b'POTATO STORAGEThe Art of Keeping Spuds Comfortable: Todays Insulation OptionsCHAD KLEISINGERBusiness Development and Product ManagerMeridian Manufacturing Inc.www.meridianmfg.comOn a frigid, 40-below night in February or a broil- me they might be able to get better contracts fromair envelope. However, because other arch-style build-ing, 30-above day in July, would you feel comforta- processors simply because the processor knows theyings cant handle the weight of an additional wall, the ble having a long nap inside an under-insulated shed?have a better building. internal wall has to stand alone. Typically, this forces Potatoes dont either. The good news is that virtuallyGrowers considering a new build should committhe building envelope to be much wider than otherwise everyone is pushing for more insulation R value today.upfront to investing in insulation rather thannecessary: usually six to seven extra feet on each side. Spray foam insulation now offers better fire re- planning to retrofit later, as insulation wont adhereWe are the first company to offer internal steel tardant and more food grades than earlier generationsas well to dirty walls. No matter whether spraying asheeting over a slim air void. Meridians design is of foam. The main change, however, comes in depth.new building or an existing one, its always better toa steel sheeting wrapped over the chosen amount Virtually across all potato growing regions in Canada,spray less rather than more in a single pass. Thoughof foam and desired air void space (typically just a producers have been opting to increase spray foamsome companies advertise that their foam can becouple inches). While seam-system buildings cant application by a full inch or more over the past fewsprayed to a depth of 4.5 to five inches in a singlecarry the load, our archwalls bolted structure allows years. Prairie farmers used to average about five inch- pass, you only need to see a pile go soft because ofthe new bolt-in system. This design offers the ben-es of insulation while Maritime growers pushed it touneven insulation once to understand the benefits ofefits of exposed foam protection, which protects the about six. Today, growers across the country are optingcontrolled and precise spray foam application.foam and is better for food safety, at a reasonable for between six and seven inches of insulation.Growers willing to invest more in insulation haveprice (expect about two to three per cent of the While adding more insulation can feel like a heftya couple of options. Traditional insulated panels offerbuilding cost), without the cost of valuable storage upfront cost, it pays off for growers who can storeenhanced cleanliness at a substantial price: plan tospace being used up by the air envelope. Ultimately, better quality potatoes longer. Return on investmentadd about 15 per cent to your building cost. Somethat means more insulated value with less future isnt just in the form of quality: some growers tellcompanies offer a double-wall design with an internalmaintenance. POTATO GROWTH REGULATORS AND SPROUT INHIBITORSWill the EUs CIPC Ban Affect You? HAVE A GREAT EYE? LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND POTATOES?PROVE IT.Show us your spuds by taking part in our Spud Smart Cover Photo Contest!!!Send us your best crop and win a spot on the Spud Smart cover, the new two-volume collection Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Potatoes (worth $450 CAD), $100 cold, hard cash and unlimited bragging rights.Visit spudsmart.com/photocontest for more informationFALL 2019 SPUDSMART.COM 35'