Idaho growers plan precautionary late blight programs

A few Eastern Idaho potato growers plan to take preventive measures against late blight next season, following a 2015 outbreak. Farmer Tim Eames will take no chances with late blight this season. Following a widespread late blight outbreak in Idaho potato country in 2015, Eames plans to apply foliar fungicides with efficacy against late blight every two weeks. When rain is in the forecast, he’ll spray every week — even before the first report of late blight surfaces in his area. He’s among a group of Idaho growers hoping to limit late blight expenses by being proactive. “You start with the cheap sprays,” Eames said. “If you get behind, it’s a big problem. Nobody wants to spend the money, but I’d rather spend the money than have a catastrophe.” More