11/15/05 Potato groups to meet jointly

The Potato Growers of Idaho and the nearly one year old United Fresh Potato Growers of Idaho are will hold joint meetings this week and that could eventually lead to merger talks. United CEO Jerry Wright says the joint session at Pocatello starts with the Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative meeting tomorrow morning. WRIGHT "They'll be talking about some changes in their bi-laws and some strategies they're going to use in negotiating." After that United holds its meeting where much of the time will be spent reviewing this year's marketing plan and looking at the 2006 planting guidelines. Wright says history shows that more than half of the over planted potato acres in the US in recent years were added in southeast Idaho. WRIGHT "Each individual grower saying 'oh I'm going to go plant 50 more acres' and that's exactly what we're trying to control. We need the growers to get the message that if they will restrain themselves individually and play by the rules we can have another successful year next year. So we really encourage all growers statewide to come and hear what's next." Wright says they'll talk about fuel and fertilizer costs while also hearing from several national and state potato boards. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott