NORTH DAKOTA POTATO INDUSTRY

In an attempt to increase net returns from farming efforts and stabilize agricultural commodities, rural communities are viewing value-added processing as a possible solution. Many attempts have been made at the value-added concept, and recently adding potato production under irrigation has changed farming for some North Dakota producers. The potato industry is meeting consumer demands for more efficient and less time-consuming methods of cooking by offering a wider variety of convenient processed potato items. The different uses of potatoes determine processor locations and movement of the raw product. However, the location of processing plants and warehouses impact highway demand and truck use. A network flow model was developed to estimate the truck traffic generated by the potato industry. The model uses some of the steps implemented by Denver Tolliver of Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute in developing a "Prototype Corn Highway Network model for Southeastern North Dakota". A network model is a representation of supply and destination nodes and the transportation links. Most important are the exit acreage and production in northeastern North Dakota, the traditional location of potato production, and the introduction of irrigated acreage in the central part of the state. Continued irrigation development will increase tonnage product from the land. This production may not be potatoes, but whatever the crop, the additional tonnage will have greater impacts on the North Dakota highway system. Development of flow models to coincide with NASS production data will provide valuable insight for North Dakota highway planners.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 57 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00815112
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No. 01-123
  • Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS
  • Created Date: Aug 10 2001 12:00AM