The long winter, cool spring and potatoes

Farm and Ranch May 1, 2009 After what seemed like a never ending winter we are now having a cool spring. What does that mean for potatoes, the states fourth most valuable crop? Andy Jensen, Director of Research for the Washington State Potato Commission, says it has had some impact. Jensen: "One of the main things it means is that the crop is coming up slower than it might otherwise if the spring was a little warmer. But I think the majority of crops will come up just fine. Yields might be a little low for some of the fields that have to be harvested in July, but most fields I think will recover to normal yields by the end of the growing season." Surely the long winter took care of the pests and diseases producers have to deal with. Not necessarily so says Jensen. Jensen: "And generally that is not the case. Most pests and diseases are perfectly happy in the winter and can tolerate very cold temperatures. They are programmed to handle that in kind of a hibernation state. So I think all of our potato growers will have to be watching for all the usual pests and diseases even though it has been a cold winter and cool spring." Washington's Agricultural Statistics Service office reports that at the start of this week 55 percent of the state's potato crop had been planted, right on the five year average for now, though emergence was running behind at only nine percent. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.