The popular Yukon Gold potato was a winner at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto this year, where it topped entries in the seventh annual Seed of the Year competition (east division).

Developed by the late Garnet (Gary) Johnston, a researcher in the University of Guelph’s Department of Plant Agriculture, this enhanced yellow potato variety was recognized for its disease resistance and growing performance in North America. Its name reflects its distinctive colour and honours Yukon River “Gold Rush” country.

Yukon Gold is a medium- to high-yielding variety of potato with excellent storage qualities. The first Canadian-bred variety to be marketed with its name on the packaging 30 years ago, Yukon Gold is a household name in many regions of Canada and the U.S.

The Seed of the Year competition recognizes publicly developed Canadian varieties of field crops, forages, fruits, vegetables or herbs important to the agri-food industry as well as accomplishments of public plant breeders. Entries are judged for innovation, industry impact, value chain presence, sustainability and marketability.