Smart Farming

Protecting the crop, protecting the margin: NAPSO webinar connects storage disease management with economic return

NAPSO and Spud Smart will host a November 19 webinar connecting russet potato disease management with storage economics. Jeff Miller will examine varietal susceptibility and disease management strategies, while Patrick Hatzenbuehler will explore treatment costs, shrinkage, market prices, and potential returns. The session launches NAPSO’s Storage Economics initiative and aims to help growers and storage teams make informed decisions about protecting crop quality and financial returns throughout the storage season.

November 5, 2026

Potatoes offer a model for Canada’s economic growth, says Syngenta president

Syngenta Canada president Shaun Vey has highlighted Canada’s potato sector as an example of agriculture’s potential to drive economic growth. In an opinion article published by The Hill Times, he points to the importance of innovation, investment, processing capacity and export access. His message calls for predictable regulation, effective investment and infrastructure that help farmers and agricultural businesses strengthen competitiveness, create value and contribute more to Canada’s long-term economic prosperity.

November 3, 2026

On the potato industry’s screens: Recent videos explore harvest, storage and breeding

Six recent YouTube uploads provide perspectives on potato harvesting, storage, machinery and breeding. Potato News Today’s selection brings together updates from Bells Farming and Rocky Mountain Farmer, an APH Group harvesting demonstration, Trekkerweb’s PotatoEurope coverage and a Root2Res discussion featuring Teagasc researchers. Published between September and November 2026, the videos connect seasonal farm operations with equipment developments and the longer-term work of developing potato varieties for different production environments worldwide.

November 2, 2026

Water, disease and competitiveness: Europatat highlights priorities for Europe’s potato sector

Europatat’s September–October 2026 newsletter highlights water resilience, post-harvest disease protection and closer cooperation across Europe’s potato sector. Developments include a water workshop, PATAFEST research on Fusarium dry rot susceptibility, and a new POMATO platform for sharing bacterial disease knowledge. The issue also reviews Madrid’s International Potato Symposium, welcomes new members from Greece and Spain, and looks ahead to Europatat’s 75th anniversary congress in Lisbon, Portugal, scheduled for June next year.

November 2, 2026

‘Words Behind the Headlines’: Rising costs, smarter tools and the people behind the crop

This edition of Potato News Today’s ‘Words Behind the Headlines’ series explores the gap between growing potatoes and earning a dependable living. Six selections highlight Ireland’s rising costs, Bangladesh’s storage losses, an Idaho grower’s interest in artificial intelligence, African efforts to strengthen seed delivery and late blight management, and Canadian food redistribution. Together, they show why innovation, market access and shared responsibility matter for growers and the communities that depend on their continued success.

November 2, 2026

Kenya hosts historic World Potato Congress with focus on growers, innovation, and food security

Kenya’s hosting of the 13th World Potato Congress places African growers at the center of an international conversation about food security, innovation, and trade. Running October 26–30 in Naivasha, the congress combines scientific discussions with practical field demonstrations, seed system workshops, and youth engagement. Its emphasis on continuing collaboration highlights a central challenge: turning global knowledge and partnerships into accessible solutions and lasting benefits for potato farmers and their communities.

October 26, 2026

DeepDetect: Welsh research explores smartphone AI for earlier potato blight detection

Aberystwyth University’s DeepDetect project explored using artificial intelligence and smartphone leaf images to support earlier potato blight detection. Designed around farmer and agronomist feedback, the Welsh Government-funded feasibility study aimed to develop a practical diagnostic app. University records list the project as finished in January 2026, but public sources reviewed provide no confirmed commercial launch or field-performance results. Its potential lies in supporting timely, better-informed crop protection decisions for growers.

October 26, 2026

CropX joins New Zealand potato trial to put regenerative farming under the microscope

CropX Technologies has joined McCain Foods and Lincoln University in an eight-year New Zealand study comparing regenerative and conventional farming systems. Researchers will assess soil health, carbon, water and nutrient use, yields, pest management and profitability across a full potato rotation. CropX’s sensors and digital agronomy tools will support monitoring and management decisions, helping build locally relevant evidence as McCain pursues regenerative agriculture practices across its potato acreage by 2030.

