Fries of the future could use less pesticides, water and be more resilient to climate change

McDonald's will be relieved to see this

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."But those delicious Northwest fries are in danger: Climate change, growing populations, loss of ag lands, and restrictions on pesticides and water use all threaten the industry.

So, the farmers and scientists were keen to investigate the different varieties of potatoes and various management systems for growing them. Some plots used conventional amounts of fumigation, others less fumigation and some are grown with no fumigation at all.

"I've not met a grower yet who doesn't want to improve their soil health," said Daniel Metheringham, a VP of Agriculture with McCain Foods. "They maybe don't have the how. That's what the innovation hub [test field] is about, working out the how."

McCain is repeating this intensive study model throughout several American and Canadian growing regions — each with their own challenges, Metheringham says.

The varieties tested in this field have noble-sounding names, like: Lady Alba, Caribou Russet, Teton Russet, King Russet and Russet Burbank.

McCain Foods organized the grower field day. The company is the largest potato processor in the world — neck-and-neck with competitor, Lamb Weston. Ken Luke is an Othello-based manager with McCain."...

"Fries of the future could USE less pesticides, water and be more resilient to climate change." I don't think fries have a choice.