New York Potato Acreage Decreases By 7%
July 27, 2009 U.S. planted potato acreage is a mixed bag with some areas, such as New York state, showing a decrease while Idaho is up 5% over 2008.
The figures were provided by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and reported on ObserverToday.com.
New York potato growers planted an estimated 17,100 acres of potatoes this year, according to Stephen Ropel, Director of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office.
This is down 5% from 2008. Acres for harvest is forecast at 16,500, down 7% from last year.
U.S. area planted to fall potatoes in 2009 is estimated at 932,900 acres, up slightly from the 2008 crop year. Harvested area is forecast at 922,700 acres, also up slightly from 2008.
Idaho growers increased planted area 5% from last year but these are the lowest acres planted since 1986. As of July 5, crop conditions were rated 95% good to excellent. Washington producers planted 6% fewer acres than a year ago. Cool, wet conditions delayed planting throughout the State. Significant planting did not begin until early-April but high temperatures late in the month enabled progress to advance quickly. By late-May, virtually the entire crop was in the ground. Oregon growers increased planted area 2% from last year. The crop got off to a good start without any widespread delays to planting. In Colorado, planted area dropped 2% from the previous year as growers continued to voluntarily limit acreage for water conservation and supply management. Planting finished slightly ahead of schedule and the crop was rated in mostly good condition.
Fall potato planted area remained unchanged from last year in California, Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Potato growing areas in Maine received frequent and intense rain events during June after a cool, dry planting season. Northern areas of Aroostook County did not receive as much rain as southern locations and excellent crop conditions were reported. Further south, conditions ranged from fair to good, depending on moisture levels. Michigan’s planted area increased 5% from 2008. Plants were in good to excellent condition, benefitting from above normal rainfall this season. Planted area also increased in Nebraska, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, and New Mexico.
Growers in North Dakota planted 2% fewer acres than last year. Planting began later than normal and remained behind average throughout the planting season. As of June 28, crop condition was rated 63% good to excellent. Planted area also decreased from last year in New York and Minnesota.
Subscribe Today For
