Manitoba Potato Producers Store Record Crop

Dec 01, 2016

That from Carman-area producer Jason Kehler, who grows about 850 acres of the processing variety for Simplot and McCain.

2016 was a record year for many potato growers thanks to cool, wet weather conditions and an early planting season. However with the large crop, storage has been in issue for many producers.

"We had just enough room," said Kehler. "I ended up having to leave probably about five acres in the field, so we cut it pretty fine. We filled everything up corner to corner, front to back....It's only a good a crop if you can store it."

Kehler says late blight was also an issue for many producers this season.

He notes the industry has seen its ups and downs over the years.

"It fluctuates a little bit with the dollar," he explained. "In the 90's, we were losing some acres, things were a little tough, the dollar was a little stronger. Then into the early 2000's, the dollar backed off a bit and we couldn't grow enough potatoes. Then obviously five or ten years ago we were losing some again. Now, obviously our dollar has backed off again and so production is up."

Source : portageonline.com

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.