Category: Production
USDA accepting applications for trade program funding until mid-August
USDA is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2027 trade promotion programs. The programs aim to lower international trade barriers for U.S. growers.
Crunching the numbers: Retail data can help increase appetite for potatoes
If you want a snapshot of potato demand in 2025, here it is: $19.9 billion in total retail sales for the calendar year and 15.3 billion pounds sold across all store segments (fresh weight equivalent), according to data compiled by market research and technology company Circana.
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
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2027 Agriculture and FDA Appropriations bill on a 213-210 vote with several potato industry priorities intact.
Potato LEAF program cultivates industry leadership
The potato industry thrives on a long-term vision that extends well past the next harvest. Families manage their land and water resources today so they can pass down strong, sustainable operations to the next generation.
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.
Project aims to define national soil health benchmark
A new national project aims to give farmers a clearer way to measure and compare soil health. The initiative, called Probing Our Country’s Soil Health, is led by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS).
New automated tech digs deeper and faster into soil health
A Netherlands-based agritech startup aims to make measuring soil health a more scientific process — and improving it more efficient.
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.
New mentoring event debuts at annual meeting
Students and early career professionals attending this year’s PAA Annual Meeting will have access to an exciting new opportunity designed to enrich their academic and professional development.