Proudly Canadian
Proudly Canadian
After years of decline, the industry is seeing infections, not only increase but become more difficult to detect
Russell Groves has noticed a troubling trend for potato seed growers in his home state of Wisconsin in recent years. The University of Wisconsin entomologist specializes in insect-transmitted vegetable plant diseases, and he says after a period of decline, potato virus Y (PVY) infections have begun to increase for seed potato growers. “From about theThe disease, which causes brown stripes in potatoes, has spread like wildfire since being found in Texas in 2000
Manitoba growers haven’t seen zebra chip disease yet — but it’s only a matter of time, says John Nordgaard. The transplanted North Dakotan manages a potato operation for Black Gold Farms near Piersall, Texas, which he describes as one of the epicentres for the disease, which results in striped chips that look like a whiteFarmers in drier regions of the western Prairies flirted with canola but are turning back to the tried and true
Attractive prices and weather issues are expected to help farmers in Canada take a serious look at seeding more acres to wheat this summer than in previous years, according to industry sources. “Last year a lot of farmers took a chance with canola given the high financial returns, but the drier-than-anticipated conditions across parts ofMost of the increased production will be absorbed by higher demand and end-season stocks are expected to rise by only two million tonnes
World wheat production in 2013-14 is tentatively expected to rise by four per cent, the International Grains Council said Feb. 21, issuing its first forecast for next season’s supply-and-demand balance for the commodity. “Much (of the increase) is expected to be absorbed by higher demand and end-season stocks are likely to rise by just two
