01/12/06 38th annual potato conference

It's that time of year when the hotels and motels in Pocatello are packed. Next week, January 17th through the 19th, it's the Potato Conference and the 27th annual Ag Expo on the Idaho State University campus. ESPLIN "It's probably the biggest potato grower event in North America; I think it's safe to say." Keith Esplin of the Potato Growers of Idaho will be one of the many speakers during the three day event. This year they've planned Tuber Tips, five minute presentations by University of Idaho specialists to briefly highlight and summarize issues important to potato production. Growers can learn more about rotation effects, green manures, soil health, managing rising input costs and diseases like pink rot. The spud conference also includes workshops, many of them also in Spanish that cover dozens of issues that farmers have to deal with in their potato fields or in storage. Senator Mike Crapo will also discuss the upcoming Farm Bill with producers on the 18th and seek input from them as well. While all of that is going on at the Student Union Building, the Ag Expo at the nearby Holt Arena should draw 125 exhibitors, many with the latest potato equipment. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott