Mar 25, 2016PEI farmers growing fewer Russet Burbanks
The Prince Edward Island (PEI) Potato Board says Russet Burbank potatoes make up about a third of the area’s potato market, but the PEI Watershed Alliance is urging farmers to grow different varieties.
THe Watershed Alliance is accepting comments on a new provincial Water Act. 
Here’s more from CBC News:
“If we are going to continue to grow potatoes on P.E.I. we need to look at varieties other than Russet Burbank that can be harvested earlier and that don’t require as much fertilizer,” the submission reads.
Ramsay, who serves as vice-chair of the potato board’s processing committee, said despite the appeal of Russet Burbanks, processors and growers have started moving away from them in an effort to use less fertilizer.
“We are probably 35 per cent less Burbank acreage now than we were in 2008,” said Ramsay.
“It’s a long progress, but we are surely and slowly moving away from Russet Burbanks and moving into other varieties.”
Photo: CBC
