Washington state seed report 2024

A total of 3,123 acres of seed potatoes entered certification during the 2024 growing season. This is a 197-acre decrease from last year.

Top varieties grown included Ciklamen (348 acres), Russet Burbank (242 acres), Chieftain (241 acres) and other proprietary varieties.

The total acres planted include 148 different potato varieties ranging in size from partial-acre plots to 65-acre fields. Most seed lots are less than 20 acres and include numbered clones, table stock, processing and heirloom varieties.

Harvesting in the northwest part of the state is currently 75% completed, while the eastern region is almost 80% completed. Digging was expected to be complete around the third week of October.

Yields are normal with very good tuber quality. Weather in the northwest has delivered late-season rains, while the eastern region has dry weather with mild temperatures. Plants maintained vigor throughout and were healthy on inspection. Harvest weather to date has been mild.

Plants inspected had good vigor with low disease incidence. Yields have been average with few over-sized tubers.

Certified seed growers are in the process of submitting seed lot samples for the postharvest test that will continue in Hawaii.

— Benita Matheson, field operations manager, Washington Department of Agriculture