TriCal Group Podcast

Cultivating Quality
How Growers Can Overcome Barriers to Better Potatoes
Cultivating Quality
How Growers Can Overcome Barriers to Better Potatoes

Weather extremes, pest pressure, and seed limitations are just a few of the challenges today’s potato growers face. Join TriCal Group’s live discussion featuring Dr. Amanda Gevens and Dr. Chad Hutchinson as they explore how to overcome these obstacles and elevate potato quality from the ground up. Learn actionable insights to boost storability, reduce waste, and enhance profitability.

  • Dr. Amanda Gevens, plant pathologist and former department chair at the University of Wisconsin. A leading researcher in potato disease management, she’s evaluated a wide range of products and strategies to control common scab in one of North America’s most challenging growing regions.
  • Dr. Chad Hutchinson, global director of potato research and market support for TriCal Group, sharing what real-world data reveals about soil fumigation, soil health, and finding the balance between effective control and sustainability.

The Common Scab Struggle
A Deep Dive into Soil, Pathogens, and Solutions
The Common Scab Struggle
A Deep Dive into Soil, Pathogens, and Solutions

Why does potato common scab persist in some fields but disappear in others? And why do disease management strategies work one season… then fail the next?

In this on-demand webinar replay, three leading potato experts explore what’s really driving common scab — from soil microbes and moisture management to soil fumigation and soil health. Expect a candid, unscripted discussion on potato disease management, microbial soil biology, and the real-world challenges growers face when trying to suppress common scab.

If you’re looking for practical, research-backed insights — not one-size-fits-all solutions — this conversation delivers data-driven perspectives you can apply in the field.


Soil Under Seige
A Scientific Deep-Dive into Black-Dot and Microbial Defenders
Soil Under Seige
A Scientific Deep-Dive into Black-Dot and Microbial Defenders

Black dot is on the rise. Soil health is under pressure. And growers are caught in the middle: trying to protect their crops while keeping the biology beneath their boots alive.

  • In this unscripted expert panel, Spud Smart brings together three top minds in potato production to tackle the biggest questions in soil management today:
  • Dr. Gary Secor (North Dakota State University) — Renowned plant pathologist with deep expertise in black dot and soilborne diseases
  • Joy Youwakim — Soil microbiologist focused on microbial communities and crop resilience
  • Dr. Chad Hutchinson (TriCal Group) — Global leader in fumigation, agronomy, and sustainable soil solutions
What they cover:
  • What’s actually working against black dot
  • How fumigation affects soil microbes
  • Whether “living soil” and chemical tools can work together
  • How to measure ROI in disease control
If you’ve ever wanted a candid conversation between researchers who’ve seen it all and aren’t afraid to disagree, this is it.

Future Beneath Your Feet
Disease Control, ROI and Soil Science in Action
Future Beneath Your Feet
Disease Control, ROI and Soil Science in Action

What’s really happening underground? In this webinar, experts share data-backed insights on managing soil-borne disease, improving return on investment with Strike/Chloropicrin, and building a resilient soil biome that supports better yields.


TriCal Group recently partnered with Spudman to spotlight some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in potato production. Both sessions featured TriCal Group's Dr. Chad Hutchinson and soil microbiologist Joy Youwakim, alongside Dr. Gary Secor - North Dakota State University Professor of Plant Pathology.