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As of today (October 20) estimate are that there are between approximately 1,750 acres of potatoes in the field and that approximately 98% of the provincial potato acres have been harvested.
Due to the cool temperatures at which some processing potatoes have been harvested there may be challenges with the fry colours of some of the processing potatoes harvested this year. Producers who will still be digging potatoes are reminded to dig after pulp temperatures are over 41 F (5 C) so as to decrease the amount of shatter bruising.
Store frozen potatoes separately and run the ventilation continuously without adding in humidity. It is recommended, if practical, to add heat into the potato pile so as to decrease the amount of moisture in the storage and reduce potential issues with rot. Where practical, consider pre conditioning process potatoes in the bin to burn off sugars when rot issues have stabilized in the storage. The process of pre-conditioning needs to be conducted at relatively warm temperatures (approximately 60 F (15.5 C)). Producers need to know the types and the approximate percentages of rots found in their storages so as to be able to make an informed decision on when it would be acceptable to begin warming the potatoes. Monitor fry colour and sugar levels to determine when to “ramp” the storage temperature down to a normal range.
No additional cases of late blight were found in samples sent in to the Crop Diagnostic Lab last week. Correct identification of late blight is critical to properly managing the disease and potatoes in storage. Send samples for proper identification to the Crop Diagnostic Lab on the University of Manitoba campus (545 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5S6). Contact MAFRI staff to assist in disease identification and to facilitate delivery of samples to the lab.
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