News
Longtime NPGA contributor Phelps dies at 59
Todd Phelps, 59, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, died Feb. 21 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. On Feb. 20, Phelps received the Northland Potato Growers Association’s Industry Meritorious Service Award recognizing his contributions to th... more
Drexel adds new member to sales team
Memphis, Tennessee-based Drexel Chemical Co. has added an experienced industry professional to its sales team. Steve Henning joins Drexel as Western Regional manager. Henning will manage the company’s business in the western U.S. [caption id=... more
Discovery led by MSU researchers could reduce harmful chemicals in fried potatoes
New research at Michigan State University could lessen health concerns associated with cold-stored potatoes. Samantha Brichta details the discovery in an article for MSU Today. From the article: In a breakthrough for the snack food industry, a te... more
Report: Expanded market access would spur additional $1B in economic activity
A new report detailing the economic impact of the U.S. potato industry emphasizes the importance of expanding exports, finding that “moderate and achievable” expansions in foreign markets would generate an additional $1 billion in economic activi... more
2024 Potato LEAF Leadership Institute class meets, travels to Washington Summit
The 2024 Potato LEAF Leadership Institute kicked off last week in Boise, Idaho, at the headquarters of agribusiness company Simplot. Bryan Bender, the grower leader selected from the 2023 class and Spudman’s 2023 Emerging Leader award winner, sh... more
Vive Crop Protection adds two team members, promotes another
Vive Crop Protection has added two new members to its team and promoted a longtime employee. Greg Esco is the company’s new Eastern U.S. Sales Manager, Bruce Ringrose is now the director of sustainability and stakeholder relations, and Jeff Lacr... more
Netherlands-based potato cooperative to acquire The Potato Company
Netherlands-based potato cooperative Agrico has declared its intention to acquire the seed potato activities of The Potato Company, a Dutch company that coordinates the introduction and sale of new potato varieties in more than 60 countries. The a... more
New report finds potatoes worth $2.5 billion annually to Michigan
A new report authored by Michigan State University economists found that the potato industry generates $2.5 billion each year to the state’s gross domestic product. That includes almost $1.5 billion in direct economic activity stemming from grow... more
Online discussion to explore what sustainbility means for potato producers
Join Spudman for a discussion of what sustainability means for potato producers. Jason Haegele, ICL, North American Agronomy Lead, and Georg Lemperg, ICL, Global Food Market Relations Manager, will break down how fertility choices directly impact ... more
2023 stocks near halfway point in North Dakota, Minnesota
North Dakota growers, dealers, and processors held 13.4 million cwt of potatoes in storage on Feb. 1, with current stocks representing 51% of 2023 production, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Total stocks are defined ... more