Features Fruit Production
P.E.I. potato conference and trade show

February 14, 2013, Charlottetown, PEI – The 2013 Prince Edward Island potato conference and trade show was recently held in Summerside, providing producers with an excellent opportunity to discuss new research and new developments in the industry.

The conference and trade show were held at Credit Union Place in Summerside on Feb. 12 and was sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

This year’s conference included presentations on diseases, research updates and technology trends.

Dr. Rick Peters from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada gave an overview of the diseases that affected the 2012 crop. Dr. Gefu Wang-Pruski of Dalhousie University discussed her recent research and the use pattern of phosphorous acids in her research trials. Dr. Christine Noronha gave an overview of the 2012 click beetle/wireworm survey that was completed in the spring of 2012. Steve Watts from Genesis Crop Systems gave an overview of the research being carried out on physiological age accumulation. As well, Dr. Yvan Pelletier from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Fredericton updated attendees on his recent research on potato virus Y.

The popular grower panel focused on potato planter performance, and three P.E.I. operations talked about planting the 2012 crop and the results they experienced.

Other updates included virus research results and insect control.

“The Prince Edward Island potato industry has achieved world-class status because of the many innovations that producers have continued to make over the years,” said P.E.I. Agriculture Minister George Webster. “We continue to move forward in producing high quality potatoes in an environmentally responsible manner.”