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 7.
Idaho – Statistics shows that 54 percent of the crop has been planted, up from 28 percent the week before. That’s 10 percent down from last year’s 65 percent that was planted at this time. The five-year average is 60 percent planted by this time of year.
Washington – 74 percent of the potato crop has been planted as of the end of last week, up from 56 percent the week before. Last year at that time 59 percent of the crop had been planted with the five-year average at 77 percent.
North Dakota – No report
Wisconsin – It’s reported that 47 percent of the potato crop is in, equal to last year but one day behind the average.
Maine - The NASS shows 15 percent of the Maine’s potato crop is planted compared to last week when it was less than 5 percent. Last year at this time it was also less than 5 percent planted.
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, 33 percent of the crop has been planted, up from 9 percent the week before. A year ago at this time 46 percent had been planted. The five-year average for this time of year is 51 percent. Outside the San Luis Valley, 36 percent of the crop has been planted, up from 26 percent the week before. A year ago it was at 38 percent with the five-year average being 48 percent.
Michigan – No percentages were given for planting in Michigan but it was noted that planting had started in the southwest part of the state.
Oregon – 75 percent of Oregon’s potatoes have been planted, up from 58 percent the week before. That’s very close to the 73 percent that had been planted at this time a year ago but behind the five-year average of 87 percent.
Minnesota – 16 percent of the crop has been planted, up from 2 percent the week before. Last year that percentage stood at 7 with the five-year average at 37 percent.
California – No report