Randy Shell, vice president of marketing and new business development for RPE, said the 2012 potato marketing season has been full of excitement. “We are anticipating an approximate 15- to 20-percent increase in volume over 2011,” he told The Produce News on Jan. 4. “It looks to be a very good year for product volume when compared to the last two years. Product quality is looking excellent with a good mix of sizes, including good supplies of large russet potatoes.

Center, CO — In the face of a continuing drought and the additional cost of metered wells for irrigation in the San Luis Valley, Skyline Potato Co. in Center, CO, is considering drip irrigation for some of its fields in 2013.

Skyline General Manager Randy Bache and his son, Rob, who works as part of the sales team in both conventional and organic potatoes as well as overseeing food-safety operations at Skyline’s Colorado facilities, drip is not only a physical possibility but could also be a money-saver in the end.

Monterey, CA-based PRO*ACT, a leading distributor of fresh produce, announced Jan. 22 the promotion of Brian Kane to chief operating officer.

Mr. Kane joined PRO*ACT in 2008 as vice president of client services, leading the team’s development and management of perishable sourcing and distribution programs for multi-unit foodservice companies, according to a company press release.

Duane Maatz, executive director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, provided a snapshot potato production for the 2012 season.

“The WPVGA has estimated 2012 harvested acres at 63,500,” he stated. Total planted acres for the season were up slightly when compared to 2011. But Mr. Maatz said crop acres were comparable.

Monte Vista, CO — Although movement of potatoes from Colorado’s San Luis Valley was holding steady going into 2013, year-to-date figures show overall shipments were down by more than 10 percent from the same period in 2011-12.

California citrus growers are finding out what Florida and Texas growers already knew: that the biggest threat to their livelihoods may not come from the Asian Citrus Psyllid, a tiny insect that spreads the deadly citrus greening disease HLB, but from homeowners who see their backyards as the best source of fresh citrus.