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Harvesting potatoes at or near physiological maturity increases the likelihood of producing high quality tubers which contributes to producing high quality processed French fries with the desired sensory attributes. Processing with immature or overly mature potatoes may produce French fries with reduced palatability. This two year (2014 and 2015) study evaluated the effects of three different harvest dates; early, normal, and late, on quality attributes of French fries produced from three processing varieties, Russet Burbank, Clearwater Russet, and Alpine Russet over a nine month storage season at 8.3 °C. The seven quality attributes evaluated included crispness, exterior shell, mealiness, moistness, texture variation, texture defects, and internal appearance. Results of this study show that early harvest, relative to normal and late harvest, was more detrimental to producing high quality French fries with regard to texture, and most notably, crispness. During storage, French fries produced from early harvested potatoes declined in quality and were out of grade for crispness at five months after harvest in 2014 and were out of grade at harvest for the full storage season in 2015. Significant differences were noted among the three varieties with regard to texture quality. Alpine Russet declined in textural quality five months after harvest. Russet Burbank declined rapidly in textural quality over the course of the storage season. Clearwater Russet consistently maintained acceptable quality with the highest textural scores of all seven parameters for a full nine month storage season.

Harvesting potatoes at or near physiological maturity increases the likelihood of producing high quality tubers which contributes to producing high quality processed end-product. Some growers harvest earlier than recommended in order to meet contract requirements and supply processors with early potatoes. Early harvest impacts the incentive-adjusted price (IAP) and revenue even after an early harvest incentive is applied. This study utilized a typical frozen processor contract and compared the economic impact of harvest timing (early, normal, and late) on the IAP of three potato varieties: Russet Burbank, Clearwater Russet, and Alpine Russet, grown in field trials at Parma, Idaho during 2014 and 2015. Contract quality incentives included percent of tubers greater than 170 g, percent sugar ends, percent of U.S. No. 1’s, and specific gravity. When compared to normal or late harvest, early harvest resulted in a decrease in the IAP and overall profit due to a significant reduction in specific gravity. Early harvest incentive did not offset the loss of revenue with Russet Burbank, but did offset revenue loss with Clearwater Russet and Alpine Russet. Clearwater Russet and Alpine Russet had significantly lower sugar end scores than Russet Burbank. Clearwater Russet consistently produced higher specific gravities and Alpine Russet produced larger tubers compared to Russet Burbank. Clearwater Russet and Alpine Russet have agronomic characteristics that can provide an increase in IAP over Russet Burbank.

The potato market is a complex, dynamic economic system. It can be viewed as a chain linking producers on one end to consumers at the other. Fresh packers, processors, wholesalers, transporters, retailers, and restaurants make up some of the other links in the chain. The information presented here is mostly from the growers’ perspective, but it should also be useful for potato science students.

Potato is the world's most important vegetable crop, with nearly 400 million tons produced worldwide every year, lending to stability in food supply and socioeconomic impact. In general, potato is an intensively managed crop, requiring irrigation, fertilization, and frequent pesticide applications in order to obtain the highest yields possible. Important traits are easy to find in wild relatives of potato, but their introduction using traditional breeding can take 15–20 years. This is due to sexual incompatibility between some wild and cultivated species, a desire to remove undesirable wild species traits from adapted germplasm, and difficulty in identifying broadly applicable molecular markers. Fortunately, potato is amenable to propagation via tissue culture and it is relatively easy to introduce new traits using currently available biotech transformation techniques. For these reasons, potato is arguably the crop that can benefit most by modern biotechnology. The benefits of biotech potato, such as limited gene flow to conventionally grown crops and weedy relatives, the opportunity for significant productivity and nutritional quality gains, and reductions in production cost and environmental impact, have the potential to influence the marketability of newly developed varieties. In this review we will discuss current and past efforts to develop biotech potato varieties, traits that could be impacted, and the potential effects that biotech potato could have on the industry.

Minitubers have become important components of seed potato production systems. Minituber production methods and yields affect costs. We used data from the University of Wisconsin seed potato program to estimate minituber production costs by variety in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Labor is identified as the most significant operating cost, while salaries represent the greatest fixed cost. The 3 year average total cost per minituber across all varieties was estimated at $0.47. Of the varieties grown in all 3 years of analysis Langlade had the highest average yield and lowest cost. Yukon Gold and Pike had the lowest yields and highest costs.

