Canadian seed growers at Prince Edward Island are expecting a good year. They have been getting good post-harvest testing results.
"There has been steady and significant progress improving the overall quality," Kevin MacAdam, minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fisheries and Forestry, stated.
He expects to see a decline in seed imports this year, "since PEI is the only area in North America which sets mandatory virus planting standards for all
seed potatoes."
It is estimated that it takes 1.8 million cwt of seed to plant PEI's crop. Seed production has increased from 17,700 acres in 2000 to 25,300 in 2003.
Last season was very favorable for seed production. An aphid alert program showed low aphid populations and movement.
Russet Norkotah and Shepody, more susceptible to viruses, showed more variable results but overall were much improved.