The USDA NASS has provided an update on the U.S. potato crop in its weekly crop progress report (https://www.nass.usda.gov/) for last week. Here’s a sample of what the latest report showed.
Oregon – The NASS reports that 97 percent of the crop has emerged, an increase of 17 percent from the week prior (80 percent). The five-year average for this time of year is 82 percent.
The report also shows that 32 percent of the potato crop is in fair condition with another 40 percent in good condition. Twenty-three percent of the crop is rated as being in excellent condition. Two percent is listed as in very poor condition and another 3 percent as in poor condition.
Washington – Just to the north in Washington, 91 percent of the potatoes have emerged, up from 89 percent a week ago. The five-year average is 77 percent so this year’s crop is well ahead of that.
When it comes to the crop’s condition, 72 percent is rated as in good condition, 12 percent as fair and 8 percent as in poor condition. In a change from last week, 8 percent is rated as in excellent condition, whereas 0 percent was last week.
Idaho – Growers in Idaho just about have the crop in with the NASS showing 96 percent of the 2024 crop having been planted, an increase of 16 percent from a week ago when it was 80 percent and a little ahead of last year’s planting, which stood at 94 percent.
The same report shows 53 percent of the potatoes have emerged, a big jump from the 31 percent a week ago.
Wisconsin – Growers made progress last week with 98 percent of the crop planted.
Five percent of the crop is rated as excellent with 80 percent rated as good. The other 15 percent is rated fair.
Michigan – NASS reports that potatoes in the southern part of the start have started flowering.
North Dakota – The report states 88 percent of the state’s potatoes have been planted, with 50 percent of that already emerged. The 88 percent planted is close to last year’s 85 percent and ahead of the average of 80 percent. Thirty-four percent of the crop had emerged by this time last year but the 50 percent is well ahead of the 26 percent average.
Minnesota – The state’s potato growers have 92 percent of the crop planted, which is slightly behind last year’s 93 percent at this time of the year and ahead of the five-year average, which is 90 percent. A week ago, 89 percent had been planted. The majority of the crop – 72 percent – is rated as in good condition with 13 percent rated excellent and 14 percent as fair. One percent is rated as in poor condition.
Colorado – Potatoes planted outside of the San Luis Valley stands at 85 percent, which is ahead of last year’s 71 percent. The five-year average is 82 percent. Of the potatoes planted, 35 percent have emerged, behind the five-year average of 61 percent.
Potatoes planted in the San Luis Valley stood at 92 percent last week, which is a bit behind where it was last year when it was 94 percent. The five-year average is 97 percent. The 92 percent is just ahead of from a week ago, however, when 86 percent had been planted. Thirty-six percent of the crop has emerged, a big jump from last week’s 4 percent. The five-year average is 22 percent.
Maine – The NASS shows 81 percent of Maine’s potato crop has been planted, up from 60 percent a week ago. The five-year average is 63 percent at this time of year. Last year at this point of the planting season, 82 percent had been planted.
New York – Growers in New York have planted 48 percent of the potato crop, which is up from 33 percent a week ago, but behind last year’s 61 percent at this time of year.