Maine State Potato Seed Report 2023
The 2023 growing season was very challenging for many growers as large rain events during the growing season likely impacted the crop. Seed acreage was down again slightly, roughly 7% from last year.
As of Sept. 11, the certification program had 9,033 acres field certified from 66 farms. Harvest conditions vastly improved compared to the rain events of the summer.
Varieties by acreage field certified
The top five varieties by acreage field certified for 2023 are:
- Caribou Russet (PVP), 1,311 acres
- Atlantic, 674 acres
- Russet Burbank (MT), 601 acres
- Waneta (PVP), 518 acres
- Lamoka (PVP), 502 acres
Inspectors are now performing PCN soil sampling and are in preparation for laboratory PVY/PLRV postharvest testing. All samples will be ELISA postharvest tested at the certification laboratory in Presque Isle.
For more information, click here.
— Eric Hitchcock, Seed Certification Program manager, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
