b'eyeBRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTAHugh Reynolds with Reynalda Farms Terence Hochstein, executive director ofin Delta, B.C. the Potato Growers of AlbertaThe 2020 summer has treated us very well after a good spring. Good earlyAs I look back on my report from last fall, I indicated 2019 could be summed crops are being sold at fair prices. Several showers this summer have given usup with one word. FRUSTRATING. If that was the case, I have no words to a good volume of count sized potatoes grown in soft and damp soil. describe what the last six months have been like for the world and in particu-This years variety trial was in an unirrigated field and many varieties new andlar the potato industry across North America.standard showed good yields of smooth potatoesthis is not always so. AtI believe everyone is glad to see the 2019-20 crop year behind them. Here the end of August many fields are topped or just naturally timed out and goingin Alberta, even though the processing industry was able to find a home for down.their turned back contracted tons, the seed industry ended up disposing of The biggest risk in British Columbia is heavy fall rain which our clay soilsapproximately 12,000 tons of valuable seed. Not only was that a devastating cannot drain. We have a great crop in the field but need to get it into storage. loss for our seed growers this past year, but there will be long lasting effects to the entire industry, as there was a number of high generation seed lots which were also destroyed.The Alberta crop got off to a good start in April/May with good planting moisture and reasonable temperatures. What started off as timely rains in all areas turned into torrential downpours and more rain, followed by more rain. In early June, there were numerous storms across the south followed by hail, Potato Handling & Transportation Equipment which left a swath of drown outs and hailed out crops. In our seed growing areas it never quit raining.Consequently, there will be many acres unharvested due to the excess Self-Unloading Bulk Beds moisture earlier on. It does not take many acres like this to take the top of off -18-30 Length the total yields of a crop. Most growers across the province will be happy with -Painted Steel or Stainless Steel an average yield from this years harvest. Early chip and field run fry harvest -Several Unloading Belt Options -Various Tarp Optionsis underway with yields slightly below average. It remains to be seen what the rest of the harvest will look like. We wish everyone a successful and safe harvest for all.Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the annual Potato Growers of Alberta Potato Conference and Tradeshow scheduled for Nov. 17 to 19, in Red Deer, Alta has been cancelled. We look forward to hosting the 2021 Potato Conference and Tradeshow on Nov 22 to 24 in Red Deer.I hope everyone has a safe and bountiful harvest.-30-36wide Telescoping BoomPlanter Fillers and Mini Pilers-Gensets Available For on Field UseConveyors Available in 30-48 width Scan QR code to -Straightvisit our -Telescoping website or call us at:-Pivoting/Telescoping P: 204-362-0731-Trough Design Available TF:1-866-325-9374-Custom Design Available E:[email protected] SPUDSMART.COM FALL 2020'