Potato Crop Production

Fall potato output is up slightly in 2007, the USDA reports in the crop production report today.
Here is the narrative on fall potato production:


Fall Potatoes: Production of fall potatoes for 2007 is forecast at408 million cwt, up 2 percent from last year. Area harvested, at997,800 acres, is virtually unchanged from the July estimate but2 percent above last year. The average yield is forecast at409 cwt per acre, up 3 cwt from last year's record high yield.Western States production is forecast at 288 million cwt, up6 percent from last year. Area harvested, at 642,000 acres,increased 4 percent from last year, and the average yield of448 cwt per acre is up 5 cwt from 2006. Idaho's yield is forecast at 377 cwt per acre. If realized this would be the second highest yield on record, 9 cwt below the record yield set in 2006. Hot weather during the summer reduced the quality of the crop. Incidences of the Potato Virus Y were more frequent than normal which adversely affected yields. In Washington, harvest progressed normally this year. The quality of the crop is acceptable but not as good as in previous years. In Colorado, a severe wind storm followed by a late freeze in mid-June damaged plants that were already emerged. The earlier planted crop was slow to recover from the damage, leading to increased yield variability. Oregon's crop progressed at a normal pace with no major problems reported. In California, favorable weather conditions resulted in excellent crop quality and yields.Central States production is forecast at 95.8 million cwt, down3 percent from last year. Harvested area, at 267,200 acres, is down 4 percent, while the average yield, at 359 cwt per acre, is up2 cwt from a year ago. Overall, the Wisconsin crop progressed ahead of normal. Growers reported a good quality crop with harvest completed on time or early. In North Dakota, crop condition was rated fair to good throughout the growing season. Michigan's yield is forecast at 350 cwt per acre. If realized, this would be a record high.Eastern States production is forecast at 24.7 million cwt, down9 percent from last year. Area for harvest totaled 88,600 acres,3 percent below last year, while the average yield, at 279 cwt per acre, is down 20 cwt from last season. In Maine, excellent growing and harvesting conditions resulted in a high yielding, high quality crop. In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, above average temperatures and below average precipitation forced growers in many locations to irrigate.All Potatoes: Total U.S. potato production in 2007 from all four seasons is estimated at 448 million cwt, up 2 percent from last year. Harvested area, at 1.13 million acres, increased 1 percent from a year ago. Yield, averaging 396 cwt per acre, is up 3 cwt from last year's record high.