Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/15761
UNITED STAND by Barb Shelley, UPGA Chief Communications Officer United Seed Answers Reducing the guesswork when i FiRst JoineD the Potato industry, i heard someone say that the only people more misunderstood than potato growers are the people who grow seed for potato growers. my goal as i write this is to build understanding between seed growers and their grower customers while explaining how membership in united Potato Growers of america benefits both groups—and ultimately stabilizes the industry. have you ever wondered what factors go into determining the price of seed? everyone seems to be talking about wanting new, creative varieties, but what exactly does a seed grower have to do to deliver new varieties and why does it take so long? articles that united representatives have written for the industry provide insight. mike telford, united seed division chairman, wrote in 2007, “For the seed grower, things can be somewhat of a crap shoot. Consider the seed grower trying to determine what variety will be in demand two to four years from now. how much supply should he produce? should he consider an old standby or an untried new variety? with the cost of growing seed increasing at an accelerated rate, seed growers must have the best information and data.” telford and other seed growers agree that “the best information and data” is found in a database that united compiles and provides to its members. speaking of the database, Doug Gunnels, a Colorado seed grower, said in a 2008 article, “(an) exciting development is the united seed database, a comprehensive, compilation of seed varieties by region and year—pretty much all the information a seed grower needs to make an informed decision about selecting the right variety. we have never before been so prepared to manage the risks of growing seed potatoes.” even with the strides seed growers have gained through united, their risk is still daunting as was noted by Paris Penfold, an idaho united member, who wrote in 2009, “seed growers still face considerable individual risk with their own operations.” montana seed grower, steve Cottom, explains that it can take up to five years of laboratory testing and field work to expand and bring a new variety to market. no matter how intelligently a seed grower plans and manages his operation, years of investment can easily be lost if a variety falls out of favor or doesn’t make certification, he said during a recent phone conversation. a stable source of high-quality seed is a key element to the success of all growers. seed growers and their grower customers are inextricably connected. united provides a forum for discussion and data analysis that takes much of the guesswork out of the equation for seed growers. united membership allows growers a way to legally discuss potato demand, supply and pricing so that they can have greater assurance of making a reasonable profit. PG 36 Potato Grower | SEPTEMBER 2010