LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Michigan farmers can now test their seed potatoes for disease in-state, eliminating the need to ship samples to North Dakota for required screening before export to Canada.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has operated its own testing facility since 2022, providing free disease testing for Michigan potato growers. The service supports the state’s $2.5 billion potato industry.

The lab tests for bacterial ring rot and bacterial soft rot, two pathogens that can threaten potato crops destined for Canadian markets.

“Specifically within the seed potato context here, we’re looking at a variety of diseases and fungal-borne pathogens here that could potentially be a threat to various areas,” said Tim Boring, MDARD director.

The testing

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