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Cornell Improves Global Access to Potato Breeding Material

Compiled by on June 6, 2019

By Maina Dhital Cornell’s plant breeders and geneticists have played a significant role in the improvement of the potato, having released more than 50 varieties since 1908. Cornell researchers are now expanding their efforts to make more wild potato seeds available to potato breeders around the world. With support from the Wallace Genetic Foundation, Cornell scientists continue their efforts in the Cornell-Eastern Europe-Mexico (CEEM) International Collaborative Project on Potato Late Blight control…

PEI POTATO FARMERS OBSERVE WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY

Compiled by on June 6, 2019

The inaugural World Food Safety Day is June 7, 2019 and that gives the PEI Potato Farmers reason to be proud, as we are very committed to growing the safest food possible. Island Potato farmers have a very high enrolment in CanadaGAP, which is the nationally recognized food safety program for fruits and vegetables. CanadaGAP sets out high standards throughout the entire food distribution process from growing, storing, packing and shipping food….

Cool Weather and Stem Elongation

By on June 6, 2019

In 2017, the season started with a cool spring, but not quite as cool or wet as this spring. That year, I observed abnormal stem elongation in June that affected Superiors and a processing variety. A colleague at North Carolina State University saw the same thing. It was clearly physiological, but the cause wasn’t obvious. We concluded that cool weather had this effect on a few varieties. The plants grew out of…

Northwestern European Potato Area Increased

Compiled by on June 5, 2019

Northwestern European Potato Area Increased Based upon a provisional estimation of the North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG), the area in the five largest potato countries increased to 609,000 ha of consumption potatoes. This is the largest ever. Although it is not the final area figure (final figures will be published at the beginning of July), the estimations show a growth of 2.4 per cent compared with last year and 8.4 per cent…

Only Two Years Until the World Potato Congress in Ireland

Compiled by on June 5, 2019

By World Potato Congress Ireland and a World Potato Congress are completely synonymous. Because of history and tradition, Ireland’s relationship with the potato is unique. In the late sixteenth century, the potato made its way from Peru to Ireland. It is entirely appropriate therefore that four hundred years later and following the last staging of this successful event in Cuzco, Peru, in May 2018, the 11th World Potato Congress event is to…

Investing to Attract Youth in Agriculture

Compiled by on June 4, 2019

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau was at the Centre des Moissons on June 3 to announce a new investment of up to $3.75 million that will help bring youth into the agriculture industry. The Youth Employment and Skills Program will provide funding to employers across the agriculture sector to hire Canadian youth, ages 15 to 30. “The agriculture industry is strong and growing, creating one in eight jobs which makes…

Government of Canada Implements New Regulations to Enhance Advance Payments Program

Compiled by on June 4, 2019

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced‎ that the Government of Canada has implemented the new regulations necessary to strengthen the Advance Payments Program, as announced on May 1st. These changes will provide farmers with more cash flow, providing them flexibility to manage their farm operations, adjust their marketing plans and explore new market opportunities. Strong and stable markets for our high-quality Canadian canola means more money in the pockets of our…

CIP BESTOWS SCIENTIST EMERITUS STATUS ON THREE OUTSTANDING RESEARCHERS

Compiled by on June 3, 2019

The ability of the International Potato Center (CIP) to develop and deploy science-based solutions for the main challenges faced by farmers and others involved in food systems in developing countries is the result of the collective knowledge, creativity and dedication of its researchers. In recognition of the achievements of three of those researchers – Dr. David Ellis, Dr. André Devaux and Alberto Salas – CIP Director General Barbara H Wells recently named…

Proposed Registration Decision for 1-Octanol and 1,4Zap

Compiled by on June 3, 2019

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, is proposing registration for the sale and use of 1,4Zap Technical, and 1,4Zap, containing the technical grade active ingredient 1-octanol, for post-harvest application on stored potatoes to control emerged sprouts in ventilated storage facilities only. An evaluation of available scientific information found that, under the approved conditions of use, the health and environmental risks and the value…

Hydraulic Harvester: Luxury or Necessity?

By on June 3, 2019

The biggest single improvement in harvesters in the past few decades is full hydraulic control, available only over the past handful of years. Should you be considering making a switch? On a conventional machine, speeding up tractor RPM translates to faster PTO revolution and, consequently, faster movement of every element of the harvester. In ideal conditions, optimal tractor speed matches optimal table shaking and conveyor speeds. More often than not, however, tractor…

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