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P.E.I. farmers have been producing potatoes for the world since 1790. Today, potatoes are P.E.I.’s primary cash crop. Potatoes account for more than one-third of the total farm cash receipts in the province, which is more than the combined value of all other Island crops. |
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History
The Murphy Family has been growing potatoes since their arrival from Ireland on PEI in the early 1800’s. Charles and his wife Wilhelmena purchased the fourth generation farm from the family in 1972.
Murphy’s Seed Potatoes was incorporated in 1995. Sons Randy and Francis have since become part of the family business and have contributed to its progression.
In addition to a cousin, Blair, a farm foreman, the farm employs up to nine people for the planting, growing and harvest season. Murphy’s Seed Potatoes is
located south east of Charlottetown on the China Point Road.
PEI Potatoes. Why?
The combination of rich soil, generations of know how and good location allows for the production of good quality seed. We take great pride in the quality of seed produced on our farm in terms of virus levels, tuber appearance and customer satisfaction.
We have a proven track record of providing top quality seed potatoes and some of our customers have been coming back for over 25 years. Our best sales strength is our potatoes growing on your farm. You’ll marvel at the seeds' vigor. A comparison test will prove to you that our seed has added vigor. Many of our regular customers started by trying a couple of loads in a field and watching them perform better than the rest of the field after the initial year. Good business sense keeps our customers coming back.
Techniques
We start with plantlets from
a Government
certified laboratory. The plantlets are planted in the nuclear
screenhouse, all under the experienced supervision of Wilhelmena who manages the
screenhouse to get optimum production.
The tubers are carefully harvested and stored until the following year, when they are planted in the field to become Pre-Elite harvested. This process is repeated until the potatoes reach the Elite II or Elite III stage. At this stage, they are marketed as high quality seed.
The potatoes are harvested and stored in a modern warehouse with a computerized ventilation system until they are sized and graded for customer delivery.
The seed is tested for various pathogens, viruses and bacteria in
a Government's certified laboratory. Tests include PVYn, potato wart, mosaic (PVY), leaf roll (PLRV) and BBR.
Services
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Immediate direct sale of product to you, the customer. |
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Contract growing of seed for your long term requirements. |
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Consulting on fertility rates, variety spacing and
variety usage. |
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We generally grow open market free varieties with no
trait fees. |
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