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Michigan Potato Industry Experimental Storage 1999/2000. Roger Brook Professor & Extension Engineer Agricultural Engineering Dept. Michigan State University. Project Goal. To demonstrate potato storage techniques necessary for: extending the stored life of Michigan grown potatoes
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Michigan Potato IndustryExperimental Storage 1999/2000 Roger Brook Professor & Extension Engineer Agricultural Engineering Dept. Michigan State University
Project Goal To demonstrate potato storage techniques necessary for: • extending the stored life of Michigan grown potatoes • increasing the marketability of Michigan grown storage potatoes
MPIC Storage Committee • Brian Sackett, chairperson • Steve Crooks • Greg Perkins • Tim Young • Gary Walthers • Todd Forbush, Techmark • Roger Brook, MSU Extension
Background • After 12 years of continued success in storage demonstration, it was determined a permanent facility was needed • MPIC storage committee developed a permanent storage facility to implement new storage technology and techniques Contact a member of the MPIC storage committee or the MPIC office staff FOR MORE INFO...
Technology • New technology being used • refrigeration • reverse airflow • Standards being adopted • Fancom controllers • humicells
Procedures 1999-2000 • Snowden potatoes • Three planting dates • Three storage temperatures • Bi-weekly quality sampling • Marketing through cooperating potato chip company
Conclusions • The Michigan potato industry has a new tool for improving storage management • Tuber maturity at harvest may be a key factor that we haven’t previously considered or “measured” • Refrigeration management will be important for June delivery