Nieuws over trends in landbouw en voedsel from Maine

McCain Foods has agreed to acquire Penobscot McCrum LLC, expanding its North American operations. The deal adds McCrum’s modern Washburn, Maine, facility to McCain’s network, strengthening supply, innovation, and support for local farmers.

Gov. Mills and UMaine leaders reopened the modernized Aroostook Farm after a USD 3 Million upgrade, boosting Maine’s potato research with advanced tech to speed new variety development like the Caribou Russet, supporting jobs and the agri-economy.

Lawmakers toured Aroostook County to explore Maine’s potato industry, seeing innovative tech and learning how policy affects farming. The trip aimed to boost understanding of agricultural challenges and support.

DNA science is gaining ground in agriculture, and researchers are using it to develop potatoes that will thrive in Maine’s changing climate.

The Penobscot McCrum potato factory in Belfast will not be rebuilt after a massive fire destroyed the facility one year ago.

Scientists at the University of Maine are evaluating if lobster shells can cultivate beneficial microbial communities that ward off soil borne potato pathogens.

Gregory Porter, professor of agronomy in the University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture, will receive an Honorary Life Membership from the Potato Association of America (PAA) at the organization’s annual meeting in July 2022.

Potato processor McCain Foods is building five solar facilities in Maine, that it says will help power the production of french fries in Easton, one of its largest plants.

Aroostook County (Maine, US) may have pulled a record potato harvest out of the ground this year, but transportation slowdowns and a driver shortage are making it difficult to get the crop to market.

Don Flannery, president of the Maine Potato Board, is not calling it a record year — yet. But with over 80 percent of this season’s potatoes out of the ground, the longtime industry expert said yields are shaping up to be above average.

Greater understanding of the biology of one of the most destructive plant viruses to potato crops will be the focus of a research hub at the University of Maine.

McCrum: 'This project with Kiremko and Idaho Steel was a big project for our family. Trust with Kiremko and Idaho Steel has grown from day one. Our family considers them as partners now.'

Two University of Maine researchers, Greg Porter and Han Tan, are part of a team of plant geneticists and breeders working to develop tools that will help Maine scientists and farmers become more efficient in bringing novel, improved potato varieties to market.

This year’s potato harvest was met with an unrelenting drought that diminished crops and tied up water resources for Aroostook County, Maine farmers.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle marked the completion of its state-of-the-art, four-season Zillman Family Greenhouse with an official opening and dedication ceremony on Friday, Sept. 27.

Farmers, researchers and members of the public gathered at the University of Maine’s Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle last Wednesday to learn about the latest in potato research.

The Pineland Farms Potato company in Mars Hill, Maine - acquired last year by Bob Evans Foods - changed hands again this year as Bob Evans Foods was acquired by Post Holdings.

The USDA-NIFA has awarded a grant totaling $388,000 to the University of Maine to study potato breeding and improve quality and pest resistance in the eastern United States.