Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32M A R C H 2 0 1 7 POTATO GROWER 29 lesser degree than other areas. The majority of the fresh market red acreage was dominated by Dark Red Norland at 1,276 acres followed by Red Norland, Red Pontiac, Sangre, and Red LaSoda-NY. Russet Burbank and Umatilla Russet composed greater than 90% of the process market acreage. Cascade and Dakota Pearl accounted for most of the white skinned market whereas Yukon Gold dominated the yel- low fleshed fresh market category. In Minnesota, all lots of seed potatoes planted or sold as seed must be winter tested regardless of class. Minnesota planted the winter test grow out Nov 29th-Dec 1st at Twin Bridge Farms on Oahu, Hawaii. The cooperat- ing owners, Milt Agadar and Al Modrano along with their staff, do a fantastic job of maintaining the plots as seen in the photo on page 28. MDA inspectors arrived in Hawaii on Jan 3rd, 2017 to certify the 2016 crop. Although 2016 was a low aphid year, there was more virus than expected, this may be due in part to the wet growing and harvest during the summer. Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV) was visible in a few lots, something that has been absent for several years. Blackleg in any type or form was not present in all lots. All screenings for latent viruses and pos- itive identification of visual symptoms were performed by Mike Melzer and his staff at the University of Hawaii. They were able to conduct testing in about a day and a half, thus saving a lot of time. Overall, there was an increase in the number of rejected acres by about 10% from the previous year (2015), but equal to that seen in 2014. Also an increase in virus in the lower generations (G1 & G2) something that may be attributed to the wet conditions. Along with the standard testing, Minnesota also participated in the national PVYNTN survey that has been conducted for the past five years by Dr. Stewart Gray and his staff from USDA/Cornell University. His data shows a trend away from PVYO which is being replaced by the more mild strains of PVYWilga and PVYNTN, with the lat- ter being a more destructive strain of PVY. To keep PVYWI and PVYNTN from overtaking the seed potato industry, bet- ter control of PVY must be maintained. Minnesota Certified Seed Potatoes When you buy Minnesota certified seed potatoes, you’re getting a history of high performance, high quality seed. Minnesota seed is grown on a wide range of soil types, from the rich black soils of the Red River Valley to the irrigated sands of Central Minnesota to the deep peat soils of East Central and Southern Minnesota. If you want a specific variety, we can grow it. www.mda.state.mn.us/potato 218-773-4956