potatoes

University of Idaho researchers are introducing genes from a specific plant into potatoes, in an effort to develop spuds that are resistant to harmful nematodes.  The litchi tomato, has a natural resistance to several species of nematodes, which are also known as round worms.  Nematod...

The University of Idaho and Boise State University are conducting a two-year study that probes how wildfire smoke impact potatoes crops.  Farmers have reported smaller yields and worse quality during active wildfire seasons that produce a lot of smoke.  Univers...

The value of Washington’s 2021 agricultural production totaled $10.2 billion, a slight increase from the 2020 figure.  According to NASS, the value of Washington’s crop production in 2021 was $7.21 billion, down 3% year-over-year.  Meanwhile, the...

Oregon State University has been awarded $50 million by the USDA to work with potato farmers to reduce their carbon footprint.  The Pacific Northwest accounts for roughly 60% of potatoes grown in the United States, and spuds are a $2 billion dollar crop locally in the Pacific Northwest but harvesting spuds creates a lot of soil disturbance.  OSU pro...

Harvest is underway for the 2022 Idaho potato crop, and while official numbers won’t be known for a while, the crop is looking very good, that according to Idaho Potato Commission President & CEO Jamey Higham.  He noted while the weather may have been all over the map, even delaying some plantings, 2022 was a good growing year.   “The one m...

As we start our Northwest Farm Credit Services’ quarterly commodity snapshot series, we focus on area row crops.  Bill Perry, Vice President at NWFCS, said when it comes to potatoes, their outlook suggests slightly profitable returns for contracted potatoes and profitable returns for uncontracted spuds.   “For c...

According to NASS, the value of all potatoes sold last year in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, totaled $1.92 billion.     Washington's 2021 potato crop sold was valued at $666 million, down 5% from 2020.  The marketing year average price for fall potatoes was $7.75 per cwt, up...

The old saying is work smarter, not harder.  And that’s where Trinity Trailer comes in to help a host of growers across the Pacific Northwest.  Keith Eastman Trinity Trailer market manager said their flagship product the EagleBridge was invented in 1975, and what makes it revolutionary is the fact that EagleBridge was the first segmented belt trailer design.   “Our founder and the ...

The supply chain continues to be a challenge for Americans, not only when it comes to products coming into the United States, but goods heading out.  Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission said they continue to struggle when it comes to getting product overseas, despite red hot demand for U.S. potato...

As Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden led Wednesday’s session pushing to approve the nomination of Doug McKalip as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the USTR.   "These days, Americans are paying more for their groceries but getting less, and our farms and ranches are getting clobbered by inflation and drought.  American...