News
Experienced industry advocate selected to lead NCAE
An industry professional experienced in government relations and agricultural labor issues has been named the new president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE). John Hollay, currently the director of government relatio... more
2026 Michigan Winter Potato Conference set for January
The 2026 Michigan Winter Potato Conference is set for Jan. 27-29 at the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel. Topic proposals are now being accepted. Topic sessions are limited to 30 or 45 minutes in length, according to the Michigan Potato Industr... more
Lamb Weston officially opens production facility in Argentina
Global frozen potato processor Lamb Weston Holdings has opened a 430,000-square-foot production facility in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The plant has the capacity to process 200 million pounds of potatoes annually, producing more than ... more
Aid efforts, trade talks soldier on amid government shutdown
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) urged the inclusion of specialty crop aid in any emergency economic relief for the U.S. agricultural industry as aid efforts and trade talks continue despite the government shutdown. A letter (.pdf) se... more
Potatoes USA report finds seed export potential in Cuba
A recent seed potato update from Potatoes USA found export market potential in Cuba while noting export increases to Central and South America. Cuba has the potential to become the largest export market for U.S. seed potatoes in the Americas outsi... more
Acquisitions expand Tessenderlo Kerley’s soil fumigation portfolio
Tessenderlo Kerley has expanded its soil fumigation portfolio by acquiring Eastman’s U.S. and Canadian metam fumigant labels. The company acquired Eastman’s metam sodium (CLRTM 42%) and metam potassium (KLRTM 54%) product labels, according to ... more
Warm weather slows potato harvesting in Red River Valley
A recent wave of warm weather has slowed potato harvesting in North Dakota and Minnesota, dropping progress in both states below the five-year average. With daily highs reaching 80° F — about 15 degrees above average — afternoon temperatures... more
New guidelines revise H-2A filings, AEWR rates
A final rule announced Oct. 2 by the Department of Homeland Security aims to streamline the filing process for certain temporary agricultural worker petitions, while another measure would revise Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) calculations. Conte... more
Cornell celebrating 160 years of potato breeding collaboration, success
Cornell University’s potato breeding program, celebrating 160 years, has developed more than 50 potato varieties, including the most widely grown chip-making variety in the country. Walter De Jong, a professor of plant breeding and genetics at C... more
UF new host for plant breeding accelerator program
The University of Florida (UF) is the new home for a plant breeding improvement program that could benefit potatoes among other crops. Breeding Insight (BI) is a USDA Agricultural Research Service-funded program that supports public breeding effor... more
