Spudman July/August 2023 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Anticipating
the harvest
As the calendar swings into summer, potato growers' thoughts turn
to the harvest that will occur in a few months' time.
This issue of Spudman takes a look at some
important factors that play into the ultimate
success of that harvest, beginning with
new research aimed at finding sustainable
methods of controlling a common and
insidious disease: early potato die complex,
which can stunt plants' growth before
it begins. Starting on page 8, readers can
learn about strides being made at Michigan
State University, where a lifelong student of the land is using an
infusion of federal funds to combat potato early die with a simple
yet complex solution. Marisol Quintanilla and her students are
investigating the efficacy of various manure and compost blends to
battle the pernicious pests that bedevil potato growers every year.
Another issue on the minds of European growers as harvest
Melinda Waldrop
Managing Editor
approaches is a new environmental mandate that speeds up
harvesting and covers crop planting on sandy soil. The directive,
aimed at curtailing nitrogen compounds entering groundwater, has
some Dutch potato farmers fearing a shortage of processing potatoes
for french fries. Learn more about their concerns on page 12.
Postharvest storage is a crucial element in preserving potato
crops. Beginning on page 14, readers can explore one Wisconsin
grower's storage facilities and learn what factors go into building
storage structures from the ground up.
Readers can also catch up on promising results of new cover
crop research on Prince Edward Island (page 18), learn about
complexities affecting U.S. potato exporters (page 22), and find out
what vegetable Americans picked as their favorite (and why it's
potatoes - again - page 26).
Thanks for joining the harvest journey, and enjoy your summer.
Office 616-887-9008
Editorial
Managing Editor Melinda Waldrop, 616-520-2158
mwaldrop@greatamericanpublish.com
Editorial Director Debbie Eisele, 616-520-2160
deisele@greatamericanpublish.com
Advertising Sales
Associate Publisher Andrea Schafer, 616-520-2139
spudmanads@spudman.com
Account Specialist Kim Meyers, 616-520-2137
kmeyers@greatamericanpublish.com
Production
Senior Graphic Greg Ryan, 616-520-2145
Designer spudproduction@spudman.com
Associate Creative Amanda Mackey, 616-520-2157
Director amackey@greatamericanpublish.com
Creative Director Allison McKenzie, 616-520-2142
amckenzie@greatamericanpublish.com
Circulation
Circulation Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
circulation@spudman.com
Corporate
CEO & Publisher Matt McCallum
publisher@spudman.com
COO & CMO Kim 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
Publishing, P.O. Box 128, Sparta, MI 49345, Phone: 616-887-9008
SPUDMAN volume 61 number 6 (ISSN 0038-8661) is printed 8 times
a year in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec
by Great American Publishing, 75 Applewood Drive - Suite A, Sparta,
MI 49345. Periodical postage paid at Sparta, MI 49345 and additional
mailing office.
The opinions and views expressed by authors, contributors and
advertisers in Spudman do not necessarily reflect those of the
editors and publisher. Appearance in Spudman does not constitute
endorsement by Great American Media Services or Spudman of the
advertiser, its products, or services. Great American Media Services
and Spudman accept no responsibility of liability for the validity or
accuracy of information supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers,
or advertising agencies. Great American Media Services and Spudman
do not make any claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity
of information supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers or
advertising agencies. Copyright 2023.
mwaldrop@greatamericanpublish.com
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4
Spudman * July/August 2023
Spudman July/August 2023

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