Idaho potato farmers plant 300.000 acres, a 12.3% decline

United Potato Growers of Idaho projects 300,266 acres of potatoes in Idaho for the 2008-09 season, down 12.3 percent from the acreage counted in 2007-08 by the Farm Service Agency.

United announced the results of its first-ever potato acreage count at this year's all-grower summer meeting.

Idaho potato growers relied solely on an annual survey by the National Agricultural Statistical Service in the past. The new report is an actual count, rather than a statistical estimate, wrote Jerry Wright, chief executive officer and president of United Potato Growers, in a July 14 news release.