News on The Potato Supply Chain from Northern America

Earlier this week, Potato Processor McCain Foods (Canada) announced the company will invest CAD 80 million towards the creation of a new Formed Potato Specialty production line to expand its existing french fry plant in Grand Falls, NB.

A research team has identified a virus infecting Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen causing late blight in potatoes and tomatoes, that appears to increase the pathogen's ability to cause the disease.

Frost last week ended Manitoba’s potato harvest, leaving thousands of acres undug.
It’s the second year wet soils prevented potato farmers from getting all the crop off before heavy frost ruined it.

Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. announced that it has signed a research agreement with Boise, Idaho-based J. R. Simplot Company, to evaluate three novel yield traits in potato.

As potato harvest starts to wrap up across the Northwest, how does the 2019 crop look?

Potato processing plants in Manitoba and Alberta may not run at full capacity this winter. About 20,000 acres of potatoes were in the ground in Manitoba as of the middle of October, and growers needed two weeks of favourable weather to harvest the crop.

Anaheim, Calif. – The 2019-2020 Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Board of Directors took office October 17th during PMA’s 2019 Fresh Summit Convention & Expo in Anaheim, California, USA.

Consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise works just as well as a commercial carbohydrate gel in sustaining blood glucose levels and boosting performance in trained athletes, scientists report.

President Donald Trump formally signed the U.S.-Japan-Free Trade Agreement on Oct. 6. This agreement locks in tariff benefits with Japan that were previously negotiated under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement but lost when the U.S. failed to ratify

World Potato Congress recently announced that Greg Donald has joined its Board of Directors. Greg Donald has been the General Manager of the PEI Potato Board since 2009.

Spudnik Equipment Company has reached an agreement to buy STC Trailers, according to a recent press release. Terms were not disclosed. Both companies are headquartered in Blackfoot, Idaho. The acquisition will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Side Delights® announced today a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) video and podcast-based program that invites consumers to step into our potato fields and experience for themselves why our potatoes are 'Grown Where it Matters'.

Researchers in the WARF Accelerator program are using advanced imaging technology to detect late blight in potatoes, which famously led to the Irish potato famine in the mid-nineteenth century.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle marked the completion of its state-of-the-art, four-season Zillman Family Greenhouse with an official opening and dedication ceremony on Friday, Sept. 27.

Horizon Logistics is a new company formed by the Halverson Family and Black Gold Farms. Headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D., Horizon Logistics is an independent, full service, asset-based transportation company serving Black Gold Farms.

Its harvest time for many in the potato industry, and those not quite to that point, harvest will be here before you know it. Washington State University’s Tim Waters said growers need to continue to watch for pests.

Black Gold Farms announces the promotions of Mike Behrendt and Keith Groven. Behrendt, held the role of Midwest Director of Operations. Groven, held the role of Fresh Sales Manager and will transition to Director of Operations.

Manitoba potato growers are hoping the 2019 harvest isn’t a repeat of 2018. Harvest has been delayed in many areas after 50 to 125 millimetres of rain has fallen since Sept. 20.