This most enjoyable piece below was written by Dan Tackett, the retired managing editor of The Courier, and published by The State Journal-Register, based in Illinois. We re-publish it with thanks to […]
Planting potatoes on Good Friday…
Will a slow start for PNW potato farmers lead to the french fry apocalypse?
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 […]
Colorado potato beetle research advances, but persistent pest continues to adapt
The Colorado potato beetle is a major pest throughout North America. Damage caused by the beetle can greatly reduce yield and even kill plants. For decades, researchers have been looking for ways […]
British potato growers reminded to follow nematicide best practices
Potato growers are being reminded to follow the best practice granular nematicide use protocol this spring to ensure products are used safely and effectively. Nick Winmill, potato technical manager at Agrii and […]
The Seed Potato Story: What goes on behind closed doors
During the winter months the shed doors are firmly closed and all is quiet. However, when you take a look inside you’ll find Dutch seed potato farmers are picking the fruit of […]
Scottish researchers to review ways to lower agricultural nitrogen emissions
Scottish climate change researchers are exploring ways that farmers could reduce emissions from nitrogen fertiliser use. Led by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and funded by ClimateXChange, the project forms part of the […]
‘Potato seed stock an industry all on its own,’ says Maine Potato Board
Potato farmers are gearing up for another season. In this week’s County Ag Report, Kathy McCarty speaks with Maine Potato Board officials who say seed stock is an industry all on its […]
Belgium: Flemish potato area increases again this season; processors demand more raw product
The Flemish potato area will increase by around eight percent in the coming season, according to information released by the Flemish Center for Agriculture and Horticulture (VILT). The Testing Center for Potato […]
PepsiCo results beat market estimates as new CEO’s ad-push lifts sales
According to a Reuters report. PepsiCo Inc’s quarterly sales and profit beat Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, as the beverage maker’s advertising and marketing push helped drive sales of its snacks, sparkling […]
Restrictions on water as drought fears mount in the UK
Water restrictions are being imposed on British farmers amid mounting concerns over a lack of significant rain and low river flows. Cumulative rainfall totals for April range from about 18% of the […]
US Census of Agriculture: Ten key takeaways
The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of America’s farms, ranches, and the people who operate them. Conducted once every five years, Census of Agriculture results provide valuable insights into the lives of […]
PCN problems building up in Scotland
Although on the surface all seems well in the Scottish potato industry, there is a growing problem lurking in the soil which might affect future prospects, according to a recent report published […]
Novelty ‘hotel’: Book a night in a spud sleeper…
How do you like them potatoes? Or, more precisely, the big Idaho potato that’s morphing into an Airbnb? Anyway you slice it or dice it, this is a “hot potato”; it’s got […]
Grocers in Iceland lament the lack of ‘first class Icelandic potatoes’
The Icelandic Federation of Trade is calling for a suspension of duties on potatoes so that potatoes grown abroad can be imported at an acceptable cost to local consumers. RÚV reports that Iceland’s […]
New Zealand: Future spuds that pack a nutritious punch
“Will the future of farming look more like Star Trek than Footrot Flats, with drones, probes and farmers behind screens rather than tractor wheels?,” asks Gemma Carroll, Communications & Engagement Officer at […]
Northwest potato stocks, disappearance above last year
Potato stocks in Idaho, Oregon and Washington on April 1 totaled 98 million hundredweight, up from 87 million a year earlier, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reports. Stocks in Idaho totaled […]
Soil health: Census of Ag shows cover crops in the US surged 50% in 5 years
The adoption of cover crops as a key soil health practice continues at a rapid rate throughout the US, according to new data from the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Cover crops were […]
‘Potatoes: More than a bit on the side’ campaign a marketing success story
AHDB in the UK reports that the results are in on the last three years of the More than a bit on the side campaign – and it is great news. A […]
