Idaho Potato production down 14%

Idaho’s potato production is expected to total 114 million cwt, down 14 percent from last year’s 133 million cwt and 2 percent below the 2008 crop.

Planted acres of 295,000 and harvested acres of 294,000 are down 25,000 acres from 2009. Harvested acreage is at the lowest level since 1980. Statewide, yield is 389 cwt (field-run basis), down 26 cwt from last year’s record high yield per acre.

Yield in the 10 Southwestern counties, at 550 cwt, increased 50 cwt from 2009 and is a record high for this area. Acreage for the 10 Southwest counties, at 16,000 acres planted and harvested, decreased 3,000 acres from last year. Because of the acreage decrease, total production in the area is down 7 percent from last year at 8.80 million cwt. In Idaho’s “other counties,” yield is estimated at 380 cwt, compared to a record 410 cwt a year ago. Other area production from 278,000 harvested acres is expected to total 106 million cwt, 14 percent below last year’s 123 million cwt.


United States Highlights

Nationally, production of fall potatoes for 2010 is forecast at 361 million cwt, down 8 percent from 2009. Area harvested, at 882,500 acres, is slightly above the July forecast. The average yield, forecast at 410 cwt per acre, is down 19 cwt per acre from last year’s record high yield.

Western States: In Idaho, a cool, wet spring hindered emergence and shortened the growing season. In eastern Washington, below normal temperatures aided plant growth. In the western area, crop progress slowed due to surplus rainfall. In Colorado, growing conditions were generally favorable in the San Luis Valley. Oregon’s crop was delayed due to wet conditions. Yields were adversely affected in California by a cool spring and fall rains.

Central States: In North Dakota, crop condition was rated mostly good to excellent throughout the growing season. Harvest progressed ahead of normal and was virtually complete by mid-October. Wisconsin growers reported average crop conditions and below normal crop size.

Related PotatoPro Newsletter: United States Fall Potato Production 2010 down 8%