News on Research from Northern America

Diploid potatoes are quickly becoming the stud spuds for breeding new commercial potato varieties. Wild diploid potatoes have 2 copies of each chromosome in their DNA, unlike more traditional tetraploid potatoes, like Russet Burbank, which have 4 copies of each chromosome.

Agriculture is growing in Canada’s North with new collaborations and technologies. AAFC scientist Dr. Julia Wheeler led research on season extension for potatoes and green beans in northern communities. The study focused on soil health, pest management, and improving food security.

Andy Diercks, a fourth-generation potato farmer from the small village of Coloma in central Wisconsin, is blunt about the difficult realities facing family-owned farms today.

Gregg Halverson’s career in the potato industry started at a young age, grading potatoes with his grandfather. Family has continued to be a major theme of his career as he worked with his father and now works with his children as president and board chairman of Grand Forks, N.D.-based Black Gold Farms.

The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2025 roster of Executive Committee leaders this week at the organization’s annual Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, Ted Tschirky of Pasco, Wash., was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months. 

Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could cut food waste and enhance crop farming in space and other extreme environments.

National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles issued the following statement congratulating Brooke Rollins, who was confirmed today by the full Senate to serve as Secretary of the USA Department of Agriculture

Researchers at North Carolina State University identified the South American Andes as the origin of the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phytophthora infestans

Susie Thompson associate professor of plant sciences, has been named the inaugural Johansen-Thompson Endowed Professor in Potato Breeding at North Dakota State University. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of 11 members to Potatoes USA’s Board of Directors. The appointees include nine producer members and one public member, who will serve three-year terms that expire Feb. 28, 2028.

Madeleine Smith has joined North Dakota State University as an Extension pesticide specialist. Joining Oct. 2, Smith has been working on the NDSU campus in Fargo, North Dakota.

Did you know that behind every delicious, crunchy, perfectly sized potato chip are years of research, development, experimentation and analysis by some of the brightest minds in the industry?

Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are working on a new research project to fight plant diseases transmitted by psyllid insects — particularly the zebra chip disease, which has impacted potato production for decades.

A team from the University of Illinois has engineered potato to be more resilient to global warming, showing 30% increases in tuber mass under heatwave conditions.

Get ready as Potato Expo is all set to bring the heat this year! With over 190 exhibitors lined up, you’ll discover the latest products and services to supercharge your operations.

The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) has welcomed seven new members to its organization since the first quarter of 2024. RPE, LLC becomes the third member of the Fresh Marketer Sector to join PSA, and will be offering access to PSAs annual on-farm self-assessment.

Sustainable farming is making headlines after researchers discovered a unique connection between organic farming and carbon storage in soil, according to an article posted on Phys.org.

PepsiCo is strengthening its commitment to agricultural innovation and sustainability by announcing two pivotal job openings at its Plano headquarters. The company is seeking a Potato Storage Research & Best Practices Manager and a Senior Manager – Best Practices & Sustainability to drive forward its initiatives in crop quality and environmental stewardship.