b'University of Idahos off-campus potatoresearchcenterat Aberdeen,whichwasinthe largest-potato producing county in the United States at the time.That experience would pay divi-dends.Ilearnedalotaboutbreeding russetsbygoingouttoIdaho, Thompson said. ShecompletedherPh.D.from the University of Idaho in 1998. SheworkedatColoradoStateDr. Asunta Susie Thompson, NDSU Potato Breeder speaking at Field Days this year at Hoverson Farms.from1995-2001beforecoming back to NDSU in 2001.tubers.Earlierin2022,Potatofarminghasconsistent McDonalds gave approval to usechanges like any part of agricul-At NDSU, shes worked with sev- ofDakotaRussetforitsFrenchture.Newtechnologies,new eralpotatoresearchers,profes- fries, a huge step for the varietypathogensandpestsarechal-sors,andexpertsineffortstoandNDSUspotatoimprove- lenges for Thompson and others helppotatogrowersinNorthment team.totackle.Amongthecurrent Dakota and Minnesota. focusesonbreedingfor TheexcitingthingaboutThompson and her team are dis-TwobigpartsofThompsonsDakota Russet, is that it fits theease resistance management and research have been the selection,growing season in the Midwest,ColoradoPotatoBeetle developmentandreleaseofThompson said. Having a vari- Resistance. DakotaTrailblazerandDakotaetythatisacceptedbyamajor Russet.ThecrossforTrailblazerconsumerofFrenchfrieswillChallengeslikethisarepartof wasmadeatAberdeen,Idaho,impact our growers in a positivewhat she enjoys. and Thompson was the selectorway. of the genotype. The TrailblazerItreallyisanever-ending has excellent French fry qualityBeing around potatoes her wholeprocess, Thompson said. There and can be used for table stock.life,whatisThompsonspre- aresomanypests,pathogens, ferredwaytohavethempre- and physiological disorders that ThecrossresultinginDakotapared?impact growing. Its hard to stop Russetwasmadein1999.a few, let alone all of them. Its a Thompson selected it in the sin- Myfavoritearemashedpota- challenge, but a super fun chal-gle-hill nursery in 2001. Dakotatoes. I like a lot of different vari- lenge. I love what I do. There is Russethasresistancetosugareties,Thompsonsaid.Ilovealwayssomethingnewtobe ends and cold-induced sweeten- potatoespreparedlotsofwaysthinking about. ing, with high yield of uniformand for every meal. JANUARY 2023 POTATO GROWER 25'