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9:20 am-9:40 am: Bluefield Seeding Solutions - Increase Productivity and Quality with More Accurate Seed Placement
There are many things out of a grower’s control, but seed placement is not one of them. It all starts with a seed. Ensuring seed is properly placed is critical in achieving the best yields possible on your farm. Named one of the 10 most innovative products in the potato industry in 2023 by Spud Smart Magazine, Bluefield Seeding Solutions aims to help growers improve their profitability through better seed placement. This system is composed of a press wheel mounted on the planter which improves plant spacing uniformity, along with a sensor that detects contact of each seed piece as it is planted. The grower can see, in real-time, their average spacing and the planter’s actual performance of seed’s placement in the furrow of each row. This enables them to take corrective action if required. Planters can travel significantly faster than conventional planter setups while maintaining more consistent spacing.
Evan MacDonald, Precision Agronomist, Contour Consulting
Craig McCloskey, Owner, Bluefield Seeding Solutions
9:20 am-10:00 am: The Future of Biologicals in Potato Production
What role will biologicals play in the future of potato production? In this discussion, industry panelists will examine the current conditions of biologicals in the market, the future of biological crop protection products, and what this ultimately will mean for the grower. Industry leaders will discuss the real results they are seeing with biologicals today, the emerging technologies enabling biological crop protection products, and address any hesitancies still surrounding the use of biologicals in agriculture today.
Moderator: Jonathan Adamson, Western US Sales Manager, Vive Crop Protection
Panelists: Jeff Miller, Plant Pathologist, Miller Research
Brian Neufeld, Potato Grower, Neufeld Farms
Eric Ritchie, Agriculture Director North America of Strategic Operations, McCain Foods
9:30 am-10:00 am: Farm Policy and a Dysfunctional Washington, D.C.
The Farm Bill expired in September of 2023 and the dysfunction in Washington, D.C. is threatening this essential rewrite of our nation’s farm policy. Risk management, export promotion, pest and disease prevention, nutrition policy and numerous other programs that make growers competitive are tied up in political infighting. Kam Quarles of NPC and Tyson Redpath of The Russell Group will talk about how we got here, where we might be going and what growers can do to break the impasse on Capitol Hill.
Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council
Tyson Redpath, Principal, The Russell Group
9:50 am-10:10 am: Good-bye GI! A Campaign to Leave the Outdated, Inaccurate Glycemic Index Behind
Media monitoring has uncovered a shocking trend, dietitians/nutritionists writing and commenting about glycemic index as the measure of carbohydrate quality in the news. In this session, hear from Katie Lilley about how Potatoes USA is tackling this problem through grassroots efforts and an aggressive counter-campaign!
Katie Lilley, COO, Hillenby
10:10 am-10:40 am: Elements of Employee Engagement
Employees make decisions and take actions every day that can affect your workforce and organization. Yet, according to Gallup, only 32% of the employees in the U.S. are engaged, while only 23% are engaged worldwide. During this session you will be introduced to Gallup's framework to improve employee engagement, increase productivity and profitability while reducing absenteeism, turnover, and accidents.
Mike Wenkel, Vice President, Potato LEAF
10:10 am-10:50 am: Regional Breeding Program’s Contributions to the Industry
Regional potato breeding efforts are supported by the USDA and leading universities. This discussion highlights recent technological advances and new varietal releases in different market classes that provide real benefits along the value chain. The discussion will cover how these programs are organized regionally and coordinated through established field trial systems and the role of government-sponsored research. All participant's breeding efforts now employ a variety of genome sequencing, precision genome engineering, predictive modeling, and phenotyping technologies to make their programs more efficient and deliver well-adapted varieties with high performance and new traits. How does this technology reduce the effective generation interval and improve selection accuracy? How does it save money and help deliver the goods. We'll put the experts on the stage to answer these questions and more.
Moderator: Mark Pavek, Ph.D., Professor, Washington State University
Panelists: David Douches, Ph.D., Professor, Michigan State University
Isabel Vales, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Texas A&M University
Craig Yencho, Ph.D., Professor, North Carolina State University
10:20 am-10:50 am: Partnering with USTR in Opening Markets to U.S. Potato Exports: A conversation with U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip and NPC CEO Kam Quarles
10:50 am-11:30 am: Understanding Disruptive Weather Patterns & 2024 Weather Signals
U.S. potato production is weather-sensitive and risk associated with adverse weather can derail a well-managed operation very quickly. We will first discuss how weather over the last 70 years has impacted potato production and discover what weather patterns are the best and worst for growing potatoes. We’ll then look at the different types of weather risk that we experience across North America and the atmospheric ingredients that lead to these problematic patterns. Finally, we’ll use this knowledge to explore why we experienced the weather patterns we have other the last several years, and preview what weather storylines to watch for in 2024.
