A dispute between ConAgra Foods and the Southern Idaho Cooperative (SIPco), a growers' bargaining organisation, caused talks to break down last year.

Further meetings between SIPco and the three major processors, ConAgra, J.R Simplot Co and McCain Foods have failed to secure contracts for the new crop.

But farmers have decided to go ahead with planting without endorsement from SIPco.

The organisation, which now faces an uncertain future, has warned growers that contracts undertaken individually with the major players may not be profitable without the state-wide price SIPco has been able to secure in previous years.