For a century at least, potatoes have been one of Alberta’s staple crops. More recently, they’ve become a pillar of southern Alberta’s economy. And now producers prepare to grow the industry still further, university researchers are on hand for support. With a major potato processing plant now under construction in Lethbridge, industry officials predict a jump of nearly 10,000 more acres put into potato crop rotation.

Last week, scientists at the University of Lethbridge held an open house for producers and industry representatives. At this event, the researchers created an opportunity to explain their work.

Across Alberta some 55,000 acres are currently planted to potatoes, with about 40,000 of those contracted to processors, about 5,000 going to the fresh market, and the balance to seed potatoes. While they’re also produced in other provinces, southern Alberta and a part of Manitoba are the only areas wher they’re grown on irrigated land.

That creates challenges as well as opportunities, and points to the importance of having potato research in southern Alberta. Current projects include learning more about the verticilium fungus – one of the industry’s ongoing issues, as well as ways to ensure different species turn brown (not black) when they’re fried.

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