2014 Upstate New York Potato Variety Trial Report
from D. E. Halseth, E. R. Sandsted, and J. M. Kelly, Horticulture, Cornell:
Potato variety yield trials were conducted in four counties in upstate New York in 2014 in which a total of 30 named varieties and 206 breeding lines were evaluated. Ten replicated variety yield trials and two observational trials were conducted at the Thompson Vegetable Research Farm near Freeville in Tompkins County. Grower chip processing trials were conducted on mineral soils near Arkport (Steuben County) and Bliss (Wyoming County). Grower red and white tablestock trials were planted on muck soil near Marion (Wayne County). All trials at Freeville and on grower cooperator farms were grown using standard commercial cultural practices. Marketable yield, tuber quality and appearance, maturity, storage life and processing potential are among the important characteristics which are evaluated. Round whites, red, blue and purple-skinned potatoes, and russets were evaluated, in addition to breeding lines from Cornell, University of Maine, and USDA-Beltsille.
Thanks to Mahany Farms, McCormick Farms, and Williams Farm for their continued assistance!
2014 Upstate NY Potato Variety Trials and Cultural Practice Experiments (pdf; 458KB)

Upcoming Events
Chipping Potato and Field Crops Twilight Meeting
August 27, 2026
Dansville, NY
This year, our field meeting is bringing together field crops and chipping potatoes. SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Specialist Katelyn Miller will lead a field crops management discussion. Hear the latest updates in potato disease control and see the Cornell chipping potato variety trial run by Walter De Jong. Dinner follows the educational event.
1.5 DEC credits available in 10, 1a, 21, and 23.
IPM Field Day for Urban Growers
September 10, 2026
Buffalo, NY
Join us for a hands-on field day exploring integrated pest management and season extension tools for urban growing spaces and the opportunity to build community with local growers!
This event will focus on best practices for using row covers and rat mitigation. Check out our CCE demonstration trial using insect exclusion netting to manage swede midge, an invasive fly that causes damage to brassica crops. Explore how to identify rat activity, reduce attractants, and strengthen site management. Hear from local growers on how they manage pests with a focus on organic management and how they extend the season on their farms and gardens.