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Processing
Processors contract specific varieties for French fry and chip production. Russet Burbank, Shepody and Ranger Russet are the major varieties used by French fry companies in Prairie Canada. Shepody and Ranger Russet are used for early, direct (out-of-field) production, while Russet Burbank and Shepody are used for processing out-of-storage. Atlantic, Conestoga (Manitoba only), Snowden, Niska and NorValley are the major varieties used for chip production in Prairie Canada. Atlantic and Conestoga are used for early to midseason direct processing, while Snowden, Niska and NorValley are suited for long-term storage. The Frito Lay Company contracts proprietary chip varieties developed by the Company’s breeding program located in Wisconsin. New varieties are routinely evaluated by the processing industry.
Fresh market
Varieties with red or russet skin, as well as varieties with yellow flesh, make up the major acreage of fresh market varieties in Prairie Canada. Consumer/packer/wholesaler demand determines the varieties grown. Norland, Sangre and Red Pontiac are the major red-skinned varieties; Russet Norkotah is the major russet-skinned variety and Yukon Gold and Bintje are the major yellow-fleshed varieties. New varieties are constantly being evaluated.
Seed production
The demand for seed potatoes of a specific variety is directly related to the needs of the commercial potato industry in North America. Seed growers should base production on these established markets.
Protected varieties
Plant Breeders’ Rights legislation was enacted in Canada in 1990 and the Plant Variety Protection Act in the USA was amended to include potatoes in 1994. This legislation provides the opportunity for public and private breeders to control production of a variety and collect royalties on the sale of seed. In the future, most new varieties will be protected under this legislation.
Registration of varieties
All varieties produced in Canada must be registered with the Variety Registration Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and be represented by a Canadian agent. Russet Burbank, Red Pontiac and Bintje do not have a Canadian agent since these varieties were registered prior to the introduction of the requirement. The Variety Registration Committee of the Western Potato Council facilitates registration for Western Canada.
Potato varieties grown across the prairie provinces and uses of the potatoes is available here.
Shapes used to describe potato varieties.
Courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Written by D. Lynch, A. Sullivan, R. Curle |
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