Saskatchewan seed potatoes are like athletes who train at high altitudes and outperform those at lower elevations, said Steve Sanders of the Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association.
“Basically we’ve created a super potato,” he said. “It outperforms seed in traditional potato growing areas.”
The SSPGA cited the potato’s northern vigour characteristics that come from long, warm days, short, cool nights, bright sunshine, low humidity and short growing seasons.
In an interview at the SSPA conference in Saskatoon Nov. 19, Sanders said Saskatchewan has gained an international reputation for hardy, disease-free seed potatoes.
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He said the industry is strong in Saskatchewan, citing the identification of new markets, increased seed potato acreage in Saskatchewan and new processing facilities in Alberta and Manitoba.
“We are in a prime spot to provide seed potatoes,” he said.
Doug Waterer of the University of Saskatchewan’s plant sciences department said global warming could also increase opportunities for potato growers.
He said simulation studies estimate global potato yields will decrease by nine to 32 percent over the next 30 years.
Projected average temperature increases of 1C could mean more frost-free days, longer stretches of hot days and a growing period up to two weeks longer, he said.
“Is Saskatchewan going to be the next place to grow processing potatoes due to global warming?” he asked conference delegates.
Waterer advised growers to stay focused and be ready to adapt to weather changes.
