Potato Bytes 09.20.2022
News from the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association
Serving the potato industry in
North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota.
Potato Harvest Reaches Halfway Point in Minnesota

The potato harvest in the region contiues to progress well, now half completed in Minnesota and one-quarter complete in North Dakota. The photo at the right shows the harvest at the Kelly Grotte farm near Thompson, ND.

USDA Potato Progress & Condition Report for Week Ending: 9/18/2022

NORTH DAKOTA - Potatoes vines dry was 59%, well behind 82% last year and 84% average. Harvested was 25%, near 27% last year and 26% average. Potato condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 25% fair, 53% good, and 21% excellent.

MINNESOTA - Potato harvest was 49% complete compared to 40% last year and 43% average. Potato condition was 0% very poor, 0% poor, 4% fair, 67% good, and 29% excellent.

USDA Crop Progress & Condition Report for all crops: ND - MN
USDA to Survey Minnesota Farm Chemical Use and Production Costs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will gather information about production practices from producers across Minnesota, as part of the 2022 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).

“ARMS is a vital survey that tracks how Minnesota farms use technology to manage production of their major field crops,” said NASS Minnesota State Statistician, Dan Lofthus, “The results of this survey also help policymakers and farm groups understand the factors driving the costs and returns of crop
production.”

This year, NASS is reaching out to survey wheat and potato producers across the country. NASS will conduct the survey starting in October and recommends that farmers have their fertilizer and pesticide spray records available to speed up the survey process. A USDA or NASS representative will call producers to set up an interview to assist in the completion of the questionnaire. Producers may also receive an email reminder if they opted for email service.

ARMS is conducted in three phases, from May 2022 through April 2023. The first phase screened participants to make sure they have the commodity of interest and would accurately represent the entire U.S. farm sector. In this current phase, NASS is collecting information on production practices. In the final phase, NASS will survey producers on cost of production, farm income, and production expenditures.

NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents. The information provided will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with federal law, survey responses will be kept confidential and will not be published in identifiable form.

ARMS is a joint effort of NASS and USDA’s Economic Research Service. For more information about ARMS, visit nass.usda.gov/go/arms. For reports and analysis of ARMS data, visit nass.usda.gov/go/arms.

All NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information, call the NASS Minnesota Field Office at (651) 728-3113.
Spudman's Dream Team Nomination Deadline is Coming Soon

Whether a grower, packer, field worker, shipper, researcher, processor or any other role that helps keep the industry thriving, Spudman’s Dream Team — now in its fourth year — highlights the potato industry’s best and brightest members.

As part of the Dream Team program, a special honor goes to the Rookie of the Year Award. Whether they are still new to the industry, or have been part of it for some time and are taking on a bigger role, the Rookie of the Year honor is a chance to recognize an emerging star!

Who would you want on your team? Nominate a key member of your team for Spudman’s potato industry Dream Team consideration.

Deadline for nominations is Sept. 23, 2022.
SPUDSCOOP

SpudScoop is a weekly newsletter from NDSU/UM Extension Potato Agronomist Andy Robinson published in late summer through the fall harvest. It combines Blightline, Aphid Alert and other timely information dealing with the current potato crop into one convenient source.

Welcome to the last summer issue of Spud Scoop. The late blight that was identified last week was genotyped and determined to be US23. No late blight spores were found from 11 spore traps this week. This is the last week we will report spore trap data. With harvest going, we wish you a safe and successful 2022 harvest. Click here for the season's last Aphid Alert Report.
 
National Farm Safety and Health Week – September 18-24, 2022
 
According to statistics from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), every day approximately 100 farmworkers suffer a lost time injury, with the total industry cost exceeding $8 billion.

The most common dangers to agricultural workers include:

  • Respiratory Illness and Disease (including Farmer’s Lung and ODTS mainly from inhaling dirt and dust)
  • Skin Disorders (primarily due to sun, irritants, and allergies)
  • Hearing Loss (from working around loud equipment and machinery for extended periods of time)
  • Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke (from working in the sun with limited to no shade and inadequate water consumption)
  • Sanitary Conditions and Clean Water (which should be provided by employers at all work sites)
  • Exposure to Pesticides and Toxins (steps can be taken to avoid and reduce exposure)
  • Vehicle Operations (including standard vehicles, tractors, forklifts, harvesters, plows, sprayers, ATVs, and more)
  • Heavy Machinery Operation (commonly used to prepare, clean, separate, and package the commodity)

The Equitable Food Initiative believes every day is a good day to be safe, but for National Farm Safety and Health Week it’s the perfect time to share what you do to keep workers safe, to raise awareness about the many dangers and risks in farm work and to help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. Let’s take the opportunity to shine a light on safety and how every worker can protect themselves and their coworkers and keep everyone safe and healthy.

Please find an attached infographic sharing some top stats on farm safety and risks and share it with your audience as a reminder to practice good safety practices to keep workers safe. 
Potato Bytes Landmark Trivia
Last Week's Famous Landmark

Last week's Trivia Landmark was the Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. The sandstone formation in central Australia stands 1,142 ft above the surrounding flat desert, with most of its bulk lying underground. It has a total perimeter 5.8 miles. It has great cultural significance for the local Aṉangu people. Uluru is also very notable for appearing to change color at different times of the day and year, most notably when it glows red at dawn and sunset.

It was identified correctly by Ben Nersseth, Brett Miller, Patrick Beauzay, Ian MacRae, James Staricka, Dorothy Viker, Victoria Stamper and Kieth Bjorneby.
Name this Week's
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
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Alfredo Scalloped Potatoes
 
 
Thinly sliced red potatoes, slathered in a creamy Alfredo sauce with grated parmesan cheese and garlic that’s baked to perfection.
 
Dish: Side Dish, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Potato Type: Reds
 
 
Get one delicious, potato recipe delivered to you each week. You’ll always have new, tasty ideas to surprise and delight your family and friends—even on a busy weeknight. Sign up
Coming Events @ a Glance

September 19-21

October 27 - 29
Orlando, FL

January 4 - 5

February 21
  • NPPGA Research Reporting Conference - Alerus Center, Grand Forks
  • NPPGA Annual Meeting - Alerus Center, Grand Forks
  • NPPGA MSA and Chairman's Banquet - Alerus Center, Grand Forks

February 22-23