b'FROM OUR DESKSummer 2023 - Vol. 20, No. 3Advancing the Canadian Potato IndustryPUBLISHED BY:SEED WORLD GROUP 6327435 Canada Ltd.Learning About Labs 200-449 Main Street, Box 478, Oakbank, MB, R0E 1J0Phone: 204-453-1965, Fax: 204-475-5247Email: [email protected] THE Spud Smart editorial board mentioned I should writePUBLISHERa story on diagnostic labs my first thought was, theres different kindShawn [email protected] plant testing labs? But I just nodded and said, Yeah sure, thatEDITORwould make for a great feature story. Ashley [email protected] started by asking the editorial board for some direction for theDIRECTOR OF CONTENTstory and possible contacts. From there I learned theres a network ofMadeleine [email protected] Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) labs across Canada andMANAGING EDITORthats when it got interesting, and I found out not all labs are equal.Michelle [email protected] ROBINSON,In Canada we have different levels of plant/potato diseaseADVERTISING SALESSpud Smart editor Craig [email protected] testing labs. At the top is the national laboratory run by CFIA inDean [email protected], P.E.I. This lab isnt just for anyone to use or for anyCandace [email protected] test, it handles the quarantine pests/diseases and provides approvalSam [email protected]. Next are the privately operated CFIA approved labs thatCREATE CLIENT SERVICESare licensed by the national lab. And then from there you have aAiden [email protected] mishmash of provincial and university labs that cover not onlyMARKETINGpotatoes but all regional crops. This makes for a network of labs thatCharlene [email protected] [email protected] cover different aspects of the industry and try to work in tandem/ Theresa Ramsoomair [email protected] each other.CREATIVETyping this out I found it confusing, so I can see how anyoneLesley Nakonechny, Kyle Dratowanyworking in the potato industry might too. Its a lot to follow, so I hopeDIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER I can be of help with this issues feature story Diagnosing DiagnosticRebecca [email protected] on pages 6 to 14. For this story I talked to numerous labs acrossCIRCULATIONthe country to learn how they were established, what services theyDean [email protected] and answer the question: Is there enough potato testingCONTRIBUTORScapacity in Canada? Elaine Froese, Ellen Kouwenberg, Eugenia Banks, and Kevin ElmyThis story took a wealth of interviews, and while not every personEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDwas quoted, each and every one helped me better understand potatoChad Berry, Darin Gibson, Greg Donald, Rick D. Peters, Scott diagnostic testing in Canada and North America as a whole. IGraham, Tracy Shinners-Carnelley, Peter VanderZaaglearned that those working in diagnostic testing care deeply for thoseSUBSCRIPTIONSin the potato industry and are working hard to provide the necessary is published four times a year.Spud SmartTo subscribe, please email [email protected] that they do. Its a real team effort. Canadian subscription rate is: $45.00/year plus GST. However, I do feel there are some grey areas in the testing worldInternational subscription rate is CDN$110.00/year.for Canadians. With only one CFIA accredited diagnostic lab in PRINTED IN CANADAWestern Canada, it means those in the Prairie provinces are shippingPlease recycle where facilities exist.their samples further away, which adds precious time on to receivingNo part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written results and in some cases can damage samples. Those providing thepermission of the publisher. tests work hard to get results back in a timely manner, but its not makes no expressed or implied warranties of Spud Smartmechantability or fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise, always up to them when variables, such as shipping, are out of theirconcerning the use of any product and assumes no liability for any control. injury or damage, direct or consequential, incurred from the use of It was an eye-opening story to report on and Im looking forwardsuch products or services therein. Federal, provincial and municipal to doing more stories in the future on the Canadian potato diagnosticlaws and regulations supersede the information contained within. testing world. As with all these feature stories, I use them as jumpingPublications Mail Agreement No. 40030841.off points to give an in-depth overview of the topic and then fromReturn undeliverable Canadian addresses to:there I try to provide updates as needed or delve deeper into variousSeed World Groupissues. So, stay tuned for more testing stories. 200-449 Main Street, Box 478, Oakbank, MB, R0E 1J0P.S. The Spud Smart social media world has expanded with usPRIVACY CODEjoining LinkedIn. Connect with us on our new LinkedIn page atTo view our privacy policy, visit spudsmart.com.linkedin.com/company/spud-smart/ for the latest stories, news, and SPUDSMART@SPUDSMARTMAG some never-before-seen content.We acknowledge the [financial] support of the Government of Canada.2SPUDSMART.COMSummer 2023'