November 2004
Three Heads are Better Than One
Southwest Montana
In an industry notorious for competition, three area seed potato growers
have banded together to create Big Sky Growers, the brand of their packing
shed in the heart of southwest Montana seed potato country.
The three-Dan Kimm Certified Seed Potatoes, Droge Farms Inc. and Weidenaar
Ranches Inc.-had personal sheds in disrepair. Droge's had caught fire
and the other two needed upgrades. They put their heads together and
created a massive structure capable of housing 140,000 cwt located centrally
among the three farms.
Staying Competitive in a Small
Seed Area
Central Oregon
Only a handful of seed potato growers reside in central Oregon, making
the challenge of staying competitive against bigger seed areas all the
more difficult. But, for those who have hung in there, the growing season
can really pay off.
Just ask Jim Carlson, chairman of the Oregon Potato Commission (OPC).
He's been growing seed potatoes in Culver, Ore., for 27 years. Before
that, he farmed with his dad, Floyd, who came to the area from Idaho
in 1951 when a new irrigation project started in central Oregon.
Growing Seed Potatoes Rain or
Shine
Western Montana
This spring, Jack Lake was a little ambivalent about planting his crop.
It was so dry, the Ronan, Mont., seed potato grower wondered if there
would be enough water to finish out the year. "It was the driest
I'd seen if for a long time," he says. As luck would have it, rain
replenished the area in June, and it rained even more early fall. Rain
or shine, growers like Lake battle the elements year in and year out.
According to Lake, there's nothing like the challenge of farming. As
soon as you think you have it figured out, he notices, something else
comes up.
Keeping Customers
Loyal Year After Year
Eastern Idaho
Driggs, Idaho, seed potato grower Paris Penfold believes in giving his
customers a little extra. With many customers loyal for the past 30
years, he could be onto something. "I cut and suberize potatoes
for a lot of my growers," he says. "It makes things easier
for them; they don't have to hire someone else to do it." His customers
hail from many different places and vary in the amounts they buy from
him. But, nearly all come back for his seed year after year. Some growers
in the Pasco, Wash., area have bought from Penfold for 25-30 years and
are transitioning to the next generation.
Pure Potatoes from
Start to Finish
Western Washington
Dick Bedlington grew up farming with his dad, graduated from Central
Washington University in education, then faced a decision: farm with
dad or get a job teaching. He chose farming and never looked back.
After 33 years in the business, he doesn't regret it. He loves farming.
The markets
may change, potato varieties may come and go and customers may want
something new, but Bedlington is there, changing right along with them.
Seed Grower Makes Sales in Panama
Randy Bauscher of Rupert, Idaho, is selling more seed potatoes than
ever to Panama, and he gives credit to the U.S. Potato Board's 2003
International Potato Symposium and Seed Tour. Bauscher was in a tight
spot in 2003. He had a field of seed that he wanted to sell in the Panamanian
market, but he had no importer to buy, no contacts in Panama, and couldn't
speak a word of Spanish. So, he signed up to attend the USPB's Potato
Symposium in Washington D.C. It was during the August symposium that
Randy met a seed potato importer from Panama.
'Growing Forward' with Potatoes
Reason now registered; Bayer continues commitment to the industry.
At a time when potato trade is a challenge, the Atkins diet has lessened
potato intake and disease issues continue to concern growers, members
of the potato industry are optimistic. Trade missions are proving successful,
the industry is marketing the "Healthy Potato" and companies
like Bayer CropScience are dedicated to developing new ways to protect
against diseases.
Variable Frequency Drive Use
for Potato Storage
Consulting with potato growers and storage managers who have installed
Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), or those who are considering installing
VFDs, some common misunderstandings are apparent. The following is intended
to set the record straight regarding VFDs and their use.
WSPC Demands Return of Shipper
Information from Canada
Legal counsel for the WSPC has filed a complaint with the Canada Border
Services Agency (CBSA) demanding return or destruction of submitted
confidential information because of unauthorized release of the information
under new CBSA procedures. Several Washington potato shippers had submitted
sensitive financial documents requested by the CBSA in connection with
a Normal Value Review investigation used to determine anti-dumping duties
on Pacific Northwest potato imports to British Columbia, Canada.
Washington State Fries a Hit
in Vietnam
Eager consumers at a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,
were treated to french fries during an hour-long giveaway event, part
of Governor Gary Locke's 26-member trade delegation to China, Vietnam
and Thailand in September. The Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC)
underwrote the cost of the fries.