After 13 years in public and industry trials, the new potato variety ‘Blazer Russet’ was released this winter by the cooperative breeding program of the USDA/Agricultural Research Service and the University of Idaho (UI). The early- to mid-season variety shows considerable potential for both processing and fresh markets, says UI program coordinator Jeff Stark.

One reason is high yields: In early-harvest trials in western Idaho, Blazer Russet surpassed Shepody by 5 percent in total yields and 7 percent in U.S. No. 1 yields. In late-harvest trials in eastern and south-central Idaho, it outperformed standard-bearer Russet Burbank by 11 to 20 percent in total yields and 62 to 87 percent in U.S. No. 1 yields.

Blazer Russet has moderate specific gravity—a measure that’s closely related to solids content—and resistances to sugar ends, tuber malformations, and most internal and external defects.