Parrella: Potato Storage Research Critical For Industry Northwest

In an effort to improve potato storage, earlier this year, the University of Idaho announced an endowed professorship. The $1 million investment to create the research professorship was made possible by Wayne and Peggy Thiessen as well as the Idaho Potato Commission. The endowment establishes a new faculty position at the U of I’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. College of Ag Dean Michael Parrella said potato research is a slow process, so it’s critical that this work is started soon.

“And when you get into a storage situation, there are some issues there, that are critical to understand the overall cultivar evaluation.  And that is something that there has been a lack of expertise in that area in the Tri-State agreement.  So, in that sense having a post-harvest storage physiologist on board is something that’s critical, and it’s critical not only to Idaho but to the Tri-State agreement.”

Parrella added this is the latest example of the great working relationship the College has with Ag commissions across the state. And he noted their financial support is vital.

“They are a critical piece of the college, and it’s not just in Idaho, it’s pretty much everywhere.  We realize they are not an endless source of funding and these are grower dollars that are being assessed, we feel like an investment in both the potato facility and the endowment, it’s something that there’s a return on investment for the industry.”

According to agricultural economists, the potato-based cash receipts and revenues totaled $1.1 billion for the state of Idaho in 2019.

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