There is a war brewing over potatoes. Some farm groups say they are vegetables, while others want them to be classified as grains.
The National Potato Council says the whole debate has become too much.
“There is no doubt that, from a nutrition standpoint, potatoes and grains are different. They have different nutrients. They have some of the same, but they also have very different nutrients. I would say that advocates are there to promote their particular perspective, and they, for whatever reason, believe they don’t have a bias, while the industry does have a bias. I think, again, that’s very inaccurate because they interpret the research the way they choose to interpret the research,” said Beth Johnson.
Potatoes were big business earlier this month at this year’s Potato Expo. Leaders say it was the second-largest crowd since the event began.
The application deadline is March 8, 2026. The 1890 National Scholars Program aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences.
January 16, 2026 10:42 AM
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Soft equipment sales signal cautious farm spending as producers prioritize cash flow over expansion.
January 16, 2026 07:00 AM
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Record ethanol production and improving blending demand continue to support corn usage despite rising short-term inventories.
January 15, 2026 11:47 AM
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Alissa White with American Farmland Trust joined us to provide insight into climate resilience efforts and strategies to help farmers manage weather-related risks.
January 14, 2026 02:20 PM
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Agronomy experts explain why standing crop residue protects soil and reduces costs for crop growers, while shredding often yields little benefit at higher costs.
January 14, 2026 08:00 AM
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Freight volatility increasingly determines export margins, making logistics costs as important as price in marketing decisions.
January 14, 2026 06:00 AM
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