Prince Edward Island Potato crops suffering in heat

The hot, dry summer continues to take a toll on the Prince Edward Island potato crop and yields for some varieties are expected to be down 25 per cent.

“It is serious. But we're not desperate yet I guess is the best way to put it,” said Gary Linkletter, chair of the P.E.I. Potato Board.

He said the eastern part of the province was very dry earlier in the summer, and some crops dried up completely.

“In the Summerside area and farther west as well, we had some rain earlier on and the plants got off to a great start. But now they have gotten dry,"he said.

"The last week was the week that we took some damage. We have seen a number of fields starting to turn significantly yellow."