May 7, 2025Potato planting progressing in the Red River Valley
The USDA’s Potato Progress & Condition Report for the week ending May 4 shows potato planting progress in the Red River Valley.
In North Dakota, the report (.pdf) showed potatoes planted at 14%, near the 17% of last year. In Minnesota (.pdf), potatoes planted stood at 23%, behind last year’s 33% and the 29% average.
For the week, North Dakota saw 4.6 days suitable for field work, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, while Minnesota saw 3.6.
According to the Northland Potato Growers Association’s Potato Bytes newsletter, planting conditions in the Red River Valley are “near ideal.”
The last of the 2024 crop is being shipped, according to NPGA. The past season saw the largest yellow potato crop on record, with more than 2 million cwt making up more than 40% of the fresh crop.
The 2024 crop also included a large number of red potatoes, and 2024-25 marked the first season since yellows became popular that red prices topped yellow prices.
A half dozen fresh packing sheds in the Red River Valley have finished shipping the 2024 crop, with five additional sheds finishing the process, according to the newsletter.
In Michigan, recent rain slowed planting, but it still remains ahead of the five-year average, according to the Michigan Potato Industry Commission.