N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 28 POTATO GROWER People, Product News NPC Includes Canadian Ministerial Exemptions On Trade Impediment List In response to a request from the Office of the Trade Representative, NPC filed public comments that identified trade impediments impacting the potato industry in export markets around the world. In the 2019 National Trade Estimate of Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE) comments, NPC identified a wide variety of foreign trade barriers that are designed to restrict export of U.S. potato products. Among other impediments, NPC identi- fied import permits in Myanmar, the "Ministerial Exemption" process in Canada, unscientific phytosanitary determinations in Mexico and high tar- iffs in several Pacific Rim countries. "This annual request for advice from industry by USTR is very productive. The data and issues generated via the 'NTE' process are used to focus our trade negotiators' efforts throughout the year," said John Keeling, NPC CEO. Retail Ads for Red Potatoes Down 30 Percent; Yellow Ads Up 30 Percent Potato season has arrived and retailers are showing them love. September and October have been strong months for potato ads at retailers. Over 3,000 retail- ers ran ads, totaling 380,033 ads on var- ious items during the weeks of 10/6/18 through 10/18/18. While this was down 4% from the previous year, there were still 35,255 ads recorded on potatoes and onions across the commodity cate- gory accounting for 9% of all temporary price reductions (TPR) executed. Notable price changes were seen with yellow potatoes increasing, on average, by 30% from a year ago. This regular price increase can possibly be attributed to the increased TPRs on this item. There was a 1% increase in ads on this potato compared to last year. There were no sig- nificant regular price decreases noted. All other potato varieties saw a decrease in the number of TPRs compared to a year ago. Broken down by variety, red potatoes saw -30% less ads than the same period last year. White potato ads decreased by -5%. Russet ads saw the largest decrease with -31% less push from retailers. Of the top vegetable commodities with TPRs, potatoes came in second only to squash being represented in 11% of all vegetable ads recorded. Bulk reds, rus- sets, and yellows saw price decreases between $0.09 and $0.22 compared to a year ago. Overall though, potatoes are being promoted by retailers across the country heavily as we move into the holiday season. Palmer Amaranth Confirmed In Four More North Dakota Counties Palmer amaranth has been confirmed in four more North Dakota counties. The very aggressive, hard-to-control weed first was found in a row-crop field in McIntosh County this summer. The other four counties are Benson, Dickey, Foster and Richland. Plants in two coun- ties were confirmed through laboratory analysis, and NDSU Extension special- ists confirmed the plants as Palmer ama- ranth in the other two counties. The way Palmer amaranth reached each county was different, North Dakota State University Extension sugar beet agronomist Tom Peters says. The likely sources were seeds carried by migratory birds, a used combine, an alternative feed source purchased out of state, cus- tom combining and grain cleaned out of railroad cars. Contaminated seed, wildlife, water and wind are among other ways Palmer ama- ranth seeds can spread. Other sources include potting soil, hay from other states and native seed mixes used for pollinator or wildlife habitats. Because Palmer amaranth resembles other pigweeds, it can be difficult to identify. Once someone contacts Extension about suspected Palmer ama- ranth, an Extension agent or specialist, or both, visit the field and investigate to determine what it is. If necessary, they also send samples to the University of Illinois Plant Clinic for DNA testing. Lab results take about two weeks. To help producers, landowners and oth- ers learn more about Palmer amaranth and how to spot it, NDSU Extension developed a website, https://www.ag. ndsu.edu/ palmeramaranth, and posters. One way to distinguish it from other pigweeds is its leaf stem, or petiole. Palmer amaranth's petiole is as long as or longer than the leaf blade. Another clue is the female plant has spiny bracts that are bristly to the touch in the leaf axils and seed head. The seed heads can