02/06/06 Trio of BMP potato workshops

Idaho potato growers who want to see some cost benefits from best management practices can do so at any of the three University of Idaho workshops this month. The first will be held tomorrow in Idaho Falls. Another is planned for Wednesday in Burley and on February 21st in Pocatello. UI potato cropping scientist Bryan Hopkins has recently completed a four year, field scare study in the Northwest showing a 100 dollar per acre increase for BMP growers. HOPKINS "For the first time hand out a compiled list of best management practices for potato production. We will also discuss some examples of best management practices." Working with UI ag economist Paul Patterson, Hopkins says they've put together a cost benefit analysis to show farmers what happens when these management practices are implemented. HOPKINS "If a grower switches from lets say from growing potatoes every other year in a field to every third year we know that he is going to get higher yields. He's going to spend less money on pesticides and possibly fertilizer. But his equipment costs go up and his land ownership costs go up. We have to look at that to make sure that's balanced properly.' Pre-register for the three hour workshops by calling Hopkins at 529-8376. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott