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WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 85 4072-58IndustrialVentilation12h.indd 1 12/2/19 10:30 AM 142583EZTarp16v.indd 1 12/10/14 9:04 AM Todd Mattos from the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service outlined the USDA's shipping point inspection program. He provided a history of shipping point inspection programs and their applications in the U.S. Following the morning presentations, participants toured the Montana State University potato lab, where tissue culture supervisor Elaine Nichols showed them procedures and facilities for maintenance of potato lines and production of micro-tubers. Lab supervisor Steve Hystad demonstrated Montana's high-throughput tissue-pressing system for the processing of leaf and tuber samples for ELISA and PCR. UNECE business was conducted, which included work on the "Guide on Mini- tuber Production" and drafting of a survey on bacterial potato pathogens, which will be distributed to certification programs throughout the world. Delegates discussed new and emerging diseases with Hanna Kortemaa from Finland, who presented research on different strains of Liberibacter. Chissa Bruijs from the Netherlands presented work on diagnostics of potato mop-top virus and findings that testing of dormant tubers is preferred to testing leaves or stems. Sanette Thiart from South Africa delivered information on variety renewal in tissue culture, including protocols used in South Africa to ensure there is no loss of important traits in vitro. Elena Pavlova and Andrey Ivanov from Russia presented an update on seed potato certification and mini-tuber production in Russia. For our international visitors, the highlight of the program was a visit to Schutter Seed Farm, where they got to see field harvest operations. Many of the delegates took the opportunity to ride along in the tractors powering the windrower and combine. They were also able to observe grading at the cellar, which was assisted by a vacuum separator removing vines, dirt clods, rocks and other debris from the potatoes, significantly reducing the amount of hand grading required. This visit was also greatly appreciated by the folks from Potatoes USA and our MSU and Montana Department of Ag representatives, who rarely have the chance to actually witness work in the field. The field day culminated with a tour of Dry Hills Distillery, which produces vodka and gin from surplus seed potatoes produced by London Hills and Droge Farms, all operated by the Droge family.