William Schaefer, the Idaho editor Spudman magazine, is attending the Idaho Potato Conference Jan. 20-22. He'll bring you the latest insights and information from the show floor. Check back for regular updates and in the March issue of Spudman for a recap of the conference and trade show.

Here's what a few people had to say.

How's the economy affecting equipment sales?

"Selling equipment is off from what it was last year. Just because the commodity prices are down and the economy has everyone scared just a little bit. I think it's going to be a little flatter then last year but it will still be a good year."
– Wendel Curtis, sales rep., Pioneer Equipment, Idaho Falls





What do you think of Tom Vilsack, the new Secretary of Agriculture, and what issues need to be addressed?

"He should be good. He's from Iowa. I would think he would have a little savvy. We're going to have to have a good labor source. What I'm hearing is labor is going up a lot. We're going to be in the same boat as car dealers – we can't afford the labor."
– Ryan Neibaur, farmer, Idaho Falls






What impact will high interest rates have on agricultural financing?

"Availability of financing for ag equipment and storage units and production lines, we have availability for that. Even though the prime has come down some of our other costs are still there. So, they haven't come down accordingly. Interest rates have moderated to some degree but they haven't dropped as dramatically as some people would have liked to have seen or expected, maybe. I think, they are pretty stable, I'm talking commercial rates."
– Greg Anderson, commercial loan officer, Bank of Idaho Commercial




– William Schaefer, Idaho Editor, Spudman