Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative (SIPCO)

Idaho processors have cut potato acres under contract for the coming season by roughly 3 percent, officials with Southeast Idaho Potato Cooperative recently learned.

Idaho potato growers at a Monday meeting in Burley approved processing contracts with J.R. Simplot and McCain Foods that both include payment increases averaging 1.6 percent.

Idaho potato growers will vote Monday in Burley on contracts with McCain Foods and J.R. Simplot Co. paying a 1.6 percent average increase, according to sources involved in negotiations.

Leaders of two potato organizations have advised growers their best options for any unclaimed spuds this season may be to sell them as cattle feed or to leave them in the field for the fertilizer value. Dan Hargraves, who represents processed growers ...