September 2006 Volume 1, No. 1

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1 September 2006 Volume 1, No. 1 In This Issue: Sweet Potato Crop Update Sweet Potato Weevil Trapping Program Update Late Season Insect Concerns Proper Curing of Freshly Harvested Potatoes Market Outlook Industry News Recipe of the Day Sweet Potato Crop Update, Assistant Professor and Sweet Potato Specialist, LSU AgCenter Various reports from across the state indicate that the 2006 production season is shaping up nicely. Acreage looks to be a little down from last year, with just over 16,000 acres planted. A sizeable number of sweet potatoes were planted early this year (prior to June 1) and harvest is underway for many. Preliminary reports indicate an average crop with fair yields. Rainfall in sweet potato production areas throughout the state has been isolated and many producers are currently irrigating their fields where possible. Ken Thornhill of Thornhill Produce in Franklin Parish, says that he expects a good average crop this year. Thornhill stated that, early and mid season plantings were looking great, but that some later plantings have poorer stands due to excessive heat and drought. Many south Louisiana growers are not able to irrigate, but periodic rainfall has largely kept them on schedule and should facilitate harvest. Larry Fontenot of E & L Produce in Evangeline Parish says that the yield potential is higher this year compared to the last few years, because of timely rainfall and adequate soil moisture for planting in July. Mr. Fontenot is hopeful that yields will be improved from those experienced the past 5-7 years. Sweet Potato Weevil Trapping Program Update Tad Hardy, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Beginning with the 2006 growing season, LDAF initiated a computer-based data tracking system as an integral part of the sweetpotato weevil (SPW) regulatory trapping program. The goal? Track field inspections, monitor weevil numbers and keep growers abreast of SPW activity all season long. SPW pheromone traps have been used by LDAF as an inspection and monitoring tool statewide since However, this season the department has enlisted the assistance of a small but mighty tool the Videx barcode reader unit. Using this tool in an agricultural pest monitoring program was a logical step towards more efficient and timely collection of pest data. The 1

2 idea is a simple one: attach a barcode label to a trap, then scan that barcode each time the trap is deployed, inspected, moved or picked up. The result is a permanent record of all activity associated with that trap including insect pest counts each time the trap is inspected. The LDAF Boll Weevil Eradication Program has used this system for a number of years. Now the SPW program will take advantage of this helpful technological tool. What are the advantages to using the barcode system? Speed and accuracy trap data can be checked quickly and recorded easily Automatic quality control reducing potential for error that exists with hand-entry of data Permanent record confirms trappers are in the field, collecting data directly from traps Electronic record data flows directly into a database for creation of reports Data manipulation data can be combined and analyzed in many ways with no extra effort LDAF hopes this new system will be of significant benefit to the industry by increasing inspector efficiency, maintaining trap data accuracy and providing ready access to SPW trap counts for all growers. Late Season Insect Concerns Insect management begins before planting for sweet potato producers, and can extend post harvest in areas where the sweetpotato weevil is established. Growers should be vigilant at this time and inspect fields on a routine basis to monitor populations of cucumber beetles, whitefringe beetles, sugarcane beetles and numerous lepidopteron pests. There have been several reports of increasing numbers of cucumber beetles and whitefringe beetles and some isolated sugarcane beetle damage has also been reported across the state. Remember, it is crucial to control cucumber beetles and whitefringe beetles as adults with foliar applications of labeled insecticides in an effort to prevent feeding by the larval stages prior to harvest. Lepidopteron insect pressure is also increasing at this time. Scout fields on a regular basis. A labeled insecticide should be applied if defoliation reaches 35 % or higher. Intrepid insecticide received a 24 C label this year and can be used to control armyworms and loopers in sweet potato. Proper Curing of Freshly Harvested Sweet Potatoes As harvest season approaches it is necessary to remember the importance of proper curing techniques. Freshly harvested sweet potatoes should be cured under controlled conditions immediately following harvest. Injury can occur if potatoes are exposed to chilling, sun scald or desiccation before curing. Potatoes should be cured at 85-90º and 95 % RH 4-7 days following harvest. Quick curing helps to heal cuts and bruises obtained during harvest and decreases susceptibility to diseases and infections. After curing roots should be stored at 55-60º and % RH. Proper curing increases the storage life of sweet potatoes and improves the overall appearance of roots. Furthermore, proper curing and storage will help to ensure that quality seed is available for the following year s crop. Market Outlook The 2006 harvest is underway and the market outlook for the 2006 crop is a positive one. As with any commodity, it is important to look closely at supply and demand. Mr. Wayne Garber, a producer and broker with Garber Farms in Iota, LA says that the 2005 crop supply is dwindling and 2

