The Elora Potato Research Field Day is one of Ontario’s premier agri-food events, bringing together potato growers, researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to explore the latest innovations in potato science and production. Hosted at the Ontario Crops Research Centre in Elora, this year’s event will take place on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, offering a full-day program designed to inform, connect, and inspire.
Purpose and Hosts
Organized by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance — a partnership between the University of Guelph and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) — the event is a cornerstone of knowledge exchange in the region. It serves as a platform to showcase cutting-edge research in potato breeding, crop protection, agronomy, and environmental sustainability. The field day fosters collaboration between scientists, growers, and agri-food stakeholders, strengthening Ontario’s role as a leader in innovative and resilient crop production.
Event Highlights
Attendees can expect a dynamic combination of hands-on demonstrations, scientific presentations, and open networking sessions. The event will typically include:
- Field Tours and Research Demonstrations: Guided walking tours through the research plots will highlight variety trials, pest and disease resistance studies, soil health projects, and nutrient/water management experiments.
- Station Presentations and Poster Displays: Researchers will present their findings in interactive station formats, where participants can ask questions and discuss results directly with scientists and students.
- Expert Panels and Q&A Sessions: Leading agronomists and breeders will discuss critical topics such as late blight management, varietal development, integrated pest strategies, and adapting potato production to climate stress.
- Industry Booths and Networking Opportunities: Local and regional agri-businesses, seed companies, input providers, and extension agents will have booths where they showcase technologies and services relevant to potato farming.
Key Topics and Themes
While a finalized agenda for the 2025 event is still pending, recurring themes from past events — and likely focal points for 2025 — include:
- New Potato Variety Releases: High-yielding, disease-resistant, and quality-focused varieties under regional trial.
- Climate-Resilient Production: Strategies for drought, heat, and seasonal variability including stress-tolerant genotypes and precision irrigation.
- Disease and Pest Control Innovations: Integrated solutions for common potato threats including late blight, Colorado potato beetle, and wireworms.
- Sustainable Farming Practices: Cover cropping, organic systems, nitrogen-use efficiency, and reduced-input management.
Who Should Attend
This event is geared toward a wide audience across the agri-food sector:
- Commercial potato growers
- Seed producers and distributors
- Crop consultants and agronomists
- Agricultural researchers and students
- Input suppliers and equipment vendors
- Policy makers and industry association leaders
The field day provides not only practical insight but also a critical forum for dialogue around Ontario’s agri-innovation goals and food system sustainability.
