaCzechRepublicTHECZECHRepublicaimstoreturntoself-sufciencyintraditionalfruitandvegetableproduction.ThecountrysministerofagriculturerecentlyannouncedthattheCzechRepublicwillsupportnationalfruitvegetableandpotatoproducerswithanassistancepackageworthaquarterofabillionCzechcrownstheequivalentof1.3millioninCanadiancurrency.Beginningin2015Czechfruitandvegetableproducerswillreceive100millioncrownsinnancialassistancewhilepotatoproducerswillreceive50millioncrowns.Producerswillalsobenetfromaruraldevelopmentprogramthatsupportsgreenhouseandwarehouseconstructionandtechnologypurchases. 51FALL2014Whileself-sufciencyinmajorproductsfromanimalsincreasedin2013Czechfreshfruitandpotatoproductionhaddeclinedconsiderablyaccordingtotheminister.Almost30percentofpotatoesconsumedintheCzechRepublicwereimportedin2013alongwithnearlyaquarteroftotalconsumedfruit.Morethan60percentofothervegetablesconsumedbyCzechswerealsoimportedintothecountry.SourceGovernmentoftheCzechRepublicBangladeshRUSSIASambassadortoBangladeshhasproposedconstructingacoldstoreinChittagongBangladeshtoexportdisease-freepotatoestoRussia.PotatoexportsfromBangladeshtoRussiaareontheriseexplainsAlexanderNikolaev.ButBangladeshneedstochecksanitaryandphytosanitarymeasuresstrictlytoincreasepotatoexportstoRussia.AccordingtoNikolaevNowisagoodtimetoincreaseBangladeshsexportvolumestoRussiaassomecountrieshaveimposedsanctionsonRussia.IftheBangladeshgovernmentallowsconstructionofthecoldstoreRussianpotatoimporterswillhelpintestsonthecropreservedinthecoldstorage.InadditionBangladeshhasanopportunitytoexportgarmentitemsjuteandjutegoodsshrimpsleatherhometextileandceramicsitemshesays.BilateraltradebetweenBangladeshandtheRussianFederationwillcrossthe1billionmarkattheendof2014Nikolaevsays.Bilateraltradewas807millionattheendofthecurrentyear.SourceTheDailyStarIndiaDUPONTIndiaisworkingwithMcCainFoodstoimplementtheGlobalGoodAgri-culturalPracticesFarmAssurerCerticationProgramwithitscontractfarmers.TheprogramisdesignedtohelppotatofarmersfollowGoodAgriculturalPracticestoensurefoodworkerandenvironmentalsafetywhileenhancingharvestqualityandmarketability.ThisisaninnovativeplatformtoempowerMcCaincontractfarmerssaysAbinashGuptaMcCainFoodsIndiaagro-director.Byencouragingfarmerstofollowgoodpracticesinagronomyandintegratedpestmanagementtheprogramenablessustainableproductionofpotatoesawin-winforfarmersstakeholderstheenvironmentandthecommunity.SourceTheTimesofIndiaWellgetyouthere.Youarehere.888.349.8656volmcompanies.comAntigoWIIdahoFallsIDPascoWA2013VolmCompaniesInc.MeetTheVolmEngineeredSolutionsTeam.Whetheryoureconsideringanewequipmentpurchaseanexistinglineupgradeorbuildinganewstate-of-the-artpackingfacilitytheVolmVESTteamcanmakesureyougetexactlythatontimeonbudgetandtoyourspecication.PackinglineintegrationandoptimizationEquipmentspecicationsourcingandinstallationFacilitydesignconstructionandcommissioning SPUDSMART.COM52PRAIREDOME13PAGEDIDYOUKNOWTHATSODIUMWILLCOMPETEWITHPOTASSIUMFORPLANTUPTAKEPOTATOPEOPLEPRODUCTANDBUSINESSNEWSYOUNEEDTOKNOW.INDUSTRYNEWSPeopleNewsMCCAINNAMESNEWCANADIANPRESIDENTMcCainFoodsLimitedhasnamedShaiAltmanasitsnewCanadianpresidenteffectiveOct.20.HebringstoMcCainmorethan15yearsofleadershipexperienceinbothmatureanddevelopingmarketswithexpertiseinthedevelopmentanddirectionofgrowthstrategies.AltmanjoinsMcCainfromWm.WrigleyJr.CompanywhereheheldthepositionofWrigleyCanadapresidentsince2009.AltmanreplacesDarrylRowetheformerMcCainFoodsCanadianpresidentwhosteppeddownlastDecember