May/June 2022 - 32

Long awaited germplasm lab opens doors
In March, the
IDAHO POTATO
COMMISSION
Jamey Higham
President and CEO
Idaho Potato
Commission (IPC)
participated in a
long awaited ribboncutting
ceremony
at the University
of Idaho's College
of Agriculture and
Life Sciences to
officially recognize
the opening of
the new Seed
Potato Germplasm
Laboratory. The state-of-the-art facility is
critical to maintaining the quality of one
of Idaho's most important agricultural
commodities: the potato.
The $5.6 million laboratory, which
was funded by the IPC and several other
contributors, was built to address growing
demand for disease-free plantlets and
mini-tubers for domestic and international
seed growers and researchers that couldn't
be met at the former facility. The lab benefits
the entire potato industry in many ways:
* Size: The larger facility will allow more
plantlets and mini-tubers to be studied,
* Increased cold storage capacity:
Allows for greater production of current
varieties to meet the industry needs
while supporting increased development
of new varieties.
The investment in the Seed Potato
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new
germplasm lab at the University of Idaho.
Photo: IPC
increasing plant production by three times
over the next five years. This in turn will
increase revenue, keeping the facility on
the cutting edge of technology and provide
support for student training and education
through internships.
* Greenhouse Production Reduction:
Allow growers to reduce their current
greenhouse production of mini-tubers,
ultimately saving them time and money.
* Biosafety: The laboratory is located in
the new building to ensure biosafety.
The healthy plants/seedlings will be
isolated from research being conducted
on potato pathogens.
Where else can
you find industry
suppliers?
Germplasm Laboratory is critical to the
future of the Idaho potato. The team that
operates the lab are among the smartest
in agriculture, devoting 100% of their time
studying the potato and researching ways
to improve yield, develop new varieties and
identify ways to protect the potato from
known and unknown pathogens.
Idaho potatoes are the only worldwide
known potato brand. In 2021, Idaho growers
harvested over 314,000 acres of the
state's famous potatoes, about 13 billion
pounds, representing over one-third of all
potatoes grown in the U.S. It's estimated
that the Idaho potato industry - including
processors, growers, freshpack shippers and
support industry - generate approximately
$5 billion dollars in revenue.
Potatoes are an integral part of Idaho's
economy. Not only is it critical to increase
demand for Idaho potatoes, it's equally
important to maintain high quality standards.
The 2022 Buyers'
Guide is your
year-round resource
Whether you are out on the farm or in your
home, you can easily find the suppliers you
need to keep your operation running. Keep
the 2022 Buyers' Guide handy!
INSIDE DIRECTORY OF INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS BY CATEGORY
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
THE MOST TRUSTED VOICE
IN THE POTATO INDUSTRY
2022 BUYERS' GUIDE
View the Buyers' Guide at
Spudman.com/BuyersGuide
32
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May/June 2022

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