News on The Potato Supply Chain from the United States

March 23, 2012

US: Sustainability metrics too tight for every farm

The measurement of sustainability from one farm to the next farm seems almost impossible based on a single set of metrics or a tightly written definition.

March 23, 2012

US: Processing crop potatoes influencing fresh market

Jerry Wright, chief executive officer of the United Potato Growers of America, has a message to potato growers going into the 2012-13 season: Proceed with caution.

March 22, 2012

US: Eye on psyllids

One year, it's the potato tuber worm;another year, it's the beet leafhopper.

March 21, 2012

US Potato Experts Evaluate Potato Cyst Nematode eradication

Idaho potatoes are still at the discussion table five years after a potato cyst nematode outbreak threatened crops in Bonneville and Bingham counties.

March 21, 2012

KORUS-FTA facilitates export of US potato products to South Korea

On March 15, 2012 the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS-FTA) went into force. John Keeling, Executive Vice President and CEO of the National Potato Council (NPC), commented on the impact of this free trade agreement on the US potato Industry: “A...

March 21, 2012

Insecticide Resistance Management addressed in latest Focus on Potato Webcast

Insecticide resistance management is not always on the minds of potato growers when faced with menacing crop pests, but straying from the recommended usage guidelines can eventually make the situation much worse.

March 20, 2012

Andrew Robinson is New Extension Potato Agronomist at North Dakota State University

Andrew Robinson is New Extension Potato Agronomist - The Extension Potato Agronomist position vacated by Nick David in January 2011 has been filled! Idaho native Andrew "Andy"Robinson has been hired. He has a Masters Degree in Agronomy and...

March 19, 2012

School menu success gives potatoes another chance at WIC

The National Potato Council’s successful fight to return potatoes to school menu guidelines in the US was a victory for the industry, but executive vice-president and chief executive officer John Keeling isn’t stopping there.

March 16, 2012

U.S. Potato Board turns 40, earns praise from USDA

The U.S. Potato Board’s annual meeting March 15 started off on with some good news from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bob Keeney, deputy administrator of fruit and vegetable programs for the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service gave the board, ...

McDonald's best of sustainable supply 2012

March 14, 2012

McDonald's (potato) suppliers making progress in sustainability

McDonald's just announced its 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply Chain winners by highlighting 51 stories of supply chain partners addressing challenges to help improve food sources, the environment, communities and employee wellness across the world. Man...

Russian Banana (Courtesy Idaho Potato Commission)

March 14, 2012

Idaho increases specialty potato market share

Russet potatoes still dominate markets, but specialties are gaining.

March 14, 2012

Russet prices rising

Long-sluggish russet markets are beginning to strengthen, and prices should continue to rise as the 2011-2012 deal enters its homestretch this summer. Strong processing demand was beginning to tip the scales in March in what has been a year of abundan...

March 13, 2012

Colorado potatoes still kept out of Mexico's interior

Colorado Agricultural Commissioner John Salazar thought that the ban on Colorado potatoes into the heart of Mexico was solved last summer when the U.S. and its southern neighbor worked out an agreement to allow Mexican trucks full access to U.S. markets.

March 12, 2012

New potato characters: Potandon's Klondike Family Makes Their Debut

Potato marketer Potandon Produce proudly introduces the animated potato characters of the Klondike Family with the first episode of an online story book that can be found at www.KlondikeBrands.com. This innovative potato family features some of the ...

March 08, 2012

Idaho farmers reject processors' contract offers

Idaho potato growers have rejected processors' contract offers, convinced they were insufficient to cover rising input costs and prevention of the emerging disease zebra chip.

March 07, 2012

Idaho fresh-packers partner with fingerling farm

Recent growth at Southwind Farms in Heyburn, Idaho, should make it the nation's second largest supplier of fingerling potatoes this season.

March 06, 2012

New Leaders Trained at 2012 Potato Industry Leadership Institute

Eighteen potato growers and industry representatives from across the United States joined together to form the 2012 class of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI), an annual program designed to identify, develop and cultivate new leaders within the potato industry.

March 05, 2012

Growth of restaurant chain Five Guys Burgers and Fries brings success for Idaho broker

Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened about 200 new locations in 2011, and the Lorton, Va.-based chain plans to open about 200 more in 2012. That’s great news for Rick Miles Produce Service. The Rigby, Idaho, broker and distributor is the sole supplier o...