The annual Texas Potato Field Day is set for July 16 in Springlake, offering growers and industry stakeholders an opportunity to explore the latest developments from the Texas A&M Potato Breeding Program.

Hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the breeding program team, Barrett Potato Farms and Springlake Potatoes Inc., the event will begin at 10 a.m. at Springlake Potato Sales, located at 1452 U.S. Highway 385. Participation is free and does not require preregistration.

The field day will showcase new potato varieties and advanced clones developed through Texas A&M’s breeding initiatives, along with contributions from several national partners.

Isabel Vales, Ph.D., potato breeder and associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, will provide an update on the program’s progress and present notable clones such as Dune Russet, a processing russet with “very high solids in the Texas heat,” according to Douglas Scheuring, senior research associate at Texas A&M. Scheuring noted that Dune Russet is currently under evaluation by frozen french fry producers.

Vales will also highlight Duncan Russet, a fresh-market russet distinguished by its resistance to potato virus Y (PVY), an aphid-borne virus that can significantly reduce yields.

In addition, Bruce Barrett of Barrett Potato Farms and other local growers will share insights on this year’s growing season.