Potato News from Alberta

The plans for a new multi-million dollar Cavendish Farms potato processing plant in Lethbridge, Alberta, should not concern the Prince Edward Island potato industry, says the general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada.

Cavendish Farms is pleased to announce the expansion of its business in Lethbridge, Alberta, with the construction of a new frozen potato processing plant, replacing the existing plant.

Dewulf - Miedema has appointed Banga’s Equipment from Taber, Alberta, as new fullservice dealer to ensure optimum service and support for its customers in Alberta and Western Canada.

Woordman Farms of Taber was named the 2015-2016 McCain Champion Potato Grower for the McCain Foods Coaldale plant (Alberta) during the 17th Annual McCain Growers’ Banquet held recently at the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre.

Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay announced monday that the Government of Canada has secured market access for Alberta seed potatoes to Thailand.

Yesterday, Agrium Inc. (TSX: AGU) (NYSE: AGU) and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) (TSX: POT) (NYSE: POT) announced that they have agreed to combine in a merger of equals to create a world-class integrated global supplier of crop inputs.

Parkland Potato Varieties will be hosting its first annual open day at the Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks, Alberta on August 26 from 10 am to 2 pm.

Researchers of the University of Alberta offer a green alternative to petroleum-based plastics used in food packaging by turning potato byproducts into eco-friendly plastic films

Canada's potato company famous for its small potatoes - the Little Potato Company - has partnered with CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show and Masterchef Canada's Michael Bonacini to create The Little Chef Casting call, an opportunity for young cooks to have a chance to appear on TV and win a culinary trip of a lifetime

This year, potato yields should be slightly above average in the Canadian prairie provinces Manitoba and Alberta, but figures aren’t available because the harvest is only 10 to 15 percent complete.

A weak Canadian Dollar and shipping disruptions at the Port of Seattle (Washinbgton, US) could increase demand for Canadian potatoes in 2015, says a spokesperson for the United Potato Growers of Canada.


In Alberta, late blight occurs infrequently, but can have devastating impacts in the years when it reaches epidemic levels.

The Dutch potato cooperative Agrico has recently purchased more shares in its joint investment Parkland Seed Potatoes Ltd, granting it a majority stake in this Canadian seed potato company.

Research capacity in Alberta’s potato industry will be significantly enhanced due to a $1 million investment in the University of Lethbridge by the Potato Growers of Alberta and the Potato Processors McCain Foods, ConAgra Lamb Weston and Cavendish Farms

Times have changed for Alberta potato growers. Up until four years ago, the province was virtually late blight-free. Lately, wet springs and high humidity — uncharacteristic for this region — have nurtured the growth and spread of the disease.

A concerted effort has begun in Alberta Canada to raise awareness about the nastiness of late blight in tomatoes and potatoes.

Cavendish Farms announced today it had concluded an agreement to buy the assets of Maple Leaf Potatoes, the frozen potato business of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., including a 142,000 sq. ft. processing facility in Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Liberal MLA in Canada's Alberta province who called for a boycott of Alberta potatoes over concerns that child labour remains unregulated in the province says he has no desire to damage the livelihoods of growers.