potatoes Archives

Evolutionary origins of the potato revealed – and a tomato was involved

Study, which analyzed genomes from cultivated and wild potatoes, may improve future breeding

By Reuters, Will Dunham August 1, 2025

A new analysis of 450 genomes from cultivated potatoes and 56 genomes of wild potato species has revealed that the potato lineage originated through natural interbreeding between a wild tomato plant and a potato-like species in South America about 9 million years ago.

Ian helps with the early morning chores and makes a new friend. Photo: Heather Eppich

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Seeds are in the ground and foals arrive

Eppich News: Springtime has been good on the ranch with cows and bulls in the pasture and healthy foals

By Heather Eppich July 24, 2025

Springtime has been good on the ranch for the Eppich family with cows and bulls in the pasture and healthy foals.

Grey skies over the Alberta landscape, July 2023. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Crops

Alberta crops 21 points below average but soil moisture improving

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm June 23, 2025

Prior to Alberta getting rain over the weekend of June 21 and 22, the province's crops were well below the five-year average for ratings. As of June 17, Alberta Agriculture said they were listed as 50 per cent good to excellent overall compared to the average of 71 per cent.

Features, Potatoes

Powdery scab a puzzling potato problem

Biosecurity, such as avoiding the use of manure from livestock that ate infected potatoes, is a must

By Miranda Leybourne May 1, 2025

Powdery scab, caused by Spongospora subterranea, thrives in cool, moist conditions and can significantly impact potato crops by forming lesions on tubers and galls on roots.

Columns, Potatoes, Practical Tips

Potatoes Prairie-wide

Practical Research: How Prairie researchers uncovered a serious potato disease’s hiding place

By Ieuan Evans April 25, 2025

As a consequence of cleaning up potato diseases, the most recent yields in Prairie potatoes, as of 2024, are 20 tons per acre for Alberta and 18 for Manitoba.

Canada’s fresh potato exports are heavily reliant on the U.S. market.
Photo: luoman/E+/Getty Images

Crops

New national potato wart plan in place for 2025 growing season

By Geralyn Wichers March 13, 2025

The new National Potato Wart Response Plan is complete and will take effect for the 2025 potato crop.

My small red mortar and pestle set is made of enameled cast iron with an unglazed interior. My larger English clay set is unglazed for good grit when pounding ingredients. Both are heavy and sturdy.

Columns, Farm Life

Tools and techniques, part 3: Between a rock and a hard place

First We Eat: Pounding ingredients with a pestle encourages a calm approach to cooking

By dee Hobsbawn-Smith March 9, 2025

My mom tells me my counters are too cluttered. “Why don’t you put some of that stuff away?” she asks me repeatedly. Much of the counter space in my old farmhouse kitchen is occupied by electric tools designed to grind foods or to alter their shape: a food processor, blender and coffee mill stand shoulder […] Read more

File photo of a P.E.I. potato field against the backdrop of the Confederation Bridge. (Onepony/iStock/Getty Images)

Crops

CFIA’s 2024 potato wart survey comes back clean

By Geralyn Wichers March 5, 2025

Canadian Food Inspection Agency potato wart survey turns up no cases of the disease for 2024.

Gregory and his mare, Reba, go around the cows as we round them up to sort their calves off to take to market or take home for weaning.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Good weather holds through harvest

Eppich News: Wandering cows and calves made rounding them up a challengee

By Heather Eppich January 8, 2025

On Sept. 30, Gregory drove John and Barb to Saskatoon because Barb was experiencing severe pain in her side. She’s had trouble with her gall bladder for quite a while, but this time it was too much. She was supposed to have emergency surgery that day but ended up being pushed off until the next […] Read more

Crops, News, Potatoes

Potato growers’ feedback wanted in final response plan consultation

By Geralyn Wichers November 6, 2024

Potato growers are once again asked to give their feedback on a national potato wart response plan as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launches a final round of public consultations.

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures higher on screwworm news

Trade mission heads for Japan as Canada becomes the country’s top pork supplier

U.S. grains: Soybeans drop on lack of Chinese demand, wheat hits contract lows

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures higher on screwworm news

Trade mission heads for Japan as Canada becomes the country’s top pork supplier

U.S. grains: Soybeans drop on lack of Chinese demand, wheat hits contract lows

Tag Archives potatoes

Evolutionary origins of the potato revealed – and a tomato was involved

Seeds are in the ground and foals arrive

Alberta crops 21 points below average but soil moisture improving

Powdery scab a puzzling potato problem

Potatoes Prairie-wide

New national potato wart plan in place for 2025 growing season

Tools and techniques, part 3: Between a rock and a hard place

CFIA’s 2024 potato wart survey comes back clean

Good weather holds through harvest

Potato growers’ feedback wanted in final response plan consultation

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

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