News
NFPT trials identify lower acrylamide clones
The first acrylamide test results have been released from the Washington and Idaho National Fry Processor Trials (NFPT). The trials are being processed in the order in which they were harvested, with Washington first, followed by Idaho with North Dak... more
Idaho potato production up 12 percent
Potato production in Idaho for 2011 is predicted to total 127 million cwt., according to a press release from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.This represents a 12 percent increase from last year'... more
UPGA changes leadership
United Potato Growers of America (UPGA) announced that Jerry Wright will return to lead the grower-based organization as president and chief executive officer of the national federated agricultural cooperative headquartered in Salt Lake City. Wright ... more
PVMI board contributes $300,000 to breeding program
The PVMI Board has agreed to a $300,000 contribution to the Tri-State University Research and Breeding Program. The money comes from royalties collected this year. Combined with two returns of $100,000 each for the previous two years PVMI has generat... more
School lunch amendment signed into law
President Obama signed a government funding extension that included 2012 appropriations funding for USDA and five other agencies on Friday, November 18.The bill also included the bipartisan Senate amendment sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) ... more
Simplot closing two Idaho processing plants
The J.R. Simplot Co. announced Nov. 9 that it plans on closing two Idaho processing plants, one in Aberdeen and one in Nampa in the next two to three years. The closures will be made following the construction of a state-of-the-art potato processing... more
BASF applies for approval of GM potato
BASF Plant Science has applied for European Union approval for Fortuna, a genetically modified potato. The application for approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is for commercial cultivation and consumption by humans and animals. E... more
USDA predicts slight rise in potato exports
The United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service recently released a report forecasting a 5 percent increase in global demand for frozen potato products, and U.S. exports are predicted to follow the same trend line. The repo... more
Pale cyst nematodes found in additional Idaho fields
Two new detections of pale cyst nematode (PCN) in eastern Idaho in the fall have brought the total number of infested acreage to 1,476 and regulated acres to 15,533, with an additional 250 acres expected to be added to the total regulated by the USDA... more
Mexico lifts punitive tariffs on U.S. potato exports
It was announced on Friday that Mexico has lifted trade tariffs it had imposed on U.S. goods in 2009 in retaliation for the termination of a cross-border trucking program between the two countries.The action comes in response to last week's approval ... more
