russet potato in Idaho

GM potatoes are going in the ground

Genetically engineered potatoes could claim acreage in Canada in 2017


In 2016, no acres were seeded to J.R. Simplot’s genetically engineered first-generation Innate potato lines in Canada — but industry experts say 2017 will be a different story. “Other than plot-sized production there was no commercial production in Canada this year because of the timing,” says Kevin MacIsaac, general manager at the United Potato Growers […] Read more

Adora is an attractive buttery all-purpose, low-carb potato with smooth, thin skin.

Meet Adora potato — read the info and see the photos

Singing Gardener: Plus, try Ted’s mashed potato pie crust pastry recipe

Anyone who has diabetes will be familiar with two words that follow. A home medical dictionary describes “hyperglycemia” as excess blood sugar and “hypoglycemia” as a condition in which the level of blood sugar is abnormally low or reduced. A doctor’s book of home remedies calls diabetes “the disease of civilization,” and explains how diabetes […] Read more


Symptoms of verticillium wilt in an infected potato plant. (OMAFRA.gov.on.ca)

Fungicide cleared to curb verticillium wilt in potatoes

A label expansion for Syngenta’s Aprovia fungicide, to cover additional soil-borne potato diseases, makes it the first fungicide in Canada approved to suppress verticillium wilt in potatoes. Fumigants have been potato growers’ only option against the crop disease until now, Eric Phillips, Syngenta Canada’s fungicides and insecticides product lead, said in a release Thursday. Verticillium […] Read more

Saskatchewan OYF regional nominees, Dan and Chelsea Erlandson and their children Calla, 4, and Raulan, 2.

Outstanding Young Farmers Saskatchewan: Dan and Chelsea Erlandson

Growing vegetables for the local market is the key to success for Can and Chelsea Erlandson

Weather wise, October had a dreadful start in Saskatchewan. There was rain and there was snow. And on October 11, forecasters were predicting night time temperatures to plummet to -7 C within days. Dan and Chelsea Erlandson, Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2016, confessed they were a little worried about five acres of potato fingerlings still in […] Read more


This patch of Russet Burbank potatoes in full bloom was grown by southern Alberta gardener Andrew Moon, shown standing to the right rear.

Singing Gardener: Info on potatoes and Moose Jaw Royale

Plus, Ted whoops it up with fellow musicians

A Canadian Prairie farmer blend of three grains and a couple of other ingredients are combined in a drink called: Moose Jaw Royale. The beverage is said to mimic appearance and taste of real coffee. Have never tried it myself — yet — but hope to once I’ve assembled all ingredients. The recipe follows further […] Read more



Manitoba hits record potato yields in 2015

2015 will go down in the books as a record year for potato production in Manitoba. It was an almost charmed season for producers in the province, beginning with an early start to seeding, continuing with low pest pressures and good weather, and ending with excellent conditions for harvest. According to Dan Sawatzky, manager of […] Read more

Storage infections are always a risk for potatoes because they damage relatively easily.

Potato storage rots likely this winter

Potato farmers storing record 2015 production may need to battle potato rots

This fall might be a tough one for a few Manitoba potato growers battling rots like pink eye, bud-end decay, late blight and leak in storage. Generally, these diseases are present in storages but the levels are not abnormally high, so a caution is warranted. According to Vikram Bisht, Manitoba’s provincial plant pathologist, leak and […] Read more


Late blight has cost potato growers worldwide billions in damaged crops. (Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Soil bacteria may offer weapon against late blight in potatoes

Potato producers may soon have a new ally in their battle against late blight, and it’s right under their feet. Researchers have discovered bacterial strains in the soil that show promise as disease controls. Some bacteria suppress or inhibit late blight by over 90 per cent, according to an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) release. […] Read more

These golden nematode cysts, shown here on potato roots, are about a third to half a millimetre in diameter. (Xiaohong Wang photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Potato ‘fields’ clarified for cross-border trade

Canadian and U.S. food inspectors have agreed on what they mean by a “field” in any restrictions they place on potato trade on account of potato cyst nematodes. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on Tuesday announced new revisions to their Guidelines on Surveillance and Phytosanitary […] Read more