Scotland's Seed Potato Producers Embark on USA Fact-Finding Tour

A group of Scotland's top seed potato producers recently returned from a week-long fact-finding tour of the USA, where they visited major seed-growing operations and processing facilities. The tour aimed to explore the vast scale, efficiency, and practices employed in US seed potato production. The visiting group was comprised of members from the Pre Basic Growers Association, who ventured to Montana and Idaho, accounting for almost a third of the US's total potato production, with annual production surpassing 6.5 million tonnes. These regions provided a unique opportunity for the Scottish producers to witness massive agricultural operations, including one Idaho farm covering 10,000 acres with 50 storage units, each capable of holding 5,000 tonnes of harvested crops. The tour participants observed the extensive use of irrigation systems, which in some cases delivered half an inch of water over 120 acres in just 36 hours. Despite the physical distance, the Scottish visitors noted that US farmers still have access to certain crop protection products, such as sulphuric acid for desiccation, which are no longer permitted in the UK. Potato virus Y was recognized as a significant ongoing challenge for US seed growers. Interestingly, the tour highlighted a notable difference in pricing strategy adopted by US producers, where shorter crop rotations (often four years or less) were practiced alongside very low levels of potato cyst nematode (PCN). A notable observation was the operational independence enjoyed by each US state, with no overarching federal regulation for seed potatoes, contrasting with the UK's single regulatory framework. Lastly, the visit to McCain's processing plant in Burley, Idaho, offered a glimpse into global operations, where 800,000 tonnes of potatoes are handled annually, equivalent to 3,500 tonnes daily, using a combination of main varieties like Russet Burbank and Innovator.

Key Takeaways:

• Scotland's main seed potato producers have discovered significant disparities in scale between their own operations in Scotland and those they observed in the USA, particularly in terms of acreage and storage capacity.
• Despite the geographical distance, the Scottish farmers observed that US producers still have unrestricted access to certain crop protection products that are no longer permitted in the UK.
• The group witnessed extensive use of pivot irrigation systems, allowing for efficient delivery of water on large scales, often relying on mountain springs, reservoirs, and rivers due to low annual rainfall.
• potato virus Y was identified as a current impediment for US seed growers, as shown in the observed seed multiplication practices starting with mini tubers.
• Unlike the Scottish approach to crop rotation, the USA typically has seed rotation practices resulting in four years or less, accompanied by PCN levels significantly lower than in the UK.
• As seed multiplication begins with mini tubers in both Scotland and the USA, a key difference in practice is that in the US, mini tubers are cut before planting, a distinct variation from Scotland's approach.
• The tour concluded with a visit to McCain's processing plant in Idaho, which processes an impressive 800,000 tonnes of potatoes annually, using a mix of the main varieties.
• This trip allowed the Scottish producers to witness firsthand the various sizes and complexities of the US's different production locations, leading to potential insights that could influence their decision-making in future agriculture policies and production processes.

Statistics:

• The USA accounts for almost a third of the US potato production, with Idaho and Montana combining to grow more than 6.5 million tonnes annually.
• Some irrigation booms in the US delivered half an inch of water over 120 acres in 36 hours.
• One Idaho farm invested in 10,000 acres for potato production and 50 storage units for the harvested crop.
• The farm's storage units, each with a capacity of 5,000 tonnes, demonstrate a scale of operations significantly larger than anything found in Scotland.
• Despite shorter crop rotations in the US, the PCN levels were found to be very low in comparison to the UK.
• The Scottish visitors noted that US producers still have access to crop protection products like sulphuric acid for desiccation.
• The McCain's processing plant in Idaho can handle 800,000 tonnes of potatoes annually, or around 3,500 tonnes daily.
• Potato virus Y poses a significant challenge for US seed growers, with the need for efficient virus control measures underlined throughout the trip.

Sources:

• (No citations were provided in the source material for specific statistics, names of tour participants, or dates)