News on The Potato Supply Chain from the United States

November 25, 2019

Thousands of seed potato acres in the Red River Valley will go to waste

Sander Dagen raised an exceptional seed potato crop this year. That makes it sting even more as he is forced to abandon approximately 80% of his acres because he cannot harvest them.

November 20, 2019

South Korea approves Colorado, Montana seed potatoes for chipping

As of November 12, 2019 seed potatoes from Montana and Colorado can be used in the Pacific Northwest chipping and tablestock export programs for South Korea.

November 17, 2019

After backing out of an original offer entirely, the Oregon Potato Company now offers to purchase a single NORPAC facility

US Farmer cooperative NORPAC Foods filed a motion in bankruptcy court Friday afternoon to sell its Quincy, Washington, plant for USD 93.5 million to Oregon Potato Company.

November 11, 2019

Potandon to focus on rebranding as the healthy potato company

The focus for Potandon Produce LLC at the New York Produce Show this year will be on the health benefits of potatoes, and particularly of some of Potandon’s proprietary products.

Potato infected with late blight (Courtesy: ARS / Scott Bauer)

November 08, 2019

Phytophthora infestans, causing late blight in potatoes, has a virus accomplice

A research team has identified a virus infecting Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen causing late blight in potatoes and tomatoes, that appears to increase the pathogen's ability to cause the disease.

November 01, 2019

Yield10 Bioscience Signs Research Agreement with J. R. Simplot to Evaluate New Traits to Produce High Yielding, Sustainable Potato Crop

Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. announced that it has signed a research agreement with Boise, Idaho-based J. R. Simplot Company, to evaluate three novel yield traits in potato.

Voigt: 2019 Crop Not Large, But Great Quality

November 01, 2019

Voigt: 2019 Washington Crop Not Large, But Great Quality

As potato harvest starts to wrap up across the Northwest, how does the 2019 crop look?

October 25, 2019

Joe Don Zetzsche to lead 2019-2020 PMA Board of Directors

Anaheim, Calif. – The 2019-2020 Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Board of Directors took office October 17th during PMA’s 2019 Fresh Summit Convention & Expo in Anaheim, California, USA.

October 23, 2019

Potato as effective as carbohydrate gels for boosting athletic performance, study finds

Consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise works just as well as a commercial carbohydrate gel in sustaining blood glucose levels and boosting performance in trained athletes, scientists report.

NPC: Updating ag trade situations with Japan, Mexico and China

October 22, 2019

National Potato Council updates trade situations with Japan, Mexico and China

President Donald Trump formally signed the U.S.-Japan-Free Trade Agreement on Oct. 6. This agreement locks in tariff benefits with Japan that were previously negotiated under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement but lost when the U.S. failed to ratify

October 15, 2019

Spudnik Equipment acquires STC Trailers

Spudnik Equipment Company has reached an agreement to buy STC Trailers, according to a recent press release. Terms were not disclosed. Both companies are headquartered in Blackfoot, Idaho. The acquisition will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

October 14, 2019

Side Delights Launches 'Grown Where It Matters' Multimedia Campaign at PMA Fresh Summit

Side Delights® announced today a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) video and podcast-based program that invites consumers to step into our potato fields and experience for themselves why our potatoes are 'Grown Where it Matters'.

October 14, 2019

Researchers using advanced imaging to detect blight in potatoes

Researchers in the WARF Accelerator program are using advanced imaging technology to detect late blight in potatoes, which famously led to the Irish potato famine in the mid-nineteenth century.

October 12, 2019

University of Maine has officially opened its new greenhouse

The University of Maine at Presque Isle marked the completion of its state-of-the-art, four-season Zillman Family Greenhouse with an official opening and dedication ceremony on Friday, Sept. 27.

October 11, 2019

Black Gold Farms finds an opportunity to increase shipping reliability with the launch of new company, Horizon Logistics LLC.

Horizon Logistics is a new company formed by the Halverson Family and Black Gold Farms. Headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D., Horizon Logistics is an independent, full service, asset-based transportation company serving Black Gold Farms.

October 08, 2019

US Potato Growers Asked To Watch For Tuber Moth As Harvest Approaches

Its harvest time for many in the potato industry, and those not quite to that point, harvest will be here before you know it. Washington State University’s Tim Waters said growers need to continue to watch for pests.

September 30, 2019

Black Gold Farms announces the promotions of Mike Behrendt and Keith Groven

Black Gold Farms announces the promotions of Mike Behrendt and Keith Groven. Behrendt, held the role of Midwest Director of Operations. Groven, held the role of Fresh Sales Manager and will transition to Director of Operations.

September 28, 2019

US-Japan trade deal a positive for potato industry, even without inclusion of fresh

Farmers, ranchers and many others involved in U.S. agriculture are welcoming an announcement of a mini-trade deal between the United States and Japan, a long-time, steady customer of U.S. ag products.