Potato News from the Americas

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Albany, California, have found a way to streamline the process that scientists use to insert multiple genes into a crop plant. Simplot is planning to use it to introduce multiple genes into potatoes to make them resistant to late blight

J.R. Simplot has acquired a license for CRISPR-Cas9 and related gene editing tools. This provides Simplot with another avenue to add desirable traits to fruits and vegetables, including potatoes.

Indra Nooyi will step down as CEO of Pepsico on October 3rd, but will remain Chairman until early 2019 to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. She will be succeeded by Ramon Laguarta.

Tasteful Selections, a pioneer in the growing bite-size potato category, announces another facility expansion to accommodate growing customer and consumer demand.

According to the latest numbers provided by potatoes USA, the total volume of potatoes sold at retail in the United States was down 3.2% in June 2018 compared to June 2017, though the value did increase 1.1%.

RD Offutt, the largest potato producer in Minnesota, is backing away from a controversial expansion in the State just south of the Mississippi River headwaters after state regulators insisted on an environmental study of the potential contamination of groundwater.

El uso obligatorio del Documento de Tránsito Vegetal (DTV) para trasladar raíces, bulbos y tubérculos entre provincias, supone una complicación importante para este sector del norte del país, que posee lógicas de producción diferentes.

PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division will invest $159 million in Frankfort, Indiana to enhance its current operations at two locations in this US city. The investment will add two new snack production lines and also include warehouse expansion, providing 50 new jobs.

Estudiantes del Instituto Politécnico Nacional de México (IPN) crearon un bioplástico a partir de la cáscara de papa, que tarda de 4-5 meses en degradarse y ayuda a reducir los residuos sólidos urbanos generados por la sociedad mexicana.

Cavendish Farms announced today that they will close their fresh pack facility in O’Leary, Prince Edward Island due to the limited availability of potatoes on Prince Edward Island

Potato Growers on Prince Edward Island report they are planting more mustard than ever this year.

Earlier this month Texas A&M held its annual Potato Field Day where it presented a range of new potato varieties.

Los pequeños productores de la región tropical de Bolivia han asumido el reto de sembrar papa, un cultivo propio de la región altiplánica del país, en lo que supone un desafío a la naturaleza y una lucha constante con el clima adverso.

A través de la Resolución 50/2018, la Secretaría de Alimentos y Bioeconomía del Ministerio de Agroindustria de Argentina, oficializó el protocolo de calidad para productos de papa prefritos y congelados.

El Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA) financiará con US$500.000 un estudio de la Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas sobre mejoramiento. La ayuda estaría representada en becas, visitas científicas, visitas de expertos internacionales y equipos.

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, announces the appointment of Agustin Alcantara Rosales as Regional Sales Manager for Mexico.

La papa a la francesa perfecta es crujiente por afuera y esponjosa por dentro. Pero una papa que se entrega a domicilio con frecuencia es fría, blanda y mustia. Lamb Weston, el fabricante número uno de esos manjares de papa en Estados Unidos, quiere mejorar la comida rápida.

La variedad Spunta no es la ideal para freír pero es la que mejor crece. Entonces, aunque se sigan todos los pasos de la triple cocción, el resultado nunca será del todo exitoso (La nota incluye, además, otros datos para los fans de las papas fritas).