Normal weather year sets up a good harvest for O.C. Schulz & Sons
After a tough year last year, potato crop prospects are much improved for Crystal, N.D.-based O.C. Schulz & Sons.
“Last year we had a major drought and since our crop is all grown naturally without irrigation we had a below-average yield," said David Moquist, partner with the company growing potatoes in the Red River Valley. “This year, our rainfall has been more normal and it appears we have average or better yields, and so far, quality looks very good.”
The farm is a family-run operation, he said, with the third- and fourth-generation family members currently involved.
“My great-grandparents homestead on the land we now farm,” Moquist said. “ We take a lot of pride in the products we sell and we only sell our own production."
With yellow potato production increasing over time, Moquist said the company is now growing about 25% yellow potatoes and 75% red potatoes for the fresh market.
The company has also made recent investments in efficiency, he said.
“We have totally revamped our packaging shed,” Moquist said. “We have moved the majority of the equipment into an adjoining space that used to be storage. This has allowed us to put in a new electronic grader and sizer, and some additional packaging machinery. This should improve our efficiencies and reduce our demand for labor, therefore, making us more sustainable.”
The 2021-2022 marketing season was relatively easy from a marketing perspective because of the shorter crop and strong prices.
“The one glitch was transportation, which all areas had issues with,” he said.
For 2022-2023, Moquist said O.C. Schulz & Sons will continue its focus on shipping quality potatoes. The prospects for demand are good, he said.
Although inflation is a worry for the entire supply chain, the starting point for effective retail sales of Red River Valley potatoes is a fair margin, both for the growers and consumers, Moquist said.
“I believe the Red River Valley will have an excellent crop and be able to meet demand and fill the void in other markets,” he said.
