News on Potato Cultivation from the United States

August 10, 2015

Wisconsin Badger CommonTater now available online

Badger Common’Tater, a leading source of news, education and highlights of Wisconsin’s potato and vegetable industry is now available online.

Matt Porter of Porter Farms in Presque Isle cultivates crops on his sixth generation farm in July 2015 where he works with his father and where he himself has farmed for 15 years (Courtesy: Bangor Daily News / Brianne O'Leary)

August 06, 2015

McCain Foods’ nurse crop project may help increase potato yields

Representatives from McCain Foods are excited about a new project under way in Aroostook County that has some farmers planting their usual acreage of potatoes right on top of a bed of winter rye, barley or oats.

Potato field in Washington (Courtesy: Norm Nelson Inc. / The Packer)

July 22, 2015

Washington and Oregon Potato Growers Nervous about Hot and Dry Conditions

Fresh-market potato growers in Washington and Oregon may not know what their 2015-16 crop will look like until they start harvesting, which should be a week or two earlier than usual.

May 17, 2015

USDA publishes 2014 Chemical Use data for Fall Potatoes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) thursday published the 2014 Agricultural Chemical Use survey data for corn and fall potatoes.

January 28, 2015

Expert: Idaho potato industry has too much capacity

A former Potato Growers of Idaho executive director believes Idaho’s capacity to produce and pack potatoes has outgrown the market, at the expense of growers.

NPC 2014 President Randy Hardy hands the award to Brendon Rockey and Sheldon Rockey with wife Nicole.

January 20, 2015

Rockey Farm (Colorado) receives the NPC 2014 Environmental Stewardship Award

Brendon and Sheldon Rockey of Rockey Farms in Center, Colorado, were named the recipients of the prestigious 2014 Environmental Stewardship Award presented at the National Potato Council’s 2015 Annual Meeting.

October 05, 2014

New ‘Focus on Potato’ Webcast Discusses Postharvest Use of Phosphorous Acid

Phosphorous acid based products can be an effective control for postharvest diseases when applying best practices. In the presentation. Learn more in the latest ‘Focus on Potato’ presentation “Phosphorous Acid and its use in Potato Post-Harvest Situations,”

September 22, 2014

New ‘Focus on Potato’ Webcast Addresses Fungicide Resistance, Management

While weed resistance issues have been grabbing many headlines over the past few years, fungicide resistance has become an increasingly important issue this growing season—and likely for future growing seasons if sound resistance management practices are not adopted.

Live aerial pesticide application at Jim Coombs Farms

September 04, 2014

New Jersey Potato Growers host EPA Tour

During the week of August 26, the National Potato Council (NPC) led a delegation of 19 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff on a crop tour of New Jersey’s potato growing region.

August 10, 2014

Sub surface drip irrigation saves water, fertilizer

A Florida-based potato farmer who recently won an award for his sustainable irrigation methods firmly believes all farmers should adopt the system for the good of the planet.

June 26, 2014

Warmer winters linked to increased pesticide use

In this USDA research on soybean crops, researchers find a link between minimum winter temperature and pesticide use.

Hairy Nightshade, a weed that has the potential to be problematic in potato cultivation

May 28, 2014

New 'Focus on Potato' Webcasts Tackle Hairy Nightshade, Potato Tuber Moth

Hairy nightshade and potato tuberworm (or potato tuber moth) are two economically important inhibitors to potato production. Two of the latest ‘Focus on Potato’ webcasts focus on these economically important potato pests.

May 21, 2014

Wisconsin Farmers Provide Resources to Tackle Water Issues in Central Wisconsin

The potato and vegetable growers in Wisconsin's Central Sands are not content to debate causes, and they have united to proactively seek solutions to Tackle Water Issues in Central Wisconsin.

Crews work on the piping system necessary to siphon up to 9.6 billion gallons of water needed annually to irrigate Walther Farms (Kim Foster Tobin).

February 01, 2014

Walther Farms reaches agreement with environmental group on water withdrawal from Edisto River

After months of disputes, a South Carolina river conservation group has reached a legal settlement with a Michigan-based Walther Farms over the company’s plans to siphon water from the South Fork of the Edisto River.

January 13, 2014

Bayer CropScience survey at Potato Expo digs up Potato Industry needs for 2014

According to United States Department of Agriculture’s crop production predictions, average potato yield per acre increased during the 2013 season.

In an effort to propel this upward trend into the New Year, Bayer CropScience launched its Potato Perspectives Survey during Potato Expo in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 8-10, 2014.

Jed Colquhoun, Ph.D. Professor Department of Horticulture University of Wisconsin-Madison

January 05, 2014

New Focus on Potato Webcast Covers Weed Resistance Management in Potato Rotation

Herbicide-resistant weeds pose significant economic and production challenges, particularly in specialty crops such as potatoes where weed control options are limited.

August 25, 2013

National Potato Commission hosts Oregon farm tour for US EPA regulators

During the week of Aug. 23, the National Potato Council (NPC) led a delegation of five U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees in a crop tour of the Columbia Basin growing area in Oregon.