Tuber Talk

Potatoes in Canada editor Bree Rody hits the floor at the 2025 Manitoba Potato Producer Days. Hear her chats with speakers, clips from the show and key takeaways as PIC hits the road during the busy conference and trade show season!

Is it possible for anomalies to be the "new normal?" That might be something for growers to get used to – that's at least according to early/preliminary growing season reflections across Canada. While there is much to celebrate, according to United Potato Growers of Canada GM Victoria Stamper and Manitoba plant pathologist Vikram Bisht, one of the markers of the 2024 growing season was its lack of predictability. "Some of [the events], growers are prepared for," says Stamper. "Others can be quite surprising – like the lack of precipitation that happened in P.E.I. this year." Stamper provides a holistic view of the growing season from coast to coast based on feedback from the industry. Bisht joins the podcast to provide a specific update on Manitoba, which has faced many unique weather challenges in recent years, and how its weather has affected yields and tuber quality. He also provides an update on pests to watch for and which diseases to keep an eye on.

Because of the nature of Potato Early Die complex, a control approach is more pragmatic than an elimination approach. Dr. Marisol Quintanilla picked up some tips from her grandfather growing up - including the use of chicken manure to kill insects, earthworms and nematodes. Quintanilla's research team at Michigan State University has explored various combinations of manures and fertilizers. She shares the results gleaned so far, and what she's still looking to learn.

Potato production in Northeastern North America can lead to stagnant yields and declining soil health. This is why practices such as cover cropping and the use of manure are important. However, these practices also lead to increased weed problems by adding seeds into the weed seedbank. A recent AAFC study explored how cover crops and manure affect weed populations in a potato crop rotation over three years. To speak more about the study, the process and insights gleaned are Judith Nyiraneza and Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill of AAFC. They discuss the background of the still-ongoing research project, insights into the various cover crop/manure combinations, and discuss why weed seeds in manure did not necessarily evolve into dense weed spread.

Potato DNA is unique from human and most animal DNA, becuase they’re of tetraploid origin, meaning they have four copies of each chromosome in their DNA – two from each plant parent, as opposed to one. Because of the vast number of tetraploid varieties, potato varieties become closely related to one another and more genetically similar. Decreased genetic diversity leads to varieties being more vulnerable to different diseases, and less adapted to climate change. One step scientists are taking to increase genetic diversity is working with potato relatives that are tetraploid or diploid. Wild diploid potatoes have two copies of each chromosome in their DNA, making their genetics easy to work with. Diploid potatoes are smaller, but hold true breeding potential because of their unexplored genetic traits. AAFC research scientist Bourlaye Fofana discusses the work he and his team are doing with breeding diploid potatoes – from the desirable traits of the 50 most promising diploid clones, especially as it relates to drought resistance, to why taste-testers do indeed play an important role in in the scientific process.

For many potato producers, late blight is a well-known disease – either because they're unfortunate enough to have already experienced it, or they're from a region that has had highly publicized late blight symptoms observed. Late blight requires a fairly specific combination of climate and other external factors. Although it's not late blight season yet, it's a good time to know if things are shaping up in that direction. Ryan Barrett, research and agronomy specialist with the P.E.I. Potato Board, shares the conditions that result in late blight, what to look for and how to work with agronomists and local labs to learn more about late blight.

The 2024 growing season has officially kicked off, and United Potato Growers of Canada general manager Victoria Stamper joins us to share an update on activity in each province and sector. While some parts of Canada were fooled by signs of an early spring, it's now looking a little modest for 2024. Plus, a review of the recent grain-versus-vegetable debate south of the border, and why such matters can promote nerves in producers.

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 an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts. Support for this series provided by Syngenta.

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.

Proper irrigation and weed control measures are key to kicking off the growing season for potato farmers. In this episode of Tuber Talk, Mike Wind, president of Windiana Farms in Taber, Alta., talks about what he is doing to get water to his crop in what has been a hot, dry spring in much of Western Canada, while also providing some tips on controlling those pesky weeds. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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.

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.

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 listen to podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music. Support for this series provided by Syngenta.

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, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.

Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles, are notoriously damaging to tubers. Found across Canada, the worms can survive in irregularly cold temperatures, making them an even more persistent problem. Now, AAFC research scientists have found a natural way to suppress wireworm populations more naturally: by incorporating buckwheat crops into rotation. Listen to Drs. Christine Noronha and Jason McCallum in this episode of Tuber Talk as they discuss what has been learned about buckwheat and how producers can take advantage. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.

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 weed scientist Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill discusses the history of the potato vine crusher, how he found out about it, and the trials he's running to determine the crusher's potential for weed seed management. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music. Sponsored by Syngenta.

Black dot has been called the silent, early yield robber and for good reason - the disease can often be mistaken for other diseases, and early infections can carry through the season. In this episode of Tuber Talk, Julie Pasche, associate professor and Neil C. Gudmestad endowed chair at North Dakota State University breaks down the pathology of black dot, and provides management advice for growers for the coming season. For more information, watch Julie's presentation from the Ontario Potato Conference. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.

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 episode, Tuber Talk host Dylan Sjolie speaks to Dr. Chandra Moffat, a research scientist in entomology and biological control with AAFC's Summerland Research and Development Centre in British Columbia, and Dr. Ian Scott, a research scientist with AAFC's London Research and Development Centre in Ontario. They discuss their joint research project focused on the development of regional management strategies and decision making tools for control of CPB, now in its final year. Show notes: Ian ScottChandra Moffat Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.

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 growers. Editor's note: This episode was recorded in early February, prior to the announcement that the United States has agreed to resume imports of P.E.I. table stock potatoes into the territory of Puerto Rico, which came into effect on Feb. 9, 2022. Show notes: @RBarrettPEI@PEIPotatoesP.E.I. Potato Agronomy Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music. Sponsored by Syngenta.

Potatoes in Canada last spoke to Vanessa Currie, a potato breeding technician at the University of Guelph, at the 2021 Canadian Potato Summit, where she shared exciting new varieties being examined. In this episode of Tuber Talk, our guest host Dylan Sjolle catches up with Vanessa to recap the 2021 growing season and hear what's new for the program in 2022. To receive a copy of the breeding report via email, contact Vanessa at vcurrie@uoguelph.ca, or visit her on Twitter for updates @GuelphPotato. Sign up for the free Canadian Potato Summit to learn more insights from potato industry experts. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music. Sponsored by Syngenta.