No other European nation has a more special relationship with the potato than Ireland. So, it is only fitting that the 11th World Potato Congress will be held in Dublin, Ireland, May 24-27, 2021. The congress will be hosted by the Irish Potato Federation, with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia (Irish Food Board), Fáilte Ireland (Irish Tourist Board) and Teagasc. It will truly be…
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researchers in Fredericton are exploring environmentally friendly solutions to manage Potato Early Dying complex (PED), a disease that is limiting yields in many potato fields in Eastern Canada. PED is a disease complex caused by a combination of a fungal disease (Verticillium wilt) and root-lesion nematodes. With few available treatments, a process called biofumigation is being used by some growers to manage PED. The process involves tilling…
The 10th World Potato Congress goes May 27-31 in Cusco, Peru, the first time the Congress will be held in South America. The 10th World Potato Congress (WPC) and the XXVIII Latin American Potato Association (ALAP) Congress is the industry’s most important scientific event worldwide. It is an excellent showcase to promote the sustainable use of potato biodiversity (with a focus on native varieties), including how to differentiate it on the market…
Wild potatoes acquired from a gene bank in Germany six years ago are producing promising results for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers trying to develop superior Canadian varieties with resistance to some of the most problematic potato diseases. Stronger potato varieties will increase yields for Canadian growers, which translates into higher profits. Dr. Benoit Bizimungu, head of potato breeding at the Fredericton Research and Development Centre, said a number of hybrids bred…
A new potato processing plant was officially opened in Lipetsk, Russia, in late April. This first Russian large-scale French fries production facility was built through a joint venture of the Russian Belaya Dacha Group and Lamb Weston/Meijer. The construction of the plant was subsidized by the Russian State Program for Agriculture Development. According to Ivan Lebedev, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, the facility is another step…
A pertinent subject for the season is calculating planting rates. Andy Robinson, extension agronomist and assistant professor in potato production at North Dakota State University, has developed a table that can help growers calculate the amount of potato seed needed to plant at different row widths, within-row spacing and seed piece size. READ MORE
EU member states have voted in favour of a total outdoor ban on three neonicotinoid pesticides that was proposed by the European commission. The use of clothianidin, imidaclroprid and thiamethoxam across the EU has been restricted to non-flowering crops since 2013 over concerns they were harming bees and other insect pollinators. The new ban goes much further, completely prohibiting their use outdoors. Farmers will still be able to use them inside greenhouses….
What is remote sensing, and how can we use it in today’s potato production systems? In this FREE webinar, on Wednesday, May 16, participants will learn about: Types of remote sensing equipment Remote sensing to assist with agronomic decisions Remote sensing in storage Remote sensing and variable rate nitrogen Presenters: Anne Smith, Ph.D., is a Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre. Her area of…
The development of new technologies and systems for the application of potato production inputs has received a funding boost at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). The National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded Dr. Aitazaz Farooque, an assistant professor at UPEI’s School of Sustainable Design Engineering a Discovery Grant and Discovery Accelerator Supplement. Farooque’s research — Development of Precision Agriculture Technologies to Improve Crop Productivity and…
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is hosting its annual convention and trade show April 24-26 in Vancouver. The conference, with the theme “Live Healthy Eat Fresh,” is CPMA’s keystone event and Canada’s largest event dedicated to the fruit and vegetable industry, with a unique forum for industry leaders to enhance their business opportunities in Canada through an exceptional combination of education and networking opportunities. More information