April 26, 2004

Saskatchewan Seed Potatoes

Only Settle for the Best!

Connie AchtymichukManager SSPGA

April 26, 2004

Welcome to Saskatchewan• 49,600,000 acres of cultivated farmland • 51% of Canada’s total farmland• only 13,500 acres in potatoes• Roughly half of that is seed• Rest is tablestock – no processing in

province• Excellent isolation• Long rotations• Seed is our highest profile potato sector

April 26, 2004

April 26, 2004

Saskatchewan Potato Production

April 26, 2004

April 26, 2004

Irrigation • 73,000 acres under

irrigation in SK• additional 160,000

acres with potential to develop irrigation

• Lake Diefenbaker area

• 80% of our total potato acreage is irrigated

April 26, 2004

Advantages• Superior quality

• Isolation from other commercial growers

• Long rotations

• Long harsh winters with little snow cover reduces pest and culls from over wintering

• Northern VigorTM

April 26, 2004

Northern Vigor = Superior Plant Vigor

April 26, 2004

Northern Vigor = Superior Yields

April 26, 2004

Northern Vigor = Superior Storage

April 26, 2004

Innovative Research• Research support from

the University of Saskatchewan & Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre

• Work with new growers• Address industry

concerns• New variety

development

AC Peregrine

April 26, 2004

Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association

• Created to promote the interests of Saskatchewan seed potato producers

• Publish annual seed potato directory• Help interested buyers locate seed

growers• Over 95% of SK seed potato growers

belong to SSPGA• www3.sk.sympatico.ca/sspga

April 26, 2004

Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association

• 30 seed potato growers in the province• Grow reds, russets, yellows• Main seed markets are Manitoba,

Maritimes and the Pacific Northwest• Provide late blight and aphid monitoring

to our growers • Stage grower seminars on recent

research, marketing and quality control