The World Potato Congress (WPC) is pleased to be offering its fifth webinar on Oct. 29, 2019, via Zoom in its 2019 series with Dr. Nina Zidack. The topic is “Why You Should Plant Certified Seed Potatoes.” Zidack grew up on a farm/ranch in Central Montana. After receiving a B.S. in Horticulture in 1987 from Montana State University, she went on to receive a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at Auburn University in 1993. Zidack…
The provincial average yields for potatoes on dryland and irrigated fields are estimated at 13.9 and 17.8 tons per acre, respectively. Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost) About 85 per cent of potatoes have been harvested, with yields on dryland and irrigated fields at 10 and 17.8 tons per acre, respectively Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen) About 90 per cent of potatoes have been harvested, with dryland yield…
World Potato Congress president, Romain Cools, is pleased to announce Greg Donald has joined its board of directors. Greg Donald has been the general manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board since 2009. The P.E.I. Potato Board represents P.E.I. potato producers working together to ensure long-term profitability and sustainability through marketing, advocating, negotiation and activities that support quality potato production. Donald has a BSc in agriculture with a major in plant protection from Dalhousie…
Combining methods of disease control rather than relying on a single resistance strategy can extend the durability of crops by many years, confirms computer modelling that draws on classical population genetics theory. The finding comes from assessing the spread and virulence of the pathogen responsible for late blight of potato, Phytophthora infestans. The pathogen, which caused the Great Irish Famine in the mid-nineteenth century and led to the new science of plant…
With increased input costs and skyrocketing land prices, profit margins are shrinking — it’s never been more important to have a good handle on what’s happening in your fields. Data generated from yield maps year after year provide insight on how to manage your crop to improve your profit margin, your yield, or both. Whether this is your first season or your fifth using a potato yield monitor, our guest speakers will…
During its meeting of shareholders on Oct. 3, 2019, HZPC announced that its consolidated net turnover for the 2018/2019 financial year was € 350 million ($512 million). This is significantly higher than the previous year ($443 million). The gross margin amounts to € 64 million ($80 million last year) and the net result increased from € 4.7 million ($6.8 million) to € 9.4 million ($13.7 million). The dividend on HZPC certificates is…
Production of frozen potatoes in Russia for the period 2014-18 increased from 4.7 thousand tons to 42.4 thousand tons. This was reported by RBC with reference to the Analysis of the Frozen Potato Market in Russia, prepared by BusinesStat. Analysts noted that until 2018, frozen potatoes for fast food chains were mainly imported. According to this study, in 2014-17 annual production output ranged from 4.6 thousand tons to 6.1 thousand tons, and the main growth in…
Cavendish Farms’ newest plant is officially open for business. The announcement was made at a ceremony held Oct. 3 at the new Lethbridge frozen potato processing facility. Cavendish Farms President Robert K. Irving was joined by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman and other dignitaries to celebrate the largest private sector investment in the history of the City of Lethbridge. “It is a great day for Lethbridge and for our…
The provincial average yields for potatoes on dryland and irrigated fields are estimated at 11.6 and 17.8 tons per acre, respectively. Yields so far for irrigated dry beans are reported at 2,700 pounds per acre and 28.6 tons per acre for sugar beets. Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost) About 69 per cent of potatoes have now been harvested, with yields on dryland and irrigated fields estimated at 10 and…
With the planet facing an urgent climate situation, the global food system must become more sustainable. Producing more with less, and protecting the vibrancy of the land by enhancing biodiversity and soil health are critical priorities within agriculture to feed a growing population, responsibly. McCain Foods has long recognized the importance of farms to communities – and the broader world. It is for this reason that McCain Foods has today announced its…