Rerick reports that the hotline is a useful resource for growers in the valley, who also share information online about areas where potatoes are at risk for late blight. Sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection, the NDSU Blightline draws on forecast information from the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network, computer analysis, and the expertise of plant pathologists and an extension specialist from the university. Although the hotline also provides growers with information on other diseases and insect threats, Rerick remarks that pest issues are minimal in the Red River Valley, thanks in large part to the region’s harsh winters.
Weather can complicate the Red River Valley harvest, though. High heat can delay the harvest, as ‘hot’ potatoes don’t last nearly as long in storage, and excessive rains can likewise keep harvesters out of the fields. At the same time, Rerick explains that the valley potato harvest is a race against the clock, because “if we have a frost, that will just wreck the potatoes, and they will rot.”
FRESH FORUM
What is the toughest challenge facing the potato industry?Chuck Curl, RPE, Inc.
It’s probably moving the volume we have and giving an adequate return to the grower. When we have depressed markets, we need to make sure prices are strong enough to pay growers what they need to make a profit.Mike Rerick, NoKota Packers, Inc.
I think you have to go back to transportation. We talk with potato growers all over the country, and I don’t think it matters what area of the country you’re in: there are transportation issues everywhere.Chris Wada, Wada Farms
Changing consumers—we talk about the millennial generation and how it represents a larger population than Baby Boomers. There’s just so much communication media and so many products and messages out there—it’s easy to get overwhelmed and always look for what’s new and exciting or trending. It’s just a matter of finding the right variety and pack style, etc. that fits the customer—‘one size fits all’ is a scary business plan.
Red River Valley growers specialize in reds, with the Red Norland ranking as the region’s top variety. Yellow potatoes are also prominent in the valley, and the Russet Norkotah is the region’s favored brown-skinned potato. A quarter of the valley’s potatoes go to the fresh market.
While growers in other regions have devoted considerable energy to developing new varieties in recent years, Rerick continues to look to red and dark red Norlands as reliably strong performers, which store well, are disease-resistant, and visually appealing to consumers. And since demand for red potatoes has been on the rise the last several years, the future looks good for the Red River Valley—and for potatoes in general, according to Rerick.
