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74 POTATO GROWER | JANUARY 2017 Call Western Trailers today to learn more about the Spud Express trailer! Western Trailers Spud Express sets the standard for potato trailers with its' superior quality, high strength and light weight. The Spud Express brings more to your bottom line with more sacks in every load. 49.5' Spud Express Tri-Axle • Weight 14,560 Building the best and making it better…your way! 888.344.2539 • www.westerntrailer.com 156940WesTra12h.indd 1 12/7/15 9:08 AM Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In SEED | By Kasia Kinzer, University of Idaho Extension Alan Westra, Idaho Crop Improvement Association Seed potato purchasing guidelines Shopping List Idaho produces over 30,000 acres of certified seed potatoes annually. The reputation of high-quality seed potatoes earned by Idaho is due in large part to the careful production practices of the state's seed potato growers, but also to the meticulous certification program led by the Idaho Crop Improvement Association. Seed potato that has been certified in Idaho means the seed lot has undergone a minimum of two in-field inspections, a bin/harvest inspection, post-harvest testing, and shipping point inspection for grade. When purchasing seed, commercial growers would do well to employ the following seed buying guidelines: 1. Purchase certified seed. 2. Use reputable growers. 3. Know the seed grower and visit the seed farm while the crop is growing. 4. Obtain documentation. 5. Make sure the seed is tagged. When making seed purchasing decisions, the most important recommendation is to purchase certified seed from a reputable grower. Building a relationship with the seed grower, based on open communication, can help the commercial grower know if there are legitimate seed-related problems so that corrective actions can be taken to continue to provide high-quality seed in the future. It is always a good idea to obtain documentation of field inspections, bin/harvest inspection, tag and post-harvest testing results (and other testing). All of these bits of information are summarized on the North American Certified Seed Potato Health Certificate. Importantly, the certificate also documents historical