News
Researchers tab potatoes in Department of Defense project to create ‘talking plant’
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Tennessee believe they can genetically modify potato plants to detect potential threats. Their findings could mean big news for growers, as well as an unlikely entity: The U.S... more
Department of Labor proposes easing H-2B, H-2A job posting rules
To make it easier for Americans to find and fill open jobs, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposal Nov. 8 for employers seeking temporary labor certifications through the H-2B and H-2A visa programs to advertise jobs online. Under curren... more
Colorado potato beetle genome gives insight into major agricultural pest
The Colorado potato beetle is notorious for its role in starting the pesticide industry — and for its ability to resist the insecticides developed to stop it. Managing the beetle costs tens of millions of dollars every year, but this is a welcom... more
Idaho Potato Commission’s Jamie Bowen elected to IFEC conference board of directors
Idaho Potato Commission marketing manager Jamie Bowen has been elected to serve on the International Foodservice Editorial Council’s board of directors for its 62nd annual conference. Bowen’s term is for two years. “There isn’t another org... more
Washington potato crop estimated at 106 million hundredweight
Washington’s 2018 potato crop is expected to yield larger numbers than a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Northwest Regional Field Office reported. Estimations have the crop at 106 million hundredweight (cwt), which is an increas... more
Oregon potato crop could see 33 percent increase
The Oregon potato crop projects to see a significant boon in 2018. According to estimates released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Northwest Region Field Office, Oregon will produce 28,500,000 hundredweight (cwt), which would be an increase ... more
Projection for Idaho potato crop yield-per-acre would be best of all-time
If projections are correct, potato acreage in Idaho will prove to be more efficient in 2018 than ever before. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Northwest Regional Field Office estimates the Idaho crop at 139,000,000 hundredweights (cwt), and, wit... more
Long potato numbers up in Idaho, down slightly in Oregon, Washington
A recent survey shows numbers of long potatoes weighing at least 10 ounces are up in Idaho, but down slightly in Oregon and Washington. The numbers stem from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Northwest Regional Field Office’s 2018 Potato Object... more
Michigan potato crop expected to see small uptick
Michigan’s 2018 potato crop is projected to see a small uptick, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Great Lakes Regional Office. The USDA projects Michigan’s crop to come in at 17.39 million hundredweight (cwt), which is a 1.0 perc... more
National Potato Council’s support of Salad Bars to Schools brings healthier lunches to Virginia school system
On Nov. 8, the National Potato Council and United Fresh Start Foundation joined students, teachers and school administrators at Lemon Road Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia, for a “Celebration of Potatoes” lunchtime event. Kindergarten ... more
