STATE LEADS SURGE IN POTATO PRODUCTION

USDA estimates the nation's fall potato crop is up 8 percent from last year, led by an 11 percent production increase in Idaho, where growers significantly stepped up planting and reported record yields.

U.S. growers planted 6 percent more potatoes, producing 422 million cwt of the crop from 991,500 acres, according to the agency's Nov. 9 crop production report.

Idaho growers planted 345,000 potato acres, up by 25,000 acres. USDA estimates Idaho's total production at 143 million cwt potatoes, up 14 million cwt from last season and the state's second largest crop on record. Idaho's average yield, at 416 cwt per acre, is up 12 cwt from last season.

"Based on the amount of spuds there is, we don't expect the price to come back during the next full marketing year," said Derek Reed, a fresh market grower from Idaho Falls. "We're going to move spuds as we're able and not hold onto any until late."