The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) and Syngenta collaborate to streamline data collection and provide valuable feedback to potato growers on sustainability. Both organizations aim to make sustainability accessible for farmers and the entire value chain through digital tools like Syngenta’s Cropwise Sustainability app. The app helps growers evaluate their sustainability efforts, compare their performance with peers, and identify areas for improvement. The PSA plans to implement the Cropwise Sustainability app by fall 2023.
Latest Global Potato News
From awareness to action: International Day of Plant Health webinar addresses plant health management
The CGIAR Plant Health Initiative (PHI) is organizing a webinar to commemorate the 2nd International Day of Plant Health on May 12th, 2023. The event aims to address the growing threat of pests and diseases to crops in food-deficit regions, exacerbated by climate change and weak phytosanitary systems. Stakeholders will discuss strategies to strengthen plant health management capacity in the Global South, focusing on diagnostics, surveillance, integrated pest and disease management, and mycotoxin management across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Precision agriculture technology helps farmers – but they need help
A John Deere 4020 tractor, purchased in 1968 by the grandfather of Lee Nunn, now sits alongside a John Deere 8360 model that is fitted with air conditioning, heated seats, and other modern technology that makes farming easier. Precision agriculture tools can help farmers make better decisions than their human brains could alone. They can also save money on fertilizers, pesticides, and water by using real-time data to maximize yields.
‘Growing green’: The rise of cover crops for sustainable farming, enhanced soil health on Prince Edward Island
As farmers continue to focus their efforts on sustainability, for Prince Edward Island on Canada’s east coast, that means preserving soil health and water quality. This is why Living Lab – Atlantic, a four-year collaborative innovation project on PEI between researchers, farmers, and other partners, tested cover cropping as a management practice to enhance soil health and sustainable production practices.
Sustainable cultivation in action: Branston’s plans for net zero potatoes push ahead in second year of extensive field trials
Leading UK potato supplier Branston has launched new trials to pioneer the net-zero production of potato crops. Branston this week (10 May) began plantings for its second year of extensive field trials, using sustainable fertilisers, reduced cultivations, varieties and improved soil health, alongside improvements in storage and transport. Branston said its net zero project aims to sustainably change the way that potatoes are grown, stored, and transported.
British potato growers advised to check weed control before blight spraying
Potato growers are being advised to check fields to determine how well their herbicides have worked before the blight spraying season kicks off, as Richard Allison reports in this news story published by Farmers Weekly. Andrew Goodinson, potato agronomist at crop production specialist Hutchinsons, explains that assessing how well growers’ herbicide sprays have worked can indicate any errors in sprayer set-up.
The fight for family farms: Washington State farmers confront regulatory hurdles, an uncertain future
Washington state family farmers, like seed potato grower Scott Bedlington, are concerned about government overreach and inadequate outreach in recent legislation. They feel that increasing regulations and costs favor corporate farms over family-owned operations. The proposed Buffer bill could further threaten family farms by requiring buffer zones around waterways, potentially taking away significant portions of their usable farmland.
Potato sustainability takes center stage at the 2nd Annual PSA Summer Symposium
The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) is set to host its 2nd Annual Summer Symposium at the Sysco Global Support Center in Houston, Texas, from June 20-22, 2023. The event aims to advance discussions surrounding potato sustainability and celebrate the industry’s progress. PSA Executive Director John Mesko says the event will feature insights from farmers working tirelessly to enhance their sustainability practices.
Potato Protein+Plus: A novel plant based replacement for eggs
As pandemics threaten our world and the bird flu outbreak leads to a severe shortage of chicken eggs, food companies urgently search for alternative solutions. FreeFromThat, a Vegan Gastronomy Culinary Academy division, has collaborated with AVEBE of the Netherlands to launch Potato Protein+Plus, a groundbreaking product to replace eggs in various food applications.
Reimagining potato farming: McCain Foods’ Farm of the Future Canada shows promise after two growing seasons
McCain Foods’ Farm of the Future Canada has completed two growing seasons, demonstrating the potential of regenerative agriculture in sustainable potato farming. Progress has been made in reducing pesticide toxicity and optimizing water use, with further plans to reduce synthetic fertilizers and incorporate precision agriculture technology.
Purdue University collaborates with AI-CLIMATE Institute to champion eco-friendly farming practices
Purdue University has received a $500,000 grant for its role in the AI-CLIMATE Institute, a collaboration aiming to promote environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. The university will develop instructional modules, tools for farmers and agribusiness professionals, and educational materials for diverse audiences, including K-12 students. The AI-CLIMATE Institute seeks to improve carbon accounting in farms and forests and contribute to the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Reimagining potato farming: McCain Foods’ Farm of the Future Canada shows promise after two growing seasons
McCain Foods’ Farm of the Future Canada has completed two growing seasons, demonstrating the potential of regenerative agriculture in sustainable potato farming. The farm achieved Expert level in three out of seven indicators of the McCain Foods Regenerative Agriculture Framework. Progress has been made in reducing pesticide toxicity and optimizing water use, with further plans to reduce synthetic fertilizers and incorporate precision agriculture technology. The project anticipates ongoing improvements in sustainability metrics.
Innovative hybrid herbicide technology to be showcased during upcoming field day
Crop.zone, a leading agtech company, is inviting interested individuals to attend their field day on June 28th, 2023 in Germany to witness a demonstration of their groundbreaking hybrid herbicide technology. This revolutionary technology offers an environmentally friendly, chemical-free, and efficient alternative to traditional plant treatment systems. By merging the benefits of electrical and chemical plant control, crop.zone’s innovative technology eliminates the drawbacks associated with conventional herbicides.
Potato Sustainability Alliance podcast: ‘Exploring how to tell the story of sustainability’
“For farmers and the industry to tell an accurate and useful sustainability story for potatoes, we need to incorporate additional aspects into our sustainability programs beyond just asking questions and getting answers and scoring them on a scale,” says John Mesko, Executive Director of the Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA).
