News on Potato Varieties and Seed from Prince Edward Island

Scott Anderson, science co-ordinator for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's research station in Harrington, came up with the name for the 'Plowdown Challenge.' (Courtesy: CBC)

October 30, 2023

Scientist challenges farmers to guess the yield of potato field grown without fertilizers

A scientist from Prince Edward Island has issued a challenge to Island farmers: Guess the yield of a potato field grown using only fertilizer left over from last year's crop.

Canadian Potato Storage Holdings Reports July 2023

July 12, 2023

Less potatoes left in storage in Canada: Potato Storage Holdings Reports July 2023

As of July 1, 2023, total Canadian Potato Storage Holdings are reported to be down 34.9% over 2022 numbers for the same period, and lower than the 3-yr. average.

WPC Webinar- Julio Kalazich -Analysis/Projections Potato Breeding Programs in South American Cone Countries. Jan. 24/23 English 9am EST, Spanish 10am

December 18, 2022

WPC Webinar- Potato Breeding in the South American Countries Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay

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.

No potato wart found in 5,000 samples tested by CFIA.

July 23, 2022

No sign of potato wart in 5,000 Prince Edward Island soil samples tested so far

With testing completed on 5,000 Prince Edward Island (PEI) soil samples collected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency from March to June no potato wart has been found.

New Federal Ministerial Coordinating Committee on PEI Potatoes brings whole-of-government approach to help farmers affected by U.S. trade disruption

January 11, 2022

Government Canada establishes committee to restore market access for PEI fresh potatoes to the United States

The Government of Canada is committed to restoring market access for PEI fresh potatoes to the United States and supporting PEI farmers impacted by trade disruptions.

Potato wart poses no risk to humans or food safety, but it can be a serious disease for the infected potatoes, which become disfigured and unmarketable. (CFIA )

November 07, 2021

Prince Edward Island Seed Potato Export to the United States halted - again - due to Potato Wart

CBC reports that the US border has again closed to Prince Edward Island seed potatoes after potato wart was found in two P.E.I. fields.

United Potato Growers of Canada report on the 2021 Harvest

October 22, 2021

Most Potato Growers in Canada are looking back on an excellent 2021 Harvest

The United Potato Growers of Canada report on the 2021 Harvest as it is in its final stages. Most provinces (with the exception of British Columbia) have enjoyed excellent harvest conditions without cool temperatures or wet conditions.

September 12, 2021

Canadian Potato Crop Update September 6 2021

Weather patterns have continued to influence the outlook for the Canadian potato crop since UPGC’s last update. Eastern Canada (particularly PEI) has received record amounts of rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC): Planting Update May 27, 2021

May 28, 2021

UPGC: Potato Planting Update Canada, May 27, 2021

The United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) provide an update on the potato planting in Canada (May 27, 2021). Seeding in Western Canada is winding up, while growers in the Atlantic region are in full planting mode.

May 18, 2021

HZPC Americas hires Jill Herold as key account manager

HZPC Americas announced that the company recently hired Jill Herold as a Key Account Manager. Jill brings over 18 years of experience in technical agronomy in potatoes, corn, soybean and other various crops, including several years focused on sustainability.

April 07, 2021

PEI Potato Board Presents 2021 Potato Industry Recognition Awards

Three awards were presented to well deserving industry members at the Prince Edward Island Potato Board’s monthly meeting in March 2021. In addition, the award winners will be recognized at the PEI Board Annual Banquet in 2022.

February 11, 2021

HZPC Americas welcomes Aron Derbidge

HZPC Americas Corp. hired Aron Derbidge as Sales and Key Account Manager. According to a press release issued today, the company notes that Aron brings with him over 10 years of experience developing and marketing seed potatoes in the U.S. and Canada.

December 01, 2020

P.E.I. Potato Board elects new executive team

Wayne Townshend has been named chairman. Townshend has been on the board for five years serving as a seed director.

Rick Peters, vegetable pathologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Charlottetown, says scab is increasing on P.E.I. because of changing weather patterns. (Kirk Pennell/CBC)

October 06, 2020

Canadian Scientists Look for Ways to Grow Scab-Resistant Potato

Two research scientists on P.E.I. have spent their summer trying to grow a better potato, more resistant to scab and greening, which are both costly problems for potato growers.

September 19, 2020

Cavendish Farms opens Potato Research Centre in New Annan, PEI

Cavendish Farms’ new Potato Research Centre in New Annan, Prince Edward Island officially opened on September 17, 2020 with a ribbon cutting with Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island, and company officials.

January 16, 2020

Potato Industry to be Highlighted at Charlottetown Trade Event & Conference Next Month

The International Potato Technology Expo and conference returns to the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island next month, February 21 & 22. The event welcomes those who grow and package potatoes...

December 12, 2019

International Potato Technology Expo Returns to Charlottetown in February

The International Potato Technology Expo returns to the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown February 21-22, 2020. The event welcomes those who grow and package potatoes, as well as leading suppliers from across the Maritimes and beyond.

September 04, 2019

P.E.I. potato growers look to new varieties to help with climate change

Researchers are working on new varieties of potatoes that they hope will help growers on P.E.I. cope with the effects of climate change. Some of the newest varieties were at the Agriculture Canada research station in Harrington, P.E.I.