News Release

Potato Growers of Idaho to Host Summer Meeting

BLACKFOOT, ID — The Potato Growers of Idaho (PGI) will be hosting this year’s summer meeting, June 28, 2006, at the Red Lion Hotel in Pocatello, Idaho, to update all growers on the potato cyst nematode (PCN) and potato tuberworm situation in the state.

PGI has invited officials from the United States Department of Agriculture and Idaho State Department of Agriculture to discuss the likely impact the recent PCN discovery in an Idaho field will have on growers. PGI will also provide growers with best management practices that will help them protect their operations from this and other pests, such as the potato tuberworm.

Right now, growers have a lot of questions. Everyone wants to know how the potato cyst nematode got here and how it might impact their individual farms, said Keith Esplin, PGI executive director. This year’s summer meeting will provide growers and industry leaders a great opportunity to ask questions and learn first-hand what is being done to resolve the issue.

This year’s summer meeting is being held jointly with the United Potato Growers of Idaho and Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative (SIPCO). The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. for all seed growers, and SIPCO will hold a meeting for all process contract growers at the same time. United will begin its presentation for all growers at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch, which will be provided to everyone in attendance. All growers are encouraged to attend PGI’s presentation, which will start immediately after lunch. To RSVP, please call PGI at (208) 785-1110.