Nov 9, 2016Red production off by more than a one-third in the RRV
Unfortunately the good crops in the central valley of North Dakota won’t be enough make up for the thousands of potato acres lost north of Grand Forks to the Canadian border. Overall, the red crop in the valley is expected to be down by more than one-third compared to last year’s big crop and 20 percent behind the five-year average, the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association reports. Much above average temperatures and dry conditions will allow the potato harvest to extend into mid-November which will add a few more potatoes to end count.
Yellow production will only be down slightly (2.4 percent) in eastern North Dakota as expanded yellow acres nearly offset yellow acres lost to wet conditions. Yellow potatoes now make up 17 percent of this year’s Red River Valley fresh crop, the most ever.
Source: Potato Bytes/NPPGA
