Potato Research Funding Increased

26/03/07 Pennsylvania potato growers have voted to increase funding for a producer-financed research program that will help improve potato quality, production and profitability, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said.

The members voted to increase the Pennsylvania Potato Research Program's annual assessment from $4-per-acre to $5-per-acre.

"This investment in research will help growers remain competitive and produce more high-quality potatoes," Wolff said. "Thanks to this program, potato growers will have new information on production techniques, allowing them to generate higher yields and enjoy greater economic benefits."

Wolff, a member of the panel, said the new fee will take effect July 1. The Department of Agriculture has administrative responsibility for the program and has listed the results of the referendum in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Affected growers have been notified, in accordance with the law.

For 2007, potato research includes a $24,249 grant from Penn State University's germplasm evaluation program to develop more weather and disease resistant potatoes and a $2,000 Cornell University grant to continue developing new varieties for Pennsylvania potato chip growers.