January 2022 - 8

TAKING STOCK
EDITOR'S LETTER
Breaking down the
seed numbers
Crunching numbers isn't an activity enjoyed by many, but I've
Zeke Jennings
Editor
always enjoyed compiling numbers and making sense of them.
When I started my post-high school education, it was focused on
accounting, although my career path obviously
has progressed in another direction.
So, going over the ever-growing spreadsheet
of accepted certified seed potato acres that
comes every October is actually one of my
favorite projects of the year. It's a great chance
to get a look at which varieties are being grown
more or less widely, as well as learn about some
of the newer cultivars I may not be as familiar
with as some of the industry staples.
On Page 18, you'll find some statistics and takeaways from
the 2021 data, which is so graciously gathered by the state seed
organizations and the crew at Colorado State's San Luis Valley
Research Center.
One thing we're continuing to see is the russet potato category
diversify beyond the Burbank. In 2017, Burbanks made up 19% of all
U.S. certified seed acres. In 2021, that number was down to 15.9%.
That's still a massive share, but a downward trend for sure.
Norkotahs, Rangers and Umatillas have become industry
standards, but new ones continue to gain acreage, such as
Clearwater, Reveille and Caribou.
Yellow potatoes is not only a market that is growing in the retail
sector, but a category that is changing quickly in seed availability.
Whether it be varieties that are resistant to emerging diseases,
have longer dormancy in storage or require less water in the field,
breeders are responding with plenty of new options for growers. For
the second year in a row, Gala was the most-grown yellow variety,
with Yukon Gold falling to fifth. Others, like Soraya, Cascada and
Isabelia are gaining in acreage.
Speaking of seed potatoes, the Vision 2026 initiative is looking at
ways to improve the seed certification process and provide more of
a grower-focused process. Check out Page 25 for the start of their
work in that process.
Office 616-887-9008
Editorial
Editor Zeke Jennings, 616-520-2159
zjennings@greatamericanpublish.com
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thodson@greatamericanpublish.com
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Representative kmeyers@greatamericanpublish.com
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khowell@greatamericanpublish.com
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Circulation Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
circulation@spudman.com
Corporate
CEO Matt McCallum
publisher@spudman.com
COO & CMO Kimberly Baker
kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
CFO & Director of Deb Carnes, 616-520-2169
Human Resources dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com
Editorial Board
Randy Hardy, Oakley Farms, Oakley, Idaho
Andy Jensen, Northwest Potato Research Consortium
Don Sklarczyk, Sklarczyk Seed Farms, Johannesburg, Mich.
Robert Thornton, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.
The Magazine: Editorial and advertising offices at Great American
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SPUDMAN volume 60 number 1 (ISSN 0038-8661) is printed 8 times
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6
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January 2022

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