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.
Evolutionary origins of the potato revealed – and a tomato was involved
Study, which analyzed genomes from cultivated and wild potatoes, may improve future breeding
Farming Smarter receives financial boost from Alberta government for potato research
Farming Smarter one of 12 research associations receiving part of one-time $3.2 million capital grant
Reading Time: 2 minutes Farming Smarter near Lethbridge got a boost to its research equipment, thanks to the Alberta government’s increase in funding for research associations.
Alberta crops 21 points below average but soil moisture improving
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.
NewCold cold storage facility a game changer for southern Alberta agriculture
Automated facility will load and unload trucks in minutes, with no human intervention
Reading Time: 3 minutes NewCold’s first advanced automated cold storage warehouse in Canada is nearing completion, with the Coaldale, Alberta facility expected to open in late June of 2025. The $222 million state-of-the-art facility will revolutionize the southern Alberta agriculture corridor.
Spuds in Tubs increasingly popular in Alberta
The program becomes a farming feature in many school curriculums, giving students first-hand experience growing potatoes
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Spuds in Tubs Farm to School program teaches Alberta students about growing potatoes, maintaining soil health and managing sustainable food production while growing potatoes in school.
New national potato wart plan in place for 2025 growing season
The new National Potato Wart Response Plan is complete and will take effect for the 2025 potato crop.
CFIA’s 2024 potato wart survey comes back clean
Canadian Food Inspection Agency potato wart survey turns up no cases of the disease for 2024.
Potato growers’ feedback wanted in final response plan consultation
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.
Alberta harvest wraps up
Harvest operations in Alberta are virtually complete for 2024, the province’s crop report said. Combining advanced three points to 99 per cent finished as of Oct. 22 as well as being three points above the five-year average.
Making potatoes friendly to soil health
Soil health tactics are not out of reach for the spud sector
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Potatoes are a high-value crop and one of the world’s most important dietary staples. But when it comes to sustainability, they’ve got a hurdle to clear because there’s no escaping some level of soil disturbance when growing and harvesting. That doesn’t mean the relationship between soil health and the potato sector can’t […] Read more
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