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PublicationsMailAgreement40030841SPUDSMART.COMSUMMER2014CROPOUTLOOKFROMCOASTTOCOASTColoradoPotatoBeetlePOSTERCHILDFORPESTICIDERESISTANCENATIONALPROMOTIONSTRATEGYFORPOTATOESTHEFUTUREofPotatoBreedingSWEETPOTATOESHOME-GROWN WeveGotYouCovered.2014MeridianManufacturingInc.RegisteredTrademarksUsedUnderLicense.BUILTTOMOVE.BUILTTOSTORE.BUILTFORYOURFARM.WithoverhalfacenturyofprovenperformanceMeridianArchWallbuildingsarethesuperiorchoiceformulti-useon-farmstorage.Meridianisallaboutsolvingindustryissueswithtechnologyandacommitmenttothehighestquality.Wevespentdecadesmanufacturingindustry-leadingstoragesolutionsthatsetthestandardinproductexcellence.FormoreinformationpleasecontactChadKleisingerat306209-9427orvisitwww.meridianmfg.com 1SUMMER2014Features04FUTUREOFPOTATOBREEDINGWhyCanadasprivatebreedersarecallingforalargerRDrole.08HOME-GROWNSWEETPOTATOESOvercomingthechallengesofaCanadianclimate.12PRODUCTIONPROJECTIONSStatisticsCanadas2014acreageestimatesandthecropoutlookfromcoasttocoast.18ANEWWAYFORWARDGrowersconsideringcreationofNationalPromotionandResearchAgency.22FIGHTINGFUNGUSTipsformanagingfusariumdryrot.contentssummer2014spudsmart.comyouronlinepotatobusinessresource08124228OntheCoverSweetpotatoesbeingharvestedinOntariosNiagararegion.PhotocourtesyofVinelandResearchandInnovationCentre.PublicationsMailAgreement40030841SPUDSMART.COMSUMMER2014CROPOUTLOOKFROMCOASTTOCOASTColoradoPotatoBeetlePOSTERCHILDFORPESTICIDERESISTANCENATIONALPROMOTIONSTRATEGYFORPOTATOESTHEFUTUREofPotatoBreedingSWEETPOTATOESHOME-GROWNPlus34EYEONTHENATIONPotatonewsfromacrossthecountry.Departments02FROMOURDESKTherisingroleofdrones.24ROUNDTABLEBestpracticesforIntegratedPestManagement.28INTHEFIELDRISINGRESISTANCENeonicotinoidpesticidesbecominglesseffectiveagainstCPB.37EVENTCALENDARThelatestlistingofpotatoeventsconferencesandtradeshows.38EQUIPMENTANDTECHNOLOGYSHOWCASENewinnovationsforpotatoproducers.40MARKETNEWSCanadasstoragepictureheadingintoharvest.42WORLDREVIEWNewsandinsightsfromaroundtheglobe.44ATTHEROOTBreakingindustrynews.48GROWERSPOTLIGHTB.C.sLodderPotatoFarms. SPUDSMART.COM2Summer2014Vol.11No.3SpudSmartisaresourceorCanadianpotatoproducersandisdedicatedtothepromotionoinnovationsustainablesuccessandgrowerproftability.SubscriptionsCanadaCDN45.00yearplusGSTInternationalCDN95.00yearIssuesInk6327435CanadaLtd.403-313PacifcAvenueWinnipegMBR3A0M2Phone204453-1965Fax204475-5247e-mailissuesissuesink.comspudsmart.comPublisherShawnBrooksbrookissuesink.comEditorMarkHalsallmhalsallissuesink.comEditorialJulieDeeringLindsayHomanShannonSchindleMarcZienkiewiczEditorialAdvisorLukiePieterseEditorialAdvisoryBoardKhalilAl-MughrabiPhDPathologistPotatoDevelopmentCentreNewBrunswickDepartmentoAgricultureAquacultureandFisheriesBenoitBizimunguPhDScientistBreederPotatoResearchCentreRobertC.BobHamiltonProductManagerPotatoesVegetablesEngageAgroJasonKehlerOwnerManagerKehlerFarmsLtd.KeithKuhlChairmanCanadianPotatoCouncilBillMoonsTerritorySalesManagerHorticultureBayerCropScienceRickD.PetersPhDResearchScientistAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadaJanetPorchakMBANationalMarketingManagerUAPCanadaTracyShinners-CarnelleyPhDDirectorResearchQualityEnhancementPeakotheMarketBertTuplingOwnerShareholderTuplingFarmsLtd.PeterVanderZaagPhDOwnerSunrisePotatoHubertZandstraPhDDirectorGeneralEmeritusInternationalPotatoCenterMarketingmarketingissuesink.comCraigArmstrongBrendaEzinickiAdriaGrewalSamMostaaHitenShahArtandProductionKyleDratowanyJeHiebertTheresaKurjewiczCalebMacDonaldVinceMendellaLesleyNakonechnyCirculationDeanFrenchBradGordonSpudSmartmakesnoexpressedorimpliedwarrantiesomerchantabilityorftnessoraparticularpurposeorotherwiseconcerningtheuseoanyproductandassumesnoliabilityoranyinjuryordamagedirectorconsequentialincurredromtheuseosuchproductsorservicestherein.FederalProvincialandMunicipallawsandregulationssupersedetheinormationcontainedherein.PublicationsMailAgreementNo.40030841.ReturnundeliverableCanadianaddressestoIssuesInk403-313PacifcAvenueWinnipegMBR3A0M2PRINTEDINCANADAPleaserecyclewhereacilitiesexist.Nopartothismagazinemaybereproducedwithoutthewrittenpermissionothepublisher.PrivacyCodeToviewourprivacypolicygotoourwebsiteatspudsmart.comFROMOURDESKSearchingforaSilverBulletByMarkHalsallTHECLOCKistickingonThimet15GtheinsecticideofchoiceforcontrollingwireworminpotatoesinmostareasofCanada.BecauseCanadasregulatorshavedecidedtophaseoutThimetduetoenvi-ronmentalconcernsthepesticidewillnolongerbeavailableforuseonpotatoesasofAug.12015.WithwirewormpopulationssteadilyrisinginPrinceEdwardIslandandotherpartsofthecountrytheresaquestionhangingoverthepotatoindustrythatsbeingaskedmoreandmoreoftenWhatwilltakeThimetsplaceFipronilhasbeenviewedbymanyintheindustryasapotentialsilverbulletforwirewormcontrol.TheinsecticideisregisteredintheUnitedStatesforuseonpotatoesanditssaidtobeeffectiveagainstallspeciesofwirewormandtherearemany.HoweverpronilisnotregisteredinCanada.Itsuptothechemicalindustrytodecidewhethertopursueregistrationoftheproductforuseonpotatoesinthiscountry.Thathasnthappenedyetandthereisgrowingdoubtwithinthepotatosectorthatiteverwill.Theironyisthatpotatoesgrownusingpronilarebeingcon-sumedbyCanadians.TheUnitedStatescanexportpronil-treatedpotatoesintoCanadabecausetheydontexceedthegeneralmaxi-mumresiduelimitMRLof0.1ppmasspeciedinHealthCanadaslistofMRLsregulatedunderthePestControlProductsAct.AfurtherironyisthatCanadianpotatoesgrownwithawire-wormtreatmentlikechlorpyrifoscantbeshippedtotheUnitedStates.Thatsbecausechlorpyrifosisnotregisteredforuseonpota-toeseithergrownintheU.S.orimportedintothatcountryandaMRLsituationsuchasthatpertainingtopronil-treatedpotatoesisntpos-sibleunderAmericanregulations.AllthishassomegrowersinCanadafeelingthedeckcouldbestackedagainstthemintheirghtagainstwireworminthecomingyears.Thatsnottosaythereisnthope.Therearenumerousresearchinitiativesinvolvingcroprotationsandinsecticideefcacystudiesunderwaydesignedtocomeupwithnewwaystocombatthisde-structivepotatopest.InadditiontheindustryiswelcomingtheregistrationjustthisyearofanewinsecticidecalledbifenthrinCaptureforcontrolofwirewormonpotatoes.GrowersindifferentpartsofthecountryaretrialingbifenthrinonpotatoplotsthissummertoseeforthemselveshowthechemistrystacksupagainstThimetandotheravailablewire-wormcontrolmeasures.ForthesakeofCanadaspotatoindustryhereshopingeveryoneispleasedwiththeresults. ProtectyourcropfromearlyblightandlateblightwithTanos.Earlyblightcancausesignificantyieldlosswhichresultsinlostrevenue.FortunatelyDuPontTMTanosfungicideoffersprotectantactivityanditisresistanttowashoffmakingitanexcellenttoolinfightingearlyblight.ThatsnotallTanosrapidlypenetratesleafsurfacestoprovidebothpost-infectionandlocallysystemiccontroloflateblight.Dryorwetconditions.Earlyblightorlateblight.Tanosprovidestheprotectionyouneed.uestionsFormoreinformationpleasecontactyourretailercallyourlocalDuPontreportheDuPontTMFarmCareSupportCentreat1-800-667-3925orvisittanos.dupont.caDuPontTMTanosTHISFUNGICIDEWORKSRAINORSHINEJUSTLIKEYOU.Aswithallcropprotectionproductsreadandfollowlabelinstructionscarefully.TheDuPontOvalLogoDuPontTMThemiraclesofscienceTMandTanosaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksofE.I.duPontdeNemoursandCompany.E.I.duPontCanadaCompanyisalicensee.MemberofCropLifeCanada.Copyright2014E.I.duPontCanadaCompany.Allrightsreserved. SPUDSMART.COM4FEATURETHREEYEARSAGOQuebecsAndreGagnonand10otherpotatobreederslocatedacrossthecountrygottogethertoformtheCanadianPrivatePotatoBreedersNetwork.Theirgoaltoforgeastrongercollectivevoice.WearequiteisolatedsaysGagnonpresidentofpotatoresearchfrmProgest.Thatswhywestartedthisnetworktoworktogether.FellowbreederPeterVanderZaagownerofSunrisePotatoinOntariofeelsthereareexcitingtimesaheadforCanadianpotatoresearchersandbreedersbutlikeGagnonstressesthatteamworkiskey.Wecanthaveourheadsinthesand.Wecantkeepdoingourownthingweneedtoworktogetherhesays.ThatswhatthenetworksallaboutandwewanttodomorecollaborativeworkwithotherinstitutionsinCanadaaswell.NowtheCPPBNisworkingongettingabiggersayinhownewpotatovarietiesaredevelopedandevaluatedinCanada.WhileprivatebreedersplayanimportantroleinpotatoresearchanddevelopmentinthiscountrymuchofthisworkisdonepublicallythroughAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadasPotatoResearchCentreinFrederictonN.B.TheCPPBNiscallingforashiftinfocusforthepubliclyfundedpotatoprogramthatwouldallowprivatebreederstotakeonagreaterRDrole.WethinktheAAFCshouldonlyfocusonbasicupstreamresearchandpre-breedingandshouldhelpsupportusindoingthenextstepsbeyondthatsaysVanderZaagaddingthatpublicresearchershavetheexpertiseandindispensibleassetslikethepotatogenebankattheirdisposalthatmakethembettersuitedforthelengthycomplexworkinvolvedingeneticresearch.WefeelthatthegeneticresourcesthattheyhaveandtheupstreamresearchthattheyredoingisextremelyvaluabletohelpusbemoreeffectiveappliedbreedersVanderZaagsays.Privatebreedersheaddsareverywellequippedintheareaofappliedordownstreamresearchbutwherewerehandicappedisthemolecularpartoftheequation.VanderZaagenvisionsasynergisticrelationshipbetweenpublicandprivateresearcherswithCPPBNleadingtheappliedAdvancingPotatoesThecountrysprivatepotatobreedersarecallingforabiggersayinhownewvarietiesaredevelopedinCanada.PrivatepotatobreederAndreGagnonatworkathisresearchfacilityinQuebec.PhotocourtesyofProgest. 5SUMMER2014breedingresearchandvarietyevaluationeffortsintheeld.UnderthismodelAAFCscientistscouldfocusonndingtherightparentallineswithimmunitytocertaindiseasesorwhichhavemarkersforcertaintraitslikeprocessingqualitythatwecanthenuseasparentallinesforourbreedingworkhesays.AAFCprovidesparentallinestoprivatebreedersuponrequestandthecontentsofitspotatogenebankarealsoavailabletoanyresearcheroreducatoruponrequest.ChristianeDeslauriersistheAAFCdirectorgeneralresponsibleforthePotatoResearchCentre.SheagreesthatupstreamresearchisacorestrengthoftheprogramAAFChasdenitelygotaroleinupstreamresearchshesays.Wehavethatkindofexpertisewehavethekindofinfrastructureanditstheroleofgovernmenttodothatkindofresearchwherethereslessimmediatereturnoninvestment.ProcesstoTakeTimeDeslaurierssaysAAFCiscertainlyopentotheideaofagreaterRDroleforprivatepotatobreedersbutstressesitsaprocessthatsgoingtotakesometime.Youhavetomakesurethattherearenoholesintheinnovationsystemshesays.Thenotionisthatastheindustrybecomesmoreandmorecapableofdoingdifferentaspectsoftheprogramwecantransitiontoamodelwheretheybecomemoreinvolved.AccordingtoDeslauriersthiskindoftransitioningisalreadyoccurringthroughAAFCsPotatoAcceleratedReleasePrograminwhichpromisingpotatovarietiesdevelopedbyPRCbreedersareofferedupforevaluationbyprivateindustry.Westartedoffdoingtheearlyreleaseprogramsothatpeoplecouldgetalookatmaterialearlier.ThatmeanstheresalotofthenishingworkthatisnolongerdonebyAAFCwhichallowsustodomoreoftheupstreamresearchshesays.Ithinkwereallyneedtoworkonitinaninteractiveiterativewayratherthanuscomingupwithaplanandsayingtherethisiswhatweregoingtogiveyouyoudbetterbereadytotakeit.Itsalittlebitlikeacomplicatedmachinewithlotsofgearsthegearsreallyneedtomesh.AccordingtoVanderZaagprivatebreederswouldliketheprocesstomovemuchmorequickly.HesaystheyseetheAAFCacceleratedreleaseprogramascompetitionandnotaneffectiveapproachtoselectingpromisingclonesforthediverseecosystemsofCanadaandbeyond.Thatiswherewecomein.saysVanderZaag.DeslauriersmaintainsitwillalwaysbenecessaryforAAFCpotatobreederstodosomeappliedresearchbecauseyouneedtodoeldresearchinordertounderstandthetraitsandtoseeiftheyrebeingexpressedproperly.NumerousSuccessStoriesMembersoftheCPPBNhaveenjoyednumeroussuccessesworkingwithprocessorsandotherindustrypartners.TheprivatebreedersarealiveandwellandaredoinggreatthingssaysVanderZaag.Well-knownexamplesincludethesuccessfulProspectpotatothatRobertandJoyceCofndevelopedforPrinceEdwardIslandsCavendishFarmsandthemarketingprowessofWesternCanadasLittlePotatoCompany.VanderZaagwhoseownbreedingeffortsarelinkedtopotatochipprocessorssaysweallhaveourdifferentnichesandweworkwithpartnerswhoarealwayslookingforthesenewimprovedtraits.LikeotherCPPBNmembersVanderZaagalreadycollaborateswithuniversitybreedingprograms.HesaysonefutureoptionforprivatebreederswouldbetorelyevenmoreoninstitutionslikeLavalUniversityortheUniversityofGuelphforsourcinggeneticmaterialbutthatwouldlikelybemoreexpensivethanstrikingadealwithAAFC.WhatwewouldpreferisapartnershipwithAAFCandworktogetherwiththem.Apotentialobstacletothathappeninginvolvesproprietaryrightstotruepotatoseedproducedbyresearchers.AccordingtoVanderZaagtrueseedisfreelydistributedandexchangedbetweenbreedersinmanyareasoftheworldincludingtheUnitedStates.Breederscanclaimproprietaryrightstoselectionsdevelopedfromthistrueseedbutnotthetrueseeditself.InthiscountryAAFCmaintainsproprietaryrightstothetrueseeditdevelops.AAFCsaysitisinvolvedincollaborativebreedingresearchwithseveralindustryandacademicpartnersandthatthetermsofthesecollaborationsarenegotiatedonacase-by-casebasis.Wearequiteisolated.Thatswhywestartedthisnetworktoworktogether.AndreGagnon SPUDSMART.COM6VanderZaagandGagnonmaintainthesystemneedstochangetoenablegreatersharingofinformationandknowledgebetweenbreeders.AsanexampleGagnonpointstonewgenereplicationtechniquesthatcanshaveyearsoffthetimerequiredtocreatesuccessfulvarietiesundertraditionalbreedingprograms.Breedingpotatoeshesaysisfarmorecomplicatedthanwheatorcereals.Wereallyneedthosenewtoolstohelpusgofaster.AAFCsaysitisworkingonnewtechniquesbasedongenomicselectionorpredictionwiththegoalofmakingpotatobreedingmoreefcientandcompetitivewithothercrops.VanderZaagacknowledgestheremaybesomeresistancetotheideaofthebulkofCanadasappliedpotatobreedingresearchmovingintoprivatesectorhands.Ithinkatthispointtheremaynotbeenoughgeneralcondencethattheprivatebreederscanpullthisoffhesays.Ithinkthoseareconcernswehavetoallayjustbygoinguptotheplateanddoingit.Deslauriersontheotherhandbelievesitsineveryonesbestintereststotakemoretimetocarefullymapoutawayforward.Ithinkthattheimportantthingistoworktogetherwiththeindustrytomakeasmoothtransitionshesays.Youwantsomethingthatyouregoingtobeabletoplanproperlyandareabletofeedintoitasitsdevelopingsothatyourenotcausingashockinthesystem.PotatoBreedingWorkingGroupThesekindsofdiscussionsarealreadytakingplacethroughaCanadianPotatoCouncilpotatobreedingworkinggroupthatwasformedlastyear.ItiscomprisedofrepresentativesfromregionalgrowerassociationsandtheprivatebreedersnetworkalongwithAAFCpotatoscientistsandadministrators.MaryKaySonierseedco-ordinatorwiththePrinceEdwardIslandPotatoBoardchairsthegroup.WhatwerediscussingisthefutureofpotatobreedinginCanadawhatitshouldlooklikewhoshouldhaveresponsibilityforwhathowcanwecollaborate.Researchanddevelopmentisessentialtoourindustrylikeanyotherindustry.Ifyoudontkeepmovingaheadyoufallbehindprettyquicklyshesays.WedliketoseethegovernmentcontinueonthehightechendofthebreedingsaysSonierpointingtothesignicantinfrastructureandsecurefundingthatareessentialforproductivelong-termupstreampotatoresearch.Butwhenitcomesdowntotheeldresearchendweseeagreaterroleforindustryinthatshesaysaddingonepossiblepathishavingprivateresearchersworkcloselywithgrowerassociationsandprovincialorganizationsindifferentpartsofthecountrytodevelopandassesspromisingpotatolines.TracyShinners-CarnelleyofManitobasPeakoftheMarketchairstheCanadianPotatoCouncilsresearchworkinggroupoutofwhichthepotatobreedingworkinggroupwasformed.Shebelievesitsessentialfortheindustrytocomeupwithapotatobreedingandevaluationsystemthatmakesthebestuseofpublicandprivateresearch.TheresaplaceforboththeresaneedforbothShinners-Carnelleysays.Itsimportantthatwedevelopamodelthathasallinterestedstakeholdersinpotatobreedingworkingtogethersowecandoitaseffectivelyaspossibleandalsoasefcientlyaspossible.Potatobreedingisexpensiveandittakesalotoftime.GiventhenatureoftheworkthatweredoingIthinkthatitsofutmostimportancethatourapproachgoingforwardlooksathowwebestdothatgiventhelimitedcapacitywehavebutalsothelimitednancialresourceswehavetofundthiskindofwork.BudgetcutstoAAFChaveledtospeculationthatthefederalgovernmentcouldeventuallygetoutofthebusinessofpotatobreedingaltogether.ThatsnotsomethingprivatebreederslikeVanderZaagandGagnonwouldliketoseenorwouldmostothersintheCanadianpotatoindustry.WereinagreementwiththeprivatebreedersthatwedontwanttheCanadiangovernmentjusttogetoutofpotatobreedingtomorrowsaysSonier.Deslauriersinsiststhatsnotgoingtohappen.ShedescribesfundingforthePRCwhichwascompletelyrenovatedintheearly2000sasfairlysecureandsaystheresnodiscussionaboutdiscontinuingsupportforthePotatoResearchCentreoritspotatobreedingefforts.SupportforPrivateBreedersPeterVanderZaagandAndreGagnonoftheCanadianPrivatePotatoBreedersNetworkmaintaintheHarpergovernmentisastrongsupporterofprivatepotatobreedinginCanadareferringtoaletterthatAgricultureMinisterGerryRitzsenttheCPPBNin2012.TheletterreferstoCPPBNasoneofthekeypotatostakeholdergroupsinCanadaandsaysAAFClooksforwardtoworkingwithyourorganizationtoexplorepotentialpartnershipsonresearchprojectsofmutualinterest.AnothersignofsupportforprivatebreedersisBillC-18theAgriculturalGrowthActwhichcontainsproposedamendmentstoCanadasPlantBreedersRightsPBRlegislationthatwouldbringitinlinewithmuchoftherestoftheworld.CanadaisoneofasmallminorityofmembersoftheInternationalUnionfortheProtectionofNewPlantVarietiesUPOVwhoselegislationdoesnotconformtothemostrecentconventionUPOV1991.Underthatconventionbreedershavetomaketheirprotectedvarietiesavailabletootherbreedersforresearchandtouseforthedevelopmentofnewvarieties.TheCanadianPotatoCouncilisamemberofPartnersinInnovationacoalitionofCanadianagriculturalcommissionsandgrowersgroupsthatsupportBillC-18.ItmaintainstheproposedPBRamendmentswillopenopportunitiesforplantbreedersinCanadaandoutsideofourborderstodeliversuperiorvarietiestoCanadianfarmers.AccordingtoVanderZaagBillC-18isagoodthingfortheCPPBN.Itdoesprovidemoreprotectionandmoreincentivefortheprivatebreederhesays.MarkHalsallFarmstaffusingatwoseatmechanicalplantertoplantpotatoesatAgriculuitreandAgri-FoodCanadasBentonRidgeResearchFarminNewBrunswickinlateMay.PhotocourtesyofAAFC. SPUDSMART.COM8FEATUREITSNOSECRETTHATSWEETPOTATOconsumptionisontheriseinCanada.Thenumberscertainlybackthatup.AccordingtoJeanMukezangangoaseniormarketde-velopmentanalystwithAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadasweetpotatoconsumptioninCanadanearlydoubledfrom2007to2012.Canadiansateanaverageof1.43kilogramsofsweetpotatoesperpersonin2012comparedto0.72kilogramsin2007.KevinMacIsaacgeneralmanageroftheUnitedPotatoGrowersofCanadasaystheincreaseddemandhasntcomeasmuchofasurprisetothepotatoindustry.Hesaysthein-creaseisattributabletotwomainfactorsapublicpercep-tionthatsweetpotatoesarehealthierthantraditionaltypesofpotatoesandtherecentexplosioninthepopularityofsweetpotatofrenchfries.TherealwayswassomeproductionofsweetpotatoesacrossNorthAmericabutuntilprocessingcompaniesfguredouthowtomakeagoodfrenchfrythatswhatreallyledthechargewithgettingpeopletobuyithesays.MacIsaacsayswhileCanadasgrowingappetiteforsweetpo-tatoesispotentiallygoodnewsforproducersinthiscountrytheyfacesomeseriouschallengesintryingtomeetthatdemand.Mostpopularvarietiesrequirehighheatunitsandlongergrowingsea-sonssomethinginshortsupplyinmanypartsofthecountry.ProductionChallengesResearchersinEasternCanadaarehopingtochangeallthat.LedbyValerioPrimomoaresearchscientistandvegetable-breedingexpertwithVinelandResearchandInnovationCentreinOntariosNiagararegiontheseresearchersareinvestigatingwaysofincreas-ingdomesticsweetpotatoproduction.CovingtonwhichwasdevelopedinNorthCarolinaiscur-rentlythemostpopularsweetpotatovarietygrowninSouthernASWEETChoiceforPOTATOGrowersCoolertemperaturesandshortergrowingseasonsmakegrowingsweetpotatoesachallengeinCanada.ResearchunderwayinEasternCanadacouldprovetobearealgame-changerwhenitcomestoproducingthepopulartubersinthiscountry.LeadingthewayinsweetpotatoresearchinOntarioisValerioPrimomoavegetable-breedingexpertwithVinelandResearchandInnovationCentre.PhotocourtesyofValerioPrimomoVinelandResearchandInnovationCentre.HarvestedsweetpotatoesinOntario.PhotocourtesyofValerioPrimomo. 9SUMMER2014Ontario.Thechallengeisthatgrowershaveasmallwindowforplantingandharvestingthislong-seasonvarietyandasaresultyieldsarelowerwhencomparedtoproductionsouthofthebor-der.DevelopingvarietiesthatarebetteradaptedtoshortgrowingseasonsandcoolerenvironmentswillallowtheexpansionofsweetpotatoproductioninCanada.Primomosaysoneofthemainreasonshestartedhisresearchthreeyearsagowasthegrowthpotentialhesawinthesweetpotatoindustry.Therearecurrentlyabout1500acresoffarmlandinsouthernOntariocurrentlybeingusedforsweetpotatoproduc-tionanadditional6000acreswouldbeneededtooffsetCanadascurrentimportneeds.Thatsahugeopportunity.Ifyoulookatallthecropsthisisthebiggestonerightnowintermsofpercentincreaseinconsump-tionPrimomosays.HeaddstheprimaryaimofhisresearchistodevelopnewvarietiesadaptedtosouthernOntariosclimatethatcanbeplantedearlierharvestedsoonerandcanbettertoleratecooltemperatures.RightnowiftheyplantinJunegrowersneedatleast100daystogetagoodcropsoyouregoingintoSeptember.BylateSep-temberitstartstocooldownsothegrowersruntheriskofgettingchillinginjuryintheirharvestPrimomosays.Somegrowerswilltrytoharvestitearlier.Theproblemisifyoustartharvestingearlieryourenotgoingtogetthepremiumgradesretailersarelookingfor.Whileittakesmanyyearsbeforemostbreedingprogramspro-duceanysolidresultsPrimomoisoptimisticVinelandseffortswillberewardedmuchsooner.VinelandhasteamedupwithLouisianaStateUniversitywhichisprovidingtheresearchcentrewithaccesstohundredsofcrossedseedfromitsbreedingprogram.Theyhavethousandsandthousandsofcrossedseedwhichismorethanenoughfortheirbreedingprogram.TheyllsendusafewthousandseedseachyearandeachseedisapotentialnewvarietyPrimomosays.Thefrstyearwetested500seeds.Lastyearwedid900.Thisyearweregoingtotestanother500.Ofthe500initiallinesthatweretestedatVineland86werechosenforfurthertestinginreplicatedtrials.Thosetrialswereusedtodeterminethetop15linesbestsuitedforsouthernOntarioandgrowersatfourfarmsitesaretestingthemthissummer.ThepotatoeswillbeharvestedinSeptemberwithalloftherelevantdatasuppliedtoVineland.PrimomosaysthereisthepotentialforVinelandsresearchwhichisfundedbytheCanadianAgriculturalAdaptationPro-gramtheOntarioMinistryofAgricultureFoodandRuralAffairsNewDirectionsResearchProgramthefederalAgri-InnovationProgramMcCainFoodsLtd.andCampbellCompanyofCanadatoproduceacommercialresultwithinthreetofveyears.Thedemandisthere.Theopportunityisthere.IknowthataswetalktomoreandmoregrowerswecaninuencethemtostartgrowingsweetpotatoesPrimomosays.Thedemandisthere.Theopportunityisthere.Iknowthataswetalktomoreandmoregrowerswecaninfuencethemtostartgrowingsweetpotatoes.ValerioPrimomoPrimomorighthelpingtoharvestanewcroposweetpotatoes.PhotocourtesyoValerioPrimomo.HorticulturespecialistViliamZvaloletandPhilipKeddyasweetpotatoproducerinNovaScotia.PhotocourtesyoViliamZvaloPerennia. SPUDSMART.COM10PotentialinMaritimesThepotentialforincreasingsweetpotatoproductioninNovaSco-tiaandtherestoftheMaritimesissimilarlyencouragingsaysViliamZvaloahorticulturalspecialistwithPerenniawhoisalsopartneringwiththeVinelandResearchandInnovationCentre.Currentlytherearejust35acresoflanddevotedtosweetpotatointheregionandlessthan10percentofthedemandforfreshmarketsweetpotatointheMaritimesissupplieddomestically.ZvalosresearchisfocusedonvarietytestinginNovaSco-tiafertilityandcropmanagementtechniquessuchastheuseofblackplasticanddripirrigationinsweetpotatoproduction.Lastyearheevaluated11differentlinesofsweetpotatoesproducedbyPrimomoatVineland.AlthoughsomelineslookpromisingZvalosaysitstooearlytoreadanythingintotheresultsafterjustoneseason.OneofthechallengesZvalosaysheandhisresearchcol-leaguesfaceisincreasingyieldwithoutalossinquality.ThechallengehereisifweincreasethemaximumyieldwewillincreasethesizeofthepotatoesZvalosays.Thereslittlevalueinjumbos.Theyaresoldatdiscount.TheNo.1sweetpo-tatogradeiswherethemoneyis.Anythingbelowthatorover-sizedsellsatdiscountorisntmarketable.Thesugarcontentofsweetpotatoesissomethingelsetocon-sider.Wemonitorsugarcontentasitisanimportantparameterfortheprocessingindustry.HoweversincetheprocessingindustryintheMaritimesisnotsourcinganysweetpotatoeslocallyyetthesugarcontentinsweetpotatoesdestinedforthefreshmar-ketisnotthatmuchofaconcernZvalosays.WesimplywanttoknowhowthesugarcontentofnewvarietieswouldstackupagainstU.S.varieties.AspokespersonforMcCainFoodssaidthecompanyhasnotconductedanysweetpotatoproductioninCanadaforseveralyearsandhasnoimmediateplanstoresumedoingso.ThespokespersonaddedanydecisiontobuyCanadiansweetpotatowoulddependlargelyonprice.Ithinktheresabigwillingnessamongthegrowercommunitytofndoutmoreaboutthisandseeitheycancapturesomeotheconsumerdemandorsweetpotatoesthatsreallyreplacingtheirmarketrightnow.KevinMacIsaacBlackplasticmulchhasbeenoundtobeessentialorsweetpotatoproductioninNovaScotia. 11SUMMER2014ZvalosaysthatinordertoincreasethesupplyofsweetpotatoesgrownontheEastCoastsomethoughtwillhavetobegiventoin-creasingstoragecapacity.Sweetpotatoesmustbecuredinachamberusinghighhumidity85percentandhightemperatures23or24Cforupto14dayspriortobeingplacedinstorageforupto15months.Thatinitselfisachallengefortheproducerstogetintosweetpotatoesbecauseyouhavetohaveanabilitytocurethecropafterharvestandthenstoreitlongtermhesays.Rightnowwehavejustonelong-termstoragefacility.Zvaloishardlyanovicewhenitcomestostudyingsweetpota-toesinCanada.Hebeganhisresearchin2004whenheinvestigatedthesuitabilityofadozenlinesofsweetpotatoesfortheMaritimes.FurtherresearchledtothediscoverythatusingblackplasticmulchisessentialforsweetpotatoproductioninNovaScotia.UPGCsMacIsaacpredictsthatmoregrowersarelikelyjumponthesweetpotatobandwagononcehardiervarietiesbettersuitedtoCanadascoolerclimateareintroduced.Ithinktheresabigwillingnessamongthegrowercommunitytondoutmoreaboutthisandseeiftheycancapturesomeoftheconsumerdemandforsweetpotatoesthatsreallyreplacingtheirmarketrightnowhesays.Thewaythepotatoindustryusedtobeyouoftenshippedawholetractortrailerloadofone-sizedbagsoronekindofpotatoes.Thewaytheindustryisnowyoumayhaveacoupleofskidsofor-ganicandyoumayhaveacoupleofskidsofredsandacoupleofskidsofyellows.Thatwouldtinwellwiththebrokerorshipperwhosfeedingamarketplacethatrequiresseveralkindsofproduct.JimTimlickPhotocourtesyofViliamZvaloPerennia.AssistingthefarmingcommunityinitspursuitofimprovedyieldsandqualityisaprivilegeCanGrowdoesnttakelightly.OurCropKarbformulationwithinfusedBoronPlusandNutriKhashelpedgenerateresultsyearafteryear.CropKarbisatruenextgenerationbiostimulanttechnologythatdeliverscatalystchemistrywithasupplementalmobilecarbonsourcetothefruitingportionofyourcrop.BoronPlushelpssetandholdmoreoftheyoungestfruitwhileNutriKimprovesfruitsizingandbulking...awinningcombination.SeeenhancedrootactivityevenoutyoursetandrealizehigherproftswithCropKarb.3971OldWalnutRoadP.O.Box429AlvinstonOntarioCanadaN0N1A0cangrow.comEASTERNCANADAContactJaccodeLangeUtopiaOntario705-333-1231visioncangrow.comWESTERNCANADAContactHalReedTaberAlberta403-634-1671jemcangrow.comContacttheCanGrowpotatospecialistinyourarearealizetheadvantageofhighermarketableyieldsthroughimprovedqualityandquantityandjointhegrowinglistofCanGrowsuccessstories.OneweekafterCropKarbapplication.Untreated. SPUDSMART.COM12STATISTICSCANADASPRODUCTIONestimatesfor2014releasedthisJulyidentifythetotalplantedacreageinCanadaas348221acres.Overallthisrepresentsareductionof7117acresoverlastyear.AswithlastyearscropthereductionstemfromdecreasesinprocessingcontractsespeciallyinManitobaaswellasthelongwinterandslowstarttoplantingthisspring.KevinMacIsaacgeneralmanageroftheUnitedPotatoGrow-ersofCanadasaysthatdespitereductionsincontractvolumeandpricesgrowersaregenerallyoptimisticacrossthecountry.Thecontractsituationwentdownthisyearhesays.Itwentdownfrom2.5tofourpercentacrossthecountryintermsofpric-ingandvolumehasalsobeenreducedinallareasexceptAlberta.MacIsaacaddsthatintheUnitedStatesthesituationhasbeensimilarthewesternstateswereatintermsofvolumebutexperiencedpricereductionswhiletheeasternstatessawreductionsinbothpriceandvolume.HoweversinceprocessorsenteredintonegotiationswithgrowersMacIsaacsaysnewinformationhascomeoutindicatingthattheexportsituationisstrongerthaninitialreportshadsuggested.InthemonthofAprilintheU.S.frozenpotatoproductex-portsclimbedtoanewrecordhesays.AndsimilarlyinCanadatheexportsareverystrongintermsofvolumeortonnageandintermsofpricewesawaboutaneightpercentincreaseindollarvalueforfryexportsandtonnageisup1.4percent.Initiallyfrierssawanincreaseindomesticdemandforpota-toeswhichtheyattributedtotheendofalongwinterbutnumbersremainedhighintoJuneaccordingtoMacIsaac.Frenchfrycom-paniesinalotofareaswerecaughtbysurprisesotheyrehavingdifcultygettingenoughrawproductforfrieshesays.Potatoeshavealreadybeencommittedtothefreshchannelorarenotavailablethislateintheseason.Sosomeoftheprocessingplantswillstartearlierthantheywouldinthenewcrop.TheunexpectedincreaseddemandforpotatoesinCanadahasremovedsomepotatoesfromholdingswhichispositiveforfreshpotatogrowersandforpricing.StatisticsCanadaspotatoacreageestimatesareattodownor2014butcoast-to-coastCanadasgrowersareoptimistic.PROJECTIONSPRODUCTIONFEATUREPlantingunderwayatafeldarmedbyLinkletterFarmsinBelmontP.E.I.inearlyJune.PhotocourtesyoGaryLinkletter. 13SUMMER2014ItsgoodfortablepricesanditmeansthereslesstableinthesystemsaysMacIsaac.InCanadaweveenjoyedprettyde-centpricesthroughouttheyear.Weexpectedtoseemoreofabumpupwardsattheendoftheseason.Pricinghasbeenaround2per10-pounderupto2.50fora10-poundbag.Whiletheprocessingsectorbegantheseasonunderacloudduetoreductionsinpriceandvolumetheresurgenceindemandmayspellgoodnewsforprocessinggrowersdowntheroadal-thoughMacIsaacsaysthenumbersstillneedfurtheranalysis.ItsdifculttopredicthowthelatestarttoplantinginmanyprovinceswillimpacttheoverallyieldpotentialbutMacIsaacispositive.Idontseethelatespringbeinganissuehesays.Itsfunnythewaythegrowingseasoncanworktherightmoistureandheatanditsamazingwhatcanhappen.NewBrunswickInNewBrunswickpotatoacreagesaredownby416acrestoatotalof47584acres.Weexpectedaslightreductioninacresthisyearasprocess-ingcontractshavebeenreducedfortheupcomingseasonsaysLouisOuellettemarketinformationco-ordinatorforPotatoesNewBrunswick.Hesayscutsinprocessingvolumewilllikelyresultindecreasedseedacresalthoughtablestockacresshouldremaingen-erallyatorexperienceaslightdecrease.AccordingtoOuelletteNewBrunswicksplantingseasonstartedabouttwoweekslaterthannormalbutwasfollowedbygoodweather.Lastyearscropgotplantedlateandhadmorerainthanneeded.Thatbeingsaidtheyieldslastyearweregoodtoverygoodhesays.AreductionincontractpriceforfrenchfrypotatoessomegrowersexitingtheindustryandlandlimitationsduetorotationrequirementsallcontributedtoplantingdecisionsinP.E.I.thisspring.GaryLinkletterDammerdikingunderwayatWindianaFarmsinTaberAlta.PhotocourtesyofJeremyWindWindianaFarmsandPotatoGrowersofAlberta.Sofarthisseasonhasseengoodweathersothepotatoesaregettingagoodstart.Wecanonlyhopeforgoodgrowingweatherfortherestoftheseasonandthesameatharvesttime.PrinceEdwardIslandPotatoacreagesInPrinceEdwardIslandaresimilartolastyearsgures.The2014acreageisupby1500acresto90500acresintotal.AreductionincontractpriceforfrenchfrypotatoessomegrowersexitingtheindustryandlandlimitationsduetorotationrequirementsallcontributedtoplantingdecisionsthisspringsaysGaryLinkletterchairofthePrinceEdwardIslandPotatoBoard.AccordingtoLinkletterplantinginP.E.I.gotofftoaslowstartduetoacoolandwetspringwiththeearlycropgoingintothegroundabouttwoweeksbehindschedule. SPUDSMART.COM14OncetheweatherturnedaroundtheIslandexperiencedastretchofsunnydaysandthemaincropwentinthegroundinatimelybasishesays.Warmtemperaturesandraininmid-Junearepromotinggoodgrowthsofar.QuebecInQuebecpotatoacreageisupby988acrestoatotalof43243acres.AccordingtoClementLalancettedirectorgeneralofleFdrationdesproducteursdepommesdeterreduQubecseedinginlabelleprovincebegansevento10dayslaterthanaveragethisyearinsouthernQuebecalthoughweatherconditionsinotherareasremainedgood.EarlypotatoesshouldbeavailablearoundJuly10afewdayslaterthanlastyearhesays.Acreageshouldremainstableinallsectorsexceptinthechipsectorweexpectadecreaseinchipcon-tracts.Contractvolumesforprocessingshouldbeatthesamelevelthanlastyear.Wehavearolloverforprocessingprices.WhileLalancettesaysitistooearlytomakepredictionsaboutyieldhedoesexpecttoseeatleastaverageyieldsthrough-outtheprovince.LastyearQuebecfreshpotatoexportswerecutnearlyinhalfduetoaglutofpotatoesinIdahobutUPGCsMacIsaacisnotsureifproductioninthatstatewillhavethesameimpactontheprov-incethisyear.QuebecpackerswouldreportthattheyvehadsomegoodmovementintotheU.S.hesays.OnthefreshsideIwouldsaytheyandalotofotherareasofthecountryarendinganexcessofredpotatoesinthemarketrightnow.Normallyredsarepremiumbutinthisparticularyeartheresbeensomegoodqualitystoredrighttotheend.OntarioThe2014potatoacreageinOntarioisdown2500acresto35500acresintotal.InthatprovincewherethemainbusinessisintablestockandchipprocessingpotatoestheprocessingindustryhasseenacreagedecreasesataboutvepercentwhiletablestockhasremainedatorincreasedslightlysaysnotedpotatoresearcherandgrowerPeterVanderZaagownerofSunrisePotato.InOntarioweretryingtorecoversomeofourtablestockmarketforourselveshesays.Wehavetobemorecreativeaboutgettingconsumerstoeatfreshpotatoes.Thegrowthinspecialtymarketsandforspecialtyvarietiesisincreasingandhopefullythesenichemarketswilldevelopandgrowandhelpusrecoversomebusinessthatwevelost.VanderZaagsaysOntariosgrowersanticipatedalatespringduetoaharshwinterbutfarmersfoundthespringweathertobeveryconducivetoplantingthepotatocrop.ThelastpartofMayandearlyJuneweredrysothecropgotinfairlyfastaftertheweatherturnedaroundsaysVanderZaag.SomeareasreceivedalotofrainheaddsbutcooltemperaturesinJunesawexcellentemergenceinalmostallareasandtheearlycropistuberizingrightonschedule.WereveryoptimisticsaysVanderZaagaddingthatover-allyieldpotentiallooksgoodinOntario.Wedontknowwhatwillhappenbutwehavethemakingsofagoodcrop.ThetubersetwillbeverygoodwiththecoolJune.ManitobaInManitobafewerprocessingacrescontractedfor2014meansareductioninacreageby6616acrestoatotalof63384acres.AccordingtoDanSawatzkymanagerofKeystonePotatoProducersAssociationManitobasawperhapstheharshestcutsincontractsandsubsequentacreagedeclinesthisyear.Heestimatesprocessingacreswillbedowntoabout43000acreslargelyduetoMcCaincuttingfrenchfry-contractedacresintheprovincebyabout19percent.CanadianPotatoAcreageEstimates000acres201220132014Change2013-2014NewfoundlandandLabrador500500nanaPrinceEdwardIsland8950089000905001.7NovaScotia190019001500-21.1NewBrunswick535004800047584-0.9Quebec4200742255432432.3Ontario398003800035500-6.6Manitoba760007000063384-9.4Saskatchewan700070006531-6.7Alberta5594752483533341.6BritishColumbia700062006169-0.5TotalCanada373154355338348221-2.0SourceStatisticsCanada 15SUMMER2014AUTOMATICDROPHEIGHTANDDEPTHCONTROLFORPOTATOHARVESTERSGREENTRONICSCALLUSNOWFORDETAILSANDAFREEINFORMATIONKITINFOGREENTRONICS.COM519-669-4698WWW.GREENTRONICS.COMTHEGREENTRONICSRITEDROPANDRITEDEPTHDISTANCECONTROLSYSTEMSWILLSAVEYOUTIMEMONEYANDOPERATORFATIGUEATHARVESTTIME.DEVELOPEDSPECIFICALLYFORNEWANDUSEDPOTATOHARVESTERSTOAUTOMATICALLYCONTROLDROPHEIGHTANDDIGGINGDEPTH.LessBruisinganddamageinyourpotatoIncreasegroundspeedMoreprofitHappieroperatorSawatzkyalsoestimatesthatseedpotatoacreagewillbedownaboutfvepercent.Wereatabout7600acresthisyeardownabout300fromlastyearhesays.Itlookslikefreshwillbeupaboutfvepercentorso9200or9240acresthisyearversus8800acreslastyear.Delaysduetopoorweatherconditionsresultedinthecropgo-inginabout10dayslateonaverageSawatzkysays.Headdsthatyieldpotentialisuncertainatthispointbecauseofthedelayinplantingthisyearscrop.Itsquitevariablesomepeopleareanticipatingaprettydecentcroptheygottheirpotatoesinalittlebehindbuttheyfeeltheyarestartingtocatchup.TheCarmenareaseemstobeprettystronghesays.Itsmixedsomeguysareprettypositiveandforsomeguysthisisoneofthetoughestspringstheyvehad.Someguysareprettypositiveandorsomeguysthisisoneothetoughestspringstheyvehad.DanSawatzkyApotatofeldbeingpreparedorplantinginBelmontP.E.I.PhotocourtesyoGaryLinkletter. SPUDSMART.COM16SaskatchewanInSaskatchewanthe2014potatoacreageisdown469acresto6531acresintotal.DesseriAckermanmanageroftheSaskatchewanSeedPotatoGrowersAssociationsaysreportsfromproducersindicateslightlyfeweracreshavebeenplantedtopotatoesinthatprovincethisyearcomparedto2013acrossallsectors.Despitethelatespringthisyearpotatoeswentinquicklywithminimaldelaysrelatedtomoistureshesays.AckermanaddsheavyrainfallattheendofJunemayaffectsomepotatoproduc-tionbuttheextentofcropdamageisnotyetknown.Ackermansaysitishopedthattherecentlysignedpotatocystnematodetestingagreementwhichcallsforlesstestingthaninpreviousyearswilldecreasecostsforproducersandallowthemtoaccesspastmarkets.AlbertaPotatoacreageinAlbertaisupby851acresto53334totalacresin2014.AccordingtoTerenceHochsteinexecutivedirectorofthePo-tatoGrowersofAlbertaacreageinAlbertaisfairlyatwithseedslightlydownandfreshupandprocessingacresremainingaboutthesameasin2013.Growersareoptimisticduetotheirabilitytomaintainprocessingvolumesevenwithaslightcutinprices.IdontthinkwellhavethebumpercropswedidlastyearbuthowdoyouknowItissohardtopredict.ThepotentialistheretohaveagoodyearsaysHochstein.Albertaproducerssawgenerallygoodgrowingconditionsthisspring.Hochsteinsaysthatwhilethecropwentinlategoodweatherallowedgrowerstomakeupmostofthistimealthoughmanyareascouldhaveusedsomemoreheatinthespring.HochsteinsaysAlbertagrowersarealsostayingaheadofthecurveintermsoflateblightpreventionwithsomegrowersalreadysprayingfungicidesbymid-June.BritishColumbiaInBritishColumbiapotatoacreageisdownby31acresandstandsat6169acresintotal.TomDemmageneralmanageroftheB.C.VegetableMarket-ingCommissionsaysdecentweatherthisspringallowedgrowerstogetthecropinontime.Demmasaysthatiffavourablegrowingconditionspersistoverthesummergrowersareoptimisticabouttheprospectsforagoodharvestintermsofyieldandqualitycomethisfall.JulienneIsaacs PROVIDINGCROPINSURANCEFROMTHEINSIDEOUTBIOFORGEPROTECTSMILLIONSOFACRESOFWEATHERTHREATENEDCROPS.ITCANPROTECTYOURSTOO.Cropstressorslikeextremetemperaturesdroughtandexcessivemoisturecannegativelyimpactyourcropproductionyieldandbottomline.Stollersnewadvancesintheplanthealthtechnologyarenaallowproducerstoinsureagainstlossintimesofextremegrowingconditions.Bio-Forgeoffersaneffectiveprotectionpolicybydeliveringvitalnutrientsthatregulatespecificgenesthatenableyourcroptoadaptquicklytoanygrowingcondition.Itslikeaninsurancepolicyforyourcropfromtheinsideout.Get160AcresofBio-ForgeFreeREGISTERTODAYFORYOURCHANCETOWINGotowww.stollerenterprises.cawin160tellusaboutyourmosttryingweatherrelatedgrowingchallengeandyoureintowin160acresofBio-Forge.Oneluckywinnerperprovince.RegisteryourentryTODAYStollerEnterprisesLtd.1-306-528-7309 SPUDSMART.COM18FEATUREINTHESUMMEROF2012membersoftheCanadianpotatoindustryundertheleadershipoftheCanadianPotatoCouncilestablishedanationalresearchandinnovationstrategyforpotatoes.ThestrategywasinpartinresponsetotheneedfortheindustrytoprovidematchingfundsinordertobenetfromfederalgovernmentprogramsunderGrowingForward2.Thestrategyactedasacalltoarmsandinthefallof2012industrymemberscommitted2millionoverfiveyearstofundimportantprioritiesinthepotatosector.Thefederalgovernmentinturnannounceditwouldcontributemorethan6millionoverthesamefive-yearperiodfromtheGrowingForward2program.Inthedevelopmentofthisresearchstrategyindustrymembersfeltthatalong-termsustainablefundingmechanismwasrequiredastheindustryscurrentfundingwasdrawnfromtheprovincialpotatoassociationleviesandfromthegenerouscontributionsofotherindustryplayers.Inthespringof2013theCPCsmarketingcommitteecommissionedaresearchpaperonpotatopromotionbestpracticesandusedthisThisarticleisbyAlainRabeauaseniorconsultantwithGroupeIntersolGroupinOttawaandtheauthoroaeasibilitystudyonthecreationoaNationalPromotionandResearchAgencyorPotatoesinCanada.ThestudywaspresentedtotheCanadianHorticulturalCouncilinMarch.ANationwideInitiativeforPotatoesCanadiangrowersaremullingovertheresultsoarecentlycompletedeasibilitystudyonthecreationoaNationalPromotionandResearchAgency.TheauthorothereporttakesusthroughtheprocessandshareshisviewsonhowaNPRAorpotatoescouldbenefttheindustry.studyasaspringboardtothedevelopmentofanationalpotatopromotionandmarketingstrategy.Thisstrategyalsorequiresasourceoflong-termfunding.CPCCommissionsStudyInthefall2013theCPCcommissionedafeasibilitystudyontheestablishmentofaNationalPromotionandResearchAgencyforCanadianpotatoesasameanstoprovideongoingindustryfundingforbothpotatoproductionresearchandforthemarketingandpromotionofpotatoconsumption.ThestudywasfundedbygrowersaswellasAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadathroughfourprovincialadaptationcouncilsinPrinceEdwardIslandNewBrunswickQuebecandManitoba.Theprojectapplicationwasco-ordinatedbythePEIADAPTCouncil.SowhatexactlyisaNationalPromotionandResearchAgencyANPRAisaproducerorganizationcreatedundertheCanadianFarmProductsAgenciesAct.Thegoalsoftheseorganizationsaretoexpandmarketsandincreasesalesthroughgenericadvertising 19SUMMER2014andpromotionalprogramsaswellasthroughresearchintoproductattributestheproductionprocessandnewproducts.NPRAsaretypicallyfundedthroughnationalleviespaidbyproducersandimportersofagriculturalproducts.IssuchanationalagencyforpotatoesreallynecessaryAlthoughthisquestionisthesourceofmuchdebatemanyfeeltheanswerisyes.Overthelastdecadegrowershavewitnessedaworrisomedeclineintheconsumptionofpotatoesandtheyagreemoreneedstobedonetopromotepotatoesasahealthydietarychoice.Inadditionmanyfeelongoingresearchisrequiredtoaddresspestmanagementandagronomicissuesaswellasotherproductionchallenges.AdditionalfundingwillberequiredtoadvanceproductionresearchandconsumerpromotionalprogramsandaNPRAcanhelpco-ordinateanddrivetheseefforts.Anotherimportantconsiderationisthatthenatureofgovernmentresearchhaschangeddramatically.Federallyfundedresearchoftenrequiresanindustrycommitmentandthisisclearlyreectedinthestructureofgovernmentfundingprogramsthatnowrequiredirectindustryfundingaswell.HowwouldaNPRAworkTheFarmProductsAgencyActrequiresthataboardmadeupofgrowersgovernaNPRAforpotatoes.Theboardwouldalsoneedtoincludeatleastoneimporterastheagencywouldlikelyseektocollectalevyonimportedpotatoesaswellasthosetradedacrossprovincialborders.ThetermagencyissomewhatofamisnomerastheproposedNPRAstructurewouldnotinvolvebricksandmortaritwouldremainasmallorganizationgovernedbyfouroperatingprinciplesMinimaladministrativecostsLeveragingtheexistinginfrastructureoftheCanadianPotatoCouncilContractingprofessionalexpertiseforproject-specicworkRelyingontheexpertiseoftheCPCsexistingworkinggroupsonresearchandmarketingfortechnicaladviceonresearchandpromotionalprioritiesNationwideConsultationsThispastNovemberandDecemberanationalconsultationtookplacetoinformprovincialpotatoassociationsandtheirmembersonthecostsandthebenetsofaNPRAforCanadianpotatoes.TheconsultationsprovidedopportunitiestoidentifyissuesthatmustbeaddressedpriortolinganapplicationforthecreationofaNPRAtotheFarmProductsCouncilofCanada.Growersraisedanumberofconcernsduringthesecross-CanadatalksincludingWhetheradditionallevieswouldberequiredtofundtheNPRAWhetheranadditionallayerofredtapewouldbecreatedresultinginincreasedadministrationcostsThechallengeinvolvedincreatinganationalproductionresearchpromotionandmarketingprogramthatcanbenetacountryasdiverseasCanadaWhethertheCanadianpotatoindustrylacksthenancialmeanstoreversedecliningpotatoconsumptionThefactthatprocessgrowersarealreadycontributingtotheU.S.