Juggling Act: Potato conference highlights continuing challenges

KENNEWICK — Farming is always a juggling act. Battling pests and disease, factoring in regulation, the cost of materials, labor, consumer preferences, the impact of technology – there’s a lot to think about. For potato farmers, the juggling act includes issues they have in common with other farmers, labor and water. “One thing that’s becoming more and more serious is labor,” said Rob Wagstaff, a member of the Oregon Potato Commission who grows potatoes for processing near Nyssa, Oregon. “It takes people to get potatoes planted and harvested.” Technology has had an effect on potato production – one exhibitor had footage of a harvester that separated potatoes from dirt clods, rocks and other debris, work that would otherwise take at least a few workers. But Wagstaff said there are tasks technology can’t help with.