In the December 2012 Common’Tater
2012 Wisconsin Potato Crop Report: High Yields, Excellent Quality
The WPVGA estimates this year’s crop at approximately 63,500 acres, with an average yield of 456 cwt./acre for a crop weight total of 29,000,000 cwt. (includes storage shrink). This estimation is a result of conversations with growers and DATCP Agricultural Statistics. Total planted acres are up slightly, but similar to 2011 crop acres. Some potatoes were left in the ground due to filled contracts and storages. Acres of potatoes destined for the fry plant are stable after several years of reductions and we again have a slight increase in chip potato and seed acres. The growing season was hot and dry. We experienced drought conditions from June through harvest, with the least amount of rain falling in the Central Sands production area. For the complete story on the Wisconsin potato crop in 2012, read the December issue of The Badger Common’Tater.
With historic drought conditions affecting virtually the entire U.S. this summer, irrigation was the key to high yields and excellent quality potatoes in Wisconsin.
Grants Awarded to Strengthen Wisconsin’s Specialty Crops
Eighteen Wisconsin projects have been funded through the Specialty Crop Block Grant in 2012. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) selected recipients through a competitive review process that will invest in research, market development and economic opportunities for the state’s specialty crop producers. Among the Wisconsin potato and vegetable-related recipients and a short description of their projects include the following:
- Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Wisconsin Fresh Market Vegetable Growers Association, & Midwest Food Processors Association: To mitigate disease and insect risk in onion and carrot production through use of forecasting models in pesticide application processes. $46,040.00
- Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: To improve resistance management and environmental quality through applied research of Colorado potato beetle resistance. $35,652.33
- Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: To enhance the value of the Wisconsin fresh market potato industry by improving fresh market potato varieties. $100,000.00
For more details, check out the December 2012 edition of The Badger Common’Tater magazine.
WPIB Board Members of the 2012 Wisconsin Potato Industry Board are pictured following their meeting in November. Pictured are: Front row (L-R) Keith Wolter (Treasurer), Bill Wysocki (Secretary), Cliff Gagas (Vice President) and Tom Wild (President); back row—John Bobek, Justin Isherwood, Heidi Randall, John T. Schroeder and Dennis Zeloski.
Members of the 2012 Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Board of Directors are pictured following their October meeting. Pictured are: Front row (L-R) Ron Mach (Secretary), Brad Faldet (President), Jeremie Pavelski (Vice President) and Rob Schroeder (Treasurer); back row—Larry Alsum, Andy Wallendal, Paul Sowinski, Kirk Wille and Steve Diercks.
The Badger Beat
By Dr. A.J. Bussan, University of Wisconsin, Dept. of Horticulture
2012: What a year!
The 2012 growing season will be remembered across the Wisconsin agricultural community for years to come– as the new 1988. Everyone remembers 1988 for being the hottest and driest summer in decades. Last summer also qualifies as the hottest and driest summer for at least 20 years. Depending on where you are located in the state, 2012 was actually drier than 1988 and was the warmest summer in years. I thought the growers did a great job reacting to growing conditions during 2012 especially with regard to irrigation and optimizing production. For the full story, see The Badger Beat column in the December issue of The Badger Common’Tater.
