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February 2005

Learning the Business of Agriculture
WSU grad uses his agribusiness skills on conventional, organic potato farm.
With a background in production and an agribusiness degree, Stacy Kniveton and others like him are armed for the next century of potato farming. Kniveton decided an agribusiness degree would enhance his production knowledge and provide him with the tools and flexibility he needed for a successful career. With the potato industry progressing as fast and furious as it is, Kniveton realized he needed a college education to keep a leg up on the competition.

Agribusiness is a relatively new degree at Washington State University-it's only been available for the past nine years. Before that, students could obtain an education in agriculture economics.

Skagit Valley Grower Wins Stewardship Award
Darrin Morrison of Smith and Morrison Farms in Mt. Vernon, WA was awarded the 2004 Environmental Stewardship Award for the Western region at the National Potato Council annual meeting last week.

The video presentation shown during the Council's annual banquet recognized Morrison's use of biological control or alternative pest control methods and the farm's safe and efficient pesticide handling.

The farm's use of underground tile removes excess water on the fields during the winter months and grass filter strips trap soil particles in waste water from the packing shed before it enters the stream.

Exports of Potato Grow, Though High Tariffs Keep Some Markets Stagnant
The U.S. potato industry continues to improve its position in foreign markets, as evident by numbers presented at the American Potato Trade Alliance (APTA) meeting held Jan. 13 in San Antonio, Texas.

"You can see good, steady growth in the frozen market. We continue to improve our position," said John Toaspern, U.S. Potato Board. U.S. exports of frozen potatoes in 2003-2004 were up 10 percent from 449,084 to 494,401 metric tons. U.S. exports of dehydrated potatoes increased 40 percent to 83,207 metric tons in the 2003/04 (July/June) marketing year.

Reasons for Optimism
Idaho Seed Potato Growers Seminar
Despite unnerving trends in the potato industry, there are reasons for optimism, according to a professor of economics at the University of Idaho.

Speaking Jan. 18 during the 37th Annual Idaho Seed Potato Grower's Seminar in Pocatello, Idaho, Dr. Joseph Guenthner said one reason is the recent establishment of property rights. These allow growers, states or groups to patent certain varieties, establish trademarks, hold trade secrets and literally own the right to grow certain varieties through plant variety protection (PVP).

"Imagine what the Idaho potato industry would be like today if it had PVP rights on Russet Burbank," Guenthner challenged. "Other varieties are coming. Who will own and control them? As Idaho growers, you have an opportunity to move forward."

Thomas Retires from USDA
Dr. Pete E. Thomas, research plant pathologist, USDA-ARS, Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Unit, Prosser, Wash., retired Dec. 31, 2004, after 38 years of federal service.

Thomas grew up on a cattle farm in southern Illinois and began his career as a farmer in 1952. He earned his B.S. degree at the University if Illinois in 1958 and served as a high school science teacher for three years in Enfield, Ill. He was chosen to participate in a National Science Foundation Academic Year Institute for physics teachers at the University of Wisconsin in 1961, where he earned his M.S. degree. Continuing at Wisconsin, Thomas earned his Ph.D. in plant pathology and began his research career with the USDA-ARS in 1966 at the Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Unit in Prosser.

Cruiser® Seed Treatment Gains Registration
Recently gaining registration for use on potatoes, Cruiser® is the latest option for seed treatment from Syngenta. Cruiser® offers long-lasting, broad-spectrum protection of potato insect pests including aphids, Colorado potato beetle, potato leafhopper, potato psyllid and wireworm (seed piece protection).

"Once it's applied, it's done. It's one less thing to worry about," said Gordon Hankins, Colorado Syngenta rep.

An easy-to-apply liquid formulation, Cruiser® provides uniform coverage of the seed piece and targeted pest protection. Cruiser® is rapidly absorbed by the growing plant and slowly metabolized to protect against economically damaging pests, reducing infection potential from the diseases commonly vectored by some of the potato insects.

WSU Scientists Find New Uses for Potato Wastes
Cull potatoes, those that don t meet minimum size, grade or quality standards, represent about 15 percent of the spuds Washington growers harvest each year. Producers generally receive less than $10 a ton for culls, which cost from $70 to $120 per ton to grow. "
With funding from the Washington State Potato Commission, Washington State University scientists Shulin Chen and Zhiyou Wen are searching for ways of making valuable by-products from potato wastes. The researchers are working in conjunction with WSU s International Marketing Program for Agricultural Commodities and Trade, known as the IMPACT center, in Pullman, Wash.

Should You Get Crop Insurance?
You wouldn't dare drive a car without insurance. But, should you get crop insurance on your potatoes? Insurance agents say yes, but others question if it's worth the trouble.

Gordon Killian, an agent with Sloan-Leavitt Insurance in Othello, Wash., says crop insurance has become increasingly popular, but there are still growers who have either had a bad experience with crop insurance or don't think insurance will benefit their operation.

"Crop insurance has become more of a necessity," he explained. "Profits in farming have reduced. So, if you have a disastrous loss in a year, like the potato in the fresh market right now, most guys are losing a lot of money because the margins are not there. After a year like this, it can take five to 10 years to recoup."