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AI and the Potato Industry

Artificial Intelligence for the Potato Industry — Growers, Industry & Partners

Sidney Shapiro, PhD

Assistant Professor of Business Analytics

Dhillon School of Business

University of Lethbridge

Prompt Library

Copy-ready prompts for common potato-growing scenarios. Use these with your own data or with the sample data from the Exercises page.

Download all prompts (PDF)

Yield

Yield prediction with historical data

You have 5 years of yield data, soil tests, and a weather forecast. You want a yield range for this season.

Based on my yield data from 2020-2024 (attached spreadsheet), current soil test results showing pH 5.8 and 2.5% organic matter, and the 14-day weather forecast predicting average temperatures of 18°C with 120mm rainfall, predict my expected yield for Russet Burbank potatoes planted on May 15th. Provide a range (low, medium, high) and explain the key factors affecting the prediction.
Yield

Impact of planting date on yield

Follow-up: see how planting 5 days earlier might change the prediction.

Using the same data and assumptions, what would the yield prediction be if I planted 5 days earlier? Compare to the original prediction and list the main factors that change.
Yield

Top risk factors that could lower yields

Follow-up: identify the main risks that could push your yield below the predicted range.

Based on the same yield data and assumptions, what are the top 3 risk factors that could lower my yield below the predicted range? For each, briefly explain how I could monitor or mitigate it.
Yield

Effect of fertilizer change on yield

Follow-up: see how a change in fertilizer (e.g. 20% increase) might affect the yield estimate.

Using the same data and assumptions, how would a 20% increase in fertilizer application affect the yield prediction? Compare to the original prediction and list the main factors that change.
Irrigation

Optimized 2-week irrigation schedule

You have current soil moisture, a 14-day forecast, and typical irrigation amounts. You want a schedule that keeps moisture in range and saves water.

Create an optimized 2-week irrigation schedule for my potato fields. Current soil moisture is at 65% capacity. The 14-day forecast shows 3 days of rain (15mm total) and average temperatures of 20°C. My historical records show I typically irrigate every 3 days with 25mm per application. Recommend a schedule that maintains soil moisture between 60-80% capacity while minimizing water usage. Explain the reasoning for each irrigation event.
Irrigation

Schedule under higher temperatures

Follow-up: how would the schedule change if it gets 5°C warmer?

How would the irrigation schedule change if average temperatures increase by 5°C? Keep the same soil moisture targets (60-80%) and explain the adjustments.
Irrigation

Minimum soil moisture before irrigating

You want to know the minimum soil moisture level before you need to irrigate for your growth stage.

For potatoes at [current growth stage], what is the minimum soil moisture level (as % of capacity) before I need to irrigate to avoid stress? I'm maintaining moisture between 60-80% capacity. Give a clear threshold and brief reasoning.
Irrigation

Water savings vs current schedule

You want to compare an optimized schedule to your current practice and see how much water you could save.

I currently irrigate every 3 days with 25mm per application. Based on the optimized 2-week schedule you recommended (same soil moisture targets and forecast), how much water could I save compared to my current schedule? Express as total mm over the 2 weeks and as a percentage.
Market

Optimal selling window for stored potatoes

You have stored tonnage, storage cost per ton per month, current price, and historical prices. You want a recommended selling window and risk view.

Analyze my historical potato prices from 2020-2024 (attached data) and current market conditions. I have 500 tons of stored Russet Burbank potatoes. Storage costs are $2/ton/month. Current market price is $450/ton. Recommend the optimal selling window over the next 4 months, considering price trends, storage costs, and quality degradation risk. Provide a risk assessment for each option.
Market

Split selling strategy

Follow-up: compare selling half now and half later.

What if I sell half my stored potatoes now and half later? Compare total expected revenue and risk to selling all at once or all later, using the same assumptions and attached price data.
Market

Effect of price drop on selling recommendation

Follow-up: how would a 10% price drop affect the recommended selling window?