Andrew Pritchard, Senior Meteorologist, Nutrien
11:00 am-11:40 am: Potatoes: It’s What’s for Grillin’!
While we’re in Austin, we can’t leave town without talking about the exploding barbecue scene, both in Texas and across the country. More Americans than ever before are firing up their grills, smokers, or flattops (sometimes all at the same time!) to make complete meals outside of their home kitchens. Recipes and grilling equipment to cook side dishes like potatoes have flooded social media and television cooking shows.
Companies like ACE Hardware are responding to increased demand for products to help consumers mimic the viral grilling recipes they’ve seen on Instagram and TikTok. Hear from ACE Hardware spokesperson and grilling expert, Chef Jason Morse, who will discuss how the entire potato supply chain can tap into the consumer excitement around grilling, smoking, and smashing potatoes in ways most of us never considered a few years ago.
Chef Jason Morse, CEC, National Spokesperson, Grilling Expert, Ace Hardware
11:10 am-11:50 am: Lessons Learned from Regenerative Ag Innovation Hubs
In crop year 2023, McCain Foods partnered with growers in Washington, Idaho, and Manitoba to launch five Innovation Hubs. An Innovation Hub is a partnership with a grower to run a commercial-scale trial of key regenerative practices for that region. Each Innovation Hub has a clear research question, risk-sharing acreage contract, network of university and industry partners, grower learning field day, and ROI calculation(s). The discussion will focus on lessons learned from the first year of collaboration.
Moderator: Daniel Metheringham, VP of Agriculture, McCain Foods
Panelists: Amanda Crook, Lead Agronomist of Western North America, McCain Foods
Austin Poulson, Idaho Innovation Hub Grower, Scott Poulson Farms
Brett Reynolds, Washington Innovation Hub Grower, Reynolds Agribusiness LLC
12:00 pm-12:50 pm: Fueling Performance Across Generations
Sponsored by Potatoes USA
Join us for an exciting presentation that showcases how Potatoes USA is at the forefront of promoting a healthy lifestyle and culinary excellence with the versatile potato. This unique session will explore how potatoes can be prepared to cater to unique needs and preferences, including “Food as Medicine” advocates, food service operators, home cooks, and the ever-evolving Generation Z.
The expert team will take you on a journey, emphasizing the humble potato’s potential to transform the modern plate by demonstrating how it can be a focal point in crafting nutritionally rich and flavorful dishes. The presentation will highlight Potatoes USA’s innovative programs designed to ensure that potatoes are integral to every meal.
Moderator: Marisa Stein, Marketing Director, Potatoes USA
Panelists: Chef RJ Harvey, RDN, CEC, Culinary Director, Potatoes USA
Bonnie Johnson, Nutrition Director, Potatoes USA
1:00 pm-1:30 pm: Keeping Potatoes on the Plate – D.C.’s Dietary Guidelines Process
2024 is the year that the federal government rewrites their recommendations on what Americans should eat. These statements will then echo through U.S. federal nutrition policy for the next five years. The U.S. industry is working together to push back against unwise and unscientific recommendations on potatoes in these Dietary Guidelines for Americans, such as those seen in previous Administrations. Beth Johnson of Food Directions and Kam Quarles from NPC will talk about the process so far, what the threats are, and where the opportunities may be in shaping these twice-a-decade recommendations.
Beth Johnson, Principal, Food Directions
1:00 pm-1:40 pm: The Importance of a Global Sustainability Standard to Help Tell the Potato Sustainability Story
Join this panel for an exciting discussion of why sustainability standards matter, and why a global standard, such as FSA SAI, matters.
Moderator: John Mesko, Executive Director, Potato Sustainability Alliance
Panelists: Ryan Findlay, Head of Sustainable Food and Agriculture, North America, RabobankJolyn Rasmussen, Global Agronomy Services, JR SimplotSteven Wall, Sustainability Development Manager, Syngenta
1:30 pm-1:50 pm: Farm Succession Planning: 4 Steps to Improve Your Odds
At the Potato Expo 2023, we reviewed the surprising reasons why most family businesses fail to survive to the third generation, including breakdowns of trust and communication within the family. In this year’s session, Mike Cohen and Jeff DeWald will do a brief review of the challenges, and introduce Tina Lovejoy, owner of Frameworks Facilitation LLC. Tina is highly experienced working with farm families and other closely-held businesses on the personal and family issues surrounding succession planning and will share four steps to improve your operation’s odds for a successful transition to the next generation.
Moderator: Tina Lovejoy, Founder, Frameworks Facilitation LLC
Panelists: Michael Cohen, CRPC, CBEC, Managing Member, Agribusiness Succession Advisors LLCJeffrey S. DeWald, CLU, ChFC, CBEC, Managing Member, Agribusiness Succession Advisors, LLC
1:40 pm-2:10 pm: The Future of Chemistry Regulations on Farming Practices – Endangered Species Act Assessment
Farming is currently facing a new era in regulations and potato growers will soon be forced to change their production practices. This discussion will feature representatives from across the potato industry to provide an update on the current regulatory environment. The topics will include a recap of 2023 EPA actions around Endangered Species Act, Vulnerable Species Pilot Project (VSPP), EPA Herbicide Strategy, and what is on the horizon for 2024. As an industry, now more than ever it is pivotal to be engaged so we are able to shape the conversation on the future of farming for generations to come.
Moderator: Jennifer Crumpler, Industry Affairs Lead, Bayer Crop Science
Panelists: Ed Ruckert, Legal Counsel, Minor Crop Farmer AllianceTilgham Hall, VP Environmental Safety North America, Bayer Crop Science
1:50 pm-2:20 pm: Taste the Future: Potatoes and the Restaurant Evolution
Food service operators are entering 2024 with a thirst for updates around culinary and other relevant trends that fuel growth. Kelly Dykhuizen, Senior Director at Datassential, a global leader in food and beverage intelligence, will share the latest in potato trends and the role that potatoes play on the menu. Get the latest insights on consumer preferences, emerging trends, and key drivers that will shape the future of food service.
Kelly Dykhuizen, Senior Director of Customer Experience, Datassential
2:00 pm-2:20 pm: The Connection Between Soil Microbes and Potato Yields
At the root of every healthy crop, there is a thriving community of soil microbes improving soil quality promoting plant vigor. For potato growers, disturbances to the soil throughout the crop cycle and little organic matter coverage left after harvest can cause soil loss and reduction in important soil nutrients available to future crops. Key resources like nutrients and water – particularly where irrigation is required – can be at risk of loss or poor uptake when the soil microbiome is starving, and thus dormant. Dr. Cassidy Million will share the power of utilizing your soil microbiome to "wake up” dormant soil microbes to perform important functions like improving nutrient availability, water retention, and soil aggregation. Potato growers will glean valuable information on how to retain existing soil, improve its quality, and provide an ideal environment for protection against environmental stresses, such as drought, flooding, and erosion.
Cassidy Million, Ph.D., VP of Ag Science, Heliae Agriculture
2:20 pm-2:50 pm: Climate-Smart Potatoes for the Pacific Northwest: Managing Soil Health for Climate-Smart Outcomes
This research project is a pilot project supported by the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program that is focused on potato-based crop rotation systems across the Idaho, Oregon, and Washington regions, as well as for farmers on American Indian reservations in the region. The project's objective is to see farmers adopt Climate-Smart practices across the region that benefit the soil health of fields that produce potatoes and crops grown in rotation. Most project funding is designated for direct payments to growers as incentives for implementing Climate-Smart practices. Growers currently implementing any Climate-Smart practices, but not already receiving payments from another USDA program, may enroll those fields and acres in the project. A grower may enroll multiple fields that produce potatoes and rotational crops, that includes grains, corn, hay, onions, hemp, or any other crop commodities used in the farmer’s rotation management system.
Ken Frost, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist, Oregon State University Department of Botany and Plant Pathology & Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center
2:30 pm-2:50 pm: Advancing Potato Nutrition Research: Alliance for Potato Research & Education Update
Learn about recent APRE publications and exciting upcoming projects. Walk away with key facts about potato nutrition that you can share with your family, friends, and colleagues.
