10/18/06 Finishing up the spud harvest

Idaho potato growers are being encouraged to attend a meeting November 15th and 16th in Pocatello where the United Fresh Growers will unveil its plans for next year. SIPCO and PGI will also hold meetings at the same time and place. The United cooperative has helped to improve the price growers are getting for their potatoes by controlling the supply and demand with production quotas. University of Idaho ag economist Doctor Joe Guenthner says that's given United a lot more power especially with big buyers like Wal-Mart. GUENTHNER "Its big powerful entities on the one side and on the other side. So that's what its all about, getting market power and United I think is off to a successful start in gaining that market power." Guenthner says the United success of the past two years may make some farmers feel that there is no longer a marketing problem and they may want to expand their potato acreage. GUENTHNER "So I think the leaders in United and the industry need to after they pull the people in keep them in." That is exactly what Jerry Wright and the other leaders of the United Fresh Potato Growers of Idaho hope to do. WRIGHT "They've demonstrated to themselves and I believe they really are getting it that when they control what they plant they will get a higher return." United's annual meeting in Pocatello November 15th and 16th. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott