McCormick & Milne remaining rock-steady in challenging market
McCormick & Milne remaining rock-steady in challenging market
MONTE VISTA, CO — John McCormick has worked the potato industry for more than three years, and he said in mid-August that McCormick & Milne is holding the course in a tough year.
“There are too many potatoes this year,” he said of the domestic stocks. “It’s going to be a challenge, and it’ll be a challenge here in the San Luis Valley. We won’t have the yields we normally have, but we will have good quality. It’s a year to get out the marketing book.”
At McCormick & Milne are John and Linda McCormick, Kathryn Trujillo, Scott Marquez and Jim Whitney.In describing the 2012 crop, Mr. McCormick said the growing conditions were good weather-wise, but mounting water pressures continue to cost the industry in dollars and in stress.
“Water is huge,” he said. “And so is the cost of production. It’s almost like you can add a zero on the bottom line when you compare costs now to 10 years ago. The cost of business has almost doubled.”
Politics and leadership play into the situation as well, he said.
“We’re going to have to elect people who will straighten things out. We need somebody who does what he says he’s going to do and who tells us what we need to hear and not what we want to hear,” Mr. McCormick said.
“We really need to turn things around,” he said. “People are really unsure right now.”
McCormick & Milne formed eight years ago when Mr. McCormick and Tom Milne, who was working sales for the former Asbell & McCormick brokerage, became partners. The operation has changed little over the years, continuing to work with every shed in the valley to provide its customers with product.
The brokerage does a big portion of its business in the South and Southeast, and most of the potatoes M&M moves go to the fresh market. About 20 percent goes to canners and salad makers.
Mr. McCormick said he’s seen trends wax and wane in Colorado’s biggest potato-growing region, but russets remain the primary spud. Yellows, reds, specialties and fingerlings have also grown in popularity.
Sales are handled by Mr. McCormick and Mr. Milne, and Scott Marquez works the transportation desk. Jim Whitney, who came on earlier in the year, works with the crew in a variety of tasks, filling in where needed. Office administration is handled by Linda McCormick, Kathryn Trujillo and Tina Milne.
