Archives: News
Deal with German snack company to take Utz private
Potato chip manufacturer Utz Brands Inc. is going private, with German company Intersnack Group buying all of the salty snack company’s public stock.
North Dakota ag research group elects new chair; 74% of state crop blooming
The North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE) elected a new chair and new members at its June 9 meeting.
Agristo becomes newest member of Potato Sustainability Alliance
Belgian potato processor Agristo, which broke ground on its $450 million North Dakota processing facility July 7, has joined the Potato Sustainability Alliance.
NPC to fill trio of seats on Potato Sustainability Alliance board
The National Potato Council has three designated voting board seats to be held by growers representing the U.S. potato industry on the Potato Sustainability Alliance board of directors.
Belgian potato processor holds official groundbreaking for North Dakota site
A 350-acre North Dakota production site for Belgian potato producer Agristo held its official groundbreaking on July 7.
Wisconsin Potato Industry Board new members certified
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has certified the 2026 Wisconsin Potato Industry Board election results.
New program grants aimed at improving fertilizer access for US farmers
A new program aimed at providing U.S. farmers with more access to domestic fertilizer is accepting applications through mid-August.
New pest control solution offers protection against nematodes
A new pest control solution from Huma offers four-in-one protection against nematodes and soilborne diseases. PROUD 4 is a strengthened formulation of Huma’s PROUD 3 foliar pest treatment.
Trilateral trade agreement will not be renewed for another 16-year term
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will not be renewed for another 16-year term. The deadline to renew the trilateral trade pact passed July 1.
Legislation addressing H-2A program officially introduced
A bill addressing the accessibility and cost of the H-2A visa program has been officially introduced. U.S. House Agriculture Committee chair Glenn Thompson introduced the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 on June 30.
Specialty crop aid included in supplemental funding request
An additional $10 billion in aid for specialty and row crops is included in a request by the Trump administration for $87.6 billion in congressional funding.
Golden nematode detected for first time in Manitoba
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has detected golden nematode on a potato farm in Manitoba. This is the first detection of the quarantine pest in the province.
USDA ARS funds 26 potato research proposals
USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has awarded funding for 26 potato research proposals totaling nearly $1.2 million addressing diseases, pest control and postharvest disorders.
Senate committee releases farm bill discussion draft
Industry groups greeted the release of a discussion draft of the Agricultural Act of 2026, commonly called Farm Bill 2.0, by U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry with optimism.
USDA reorganization plan draws concern from ag organizations
A reorganization plan to relocate much of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) staff from Washington, D.C. has drawn concern from dozens of agricultural organizations.
NPGA, Potato Bowl USA committee name scholarship recipients
The Northland Potato Growers Association (NPGA) and the Potato Bowl USA committee have announced scholarship winners for 2026.