A 16-year study by Michigan State University finds heat is the main driver of Colorado potato beetle populations, with precipitation and soil conditions also influencing outbreaks, aiding better pest forecasting and crop protection.

Michigan State University Extension will host a free six-session 2026 Regenerative Agriculture Winter Webinar Series in February. The virtual program will share practical strategies to improve soil health, water quality and farm resilience.

A new webpage by the Michigan Potato Industry Commission offers growers tools to identify and manage late blight, featuring pathogen details, outbreak protocols, fungicide advice and links to monitoring organizations.

Joseph Ifeanyi Ulasi leads a groundbreaking project to boost late blight resistance in diploid potatoes by introgressing novel Rpi genes from wild species. Using Solanum verrucosum as a genetic bridge, he advances resilient breeding for future crops.