News Archives - Spud Smart

WPC Announces New International Advisor in Kenya

Compiled by Staff on December 10, 2019

The World Potato Congress is pleased to announce that Mr. Wachira Kaguongo has accepted to become the World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) newest International Advisor. Mr. Kaguongo is an agricultural economist currently working with the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK). He joined NPCK in 2011 and has been involved in its establishment, operationalization, strategy development and resource mobilization. Over the last twenty years Mr. Kaguoungo has worked with agricultural based organizations in impact…

BASF Launches Cevya Fungicide in Canada

Compiled by Staff on December 9, 2019

BASF introduces Cevya fungicide featuring the new Revysol fungicide active ingredient (AI) which is now registered in Canada*. Cevya fungicide offers fast and continuous control of key diseases in fruits and vegetables including apples, potatoes and sugar beets. “Cevya fungicide is a systematic fungicide providing preventative and post infection control of key diseases for growers challenged with resistance and seeking to maximize their yields. The fungicide controls biotypes that may have developed…

PEI Potato Board Elects New Executive for 2019/20

Compiled by Staff on December 9, 2019

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board has a new executive as a result of its November 20 Board of Directors meeting. The board is pleased to announce that Jason Hayden will continue in the role of Chairman. Jason has been on the Potato Board for five years serving as the Tablestock Director for the Charlottetown District. He farms with his family in Pownal where they grow and pack fresh potatoes. Jason served…

UPGC Canadian Crop Report December 6, 2019

By Kevin MacIsaac on December 6, 2019

Statistics Canada has estimated Canadian Potato Production in 2019 to be up 2.4% or 2,472,000 hundred weight above the 5-yr average in Canada. With demand growing for potato products, growers in the spring of 2019 planted an additional 3.7% or 13,000 acres to meet these expansion requirements. Unfortunately, poor harvest conditions, particularly in Western Canada, have resulted in 20,296 acres being abandoned in farmers fields. This is after, what was considered a…

New Tool to Detect Blackleg Disease in Potato has Widespread Application

Compiled by Staff on December 6, 2019

The American Phytopathological Society Potatoes are important. They rank fourth among the world’s staple crops. In the United States, they are grown commercially in 30 states and valued at $4 billion annually. Potatoes are also susceptible to 160 different fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases, such as blackleg and soft rot diseases, which are caused by the bacterium Dickeya dianthicola. In 2015, an aggressive outbreak of this bacterium led to losses of greater than…

The J.R. SIMPLOT COMPANY AGREES TO ACQUIRE PINNACLE AGRICULTURE

Compiled by Staff on December 4, 2019

The J.R. Simplot Company, a privately held food and agribusiness company headquartered in Boise, Idaho, and Pinnacle Agriculture Holdings, LLC, a leading agricultural retailer, have announced Simplot’s agreement to acquire all of the interests in Pinnacle Agriculture Enterprises, LLC and its subsidiaries. The acquisition will bring together two market leaders in the distribution of agricultural crop inputs and related services. The target acquisition close date is in early 2020. “We’re thrilled to…

Reinke Recognizes Ful-Flo Industries with Gold Pride Award

Compiled by Staff on December 3, 2019

Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has recognized Ful-Flo Industries in Winnipeg, Man., with a Gold Pride award in recognition of the company’s marketing year success. The organization was honored during Reinke’s annual convention in Kansas City. “I want to congratulate Ful-Flo Industries on receiving this award,” said Reinke Vice President of North American Irrigation Sales Mark Mesloh. “Reinke appreciates the dedication they have shown to the growers…

GM Potato Trials Point to Blight-Resistant Crops of the Future

Compiled by Staff on December 3, 2019

A genetically modified potato with improved tuber quality and resistance to the devastating disease late blight has progressed successfully through the latest stage of trials. The field trials follow successful lab experiments to modify Maris Piper potatoes with late blight resistance genes from wild relatives of potato called Solanum americanum and Solanum venturii. To improve tuber quality, the modified Maris Piper lines also have genes switched off – or “silenced” – to…

Search for Post-Harvest Technologies as Farmers Battle Poor Prices

Compiled by Staff on November 27, 2019

By Michel Nkurunziza, The New Times Rwanda Agricultural Board has said that it is working with agricultural experts to introduce affordable technologies that could help store potatoes for over a period of six months in a bid to fight against food insecurity and low prices affecting farmers. Rwanda produces 916,000 tonnes of Irish potatoes every year, making the crop the third most stable for the country. Potatoes cover 3.9 per cent of…

Potato Virus Y is the Most Serious Threat to Potato — Some Strains More than Others