Current through August 26, 2024
(1) GRADE REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for the
yellow tag grade, a lot of certified seed potatoes shall meet all of the
following requirements:
(a) The college shall
certify the lot under subchapter II.
(b) All potatoes in the lot shall be of the
same variety, subject to a tolerance of 0.25% for varietal mixture. The
tolerance shall be applied according to s.
ATCP 156.10(6).
(c) All potatoes in the lot shall comply with
size standards in subs. (2) to (4), subject to tolerances specified in subs.
(2) to (4). Tolerances shall be applied according to s.
ATCP 156.10(6).
(d) The lot may not include any seriously
misshapen potatoes, except that a lot containing seriously misshapen potatoes
may qualify for the yellow tag grade if the buyer states in writing that the
seriously misshapen potatoes are acceptable. The department shall review the
buyer's statement before making the grade assignment.
(e) No potatoes in the lot may be frozen at
the time of inspection.
(f) The lot
shall be free of all the following:
1.
Blackheart.
2. Bacterial ring
rot.
3. Nematode or tuber moth
injury.
4. Defects in excess of
tolerances specified in sub. (5). Tolerances shall be applied according to s.
ATCP 156.10(6).
(2) MINIMUM DIAMETER.
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), not more
than 3% of the potatoes in any lot of yellow tag grade certified seed potatoes
may have a diameter smaller than 11/2 inches or, if the seller guarantees a
different minimum diameter, the minimum diameter guaranteed.
(b) If a seller guarantees a minimum diameter
under par. (a) of at least 21/4 inches, not more than 5% of the potatoes in the
lot may have a diameter that is smaller than the guarantee.
(3) MINIMUM WEIGHT.
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), not more
than 3% of the potatoes in any lot of yellow tag grade certified seed potatoes
may have a weight less than the minimum weight, if any, guaranteed by the
seller.
(b) If a seller guarantees
a minimum weight under par. (a) of at least 5 ounces, not more than 5% of the
potatoes in the graded lot may have a weight that is less than the guaranteed
minimum.
(4) MAXIMUM
SIZE. Not more than 15% of the potatoes in any lot of yellow tag grade
certified seed potatoes may have any of the following:
(a) A weight of more than 12 ounces or, if
the seller guarantees a different maximum weight, the guaranteed maximum. If
the maximum weight under this paragraph is not more than 12 ounces, not more
than 5% by weight of potatoes in the lot may exceed 16 ounces.
(b) A diameter that exceeds the maximum
guaranteed by the seller, if the seller guarantees a maximum
diameter.
(5) DEFECT
TOLERANCES. A lot of yellow tag grade certified seed potatoes may not contain
any of the following defects in excess of the following tolerances, specified
as a percentage by weight of affected potatoes compared to weight of potatoes
in the lot:
(a) Damage from defects listed in
s.
ATCP 156.11(1) or
(2): 20%, except as provided in pars. (c) and
(d).
(b) Sprout damage:
10%.
(c) Scab damage:
10%.
(d) Late blight tuber rot:
1%.
(e) Damage from freezing, soft
rot or wet breakdown: 1%.
(6) SALE IN BAGS OR TOTES. The following
requirements apply whenever yellow tag grade certified seed potatoes are sold
in bags or totes, as certified seed potatoes:
(a) The potatoes shall be sold only in clean
new bags or totes. Each bag or tote shall be conspicuously labeled with the
name and address of the seller.
(b)
No brand, other than the seller's trademark, may appear on the bag or tote
without the department's approval.
(c) Each bag or tote shall bear a yellow tag
issued by the college under s.
ATCP 156.02(3)
(a). The yellow tag shall clearly disclose
all of the following:
1. The words "Wisconsin
Certified Seed Potatoes Yellow Tag Grade."
2. The potato variety.
3. The year in which the potatoes were
grown.
4. The name and address of
the seed potato grower.
5. The
classification assigned by the college under s.
ATCP 156.05.
(d) Each bag or tote shall bear a net weight
statement, and any potato size guarantees under subs. (2) to (4) that differ
from standard sizes specified in subs. (2) to (4).
(e) Each bag, if hand sewn, shall be sealed
with a seal issued by the department.
(7) SALE IN BULK. The following requirements
apply whenever yellow tag grade certified seed potatoes are sold in bulk, as
certified seed potatoes:
(a) The potatoes
shall be sold in a sealed container or conveyance that is thoroughly cleaned
and disinfected before each use as a seed potato container or
conveyance.
(b) Each container or
conveyance shall bear all of the following:
1. A yellow tag, issued by the college, that
complies with sub. (6) (c).
2. A
seal issued by the department under s.
ATCP 156.10(2) (b).
"Sell," as defined in s.
ATCP 156.01(30), means "to contract or
offer for sale, hold for sale, transport or distribute for sale, or advertise
or label for sale."
