Potato News from Prince Edward Island

In 2014, Charlottetown-based research scientist Bourlaye Fofana was looking for a way to make plant products healthier by adding the antioxidant selenium.

The World Potato Congress Inc. is now calling for proposals from parties interested in hosting the 14th World Potato Congress to be held in 2028.

At the Annual General Meeting on March 13th, CEO of Kroeker Farms in Manitoba, Wayne Rempel was elected as the new Chair of the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) after serving several years as the Secretary.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its 2022 national survey for potato wart and confirms that potato wart was not detected in the soil samples tested from the fields where the samples were collected.

To help offset rising food costs, four farms on Prince Edward Island are opening their potato storages to Islanders. Visitors are invited to help themselves and pick unwashed potatoes directly from the pile in storage. The event occurs Saturday, March 11th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The PEI potato industry welcomed the final report of the International Advisory Panel (IAP) on Potato Wart that was presented to industry and government on January 16, 2023.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists have discovered that selenium, a micronutrient and anti-oxidant activates genes in potatoes that boosts the plant's immunity and helps in the prevention of late blight.

Total Canadian Potato Storage Holdings on January 11, 2023 are down slightly (-0.4%) over 2022 numbers for the same period, but are still 5.84% above the 3-yr. average, mostly due to the increased size of the crop in the last two years.

As John Griffin retires, World Potato Congress announces new leadership: Peter VanderZaag as President and CEO, Nora Olsen as Vice President and Brian Douglas as Director.

In 2020, HZPC Americas launched the multi-year project 'Potato Glory' together with the University of Massachusetts Dining Program (UMass) for the purpose of conducting research

Julio Kalazich will be the speaker at the first World Potato Congress webinar of 2023 on January 24, 2023 at 9:00 am ET. He will address Potato Breeding in the South American Countries Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay in English followed by the presentation in Spanish at 10:00 am ET.

Statistics Canada has estimated Canadian Potato Production in 2022 to be 122,970,000 hundred weight, up 0.8% over 2021. Despite a very cold and wet spring delaying planting and very hot

The World Potato Congress Inc. presents its sixth webinar this year on December 13, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (USA/Canada)

The Prince Edward Island potato industry gathered for its annual awards dinner for the first time since
2020. COVID-19 had put the banquet on hold for the past two years.

The minister of agriculture of Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada has tabled legislation that would give the provincial government a lead role in trying to prevent the spread of potato wart in the province.

In Canada, the potato harvest is in the final stages across the country. Most provinces have enjoyed excellent harvest conditions without the high temperatures experienced in early September nor the wet conditions of early spring.

The World Potato Congress President, John Griffin, would like to extend a congratulations and warm welcome to their new incoming Executive Director, Ellen Kouwenberg, who will be replacing outgoing General Manager, Brian Douglas.

Prince Edward Island (PEI) potato farmers say they are concerned excessive moisture in the fields caused by the storm Fiona may lead their produce to rot in storage - though they hope that is not the case.