If the P.E.I. Watershed Alliance has its way, Prince Edward Island’s most-grown potato may eventually be a thing of the past.
The provincial environment department has been hearing submissions on what a new provincial Water Act should look like. In its presentation to the department, the Watershed Alliance targeted Russet Burbank potatoes.
“If we are going to continue to grow potatoes on P.E.I., we need to look at varieties other than Russet Burbank that can be harvested earlier and that don’t require as much fertilizer,” the submission reads.
At first glance, that appears to be a tough sell on the Island.
According to the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, Russet Burbank potatoes make up about a third of the Island’s potato market and are easily the most sought after by restaurants and processors looking for quality french fries.
John Ramsay, a grower from Hamilton, P.E.I, knows all about it. He sells processing potatoes—about 70 percent of them Russet Burbanks—to McCain and Cavendish Farms.
“It’s the long-term storability of [Russet Burbank potatoes]; it’s that they maintain color and good quality through the summer seasons, which the processors need to fill their summer business,” said Ramsay. “They fry so that they will stand up in their little boxes nice and straight with good gravity, and they have a very appealing taste.”
Ramsay, who serves as vice-chair of the potato board’s processing committee, said despite the appeal of Russet Burbanks, processors and growers have started moving away from them in an effort to use less fertilizer.
“We [have] probably 35 percent less Burbank acreage now than we [had] in 2008,” said Ramsay. “It’s a long progress, but we are surely and slowly moving away from Russet Burbanks and moving into other varieties.”
Ramsay said processors and private breeders regularly experiment with new varieties—some of which are already being grown on the Island. He said 20 percent of the potatoes he sells to Cavendish are the Prospect variety.
“The Prospect is much less hungry for nitrates. It uses probably 20 percent less nitrogen, and that’s an appealing feature for sure,” he said. Nitrate is the product of nitrogen fertilizers.
With that being said, Ramsay doesn’t believe Russet Burbank potatoes will be phased out altogether, at least not any time soon. He said growers are finding ways to lessen their environmental footprint.
“We are figuring out better ways to minimize the nitrate use on Russet Burbanks,” he said. “And I think it’s clear right now we can reduce by 10 percent and not affect the yield.”
Source: CBC News