Seed potato production

Alex M^cDonald and its contracted seed potato growers produce high health seed potatoes for the New Zealand fresh market, crisping and French fry sectors. Seed potatoes are also grown for markets in the South Pacific.

The Growing and packing of seed potatoes is carried out on farms within the area of the Canterbury plains.

Mini tubers are the basis of our production system based at a facility in Lincoln township. The mini tubers programme namely “The Pathogen Tested Scheme” is a joint venture between Alex M^cDonalds and New Zealand Plant & Food Ltd. Generations 0, 1 and 2 are grown by our company after which further generations are multiplied by our growers.

All early generation seed produced by Alex M^cDonalds is graded, packed and cool-stored at our own packhouse situated in Springston, Canterbury.

Alex M^cDonalds operates an extensive trialing programme for recently released N.Z. and overseas bred potato cultivars.   These new cultivars are evaluated to determine whether they meet the continuing demands from the New Zealand potato industry for varieties that maintain improved yield, improved disease resistance and overall greater performance for the end user.