Although potatoes are the second most valuable crop in Kenya, poor seed potato quality has limited industry expansion. The objectives of this study were to describe the seed potato system, identify problems, determine use of high-quality seed and estimate farmer willingness to pay (WTP) for different types of seed. Data was collected from interviews, forums and surveys. A contingent valuation method (CVM) model was also developed to analyze the factors that influence farmer WTP. It was found that the seed system consists of three sub-components: Formal, Semi-Formal and Farmer. More than 96 % of Kenya seed potatoes were produced in the Farmer category, and were considered to be poor quality. Growers identified bacterial wilt, viral diseases and late blight as the most serious problems. The WTP model revealed that farmer age, distance to seed source, potato training, gender and region were statistically significant explanatory variables. The study recommends that training be conducted to increase production of “clean seed” and “positively-selected seed” in the Semi-Formal part of the seed system.

Zebra chip disease has become a serious problem in North America. Data from growers in Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas enabled us to document insecticide use and costs to control zebra chip in 53 commercial fields of potato, Solanum tuberosum L. The number of different insecticides used in Texas decreased from 16 in 2009 to 10 in 2011. The most commonly used insecticides in all three states were Admire (imidacloprid) and Movento (spirotetramat). Growers in Texas spent an average of $740 per hectare annually during 2009–2011, while those in Kansas and Nebraska spent $700 per hectare. Costs varied among fields in the same locations. Issues raised by this study included: insecticide use progression, control of other insects, yield loss, quality loss, strategies to manage zebra chip, and the impact of zebra chip on the competitive positions of potatogrowing areas.

Organic food sales have been increasing rapidly. Changing consumer tastes and preferences provide market opportunities for organically-grown food products, including potatoes. We developed a model to determine the factors that influence U.S. demand for fresh organic potatoes. The model’s explanatory variables include organic potato price, consumer income, rice price, organic carrot price, red and Yukon Gold potato price, chicken price, the number of Whole Food stores, average Body Mass Index, the organic penetration rate and regional dummy variables. We found organic potato demand to be more sensitive than conventional potato demand to changes in price and consumer income. The New England region had the highest preferences for organic potatoes. We forecasted a 19% annual growth rate in U.S. per capita organic potato consumption to 2013.

With an increasing population and a small arable land base Egypt's trade balance for agricultural goods has been negative. This study analyzes the impact of GATT on that trade balance. Results suggest that GATT could help turn Egypt's agricultural trade deficit into a surplus. Since Egypt's accession to GATT the United States and several Arab countries have become bigger trade partners. GATT may have also helped Egypt's potato, rice and cotton industries become more competitive in international markets. Issues that will affect future trade patterns include tariff reductions, export destinations, import sources, product diversity, currency exchange rates and value-added developments.

Agribusinesses seek university graduates who have leadership ability. Role playing, one method of teaching leadership skills, is used in a university agricultural policy course. It has been a fun and effective leadership learning tool. Students improve their communication skills, conduct in-depth research about a topic of their choice, and develop a better understanding of other sides of issues. Graduates who have gone into leadership positions cite role playing as an important part of their leadership development.

New potato varieties may provide economic advantages in traditional potato markets. An economic analysis was conducted to determine potential advantages of two new varieties, ‘Gem Russet’ and ‘Summit Russet,’ when compared with ‘Russet Burbank’ in the fresh market. Yield and grade data from 15 location/years were used to calculate net returns for each variety using a price based on a fresh market consignment packing model. Gem Russet and Summit Russet had slightly higher total yield than Russet Burbank when averaged over all location/years. In only six of the 15 location/years for Gem Russet and four of the 15 for Summit Russet was total yield statistically higher than Russet Burbank. Gem Russet and Summit Russet had numerically higher % US No. 1 yield in all of the location/years and statistically higher in 12 and 13, respectively. Both varieties were equal to or higher than Russet Burbank in all location/years for % cartons, consignment sale net value and net returns. The higher net return for Gem Russet and Summit Russet over Russet Burbank make these varieties economically advantageous to grow. This type of analysis is important in assessing the value of a new variety to growers based on existing markets.

