News
Longtime seed potato association executive director dies at age 65
Jeff Axford, longtime Michigan Seed Potato Association executive director, died April 13 after an accident at his home. He was 65. Axford, an Otsego County Farm Bureau member, is the only person to be awarded the Michigan Potato Industry Commissio... more
Europatat raises concerns about plant reproductive material report
The European Potato Trade Association (Europatat) is raising concerns about a draft report on plant reproductive material (PRM) set for a vote in the European Parliament’s Plenary next week. The report, prepared by the Parliament's Committee on ... more
NPGA taking applications for new executive director
The Northland Potato Growers Association is searching for candidates with a passion for agriculture and the ability to affect change to serve as its new executive director. Applications are due May 15, according to a statement from the NPGA. �... more
MPIC seeks input on potato research topics
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission seeks input to help identify the most critical areas of focus for potato research in the next decade. Feedback will inform discussions at an upcoming summit entitled “Rooted in Progress: Envisioning the Fu... more
Letter urges Biden to raise Japanese market access to prime minister
Hours after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed U.S. lawmakers at the Capitol last week, 10 senators sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his assistance in kickstarting a multimillion-dollar trade issue. The letter pinpointed Ki... more
Potato storage company relocates chlorpropham manufacturing to US
Potato storage company 1,4GROUP has moved its chlorpropham manufacturing to the United States after the sprout inhibitor was not reauthorized for use in the EU. Toxicity concerns ended chlorpropham (CIPC) use in 2019 in the EU and the United Kingd... more
AgroLiquid biostimulant receives certification from The Fertilizer Institute
PrimAgro C-Tech, a biostimulant from crop nutrition company AgroLiquid, has received certification from The Fertilizer Institute recognizing its adherence to industry standards for efficacy, safety and composition. The Biostimulant Certification P... more
Potato LEAF scholarship applications open, accepted until June 14
The Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) is now accepting applications for its annual graduate-level academic scholarship. Potato LEAF will award one $10,000 scholarship to a graduate student (master's degree or hi... more
NPC says issue of potential potato reclassification still on table
Potato advocates are casting a skeptical eye at recent comments indicating that spuds are not in danger of being reclassified from a vegetable to a grain. A USDA spokesman told Scripps News in an April 5 article that the committee directing the 20... more
University of Idaho germplasm program has new director
A specialist in plant pathology and fungal disease is the new director of the University of Idaho’s Seed Potato Germplasm program. Kayla Spawton began her role in late February. Spawton earned a bachelor’s degree in ecology, evolution and biod... more
