b'ADVICE FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTSChanges Coming to the Storage Season Status QuoBILL ORRCanada technical representative1, 4 Group14group.comIM VERY HAPPY to see increasingthe production, transportation, and use ofimportant considerations. We also need to understanding of sustainability andfertilizer), potato crops absorb significanttake a hard look at our industrys reliance important steps being made to supportC0as they grow, and potato fields act ason CIPC. 2environmentally responsible agriculture.carbon sinks. CIPC is highly effective at suppressing Given increasing scrutiny, our thinkingThe equation is much more one-sidedpeeping/sprouting. From an emissions aboutand acting onsustainabilityonce potatoes are harvested. From astandpoint, however, a dormancy is critical to our industrys socialsustainability perspective, stored potatoesenhancer is a much better option than license to operate and, ultimately, farmare a net negative. Not only does theira chemical sprout suppressant. 1,4-business viability. Where possible, westorage demand energy to ventilate andDMN products (sold as 1,4SIGHT for need to reduce emissions and improveheat, but tubers release C0as they respire.processors and table stock and 1,4SEED 2sustainability still further, but wereSo far, scrutiny of potato productionsfor seedstock) are dormancy enhancers on the right track. Whats missing rightemissions and sustainability has beenoffering complete sprout management. now, however, is consideration of potatolimited to the growing season. Expect thatThey do so by triggering enzymes in productions second seasontheto change as producers face increasingtubers to keep the tubers quiet, decrease storage season.pressure to improve practices.water loss, and maintain their turgidity, all During the growing season, there areThere are important steps our industrysupporting field-fresh quality. Tubers that environmental benefits to productioncan make to increase sustainability.retain water require less added storage that offset emissions: while productionImproved storage buildings, more energyhumidity and less electricity. Customers generates greenhouse gas (in large partefficient heating and ventilation systems,also report piles treated with 1,4SIGHT or through on-farm equipments exhaust andand cleaner fogging systems are all1,4SEED respire less, releasing less C0 .2Want an Easy 5.5 to One or Better ROI on Your Potatoes?BRODIE WORKMANTerritory managerStoller Enterprisesstollerenterprises.caAT EVERY FARMshow Ive attendedit stimulates impressive growth andor foliar fertilizer tank mix with no recently, in every ag magazine Iveproductivity gains.compatibility issues. Stimulate is ideally skimmed, I keep hearing one messageOver the past four years, weveapplied multiple times throughout thethe ag industry needs to do more withcontracted Gaia Consulting to growgrowing season to support growth less. To keep farming viable, we need tosmall plot trials across Manitoba to testmomentum. Timing is flexible but most produce more product with less land, lessStimulate in varying growing conditionsproducers apply Stimulate every seven to inputs, less environmental impact. Imon Russet Burbanks. Averaged across the14 days. For the purposes of the small plot pretty proud to spend my days workingfour years, Stimulate-treated plots showedstudy, Gaia Consulting applied Stimulate with a product that can do exactly that:an overall yield benefit of 23.1 cwt perat a rate of 200 millilitres per acre at three offering average return on investmentacre over untreated plots. For marketabletimes throughout each of the growing of 5.5 to one, a bump in overall yieldyield (tubers over four ounce), treatedseasons, starting at tuber initiation.of more than 20 cwt per acre, with noplots showed an average benefit of 18.8While I knew wed get good yield environmental downside. cwt, which works out to an ROI of 5.5returns, I was impressed with the Potato plants naturally produce threeto one based on an $11 market value.consistency of benefit: each of the four growth hormonesgibberellic acid,For seed yield (tubers under 10 ounce),years showed notably positive benefit cytokinin and auxin. Stollers Fortifiedtreated plots showed an average benefit ofdespite very different growing conditions. Stimulate Yield Enhancer is a bio-identical19.8 cwta whopping 8.5 to one ROI Its not surprising: treated plants were version of those three hormones in justbased on a $16 seed market value. much better able to succeed in any the right balance. When foliar applied,The best part is Stimulates ease of use:conditions because they grow much Stimulate does what its name implies:you can add it into a regular fungicidebigger, deeper roots.40SPUDSMART.COM Summer 2022'