Rather than relying solely on acreage estimates from a USDA growers' survey, the U.S. potato industry is physically visiting every spud field in Idaho and other major potato production areas for a fourth year. The Idaho count, which started in May and involves a half dozen two-member teams working under United Potato Growers of America, is now wrapping up.
Teams are also conducting in-person checks of all the potato fields in Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, the Klamath Basin, Southwestern Colorado and most of Wisconsin.