34th Annual Western Potato Council Meeting Comes to Saskatoon

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Potato growers from across Western Canada will gather in Saskatoon on November 29 for the 34th Annual Western Potato Council Meeting.

The event will be an opportunity for participants to take in opinions and solutions on the latest factors affecting the potato industry in Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Provincial Vegetable Crops Specialist Connie Achtymichuk.

“There will be sessions focused on assisting growers in planning, managing, marketing and operating businesses in the potato industry,” Achtymichuk says.

“The Council meeting is held jointly with the Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association Conference, which will focus on issues related to water on November 30 with Dr. Robert Coffin of Cavendish Farms. He will address water-related storage diseases. One of the realities of living in Saskatchewan is that we have to contend with growing potatoes in an environment where the availability of water is always a challenge. In Prince Edward Island, the reverse is true. There are lessons to be learned from comparing both realities.”

Dave Beasley from United Fresh in Idaho will address participants. United Fresh is trying to implement an acreage reduction program in the United States, in order to keep prices higher. In addition, Debbie Leblanc will provide some background on the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program, a joint initiative of AAFC and Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).

“The program is designed to support the development, availability, and adoption of sustainable pest management tools and practices in agriculture,” explains Achtymichuk.

More specifically, this program will help address growers’ needs in achieving effective and sustainable pest management; develop and implement strategies to reduce environmental and health risks from pesticide use; support research to develop and improve pest management tools; facilitate the registration

of reduced-risk pesticides and the adoption of their use by growers; and support the development and provision of comprehensive information on the best integrated pest management (IPM) practices to growers.

IPM can be defined as a process that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to manage pests so that the benefits of pest control are maximized while the risk to human health and the environment are minimized. IPM ensures that pesticides are only used when needed, and that they are applied responsibly as part of an overall pest management strategy.

“Over the years, the industry in Saskatchewan has developed an enviable reputation in the area of seed potato production. We are recognized across North America as virtually the best source of clean seed, which represents roughly half of our 10,000 acres of annual production—the rest being destined for the table,” Achtimychuk says.

Saskatchewan grows potatoes mostly for the food processing industry, but we export our seed as far away as P.E.I., Idaho, Washington, Manitoba and North Dakota.

Both events in Saskatoon will be held at the Travelodge Hotel. Call (306) 242-8881 or 1-888-4209 for reservations.

For more information, contact:

Connie Achtymichuk
Provincial Vegetable Crops Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-2755