b'People, Product NewsOtherareasofthestateexperienced potato growers, would like to thank Ken NPPGA Research Reportingmoderaterainfall,andasthesummer Bertsch,KentSather,andtheNorth Conference To Go Virtualprogressed,growerswereoptimisticof Dakota State Seed Department for help-the anticipated harvest. The Minnesota ing us align with Alger Farms in Home- TheNPPGAResearchReportingDepartmentofAgriculture(MDA) stead, Florida.Conferencewillnotbeheldoninspectors were busy, with three inspec- February 15th, but rather be madetionsconductedonallcertifiedseed Samples were collected in October at the available online. potato lots. office in East Grand Forks while observ-ingsocialdistancingandCOVID-19 Look for more information on howJuly was warm with ideal growing condi- guidelines. The samples will be planted, thiswillbemadeavailableinthetions,followedbyadryAugustand and each lot observed visually for stand, nearfutureonourwebsite,September. The heat during this period vigor, and potato virus. All positive pota- www.nppga.org.affectedsomequalityandyields.The tovirusvisualobservationsarecon-dry conditions continued into harvest, firmed with a laboratory test.This decision to go virtual was madebut some much needed rain proved ben- bytheNPPGABoardofDirectorseficial to most. Overall, growers reported Once complete, the results will be com- afterconsultingwithmembersoftheharvestproducedaverageyields municated to the growers and industry. the research community.statewide with good quality. ForcopiesoftheMinnesotaCertifiedSeedPotatoDirectory,pleasevisittheThe MDA Potato Inspection Unit uses a MinnesotaDepartmentofAgriculturegeneration system and remains vigilant website or call 218-773-4956in detecting potato virus and other dis- to be added to the mailingease. The Certified Seed Potato Program list.continuestohonortheUSDAAnimal \x18\x11\x17\x01/\x0f\x018FCFS\x01"WF\x0fandPlantHealthInspectionService NPPGAs Annual 4JPVY\x01\'BMMT\x014%\x01\x16\x18\x12\x11\x14memorandumofunderstandingfor Meeting And XXX\x0fFMTUPONGH\x0fDPNNecrotic Virus Management Plan.Chairmans Banquet1SPUFDU\x01ZPVS\x011PUBUPFT\x01GSPN\x01GSFF[JOH\x01BOE\x01EJTDPMPSBUJPO\x01XJUI\x01&MTUPO\x01.GH\x011SPQBOF\x01$BSHP\x01Theglobalpandemichasaffectedthe TheNPPGABoardof )FBUFS\x02\x01*OFYQFOTJWF\x01FBTZ\x01UP\x01NBJOUBJO\x01BOE\x01FOWJSPNFOUBMMZ\x01GSJFOEMZ\x0ffarmingcommunityinMinnesota, Directorshastabledany 1VUT\x01PVU\x01\x14\x18\x11\x11\x11\x01#56\x01BOE\x01SVOT\x01P\x01CPUIpromptingAgricultureCommissioner decision on the fate of the "$\x01BOE\x01%$\x01QPXFS\x0f\x01*O\x01UIF\x013FE\x013JWFS\x017BMMFZ\x01Thom Petersen to provide guidance for annualmeetingandban- DBMM\x01/PSUI8FTU\x015SVDL\x01\x07\x015SBJMFS\x01JO\x01\'BSHP\x01/%\x01eachfarmtoimplementaCOVID-19 quet to the next board meet- GPS\x01RVFTUJPOT\x01BOE\x01QSJDJOH\x02plan providing safety measures for grow- inginJanuarybecauseof \x18\x11\x12\x0e\x15\x18\x17\x0e\x18\x12\x12\x14ers and all who work in the industry. Covid 19 concerns. NPPGAwillkeepourgrowerandDue to the COVID-19 global pandemic, associate members informedthe post-harvest winter test will be con- as these decisions are made.ducted in Florida this year, rather than InformationwillbemadeHawaii.TheMDAPotatoInspection availableonourwebsite, \x12\x0e\x19\x11\x11\x0e\x19\x15\x16\x0e\x12\x14\x19\x16Unit,alongwiththeMinnesotaseed www.nppga.org.JANUARY 2021 POTATO GROWER 21'