September/October 2004
Biodiesel: A Boon to
Pacific Northwest Agriculture?
The price of fuel these days has taken quite a chunk out of growers' pockets.
Growers and researchers strive to find ways around it, but the fact remains.
That got Hal Collins thinking. What if growers could grow fuel? Collins,
a research soil scientist/microbiologist with the USDA-ARS in Prosser,
Wash., recalled his college days at the University of Idaho when he began
his oilseed cropping trials last spring. It was at the U of I, in the
late1970s, that he first learned about biodiesel and the research being
conducted at the University. Use of biodiesel dates back to 1895 when
Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine to run on vegetable oil.
PAA, Powdery Scab Workshop Convene
The 88th Annual Potato Association of America (PAA) meeting was held in
Scottsbluff, Neb. in conjunction with the 2004 International Powdery Scab
Workshop. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Alex Pavlista and his staff, and
it was held at the Hampton Inn and Convention Center. Over 270 delegates
attended from across the U.S. and Canada, and about 20 percent of the
delegates represented over 20 other countries. These including Australia,
the Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Ghana, Uganda, Brazil, Peru,
Honduras and Mexico.
OSU Scientists Awarded at PAA
At the Potato Association of America (PAA), Honorary Life Membership awards
were given to three scientists: Oscar Gutbrod, Alvin Mosley and Mary Powelson.
Honorary Life Members are those that have been key and active members
in PAA.
APTA Moves to Open Foreign Markets
for U.S. Fries & Dehy
On June 22, the American Potato Trade Alliance (APTA)
held its semiannual meeting in Washington, D.C. to review international
processed potato trade issues. APTA is a true success story. Formed in
1997, APTA is a collaboration of potato growers, processors and end-users
that focuses on real international issues facing the processed potato
trade. APTA has worked to lower tariffs in China, Indian, Vietnam, Taiwan,
Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic. It has successfully
resolved technical issues such as labeling and documentation requirements
in China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. APTA stands on call to help its members
with any emerging international trade issues. This year, the organization
successfully limited the spread of new requirements on fry exports emerging
from the BSE find in the U.S.
Lynn Tegland was working as a general concrete contractor when the opportunity came to build storage systems. That's when Double T's vent system was born. Fifteen years and countless storage systems later, Lynn, with his wife Carol, have built potato and onion storage systems using their vents in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Georgia and Canada. Double T is based in Walla Walla, Wash.
Spud Gun, Cruiser Introduced at Syngenta Field Day
Designed to make liquid seed treatment application as easy, simple and accurate as possible, the Spud Gun is one of Syngenta's newest creations.
"It's very easy to use. If I can calibrate it, anyone can," said Sam Thornton, Syngenta seed treatment salesman. Thornton and others from Syngenta presented the company's newest products at its field day, held in July at the Watts Brothers Farm near Paterson, Wash.