March 2022 - 6

TAKING STOCK
EDITOR'S LETTER
Office 616-887-9008
Editorial
What to plant?
It's March, which means potato planting is already taking place
in some areas of the U.S. and is just weeks away for others.
The big question this year is: Will rising
input costs lead to growers planting fewer
acres of potatoes?
With the strong prices grain rotational crops
are fetching - such as barley and wheat -
there are tough decisions to make this spring.
According to Bloomberg's Green Markets
Zeke Jennings
Editor
Weekly North America Fertilizer Price Index,
prices have come down since the record highs
we saw in late 2021 (although they're still well
above this time last year). The recent correction in pricing could be
too late for many growers who have already made acreage decisions
and purchased inputs for the coming season.
According to a recent article by the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation
(IFBF), growers in Idaho don't think potato acres will be too far off
this year, however.
Bryan Searle, a Shelley, Idaho potato grower and current IFBF
president, said many will consider planting fewer acres, but added
that Idaho acreage would be fairly close to normal (300,000 to
315,000 acres).
" There will be some thinking like that going on but I don't think
acres will change much, " he was quoted in the story. " I don't see a
big swing in acres either way. "
On a happier note, this issue brings the unveiling of Spudman's
third annual potato industry Dream Team. The awards program
was started in 2020 to honor all-stars from all facets of the potato
industry - still proudly sponsored by our buddies at Yara North
America.
Normally, Dream Team honorees are individuals from farms,
companies or organizations, not groups. The pandemic has
brought all sorts of unusual situations, and this year's Dream Team
includes a covid-inspired story.
Harvest and sick days typically don't go together, but were
unavoidable for San Acacio Seed's two farm managers when they
had to quarantine after catching the virus. The staff had to step up
in their absence, and that they did. Quite a challenging situation at
the worst possible time.
Congrats to them and all of our honorees!
Editor Zeke Jennings, 616-520-2159
zjennings@greatamericanpublish.com
Editorial Director Tim Hodson, 616-520-2161
thodson@greatamericanpublish.com
Advertising Sales
Associate Publisher Andrea Schafer, 616-520-2139
spudmanads@spudman.com
Vice President/Group Gerry Bogdon, 616-520-2150
Publisher gbogdon@greatamericanpublish.com
Production
Client Success Kim Meyers, 616-520-2137
Representative kmeyers@greatamericanpublish.com
Multimedia Designer Greg Ryan, 616-520-2145
spudproduction@spudman.com
Creative Director Kristina Howell, 616-520-2168
khowell@greatamericanpublish.com
Circulation
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
Publishing, P.O. Box 128, Sparta, MI 49345, Phone: 616-887-9008
Fax: 616-887-2666
SPUDMAN volume 60 number 3 (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 2022.
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are free to qualified U.S. potato
growers. Canada: $56 per year U.S. funds. International: $100 per year
U.S. funds. Single copy and back issues: $6
Postmaster: Please send address changes and corrections to: Great
American Publishing, PO Box 318, Lincolnshire IL 60069
Reprints: Permission is granted for reprinting material, except for
commercial or advertising purposes, providing Spudman is given full
credit. Call 616-887-9008 regarding reprint information.
6
Spudman.com
http://www.Spudman.com
March 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2022
