07/20/06 PCN update

State and federal officials have confirmed the potato cyst nematode in a second eastern Idaho potato field. That field is located near the original 45 acre field in northern Bingham County. Both fields are under federal restrictions; no potatoes can be planted, no soil moved and all equipment has to be cleaned. APHIS and State Department of Ag officials still believe the infestation is isolated but they continue to search for the original source, something they've been doing since April. A trace of seed sources didn't yield any helpful information. Investigators continue to examine farming practices, tillage equipment, irrigation sources and wildlife patterns. Soil samples have been taken from other fields near the original 45 acre plot where equipment or people moved in common. Those samples are then rushed to the University of Idaho nematology lab in Parma. While all of the field and lab work continues, ISDA and the US Department of Agriculture continue to work with foreign trade partners. Both agencies are in the process of answering Japan's questions about PCN in Idaho. The Japanese have banned the import of all US potatoes because of the discovery in eastern Idaho. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott