According to this week’s figures from the USDA NASS, potato planting is clipping right along with some states nearing completion and others still gaining some momentum as the weather warms.
We are highlighting the top 10 potato producing states for this report. This is for the week ending May 14.
Idaho – Statistics show that 70 percent of the crop has been planted, up from 54 percent the week before. Last year’s 85 percent that was planted at this time shows the state is still trying to catch up from a cool, wet spring. The five-year average is 76 percent planted by this time of year.
Washington – 80 percent of the potato crop has been planted as of the end of last week, up from 74 percent the week before. Last year at that time 85 percent of the crop had been planted with the five-year average at 90 percent.
North Dakota – 20 percent of the potato crop has been planted, which is 3 percent ahead of this time last year. However, that’s 33 percent behind the average.
Wisconsin – It’s reported that 62 percent of the potato crop is in, which is a couple of days behind where growers were last year and two days behind the average.
Maine - The NASS shows 21 percent of the Maine’s potato crop is planted compared to last week when it was 15 percent. Last year at this time 12 percent had been planted with the five-year average at 10 percent.
Colorado – The NASS breaks out potato planting in Colorado into two categories: inside the San Luis Valley and outside the San Luis Valley. In the San Luis Valley, 58 percent of the crop has been planted, up from 33 percent the week before. A year ago at this time 75 percent had been planted. The five-year average for this time of year is 76 percent. Outside the San Luis Valley, 46 percent of the crop has been planted, up from 36 percent the week before. A year ago it was at 53 percent with the five-year average being 66 percent.
Michigan – No report.
Oregon – 88 percent of Oregon’s potatoes have been planted, up from 75 percent the week before. That’s very close to the 84 percent that had been planted at this time a year ago.
Minnesota – 40 percent of the crop has been planted, up from 16 percent the week before. Last year that percentage stood at 32 with the five-year average at 57 percent.
California – No report