Montcalm Research Center

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Established 1966

Michigan potato and dry bean producers are the main beneficiaries of the research conducted at the 57-acre Montcalm Research Center. The center also leases 40 additional acres for research and demonstration projects. Research activities include potato variety evaluation, cultural practices, fertility and weed, insect and disease control. Michigan ranks sixth in the nation in potato production value and is the No. 1 producer of chipping potatoes in the country. The center is adjacent to the Burt Cargill Potato Demonstration Storage facility which consists of two buildings that, combined, house nine 50,000-pound bulk potato storages. These storages allow researchers to study the commercial potential of new processing potato varieties as well as perform other post-harvest evaluations under simulated commercial evaluation.

Enviro-Weather Report

News

MSU receives USDA grant for potato breeding and genetics program

Published on February 26, 2020
MSU has received $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to invest in its potato breeding and genetics program.
Michigan State University partners to create limited-edition purple potato chips

Published on November 25, 2019
The limited-edition purple potato chips from Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. are made from the Blackberry potato, the newest variety developed by Michigan State University's Potato Breeding and Genetics program.
Reducing agricultural risks with new technologies

Published on October 14, 2019
From using smartphone apps to soil testing and seed placement, growers aim to increase efficiency of their operations.
Save the dates for 2019 MSU research center field days

Published on May 23, 2019
The public is invited to learn about the research work of Michigan State University around the state during the upcoming 2019 MSU AgBioResearch field days.
Michigan State University scientists to showcase latest in agricultural research

Published on May 8, 2018
Members of Michigan’s agriculture industry and local residents are invited to attend the upcoming research field days at Michigan State University’s outlying research facilities throughout the state this summer.