Episode 17: Potato Trials
In this episode, we're excited to talk with Dr. Chandler Dolezal, a Principal Agronomist, about potato trials here at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP
Five takeaways:
- Multifaceted Nature of Potato Trials: Potato trials cover both field and storage aspects, focusing on best practices for planting, fertility, varietal studies, and managing crop quality over extended periods.
- Adaptation and Proactivity: Continuous adaptation and proactive measures are essential to address evolving challenges like climate changes, pests, and diseases, ensuring supply chain security and maintaining raw supply quality.
- Rigorous Trial Process: The trial process involves multiple stages, from small plot trials to full field testing, isolating variables to ensure accurate results and developing best practices for growers.
- Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Close collaboration between agronomists, breeders, and growers is crucial for identifying and testing new varieties, adapting to changing conditions, and ensuring agricultural and quality standards.
- Research and Risk Management: Using research storage facilities for small-scale evaluations helps mitigate risks before commercial implementation, ensuring consistent quality management and training new staff.