U of I to host 58th annual Idaho Potato Conference in Pocatello
Two-day event brings growers, researchers and industry leaders together to address challenges and priorities in potato production
November 21, 2025
POCATELLO, Idaho — Water management and soilborne diseases will be central themes of University of Idaho’s 58th annual Idaho Potato Conference, scheduled for Jan. 21-22 at Idaho State University in Pocatello.
The conference — held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 21 and 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 22 in ISU’s Pond Student Union Building — features a trade show with more than 70 booths, presentations on potato research and updates from leaders with the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), Potatoes USA and the National Potato Council.
The cost of registering is $40 per person prior to midnight on Jan. 14 and then increases to $50, with onsite registration available. The event includes a potato bar lunch on Jan. 21, fried snacks provided by potato processors throughout the conference’s duration and a hospitality room sponsored by the IPC.
“It’s a great meeting for the potato industry to get together with researchers and Extension specialists,” said James Woodhall, an associate professor and Extension specialist of plant pathology who chairs the conference organizing committee.
Conference presentations will feature more hours of content than ever before, showcasing the research of two new faculty members who specialize in water — Emily Bedwell, an associate professor and Extension irrigation specialist, and Meetpal Kukal, an assistant professor of hydrologic science and water management. The agenda also includes a “Water on the Line” panel discussion.
Soilborne diseases are an area of increasing concern within the potato industry, and the first day of the conference will include a mini-symposium on the topic, with about 250 minutes of content. The mini-symposium will cover the biology and control of soilborne diseases, disease management, the impact of variety selection on a fungal disease called verticillium wilt and causal agents of the disease complex known as early die in potatoes. A panel discussion will target powdery scab and potato mop-top virus, two diseases with no known reliably effective management tools listed as the top research priorities by IPC and the Northwest Potato Research Consortium.
A separate panel discussion will evaluate biological control products for potato disease management.
Mike Thornton, an emeritus professor of plant sciences, is scheduled to present about potato agronomy.
Sessions covering wireworms, aphids, soil types, potato varieties, nutrient management, drought management and soilborne diseases will be offered in Spanish.
In addition to presentations by Extension researchers, the agenda includes several external speakers.
Ben Ingalls, with Industrial Ventilation in Nampa, will speak about how potato storage practices may be impacted by the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, which gives new authority to the Environmental Protection Agency to address hydrofluorocarbons.
Invited guest speakers include entomologist Russell Groves from University of Wisconsin, who will speak about aphids, Washington State University potato specialist Mark Pavek, who will speak about potato varieties and agronomy, and Oregon State University Extension soil fertility specialist Amber Moore, who will speak about how soil conditions affect potato yield, quality and fertility.
An advisory committee comprising industry representatives helps organizers plan content.
“This year we’ll have more panel discussions, more opportunities for engagement and new topics we haven’t had before,” said Assistant Professor Kasia Duellman, an Extension seed potato pathologist who serves on the conference planning committee.
For more information, visit uidaho.edu/extension/events/potato-conference.
Media contact
James Woodhall
Associate professor and Extension specialist
208-722-6701
jwoodhall@uidaho.edu