November 30, 2007

USPB TRADE MISSION MEETS JAPANESE CHIP MANUFACTURERS; SEEKS GREATER ACCESS FOR US CHIPPING POTATOES

The United States Potato Board (USPB) organized a chip-stock trade mission to Japan, November 5-9, 2007 for US chip-stock growers to meet with snack manufacturers. The US delegation was made up of Virgil Slagell and Lon Baley, USPB International Marketing Committee Members; Weston Walker, a chip-stock grower from Gold Dust Potato; Dr. Joe Sowokinos from the University of Minnesota as a technical specialist and John Toaspern and Sarah Mahler, USPB staff. 

During the meetings with Japan’s major snack manufacturers, the US delegation provided information on the USPB, US potato varieties and their characteristics, and how to maintain US potato quality. Each meeting also enabled the group to learn about the snack manufacturers and their needs and to discuss market access. 

The trade mission was effective with productive meetings and plant tours and is a key element to maintaining relationships with Japanese snack manufacturers. Because the interest and desire to import US chipping potatoes is very high with these Japanese snack manufacturers, the USPB will continue to work with the Japan Snack Manufacturers Association and the USDA/Foreign Ag Service (FAS) to gain greater access and to continue to increase US chipping potato exports into the Japanese market.

STRONG POTATO NUTRITION MESSAGE SCORES FOR…WHITE-FLESHED POTATOES

The December issue of Cooking Light contains a nutrient knowledge quiz. Question #1 was “True or False: white vegetables offer little nutritional value; only brightly colored vegetables are nutrient power houses.”  Answer: False.  “Vegetables in every hue offer nutrition benefits, even white ones…typical white-fleshed potatoes are a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, when eaten with the skin on.”

The picture accompanying the article shows cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, garlic and POTATOES. Once again, the USPB Public Relations Team’s oft-repeated nutrition points continue to make a resounding impact throughout the consumer media.

CENSUS GIVES FARMERS A VOICE IN THEIR FUTURE; 2007 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE COMING SOON

As part of a recent nationwide “outreach” tour to visit with all the commodity promotion programs under the oversight of USDA and to solicit broad agricultural support for the 2007 Census of Agriculture, USPB senior staff met with representatives of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to learn more about the census and how the USPB could encourage all US potato growers to participate.

The 2007 Census of Agriculture represents the opportunity for America's farmers and ranchers to shape the future of US agriculture. "The Census of Agriculture provides information not available anywhere else - information that benefits agricultural producers and their communities in myriad ways," said NASS Administrator Ron Bosecker. "For instance, policy-makers use Census data for decisions concerning agricultural and rural programs. Community planners use Census information to target delivery of local services. Companies rely on Census data when determining where to locate their operations. And farmers themselves look at Census data when deciding to make changes in their production strategies."

Conducted every five years by the USDA, the Census is a complete count of the nation's farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and other topics. It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation.

NASS will mail out Census forms December 28, 2007, to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due by February 4, 2008. Producers can return their forms by mail or, for the first time, they have the convenient option of filling out the Census online via a secure web site, www.agcensus.usda.gov. "We're committed to making this Census the best count ever. It's about the future of US agriculture and our nation's rural communities," Bosecker said.

"Regardless of how large or small their operation is or what kinds of products they produce, farmers and ranchers will help themselves and their communities by filling out the Census of Agriculture and returning it promptly," he added.

"We want farmers and ranchers to know: the Census is their voice, their future and their responsibility."

For more information about the 2007 Census of Agriculture, please call (800) 727-9540 or visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.

The USPB encourages all US potato growers to complete their census form and return it promptly. International market development funding programs, research and other programs critical to the future success of the US potato industry draw on the Ag Census information. The more completely and accurately the US potato industry is represented, the more our programs will benefit well into the future.

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