News on Potato Varieties and Seed from Northern America

The International Potato Technology Expo returns to the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown February 21-22, 2020. The event welcomes those who grow and package potatoes, as well as leading suppliers from across the Maritimes and beyond.

If you are living in Michigan or nearby, Purple potato chips could be on shelves at a grocery store near you this holiday season, thanks to a collaboration between Michigan State University researchers and Traverse City-based Great Lakes Potato Chip Co.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Researchers are working on new varieties of potatoes that they hope will help growers on P.E.I. cope with the effects of climate change. Some of the newest varieties were at the Agriculture Canada research station in Harrington, P.E.I.

Over the last two years, HZPC has built a new business development team for the North American market. Led by Mr. Jeff Scramlin, this team focuses efforts in the food service and retail sectors.

In mid-July, a new variety of potato named Alliston was officially registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, making it the first tater in history to take its name from the potato capital of Ontario.

Canadian potato processing company Cavendish Farms, a subsidiary of J.D. Irving, announced last week that it will build a new potato research and plant breeding centre in New Annan, Prince Edward Island.

The International Potato Technology Expo, a leading potato event in Canada, returns to the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown February 21-22, 2020.

The idea was straightforward: develop a sweet potato variety that could be adapted across Canada so the country could grow more sweet potatoes rather than rely on imports.

New, exciting recipes and prizes to appeal to the most adventurous foodie

Mark Pavek, professor and potato specialist at Washington State University, at one of the research potato fields in Othello.

Plant breeders and geneticists of Cornell University have released more than 50 potato varieties since 1908. Now they are expanding their efforts to make more wild potato seeds available to potato breeders around the world.

Black Gold Farms started harvest of the 2019 fresh crop of Texas colored potatoes earlier this week. According to the company, the first run fields have indicated that the quality will be better than ever.

NC State grew the North Carolina sweet potato industry into a global powerhouse. Now we're leading the effort to breed sweet potatoes that could provide economic opportunities and better nutrition for people in African countries. (Courtesy: Bill Krueger)

David Douches, a professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and director of the MSU Potato Breeding and Genetics Program, has been at the forefront of the potato’s transition as people get more adventurous with their eating habits.