-basedAllianceforPotatoResearchandEducationMostoftheseissuescanbeaddressedthroughcarefulplanningthedesignofaresponsivegovernancestructureandongoingcommunicationamongmembersoftheCanadianpotatoindustry.ThefactremainsthattheindustryisalreadybehavinginaNPRA-likefashion.Industrymembershavecollaboratedtoproducetwoimportantnationalplansoneforpotatoproductionresearchandanotherforpromotionalstrategiesandmarketing.Furthermoretheindustryhasagreedandcommittedtofundingtheresearchstrategyandisworkingtomonitorprogressandadjustprioritiesasresearchresultsbecomeavailable.OnthepromotionalandresearchsidetherearededicatedeffortsImagecourtesyofGroupeIntersolGroup.WHODIDWEHEARFROMImagecourtesyofGroupeIntersolGroup. SPUDSMART.COM20underwaytosecurethenecessaryfundingtobeginworkoncounteringthedeclineinpotatoconsumption.TwoimportantobstaclesremaininthewayofanNPRA.FirstforanNPRAtobeabletocollectleviesoninter-provinciallytradedandimportedpotatoesallpotato-producingprovincesmusthavealevycollectionagencyinplacewiththeauthoritytocollectanon-refundablelevy.SaskatchewanwhichisCanadasseventhlargestproducerofpotatoes2013guresdoesnothaveapotatomarketingboardactivelycollectinglevies.SecondlyinAlbertaleviesarecollectedonavoluntarybasisandleviesonimportedpotatoesarerefundable.Thiscomplicatesmattersbecauseofaninternationaltradeprotocolknownasthenationaltreatmentprinciplewhichmandatesthatimportersofacommoditybetreatedthesamewayasdomesticproducersmakingamandatorylevyonimportedpotatoesproblematic.Whiletheseissuesarebeingattendedtoseveralongoingactionsarebeingcarriedout.IncreasedeffortsinbuildingawarenessoftheneedcostsandbenetsofaNPRAarethecurrentfocusoftheCPCandwillgoalongwaytofurtherconsolidatetheexistingsupportofgrowersandincreasethereceptivityofaNPRAbycommodityassociationsandimporters.ItisimportanttorememberthatthecreationofaNPRAisanextensionoftheexistingcollaborationbetweenthemembersofthepotatoindustryandwouldformalizeexistingarrangements. SPUDSMART.COM22FEATUREFUSARIUMisamajorproblemforpotatogrowers.ThefungisaysAlbertaAgricultureplantpathologistMichaelHardingcanaffecttubersallthewaythroughtheproductioncyclecausingseedpiecedecaywiltduringthegrowingseasonanddryrotinstorage.Therearewayshowevertomitigateriskandshouldthatfailwaystomanagethediseaseifitdoesoccur.FusariumisareallyimportantfungalgenusforpotatodiseasessaysHarding.Itwillaffectpotatoesallthewaythroughandallofthosestepsarequiteconnected.Ifyouonlytrytomanagefusariumatharvestyoucouldenduphavingarealstrugglebecauseofalloftheproblemsthatcomeupifyouhavefusariumonyourseedandyoudontmanageitin-season.AvoidingfusariumstartswithgoodcroprotationandsourcingcleanseedsaysHarding.Besuretocleananddisinfectcuttingequipmentbetweenhandlinglotshewarnsandpromoterapidhealingofcutseed.Finallyheadvisesgrowersnottostoreseedlongerthannecessaryandtoapplyaregisteredseedpiecetreatment.ThentheyremuchmorelikelytonotexacerbateafusariumproblemHardingsays.DuringthegrowingseasonHardingsaysgrowersshouldavoidover-irrigation.Vinekillisimportanttoohesaysasallowingvinestodiepriortoharvestwillhelptheskinstosetanaturaldefenseagainstinfection.PotatoSkinaNaturalBarrierWetendtotalkalotaboutchemicalproductsorchemistriesthatcanhelpmanagefusariumdryrotinstoragebutreallythepotatoisverycapableoffendingoffthediseaseonitsownwithitsskinsaysHarding.Fusariumspeciesdonthavethecapabilitytodirectlypenetrateahealthypotatoskin.SincetheskinactsasabarrieranythingthegrowercandotoavoidopeningupthatbarrierwillgoalongwayinprotectingthetuberfromdiseaseinstorageHardingsays.Headdsharvestshouldonlybedoneundertherightconditionsideallywhenitsnottoohottoocoldortoowet.Ifthetubercoretemperaturesarehigherthan10Ctheskinscanbeverydelicatehesays.Andifthetubersaretoocoldthentheyreverypronetobruisingandshatter-cracking.Hardingalsoadvisesgrowerstowaittoharvestpotatoesuntilvinekilloccurs.Thereasonthisisimportanthesaysissothattubersdontgetwoundedastheyareyankedofftheplantstolons.DuringharvestHardingcontinuesiftheharvesterismovingtooquicklyorequipmentisntproperlysetuptoavoidlargedropsexcessivebouncingorshakingtuberscangetbruisedandtheirskinscangetdamaged.ThatsreallyoneoftheprimarywaysthatpotatoesgetprimedforfusariumdryrotisduringtheharvesttimewheretheresallthehandlingofthetubersaysHarding.Themorethatcanbedonetominimizedamagetotheskinatharvestthatsreallygoingtoprotectthepotatoesinstoragefromdryrot.MANAGINGFUSARIUMDRYROTINPOTATOESFromplantingtostoragefusariumcanaffecttubersateverystageoftheproductioncycle.Herearesometipsforprotectingyourpotatoes.Thatsreallyoneoftheprimarywaysthatpotatoesgetprimedforfusariumdryrotisduringtheharvesttimewheretheresallthehandlingofthetuber.Themorethatcanbedonetominimizedamagetotheskinatharvestthatsreallygoingtoprotectthepotatoesinstoragefromdryrot.MichaelHardingSPUDSMART.COM22 23SUMMER2014PotatoesexposedtosunlightoverlongperiodsoftimecanexperiencewearthatcanleadtofusariumissuesaswellsaysHarding.Ifthathappensgrowerswillbelookingtopost-harvestfungicidestoknockbackapotentialfusariumprobleminstorage.RickPetersisavegetablepathologyresearchscientistwithAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada.HesecondsHardingscommentsonhowimportantitistomanagefusariumdryrotrightfromthebeginning.Thingsreallydogetgoingrightatplantinghesaysandwhatyoudoatthattimewilldictatewhathappensatharvestaswell.Inthecaseoffusariumalotoftheinoculumisfromcontaminatedorinfectedseedhecontinues.Thosesporesthencontaminatethesoilaroundthedevelopingdaughtertuberssothatatharvesttheinoculumistheretoinfectthosedaughtertubersastheyreharvestedandenterstorage.Itreallydoesstartrightatplanting.Evenwhengrowersheedtheadviceofplantpathologistsandmanagefordiseasethroughouttheplantsgrowthcyclefusariumisstillapossibility.YoudothebestyoucanbutobviouslyyoucantcontroleverythingsaysPeters.IncreasingFungicideResistanceGrowersdohaveaccesstoproductsthathelpcontrolfusariumalthoughinrecentyearstheyveseenincreasedresistancetosome.AccordingtoPetersfusariumstrainshavebeenshownasoflatetoberesistanttothiabendazolemfungicide.Growersnowhaveaccesstoanewpost-harvestproductStadiumwhichusesacombinationofthreeactiveingredientsazoxystrobinudioxonilanddifenoconazole.AccordingtoPetersdifenoconazolehasbeenshowntobeveryeffectiveagainstresistantstrainsoffusarium.StadiumwillofferanewAllphotoscourtesyofRickPetersAAFC.optionforgrowerstocombatsomeoftheseresistantstrainshesays.AsalwaystherearecautionsthatcomewithusingproductsthatworksaysPeters.Toavoidfungicideresistancedonotapplyback-to-backtreatmentswithsite-specicfungicidesorwithamedium-tohigh-riskresistance.Whendiseasepressureishighavoidusingsite-specicfungicidesaltogether.Finallyrotateapplicationsbetweendifferentmode-of-actiongroupsanduseformulatedmixtureswherebothmixingpartnersareactiveagainstthetargetedpathogen.Thatsoneofthereasonsthatathree-productmixturecanbeeffectivePeterssays.Onewayofdelayingresistancedevelopmentisbycombatingapathogenonanumberofdifferentfrontssohavingproductmixturescanbeonewayofhelpingwithresistancemanagementissues.ThereisasuppositiontherethatifyouregoingtobeusingitatplantingthenyoushouldntuseitatharvesttimePeterscontinues.Themoretimesthatitsinthemixthemoreriskthereisofresistancedeveloping.MelanieEpp SPUDSMART.COM24ROUNDTABLESuccessfulgrowerssharetheirthoughtsonbestmanagementpracticesinpotatoproduction.IntegratedPestManagementMICHELCAMPSMichelCampshasbeengrowingpotatoesathis2000-acrefarminBarnwellAlta.forthepast12years.EUGENEANTWORTHApotatoproducerforpast36yearsEugeneAntworthgrowsprocessingpotatoesathis2600-acrefarmlocatedinUpperKnoxfordN.B.THOMASHAMILLThomasHamillisagriculturemanageratMonaghanFarmsinNorboroP.E.I.whichgrowsmorethan3000acresofchippingpotatoes.PESTSINTHEIRMANYFORMSrootedwingedormicroscopicareaproblemforanypotatogrower.EradicatingweedsbugsanddiseasesinawaythatsenvironmentallysustainablebutalsomakeseconomicsenseisaprimarygoalofusinganIntegratedPestManagementstrategy.WeposedthequestionofbestmanagementpracticesinIPMtothreegrowersfromacrossthecountryMichelCampsofAlbertaP.E.I.sThomasHamillandEugeneAntworthofNewBrunswick.HerestheirtakeofthebestoftheBMPs.DetermineThresholdsTwomainobjectivesforproducersaretogrowpotatoesinanenvironmentallysustainablewayleavingtheenvironmentinasgoodofshapeasorbetterthanpreviouslywhileprovidingareturnontheirinvestmentsaysHamill.TheIPMprogramprovidesthesetwoobjectivesbyusingpestcontrolwhenthresholdsexceedeconomiclevelsgreaterthanthecostoftreatmenthesays.BMPshavebeendeterminedwithrigorouspotatoresearchtodetermineoptimalthresholds.HamillsaysabasictenetofIPMisthatnotallpestsneedtobetreateddependingonthelevelofinfestation.Thresholdsallowyearsfornon-treatmentusingfewercropinputsloweringcostswhilelesseningimpactsontheenvironment.Antworthmaintainsthatunderthethresholdprincipalthereshouldbefewerinstancesofpestcontrolproductsbeingoverusedwhichshouldcontributetoreducedresistanceinpestpopulations.Rememberthe4RsAntworthsaysunderIPMproducersshouldalwaysbemindfulofthe4Rsapplyingtherightpestcontrolproductattherightraterighttimeandrightplace.Animportantprerequisiteforthatheaddsiscropscouting.Scoutingletsmeknowwhatsgoingoninthefieldsatthegroundlevelandhelpsinmakingtherightdecisionshesays.Itsimportanttoscoutdeterminethecorrecteconomicthresholdthenapplythe4Rs.UseHigh-QualityProductsSometimeschoosingtherightproductforpestcontrolmaymeanspendingalittlemore.WeusesomechemicalsonouroperationthatarenotnecessarilythecheapestbuttheydoworksaysCamps.Hebelieveshigh-qualitypestcontrolproductswhileoftenmoreexpensiverequirefewerapplicationsbecausetheydothejobmoreeffectivelyreducingtheimpactontheenvironment.Antworthsayshelikeanyfarmerunderstandstheimportanceofgettingthemostvalueforyourmoney.AnIPMprogramwilllimitmysprayssoImonlysprayingwhenneeded.NaturallyImgoingtowanttospraytheproductthatdoesthebestjobforthebestbuck.RotateChemicalsAnessentialelementofmanagingweedsandinsectsistoreducetheirresistancetopestcontrolproducts.Oneofthebestsafeguardsforpreventingresistanceistorotateactiveingredientsandmodesofaction.Onouroperationwefollowafairlystrictchemicalrotationschedulewhereyoudontspraytwoinsecticidesorfungicideswiththesamemodeofactionback-to-backsaysCamps.SUPPORTEDBY 25SUMMER2014MakeUseofTechnologyCampssaysthesedaystechnologicalinnovationslikeGPS-equippedsprayersmakeitmucheasiertomonitorwhereandwhattypesofchemicalsareappliedonfarmersfieldsandinwhatkindsofconditions.WiththesprayerthatwehavetheGPSkeepstrackofeverythingthatyoudo.Lateronifwefindthatwehaveanissueorseethatsomeapplicationdidntworkproperlywecangobackandcheckexactlywhatwedid.WecanlookattherecordsandseewhattheweatherwasthatdayandifthatplayedafactorCampssays.TheGPShasdefinitelybeenagreatimprovement.AntworthsaysheshadalotofsuccesswiththeDacomAgriYieldManagementsystemanIPMinitiativefromMcCainFoods.Underthissystemweatherandenvironmentaldataiscollectedandanalyzedforthepurposeofprovidinggrowerswithguidelinestomakeinformeddecisionsregardingirrigationpesticideapplicationandnitrogenneedsoftheircrops.Itsaveryimportanttoolhesays.RotateCropsAntworthwhosefarmingpracticesincludeaone-in-threerotationsaysrotatingcropshelpsbreakupthelifecycleofpests.Campsusesaone-in-fourrotationonhisfarmwhichincludestworootcropspotatoesandsugarbeetsaswellasgrainandcorn.Plantingcerealsinbetweentherootcropsreallymakessensetomehesays.TheresenoughlandavailableheretodooneinfourandIfindformyfarmthatworksthebest.Campsstressestheimportanceofunderstandingtreatmentoptionsfordifferentcropswhenitcomestoapplyingpestcontrolproducts.Peopleneedtorealizehowchemicalswork.Sometimesitmightbebettertocontrolapestinarotationalcropthantrytodoitintheactualpotatocrophesays.Inourcerealcropswecanusesomechemicalstocontrolsomeweedswhicheithercantbecontrolledorareveryhardtocontrolinpotatoes.Thatleavesuswithagreaterchanceofhavingaweed-freecropwhenwerotatebackintopotatoes.PotatoharvestunderwayatMichelCampsfarminBarnwellAlta.PhotocourtesyofMichelCamps.Thresholdsallowyearsfornon-treatmentusingfewercropinputsloweringcostswhilelesseningimpactsontheenvironment.ThomasHamill