News on Potato Cultivation from Northern America

Jed Colquhoun, Ph.D. Professor Department of Horticulture University of Wisconsin-Madison

January 05, 2014

New Focus on Potato Webcast Covers Weed Resistance Management in Potato Rotation

Herbicide-resistant weeds pose significant economic and production challenges, particularly in specialty crops such as potatoes where weed control options are limited.

August 25, 2013

National Potato Commission hosts Oregon farm tour for US EPA regulators

During the week of Aug. 23, the National Potato Council (NPC) led a delegation of five U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees in a crop tour of the Columbia Basin growing area in Oregon.

Poor emergence of seed potatoes with glyphosate residue

August 07, 2013

Use caution when spraying glyphosate near seed potatoes

A small amount of glyphosate drifting into a seed potato field can cause thousands of dollars of damage.

February 06, 2013

DuPont launches smart pest management tool

DuPont™ Evalio AgroSystems services is a free pest monitoring tool that helps detect insect pests. Growers using the system are provided with real-time in-season information that helps them choose the most appropriate product and spray timing to achiev...

January 09, 2013

Bayer CropScience Showcases Season-Long Solutions at Potato Expo

From protecting seeds to fighting fungal diseases, potato growers face multiple challenges throughout the season and need tools to help them achieve a successful harvest. Bayer CropScience is showcasing its season-long solutions at its One World to Gro...

September 28, 2012

New harvesters a big change for the Maine potato industry

It used to be hand picking and barrels were the only way to do it, but today you're lucky if you can find someone who still does it the old fashioned way. Today farmers have turned to more modern technology to harvest their potato crop.Self run harvest...

September 10, 2012

Simplot launches 'Spray Guide' app for farmers

Plant Health Technologies (PHT), the proprietary products division of Simplot Growers Solutions (SGS), launched an innovative application for iPhone and Android smartphones customized for crop advisors, applicators, and growers.

August 20, 2012

www.ONpotatoes.ca supports irrigation decisions of Canadian potato growers

New technology is being evaluated that may help potato farmers currently dealing with near-record droughts irrigate in ways that are more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods.

July 10, 2012

Bayer CropScience acquires US-based biological company AgraQuest

Bayer CropScience recently announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase AgraQuest, Inc. for a purchase price of US$ 425 million (approximately EUR 340 million) plus milestone payments. AgraQuest, headquartered in Davis, California, USA, is a g...

June 24, 2012

EPA approves a dry formulation of Marrone Bio Innovations' Grandevo biopesticide

Grandevo is approved for use on ornamental plants and edible crops in field and greenhouse applications, and allows flexibility in air and ground applications.

June 20, 2012

Pest outlook for Canada’s potato-growing regions

Potato pests can vary across Canada’s potato-growing regions. Whether they are new or notorious, their reach and severity depends upon Mother Nature’s whims.

June 11, 2012

Florida potato farmer installs electrical irrigation system

Alan Jones, president and owner of Jones Potato Farm in Parrish, Florida, understands companies will have to attempt to do more with less in today's economy.

April 17, 2012

Maine looks to fungicides to save potatoes

Much of Maine's seed potato supply for this year is infected with blight, and the state has asked the federal government for an emergency exemption to make an effective but expensive toxic seed treatment available to growers.

McDonald's best of sustainable supply 2012

March 14, 2012

McDonald's (potato) suppliers making progress in sustainability

McDonald's just announced its 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply Chain winners by highlighting 51 stories of supply chain partners addressing challenges to help improve food sources, the environment, communities and employee wellness across the world. Man...

February 15, 2012

Bayer CropScience newest fungicide Luna now available in the US

Bayer CropScience today announced that Luna, the company's newest fungicide innovation, has received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is now available for sale, although Luna is not available in all States.

January 31, 2012

Bayer CropScience announced new web based tracking tool for growers

Bayer CropScience announced at the National Potato Expo (NPE) in Orlando, Fla., the launch of Good Growing Link, a Web-based tracking tool powered by food safety and traceability technology leader FoodLogiQ, Inc.

December 12, 2011

Researcher warns potato growers against overusing pesticides

An independent researcher in a presentation at a meeting in Oregon, Nov. 30 challenged potato growers to stop relying on neonicotinoid and pyrethroid insecticides.

October 12, 2011

Pesticide from potato farm sickens driver, neighbor.

Two people were sickened this morning by a pesticide being used at a potato farm off Route 5 in the Town of Batavia, Genesee County officials said. Shortly before 8 a.m., a truck driver delivering materials to a business at 2975 Route 5 began sufferin...