News on Potato Cultivation from Washington

Potato growers can’t keep upwith 'red hot' global demand
June 22, 2023

Potato growers can’t keep up with 'red hot' global demand

Washington potato farmers can’t keep pace with worldwide cravings for french fries, hash browns, tots, potato chips and other processed potato products.
How can we improve soil health in potato cropping systems?
August 02, 2022

How can we improve soil health in potato cropping systems?

Minimizing soil disturbance is one of the key tenets promoted to build soil health in agricultural systems. Many farmers across the country have adopted reduced and no-till systems to build soil carbon, a central component to healthy soils.
Yara establishes Potato Incubator Farm in Washington to study Crop Nutrition. synergy and Carbon Footprint Reduction
April 27, 2022

Yara establishes Potato Incubator Farm in Washington to study Crop Nutrition synergy and Carbon Footprint Reduction

Yara has recently established a new Incubator Farm, aimed at exploring how a complete potato crop nutrition program that drives productivity and grower profitability can simultaneously lead to a reduced carbon footprint.
Supported by potato industry stakeholders, Washington State University expands research on soil health
November 13, 2020

Supported by potato industry stakeholders, Washington State University expands research on soil health

Launching new research in support of Washington potato growers, Washington State University is partnering with industry leaders to study healthier, more sustainable, and productive soils.
The WSU study estimates the reduced potato acreage lowers production by 13% or 729,120 tons of potatoes, equivalent to the weight of about 76 Space Needles.
September 11, 2020

Economic hit of COVID-19 to the Washington State Potato Sector estimated at USD 1 Billion

A WSU study has estimated the 2020 economic losses from potato production and processing in Washington. The demand shocks of COVID-19 resulted in a hit of roughly $1 billion dollars in gross state product.
In french fry heartland, spring turns bitter as coronavirus cuts into global demand
May 12, 2020

In french fry heartland, spring turns bitter as coronavirus cuts into global demand

This year, this is a season when dreams die. Due to an epic potato glut that imploded his market, he has decided to do what was once unthinkable — destroy part of his crop rather than sink more dollars into cultivation.
2020 Potato contract negotiations underway
January 07, 2020

2020 Potato contract negotiations underway

Negotiations are underway for next year’s potato grower contracts in Washington.
Voigt: 2019 Crop Not Large, But Great Quality
November 01, 2019

Voigt: 2019 Washington Crop Not Large, But Great Quality

As potato harvest starts to wrap up across the Northwest, how does the 2019 crop look?
Tips for keeping farm workers safe from heat stress
July 15, 2019

Tips for keeping farm workers safe from heat stress

Heat-related illness is one of the most common maladies to befall outdoor workers, particularly in agricultural settings.
Nearly half of Washington facing emergency drought conditions
May 30, 2019

Nearly half of the state Washington facing emergency drought conditions

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has expanded the drought emergency declaration to cover nearly half of Washington state due to worsened, poor water supply conditions around the state and warmer and drier weather predictions through the summer.
Will A Slow Start For Pacific North-west Potato Farmers lead to a French Fry shortage?
April 25, 2019

Will A Slow Start For Pacific North-west Potato Farmers lead to a French Fry shortage?

Spring is just now beginning to shine in much of eastern Oregon and Washington. A winter of record snowfall left the ground frozen or flooded much later than normal. As a result, farmers are getting a late start on their crops.
Bill Gates: 'We should discuss soil as much as we talk about coal'
March 27, 2019

Bill Gates: 'We should discuss soil as much as we talk about coal'

In the latest addition to his blog (https://www.gatesnotes.com), Bill Gates highlights that in order to fight climate change, we need to look beyond decarbonizing the way we generate electricity. We need to look at agriculture for example...
Environmentally friendly farming practices used by nearly 33% of world’s farms
August 28, 2018

Environmentally friendly farming practices used by nearly 33% of world’s farms

Nearly one-third of the world’s farms have adopted more environmentally friendly practices, while continuing to be productive (sustainable intensification), according to a global assessment by 17 scientists in five countries.
Washington potato growers struggling to keep up with demand
August 13, 2018

Washington potato growers struggling to keep up with demand

The Washington State Potato Commission, headquartered in Moses Lake, Washington, has been pleasantly surprised by the weather and its impact on this year’s potato crop in the state.
 Focus on Potato Webcast Addresses Fungicide Resistance
August 12, 2015

Focus on Potato Webcast Addresses Fungicide Resistance

The latest Focus on Potato webcast, titled “Best Management Tactics and Fungicide Resistance in Early Blight and Brown Spot” highlights the importance of measures to mitigate fungicide resistance, particularly when applied and repeatedly used on a single site.
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.

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