03/04/05 Seminars promote chipping potatoes

03/04/05 Seminars promote chipping potatoes

Farm and Ranch March 4, 2005 A delegation of growers and potato commission representatives from Washington and the Pacific Northwest recently completed an 11-day mission to Asia. Harris: "And it was a chipping potato promotion mission and we traveled to the countries of Korea, Taiwan and Thailand." : 07 That's Matt Harris, the new director of trade for the Washington State Potato Commission, who says a federal grant obtained by the region's potato commissions was used to put on seminars for chip manufacturers to educate them about northwest chipping potatoes. Harris: "They were I think, real positive in looking at these varieties. I think for the most part a lot of the old varieties they are used to are the Atlantic chipping variety. So, looking at some of the newer varieties to them was good. They showed some interest in looking at our northwest products." :24 The seminars featured Doctor Dwayne Preston who works with the Extension Services of both North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota. He talked about chipping varieties like Nor Valley, Pike, and Dakota Pearl. Harris says there will be follow up on some leads gained from the seminars and arrangements may be made to have some of the chip manufacturers visit the northwest. He says northwest potato organizations are also working with these Asian countries on protocols for chip potato shipments. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today. Good health tomorrow. I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
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