Jim Tiede operates a farm with his son Alex in the Flat of Pleasant valley and the harvest has just begun. Jim said he didn't expect this year's potato yield to be as good as last year's record crop, but he was encouraged by what they found once they started digging up the spuds.
''They actually look pretty good, it'll probably be above average for Burbanks,'' Jim said. ''I think this year it was just a little too hot. It was hard to keep them wet. Actually, I was surprised when we dug and they looked as good as they did.''
''They actually look pretty good, it'll probably be above average for Burbanks,'' Jim said. ''I think this year it was just a little too hot. It was hard to keep them wet. Actually, I was surprised when we dug and they looked as good as they did.''
Tiede's farm sells its potatoes for processing into French fries, Tater Tots, KFC wedges, among other things, Tiede said. All of the spuds from his crop have already been contracted for sale under multiyear agreements, about half to Simplot and half to Lamb Weston.
Tiede said he didn't like the risk associated with the fresh market, which tends to have higher highs and lower lows. Instead, he prefers to lock in prices for several years at a time.
Tiede said he didn't like the risk associated with the fresh market, which tends to have higher highs and lower lows. Instead, he prefers to lock in prices for several years at a time.
''Before I plant them, I know they're sold,'' he said.