SPUDSMART.COM26ReduceTillageCampssaysheemploysminimaltillageonhispotatofieldsbynotploughingthishelpscutdownonthespreadofweeds.Wetrytokeepasmuchoftheweedseedsinthetoplayerofthegroundsowegetaquickemergenceonitearlyinthespring.Thenwitharelativelyharmlessandinexpensiveglyphosatechemicalwecanburnoffourfirstflushofweeds.Antworthsaysusingaone-hillpasssystemwhencultivatingwillresultinlessfielddisturbancereducingthespreadofweedsanddiseaseswhilehelpingtoprotectrootsandenhancingtheplantsabilitytowithstandpests.ReduceErosionHamillpointsoutthatittakesseveralhundredyearstobuildupjustonecentimetreofsoilsoitsimportanttoprotectthispreciousresource.Growingcovercropshesaysisonewaytohelpreducesoilerosionbecauseitresultsinfewerbarefields.Campsagrees.Ittendstogetprettywindyhereinthefallsowetrytosowwinterwheatafterpotatoestokeepthesoilfromblowingawayhesays.PotatoesinfullbloomatEugeneAntworthsfarminUpperKnoxfordN.B.PhotocourtesyofEugeneAntworth.ImproveSoilHealthCovercropsnotonlyhelppreventsoilerosionbuttheyalsoacttofightpestswhileimprovingsoilhealth.Applyingcovercropssuchasryegrassmixedwithclovershelpstoaddsoilorganicmatter.SuchcropsalsohelptobreakpestlifecycleswhileimprovingsoilhealthsaysHamill.Healthysoilsaredeterminedbyregularsoiltestswhichwilldetermineanynutrientdeficiencies.Ifthereareanydeficienciesnumerouspracticescanbeappliedfromplantingcovercropstobuildorganicmattertousingsyntheticandororganicnutrientapplicationstooptimizesoilhealthandreduceerosion.Antworthagrees.Youneedorganicmatterinthesoiltoproduceagoodpotatocrop.Itsveryimportanttosoilhealth.BuytheBestSeedInadditiontohealthysoilhealthyseedisanotherkeyingredientforavigourouspotatocrop.Hamillsaysthatswhyitsimportantforgrowerstobuythebestseedtheycangettheirhandson.Likeinracehorsestheresahugedifferenceingeneticsforpotatoeshesays.YouwanttobepurchasingthebestpossiblegeneticsSUPPORTEDBY ConneExtraTMwww.conne.caconneextra1-855-824-7640ConneTMExtraisamoreconcentratedphosphite-basedfungicidethatisusedtosuppressdownymildewandPhytophthoradiseasesin-croponpotatoes.ForyearsproducersacrossCanadahavealsotrustedCONFINEtobringphenomenalprotectiontotheirstoredpotatoeswhenusedasapostharvesttreatmenttoprotectagainstsilverscurflateblightandpinkrot.ProtectYourCropGuardingYouAgainstPinkRotLateBlightSilverScurfNOWREGISTEREDFORFOLIARAPPLICATIONTMwww.ATPNutrition.ca1-877-538-5511 SPUDSMART.COM28INTHEFIELDITSIMPORTANTtokeepaneyeoutforColoradopotatobeetlesduringthegrowingseasonbecauseoftheirpotentiallydevastatingimpactonbothyieldandquality.Inrecentyearsfarmershavereliedheavilyonneonicotinoidinsecticidestohelpkeepthisresilientbugincheckbutofgrowingconcerntoproducersisthefactthatwhatonceworkedactuallymaynotnow.InadditiontogrowingCPBresistancetoneonicotinoidsanotherdisturbingtrendisthatthisresistanceappearstobemovingfromeasttowestacrossthecountry.AccordingtoleadingagspecialistsbothinCanadaandtheUnitedStatesyourbestdefenceagainstthebeetlestrulydependsonyourfarmschemicalmanagementpractices.VikramBishtpestmanagementspecialistwithManitobaAgricultureFoodandRuralInitiativessaystherearegrowingRISINGRESISTANCENeonicotinoidsarebecominglesseectiveinthefghtagainstColoradopotatobeetlearesistancetrendthatappearstobemovingwestwardsacrossCanada.Coloradopotatobeetleadultsandlarvaeeastingonapotatocrop.PhotocourtesyoChristineNoronhaAAFC.signsofCPBsdevelopingresistancetoneonicotinoidswithintheprovince.WehaveseensomeeldsinManitobathathaveshownevidenceofCPBresistancein2013explainsBisht.HoweverthisisafairlyrecentdiscoveryintheprovinceandisnotasextremeasinotherareassuchasinEasternCanadaandpotatogrowingregionsontheU.S.AtlanticSeaboardsuchasinthestateofMaine.Bishtnotesthatifgrowersdiscoverthepresenceofthebeetlesafterusinganeonicotinoidinsectideeitherasaseedtreatmentorinafoliarapplicationtheyshouldcontacttheirlocalagriculturerepandsendsamplesfortesting.Ifyoureldstillhasevidenceofbeetlesthentheproductyouusedhasbecomelesseffectiveanditisnecessarytochangeanduseanewgroupofchemistrieshesays. 29SUMMER2014BishtandhiscolleagueshavebeensendingCPBsamplesforlaboratorytestingtoLondonOnt.whereanongoingstudyledbyAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadasSouthernCropProtectionandFoodResearchCentrescientistsshowsclearevidencethatthebeetlesarebecomingmoreresistanttocertainclassesofchemicalsparticularlyneonicotinoidswhichhavebeenusedextensivelyforpotatogrowersinrecentyearsduetotheireffectivenessandoverallcontrol.ResearchscientistIanScotthasbeenwiththeAAFCteammonitoringCPBresistancesincein2007.DuringthistimehesseenresistanceinCPBsmovingfromeasttowestacrossCanada.ResistanceismoreevidentineasternCanadianprovincesastheyhavebeenusingneonicotinoidsmuchlongerthaninwesternregionsexplainsScott.Growersusedthemyearafteryearbecausetheywerereliable.Itsthiscontinueduseofthesameclassofchemicalsthatnowisbecominglesseffectiveasaresult.IanMacRaeisanextensionentomologistwiththeUniversityofMinnesotasNorthwestResearchandOutreachCenter.Heagreesthatoverrelianceononeorafewchemicalsspellstroublewhenitcomesininsecticideresistance.Wehavethetendencythatwhenwendsomethingthatworkswetendtokeepusingitandthissimplyisnotgoingtobeanoperablestrategyinthefutureastolerancebuildshesays.DeterminingthelevelsofCPBresistancetoinsecticideswithintheneonicotinoidchemicalfamilyisincreasinglyimportantasgrowersinmoreregionsofthecountrygrapplewiththeproblem.TheAAFCstudyInsecticideresistanceandcross-resistancedevelopmentinColoradopotatobeetlepopulationsinCanada20082011detailsthelevelofneonicotinoidresistanceinasamplingofmorethan150CanadianCPBpopulations.ThesurveyconrmedpreviousstudiesshowingthatmanyCPBpopulationshavebecomelesssensitivetoimidaclopridandthatcross-resistancewiththesecond-generationneonicotinoidsthiamethoxamandclothianidinisagrowingconcern.Resistanceandcross-resistanceisagrowingproblemsousingseveralmodesofactionoverthecourseofseveralyearswillhelptoslowtheincidenceofresistanceinCPBexplainsScott.Therearemanyothermodesofactionproducerscanuseratherthananeonicotinoidclassofchemistryhowevertheymaybemorecostlyandnothavethesamestrength.ScottsayscontinuedfundinginthisareaofCPBresistanceresearchiscriticaltobuildingthestoreofknowledgerequiredtohelpproducersghtagainstdestructivepestsacrossCanada.Bishtagreesthatcontinuedstudyisvitaltohelptheindustrytomaintaintheefcacyofproductsinthemarketplace.Furtherresearchwillhelpthepotato-farmingindustrywhichisacommunitystatesBisht.Howneighboursarecontrollingproblemsin-eldcanultimatelyaffectthesurroundinggrowingregionandproducersareveryawareofthis.PosterChildforResistanceCPBhasbeenreferredtoastheposterchildofinsecticideresistanceasresearchshowsthatthebeetlehasalreadyshownvarioussignsofresistancetosome51insecticides.SothisprovesthatmanyoftheinsecticideswealreadyusehavebeetlesthatshowresistanceatsomelevelstatesMacRae.Weneedtohusbandwhatwehaveandhusbandthenewermaterialscomingonlinesothatwedontlosetheresistanceinthenewproductsaswell.MacRaeexplainstheinsectsresistancetocertainchemicalsingeneticterms.WhenCPBareexposedtoonemodeofactionoverNeonicotinoidswereoncethesilverbulletbutnowascontrolisdroppingforsomepopulationsnewmanagementstrategiesarevital.IanScottWHEREONTHEWEBManitobaAgricultureFoodandRuralInitiativesoffersthecomprehensiveManitobaFieldCropProtectionGuidetohelpgrowerslearnmoreaboutavailablechemistrieswithintheprovincebycrop.Thebookletalsoofferstipsonscoutingfieldspestmonitoringandeconomicthresholdsofvariouspotatoinsects.Formoreinformationgotogov.mb.caagriculturecropsguides-and-publicationspubscrop-protection-guide-insect.pdf. SPUDSMART.COM30aperiodoftimeandalloftheinsectssusceptibletothatchemicalarekilledafewinsectswitharareformofagenethatenablesthemtodetoxifythatparticularinsecticidemayremainbehindhesays.AsthesusceptibleinsectsdietheonlyoneslefttoreproducearetheonesthathavethetraittomakeitresistantsaysMacRae.SowhatyouareleftwithisapopulationofCPBthatwillnotrespondtotheinsecticide.BishtnotesthatsignsofresistanceareevidentwhensomeoftheCPBpopulationdiesbutnotall.ItshouldthenbeclearthatresistanceisnowinsomeofthepopulationsaysBisht.Itsthosethathavesurvivedthatwillmultiplytheresistanttraittotheiroffspring.Buttherecanbeamixofresistancesuchasonemodeofactionhavingmoreofanimpactthananother.Thatswhenusingadifferentclassofchemistrycanhelptocontrolaresistantpopulation.PhotocourtesyoIanMacRae.AdultColoradopotatobeetles.Wehavethetendencythatwhenwefndsomethingthatworkswetendtokeepusingitandthissimplyisnotgoingtobeanoperablestrategyintheutureastolerancebuilds.IanMacRaeFromtheharvestofyourcroptoyourcustomersdock......wehaveacompleteamilyostorageproductsthatprovidesproutandpeepcontrolextendingthenaturaldormancyandfeldreshnessoyourpotatoes.3929-160Ave.EdmontonABT5Y3J7780218-7810borr14group.cawww.14group.ca14GROUPsDMNproductshavebeenalongtimecomponentoourstoragetreatmentplans.Spudstreatedwith14SIGHTincombinationwithCIPCresultinbettersproutcontrolandimprovedqualityoutostorage.Iapplyitintheallorearlyspringinstoragedependingonthenaturaldormancyothevariety.Theyholdbetterandseemfrmerwithewersproutingproblems.Wealsouse14SHIPanin-transitsprouttreatmenttoextenddormancyandaidtheappearanceoshippedpotatoes.-KentPetersonKemcoWadaFarmsWehaveused14GROUPsDMNproductsorseveralyears.Weapply14SIGHTshortlyaterweplaceourpotatoesintostorage.Ithelpscontrolsproutsandextendsdormancysaeguardingthepotatoqualityintolatesummer.14SEEDisappliedtoourseedpotatoeswhensproutinggetsoutocontrol.Itworksgreat.DougJohnFieldManagerPotandonProduceLLC 1983.Moregreyhair.Badblightseasonagain.1982Firstcrowsfeet.Worriedaboutblight.1973Firstgreyhair.Badblightseason.Coincidence1987.Highsticktothemouth.Blighteliminatedinrstround.1990.Morewrinkles.Blighttoblame.2014.Focusonqualityandprot.Blightinforaroughone.TOGETHERYOUANDCURZATEHAVEBEENBEATINGBLIGHTFOR40YEARS.Asapotatogroweryoucantrackyourcareerbyhowlongandhowwellyouvecontendedwithcostlydiseaseslikelateblight.FortunatelyDuPontCurzatefungicidehasbeenwithyoueverystepoftheway.Withpreventativepost-infectionandantisporulantactivityCurzateprotectsyourcroplikenootherpotatofungicide.Itsuniquekick-backactioncontrolsdiseaseatthepointofinfectionandinhibitsallstagesofthepathogenlifecycle.YesterdaytodayandtomorrowwhenlateblightistheproblemCurzateistheanswer.uestionsAskyourretailercall1-800-667-3925orvisitcurzate.dupont.caDuPontCurzateAswithallcropprotectionproductsreadandfollowlabelinstructionscarefully.TheDuPontOvalLogoDuPontThemiraclesofscienceandCurzateareregisteredtrademarksortrademarksofE.I.duPontdeNemoursandCompany.E.I.duPontCanadaCompanyisalicensee.MemberofCropLifeCanada.Copyright2014E.I.duPontCanadaCompany.Allrightsreserved. SPUDSMART.COM32ScottnotesthattheAAFCsurveyfoundthatthereistheneedforgrowerstoadopteffectiveintegratedresistancemanagementstrategiesforcontinuedCPBcontrol.Neonicotinoidswereoncethesilverbulletbutnowascontrolisdroppingforsomepopulationsnewmanagementstrategiesarevitalhesays.MacRaeandBishtagreethatpreventativemeasuresandproperchemicalmanagementarecriticalinhelpingghtagainstCPBresistancetoneonicotinoids.ItsalwaysdesirabletouseadifferentchemistrythanwhatwasusedintheseedtreatmentsaysBisht.Forinstanceproducersshoulduseadifferentfoliarinsecticidegroupofchemistrytohelppreventescape.AccordingtotheexpertsscoutingyourcropsearlyforsignsofCPBinfestationisalsouseful.RepeatedeldwalksincludingalongeldedgesarerecommendedbecausetherearenowsomanyareaswithCPBresistanceandbecauseofthefactthattwogenerationsofthebeetlecanoccurwithinasinglecropyear.ShannonSchindleHANLONAGCENTRE300518thAve.NorthLethbridgeABT1H5V2Phone403.329.8686TollFree1.800.461.5356Cell403.308.0341www.hanlonag.comPhotocourtesyofIanScottAAFC.Coloradopotatobeetlelarvae. Alwaysreadandollowlabeldirectionsandprecautions.ManzateandUPIlogoaretrademarksoUnitedPhosphorusInc.February2013.UnitedPhosphorusInc.630FreedomBusinessCenterKingoPrussiaPA19406.www.upi-usa.com.Builtforwherecropprotectionisgoing.ManzatePro-Stickfungicide.Formulatedtospraybetterstickbetterandworkbetter.LookingoradvancedtechnologyinthefghtagainstearlyandlateblightinpotatoesLooknourtherthanManzatePro-StickTMromUPI.TheuniqueormulationtechnologyoManzatePro-Stickdeliversuniormproductcoveragetothetreatmentareaprovidingsuperiorlong-lastingdiseasecontrolpotatogrowerslikeyouhavecometotrust.Amulti-siteprotectantungicideManzatePro-Stickhasverylowrisktoresistanceanimportantactortoconsiderintodaysdiseasemanagementprograms.ThereissimplynoimitationtoManzatePro-stickwhenitcomestogettingaddedsecurityromblight.TolearnmorecontactyourlocalUPIdistributororsalesrepresentative.YoullgotoanYlengthtoprotectYourpotatoesfromblight.sowillwe. UPCOMINGEVENTSCONFERENCESANDTRADESHOWSINYOURREGIONANDAROUNDTHEWORLD.MOREEVENTLISTINGSAREAVAILABLEATSPUDSMART.COMIFYOUHAVEANUPCOMINGEVENTYOUDLIKETOPUBLICIZEEMAILSPUDSMARTEDITORMARKHALSALLATMHALSALLISSUESINK.COM.SPUDCALENDAREUROPESept.3-4PotatoEuropeBockerodeGermanySept.28-Oct.2LatinAmericaPotatoAssociationCongressBogotaColumbiaAug.8-10OntarioPotatoFieldDayAllistonOnt.37SUMMER2014PHOTOCOURTESYOFALLISTONHERALDAug.21AllistonPotatoFestivalAllistonOnt.Aug.21B.C.PotatoVarietyFieldTrialDayDeltaB.C.Aug.14PotatoGrowersofAlbertaSouthFieldDayTaberAlta. SPUDSMART.COM38EQUIPMENTTECHNOLOGYSHOWCASEThelatestinnovationsinproductsandtechnologyforCanadianpotatogrowers.SPECIALSECTIONFormoreinormationontheproductslistedortosubmitnewETproductoeringsemailMarkHalsallatmhalsallissuesink.com.SOILMOISTUREMONITORINGTHEVALLEYSoilPro1200usesadvancedtechnologytocollectdetailedsoilmoisturedataandtoprovidepracticaladviceorgrowersonwhenandhowmuchtoirrigate.Potatoproducerswhoutilizeirrigationcanpumplessanduseonlythewatertheircropneedsusingjusttherightvolumeowatertoachievemaximumyield.PoweredbyAquaSpytheSoilPro1200isanaccuratehigh-qualitycapacitanceprobethatcontains12sensorsspacedatour-inchintervals.Thesesensorsmeasurecroprootdepthsoilmoisturesoilelectricalconductivitytemperatureandwaterpenetrationrombothrainallandirrigation.Theinormationgatheredbythesensorsisanalyzedconvertedintoirrigationschedulingrecommendationsanddeliveredtoawebsitethatsubscriberscanaccessromanywherewithacomputersmartphoneortablet.Thisreal-timedatagivesgrowerstheinormationtheyneedtomakesmarterdecisionsandirrigatemoreefciently.TheuserinteraceiswhatreallymakesourproductstandoutsaysColeFredrickproductmanagerorValley.Theinteraceisextremelyuser-riendlyandeasytonavigate.Itallowsgrowerstoeasilyseewhenandwherewaterisneededtomaximizeyieldsandusewatertoitsullestpotential.Italsoallowsuserstoseeelectricalconductivitydatasotheycanseewherenutrientshavelandedinthesoilprofleaswell.BecauseeachcrophasdierentwaterandnutrientneedsthroughoutthegrowthcycleSoilPro1200ensuresthecropsgetexactlywhattheyneedpreciselywhentheyneedit.Thataccurateapplicationcansaveanaverageoonetothreeinchesowaterperacreasgrowerslearnwhenthecropneedsmoisture.FormoreinormationontheValleySoilPro1200contactyourlocalValleydealerorvisitvalleyirrigation.com.SUPERCOULTERIMPROVEMENTTHESUPERCOULTERtillageimplementromSummersManuacturingCompanyInc.hasaneweature.TherollingbasketisanoptionalattachmentthatgoesonthebackotheSupercoulterasitpreparesseedbedsorplantingprovidingthefnalfnishorpotatofelds.Itsbeenimprovedwiththeadditionointernalscrapersthatallowtherollingbaskettokeepcleanandworkingwelleveninpoorfeldconditions.BrianPerkuhnsalesmanagerorSummersManuacturingsaysthenewimprovedrollingbasketwasintroducedthisyear.Headdswetspringsinmanyareasinrecentyearshadalottodowiththechange.TheSupercoulterismadeorgettingthatsoilopenedupandtostartdryingPerkuhnsaysaddingthatmuchothewetdirtendedupasmudintherollingbasketpluggingtheimplementupandweighingitdown.WhattheinternalscrapersdoistokeepitcleanandkeeptheSupercoulterrunningandunctioningwellinwetstickyconditions.Therollingbasketprovideslevelingandcrumblingactionandisdescribedasanidealtoolorseedbedpreparationorpotatoes.Equippedwitheightbladesoquarter-inchhighcarbonsteelthebasketis13inchesindiameterwitheightbladesoquarter-inchhigh-carbonsteel.Designedtomanagefeldresidueinno-tillminimum-tillandconventional-tilloperationstheSupercoultereaturesanexclusivehydraulichitchwhichallowstheoperatortotranserweightbetweentherontandreardiscgangs.Theunitisavailableinworkingwidthsrom15to50eetanditisengineeredwithaheavy-dutyrameormaximumdurability.TheSupercoulterandotherSummersManuacturingproductsareavailableatmajorarmimplementdealersthroughoutCanada.Formoreinormationvisitsummersmg.com.NestledinacornfeldinrontoaValleycentrepivotaSoilPro1200communicationtowertransmitssoilinormationcollectedromanundergroundcapacitanceprobe.SummersManuacturinghasenhanceditsSupercoultertillageimplementwithanewimprovedrollingbasketattachment. Box545PortagelaPrairieMBR1N3B9Phone204-239-6932mbseedpotatoesgmail.comMEMBERSAMFarmVenturesAdriaansenFarmsAlmasippiIrrigationFarmsBorderFarmsESPOFarmsHaskettGrowersKroekerFarmsLakelandSeedRodFehrLtd.SiemensSeedSouthernManitobaPotatoCo.SpruceDriveFarmsSpudPlainsFarmsSwansfleetAllianceSEEDVARIETIESACPeregrineRedAdoraAmperaAtlanticBananaCaribeCarlitaCarreraChieftanDakotaPearlDarkRedNorlandGoldRushIvoryCrispLadyClaireMonticelloMozartMusicaNorlandRangerRussetRedPontiacRussetBurbankRussetNorkotahRussianBlueSangreSatinaShepodySmartSuperiorSylvanaUmatillaRussetVikingYukonGold SPUDSMART.COM40MARKETNEWSWhileupromthesametimein2013thesupplyostoredpotatoesgoingintosummerwasstilltightwhichshouldmakeorgoodprices.CanadianPotatoStorageHoldingsbyProvince000cwtProvinceJune12014HoldingsJune12013HoldingsDifferenceChangeP.E.I.498747842034.2NewBrunswick21762351-175-7.4Quebec1812149232021.4Ontario79165513620.8EasternCanada976692824845.2Manitoba43342988134645.0SaskatchewannanananaAlberta312428862388.2B.C.1415-1.0-6.7WesternCanada74825889159327.1TotalCanada1723815172206613.6SourceUnitedPotatoGrowersoCanadaCANADASPOTATOstorageholdingsasoJune1wereupalmost14percentorjustovertwomillionhundredweightromtheyearbeoreaccordingtofguresromUnitedPotatoGrowersoCanada.InEasternCanadathestorageholdingswereupalittlemorethanfvepercentwhilethisfgurewasconsiderablyhigherinWesternCanadajustover27percent.KevinMacIsaacUPGCgeneralmanagersayswhilethenumbersareupromayearagoCanadasstoredpotatoholdingsarestilltightwhichisgoodnewsasaraspricinggoes.SuppliesreallyarewheretheyshouldbeorthistimeoyearsaysMacIsaacaddingthat2013reallywasananomalyintermsoasupplysqueeze.Lastyearthepipelinewascompletelyemptyatthattimeandtherewerejustnopotatoeslethesays.Werenotgoingtoseethatlevel.Wellseegoodpricesbutnotextraordinary.MacIsaacsaystightsuppliescouldresultinaddedpressureorarmerstoharvesttheirpotatoesthiscropyearsoonerthantheynormallywouldwhichisanissueconsideringthedelayinplantingcausedbyacoolwetspringinmostpartsothecountry.Therealityisthat90MarketinormationcourtesyotheUPGCUPGAandiindustrypartnersandBruceHuakermarketanalystandpublisheroNorthAmericanPotatoMarketNews.percentoourcropislatehesays.ONEINTERESTINGaspectothestoragemarketrelatestoredpotatoes.TherearealotmoreredsinthemarketplaceorinstorageavailableorthemarketplacethataregoodqualityorthistimeoyearsaysMacIsaac.Thatsunusualcomparedtosomeotheryears. AnopenlettertoCanadianagWhenGregStewartretiredasFCCPresidentandCEOheputhisheartintothisletterchallengingallofuswhoworkinagriculturetospeakpositivelyandtelltherealstoryofag.ReadingithelpsexplainwhyFCClaunchedAgMoreThanEverandwhyweremainsostronglycommittedtothecause.AgriculturematterstothiscountryandtheresabsolutelynoquestioninmymindthatthefutureforCanadianagricultureisbright.TheindustryisthrivingfamilyfarmsareprosperingandIseeincredibleamountsofoptimismprideandpassionacrossthecountry.Andwiththissuccesscomesaresponsibilityanobligationtothisindustrytoleteveryoneelseinonthesecretwhichisthiseventhoughitssometimestemptingtodownplayyoursuccessbysayinghowtoughfarmingisyouknowinyourheartsyoudneverdreamofdoinganythingelse.Deepdownyoureintenselyproudofwhatyoudoanditstimetoquithidinghowsuccessfulthisindustryreallyis.Itsourobligationtomakeourvoicesheardaboutwheretheindustryisheadingbecausebelievemeifagriculturedoesnttakecontrolofitsowndestinysomebodyelsewill.Soifyourebenettingfromagyouhaveanobligationtogivebackbydrivingtheoutcomeratherthanwaitingtobetoldwhattodobysomeonewhodoesntfullyunderstandorappreciatetheindustry.ThatmeansstandingupandtellingthetruthaboutCanadianagriculturebecauserightnowthatsjustnothappeningenough.SoletstakeadeepbreathandsayitoutloudtogetherAgricultureisthebestindustryintheworld.Werehonouredtobepartofit.Wecanonlyhopethatourchildrenndthesamefullmentfromwhateverpaththeychooseinlife.Wereincrediblyproudofwhatwedo.Andyes.WewanttheCanadianpublictobeproudofoursuccesstoo.ShortoffulllingmychildhooddreamofbeingafarmermycareerinagriculturehasbeenthebestrideIcouldhaveimagined.Icanthelpbeingexcitedforthefutureofthisindustry.ImforevergratefulfortheopportunityIhavehadtoservethisamazingindustryandthewonderfulpeopleinit.Thankyou.Iwishyouallgreatsuccess.Standupandbeproudyouveearnedit.AgricultureMoreTanEverisanindustrycausepoweredbymorethan300partnerorganizationsand450agvocatescommittedtospeakingupandspeakingpositivelyforourindustry.StandupbeproudFCCisaproudpartnerofthiscause.GregStewartAgMoreThanEver.ca SPUDSMART.COM42WORLDNEWSWorldReviewChinahasbeenusinganefcientsystemoembryogenicsuspensionculturesorsweetpotatogenotypessincethe1980sinwhichplantregenerationindierenttissuesviaorganogenesisorsomaticembryogenesishavebeensuccessul.Somatichybridizationhasalsobeenutilizedtoovercomeincompatibilitybetweensweetpotatoanditsrelatives.Thefrstinterspecifcsomatichybridwasproducedbyusingpetioleprotoplastsotwospecies.Cell-inducedmutationbygammarayirradiationandinvitroselectionhasalsobeenusedtoproducenovelmutants.Employingamethodcalledagrobacterium-mediatedtransormationresearchershavebeenabletoproducetransgenicplantsresistanttodiseasesstressesandherbicides.SourcePlantOmicsJournalBangladeshSCIENTISTShavecomeupwithapotatovarietyresistanttolateblightdiseasevirusesanddroughtthatwreakhavoconpotatoproductioneveryyearinBangladesh.TheNationalSeedBoardundertheagricultureministryhasalreadygivenclearancetoBariPotato-46developedjointlybyBangladeshAgriculturalResearchInstituteBariandPeru-basedInternationalPotatoCentreCIP.BariandCIPwillintroducethenewseedvarietythefrstoitskindinBangladeshorusenextseasonarmingarmerstofghtlateblightbetter.Theungalinectioncausesarmerstolose25to57percentotheiryield.Thenewlateblight-resistantpotatoisalsolikelytohelparmerssavemoneybyspendinglessonungicides.SourceTheDailyStarNEWSINSIGHTSFROMAROUNDTHEGLOBE.ChinaRESEARCHERSinChinahaveconductedseveralstudiestoimprovesweetpotatothroughbiotechnology.ArecentreportcalledSweetPotatoOmicsandBiotechnologyinChinapublishedinPlantOmicsJournalsummarizesChinasadvancesinsweetpotatobiotechnologyandsuggestsdirectionsorutureresearchinthisarea.NewChinesestudiesonimprovingsweetpotatoMexicoAUNIVERSITYoFloridascientisthaspinpointedMexicoastheoriginothepathogenthatcausedtheIrishPotatoFamineinthe1840safndingthatmayhelpresearcherssolvethe6billion-a-yeardiseasethatcontinuestoevolveandtormentpotatoandtomatogrowersaroundtheworld.FormorethanacenturyscientiststhoughtthepathogenthatcausedlateblightoriginatedinMexico.Buta2007studycontradictedearlierfndingsconcludingitcameromtheSouthAmericanAndes.UniversityoFloridaplantpathologyassistantproessorEricaGosswantedtoclearuptheconusionandateranalyzingsequencedgenesromourstrainsothepathogenoundancestralrelationshipsamongthemthatpointtoMexicoastheorigin.ThepathogenisverygoodatovercomingourmanagementstrategiessaysGoss.Tocomeupwithbettersolutionstolateblightweneedtounderstandthegeneticchangesthatallowittobecomemoreaggressive.Byunderstandingpastchangeswecandesignnewstrategiesthataremorelikelytoberobusttouturegeneticchanges.SourceUniversityoFloridaUnitedKingdomUNITEDKingdomresearchfndingsrecentlypublishedinthejournalPhilosophicalTransactionsotheRoyalSocietyshowedthatgeneticallymodifedplantsinthestudywerenotinectedbylateblight.FundedbytheBiotechnologyandBiologicalSciencesResearchCouncilBBSRCandtheGatsbyFoundationtheresearchindicatedthatPhotocourtesyoKevinMacIsaac. 