Idaho Spud growers hope for late-season surge

Idaho potato acres are down, and the next few weeks could determine whether yields are down, too. Development of the crop was about two weeks behind during the early part of the growing season because of a long, cold spring.

The potato crop has caught up in some, but not all, areas of the state, with harvest just around the corner, said Jerry Wright, president and chief executive officer of United Potato Growers of Idaho.

"The real question is whether this (crop) will size up,"Wright told producers attending the annual Idaho Grower Shippers Association meeting Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Idaho growers planted about 300,000 acres of potatoes this year, according to a United Potato Growers survey and estimates released by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. That's a 14 percent decline from 2007, according to NASS estimates. United officials said they believe NASS overestimated 2007 crop plantings, so they have pegged the decline at closer to 12 percent.

With harvest fast approaching, growers are waiting to see how much tubers can bulk up before digging begins. "We're lining up right now to have a bit of a smaller crop. The real question is 'How is it going to end up?"Wright said.