News on The Potato Supply Chain from Northern America

January 06, 2012

USPB's smartphone app caters to growers

Technology was evident in virtually every booth at the Potato Expo 2012, and the U.S. Potato Board’s booth was no exception.

January 06, 2012

United Potato’s bright start shines less brightly

A late December report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture has added another perspective on the current drama surrounding the Salt Lake City-based United Potato Growers of America.

January 05, 2012

Potato Expo 2012 the largest gathering of the potato industry in North America

This week, nearly 1,500 attendees from a dozen countries have traveled to Orlando, Florida, to share the latest in agriculture information and innovations. But this event is more than just numbers;it's about the bottom line. POTATO EXPO offers attend...

December 21, 2011

US Potato Board conducts cut-seed trials overseas

This was the first year the U.S. Potato Board conducted cut-seed potato trials overseas.

December 21, 2011

Canadian spud farmer stuck in Lebanese jail for Christmas

Two senators who recently visited a New Brunswick man held in a Lebanese prison since March say his health is quickly deteriorating and could only get worse.

December 21, 2011

Zebra chip nearly destroys US potato business

Zebra chip disease nearly destroyed a large USA potato growing business, its owner and chief executive told the Cambridge University Potato Growers Research Association conference earlier this month.

Agrow simply season and steam petite red potatoes

December 20, 2011

Steam bag lets consumers give potatoes a 'home-made' taste

M&Q Packaging Corporation working closely with customer Agrow Fresh Produce Company of Chicago, IL has provided its MQ36 dual-ovenable steam bag as a key component in Agrow Fresh’s “Simply Season & Steam” fresh petite red potatoes.

December 20, 2011

US fall potato production up 6 percent

Despite below-average yields in many States, a 7-percent increase in harvested area boosted U.S. production of fall potatoes to an estimated 387.4 million hundredweight (cwt), 6 percent above last year’s crop.

December 16, 2011

Idaho potato industry eyes Mexico, Brazil

Potato industry representatives who met with top-level officials of major food companies during Idaho's trade mission to Mexico and Brazil believe the meetings will translate into more sales of frozen spud products in Mexico.

December 15, 2011

Idaho Potato Commission Gears Up for Inaugural Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl on December 17th

When the Utah State Aggies and the University of Ohio Bobcats go head to head in the inaugural Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl, there will be no question that the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is sponsoring the "spudtacular"showdown.

December 14, 2011

United Potato not protected from charges of illegal supply reduction

The Capper-Volstead Act does not protect United Potato Growers of America from charges it illegally reduced the supply of potatoes in order to raise prices.

December 14, 2011

New McDonald's ad touts quality ingredients

McDonald’s Corp. previewed a new ad campaign Wednesday on Twitter, sharing a 15-second commercial that showcases the brand’s ingredients and recognizes the farmers and ranchers in its supply chain.

December 14, 2011

National Fry Processor Trials identify lower acrylamide clones

The first acrylamide test results have become available from the Washington and Idaho National Fry Processor Trials (NFPT).

December 13, 2011

Potato farmer Tepper out of jail if Canada asks Lebanon, suggests lawyer

The lawyer for a New Brunswick potato farmer who has been jailed in Lebanon for the past nine months says that a letter from Ottawa (Canadian Government) is all that's needed to free his client. Henk Tepper, 44, has been held in a Beirut prison since ...

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.

Potato Variety Management Institute (PVMI)

December 12, 2011

Industry officials in the US tout benefits of colorful spuds

Potato industry officials are touting the health benefits of three colorful new varieties developed by the Tri-State Potato Research and Breeding Program in the US.

December 08, 2011

Airstore Inflatable potato storage fails to raise interest in Idaho

The creators of a massive, inflatable potato cellar that recently hit the market promise their product will cut costs dramatically for growers in need of short-term storage while their spuds await processing. Idaho growers, however, say the Airstore, ...

December 08, 2011

The November FAO Food Price Index nearly unchanged from October

FAO Food Price Index November 2011 The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 215 points in November 2011, marginally (1 point) down from October and 10 percent (23 points) below its February 2011 peak. Among the various commodities, a recovery of...