E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov
(518) 457-5570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  Greg Lemmons
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
 

www.nass.usda.gov/ny 


                    RECORD LOW NEW YORK POTATO PRODUCTION FORECASTED 

 

 Production of fall potatoes in New York in 2009 is estimated at a record low 4.95 million 
hundredweight (cwt.), down 13 percent from a year ago, according to Stephen Ropel, Director 
of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office. Yields are expected to 
average 300 cwt. per acre compared with last year’s record high 320 cwt. per acre . Acreage for 
harvest is estimated at a record low 16.5 thousand acres, down 7 percent from last year. U.S. 
production of fall potatoes for 2009 is forecast at 392 million cwt, up 3 percent from 2008. Area 
harvested, at 919,900 acres, is virtually unchanged from the July estimate. The average yield, 
forecast at 426 cwt per acre, is up 15 cwt from last year’s yield and, if realized, will be the 
highest yield on record. 

 Idaho’s yield is forecast at 411 cwt per acre. If realized, this will be Idaho’s highest 
yield on record, 25 cwt above the record set in 2006. In Eastern Washington, potato harvest 
was near completion. Despite weather delays, progress was the same as last year’s pace and 
the five year average. In Colorado, growing conditions were favorable in the San Luis Valley, 
however, an early frost and disease led to an increase in abandonment this year. Oregon’s 
crop had a normal start without any widespread delays during planting. In California, favorable 
weather conditions aided yields and resulted in good crop quality reports from growers. 

 In North Dakota, planting began later than normal and remained behind average 
throughout the planting season. Crop condition was rated fair to good throughout the growing 
season. Wisconsin growers reported above average crop conditions and good quality. Cool 
temperature and timely rain provided good growing conditions for Michigan potatoes. Late 
blight was reported across the state, but farmers were able to take corrective action when 
needed. 

 In Maine, cool, dry conditions aided growers with an early start to potato planting. 
Warm weather was welcomed in mid-August, but dry conditions continued into mid-September, 
preventing tubers from increasing in size. 

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11-10-09