Dr. Eugenia Banks, potato specialist at the Ontario Potato Board and organizer of the 2024 Ontario Potato Conference reminds industry professionals across North America that the event is set to take place in Guelph on February 29. Starting at 8:30 a.m., the conference promises to be a hub of innovation and expertise in the potato industry.
The conference has expanded to include 10 additional exhibitors in the Potato Hub room, according to Dr. Banks. “This expansion is a testament to the event’s growing significance in the agricultural sector. The steady flow of registrations pouring into the Potato Board office signals a high level of interest and participation from industry professionals,” she says.
Dr. Banks says the conference agenda, meticulously crafted from growers’ requests, includes a dozen compelling reasons for attendance:
- Tailored Topics: Directly addressing growers’ concerns, the conference will cover topics specifically requested by the potato community.
- Late Blight Symposium: Gary Secor, with his extensive 40-year experience in managing late blight in the US and internationally, will share valuable strategies to combat this devastating disease.
- Real-World Insights: Mark VanOostrum will provide practical advice based on his firsthand experience managing late blight from infection to harvest and storage.
- Weed and Herbicide Expertise: Andy Robinson will discuss effective control of volunteers and cull piles, crucial for late blight management.
- Soil Health Management: Carl Rosen will delve into the latest US research on managing cover crops to enhance soil health, a cornerstone of sustainable farming.
- Advancements in Technology: Evan McDonald will explore the rapid developments in global positioning (GP) technology in potato production.
- Soft Rot Complex Management: Ken Frost will present sustainable practices to reduce crop losses caused by tuber soft rot, aerial stem rot, blackleg, and Dickeya.
- Soil Health and Fertility: Peter Johnson, with a vast experience on soil health, will talk about investments in organic matter and will show the soil health benefits produced by just an increase of 0.1%
- Innovative Trials: Dennis Van Dyk will discuss intriguing yield results from a bio-stimulant trial in a commercial potato field near Beeton, ON.
- Decision-Making Insights: The sessions are designed to provide timely information to help growers produce healthy, high-quality crops.
- New Products and Technologies: Trade-Show exhibitors will showcase their latest innovations, offering ample networking opportunities during lunch and coffee breaks.
- Conference Objectives: Attendees can expect to sharpen their knowledge, gain and share innovative ideas, learn about the latest innovations, meet industry experts, and make valuable contacts.
The conference will also offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for crop advisors and professional agronomists. With free parking and lunch provided, this event is shaping up to be an unmissable opportunity for those in the potato industry to connect, learn, and grow.
Online registration is available on the Ontario Potato Board – click here to see the agenda and to register.
For rmore information:
Dr. Eugenia Banks
Ontario Potato Board
Email: [email protected]