Colorado Potato Board Update: “Spud Item” for June 10, 2019
NEXT CPAC MEETING
The next meeting of the CPAC (area II) will be held THURSDAY, June 20th, 2019 at 7:30 pm
NINTH ANNUAL CPAC GOLF TOURNAMENT AND DINNER it is with pleasure that we invite you to the 2019 Annual Dinner & Golf Tournament, on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Dinner will be at Cattails Golf Course and will begin at 6 PM. There will be a raffle to benefit POPAC/CPLA held with a chance to win a night at the Creede Theater, Stampede bundle, Pagosa Springs get away, or $500 Stub Hub gift card! Please RSVP to our office by Monday, June 10, 2019 for dinner. Come enjoy the day with Industry friends. ALL GROWERS, INDUSTRY PERSONNEL AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED.
POTATO ACRES 2019
The potato fly-over has been scheduled for June 20th. CPAC will work closely with NASS to insure that the acreage count is as accurate as possible.
UNITED POTATO GROWERS OF COLORADO, in conjunction with CPAC, are collecting farm maps with acreage and variety detail for the 2019 potato crop. This detail allows United to track details of the Valley crop such as trends in varieties, acreage details and production estimates. Reliable and accurate data are processed into reports and forecasts that are used by marketers and growers. These data
reports are fluid and updated with the most current information each month. Your cooperation in providing detailed farm maps with acreage, type and variety benefit the Valley potato industry and give growers the tools for making business decisions.
The United office is also collecting June 1 inventory. Please contact Lyla with your gross, unshrunk supply cwt by June 10. Having accurate data is important for accurate industry reports. Lyla@notes-numbers.com or 719-852-2144
PVY WORKSHOP JUNE 11TH AT CSU RESEARCH STATION – Every potato grower in the San Luis Valley deals with PVY in their crop. CSU has lined up a great group of speakers to help growers learn what they can do to limit the impact of PVY in their fields. Come Tuesday June 11th to hear from Dr. Stewart Gray, Dr. Russell Groves, Dr.
Nina Zidack, and Dr. Amy Charkowski. Breakfast starts at 7:15 with the program beginning at 8:00 a.m. Lunch will be served also. Please take the time to come listen for whatever portion of the day you can. All of us have to work together to have an impact on PVY. https://www.coloradopotato.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PCS-Newsletter.pdf
NPC EYE ON DC – On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee approved its FY20 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. Contained within the $24.310 billion legislation were several provisions impacting the potato world. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) worked together on a provision that prevents USDA from limiting potato access to the school breakfast programs. This provision was necessary to counter regulations that demanded other vegetables be served before potatoes. Those regulations had no scientific foundation, but were holdovers from prior Administration’s
policies. In addition the bill funds potato breeding research at $3.25 million for the coming year. This is the highest level ever for the National Institutes of Food and Agriculture’s program and was strongly urged by the potato industry during February’s DC Fly-In including a strong contingent from Colorado.
NPC 2019 SUMMER MEETING -Join your peers for a summertime discussion of federal policy impacting the U.S. potato industry. All growers and industry leaders are welcome to the National Potato Council’s Summer Meeting. The location for this year’s meeting is in Wisconsin Dells, WI July 10-12. Bring your family to explore all of the attractions the region has to offer. Attendees review policies being considered in our nation’s capital that could affect potato operations and unite in developing strategies to voice industry priorities to lawmakers, administration officials and regulators. Enjoy the always lively silent auction and banquet to
benefit NPC’s Scholarship Program and learn about the local growing region. Visit the website for more information and to register. https://web.cvent.com/event/1134760f-0421-4dfb-85e6-0deac4725384/summary
CSU FIELD DAY – Please join us at the San Luis Valley Research Center for Field Day on June 19th. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. Speakers will include :
Dr. David Holm, Dr. Sastry Jayanty, Dr. Samuel Essah, Dr. Andre Houser, Dr. Chaks Mattupalli, Pat McDermott, Judy Jolly, Dr. Stephen Pearce, and more. Lunch served at noon courtesy of Sunflour Bakery.
MARKETING – Did you know that consumers today are focused on their health more than ever? They want to know what they should be eating in order to fuel their lifestyle and they want to understand the nutritional profile of the foods they put in their body. Most people are unaware of the amazing nutrients potatoes provide and are often surprised to learn that potatoes are a nutrient dense food that contains the complex carbohydrate, potassium, energy and essential vitamins and minerals they need to perform their best. Potatoes contribute significantly to the daily Vitamin C requirements in fact; a medium-sized potato contains 30% of the daily value
(DV). This water-soluble vitamin acts as an antioxidant, controlling or eliminating free radicals, thus helping to prevent cellular damage. It aids in collagen production, assists with iron absorption, and helps heal wounds and keep your gums healthy.
The more facts you know about potato nutrition and can share will help lead to more people eating more potatoes in more ways not only because they’re delicious, but also because they’re nutritious! We continue to share the nutritional information that is provided by Potatoes USA to boost potato consumption for maximum performance and brain power. Not just for elite athletes but also for the rest of us trying to stay active and healthy. CPAC hosted a cooking demonstration with Chef Jason Morse through Ace Hardware in Highlands Ranch CO where he featured Hassleback Colorado Potatoes using a Traeger Smoker in a wonderfully healthy recipe and it was
very well received. For more information on potato nutrition, visit PotatoGoodness.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA – With the fanfare of a new growing season we’re excited to share more education about potatoes with our social media followers. Consumers are constantly searching for more information and transparency with their food and how it is produced. Colorado Potatoes has a great opportunity to provide insight into the growing operations in the SLV. Jessica is excited to share photos and short
stories via Social Media this year. If you have taken photos of planting or crops growing thus far this season, please email them to jcrowther@coloradopotato.org, anytime throughout the growing season. If you are on Facebook please like Colorado Potatoes, and follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
MEXICO TRADE UPDATE – Both Mexico and Canada are moving forward with approving the new USMCA trade agreement. The situation in the United States is not
as clear although it appears there might be hope now that Mexico and the United States have reached some level of agreement concerning President Trump’s threat of a new round of tariffs in response to immigration issues. Trade continues to be very
contentious, difficult to decipher, and stable trade is critical to the potato industry. READ MORE
ORGANIC REPRESENTATIVE TO COLORADO PESTICIDE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC) If you are an organic producer and have interest in serving on the PAC please contact Jim (jehrlich@coloradopotato.org). The PAC’s purpose is to advise the commissioner on agricultural, human health, environmental, wildlife, worker safety, and other matters regarding the use of pesticides in Colorado and to assist the
commissioner in promulgating rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the PAA. Terms are for three years and meetings are held quarterly (Jan, April, July, and Oct) on the last Monday of the month at the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
MEETING CALENDAR:
- 6/12 CPAC Annual Dinner Cattails
- 6/13-14 HACCP Class
- 6-20 CPAC meeting 7:30
- 7-10/12 NPC Summer meeting Wisconsin Dells, WI
- 812-15 Potatoes USA summer meeting Nashville, TN
- 10/17-10/19 PMA Anaheim, CA
Compiled by CPAC Staff- (719) 852-3322 FAX 852-4684
Web Page: www.coloradopotato.org Email: jehrlich@coloradopotato.org