Seed potato certification programs include field inspections to measure variety mix during the growing season. The ability of seed potato growers to meet variety mix tolerances could be an indicator of the likelihood of future GM potato growers to meet similar tolerances. We collected variety mix data from eight states for the 2008 and 2009 crops. The portion of lots that had variety mix was 3.5% in 2008 and 3.3% in 2009. We estimate that on a tuber basis, variety mix was 0.04% in 2008 and 0.024% in 2009. Those levels of mix are well within Japan’s tolerance of 5% GM mix for imported non-GM products.

Potato growers have been able to control the fungus,Phytophthora infestans, that causes late blight with fungicides, but at an increasingly higher cost. A Delphi survey was conducted with thirteen experts to estimate the impact of late blight on potato yields, storage losses and fungicide use. It was estimated late-blight fungicides cost $77.1 million and lost revenue for US growers was an additional $210.7 million. These total costs, which average $507 per hectare, do not include non-fungicide control practices.

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International trade of processed potatoes, especially frozen french fry exports, has become an important part of the US potato industry. In China, one of the world’s biggest potato producing countries, consumption of US frozen french fries has significantly increased since the late 1980’s. By employing economic theory and econometric techniques, this study evaluates China’s current frozen french fry market and predicts its future development.

Pesticide use in US fall crop potato production was surveyed for the years 1990 to 1994. The purpose of the study was to provide information about the relative importance of each pesticide and potential alternatives. The objectives were to: (1) inventory pesticides used on potatoes, (2) rank the target pests and (3) estimate the economic value of the major pesticides. Extension specialists working on potatoes in twelve states provided the main source of survey data. The most commonly used pesticides in four categories were: fungicide —chlorothalonil, insecticide —methamidophos, herbicide —metribuzin, and “other” -diquat. The most frequent target pests were: early blight (Alternaria solani), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), aphids (primarily Myzuspersicae), Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), lambsquarter (Chenopodium album), and pigweed (Amaranthus spp.). The pesticides that provided the most annual value to potato growers were methamidophos ($281 million), diquat ($86 million), metribuzin ($81 million), CIPC ($56 million) and esfenvalerate ($52 million).

Import demand for US frozen potatoes is estimated for Japan, Mexico, Philippines, and Thailand. Each country represents a different tier of import volume and market development (Japan—largest, most developed; Thailand—smallest, least developed). Import demand in Japan is primarily influenced by own-price and income. In the three smaller and newer markets, however, potato industry advertising and foreign investments by the US food service industry are found to be significant factors influencing import demand. Results suggest substantial growth potential exists in the export market for US frozen potatoes. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Idaho potato growers and consultants were surveyed to analyze the market for consulting services. Potato growers use three types of technical consultants to improve the profitability of their operations: public consultants, industry consultants, and independent consultants. Growers rated independent consultants most reliable and were most satisfied with industry consultants. Growers rated their own records as the most valuable sources of information for making production, marketing and financial decisions. Consultants were most widely used in production decisions. Pest identification and control was the most commonly offered service by Idaho consultants. Growers who were satisfied with previous use of independent consultants were more likely to continue to use consulting services. Consultants are generally providing the types of services demanded by growers. The largest unmet needs are for consulting services in marketing, business planning and storage management.

The economic history of potato storage was analyzed to discover the two common threads of value and ingenuity. Historical examples include the Inca Empire, the pioneer period of the American West and the development of U.S. storage technology since 1916.

Survey data from 311 garden centers, landscapers, and combined garden center/landscaping firms in selected western US trade centers were factor analyzed. Six first-order factors of product and service attributes were identified: plant selection, product information, supplier services and knowledge, advertising and promotion, plant quality, and ordering services. These six first-order factors were collapsed into three second-order factors: buyer-oriented services, buyer perception of supplier reputation, and sales support. These classifications of plant supplier attributes can be incorporated by the astute supplier into a successful business strategy. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

An econometric model was developed to forecast the global demand for U.S. frozen potato products in the year 2000. Quantity-dependent demand equations were established for the U.S. retail market, the U.S. food service market, the Japanese market, and the rest of the world. It was estimated that total sales of U.S. frozen potato products will be 81.5 million cwt in 2000, a 33% increase from 1989. The domestic retail market is forecast to increase by 4%, and the food service market by 33%. Exports are expected to double 1989 volume, with a 30% increase in exports to Japan and a 264% growth in exports to the rest of the world.

