b'(Left to right): Denise LeBlanc, Jamuna Paudel and Lisa Harkness harvesting potatoes from breeding research plots at the Fredericton Research and Development Centre in New Brunswick.PHOTO: AAFCIt wouldnt be just about how much money you can offer for these varieties, but what kind of package you could offer around these varieties. Thats your marketing schemes, the scope of where you want to sell the varieties, whether its regional, national or international. Those kinds of things would be developed into an RFP, says Dickison.Another model is the consortium model. Its more of a pay-to-play kind of group of people that get together and then decide on what kind of path they want to take forward with commercialization, if its exclusive or if its a non-exclusive kind of model. The one big thing that we want to emphasize is it does not have to be one size fits all.Here are some more changes within the AAFCs potato breeding program that have taken place or are in the process of being adopted:Greater emphasis on processing potatoes. To reflect current market percentages in Canada, 70 per cent of the new selections released by the programVirginia Dickison at work in a laboratory at AAFCs Fredericton Research and Development Centre. Here, she is will be earmarked for french fry lines and the rest forloading potato DNA samples into a microplate in order to analyze genetic markers. PHOTO: AAFCthe chipping and fresh sectors.Revised Trialing Methods. The localized trialing period for the programs top varieties has beenBigger role for Canadian Potato Gene Resourc- systems are being integrated and utilized to advance shortened and the time allotted for national trialses Collection. The collection, which holds a widegermplasm enhancement and get desired traits has been lengthened so that more information on theassortment of potato resources suited to Canadasquickly and efficiently into AAFCs breeding lines. adaption of varieties can be collected over two yearsnorthern climate, will play an expanded role in AAFCsBetter protocols. The program is moving to rather than one. The aim is to increase quality overbreeding efforts. standardize its reporting process and introduce more quantity and increase the confidence industry has inGreater reliance on biotechnology. The lateststringent selection criteria for new varieties to ensure our data at the time of release, says Dickison. in new genetic techniques and data managementthe best fit for industry needs. 6 SPUDSMART.COM WINTER 2020'