04 Dec Agronomy Update – December 4th

Posted at 11:46h in Recent News by

Hi folks,

Winter has arrived in PEI…a little earlier than the last couple of years. We’ll see how long this snow lasts…I would be happier if we got more frost in the ground before we keep a lot of snow. It would be nice to not have the same volunteer potato pressure that we had this year!

Below you’ll find some information on a few educational opportunities coming up.  There has been a strong level of pre-registration for the Irrigation Workshop on Dec 15th, so if you are planning to attend, I would recommend contacting the Dept of Ag to pre-register ASAP.

 

2025 PEI Potato Board Cover Crop & Sustainability Survey

Once again this year, I am conducting a Cover Crop and Sustainability Survey with PEI potato producers. This survey is being conducted to better understand the realities of cover cropping, crop rotation, and other sustainability practices on PEI potato farms. This is the 7th year for this survey. Survey results will be used to benchmark the adoption of and grower interest in sustainability practices. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

We are requesting farm names only to ensure that multiple responses per farm are eliminated. Please only provide one survey response from each farm. Individual responses will not be shared or distributed in any way. Only aggregated totals/averages will be shared. Individual survey responses will not be shared with any outside agency, business, or government department.

From all of the survey responses, one respondent will be chosen at random to receive a free soil sampling probe (approx. value $250.00). Two other respondents will be entered to win $50 gas cards. To be entered into this draw, please provide your name and email address at the end of the survey.

Enter the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PEIPBbmp2025

 

Irrigation Information Workshop – December 15th

Linked here is a flyer for the Irrigation Information Workshop that the Board and the Dept of Agriculture are partnering on for December 15th.  This workshop is targeted at farmers across all commodities who are interested in irrigation.  In the morning, local experts will delve into how well permits are regulated and decided upon, how to apply for a permit, and how to access expertise and resources to assist with this process.  In the afternoon, we’ve invited some irrigation experts to expand more of the details around siting and setting up irrigation in the field, including equipment types, pumping and transporting water, water use efficiency, and more.  These sessions will then be followed by a producer panel, where you can hear from your peers about how they have incorporated irrigation on their farms, including both new and long-time irrigators.

If you are at all interested in irrigation and have questions who would like to have answered, I strongly encourage you to attend this workshop.  To register, email afreception@gov.pe.ca or call (902) 368-4880.  Cost is only $30 (payable at the door) and includes lunch.

 

Registration Now Open for 2026 International Potato Tech Expo:

The International Potato Tech Expo is coming back to Charlottetown on February 26th and 27th, 2026.  Registration is now open, and you can register for free by clicking this link.

The PEI Potato Board and the PEI Department of Agriculture are again partnering with the IPTE to provide a top-notch conference on both mornings of the Expo.  Topics on the agenda for this year include the use of drones in potato production, advances in irrigation technology, AI in agriculture, marketing potatoes by engaging the public, and more!  A full agenda along with confirmed speakers will be available early in the new year.

 

AAFC Webinar – Advances in Pest Management in Potato Production:

AAFC is hosting an online webinar from 1:00 to 3:30 pm AT on Thursday, December 18th, featuring four potato-related presentations by AAFC researchers.  Speakers include:

  • Dr. Linda Jewell, NL:  Alternative pest management solutions for potato wart
  • Dr. Claudia Goyer, NB:  Alternative management tools to control common scab
  • Dr. Wim van Herk, BC:  Development of semiochemical and molecular tools to monitor wireworm species
  • Dr. Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill, PE:  Abrasive weed management in potatoes

Click here to register for this webinar.

 

Share Fertilizer Use Practices; Earn $50

 Fertilizer Canada would like to connect with you to learn about fertilizer use on your farm.   This is a great way for you to influence the fertilizer industry by telling us about fertilizer practices on your farm.

We will ask you about:

  • Your fertilizer program in 2025.
  • How you make decisions about application rates.
  • Your views about 4R nutrient stewardship practices.

When you complete this survey on behalf of Fertilizer Canada and the PEI Potato Board, you will be sent a cheque for $50. The survey usually takes about 25 to 30 minutes to complete.

Your feedback will be used by the industry to improve fertilizer application practices. The information you provide is completely confidential.

To qualify you must be one of the main decision makers for the fertilizer program on your farm and you must have planted at least 20 acres of potatoes in 2025.

Please click on the link below to begin the survey now:

https://survey.us.confirmit.com/wix/p152521582015.aspx

If you have any questions or comments, please send an email to Sarah Healy (sarahhealy@stratusresearch.com)