A new project between the Potato Growers of Alberta and Results Driven Agriculture Research is working to establish a platform for rapid diagnosis for current and potential potato diseases. In this episode of Tuber Talk, guest host Bree Rody chats with Dr. Stacy Bajema, seed co-ordinator for the Potato Growers of Alberta, about the project's goals and the impact the platform will have on Alberta's potato industry. Read more about the project here. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you lis ..read more

Through her research, Dr. Meghan Cameron has discovered that eight in 10 farmers in P.E.I. are experiencing some level of anxiety or depression – a remarkably high number – shining a light on the importance of mental health. Cameron, who recently completed her family medicine residency with Dalhousie University and whose husband is a potato grower, joins this episode of Tuber Talk to discuss mental health in farmers, potential causes and key indicators of anxiety and depression and where growers and their families can turn for help if someone is dealing with a mental health issue. Never miss a ..read more

Potato crops can be susceptible to aphids, as they migrate from the south and “look for anything green” when they arrive in Canada. In this episode of Tuber Talk, Manitoba Agriculture’s Vikram Bisht provides some insight into these tiny pests and what growers can do to spot and treat any possible infestations that could occur this season. Bisht also talks about the work he is doing to track aphids and how farmers can help ..read more

Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a devastating invasive insect pest of potato and other Solanaceae crops and can be found in potato-growing regions across Canada. The beetle is also capable of developing resistance to insecticides rapidly, making it more of a question of "when" specific resistances will develop, rather than "if." A five-year study conducted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researchers is examining CPB from a regional perspective, looking into whether there are genetic differences in CPB depending on region and if this affects insecticide resistance. In this episo ..read more

In 2011, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists were researching ways to control European corn borer populations. In an effort to target the pest at its source, they developed a piece of equipment dubbed the “potato vine crusher.” The equipment successfully reduced ECB populations in a field, but the pest's ability to fly between fields meant all farms in an area would have to employ the technology for there to be a beneficial effect overall. The crusher went unused for a decade until one AAFC research scientist considered another use for it. In this episode of Tuber Talk, AAFC wee ..read more

The past couple of years have been good for potato growers, so how is 2023 shaping up? In this episode of Tuber Talk, Potatoes in Canada editor Derek Clouthier chats with Victoria Stamper, general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada, about her insights into the market and demand for the coming growing season, and some thoughts on what she sees for growers across the country in 2023. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts ..read more

Whether it’s a pest that chews or sucks, controlling insects in your field is a necessary part of life for potato growers. In this episode of Tuber Talk, Potatoes in Canada editor Derek Clouthier talks with Andrew Thompson, area business manager for ADAMA Canada. Thompson helps listeners get a better understanding of the various types of insecticides, how they work, what they are intended to do, what factors can contribute to them not working the way one would expect and what type of products are tailored to a growers’ specific needs ..read more

Potato early dying complex is aptly named, with many factors contributing to this complicated disease of potato crops. In this episode of Tuber Talk, editorial director Stefanie Croley chats with Dr. Mario Tenuta, professor of applied soil ecology at the University of Manitoba, and the principal investigator of the Canadian Potato Early Dying Network, or CanPEDNet, working alongside several other research and industry collaborators. Resources: Dr. Mario Tenuta and Dr. Dmytro Yevtushenko give an update on CanPEDNet at the 2021 Virtual Canadian Potato Summit CanPEDNet program objectives and col ..read more

What should have been a banner year for Prince Edward Island potato growers quickly turned into a nightmare when potato wart was detected in two fields in October 2021. Since then, P.E.I. potato producers have faced devastating losses, most recently with hundreds of millions of pounds of potatoes being destroyed in the province due to export restrictions. In this episode, Tuber Talk host Dylan Sjolle speaks to Ryan Barrett, research agronomy specialist for the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, who provides an update on the ongoing challenges and a glimpse at what's next for Island potato grow ..read more

Prince Edward Island might be Canada's potato capital, but growers on the Island aren't exempt from soil health challenges. In this episode of Tuber Talk, guest host Bree Rody chats with Ryan Barrett, research co-ordinator for the P.E.I. Potato Board about the different projects underway at Living Labs Atlantic to help boost both soil health and potato yield and profitability, including cover crop usage before and after potatoes. Learn more about Living Labs Atlantic here and follow Ryan Barrett on Twitter @RBarrettPEI. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify ..read more