Category: Production
Biological pest control company acquires Vestaron
Biological pest control company Suterra has acquired the product lines, active ingredients, and research and development pipeline of crop protection company Vestaron.
MSU assistant professor receives ag research award
Younsuk Dong, an assistant professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University, has been recognized with the Early Career Researcher Award.
Utz recalls 9 varieties of potato chips over potential salmonella contamination
Utz Quality Foods has issued a voluntary recall in the U.S. of certain varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips after notification that a seasoning containing dry milk powder may contain salmonella.
Leaders say USMCA renewal unlikely by July but remain optimistic
While leaders have expressed doubt that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be renewed by a July deadline, optimism remains that countries will not withdraw from the landmark trade agreement.
Little Potato Company launches dedicated foodservice division
The Little Potato Company has launched a foodservice division with larger product sizes and sous-vide products to better support restaurant, retail and hospitality operators.
House passes farm bill by 224-200 vote; fight awaits in Senate
A day after negotiations stalled over issues including a fuel fracas, the U.S. House passed its farm bill by a 224-200 vote.
House farm bill vote postponed after ‘Republican revolt’
A U.S. House vote on the farm bill has been delayed after what Politico called a “Republican revolt.” Lawmakers hope to bring the bill back to the House floor in May.
NPC: Growers face pivotal crossroads for key industry issues
If you look at the 2018 Farm Bill today, it feels like it’s from a different lifetime. In competitive terms, many parts of it are. For specialty crops, the world has changed substantially since the writing of that bill, which began nearly a decade ago.
USDA restructuring Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area
USDA is restructuring its Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area, relocating certain positions and decommissioning the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland.
TASC funding to support efforts to fully open Japanese market
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service awarded $179,000 in Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) funding to the National Potato Council (NPC) to support its ongoing market access efforts in Japan over the next three years.
2026 class set for Potato LEAF’s Leadership in the Field program
The 2026 class for the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF)’s Leadership in the Field program is set.
Report finds US potato storage down slightly from 2025
Potatoes in storage across key states totaled 127 million cwt, down 1% from last year, according to a recent USDA report.
Spudman’s annual pest and disease survey highlights grower challenges and priorities
The 2026 Spudman Pest & Disease Survey highlights persistent threats and emerging issues shaping management decisions.
New tools emerge in fight against common pest as neonicotinoids lose effectiveness
Colorado potato beetle is showing increasing resistance to neonicotinoids in the eastern and central U.S. New weapons in the ongoing battle show promise.
Laser weed control model trained on millions of images speeds adaption
Carbon Robotics has introduced what it calls a major step forward in AI-driven weed control: the Large Plant Model (LPM), a foundation model designed to detect and identify plants across crops, regions and growing conditions.
PAPAS project makes strides in battle against nematodes
PAPAS stands for Potatoes and Pests – Actionable Science Against Nematodes. Launched in 2023, the four-year project is funded by a $6.8 million grant from the USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative and focuses on providing growers with best management practices for controlling nematode infestations.