Archives: News
Potato breeder combines forces with grower, packer to speed variety development
Potato breeding technology company Ohalo is partnering with grower, packer and shipper Allied Potato Inc. to accelerate the development and commercialization of Ohalo’s Boosted potato varieties.
Irrigation solutions company opens new production site in Mexico
Orbia Advance Corporation’s precision agriculture business group Netafim has opened a new manufacturing plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
House passes ag appropriations bill containing potato industry priorities
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2027 Agriculture and FDA Appropriations bill on a 213-210 vote with several potato industry priorities intact.
Industry veteran tabbed as new chair of Potatoes USA
Eighth-generation farmer Dave Masser, president and CEO of Masser Family of Companies and former chair of Fresh Solutions Network, has been elected Potatoes USA’s new chair.
New botanical nematicide aims to boost yield, manage disease in potatoes
Biological crop protection company BioWorks has launched a new botanical nematicide formulated with a proprietary blend of botanical oils.
Payment rates, enrollment period set for specialty crop assistance program
Payment rates and an enrollment period for the USDA’s Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program have been set.
New chip processing line to debut next month
PPM Technologies and Key Technology will introduce a new, integrated potato chip processing line next month at SNACKEX in Lisbon, Portugal.
Potato planting winding down across US regions
Potato growers across the U.S. are nearly finished planting, with most of the 2026 crop in the ground in Idaho and the Columbia Basin.
The Fertilizer Institute welcomes news of Crops Inputs Economist position
The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) applauded the re-establishment of a Crop Inputs Economist within USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist, saying the position will provide “independent and consistent analysis and reporting on fertilizer and other crop input markets.”
Decision leaves interim rule changing AEWR calculations in effect
A federal court decision has left an interim rule changing how Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) are determined in effect. On May 14, a judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction
Wage and compliance training session set for July
Registration is now open for 2026 wage and compliance training at Northern Maine Community College. The July 1 session will cover updated laws and regulations.
Groups call for ban on PEI fresh potatoes after report of new potato wart detection
The National Potato Council joined 13 state potato organizations in calling for an immediate reinstatement of a ban on fresh potato imports from Prince Edward Island after detection of potato wart in a previously unregulated field.
Senate eyeing June release of farm bill text, committee markup
Senate Agriculture Committee chair John Boozman is eyeing a markup of the version of the farm bill that passed the House April 30 by early June.
NPC urges action against China’s growing exports of frozen fries
The National Potato Council has urged action against China’s growing production capacity in frozen fries, filing formal comments with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Study: Potato shoppers spend almost double the amount of non-potato buyers
Shoppers who buy fresh potatoes spend nearly double the amount of non-potato retail customers, according to a new study.
Nominations open for 55 Potatoes USA board seats
Nominations are now open for Potatoes USA board members for the 2027 term. The board is seeking nominees to fill 55 open seats.