True potato seeds are far from being a new innovation — discussions are ongoing about what they are and what they could mean for the potato industry. But, with new innovations come anxiety about how it might change the status quo. Questions can pop up, such as whether production will change if true potato seeds come to market? Or if you’ll need new planting equipment?
While there’s no way of knowing exactly what might happen in the future, two panelists are joining the Canadian Spud Congress to discuss what true potato seeds might mean for growers in the future.
During the Canadian Spud Congress on March 23 we hosted a very special session of Seed Speaks called “Seed Speaks — Will True Potato Seeds Affect Potato Growers?” Panelists Charles Miller, commercial director of Solynta, and Helen Tai, a potato genetics and genomics research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, did their best to pull out their crystal balls and look at the future of true potato seed.
Spud Smart caught up with Charles Miller via email to discuss what he talked about and what he’s looking forward to in the world of potatoes.
Spud Smart (SS): How long have you been working in the potato industry? And how did you end up working in it? 
Charles Miller (CM): I have been in the potato industry for just over three years. While I am a newcomer to potatoes, I am not a newbie to hybrid seeds. I have been part of the hybrid seed industry for more than 30 years. How did I end up in potatoes? Well, the idea and vision Solynta has of bringing hybrid breeding to potato to the world sounded too exciting to pass up.
SS: What is the Canadian Spud Congress/Seed Speaks session that you’re taking part in about?
CM: I will be discussion innovation in hybrid potato breeding and the impact this will have.
SS: What is the number one thing you want attendees to take away from your session?
CM: I want people to walk away with a clear understanding of the impact hybrid potato breeding (and quality starting material or seeds) will have on global food production.
SS: What is your favourite part about being in the potato industry?
CM: The potato industry (like the seed industry) is just like a big global family. It feels really good to be part of an industry with that type of personality.
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