After a record year in 2016, potato growers in Manitoba hare hoping for another big year.
Vikram Bisht, plant pathologist with Manitoba Agriculture, says acres are expected to be similar to last year, holding steady at around 64,000.
He notes seeding in the Carberry area is about 60 to 70 per cent done, while it's a bit slower in the Winkler area which is only about 30 to 35 per cent complete. Some growers in the Portage area are already done.
Bisht says potato psyllids, which is an insect that has been making its way to southern Manitoba from the U.S., could be a threat this growing season.
"These insects, they have probably moved into northern U.S. states and quite often we find them in the southern part of our Canadian borders," he explained. "We have now seen this in Alberta, B.C., last year we found some in Manitoba. At the moment, we are monitoring it, but it could be a concern for the processing industry."
Source : Portageonline