Muddy Conditions in Northern Plains Means Slow Harvest

Once the potato harvest surpassed 95 percent completion, USDA-NASS quits reporting potato harvest progress, but a Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) survey indicates roughly 4,400 acres remain to be harvested in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. That number is roughly 4.5% of the acres planted in the region.

Dry weather in recent days has helped a bit, but progress is very slow in the muddy conditions. Not all the potatoes will be dug,” said Ted Kreis, NPPGA marketing and communications director.

Half of the potatoes still out, 2,200 acres, are potatoes grown for fry processors, with an additional 1,600 acres of table stock potatoes yet to be harvested. Mike Horken the Potato Program Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Ag estimates 250 acres of certified seed potatoes are yet to be harvested in Minnesota, while his counterpart at the North Dakota Seed Department, Willem Schrage, is estimating close to 350 acres need to be dug west of the Red River. Not all of the remaining 4,400 acres will be harvested as wet conditions are forecast to return to the area this week.”