Prince Edward Island PEI’s potato crop got off to a good start and most fields have achieved full canopy. Unfortunately, weather in the past month has been hot and dry. There have been sporadic rainfalls across the Island that have maintained the crop, but generally amounts have been insufficient. Some fields and certain varieties are now showing stress during the tuber bulking phase. A good rain is needed as soon as possible…
By Brad Pritchard, Alliston Herald You’ve eaten countless potatoes grown in the sandy loam soils of Alliston, but until now you’ve never chowed down on an Alliston potato. Well, you better get those potato mashers ready, because there’s a new tater in town that could change that. In mid-July, a new variety of potato named Alliston was officially registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, making it the first tater in history…
The World Potato Congress (WPC) is pleased to announce that Mr. Lu, Xiaoping has accepted the position to become the WPC’S newest international advisor. Mr. Lu, Xiaoping, joined the International Potato Center (CIP) in May 2011 and has since been working as its Deputy Director-General and Director of the CIP-China Centre for Asia and Pacific (CCCAP), a regional arm of CIP. His primary responsibility is heading the start-up work of CCCAP, the…
The 2019 Ontario Potato Field Day, hosted by HJV Equipment and supported by the Ontario Potato Board, will be held on Thursday, August 22, at HJV Equipment in Alliston, Ont. The event starts at 3:00 p.m. with the following activities: What’s New in Potato Equipment Display of New Potato Varieties Trade Show The BBQ, sponsored by Syngenta, will begin at 5:30 pm and everyone is welcome! Location: 5900 County Road 10, Alliston, Ont….
The World Potato Congress is extremely pleased to announce that Syngenta has become its newest Sustaining Partner. WPC President Cools stated: “The work of the World Potato Congress Inc. is only possible thanks to the engagement of a dynamic board of directors and international advisors, but most of all because of the long-term relationship with our Sustaining Partners that are investing in the activities of our organization. The World Potato Congress is…
New Annan, P.E.I. — Cavendish Farms is pleased to announce the construction of a new potato research and plant breeding centre in New Annan, P.E.I. The $6-million facility, which is fully funded by the company, is an investment in the sustainability of Prince Edward Island’s all-important potato industry. As witnessed over the last two summers, the growing season is changing with hotter temperatures and less precipitation at critical times. This is a real…
Potatoes have been a staple of Britain’s diet for half a millennium, but new research suggests that limited genetic differences in potato lineages has left British and American spuds vulnerable to the disease that caused the Irish potato famine. Plant scientists at the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute have revealed that commercial potato crops are under constant threat of late blight, the pathogen behind one of Europe’s most devastating…
The Potato Blossom Festival in O’Leary, P.E.I., may have just finished, however, driving around the Island roads this time of year is particularly beautiful as the potato fields are now out in blossom. Potatoes are annual plants, and like most annuals will produce flowers. While each variety is different, most potato varieties start to flower at about 45-50 days after planting. Some varieties have more flowers than others do, but most will keep…
The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture concluded their two-day annual meeting in Quebec City today, co-chaired by Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for Quebec. The Ministers reiterated their commitment to help Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector seize new opportunities, and tackle important challenges to ensure businesses prosper and create economic growth. Given the critical importance of exports…
Teagasc and IPM Potato Group (IPM) have been collaborating since the early 1970s when they first formed a partnership to breed new varieties of potatoes for the Irish and global markets. IPM and Teagasc signed a new fifteen year agreement in Oak Park, Carlow Wednesday, July 10, continuing this successful partnership and collaboration. Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle said: “Given the long lead times in developing new potato breeds, I am pleased…