Michigan state seed report 2024

In 2024, the seed potato growers of Michigan planted 2,534 acres accepted as certified seed, a 91-acre decrease from 2023 as some growers restructure.

Varieties grown in upper Michigan continue to favor chips with 80% of the certified crop, including 523 acres of the popular Manistee and 237 acres of the newer PVY-resistant Mackinaw. Russets account for 17%, with Reveille Russet increasing acreage to 120. Under 205 acres were of Russet Burbank, with the remaining acres being specialty non-red table stock.

Planting started dry and efficient but turned cool and wet in mid-April and stayed wet through June, slowing the final acres but creating fields without running irrigation in many cases until July.

July gave way to dryness and heat that persisted through September, minimizing white mold, early blight and blackleg pressure in a less-humid Michigan summer.

Growers kept patient through harvest’s September start, only digging in intervals when day or night and pulp temperatures were appropriately cool going into storage. Going into October, weather finally cooled, and inspectors reported above-average set and yield with exceptional quality.

Sample collection began Oct. 17 for Nov. 30 planting of the postharvest testing plot in Hawaii. Additionally, many growers have elected to conduct direct tuber testing using PCR for estimation of PVY incidence earlier.

The Michigan Seed Potato Association continues to mourn its founding executive director Jeff Axford, who passed away unexpectedly on April 13.

— Damen Kurze, executive director, Michigan Seed Potato Association