.NEWEUROPATATSECRETARYGENERALTheboardofEuropatattheEuropeanPotatoTradeAssociationhasannouncedtheappointmentofRaquelIzquierdodeSantiagoasthenewsecretarygeneraloftheassociation.ShesucceedsFrdricRosseneuwhoheldthepositionatEuropatatforthelastfouryears.AccordingtoEuropatatIzquierdodeSantiagohasextensiveexperienceinEuropeanaffairs.HehasservedastheFoodLawNutritionandHealthdirectoratFreshfeltheEuropeanFreshProduceAssociationaswellasthedeputysecretarygeneralfortheWorldAppleandPearAssociation.WPCAPPOINTSNEWSTAFFDavidThompsonpresidentandCEOofWorldPotatoCongressInc.hasappointedRonGallofNewZealandNoraOlsenoftheUnitedStatesandAnneFowlieofCanadaasmembersoftheWPCboardofdirectors.Thethreeeminentindividualsarerecognizedworldwidefortheircontributionstothedevelopmentandgrowthoftheglobalpotatoindustry.WPChasalsoannouncedtheappointmentofPeterVanderZaagpresidentofOntariosSunrisePotatoStorageLtd.totheorganizationsinternationaladvisorycommittee.VanderZaagwilltrackandreportpotato-relatedissuesthroughoutEastAsiaandChinaandofferadvicetotheWPCregardingitsprogramsandinitiatives.POTATOSCIENCECHAIRESTABLISHEDResearchcapacityinAlbertaspotatoindustrywillbesignicantlyenhancedduetoa1millioninvestmentintheUniversityofLethbridgebyaconsortiumofassociationandindustrypartners.TheUofLwillreceivethefundsoverve-yearperiodfromthePotatoGrowersofAlbertaMcCainFoodsConAgraFoodsLambWestonandCavendishFarmstoestablishachairinpotatoscience.GrowersandprocessorsidentiedaneedtoexpandresearchinthiscriticaleldsaysTerenceHochsteinPGAexecutivedirector.ThereareonlyahandfulofresearchersdedicatedtothedisciplinethroughoutWesternCanadaandweexpectthisnewchairwillgreatlyenhanceandcomplementthecurrentcapacitythatexists.ProductNewsNEWINSECTICIDEAPPROVEDFORVEGETABLECROPSMaximumresiduelimitsforubendiamidetheactiveingredientinBayerCropSciencesBeltinsecticidehavebeenestablishedinCanada.WiththisnewMRLinplaceCanadajoinsthelistofmajormarketswithestablishedimporttolerancesforBeltincludingtheEuropeanUnionandJapan.ThenewCanadianMRLsforBeltareveryexcitingforfruitandvegetablegrowerssaysLeeHallBayerCropScienceinsecticideproductmanager.WiththisregistrationgrowersexportingtoCanadaarenowequippedwithanadditionaltooltoprotecttheirvaluablecropsfromcostlywormdamageincreasingyieldandprotpotential.POST-HARVESTFUNGICIDEHELPSTUBERSINSTORAGESyngentaCanadaInc.hasintroducedStadiumpost-harvestfungicideaqualitypreservationtoolforpotatoesduringstorage.Whenusedaspartofafull-seasonintegrateddiseasepreventionprogramStadiumhelpspreventthe 53FALL2014RAMPARTFUNGICIDEHASNOSODIUM.ThatmeansRampartoffersbetteruptake.spreadoftwodevastatingstoragediseasessilverscurfandfusariumdryrot.CroplossduringstoragecanbeseveresaysEricPhillipsSyngentaCanadafungicidesandinsecticidesproductlead.Stadiumhelpspreservetuberqualityafterharvestbycontrollingthespreadofeconomicallysignicantstoragediseases.BusinessNewsMCCAINPLANTCLOSUREINP.E.I.McCainFoodsisclosingitsfrenchfryfacilityinBorden-CarletonP.E.I.attheendofOctober.AshiftinthemarketforfrenchfriesandastrongerCanadiandollararecitedasreasonsfortheplantclosure.WewereshockedanddisappointedbythenewsfromMcCainsaidP.E.I.PotatoBoardChairmanGaryLinkletterinreactiontothenews.AsisthesituationinseveralpartsofNorthAmericacontractvolumesatMcCainsP.E.I.plantwerereducedoverthepastfewyears.Weunderstandthatglobalfrenchfrydemandhasincreasedsignicantlyduring2014andwehadhopedthatMcCainwouldusetheexcessprocessingcapacityinBordentosupplysomeofthatexpandeddemand.Insteadwerenowdealingwiththelossoftheplant.DEWULFPLANSTOACQUIREMIEDEMATheDewulfGrouphasreachedapreliminaryagreementtoac-quireMiedemaadeveloperandproducerofmoderntechnologyforstoragesortingtransportandplantingofpotatoes.WiththisacquisitionthecompanysaystheDewulfrangeofpotatoandvegetablemachineswillbestrengthenedpositioningthermasagloballeaderinthissegmentoftheagriculturalmachineryman-ufacturingmarket.Theacquisitionisexpectedtobecompletebytheendof2014.AGRICOACQUIRESMAJORITYSTAKEINPARKLANDTheDutchpotatoco-operativeAgricohaspurchasedmoresharesinitsjointinvestmentofParklandSeedPotatoesLtd.grantingitamajoritystakeintheEdmonton-basedseedpotatocompany.AgricostartedtoworktogetherwithParklandSeedPotatoesin1997.In2005Agricobought25percentofParklandsharesandincreaseditsshareholdingsto49percentin2008.TheDutchco-operativesaysthecompanysgrowthstrategyandtheopportunitiesinNorthAmericahavespurredAgricotoacquireamajoritystakebyincreasingitsParklandshareholdingsbyanadditional21percenttotaling70percent.Techmarkismorethanastorageventilationcompany.WeareaTotalStorageQualityManagementCompany.Storagesysteminnovationthroughintegrationoftechnologyandexperience.Techmarksproductandservicelinesaredesignedtoworkforyourstoragemanagementteamandcreateecientprotableoperatingproceduresforyourstoragesystems.15400S.US27LansingMI48906USAwww.techmark-inc.com517-322-0250ProudlyServingCanadianGrowersforover25years SPUDSMART.COM54COVERYOURCROPSWITHTHERIGHTRECIPEFORSUCCESS-RAMPARTFUNGICIDE.RegisteredinCanada.TRADEACCESSINDENTIFIEDASCRITICALTOINDUSTRYAreportpublishedbytheCanadianAgri-FoodPolicyInstitutestatesthatCanadasagri-foodsectoriscompetinginanincreasinglycomplextradeworldwheresignicantexportsuccessdependsonthetimelynegotiationofpreferentialtradeaccessandachievingnewwaystoreachconsumersinforeignmarkets.Thepapernotesthattradeagreementswhileimportantareonlyonepartofaseriesofintegratedstepsthatmustbetakentoachieveexportsuccess.Firmsmustalsoovercomeoften-restrictivenon-tariffbarriersotherregulatoryrequirementsandstiffeningsupplychainstandardsaswellasfullycomprehendingdiverseconsumermarketnichestoachieveimmediateandlonger-termsuccess.IndustryNewsREDUCEDHEALTHRISKSINOLDERWOMENPostmenopausalwomenwhoeatfoodshigherinpotassiumarelesslikelytohavestrokesanddiethanwomenwhoeatlesspotassium-richfoodsaccordingtonewresearchintheAmericanHeartAssociationsjournalStroke.OurndingsgivewomenanotherreasontoeattheirfruitsandvegetablessaysthestudysseniorauthorSylviaWassertheil-SmolleradistinguishedprofessoremeritusattheAlbertEinsteinCollegeofMedicinesDepartmentofEpidemiologyandPopulationHealthinNewYork.Fruitsandvegetablesaregoodsourcesofpotassiumandpotassiumnotonlylowerspostmenopausalwomensriskofstrokebutalsodeath.Ourndingssuggestthatwomenneedtoeatmorepotassium-richfoods.Foodshighinpotassiumincludewhiteandsweetpotatoesbananasandwhitebeans.SCIENTISTSBREEDBLUEANDPINKPOTATOESShoppersinBelarusmightsoonbetemptedbynewbreedsofpotatowithblueandpinkesh.ItspartofanationaleffortbyBelarusianscientiststodevelopnewkindsofspudswithnon-traditionalcolours.Therellbebluepinkandpurplepotatoesthatwilltasteasgoodasthemorecommonwhite-yellowonessaysIvanKalyadkawhoheadstheResearchCentreforPotatoCultivationandHorticultureattheBelarusianAcademyofSciences.VINELANDRECEIVES1.1MILLIONINVESTMENTTheVinelandResearchandInnovationCentreinVinelandOnt.willreceivemorethan1.1milliontohelpproducerstapintothegrowingmarketforworldcrops.ThefundingwillgotowardsresearchaimedatincreasingseasonaleldproductionoforientallongeggplantsandokraevaluatingtheuseofgreenhousetechnologiesanddevelopingsweetpotatovarietiesadaptedtoCanadianconditions.WithanevolvingconsumerbaseinCanadaandtheU.S.itishopedtheprojectwillhelpboostdomesticproductionofexoticvegetablesleadingtonewopportunitiesforthehorticulturalsector. CONTROLYOURNITROGEN.CONTROLYOURYIELD.www.farm-king.com2014BuhlerTradingInc.infobuhler.comwww.farm-king.comEachFarmKingfertilizerapplicatorisperfectlytunedtodelivertop-notchperformanceanddependability.Theheavy-duty5x7doubleframefeaturesadjustablehydraulicdownpressureandfour4gaugewheelstoprovideanunsurpassedgroundcontourfollowingliquidfertilizerapplication.Availableinfourmodelsupto60.Visitwww.farm-king.comtolearnmore. SPUDSMART.COM56ALOTHASCHANGEDonMikeWindssouthernAlbertapotatooperationsincehestartedWindianaFarmsbackin1990.ForstartersthefarmlocatednearTaberAlta.ismuchbigger.Initiallyitwas320acresinsizebutnowWindianacomprises3600acresoffarmlandofthat900acresarededicatedtopotatoes.IstartedwithahalfsectionandhavegrownittowhatitistodaysaysWind.Wewerefortunateenoughtobeabletobuyalotoflandafewyearsagoandwekeptbuying.Windsaystheexpansionwasfuelledinpartbythechallengeofndinggoodqualityrentallandforpotatoproductionwhichisinshortersupplyallthetime.Thesedaystheemphasisisnotonexpandingacreagebutpreparingthefarmforthenextgeneration.Windwhoturned69thispastsummersayshistwosons32-year-oldJeremyand24-year-oldKevinwilltakeoverrunningWindianainthenot-too-distantfuture.ThatsourmainfocusrightnowstayingwhereweareandtransitioningasIstepoutalittlebitmoreWindsays.Theylltakeovermoreofthebusinessastimegoeson.BothJeremyandKevinarealreadyheavilyinvolvedinthefarmsoperationandWindswifeCathyalsoplaysapivotalrole.ShedoesthebooksforthebusinesssoshesontopofthingsallthetimeWindsays.Inadditiontofamilytherearevefull-timeworkersatWindianawithanextra10orsopeoplehiredduringpeaktimes.Potatoesaregrownonafour-yearrotationwithwheatbarleyseedcanolatimothyhayalfalfahayandsoybeans.ThemainpotatocropischipperswhichareproducedforFrito-LaysomerussetsarealsogrownforLambWeston.LikemostproducersWindwilltellyoupotatogrowingisnotforthefaintofheart.Thechallengeisbeingabletotakethehighsandlowsbeingabletohandlethateconomicallyhesays.WindisalsooptimisticaboutthefutureIseenothingbutverypositivethingsforthepotatoindustry.ItsnotthatheexpectshugegrowthonthebusinesssidebutWindbelievessuccesshingesonpotatofarmersabilitytokeepchurningoutanexceptionalproduct.HereinWesternCanadawehavetheabilitytogrowaconsistentqualitycropyearafteryearbecauseofourtemperaturesandourirrigationhesays.Thatistherewardinourneckofthewoods.MarkHalsallAGrowingBusinessinAlbertaGROWERSPOTLIGHTFornewsinformationandideasforgrowersprocessorsandindustryprofessionalsvisitspudsmart.com.onlineHereinWesternCanadawehavetheabilitytogrowaconsistentqualitycropyearafteryearbecauseofourtemperaturesandourirrigation.Thatistherewardinourneckofthewoods.MikeWindLefttorightCathyMikeKevinandJeremyWindofWindianaFarms. WeveGotYouCovered.2014MeridianManufacturingInc.RegisteredTrademarksUsedUnderLicense.BUILTTOMOVE.BUILTTOSTORE.BUILTFORYOURFARM.WithoverhalfacenturyofprovenperformanceMeridianArchWallbuildingsarethesuperiorchoiceformulti-useon-farmstorage.Meridianisallaboutsolvingindustryissueswithtechnologyandacommitmenttothehighestquality.Wevespentdecadesmanufacturingindustry-leadingstoragesolutionsthatsetthestandardinproductexcellence.FormoreinformationpleasecontactChadKleisingerat306209-9427orvisitwww.meridianmfg.com