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…
There’s nothing worse than seeing the crop you’ve invested all season growing get bruised, nicked or otherwise compromised during harvest. The good news is most handling damage is avoidable. Here are my top tips to ensure your crop comes through harvest in the best possible condition. From ground-opening right through until the potatoes are safely stored or shipped, equipment should be optimized to agitate/bounce/drop/roll tubers the minimum necessary (ie: the minimum amount…
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…
When is a Colorado potato beetle near a potato a good thing? When it’s part of a gorgeous, handmade ceramic potato mug. Manitoba artist Jillian Sareault uses sculptural techniques to create potato-like ceramic vessels that can be used in everyday life. Each piece has its own unique qualities and no two are identical. Sareault came up with the idea when her mother, MaryAnn Sareault, who is the conference coordinator for Manitoba Potato…
Things looked very different across the province from July 22 to 26 depending on the area. Digging of the fresh-market crop has started near Leamington, Ont. Quality and size look good. Growers are digging the earliest planted fields in the Simcoe-Delhi region, but the area is dry. “Harvest has started for us and the crop looks good. We need some rain because harvesting and irrigating are not a great combination,” said Joe Lach,…
The recently announced ban of sprout inhibitor chlorpropham (commonly known as CIPC) in the EU is causing major waves in the global potato industry. Announced in mid-June, the ban is effective on product registrations as of January 8, 2020. Grace on residue application will only be given until October 8, 2020 (a specific maximum residue limit has yet to be announced). Since the EU’s ban was first announced, I’ve been asked regularly…
Mr. Clement Lalancette recently retired as a founding director of the United Potato Growers of Canada, which was formed in 2006. He was presented with a certificate of appreciation by UPGC chairman, Ray Keenan, in Quebec City, on July 15, 2019. Lalancette is recognized for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the Canadian potato industry as a director of United Potato Growers of Canada representing the Quebec Potato Producers Association. Lalancette was the general manager…
Spores of late blight were detected in Ontario in Dufferin, Simcoe and Norfolk counties. The filters were in the spore traps from July 18 to 22. Late blight has not been reported in Ontario, but it was found in a potato field in Wisconsin and identified as US 23, a strain that is very aggressive on tomatoes and potato tubers. US 23 is susceptible to Ridomil (metalaxyl-M). New potatoes of the variety…
Jeff Miller, a researcher with Miller Research in Idaho, will be presenting his latest study on management of pink rot (Phytophthora erythroseptica) at the 2019 Potato Association of America (PAA) annual meeting. This persistent soil-borne disease causes tuber breakdown and yield loss. Miller’s field trial is looking at the effect of the timing interval between spraying a phosphite fungicide for pink rot suppression and applying irrigation water. Miller provides some background information…