Howard Goldstein, MS, RD, Manager, Alliance for Potato Research & Education
2:30 pm-3:00 pm: Looking Forward to Diploid Potatoes: Resistant to Today’s Problems, Resilient to Tomorrow’s Challenges, and Irresistible Quality Outcomes
Potato growers face increasing customer demands for excellent product quality and sustainable production. Greater climate volatility and changing consumer preferences have made this task a moving target that is difficult to hit with incremental improvements attained through time-honored tetraploid breeding. New varieties that appeal to customers are less dependent on inputs for yield, size, and quality and are resilient when confronted with environmental stresses. Growers of every market class will realize these returns. Before long, some new varieties will be produced from diploid potatoes using the latest advances in plant breeding technologies. This is your chance to discover how diploid potatoes can benefit your industry, where the first new opportunities can be anticipated, and how new varieties, including hybrid potatoes propagated from true seed, fit into the overall potato production system.
Paul Bethke, Ph.D., Research Plant Physiologist, USDA-ARS
Cari Schmitz Carley, Ph.D., Senior Breeder, Aardevo
3:00 pm-3:20 pm: The Future of Breeding is Now: High Yield, Low Input Varieties
The future of breeding is now. Disease resistance, climate resilience, abiotic stress tolerance, sustainability, and other traits are becoming increasingly important in our rapidly changing world. With the robustness of our new varieties, we can meet these challenges and work toward regenerative agriculture goals. Our Even Greener varieties exemplify five sustainable traits: higher marketable yield, greater fertilizer efficiency, increased storability, better crop protection, and reduced fresh water use to bring you a potato that fits your needs.
Robert Graveland, Research & Development Director, HZPC Research Ltd. part of Royal HZPC Group
3:00 pm-3:30 pm: North American Potato Sustainability: Insights from 2023 and Our Sustainability Story
Potatoes have a great sustainability story to tell. In 2023, PSA launched a new program designed to better tell that story to the world. Join Natalie Nesburg, PSA's Program Manager, for a look at how North American potato producers are telling that story. She will share insights from our data collected in 2023, including areas of success and the top three things growers can do to better tell their stories.
Natalie Nesburg, Program Manager, Potato Sustainability Alliance
3:10 pm-3:40 pm: Soil Health in Potatoes: Fry in the Sky or Grounded in Reality?
Soil health is the foundation of regenerative agriculture and the backbone of resilient and climate-smart potato production. But the potato cropping system presents significant challenges for maintaining and improving soil health. The Soil Health Institute has been working with farmers and food companies across North America to measure and benchmark soil health and provide educational programs on what soil health can look like in potato systems. This session digs into what we've learned so far about the soil health challenges that potato growers face across North America, the existing research on regenerative potato production, recommended soil health measurements, regional soil health differences, and success stories from North American potato growers.
Katherine East, Soil Health Educator, Soil Health Institute
Cameron Ogilvie, Soil Health Educator, Soil Health Institute
3:30 pm-3:50 pm: Real-Time Storage Performance Evaluation
Potato storages, new and old, were designed to create a climate that provides an optimal environment for tubers to be stored in. Over time those designs have changed and older storages have been upgraded. Some upgrades include the use of frequency drives to control fan speed, updated fan blades, louvers, doors, refrigeration, and condensation control. With all of these changes, one has to wonder if the storage is still performing adequately to provide the best environment. The Gellert Co., in cooperation with Agri-Stor Companies, has developed technology to monitor and verify ventilation system performance in real time. This monitoring includes but is not limited to, temperatures, humidities, CO2 levels, duct air speeds, total cfm, static pressures, and power consumption. When the real-time data is analyzed our storage professionals can easily determine the weak spots in a storage design and communicate the benefits or consequences of the design.
John Klimes, Director of Product Quality, Agri-Stor Companies
3:40 pm-4:00 pm: Live Eye on Potatoes Podcast Recording: Enhancing Growers’ Competitiveness – A Discussion with National Organization Leaders
Join key association CEOs in the industry for a discussion about the present and future opportunities for potatoes.
Host: Lane Nordlund, host of the Eye on Potatoes Podcast
Mark Klompien, President and CEO, United Potato Growers of America
Blair Richardson, President and CEO, Potatoes USA