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Move over Yukon Gold – two new Golden potato varieties could take root as consumer favourites

Jan 2, 2018 | 3:23 PM

OTTAWA –  Two Canadian potato companies have given a nod to Canada’s 150th Anniversary with newly licensed potato varieties developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

The new potatoes, called AAC Confederation and AAC Canada Gold-Dorée, were recently named by Progest 2001 Inc. based in Sainte-Croix, Quebec, and Canadian Eastern Seed Growers Inc.  of New Brunswick, respectively. The “AAC” in both names recognizes their AAFC origins.

The commercial potential these potatoes possess could be an improvement on Yukon Gold, as they have good yield and disease resistance profiles that make them more profitable to produce.
 
Dr. Benoit Bizimungu, a Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, says a lot of work goes into developing new potato varieties.
 
“For instance, the AAC Canada Gold-Dorée was six years in development before being released in 2015 to the potato industry to be evaluated of commercial potential. It is no surprise that the potato was taken up so quickly by the industry because it has great attributes.”
 
AAFC’s Accelerated Release Program releases 10 to 15 potato selections for consideration each year. If industry likes what they see, they can conduct field trials of the selections and eventually bid for sole evaluation rights.
Seed for the two new varieties should be available by 2020.