Spudman November/December 2022 - 26

Irrigated crops were harvested on time, with growers
delaying as long as possible to allow for bulking.
potatoes are grown under irrigation
farther west and south. These varieties
need a long season for bulking, even
under irrigation. Irrigated crops were
harvested on time, with growers
delaying as long as possible to allow
for bulking. However, the late planting
dates appeared to have had an impact
on long season variety yields, with
growers harvesting a below-average
irrigated crop.
Leaf samples were taken from
required seed lots for serological potato
virus testing, including PVY and PVX.
Laboratory results matched field
inspection notes. Inspectors collected
random symptomatic blackleg stems
and subjected them to lab testing
against Dickeya dianthicola. To date, no
positives have been confirmed.
Seed growers were proactive with
protective fungicides, reducing
potential for Alternaria solani and
Phytophthora infestans. Growers
monitored the Blight Alert programs for
the region. No late blight was reported
in North Dakota. Mosaic vectoring
aphid counts were tracking slightly
above the previous year. Again, seed
growers were strongly encouraged to
use protective oils and insecticides
through the growing season and vine
kill as early as possible.
The 2022 crop included 13,707 acres,
which passed field inspection tolerances
for certification, 576 acres less than
2021. The top five varieties were
Norland strains, 2,329 acres; Umatilla
Russet, 1,749 acres; Dakota Russet,
1,713 acres; Ranger Russet, 1,217 acres;
and Dakota Pearl, 952 acres. Dakota
Russet gained the most acreage this
year, more than doubling from 667
acres in 2021. This is the variety that
was recently approved by McDonald's
to use for french fry production.
North Dakota State Seed
Department tissue culture and
greenhouse staff harvest minituber
crops in June and October. These
minitubers will supply North Dakota
seed growers with the first field year
crop of 2023, creating a clean seed
source for crops in future years.
Nearly all early field generation seed
lots in North Dakota are planted in
very isolated areas in the western
part of the state. Inspection results
indicated freedom from viruses.
Threat by aphid populations, mosaic
or late blight inoculum was very low
and not observed. These seed lots
provide the basis for future North
Dakota seed production.
The cycle of seed potato certification
continues as North Dakota certified seed
growers randomly select tubers from
their 2022 crop seed lots requiring a
postharvest test planted in Homestead,
Florida. Results from this stage of testing
will determine seed lots eligible for
certification for the future 2023 crop.
- Kent Sather, director, potato
programs, North Dakota State Seed
Department
Directly
from our farm
to yours
* 20 varieties of certified
organic seed potatoes for sale
* Reasonable prices
* Certified and inspected by
Maine Dept. of Agriculture
* Grown in Aroostook, County,
Maine (most northern county)
* We grow for several seed
companies, and we can grow
your organic seed potatoes
under a seasonal contract.
* MOFGA and USDA organic
labels
OREGON
After more than 20 years in
Certification, Jeff McMorran has
decided to retire. His retirement
is scheduled for December, and he
will be moving to part time. He has
stepped down from lead for the potato
program and has turned it over to
me. I have worked for Certification
for seven years and have assisted in
the potato program since I started
with Certification. I look forward to
working with the crop for many years.
In 2022, Oregon Seed Certification
www.naturescirclefarm.com
26
Spudman.com
Service (OSCS) certified 3,082 acres of
seed potatoes, 30 acres more than
2021. There were no lots rejected this
year, and only one lot downgraded for
off-type. Two growers have stepped
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Spudman November/December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spudman November/December 2022
