The NCERA (North Central Research and Extension Activity) 205 group met in East Lansing during late March 2008. The group was composed of members from Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado and Nebraska potato industries. Michigan attendees included representatives from Walther farms, Black Gold, Lennard Farms and ABC consultants as well as MPIC and MSU. The focus of the group is on pest management and agronomic practices in the North Central region of the United States. As a result of these meetings, which have been held since 2003, it is believed that pest management and agronomic practices have been improved and optimized in the north central potato production area through the interactions of the NCERA205 group.
The north central states produce about 35 percent of the potato crop for the United States. All participants in the potato industry benefit from the interactions of this group and indeed several participate in this group to set research and extension goals important in this area. The project has met several times and some strong linkages have been established. The groups have discussed and formed research programs addressing such issues as pesticide resistance. The group has also interacted with the National Potato Council to produce three bulletins, widely disseminated and used by the United States potato industry. The group has documented and quantified impacts of climate change on the industry;storage loss issues;prevention of contamination of ground water;sustaining soil quality profitability of potato production systems and loss of potato farmers.
At the meeting in East Lansing, this year’s issues such as management of corky ringspot disease caused by TRV, resistance of CPB to insecticides, and sustainability issues were discussed. Dr. Grandy (MSU) discussed soil quality issues and the timing of application of composts. Some research needs for future impacts were talked over and included;variety development practices for production and storage with improved interaction between the genetics (potato breeding) and the pest and agronomic practices NCERA groups;impact of climate change for the region in pest management and production;sustaining soil quality within erosive production practices;continued monitoring of pesticide resistance and determine methodologies and practices that prevent its development
The north central states produce about 35 percent of the potato crop for the United States. All participants in the potato industry benefit from the interactions of this group and indeed several participate in this group to set research and extension goals important in this area. The project has met several times and some strong linkages have been established. The groups have discussed and formed research programs addressing such issues as pesticide resistance. The group has also interacted with the National Potato Council to produce three bulletins, widely disseminated and used by the United States potato industry. The group has documented and quantified impacts of climate change on the industry;storage loss issues;prevention of contamination of ground water;sustaining soil quality profitability of potato production systems and loss of potato farmers.
At the meeting in East Lansing, this year’s issues such as management of corky ringspot disease caused by TRV, resistance of CPB to insecticides, and sustainability issues were discussed. Dr. Grandy (MSU) discussed soil quality issues and the timing of application of composts. Some research needs for future impacts were talked over and included;variety development practices for production and storage with improved interaction between the genetics (potato breeding) and the pest and agronomic practices NCERA groups;impact of climate change for the region in pest management and production;sustaining soil quality within erosive production practices;continued monitoring of pesticide resistance and determine methodologies and practices that prevent its development
