American Potato Harvest Off 8%

WASHINGTON - Dec 11/08 - SNS -- Total U.S. potato production in 2008 from all four seasons is forecast at 411 million cwt (100 pound units), virtually unchanged from the November forecast but down 8% from last year, according to the latest USDA crop production estimates.

Production of fall potatoes for 2008 is forecast at 374 million cwt, up slightly from the November forecast but down 8% from 2007.

Total harvested area for all potatoes is 1.05 million acres, down 7% from 2007. Yield is forecast at 393 cwt per acre, down 3 cwt from last year's record high. The fall potato harvested area is 921,200 acres, virtually unchanged from the November forecast but 8% lower than last year. The average yield, forecast at 406 cwt per acre, is down 1 cwt from November's forecast and down 3 cwt from last year's record high yield.

Idaho's yield is forecast at 378 cwt per acre. If realized, this will be the second highest yield on record, 8 cwt below the record yield set in 2006. Production in Idaho is down from last year due to a 13% decrease in harvested acres. In eastern Washington, potatoes were planted on time, but growth was delayed due to cool, wet weather in the early summer, which also delayed planting in the western part of the State. Potato size was smaller than last year, but quality was good. In Colorado, the growing season was favorable for the San Luis Valley, however, severe hail storms in August damaged plants just before vine killing. As a result, potato sizes were variable. Despite a slow start for the potato crop in Oregon, most growers reported normal to slightly below normal yields. In California, favorable weather conditions resulted in excellent crop quality and yields.

In North Dakota, crop condition was rated fair to good throughout the growing season. Wisconsin growers reported a smaller crop with good quality potatoes. In Michigan, there were low disease and insect pressures across the State and harvest was mostly complete by early November.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here