Way Too Many Potatoes, Farmers Find Ways to Dump Their Crops

May 04, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are an over abundance of potatoes in Canada and worldwide. According to the United Potato Growers of Canada, approximately 200 million pounds of potatoes are in limbo.

Processors in our province are full as many restaurants that would typically purchase french fries are closed or are purchasing substantially lower amounts. Some farmers in Idaho have such extreme surpluses of potatoes, they're dumping crops and dairy farms have started feeding potatoes to their cattle. Despite a growing demand in grocery stores, potato prices have plummeted in the last few weeks due to social distancing and a lack of demand in restaurants and the food industry. Only a few weeks prior, the industry was looking at the best prices in recent memory with even a projection of a summer shortage of spuds.

There has been an initiative in Canada and around the world to help potato farmers, eat more french fries. French fries account for approximately 65% of the total potato crop in Canada. So, to help our Alberta potato farmers, maybe have french fries as a side more often.

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Video: Air Command Section Control for Pro-Force Spreaders

This patented section control system uses air to divert material on to different areas of the spinner disks for precise 4-section control, for an economical design by eliminating the need for added conveyor belts or movable spreader components. The section control uses the Raven RCM ISOBUS controller and a customer’s field boundary and coverage map to automatically turn off any of the four sections at any time to avoid applying valuable fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed.

This results in fertilizer savings which means more money in your pocket for a maximum Return On Investment. The powerful blower fan sends air through a 4-section manifold while the conveyor automatically speeds up or slows down as sections are turned on or off for consistent and precise fertilizer application.

• The revolutionary patented Air Command section control utilizes a pneumatic system to accurately place fertilizer onto the spinner disks to give you individualized 4-section control of your spread pattern.

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• Continue to do it all with the Unverferth pull-type Pro-Force Spreader. Use the Air Command section control for spreading fertilizer and in-seeding applications, while converting to single-section lime or litter application in a matter of minute