43SUMMER2014resistancegenesbutinmostvarietieslateblightisabletoeludethem.BreedingromwildrelativesislaboriousandslowandbythetimeageneissuccessullyintroducedintoacultivatedvarietythelateblightpathogenmayalreadyhaveevolvedtheabilitytoovercomeitexplainsproessorJonathanJonesromtheSainsburyLaboratoryatCambridgeUniversity.WithnewinsightsintoboththepathogenanditspotatohostwecanuseGMtechnologytotiptheevolutionarybalanceinavouropotatoesandagainstlateblight.InnorthernEuropearmerstypicallysprayapotatocrop10to15timesorupto25timesinabadyearorlateblight.RDeortsareunderwaytoreplacechemicalcontrolwithgeneticin2012thethirdyearothetrialthepotatoesexperiencedidealconditionsorlateblight.Noneotheplantsinthestudywereinoculatedagainstlateblight.AccordingtoresearcherstransgenicDesireeplantswere100percentinectedwithlateblightbyearlyAugustothatyearwhileallotheGMplantsremainedullyresistantrighttotheendotheexperiment.ThetrialwasconductedwithDesireepotatoestoaddressthechallengeobuildingresistancetoblightinpotatovarietieswithpopularconsumerandprocessingcharacteristics.TheintroducedgeneromaSouthAmericanwildrelativeopotatotriggerstheplantsnaturaldeencemechanismsbyenablingittorecognizethepathogen.Cultivatedpotatoespossessaround750controlthougharmersmightbeadvisedtosprayevenresistantvarietiesattheendoaseasondependingonconditions.PotatoesareimportantagriculturalproductsandtheirsusceptibilitytoblighthighlightsthechallengeoproducingoodinasustainablewaywhileminimizingeectsontheenvironmentsaysMelanieWelhamBBSRCsciencedirector.Iwearetoexplorealternativestochemicalsweneedscientifcresearchonavarietyoapproachesandtechnologiesthatcouldhelpus.SourceTheBiotechnologyandBiologicalSciencesResearchCouncil SPUDSMART.COM44WHATHASTWOGREATACTIVESWORKINGTOGETHERTOPROTECTYOURPOTATOESFROMBLIGHTPOTATOPEOPLEPRODUCTANDBUSINESSNEWSYOUNEEDTOKNOW.INDUSTRYNEWSPeopleNewsCHCWELCOMESNEWLEADERTheCanadianPotatoCouncilhasanewleader.ThechairothePotatoGrowersoAlbertaJohnBaremansucceedsJoeBrennanasCPCchairor2014.BaremanwaselectedtothepositionattheCanadianHorticulturalCouncilCPCmeetingsheldinKelownaB.C.inMarchollowingBrennansresignationasCPCchair.MCCAINFOODSHIRESNEWPRESIDENTNORTHAMERICAMcCainFoodsLimitedhasappointedJeDeLappaspresidentNorthAmerica.DeLappbringstoMcCainmorethan25yearsoleadershipexperienceintheoodindustryandhasatrackrecordoaligningsalesandoperationsorproftablegrowth.DeLappwaspresidentoLambWestonrom2002to2010.ProductNewsFUNGICIDEREGISTEREDASSEED-PIECETREATMENTBayerCropScienceCanadahasreceivedregistrationoritsoliarpotatoungicideReasonoruseasaseed-piecetreatment.Whenappliedasaseed-piecetreatmentReasonprovidesprotectionagainstseed-bornelateblight.AccordingtothecompanygrowerscancountonReasontonotonlyprotectagainstlateblightandearlyblightthrougholiarapplicationsbutcanalsotrustitorseed-bornelateblightprotection.Asaseed-piecetreatmentReasoncanbeusedalonewhenlateblightisathreatorasatankmixwithBayerCropSciencesTitanandorTitanEmesto.NEWMODEOFACTIONAVAILABLEFORSPECIALTYCROPSBASFresearchershaveconfrmedthediscoveryoauniquemodeoactionorInitiumungicide.ThefndingshaveshownthatInitiuminhibitsungalactivitybybindingtothestigmatellinsubsitein 45SUMMER2014GAVEL75DFispoweredbytwoactivesthatCONTROLEARLYANDLATEBLIGHTwithgreatrainfastness.therespiratorycomplexIIIotheungus.BASFsInitium-basedproductsarecurrentlyavailableormorethan30specialtycropsincludinggrapespotatoestomatoeslettuceandothervegetablesinmorethan50countries.BusinessNewsN.B.GOVERNMENTOFFERSPOTATORESEARCHSUPPORTTheprovincialgovernmentoNewBrunswickisinvesting5millioninaresearchanddevelopmentprojectatMcCainFoodsCanadawhichwillseethecompanyworkwithsmallandmedium-sizedbusinessesandresearchersromNewBrunswicktopursueprocessimprovementproductdevelopmentandsoilremediationinitiatives.McCainisproviding5millioninmatchingundsorthefve-yearproject.TOMRASORTINGOPENSNEWFACILITYTOMRASortingSolutionsU.S.ooddivisionhasoiciallyopeneditsnewstate-o-the-artacilityinWestSacramentoCaliornia.Thecompanys50-plus-strongteamhasrelocatedtothenewsitewhichismorethan30percentlargerthanthepreviousbuildinginCaliornia.AccordingtoTOMRAthenewsiteincludessortingsolutionscentreswherecustomerscanseelivedemonstrationsothecompanyssortingpeelingandprocessanalyticssystemsandtrialtheirownapplications.MAINEPOTATOPROCESSORPLANS7.5MILLIONEXPANSIONNaturallyPotatoesplanstomakeanumberoimprovementstoitsprocessingplantinMarsHillMainethatwillallowittoincreaseproductioncapacityby25percentnextyearaccordingtoCEOWilliamHaggett.Theacilityisontracktoprocess40millionpoundsoMainepotatoesorthererigeratedpotatoesmarketthisyearhesaysbutthatnumberisexpectedtorisetoleast50millionpoundsnextyear.Theexpansionwillprovidethespacetoeventuallyincreasethisprocessingvolumetoroughly90millionpoundsannuallywhichHaggettmaintainscouldpotentiallyoccurwithinfveyears.IndustryNewsPOTATOBREEDINGADVANCESINNEWBRUNSWICKSome1200dierentpotatoesromthePotatoResearchCentrebreedingprogramwereplantedon35acresthisspringatAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadasresearcharminBentonRidgeN.B.ThegoalistoproducebetterpotatoesorCanadianarmersandconsumersaroundtheworld.ThePRCtakesaleadingroleintheearlystagesonewvarietydevelopmentwithgrowersandothersinWellgetyouthere.Youarehere.888.349.8656volmcompanies.comAntigoWIIdahoFallsIDPascoWA2013VolmCompaniesInc.MeetTheVolmEngineeredSolutionsTeam.Whetheryoureconsideringanewequipmentpurchaseanexistinglineupgradeorbuildinganewstate-of-the-artpackingfacilitytheVolmVESTteamcanmakesureyougetexactlythatontimeonbudgetandtoyourspecication.PackinglineintegrationandoptimizationEquipmentspecicationsourcingandinstallationFacilitydesignconstructionandcommissioning SPUDSMART.COM46COVERYOURCROPSWITHTHERIGHTRECIPEFORSUCCESSRAMPARTFUNGICIDE.FormulatedwithNOsodiumcontentforbetteruptake.thepotatoindustryollowingupwithtrialsandevaluationothenewtuberlines.DozensopromisingselectionsorcommercializationincludingsevenpotatoeswithextremeresistancetoPotatoVirusYarecurrentlybeingevaluatedbytheindustry.CANADA-U.S.AGREEMENTSUPPORTSPOTATOTRADETheCanadianFoodInspectionAgencyandtheUnitedStatesDepartmentoAgriculturehaveadoptedrevisedguidelinestomanagepotatocystnematodePCNthatwillsupportpotatogrowershelpacilitateinternationaltradeandmaintainprotectionagainstthepest.UnderthenewguidelinesseedpotatogrowerscanbeeligibletoexportthreecropswithoutanyadditionalsoilsamplingandtestingitheirfeldshavebeentestedtwiceanddeterminednottobeinestedwithPCN.DNATESTINGTOAVOIDDISEASEINPOTATOCROPSAdiagnosticsystemthattestsorsixsoil-bornepathogensthatthreatenpotatocropshasrecentlywonanAustralianhorticultureawardandscientistsattheSouthAustralianResearchandDevelopmentInstitutearealreadylookingtoadaptitorotherhigh-valuevegetables.SincelaunchingcommerciallylastyearinAustraliaPreDictaPt-theSARDIsoiltestingserviceorthepotatoindustry-hasreceivedwidespreadsupportromgrowersprocessorsandagronomistsacrossthecountry. HUGEINVENTORYATWHOLESALEPRICING.BACKEDBYOURSATISFACTIONGUARANTEE.www.GALLANTSALES.comSPECIALIZINGINPOTATOEQUIPMENTCONTACTDAVEATGALLANTSALES568BernatRd.GrandePointeManitoba1-204-254-8126davegallantsales.com2012Logan53AllBeltTelescopicPilerLightlyUsedLiveBottomboxesTelescopicPilersConveyorsEvenowHoppersClodhoppersDirtEleminatorsHarvestersWindrowersSeedCuttersTreatersPlantersPlanterFillersPolishersFeltDryersShakerSizersRollingTablesBaggersSewers....andmuchmoreIfwedonthaveitwewilllocateitforyou860DoubleL600CWTEvenowHopperNEWLogan24LiveBottomBoxNEWLogan85TelescopicConveyorOtherLengthsSizesAvailableNEWTri-SteelVegetablePolisherNEWTri-SteelFeltDryerCanadianDealerforTri-SteelMfgLoganFarmEquipment. SPUDSMART.COM48GROWINGANDSELLINGFRESHlocalpotatoesisthenameothegameorBlairandIreneLodderwhoarmabout125acresopotatoesinGrandForksB.C.TodayIdugpotatoesandtomorrowthestorewillreceivethemBlairsays.LodderPotatoFarmswhichwasstartedbyBlairsatherTonyin1956trucksoutpotatoesdailytodierentgrocerystoresinthearearomSaewayandLoblawstoQualityGreensFarmMarketandBuy-LowFoodsallwithinabouta250-kilometreradius.Blairknowsthatwhengrowingpotatoesorthereshmarketproducersmustbewillingtocustomizetheirproduct.Wegetpaidbytheunithesays.Dependingonthestorethatmightbeave-poundbaga10-poundbagora50-poundbulkbin.Wearesetupsowehavethefexibilitytoadjusttocustomersneeds.ThisyeartheLoddersplantedabout10acresoredpotatoes15acresoyellowpotatoes12acresonuggetandstandardwhitepotatoesandabout90acresorussetpotatoes.ThroughouttheyearLodderPotatoFarmsemploysourpeopleull-timeinadditiontoBlairandIrene.Duringthesummermonthssixstudentsarebroughtonboardaswellasaour-personcreworharvest.Blairsaystheytrytokeepallemployeesworkinganeight-hourdayvedaysaweek.Wewantpeopletoenjoyworkingorushesays.TheLoddersdontjustworktokeepemployeeshappytheywanttokeeptheircustomershappytoo.IlovethechallengeogrowingagoodpotatocroporthereshmarketBlairsays.Itsreallyasciencetoproducegoodpotatoeswithverylittlecullingtokeepcustomershappyandcontentwithbuyingourproduct.IyouweretojustmeetBlairhelllikelycomeacrossaseasy-goingandcarereebutheunderstandsthebusinessoarmingandisstrategicinhisdecision-making.Hesaystheirgoalishaveazero-claimcredibilitywhenitcomestoqualityconcernsromcustomers.SomeyearswemakeitandsomeyearswedontbutitdoesntpaytohaveaclaimBlairexplainsEvenwithagreatteamandthebenetsofexiblepackaginganddirectretaileraccessgoingorthemtheLoddersknowthereareotheractorsatworkthatcanmakeorbreakagrowingseason.Withalltherisksandunknownsoarmingsuchastheweatherdiseaseanddemandandsupplytheyknowtheycantputalltheireggsinonebasket.BlairrecallsaateuldayonJuly132007whenthearmscropswerewipedoutbyastormwith160kilometre-per-hourwindsandheavyrain.Itwasextremelychallengingtodecideiweweregoingtotilleverythingunderortryandsalvagewhatwecouldhesays.Wetriedtosalvageitandworkwithwhatwehadbutwelostalot.FromthatexperiencetheLoddershavechangedthewaytheydothings.WereplantingdierentproductsatdierenttimesotheyearBlairsays.Andwehaveabetterunderstandingowhatcanhappenandwhattoexpect.Aspartotheirve-yearplantheLoddersarelookingtodiversiytheirarm.Inadditiontogrowingpotatoestheyalsogrowpicklingonionsshallotsandryeorcovercrops.JulieDeeringStraightFromtheFieldtotheStoreShelvesGROWERSPOTLIGHTFornewsinformationandideasforgrowersprocessorsandindustryprofessionalsvisitspudsmart.com.onlineIlovethechallengeogrowingagoodpotatocroporthereshmarket.BlairLodderBlairLodderofLodderPotatoFarms. CrushColoradoPotatoBeetle.Turnthelightsoutonunwantedpests.DelegatedeliversrapidknockdownofCPB.Andoncetheyrehittheydontgetbackup.Toughonchewingpestseasyonbenecials.TryDelegateandseeforyourself.Visiwg.c.TrademarkofTheDowChemicalCompanyDoworanafliatedcompanyofDow.114-2222935715SS