In the February 2012 Badger Common’Tater
Mach Wins National Seed Potato Honor
Ron Mach of Mach’s Sunny Acres, Antigo, Wisconsin, was named the National Potato Council Seed Potato Grower of the Year at the Potato Expo held January 4-6, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. The award was presented by National Potato Council President Justin Dagen, who said it is in recognition for significant contributions and dedicated service to the potato industry. Read the full story in the February 2012 edition of The Badger Common’Tater.
Ron Mach
Heartland Farms of Hancock, Wisconsin Wins National Environmental Stewardship Award
Heartland Farms, Inc. a 14,000-acre irrigated potato and vegetable farm is the winner of the National Potato Council Environmental Stewardship Award. The award was presented at the annual awards banquet of the NPC held January 7, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. Specializing in chipping potatoes, Heartland
Farms is headquartered in Hancock, Wisconsin. The fifth generation farm was settled in 1873 by August Pavelski, great-grandfather of current CEO Richard Pavelski. For all the details, see the February 2012 Badger Common’Tater.
Alicia, Jeremie and Richard Pavelski are pictured with the NPC Environmental Stewardship Award.
Techniques to Evaluate Changes in Groundwater Quality
By Matt Ruark and Nick Bero, Department of Soil Science, UW-Madison
Currently, fertilizer technologies are being evaluated at the small-plot scale to determine which products are best suited for potato and sweet corn production in Central Wisconsin. Preliminary research results indicate that polymer coated urea (PCU) products as well as enzyme inhibitors (urease and nitrification inhibitors) reduce the in-season leaching of nitrate. To find out more about this subject, see the February issue of The Badger Common’Tater.
Record-Breaking Attendance, Inspiring Speakers Drive Excitement at POTATO EXPO 2012
More than 1,500 potato growers and industry leaders from across the United States and a dozen countries turned out for POTATO EXPO 2012, held January 5-7, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The largest meeting of its kind in North American, POTATO EXPO 2012 featured 130 companies in its sold-out tradeshow, which showcased cutting-edge products representing the entire spectrum of industry innovations. Check out the February edition of The Badger Common’Tater for full coverage including dozens of photos.
Supermarket “Guru” Phil Lempert addresses Potato Expo attendees on a wide range of issues related to potatoes in the marketplace. Lempert says “One major trend among consumers is to buy local and buy fresh. People want to know where their food is coming from.” Lempert also facilitated a consumer panel discussion on issues ranging from potato shopping to recipes to nutrition information.