October 26, 2026

Idaho’s pale cyst nematode fight demands a full eradication toolbox

Researchers are continuing efforts to eradicate the pale cyst nematode in Idaho, focusing on complementary measures. Key strategies include using litchi tomato as a trap crop, achieving over 80% egg-density reduction, and mustard-based biofumigation. The recent deregulation of Idaho’s first field is a milestone, yet challenges remain for growers. Effective management practices and ongoing research are essential for sustained progress against Globodera pallida.

October 22, 2026

From field to store: Europe’s smaller potato crop faces an uneven harvest

Northwestern Europe’s potato harvest is facing challenges due to contrasting soil conditions, with excess rain in northern Netherlands and dryness affecting Belgium and France. The NEPG forecasts a 25.4% decrease in ware potato production compared to 2025, raising concerns over tuber size and specifications. Harvest completion varies significantly across countries, and market adjustments reflect tighter supplies without guaranteed higher margins for growers, complicating the overall outlook for the season.

October 16, 2026

Who Will Grow Our Potatoes? What it takes to keep potato farming viable

Potato News Today launches “Who Will Grow Our Potatoes?”, an international series investigating the future of potato production. The series focuses on the challenges and opportunities for growers to ensure viable livelihoods amidst changing market conditions, water shortages, and socio-economic barriers. It highlights the importance of commercial relationships, sustainable practices, and innovation. Key themes will include farm economics, seed access, water management, and the role of new farmers in shaping the industry’s future.

October 16, 2026

From rice straw to potato fields: Vietnam connects crop rotations, composting and regional learning

A recent workshop in northern Vietnam focused on integrating potatoes into diversified farming systems, linking crop production, nutrient management, and local markets. Participants visited the Nam Cuong Cooperative to discuss innovative practices in rice and potato farming, aiming to enhance farmers’ livelihoods. The cooperative exemplifies how coordinated crop management can optimize resources.

October 12, 2026

Beyond the harvest: England’s potato growers face a critical winter water test

The recent drought update highlights the urgent need for England’s potato industry to focus on replenishing irrigation reservoirs, as many are only 0-20% full. A temporary regulatory measure allows some growers to refill outside typical periods but requires compliance with environmental protections. The situation emphasizes the importance of water management for future production, stressing that separate assessments of past yields and future resource availability are crucial for planning.

October 10, 2026

The final loads matter: NAPSO urges extra care as harvest pressures mount

As potato harvesting wraps up in North America, the North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) emphasizes the importance of safety amidst the pressure. Their article outlines essential precautions for growers and workers, highlighting communication, risk assessments, and fatigue management. Protecting worker safety is crucial, as incidents can impact entire communities. The article provides safety check questions and resources to support safe storage practices during this critical time.

October 10, 2026

Beyond the congress hall: Will Kenya 2026 leave a lasting potato legacy?

From 26 to 30 October, the World Potato Congress will meet in Kenya—the first edition held in sub-Saharan Africa. Delegates from 62 countries are already registered, but the event’s significance extends beyond attendance figures. Its lasting value will depend on whether global science, investment and technology connect with farmers’ everyday constraints, and whether African growers, researchers, young people and businesses help set the agenda rather than merely host it there.

September 29, 2026

Salt in the root zone: An emerging test for global potato production

Soil salinity is quietly reducing potato performance in irrigated and coastal production regions, often before obvious symptoms appear. New research suggests that zinc and phosphorus may help certain potato genotypes withstand salt stress, but it is not yet a field-ready prescription. The larger lesson is practical: test water and soil, understand where salts accumulate, protect drainage and match varieties and nutrients to the root-zone problem before yields begin to disappear.

September 29, 2026

Less nitrogen, but the same crop?

A Prince Edward Island field study found that reducing potato nitrogen applications by 25% preserved marketable yield while some combinations of rotation and enhanced-efficiency fertiliser sharply lowered nitrous oxide emissions. The result is promising, but it is not a universal recommendation to cut rates. It demonstrates why nitrogen decisions should reflect soil supply, rotation history, weather, variety and requirements—and why measuring the crop matters more than following a habitual number.

