06/18/07 Potato Association of America to meet in Idaho

For the first time since the mid-90's the Potato Association of America will be meeting in Idaho. PAA members will converge on Idaho Falls August 12th through the 16th. Participants will hear reports on the historical driving forces behind U.S. potato production, the first year of the Potato Variety Management Institute, the potato industry and Idaho's economy and a reappraisal of the potato's past. University of Idaho potato educator and conference co-chairman Bill Bohl says growers can get the latest research information on August 14th. BOHL "You know we don't get every potato scientist there but you certainly have access to a group of scientists you know in one location that you will not find at any other meeting." That August 14th session will cover a wide variety of issues like affects of seed piece size and spacing on yield, storage characteristics of Premier Russets, the latest on Potato Virus Y and insect problems. That session costs 25 dollars and Bohl says it's a great opportunity for producers to network with other growers and spud experts from around the nation. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott