For the agricultural professional, the J.R. Simplot Company represents far more than just the ubiquitous supplier of french fries to fast-food giants like McDonald’s and Burger King. Beneath the surface of this iconic brand lies a sophisticated, vertically integrated agribusiness that is actively shaping the future of potato cultivation. While the company’s history is rooted in a 1929 handshake and WWII-era dehydration, its modern trajectory is defined by aggressive investment in plant sciences and grower technology. Today, Simplot contracts with growers for over 100,000 acres of potatoes and vegetables annually in North America, while its Simplot Grower Solutions (SGS) division advises more than 30,000 farmers on agronomic practices . The scale is immense; with recent acquisitions like the purchase of the Clarebout Group in late 2025, Simplot continues to expand its global frozen potato capabilities, further consolidating its influence on the supply chain from soil to freezer .
For agronomists and crop scientists, the most compelling developments lie in Simplot’s biotechnology and sustainability initiatives. The company’s Innate® potato platform, particularly the second-generation varieties (Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, and Atlantic), has introduced traits that directly address key production challenges. Data from regulatory approvals and industry analysis show these potatoes offer protection against late blight (Phytophthora infestans), which can reduce annual fungicide applications by as much as 50% . Furthermore, the technology reduces asparagine and reducing sugars, leading to up to a 90% reduction in acrylamide potential during high-temperature cooking and enabling cold storage at 3.3°C for over six months without quality degradation . This cold storage capability is a game-changer for processor logistics and chip manufacturing, potentially reducing trucking costs and waste, which academic estimates suggest could cut potato waste by 93 million kilograms if adopted widely .
Beyond genetics, Simplot is deploying cutting-edge digital agronomy to support its grower network. The company’s SmartFarm® platform utilizes GPS-referenced soil sampling, satellite imagery, and moisture sensors to deliver real-time recommendations . On the operational front, SGS has deployed over 5,000 solar-powered tank monitors across the U.S., allowing for remote tracking of liquid fertilizer levels. This technology, described as “Find My Fertilizer,” reduces the need for manual checks, cuts emissions, and ensures growers never run dry during critical application windows . These efforts are complemented by significant infrastructure investments, such as the state-of-the-art processing plant in Caldwell, Idaho, which recently won the 2025 Global Industrial Water Reuse Champions Award for its reverse osmosis system that recycles up to 1.7 million gallons per day and reduced total water usage at the site by nearly 50% .
