Tuber Talk

Is it possible for anomalies to be the "new normal?"That might be something for growers to get used to – that's at least according to early/preliminary growing season reflections across Canada. While there is much to celebrate, according to United Potato Growers of Canada GM Victoria Stamper and Manitoba plant pathologist Vikram Bisht, one of the markers of the 2024 growing season was its lack of predictability."Some of [the events], growers are prepared for," says Stamper. "Others can be quite surprising – like the lack of precipitation that happened in P.E.I. this year."Stamper provides a holistic view of the growing season from coast to coast based on feedback from the industry. Bisht joins the podcast to provide a specific update on Manitoba, which has faced many unique weather challenges in recent years, and how its weather has affected yields and tuber quality. He also provides an update on pests to watch for and which diseases to keep an eye on.

Potato production in Northeastern North America can lead to stagnant yields and declining soil health. This is why practices such as cover cropping and the use of manure are important. However, these practices also lead to increased weed problems by adding seeds into the weed seedbank. A recent AAFC study explored how cover crops and manure affect weed populations in a potato crop rotation over three years.To speak more about the study, the process and insights gleaned are Judith Nyiraneza and Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill of AAFC. They discuss the background of the still-ongoing research project, insights into the various cover crop/manure combinations, and discuss why weed seeds in manure did not necessarily evolve into dense weed spread.

For many potato producers, late blight is a well-known disease – either because they're unfortunate enough to have already experienced it, or they're from a region that has had highly publicized late blight symptoms observed. Late blight requires a fairly specific combination of climate and other external factors. Although it's not late blight season yet, it's a good time to know if things are shaping up in that direction. Ryan Barrett, research and agronomy specialist with the P.E.I. Potato Board, shares the conditions that result in late blight, what to look for and how to work with agronomists and local labs to learn more about late blight.

Through her research, Dr. Meghan Cameron has discovered that eight in 10 farmers in P.E.I. are experiencing some level of anxiety or depression – a remarkably high number – shining a light on the importance of mental health.Cameron, who recently completed her family medicine residency with Dalhousie University and whose husband is a potato grower, joins this episode of Tuber Talk to discuss mental health in farmers, potential causes and key indicators of anxiety and depression and where growers and their families can turn for help if someone is dealing with a mental health issue.Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts.Support for this series provided by Syngenta.

Proper irrigation and weed control measures are key to kicking off the growing season for potato farmers.In this episode of Tuber Talk, Mike Wind, president of Windiana Farms in Taber, Alta., talks about what he is doing to get water to his crop in what has been a hot, dry spring in much of Western Canada, while also providing some tips on controlling those pesky weeds.Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Whether it’s a pest that chews or sucks, controlling insects in your field is a necessary part of life for potato growers.In this episode of Tuber Talk, Potatoes in Canada editor Derek Clouthier talks with Andrew Thompson, area business manager for ADAMA Canada. Thompson helps listeners get a better understanding of the various types of insecticides, how they work, what they are intended to do, what factors can contribute to them not working the way one would expect and what type of products are tailored to a growers’ specific needs.

Prince Edward Island might be Canada's potato capital, but growers on the Island aren't exempt from soil health challenges. In this episode of Tuber Talk, guest host Bree Rody chats with Ryan Barrett, research co-ordinator for the P.E.I. Potato Board about the different projects underway at Living Labs Atlantic to help boost both soil health and potato yield and profitability, including cover crop usage before and after potatoes. Learn more about Living Labs Atlantic here and follow Ryan Barrett on Twitter @RBarrettPEI. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts.The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.

In 2011, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists were researching ways to control European corn borer populations. In an effort to target the pest at its source, they developed a piece of equipment dubbed the “potato vine crusher.” The equipment successfully reduced ECB populations in a field, but the pest's ability to fly between fields meant all farms in an area would have to employ the technology for there to be a beneficial effect overall. The crusher went unused for a decade until one AAFC research scientist considered another use for it.In this episode of Tuber Talk, AAFC weed scientist Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill discusses the history of the potato vine crusher, how he found out about it, and the trials he's running to determine the crusher's potential for weed seed management. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts.The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.Sponsored by Syngenta.

Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a devastating invasive insect pest of potato and other Solanaceae crops and can be found in potato-growing regions across Canada. The beetle is also capable of developing resistance to insecticides rapidly, making it more of a question of "when" specific resistances will develop, rather than "if." A five-year study conducted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researchers is examining CPB from a regional perspective, looking into whether there are genetic differences in CPB depending on region and if this affects insecticide resistance.In this episode, Tuber Talk host Dylan Sjolie speaks to Dr. Chandra Moffat, a research scientist in entomology and biological control with AAFC's Summerland Research and Development Centre in British Columbia, and Dr. Ian Scott, a research scientist with AAFC's London Research and Development Centre in Ontario. They discuss their joint research project focused on the development of regional management strategies and decision making tools for control of CPB, now in its final year. Show notes:For more information on the project, contact Ian Scott or Chandra Moffat.Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts.The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.

Potatoes in Canada last spoke to Vanessa Currie, a potato breeding technician at the University of Guelph, at the 2021 Canadian Potato Summit, where she shared exciting new varieties being examined. In this episode of Tuber Talk, our guest host Dylan Sjolle catches up with Vanessa to recap the 2021 growing season and hear what's new for the program in 2022. To receive a copy of the breeding report via email, contact Vanessa at vcurrie@uoguelph.ca, or visit her on Twitter for updates @GuelphPotato. Sign up for the free Canadian Potato Summit to learn more insights from potato industry experts. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you listen to podcasts.The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.Sponsored by Syngenta.

Disease-suppressive crops work in multiple ways: by not being a crop host to the disease, by actively lowering pathogen levels, and by boosting soil health so the overall growing environment is more resilient to disease. Robert Larkin, USDA-ARS research plant pathologist, joins us to discuss the different ways crops can lower disease pressure, what farmers in Maine are doing, and all about soil health more broadly.For the full show notes, including Larkin’s full crop rotation studies, please visit potatoesincanada.com/podcasts.The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.

Peter Vander Zaag is an international potato research scientist who has worked in 60 countries, but his roots start in Alliston, Ont. on his family’s multi-generational potato farm. In this episode, Vander Zaag shares what he’s learned through his international experiences, explains his current work, and looks ahead to the future of the potato industry.You can find Peter Vander Zaag on Twitter at @PVanderZaag. For the full show notes, please visit potatoesincanada.com/podcasts. The music used in this episode is Vital Signs from Purple Planet Music.