Canadian potato farmers, facing rising production costs and increased pressure from global competitors, are always looking for ways to increase yields. Identifying obstacles limiting potato yields is part of the answer, and was the primary objective of a major five-year research project conducted in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba, which wrapped up last year. Project partners in the industry-led study included McCain Foods Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Potatoes New…
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…
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….
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…