The fourth annual Simplot Potato Grower Awards Banquet took place Thursday night and Simplot agronomy manager Scott Graham says it acknowledges and shows appreciation to their growers on an annual basis and to just have a fun evening with everybody out. About 200 people showed up and 44 farms were represented.
"We showcased some different products made in our expansion factory that we produce from the growers. The categories of the awards is the Direct Volume Award, which means that's direct off-field potatoes from the field are sent directly to the factory. The highest direct quality matrix score and with a minimum of 40,000 100-weight delivered to the factory off-field is the qualification for that. The second award is Volume from Zero to 200,000 CWT of contract size. That's based off the highest quality matrix score for the for volume up to 200,000 CWT. And then the third award is volume over 200,000 CWT and based on the highest matrix quality score. This was volume over 200,000 CWT. And then the 4th award is our Triple Crown Award and this is recognition based on highest quality matrix score, sustainability and then innovation on this particular farm as well to that one."
The winners:
- 2023 Simplot Direct Volume Award - McIntosh Ventures - Glen & Pam, Sean & Stephanie and Derek & Leigh McIntosh of Carman, Manitoba.
- 2023 Volume up to 200,000 CWT Award - Swansfleet Alliance - Tim & Linda, Vince, Yvonne, Steven & Kristen, Russell & Megan, Samantha & Andrew and Henk & Teagan.
- 2023 Award for over 200,000 CWT Award - Mursan Farms - Murray and Sandy, Keaton and Renée and Brett Turner of Carberry, Manitoba of Carberry, Manitoba.
- 2023 Simplot Triple Crown Award recognizes highest quality matrix score with sustainability and innovation on the farm, was awarded to Swansfleet Alliance of Bruxelles, Manitoba, as well.
"This is the second year in a row for Mursan Farms. They were recognized from the 2022 crop for highest quality matrix score over 200,000 CWT."
There was also special recognition given to a long-time member of Simplot.
"We recognized one of our longtime employees, Leon Jarvis. He was 27-year stint with with Simplot; 22 years as a senior field Rep out of the Portage la Prairie factory. And then he was five years with Simplot Soil Builders. So, a huge successful career from from Leon and he's announced his retirement to happen this April. A huge shout-out to him and thank you. And He's really left his mark on the industry."
