News on Research from the Americas

Tamas Houlihan has been named executive director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) by the board of directors, effective immediately.

The economic importance of the Manitoba Potato Industry comes to light in a study prepared by Informa Economics, The Economic Contributions of the Manitoba Potato Complex.

Prince Edward Island Potatoes was delighted to have Col. Chris Hadfield, former Commander of the International Space Station helping to dig potatoes on Halloween morning against the backdrop of a clear blue sky and the beautiful West River.

The market for Prince Edward Island potatoes is holding strong despite the recent reports from six Atlantic Canadian locations of needles found in potato shipments from an Island grower.

Maureen Storey, PhD, president and CEO of the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) today announced the formation of the APRE President’s Circle, a new membership category designed to strengthen industry value chain collaboration

The Snack Food Association (SFA) will participate in the PACK EXPO Partner Program November 2-5, 2014 at McCormick Place in Chicago, SFA President & CEO Tom Dempsey announced.

Diamond Foods, the company behind Kettle Brand and Kettle Chips will start construction this week of a product development and testing center, located adjacent to the Kettle Brand® production facility in Salem, Oregon

The President of the World Potato Congress (WPC) Mr David Thompson and the Chairman of the WPC Industry Awards Committee, Mr Douglas (Doug) Harley, have announced that nominations are now being called for the 2015 World Potato Congress Industry Awards.

Researchers of the Institute of Ecology (INECOL) in Mexico have identified a fungus capable of feeding on nematodes. Combining this biological control with other methods in an integrated management system reduced the golden nematode population by up to 90 percent in two years.

Canada's private potato breeders are calling for a bigger say in how new varieties are developed in Canada.

The value of all U.S. potato exports reached $1,755,544,515 for the recently completed July 2013 – June 2014 marketing year. This is an expanded version of an earlier publication.

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board, on behalf of all Island potato growers, is proud to be rooted in our community through support of a number of exciting events this September and October.

The National Potato Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Holton as the Director of Corporate and Public Relations.

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.

Showing its support for one of the most popular fundraisers ever, the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck nominated the Florida Department of Citrus, Washington Apples, and Georgia Peaches to accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

The value of all U.S. potato exports was $1,755,544,515 for the recently completed July 2013 – June 2014 marketing year. This is a 7% increase over the previous record set in 2012/13.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) is pleased to announce Kim Breshears has joined its staff as Marketing Programs Director in the Denver office. She started her new role August 18, 2014.

The potato crop in New Brunswick has recovered from a late start and is 'looking extremely good right now', according to Potatoes New Brunswick executive director Matt Hemphill in an article published in the Bugle-Observer