BAY CITY, MI — The 2014 Winter Potato Conference, Michigan's biggest trade show for spud growers, kicked off today in downtown Bay City, informing more than 150 people in attendance about the latest in research and development, legislation and products when it comes to that sector of the agriculture industry.

It’s the first time the two-day conference, which draws farmers from all over the state, is in Bay City, after being in Mount Pleasant for several years. The conference is being held at the Doubletree hotel and conference center, using half of the building’s ballroom and several side rooms. The conference is sponsored by the state’s three potato growers associations — Potato Growers of Michigan, the Michigan Potato Industry Commission and the Michigan Seed Potato Association — in addition to Michigan State University’s AgBioResearch program.

“The show gives potato growers a glimpse at the research and development going on in our industry, in addition to any new products and programs that they can take advantage of,” said Adam Novello, a program manager with the Michgian Potato Industry Commission. “If these farmers want to try and grow something new, they want to see the results. This show helps them see some of the actual different types of potatoes that they can grow."

In the foyer of the conference center are two large tables showing off a variety of potatoes grown by Michigan State University research students, and the type of potato chip each spud can produce.

“With Michigan having 70 percent of potatoes that are grown for potato chips, we’re the No. 1 state for chipping production,” said Michael Wenkel, executive director of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission. “Because of that, a lot of our research and development is focused on potato chips.”

Michigan ranks ninth among potato-producing states, averaging 34,500 pounds of potatoes per acre, according to Michigan State University Extension. In 2012, more than 45,000 acres of potatoes were harvested statewide, lead by Montcalm County, where more than 16,000 acres were harvested. In Bay County, 2,100 acres were harvested in 2012.

Panel sessions at the conference ranged from how Biotech potatoes will impact commercial production to how crop rotation can improve soil health.

There were more than 30 vendors on hand at the trade show, ranging from fertilizer companies to insurance providers.

“These types shows are good marketing opportunities for us,” said Kurt Fisher, a sales executive with St. Johns-based Agro Culture Liquid Fertilizer. “We’ll come out of here with a bunch of leads for the year.”

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), an environmental consultancy group, is a voluntary program farmers can sign up for to ensure their farms have low environmental risks. As a result, they can market that their farm is MAEAP-verified to the public.

Funding for the program comes from taxes on pesticides in Michigan.

“It’s a great program that helps farmers minimize any agricultural pollution risks,” said Tom Young, an MAEAP verifier.

The three-step program includes education on agricultural pollution, an on-farm assessment and a third-party verification. Following the program, MAEAP helps farmers develop a plan to mitigate any found risks.

Last year, 22 farmers across Bay and Saginaw counties participated in the program, said Young.

The Michigan conference comes on the heels of Potato Expo 2014, the national conference that took place in San Antonio last month. Next year’s statewide conference will be held in Bellair at the Shanty Creek Resort Lakeview Hotel.