News on The Potato Supply Chain from Northern America

NPPGA President Chuck Gunnerson presents the 2012 NPPGA MSA to Susie Thompson

February 26, 2012

Susie Thompson Wins NPPGA Meritorious Service Award

Asunta (Susie) Thompson is the winner of the 2012 NPPGA Meritorious Service Award. It was presented to her at NPPGA's annual banquet. This comes on the heals of winning a Meritorious Service Award from the National Potato Council in January. Dr. Thom...

February 26, 2012

US Potato research threatened by budget cuts

President Obama's budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 proposes cutting $700 million in the USDA's spending levels.The amount represents a 3 percent cut from FY 2012 USDA spending levels.

Carl Hoverson (right) receives the gavel from Jeff VanRay

February 23, 2012

Carl Hoverson Becomes New NPPGA Chairman

For the second consecutive year, a large process potato grower will head the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association. Jeff VanRay from Pingree, North Dakota passed the gavel to Larimore, North Dakota grower Carl Hoverson at last Tuesday's annual b...

February 22, 2012

International Potato Technology Expo 2012 in Charlottetown starts friday

The International Potato Technology Expo returns to the Charlottetown Civic Centre February 24-25, 2012. This popular event has been running in Charlottetown every two years since 1992. Over the years, this has become a must-attend industry event for...

February 19, 2012

Health Benefits Idaho Potatoes promoted by Denise Austin

Denise Austin, the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) long-time spokesperson, celebrated American Heart Month on behalf of the IPC with two major initiatives: a 35-city satellite media tour (SMT) and an online re-release of the IPC's national television c...

February 19, 2012

Nine in 10 U.S. adults get too much sodium every day

Nearly all Americans consume much more sodium than they should, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of the sodium comes from common restaurant or grocery store items.

February 18, 2012

EU and US sign historic organic trade agreement

The European Union and the United States announced today that beginning June 1, 2012, organic products certified in Europe or in the United States may be sold as organic in either region.

February 16, 2012

US Secretary Vilsack Names National Potato Promotion Board Members

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed 33 representatives to serve on the National Potato Promotion Board. Members will serve a three-year term of office ending in February 2015. Newly appointed members representing producers include: Jared W. Fi...

February 16, 2012

Nematode restrictions New York State Potato Farms lifted for 300.000 acres.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine today announced that the Department, in conjunction with USDA, is removing more than 300,000 acres from regulation for golden nematode.

February 16, 2012

Spuds, science and success in the US

The U.S, potato industry enjoyed a lot of success in 2011, including rising consumption and a big win on a controversial proposal that would have limited spuds in school cafeterias, potato boosters say.

February 15, 2012

Biobased approaches examined in fight against zebra chip

Thanks to investigations by scientists-turned-detectives with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other agencies, potato growers in the western United States and abroad now know the identities of the pathogen-insect duo responsible for outbre...

February 15, 2012

Canada: Potato shortage on Prince Edward Island could lead to better prices

A potato shortage on the Island could help farmers get paid more for their product, says a spokesman for the P.E.I. Potato Board.

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.

February 14, 2012

MSU Potato Lab looks to new colorful spuds to boost seed potato industry

A potato that's purple on the outside and yellow on the inside is one of four new varieties coming to Montana to help attract new markets for the state's $40 million seed potato industry, says Nina Zidack, director of the Montana State University Potato Lab.

February 14, 2012

Wisconsin chip potato research

UW-Madison scientists collaborate with the Wisconsin Potato &Vegetable Growers Association in a continual effort to improve the state's chipping potatoes.

February 14, 2012

Maine potato industry expecting crop losses of 25 to 30 percent

Last fall, Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board, summed up the entire growing season as “challenging.”

February 10, 2012

Andy Jensen Named Pacific Northwest Potato Regional Research Director

The three Pacific Northwest Potato Commissions, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), the Oregon Potato Commission (OPC) and the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) have entered into an agreement to hire a Pacific Northwest Potato Regional Research ...

February 08, 2012

Gregg Halverson of Black Gold Farms receives 2012 top producer of the year award

The Top Producer Seminar annually features the Top Producer of the Year award. This year, Gregg Halverson of Black Gold Farms, a 20,000-acre potato operation based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, won the prestigious honor. Other outstanding producers who...