Survey data from 3 11 garden centers, landscapers, and combined garden center/landscaping firms in selected western United States trade centers were analyzed. Results identified important product and service attributes used in respondent decisions to purchase nursery stock. In general, product characteristics were ranked higher than supplier services. The highest-ranked product characteristics included plants free of insects and disease, properly dug and handled container or balled and burlapped stock, properly dug and handled bare root stock, and plants available when needed. However, several additional product characteristics received high rankings. The highest-ranked service was supplier knowledgeable about plant materials. A χ2 analysis was conducted to segment this market on the basis of firm size, business type, and geographic location. Results indicated there were limited between-group differences to use in segmenting the market on the basis of size, business type, or location.

THe U.S. potato industry is the main supplier of frozen potatoes to a rapidly growing Japanese food service market. A two-stage budgeting procedure was employed to estimate total Japanese imports of frozen potatoes and imports by country of origin. Japanese demand for frozen potatoes was found to be own-price inelastic and income elastic. The complementary relationship between hamburger and frozen potatoes suggests that replacement of tariffs for beef import quotas will impact the Japanese potato market. Imports from the United States are expected to increase substantially and remain in constant proportion to total imports.

A demand model was developed to determine the factors that affect the demand for potato products in the United States. The following market components were analyzed: potato chips; dehydrated-foodservice; dehydrated-retail; fresh; frozen-foodservice; and frozen-retail. Equations were estimated for each of the six components via ordinary least squares. Factors found to affect demand were population, consumer price index, consumer income, consumer debt, retail potato product price, females in the labor force, percentage of households with microwave ovens, restaurant meal expenditures, price of substitute potato products, price of complement products, and advertising expenditures. The demand for all of the potato products was found to be inelastic, but fresh demand was the most inelastic.

A statistical analysis of the economic impact of Maine’s mandatory seed potato law was conducted. Results suggest that since the law was implemented, Maine potato yields increased, total Maine potato acreage decreased, Maine seed potato acreage increased, seed potato rejections from certification were reduced, seed potato prices increased, and commercial potato prices decreased. Attempts to estimate the impact on commercial potato quality were unsuccessful. The estimated impact of the Maine mandatory seed law on a typical 200-acre commercial potato grower was an average increase in profits of $14,700 per year since the law was implemented in 1981.

Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solsitialis L.) is an invasive weed that creates problems for the management of Idaho's rangelands. A bioeconomic approach combined with an input-output economic model is used to estimate direct and secondary economic costs of the weed in relation to its interference with agricultural and non-agricultural benefits that rangelands provide. Direct economic costs of the infestations were estimated to be of 8.2 million '05 dollars per year, and secondary costs of 4.5 million '05 dollars per year, for a total of 12.7 million '05 dollars; agricultural related economic impacts accounted for 79% of this total cost, and non-agricultural for 21%.

Vegetable producers and marketers make business decisions based on supply estimates. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture provides estimates of planting intentions for field crops but not for most vegetable crops. This study developed models that can be used to forecast vegetable crop plantings. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors that influence plantings of potatoes and onions. Field crop planting intentions, industry structure, lagged values of plantings, prices received, price volatility, and the price of sugar beets were found to be significant factors. The models and/or methods used in this study should be useful to those interested in forecasting vegetable plantings.

Agricultural biotechnology is expanding around the world, but societal acceptance remains an important issue. Michigan State University (MSU) has developed and implemented an agricultural biotechnology short course for developing countries. Four courses were taught to regional groups in 2002–2003 and eight more were taught to geographically diverse groups in 2004–2008. One half day of each course was devoted to issues related to biotechnology acceptance. The participants discussed the pro-GM and anti-GM forces in their countries. Scientists were the top ranked pro-GM force and information was the top anti-GM force. Regional differences were found between forces such as food security and economics. Possible temporal differences included a rising influence of farmers on the pro-GM side and a falling influence of environmental NGOs on the anti-GM side.

Farmers rely on a variety of information sources when making decisions related to the management of their farm operation. The study reported here looked at the information sources used by Idaho potato producers. Data were collected by questionnaire from a randomly selected sample of 735 potato producers. A return rate of 58 percent resulted in 427 useable surveys. Results suggest that a variety of information sources are used by Idaho potato producers. It is also evident that growers place different degrees of reliability on different information sources. In fact, some of the most used sources are not considered the most reliable. It is also evident that contract growers and open market growers utilize different sources of information. Better understanding of these differences will assist in better dissemination of useful information to potato growers.