b'eyePRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ONTARIOJason Hayden, Chairman, P.E.I. Potato Board Kevin Brubacher, General Manager, Ontario Potato BoardA cool, late spring, followed by dry weather in July and August and a wet SeptemberAt the time of writing, the Ontario potato harvest of storage crop potatoes is in full has meant another year of variable and extreme weather conditions for P.E.I. potatoswing. After a spring and summer where we saw extremes of wet and dry weather, farmers. While growers are hopeful for better yields than 2018, it is likely thatthe crop looks promising. Ontario will definitely have some fields that suffered from crops will be variable across the Island again this year. the extremely dry weather throughout the summer months, but with the help of As growers start another harvest season, industry support staff are alreadyirrigation, many fields pulled through. We are hopeful for an average yield on po-planning for winter potato education sessions. The 2020 International Potato Tech- tatoes going into storage with excellent quality. The summer crop of fresh potatoes nology Expo is scheduled for Feb. 2122 at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown,is coming to a close. Summer growers had good yields and benefitted from strong P.E.I. This highly successful international event has been held biennially for morepricing throughout most of the season. than two decades. It focuses on all aspects of the potato industryfrom seed, toOn Aug. 21, Vanessa Currie hosted the Ontario Potato Research Field Day at the soil, to growing, harvesting and storage.Elora Research Station, showcasing over 100 potato varieties for the processing The exhibit space allows for displays of the latest in field and packing machin- and table markets. The next day, Dr. Eugenia Banks hosted the Ontario Potato Field ery and technology and many booths providing information on new developmentsDay at HJV Equipment in Alliston. This event has grown into one of the largest in in crop protectants and other production support products. Information sessionsthe industry! With attendees coming from across Canada, many enjoyed that the for growers provide updates on local research and the latest in production newsevents were back to back in order for them to attend both. These are definitely and available crop input products. For information on attending or exhibiting at thetwo events you should plan to attend in the future. Thanks again to Vanessa and event, please check out the website at www.potato.expo.ca. Eugenia, your hard work and dedication to the potato industry is a benefit to us all!The Ontario Potato Board will host its Annual General Meeting Wednesday, NEW BRUNSWICK Dec. 4, in Guelph, at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre. If you are interested in attending, or becoming an exhibitor/sponsor of this event, please contact the Jean-Maurice Daigle, Director of MarketBoard Office at (519) 846-5553. Information, Potatoes New BrunswickQUBECThe 2019 New Brunswick potato crop got off to a late start this spring with cold temperatures pushing planting by seven to 10 days later than normal. DemandMichelle Flis, Marketing Co-ordinator, from processors resulted in an increase of about 1,500 acres being planted inLes Producteurs de pommes de terre du Qubec2019 compared to last year. Upgrades at the processing plants and the shortage of last years crop were the result of the increased volume demand.Fall is fast approaching and bringing cold mornings and some ground frost in Growing conditions throughout the potato belt were highly variable during thenorthern Quebec, yielding large potatoes. In several regions, harvest has already growing season, with very localized rainfall events. The effects of such variabilitybegun, and the yields are quite good. Of course, they vary depending on whether translated into the variability in set, size and yield being observed in the fields.the soil is sandy or not. Many producers are satisfied because the yields are better Early indications for the 2019 crop are showing average yields and quality withthan last year; the quality is there, and the size is generally average. Red and some variability based on growing area.yellow potatoes will be harvested later in the season. Early round varieties seem to have been affected more by the shorter and drierEven though the level of potato exports is low so far, there is nothing to worry season than later maturing long type varieties. Harvest activities are ongoing forabout; prices have remained stable since the beginning of September. Potato pro-the chipping varieties and the early processing varieties have started since earlymotion has positively influenced demand. Producers still remain optimistic, even September. Quality at the processors on the early varieties is excellent with goodthough a good crop yield is subject to good harvest weather conditions.payables, significantly higher than last years. Storage varieties should be goingHave a great harvest!into storage within the next few weeks.60 SPUDSMART.COM FALL 2019'