Potato Bytes 1.4.2022
News from the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association
Serving the potato industry in North Dakota and
Northwest Minnesota for 75 years!
|
|
Back Early - In our last Potato Bytes in December, we indicated we would be taking two weeks off from publishing as potato-related news around the holidays is usually quite sparse. But there is actually plenty of news to come back a week early. Hope you all have a wonderful 2022! |
|
A Quick Tour of Potatoes USA’s Culinary Center at their New Denver Headquarters |
|
In this episode Potato USA's Keeping it Current, Chef RJ Harvey, Culinary Director for Potatoes USA, gives a rundown of the new culinary center where he will be developing new potato dishes and hosting operators from around the world.
|
|
Spudman Publishes State-by-State Seed Potato Report
By Zeke Jennings
The 2021 growing season saw U.S. seed potato farmers plant 106,651 acres that were eventually accepted as certified seed. That is up nearly 2,800 acres from last year.
At just shy of 31,000 acres, Idaho led all states in seed potato production. Conditions were hot and dry during significant parts of the season, which resulted in below-average yields, although totally is “excellent,” reported Alan Westra of the Idaho Crop Improvement Association.
Conditions also were hot in neighboring Montana, which had almost 11,000 acres of certified seed, which ranked third behind Idaho and North Dakota (14,442 acres). An August break in the heat allowed tubers to bulk, and yields were better than originally expected. This year marked the 100th certified seed crop for Montana.
Russet Burbank remains the most-grown seed potato in the U.S. Accepted certified acres of Burbank varieties totaled just under 17,000 acres. Russet Norkotah varieties totaled 11,534 acres.
|
|
PMA and United Fresh Now Operating as One
"Our time is now, let's build a vibrant future together!"
Yesterday was truly a historic day for the fresh produce and floral industries, and for the world, as United Fresh and PMA came together to form the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), the largest and most diverse association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chains and the first to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support.
|
|
Farmers Should Make ARC-PLC Election Decisions by March 15
NDSU Extension has developed an online tool to aid producers in making this decision.
Farmers can elect coverage and enroll in crop-by-crop Agricultural Risk Coverage-County (ARC-CO) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs within each Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm unit, or ARC-Individual for the entire farm, for the 2022 crop year, says Ron Haugen, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension farm management specialist.
Although election changes for 2022 are optional, enrollment by signed contract is required for each year of the program.
This is an annual decision that farmers need to make, Haugen says.
If an election is not submitted by the deadline of March 15, the election defaults to the current election for crops on the farm from the prior crop year.
ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the national marketing year average price for a covered commodity falls below its effective reference price.
Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.
Contact your local FSA office to make this election.
|
|
The Northern Plains 75th Anniversary Apparel Store is Now Open!
|
|
Ogio Luuma Fleece
(Men's & Women's)
|
|
North Face & Cap America Beanies
|
|
District Very Important Men's T Shirts |
|
District Very Important Women's T Shirts |
|
Nike Dri-FIT Polos
(Men's & Women's)
|
|
|
Just in time for Christmas gift giving, the Northern Plains 75th Anniversary Apparel Store is now open! These clothing items feature "Red River Red" the early mascot of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association. Various items, brands and sizes are available. The online store will be open until February 28th. ORDER HERE
|
|
Influential Scientific Advisory Panel to Support Proper Characterization of Potatoes
A select group of leading nutrition scientists and communicators have committed to partnering with Potatoes USA as members of the newly formed Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). The SAP will help support proactive engagements with the science community to align with Potatoes USA’s current initiatives aimed at reversing mischaracterizations of potatoes among researchers and science media. Each member was chosen based on their unique background to help elevate the need for more nuance in defining high quality carbohydrate-containing foods, and to support the broader call for more integrity, rigor, and transparency in the nutrition research process. The SAP members include:
Dave Klurfeld, PhD, former National Program Leader of Human Nutrition for the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA. Dr. Klurfeld’s background and expertise will be tapped to socialize the latest science and consensus, stemming from the Potatoes USA-led Quality Carbohydrate Coalition, among his peers.
Heather Leidy, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin; 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) Member. Dr. Leidy’s unique role with the previous DGAC will be valuable to glean insights and strategies for engaging in the next Dietary Guidelines for Americans cycle, and to ensure potatoes continue to be positioned positively (broadly, and as it pertains to quality carbohydrates).
Keith Ayoob, EdD, RD, Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Ayoob frequently communicates about nutrition research limitations with his peers through his social channels and blog. His peer-to-peer influence will be important to achieve 360-degree surround sound of quality carbohydrate and science integrity messages. Further, his specific expertise in child nutrition may help support broader efforts with school meal programs and elevate the important role that potatoes play in children’s diets.
Industry members are encouraged to get involved and help spread the word about the latest potato nutrition information and initiatives. To stay up to date on the latest research and nutrition news, check out www.apre.org and www.potatoesusa.com.
|
|
Potato Bytes Landmark Trivia |
|
 |
Last Week's Famous Landmark
Last week's Bytes Trivia Landmark was CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. Built in 1976, the 1,815' tall observation tower held the record for the world's tallest free-standing structure until 2007 when it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
It was identified correctly by Janet Knodel, Craig Magnusson, Kent Sather, Todd Forbush, Kevin Maclsaac, Brett Miller, James Staricka, Dorothy Viker and Geoff Price.
|
|
|
|
Name this Famous Landmark
Send your answer in by clicking on the red tab below.
All those answering correctly will be recognized in the next Potato Bytes.
|
|
|
|
|
Recipe of the Week
Mashed Potato & Egg Bites
- Prep Time: 10 min.
- Cook Time: 20 min.
- Prep Method: Baked
- Serves: 4
Recipe by: Kim Militello
Made with eggs and vegetables, these potato bites are a perfect packed lunch loaded with nutrients.
|
|
|
|
Coming Events @ a Glance
Jan. 5-6
Feb. 15
-
NPPGA Research Reporting Conference and Annual Meeting - Alerus Center - Grand Forks, ND
Feb. 16-17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
