News
Idaho’s spud count was low, but high quality
The weather didn’t always cooperate during Idaho’s 2017 potato-growing season, but in the end, producers turned out high-quality potatoes around the state. “There is a lower yield this year, primarily driven by too much cold and too much he... more
Sterman Masser working with students to develop new potato products
Sterman Masser, Pennsylvania's largest potato producer, knows consumers aren't reaching for 5- and 10-pound bags of raw potatoes like they used to. Growing its business means adding more new and convenient products, so the company is eyeing a new spo... more
USDA projects potato harvest down from last year
Initial numbers from the USDA show that yields will be down compared to last year and that the number of acres harvested declined as well. While the USDA’s official crop production report will not be released until Nov. 9, its vegetable and puls... more
House Judiciary Committee OKs guestworker, E-Verify bills
On Oct. 25, the House Judiciary Committee approved by a vote of 17-16 a bill to create a new agricultural guestworker program for America’s farmers and ranchers. H.R. 4092, the Agricultural Guestworker Act (AG Act), authored by House Judiciary ... more
USDA grants awarded for Colorado specialty crops including potatoes
Twelve grants totaling over $600,000 have been awarded through the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s 2017 Specialty Crops Program, two of which directly reference potatoes. Funds are received by the Colorado Department of Agriculture from the U.... more
UK researchers make progress with late blight resistance
Researchers at the Sainsbury Laboratory in the UK have completed fields trials on a genetically modified breed of potato that incorporates late blight resistant genes from a wild potato relative into a Maris Piper potato variety. “The first year... more
First positive tests for zebra chip pathogen in Western Canada
Authorities are advising against panic as monitoring in southern Alberta potato fields has, for the first time ever, identified the zebra chip pathogen, according to a release from the University of Lethbridge. "So far, the zebra chip pathogen h... more
Robinson Fresh to market UK varieties in North America
Robinson Fresh, a division of C.H. Robinson, is now the exclusive North American provider of UK-based Albert Bartlett potatoes. Albert Bartlett produces fresh and frozen potatoes and is increasing its presence in North America with headquarters in De... more
U.S. potato exports continue growth
U.S. potato exports continue their upward trend. After posting year-over-year gains for July, exports for August 2017 also showed positive growth compared to the same month in 2016. According to a report from Potatoes USA, this growth was led by a 15... more
Michigan Potatoes announces new line of IQF potatoes
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission, joined by Michigan Freeze Pack, has introduced a new line of individually quick frozen (IQF), water-blanched potato products. The frozen potato products were developed in part by a Michigan Value Added Grant t... more
