Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 140 - Marketing
Chapter ATCP 151 - Potato marketing agreement
Section ATCP 151.06 - Wisconsin grade, minimum standards

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง ATCP 151.06

Current through February 26, 2024

(1) GRADE REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Fresh use potatoes.
1. Wisconsin grade potatoes for fresh use shall consist of potatoes which are:
a. Similar in varietal characteristics in that the potatoes in any lot have the same general shape, color and character of skin, and color of flesh.

b. Firm in that the potato is not shriveled or flabby.

c. Fairly clean in that at least 90% of the potatoes in any lot are reasonably free from dirt or staining and not more than a slight amount of loose dirt or foreign matter is present in the container.

d. Fairly well shaped in that the potato is not materially pointed, dumbbell-shaped or otherwise materially deformed.

e. Washed.

f. Slightly skinned, in that not more than 10% of the potatoes in the lot have more than 25% of the skin missing or feathered.

g. Free of frost damage or any evidence of freezing.

h. Free of blackheart, late blight, southern bacterial wilt, ring rot, soft rot, and wet breakdown.

i. Free from damage or serious damage resulting from external or internal defects as determined under standard procedures in the joint federal-state inspection agreement.

2. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more than a total of 8% by weight of the potatoes in any lot may fail to meet the grade requirements set forth in subd. 1. a., b., d., e., g., h. and i., provided that included in this tolerance not more than the listed percentages shall be allowed for the following defects:
a. A 5% tolerance for external defects;

b. A 5% tolerance for internal defects;

c. A total tolerance of 3% for potatoes which are affected by freezing, southern bacterial wilt, ring rot, late blight, soft rot or wet breakdown, except that not more than one percent of the lot may consist of potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown.

(b) Seed potatoes. Wisconsin grade for seed potatoes shall consist of the same grade requirements and tolerances for defects as the Badger State Brand specified in s. ATCP 156.05.

(2) SIZE REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Fresh use potatoes. Wisconsin grade potatoes for fresh use shall conform to the following applicable size requirements:
1. Round shape varieties. Round shape varieties shall have a minimum diameter of 2 inches and a maximum diameter of 4 inches. Lots of potatoes shall contain at least 50% of potatoes which are 21/2 inches in diameter or larger or 6 ounces in weight or larger.

2. Long varieties. Long varieties shall have a minimum diameter of 2 inches or minimum weight of 4 ounces. Lots of potatoes shall contain at least 30% of the potatoes which are 21/2 inches in diameter or larger or 6 ounces in weight or larger.

3. Potatoes packed in cartons.
a. When size is specified in terms of the customary sizes of potatoes packed to count in standard 50 pound cartons, the potatoes shall meet the weight requirements for each size designation shown in the following table:

Weight requirement

Size designation

Minimum

Weight (Ounces)

Maximum

Weight (Ounces)

Under 50 ................

15

50 .....................

12

19

60 .....................

10

16

70 .....................

9

15

80 .....................

8

13

90 .....................

7

12

100 ....................

6

10

110 ....................

5

9

120 ....................

4

8

130 ....................

4

8

140 ....................

4

8

Over 140 ................

4

8

b. In any individual carton, the number of potatoes packed to size shall not vary by more than 5 potatoes above or below the size appearing on the carton for a size of 90 or more. The number shall not vary by more than 4 potatoes above or below the size appearing on the carton for a size of 80 or less.

4. Size tolerances. In order to allow for variation incident to proper sizing, not more than 3% by weight of the potatoes in any lot may be smaller than the required or specified minimum size, except that a tolerance of 5% shall be allowed for potatoes packed to meet a minimum diameter requirement of 21/4 inches or a minimum weight of 5 ounces. Not more than 10% by weight of the potatoes in any lot may be larger than the required maximum size. Where individual samples are used to determine whether a specified percentage of potatoes in the lot meet the specified sizes for round and long varieties, as provided in this paragraph, each individual sample shall consist of not less than one-half of the percentage specified, provided that the average size for the entire lot is not less than the percentage specified.

(b) Seed potatoes. The size requirement and size tolerances shall be the same as for Badger State Brand specified in s. ATCP 156.05.

(3) APPLICATION OF TOLERANCES. Individual samples shall have not more than double the tolerances specified, except that at least one defective and off-size potato may be permitted in any sample, provided that the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified in this chapter.

(4) SAMPLES FOR GRADE AND SIZE DETERMINATION. Individual samples shall consist of at least 20 pounds. When individual packages contain at least 20 pounds, each individual sample shall be drawn from one package. When individual packages contain fewer than 20 pounds, a sufficient number of adjoining packages shall be opened to provide at least a 20-pound sample. The total number of potatoes sampled shall vary with the size of the lot in accordance with procedures under the joint federal-state inspection agreement.

(5) SPROUT INHIBITOR. Potatoes for fresh use marketed after January 1 of any year shall be treated with sprout inhibitor.

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