September 28, 2026

‘Weed hunters reloaded’: Canadian scientists targeting troublesome weeds with grit and innovation

Dr. Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill’s research explores a novel weed control method for Canadian farmers using baking soda and corn cob grit. By employing abrasive techniques and bioherbicides, the approach effectively targets stubborn weeds, like lamb’s quarters and wild buckwheat, without harming potato crops or yields. While promising, challenges include sourcing materials and costs. This method particularly benefits high-value and organic crops, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional herbicides.

September 28, 2026

Potatoes, humane farming and the wider circle of care

Potatoes may seem far removed from animal welfare, but they occupy an important place in the wider conversation about humane farming. As organisations such as Mercy For Animals support farmers seeking alternatives to industrial animal agriculture through initiatives like The Transfarmation Project, the potato sector has an opportunity to contribute practical crop knowledge, market insight and solidarity rooted in farmer dignity, food security and responsible land stewardship.

September 25, 2026

PapaDX moves beyond photo diagnosis as AI assistant learns the history of individual potato fields

PapaDX, an AI-driven app developed in Argentina, has expanded from basic image-based crop diagnosis to a comprehensive digital assistant for potato growers. Its new features include field-specific memory tracking, Growing Degree Days monitoring, and a weed identification function. These updates enhance crop management by anticipating risks and contextualizing field history, marking a shift from reactive diagnosis to proactive support, ultimately aiming to empower growers in potato production.

September 23, 2026

What the canopy cannot tell us: Heat damage hidden inside the potato ridge

Recent potato losses in East Asia due to extreme heat highlight significant production risks. South Korean grower Lee Sang-hyuk discovered that potatoes, seemingly healthy above ground, were damaged beneath the surface during a heatwave. The temperatures disrupt tuber formation, impacting yield and quality. The findings emphasize that managing soil temperature and moisture is crucial, as traditional measurements may not reflect the conditions tubers experience, leading to hidden crop losses.

September 10, 2026

Can a digital twin support potato irrigation without permanent field sensors?

AGORÀ, developed by VAIMEE, helps potato growers optimize irrigation decisions by integrating crop, soil, weather, and management data. This decision-support system updates daily and can predict irrigation needs for up to three days ahead, relying on existing field data. A 2026 assessment in Italy compared AGORÀ’s recommendations with actual irrigation events, exploring various configurations to enhance timing, while keeping the grower involved in final decisions. The study didn’t assess the impact on crop yield or quality.

September 8, 2026

Holding the ground: Why soil retention is becoming a potato production priority

Potato production faces significant soil loss due to runoff, wind, and harvesting, which impacts fertility and future yields. A 2025 incident in Somerset highlighted this issue when a grower faced over £40,000 in costs due to soil erosion. Effective soil management strategies include understanding field conditions and using cover crops, but growers often underestimate these losses, which diminish soil quality and agricultural sustainability. Soil retention must be prioritized alongside crop production.

September 8, 2026

Same variety, different crop: Why seed-tuber age deserves more attention

Physiological age significantly affects seed tuber performance, but current measurement methods for growers are inadequate. Although seed tubers may appear similar, their internal developmental conditions can lead to varying crop outcomes. A 2026 scientific review highlights the lack of fast, reliable tests and suggests that physiological readiness should complement traditional seed quality assessments. The industry must better understand and manage the biological condition of seed for optimal growth.

September 6, 2026

‘One drop at a time’, part 4: Why drip remains an outsider in North American potato country

Potato growers across North America face increasing pressure to optimize water usage, with alternatives like drip irrigation and centre pivots vying for efficacy. Drip irrigation is recognized for precision but competes with well-established centre pivots that suit large-scale operations. The suitability of each system varies regionally, influenced by factors like soil type and water availability. Factors such as operational efficiency, costs, and environmental impacts must be weighed to determine the best irrigation approach for specific situations.

September 5, 2026