Potato News E-zine
01-24-01
brought to you by
Teton Seed Marketing Association
Hello
It seems like the battle between two neighbors can always be vicious. Now Canada seems to be countering the U.S. ban on P.E.I. potatoes by not allowing Washington and Idaho potatoes to be sent there under the country’s protective import rules, and with the oversupplied market, life as a potato farmer couldn't be any better, could it? I think the only way out of this is to let our voices be heard by cutting the supply (not necessarily the acres) and group together each of us within our individual fields and take control of our market. Oranges have done it, why can't potatoes?
'Til Next Time,
Wyatt Penfold
Potato Prices and Shipping Information
Upcoming Events
January 30-31, 2001 34th Annual Oregon Potato Conference, Lloyd Center Double Tree Hotel, Portland, Oregon
February 6-8, 2001 40th Annual Washington State Potato Conference & Trade Fair, Big Bend Comm. Col. Moses Lake, Wash
February 7-8, 2001 New Brunswick Potato Conference and Trade Show 2001, Knights of Columbus Hall, Perth-Andover-NB
Feb. 13-15, 2001 San Luis Valley Potato/Grain Conference and Trade Fair, Ski
Hi Park, Monte Vista, Colo.
Potato Marketing Association of North America supports efforts to reduce production
Over 90 potato growers from across North America, as well as six potato growers and industry representatives from Tasmania and New Zealand (PMANA Members) voted to support efforts to reduce production by 10 to 20 percent for the 2001-growing season. National and local programs designed to encourage fewer acres of potatoes planted this year will be implemented to accomplish this reduction. The group also supports the Potato Management Company effort, initiated in Idaho, to take open market potatoes out of the market pipeline. PMANA members remain united regarding the need to increase grower prices seventy-five cents per one hundred pounds of potatoes with a comparable change in Canada. A seventy-five cent increase to the grower will translate into less than 1-cent increase per serving to the consumer. The need to increase prices is directly related to increased cost of production. Growers from across the continent are facing increases in costs of fuel and other fuel related products. For the full press release go here: http://potatonews.com/pressreleases/2001/pmana1.htm
A few P.E.I. potato growers say it's time to compromise with the U.S.
"We feel it's better to have limited access (to the U.S. market) than no access at all." says Curtis MacMillan manager of one of the largest potato operations on Prince Edward Island. who wants But the potato stock's can't move unless the P.E.I. potato industry will comply with an American compromise spelled out in a Dec. 29 letter, a compromise that would ultimately turn P.E.I.'s seed potato industry into the sacrificial lamb, according to The Guardian a PEI based newspaper. The U.S proposal will allow table potatoes in to Maine but will not allow any seed potato movement from P.E.I.The full story is at the bottom of the page at http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/topstories.htm
Canadian Providence of Manitoba Blocked Potato Sales From US
About six Columbia Basin growers agreed to sell potatoes to a Alberta processor and when the growers were ready to start shipping Manitoba growers got the Alberta province to deny the shipping permit. With several thousand tons of Washington and Idaho potatoes at stake the Washington State Potato Commission is objecting and says the action may be in violation of both NAFTA and WTO rules. For full story go http://www.potatoes.com/general/editorial.cfm?Section=media
Potato Prices and Shipping Information
IDAHO FALLS Shipping Point Prices as of 02-JAN-2001 Provided by: Fruit and Vegetable Market News, Federal-State Market News Service, USDA.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/IF_FV130.txtPotato Seed shipments.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/WA_FV443.txtAMS USDA Market Repots
http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/mncs/index.htmPotato Stocks
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/field/ppo-bb/2000 acreage "accepted" for seed potato certification – USA
http://www.rrtrade.org/mcspga/usacres.htm2000 total certified seed acres "accepted" - Canadian Provinces
http://www.rrtrade.org/mcspga/cdnacres.htmThis Potato Ezine is a service of Teton Seed Marketing Association.
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