News
IPM working group to meet in Oregon
The Resilient Potato Production Initiative Workgroup, a coalition of members of the potato community working to increase the adoption of IPM practices in the Pacific Northwest, will continue its work in Portland, Oregon this June. The main challenge ... more
Farm Bill voted down in US House
A proposed 2018 Farm Bill failed in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, May 18. The Republican leadership failed to gather votes from its conservative members, national news media reported, and the bill failed 198-213. House Agricultu... more
USDA proposes regulation change for specialty varieties
The USDA has proposed rule to change the varietal classifications that determine the size requirements for U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes to account for changing consumer preferences for specialty and fingerling varieties. These varieties are handled u... more
NPC files comments on ‘neonics’
The National Potato Council has filed comments with the Environmental Protection Agency urging a science-based approach to their assessment of four neonicotinoid insecticides ("neonics"). Neonics have been under scrutiny from the previous presidentia... more
Midwest experiences fertilizer shortage
Due to spring storms in the Midwest this year, the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association said, farmers who typically would have been in the field earlier had to wait for the snow to melt. The group said that has caused farmers from multiple sta... more
Several Idaho positions still open on Potatoes USA board
Potatoes USA is still searching for seven delegates from Idaho to fill its board. On June 7, at 1 p.m., the group will hold a nomination meeting for Idaho delegates to serve on the board. Responsibilities of this assignment include: Attend t... more
Date set for 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
The top teams from the Mountain West and Mid-American Conferences will go head to head on Friday, Dec. 21 at the 22nd Annual Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (FIPB). Kickoff is 2 p.m. Mountain Standard Time or 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the blue tur... more
Farmers First bill to give growers mental health help
Colorado U.S. Senators Democrat Michael Bennet and Republican Cory Gardner introduced bipartisan legislation to provide farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers with critical mental health support and resources. “During meetings and listening... more
Potato planting well underway in North Dakota and Minnesota
For the week ending May 6, there were six days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The Northern Plains Potato Growers Association said reports indicated that, on average, producers began fieldwo... more
US frozen exports down in March
U.S. exports of potatoes and potato products were mixed again in March 2018 with exports of dehydrated potatoes up, while both frozen and fresh exports were down for the month according to report from Potatoes USA using figures compiled by Trade Stat... more