Using the same assumptions and attached price data, how would a 10% drop in current market price affect your recommended selling window? Should I sell sooner, later, or stick to the same plan? Explain the reasoning.
Market

Signs to watch to adjust selling timing

You want to know what market or quality signals to monitor so you can adjust when to sell.

Based on my stored tonnage, storage costs, and the price trends we discussed, what signs should I watch (market, quality, or other) to decide whether to sell earlier or later than the recommended window? Give me 3–5 concrete indicators and what each would suggest.
Disease

Disease ID and treatment from symptoms and context

You have leaf symptoms (e.g. brown spots with yellow halos), growth stage, weather, and irrigation notes. You want a likely diagnosis, treatment options, and prevention.

I've attached photos of potato leaves showing brown spots with yellow halos. The plants are in the flowering stage, planted 8 weeks ago. Recent weather has been humid (75% average) with temperatures 18-22°C. I've been irrigating every 3 days. Identify the likely disease, explain why, recommend treatment options with cost estimates, and suggest prevention strategies for next season.
Disease

Treatment timeline and spread prevention

Follow-up: how long until treatment works and how to limit spread.

What's the typical timeline for treatment effectiveness for this disease? How can I prevent it from spreading to other fields? What are the long-term impacts on yield if left untreated?
Budget

Next-season budget analysis and cost savings

You have past expense records and current input price changes. You want a budget breakdown and top cost-saving ideas without hurting yield or quality.

Create a budget analysis for next season's potato crop. I have expense records from 2022-2024 (attached). Current fertilizer prices are up 15%, seed costs are stable, and fuel is up 8%. Target yield is 35 tons/hectare. Identify the top 3 cost-saving opportunities without compromising yield or quality. Provide a budget breakdown by category and compare to last year's actual costs.
Budget

Break-even and contingency

Follow-up: break-even price per ton and contingency for surprises.

Based on this budget, what's the break-even price per ton? How would a 10% yield increase affect profitability? What contingency should I budget for unexpected costs?
General

Summarize a field report

You have notes from scouting or field checks and want a short summary with action items.

Summarize this field scouting report into a short summary (3-5 bullet points) with any recommended actions and priorities. Keep the tone professional and suitable for sharing with my agronomist or partner.
General

Turn field notes into traceable report structure

You have rough field or meeting notes and want a summary plus a simple structure (headings and key fields) for report-ready, traceable format.

Summarize this field scouting report into a short summary (3–5 bullet points) with any recommended actions and priorities. Keep the tone professional and suitable for sharing with my agronomist or partner. Then suggest a simple structure (headings and key fields) I could use to turn future notes into traceable, report-ready format.
General

Draft one-paragraph email update from field notes

You want a brief email-ready paragraph from your field notes for a quick update.

Using the same field scouting notes, draft a one-paragraph version suitable for a quick email update to my agronomist or partner. Keep it concise and professional.
General

Compare two varieties for my conditions

You want a side-by-side comparison of two varieties given your soil, climate, and market.

Compare Russet Burbank and Shepody for my operation: soil is sandy loam, pH 5.8, Southern Alberta, irrigation available. I sell mainly for processing. List key differences in yield potential, disease resistance, input needs, and market suitability, and give a short recommendation.
Tech

Finding AI/ML and machine vision solutions

You want an overview of how AI and machine vision are used for disease ID, storage, or optical sorting—in plain language, with examples and what to consider before adopting.

I'm a potato grower in Southern Alberta. Give me a short overview of how AI and machine vision are used for (choose one: plant disease identification from leaf images / potato storage management / optical sorting in packing). Include: what the technology does in plain language, 2–3 examples or product types if you know them, and what I should consider (cost, data, accuracy) before trying it. Keep it practical for a grower or operations manager.
Tech

Data, equipment, and risks for AI solutions

Follow-up: what you need to get started and what the main limitations or risks are.

What data or equipment would I need to get started with [disease ID from images / storage AI / optical sorting]? What are the main limitations or risks of using AI for this in potato production?