News on The Potato Supply Chain from the United States

June 19, 2012

NDSU Potato Blightline - Recommendations for June 18

Late blight has not been reported in North Dakota, Minnesota or Manitoba. With the fair weather, late blight severity values are unchanged since Friday.

June 19, 2012

Pennsylvania potato, tomato growers hit by late blight, should remain vigilant

Late blight, the same disease that caused Ireland's potato famine in the 19th century, was confirmed in three Pennsylvania counties last week.

June 15, 2012

Idaho growers told to intensify hunt for potato psyllids

Researchers recommend potato growers in the Pacific Northwest intensify their field scouting programs for the potato psyllids that spread the crop disease zebra chip.

June 14, 2012

US Russet markets sluggish heading into summer

Wisconsin potato grower-shippers don’t see an end to sluggish markets before new-crop harvests later this summer.

June 13, 2012

US potato industry conducting its annual in-person crop survey

Rather than relying solely on acreage estimates from a USDA growers' survey, the U.S. potato industry is physically visiting every spud field in Idaho and other major potato production areas for a fourth year.

June 13, 2012

Potato farms sprout in Georgia

The US State Georgia is known for its peaches, its poultry, its peanuts and pecans — but not so much for its potatoes. However, at least two farming operations in Decatur County have made potatoes a successful crop.

June 13, 2012

'Locally Grown' Red Potatoes from Black Gold Farms

Black Gold Farms, an industry leader in the potato industry, has kicked off their summer red potato harvest with a five-month, locally grown program. The locally grown program transitions through all of their summer potato growing locations.

June 12, 2012

US potato growers eye expanding sales to entire Mexican market

US potato growers hope that this could be the year they are allowed to ship fresh spuds into all of Mexico, which would be a $120 million opportunity.

June 12, 2012

Volunteer spuds could serve as source of zebra chip infection

Oregon State University researchers say they've found two fields in their region harboring thousands of volunteer potato plants infected with the Liberibacter bacterium that causes the crop disease zebra chip.

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.

June 05, 2012

National Potato Council met with Mexican Ambassador to discuss market access

Last week, National Potato Council (NPC) Executive Vice President and CEO John Keeling met with Mexico's Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan to discuss access to the Mexican potato market for fresh U.S.

June 05, 2012

Potandon Produce introduces new lines of microwavable potatoes

Potandon Produce is pleased to announce that the newest addition to its growing family of Klondike Brands, Klondike Goldust Express will be available early June 2012.

June 04, 2012

North Dakota State University Potato Blightline to Operate in 2012

The Plant Pathology Department at North Dakota State University will again be providing the potato Blightline service at no charge to the potato industry of North Dakota and western Minnesota in 2012.

June 01, 2012

Wet weather forcing Florida farmers to rush potatoes out of fields

Heavy rains recently have increased risk of rot in some areas of Florida's potato fields.

May 31, 2012

FPSA Foundation Awards Career Development Scholarships

The Foundation of the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FFPSA) is pleased to announce the recipients of ten $3,000 Career Development Scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year. Winners of these ten scholarships include family members of employe...

May 31, 2012

US processors reject spuds treated with Bayer fungicide

J.R. Simplot Co. and Lamb Weston have informed potato growers in Idaho that they will not be accepting produce that has been treated with Bayer CropScience's Luna Tranquility.

May 30, 2012

NDSU Names Boerboom Extension Director

Chris Boerboom is the new director of the North Dakota State University Extension Service. "As you know, this is a critical position, not only for Extension, but also for NDSU and the state,"says Ken Grafton, NDSU's vice president for Agric...

May 29, 2012

Pounds of Fresh Potatoes Sold in Supermarkets Declines for Fifth Consecutive Quarter;Dollars Up

Fresh potatoes recorded its fifth consecutive quarter of declining movement according to a report recently released by the United States Potato Board. In the 12 months ending March 31st, fresh pounds have decreased 6.8%, but the dollar value was actual...