4 that there will be an early demand for 2006 heat cured potatoes. Mr. Garber and Mr. Johnny Roy of Earl Roy Produce in Hessmer, LA indicated that there would also be some demand for green potatoes. With the 2005 crop supply almost depleted, it is important to harvest and cure this year s crop as efficiently as possible to ensure Louisiana growers can meet consumer demand early in the harvest season. Mr. Roy indicated that he and some neighboring producers in Avoyelles parish were experiencing good yields thus far and that he expected the market to be steady for the 2006 crop. Mr. Garber also expected an overall good crop with average yields, but expressed concerns about supply and demand. He stated that the demand for Louisiana sweet potatoes exceeds what is currently produced in the state. He added that there was room for growth. Additional acreage and yield output are needed to adequately meet the needs of a growing consumer market. Industry News Long Time Grower / Shipper of Louisiana Sweet Potatoes Passes Away (Modified from the Alexandria Daily TownTalk) Mr. Harold Quebedeaux, age 74 of Mansura, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2006 at his residence in Mansura. Harold Quebedeaux was originally from St. Martin Parish and attended school in Cecilia, Louisiana. In the fall of 1954 he and his family moved from St. Martin parish to Avoyelles parish in search of a better ground to farm their crops. Here in Avoyelles he and his family began farming, packing, and shipping Louisiana Sweet Potatoes. Harold Quebedeaux Produce was started in 1973 and is still operated by his sons today. Through the years he has been an active member and leader in many organizations supporting the sweet potato industry throughout the parish and state. He was a board member and past president of the Avoyelles Sweet Potato Association. He was a member and vicechairman of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Sweet Potato Advisory Committee. He was also a member and past president of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Association. Mr. Quebedeaux will be sadly missed by all those associated with the sweet potato industry. Donnie Miller Assigned Sweet Potato Weed Research Responsibilities Dr. Donnie Miller, Associate Professor and Resident Coordinator of the LSU AgCenter s Northeast Research Station has recently been assigned the sweet potato weed research responsibilities. This is Dr. Miller s first season to work with the crop. He replaces Dr. Steve Kelly who left the AgCenter in May. Dr. Miller also conducts weed research on cotton and soybeans. His experience in weed science and enthusiasm to work with the crop will be very beneficial to our industry. Packing Line Survey Update All sweet potato packers should be expecting a preliminary report in the mail in the near future based on packing line surveys. State Association Meeting Moves to South Louisiana in 2007 Gerald Roberts, County Agent, St. Landry Parish, would like to extend an invitation to all growers and industry personnel to attend this years annual meeting. The exact date, location and time will be announced at a later date. National Sweet Potato Convention to be held in San Francisco The National Sweet Potato Convention moves to the west coast this year. The meeting will be held January 21-24, 2007 in downtown San Francisco. Please make plans to attend. 4

6 Recipe of the Day Sweet Stir Fried Yams 2 tbsp oil 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes ½ cup golden raisins ½ cup orange juice 1 tbsp honey 1 cup chicken broth ¼ tsp each ground nutmeg & ground cloves ½ cup sweetened dried coconut Heat oil in wok or frying pan over medium high heat. Add sweet potatoes to hot oil and stir fry until tender crisp; about 7 minutes. Stir in raisins, orange juice, honey, ½ cup broth, cloves and nutmeg. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add remaining broth and simmer covered until potatoes are tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir in coconut. Transfer to serving dish and garnish with slivered roasted almonds if desired. Makes 8 servings. LSU AgCenter Extension personnel are available to assist you with all of your crop needs. Please call on us if we can be of assistance. Sweet Potato Specialist tsmith@agctr.lsu.edu (cell) Sweet Potato County Agents Morehouse Parish & West Carroll Parish Myrl Sistrunk (office) (cell) msistrunk@agctr.lsu.edu Evangeline Parish & St. Landry Parish Gerald Roberts (office) (cell) groberts@agctr.lsu.edu Avoyelles Parish Ernest Freeman (office) (cell) efreeman@agctr.lsu.edu Franklin Parish Carol Pinnell-Alison CPinnell-alison@agctr.lsu.edu 6

June 2008 Vol. 3, No. 2

June 2008 Vol. 3, No. 2 In This Issue: Sweet Potato Crop Update Early Season Scouting National Sweet Potato Council Convention: Rendezvous on the Bayou Nitrogen Fertilization Management LSU AgCenter Sweet