b'INSIDERS ADVICE FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTSPOTATO EQUIPMENTWant More Productivity for Less Cost? Get MobileDUSTIN HEUERDesign EngineerLockwood Manufacturinglockwoodmfg.comAs farmers know better than most, necessity re- most) potato growers now operate fields and/or ally is the mother of invention. For years, farmersstorage buildings in multiple locations; in fact, I canpacity or functionality: in fact, both the VACS Mobile have jimmy-rigged and retrofitted mobility ontothink of four growers off the top of my head who op- and the Mobile Tank offer enhanced functionality over non-mobile potato cleaning equipment, both to shareerate in three or more states. Mobility allows a growermany of their non-mobile counterparts. For example, equipment between yards and to clean tubers in-fieldto amortize a single piece of equipment over morethe Mobile Tank features a telescoping conveyor that to reduce the cost of transporting tare. The downsideacres and minimizes product transport time betweenfollows the pile backward into the tank, helping to of moving machines that arent built to move is thatyards or between field and yard.empty the tank cleanly without an operator needing parts get beat up and worn out in the process, reduc- Mobility also helps solves human resource limi- to rotate the bottom conveyor. ing equipments functional lifespan. Now, companiestations. Some mobile equipment, such as LockwoodsOf course, mobility needs to offer economic return are responding to growers needs by creating equip- VACS Mobile cleaning line, can be successfully andon investment, not just enhanced ease. We estimate ment purpose-built for mobility. Mobility is one of theeasily prepped for hauling in as little as half an hourthat the return on investment for both the VACS biggest trends in potato production today, and thatsby just one person. Lockwoods new Mobile Tank,Mobile and the Mobile Tank, based only on labour a good thing for farmers and the industry alike. which delivers smooth and consistent tuber flowsavings, is about 2.5 years on average.Cleaning tubers in the field isnt just a questioninto handling equipment like the VACS Mobile, offersI do think the industry is looking for this kind of of ease or convenience: its increasingly a cost- andhighway-speed tow-ability with nothing more than amobile innovation and more. Growers need to get labour-saving necessity. As farms get bigger, fieldsquick coupling onto a semi.more done with less cost and less time: thats what are becoming much more spread out. Many (if notMost importantly, mobility today doesnt cost ca- mobility delivers.POTATO GROWTH REGULATORS AND SPROUT INHIBITORSHow Will Overlooking the Storage Season Cost You?BILL ORR Canada Technical Representative1,4Group Inc.14group.comThere are two seasons in potato production: thedisease potential and significantly lower long-termCIPC: if an application isnt on by early January at growing season and the storage season. Eachstorability. The warmth was compounded for some bythe latest, switch to a rescue product or DMN instead. need ongoing attention and management; eachexcessive field moisture: another major step towardExpect tubers to push earlier and harder toward can make or break your final returns. I see growingdisease development.sprouting this year. While some farmers dont worry season as the forward line on a hockey team, puttingFollowing the warm start, the weather took a turnmuch about a few sprouts, they need to realize the points on the scoreboard, and storage season asto the bitterly cold side in October across a hugedirect cost sprouting incurs. Every time you have a the goalie, protecting from loss. Each is criticalswath of the Canadian Prairies and the northernpeeper, imagine it as a little chimney coming out of to the final outcome of the crop production game.United States best potato-growing acres. The coldyour potato, and out of that chimney flows money This year, storage season is going to be especiallyand snow reduced or ended harvest for many farm- because thats what youre losing as the potato loses critical. Terrible weather hit many fields from almosters; farmers who were able to get harvest in followingwater. Rescue options like 1,4 Zap do exist. That every angle leading up to and during harvest, whichthe wintery weather may have to contend with incon- said, its always better to be ahead of your tubers means farmers should expect tuber storability to besistent pile temperatures, poor tuber drying and/orthan playing catch-up, since once a potato reaches reduced.frost damage. If youre among the lucky farmers whoa certain physiological maturity, sprout inhibition The potato harvest season started warmer thanhave a bin full of high-quality potatoes, do everythingis incredibly difficult no matter how effective the normal in many regions. Tubers harvested duringyou can to maintain that quality because they will beproduct.those early days and weeks of harvest likely wentin high demand come spring.through suberization warmer than the 5055 FMost experts recommend that all potatoes, ideal, since few storage buildings are equippedespecially in a year like this, get treated with a with cooling capacity. Warmth translates to highersprout inhibitor in fall. The window is closing to apply 22 SPUDSMART.COM WINTER 2020'