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GROWER OF THE MONTH forward with the times. And he hasn't been afraid to try out the latest advances in agriculture, particularly when it comes to irrigation. "I'm real big on chemigating," Lane says. "And this variable-rate irrigation technology has made my job so much easier." To best take advantage of VRI, Lane has all his pivots' control pads located at one central cluster. This allows him to set water and chemical application levels for dozens of different areas in every field, all from one location. He says that it makes all the difference in the world not to have to drive around to every pivot to make adjustments; it even eliminates the need for a road out to each pivot. "You always regret buying the cheapest, but you never regret buying the best that you can afford," Lane says. "And I've got to tell you, there's something to that slogan. I swear by that slogan, actually. It actually works." When asked what he sees as the biggest obstacle to the potato industry going forward, Rob Lane doesn't hesitate. "Processors and growers don't seem to ever 36 Potato Grower | November 2013 Centralized. Having all his pivots' control pads at a single central location saves Rob Lane time and allows him a quick view of each individual field's needs. Valley. As the only seed grower in northeastern Oregon, Lane Farms has the unique ability to sell to commercial growers in Idaho, Washington state, and western Oregon.