Quality Wisconsin potato crop on tap in spite of weather woes

Despite a wet, cold spring, Wisconsin grower-shippers are optimistic about their summer potato harvest.

“We’ll have a nice crop. There’s just less of it than you would have expected because of the rain,” said Mike Carter, CEO of Bushmans’ Inc., Rosholt, Wis.

Carter said July 20 that he expected his company to start harvesting russets July 31.

“There’s no question there’s crop loss,” he said. “Putting a number on it is premature. It’s a moving target because the rains continue to come.”

Wisconsin is the nation’s third-largest potato producer, behind Idaho and Washington.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported July 26 that early movement was light from central Wisconsin. Fifty-pound cartons of round red potatoes were $14-15 for As and $22-24 for Bs.

“Despite the rain, we have been seeing good quality,” said Tim Huffcutt, marketing director for RPE Inc., Bancroft, Wis.

“In fact, our new crop red potatoes have been some of the best we have seen.”

Huffcutt said July 24 that RPE already was harvesting red, yellow and fingerling potatoes, and yields were average compared to past seasons.

The company’s russet harvest was expected to start in mid-August, one week to 10 days later than normal.

Russets account for 80% of volume for Okray Family Farms Inc., Plover, Wis. Owner Mark Finnessy said July 18 that he also expected to be about 10 days late with that variety.

Finnessy added that growing conditions had been “optimal” during the summer after a difficult spring.

“Things looks good now,” he said. “What I’ve been digging looks really good.”

Finnessy said russet sizes may be smaller than usual because of the adverse spring conditions.

“I can’t find a 10-ounce potato,” he said. “That’s unusual this time of year.”

Finnessy also said yields may be below average because of the cold, wet spring but added that, “Outlook is a guessing game until you start harvesting.”

He said Okray “left a fair amount of acreage” unplanted because the company couldn’t get into some fields.

“It’s common to leave a little bit here and there, but this spring was a challenge,” he said.

Farmers Potato Exchange Inc., Antigo, Wis., represents nearly three dozen growers from across the state. Owner Dave Cofer said most of his growers would be close to the same acreage as last year.

“Everything I’ve seen looks good,” he said. “We’ve had heavy rains in some parts of the state. But most of our stuff hasn’t been too severely affected.”

Christine Lindner, national sales and marketing representative for Alsum Farms & Produce Inc., Friesland, Wis., said July 24 that Alsum “had ideal growing conditions with timely rainfall and a warm summer,” and the company expected to start harvesting reds on July 26 with yellows to follow Aug. 8 and russets in mid-August.

“The crop is looking very good,” she said.

“Our stands are good, and the plant growth has been excellent. We anticipate a very good quality crop.”