Syngenta Renews Potato Disease Hotline Sponsorships

Syngenta Crop Protection has once again partnered with five universities located in key potato growing regions to bring blight hotlines to potato growers. According to a company press release, the annual potato blight hotlines provide growers with vital access to disease information, a valuable resource to people in the potato industry who want to stay one step ahead of disease pressure in their areas.

Beginning in May, growers can call the toll-free hotlines and receive up-to-date information on weather patterns, recommended control measures and disease infection confirmations. The hotlines are managed by researchers in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, North Dakota and Michigan and will be accessible around the clock.

The potato blight hotlines are available by calling:
Idaho 1-800-791-7195
Michigan 1-888-379-9012
North Dakota 1-888-482-7286
Oregon 1-800-705-3377
Washington 1-800-984-7400

“The blight hotlines offer growers a credible go-to resource whenever they need additional assistance to make the best decisions for their crops,” commented Bruce Odens, Syngenta potato crop manager. “Not only does Syngenta offer excellent products to its customers, the company also provides support throughout the industry by collaborating with some of the top organizations and opportunities, such as the blight hotlines. We are proud to be a part of this initiative so growers can produce a healthy potato crop.”

In addition to sponsoring the late blight hotlines, Syngenta is lending its support to the Pacific Northwest & Treasure Valley Pest Alert Network. The goal of the Pest Alert Network Web site, www.pnwpestalert.net/about.php, is to increase crop protection-related communications and aid field workers and growers in making the right decision when pest outbreaks occur. Syngenta is sponsoring the potato alert eMails disseminated by University of Idaho Extension and Oregon State University, operators of the Pest Alert Network Web site.