News
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman Resigns
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman resigned Nov. 15, completing four years of service as a leader in the Bush Administration.
Idaho Potato Conference to be Jan. 18-20
The 2005 University of Idaho Potato Conference will be held Jan. 18-20 at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. The conference will feature two days of educational sessions. The Ag Expo will begin Jan. 18 and run through the end of the conference.
Growers form United Fresh Potato Growers of Idaho
The first super cooperative for U.S. fresh potatoes has been formed and will initially represent 60 percent of all fresh potatoes grown in Idaho and 20 percent of all fresh potatoes in the country.
Cottom Seed Acquires Skone and Connors
In September, Cottom Seed purchased the Skone and Connors Seed operation in Dillon, Mont. The company is now named Cottom Seed, Inc.
Washington Ag Reaches Near Record Production
The value of Washington’s agricultural production for 2003 reached a near record $5.75 billion, 3.1 percent above 2002, according to the USDA Washington Agricultural Statistics Service. The record stands at $5.88 billion, which was set in 1995.
Bacterial Ring Rot Suit Ties Up
Final arguments were recently presented at the Alberta Provincial Court in Lethbridge in the Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) lawsuit against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Washington State Potato Commission Demands Return of Confidential Documents
Legal counsel for the Washington State Potato Commission has filed a complaint with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) demanding return or destruction of submitted confidential information because of undisclosed and unauthorized release of the information under new CBSA procedures.
U.S. Seed Potatoes Gain Access to Panama
The Panamanian Ministry of Agriculture has signed the U.S. Seed Potato Market Access protocol, which provides clear and attainable requirements for seed potato exports to Panama. With this agreement, U.S. exporters can ship seed potatoes to Panama with little difficulty.
Summer Potatoes Down 1 Percent, 2003 Production Same as 2002
Production of summer potatoes is forecast at 18.5 million cwt. ? down 1 percent from the forecast released July 1.
Reason Registered for Early, Late and Tuber Blight
REASON, from Bayer CropScience, has been registered by the EPA for preventing early, late and tuber blight. REASON is classified as a reduced-risk fungicide
