EEUU: Idaho spud growers report big size, fewer tubers

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho — Early in their potato harvest, Idaho growers say they’re digging fewer spuds than last year, but tuber sizes are much larger.

Growers — who are now digging early maturing varieties such as Russet Norkotah, specialty types, reds and Ranger Russets — anticipate yields will be down from last season, but will still be above average.

“It’s a good crop — definitely bigger (tuber) size,” said Aberdeen grower Doug Ruff, who started digging chip potatoes on Sept. 11.

Aberdeen grower Ritchie Toevs has been happy with the lack of rot and high percentage of dry matter in his spuds and anticipates bulk will make up for reduced tuber numbers. His quality has been variable.

“We have one field that’s beautiful and another one that’s course,” Toevs said. “Last year, where they were smaller, they were all smooth. This year, some of our big potatoes had knobs.”

Toevs said the return to Idaho growers remains well below the cost of raising spuds.

“I don’t know why we don’t manage shipments. It’s frustrating,” Toevs said.

Doug Gross, a Wilder grower, said his Norkotah yields and quality are average and his Rangers are slightly above average. He said the crop profile is about the opposite of last season, and prices are “flip-flopping.”

“The old crop is pretty well gone and the new crop, it looks like there’s better size,” Gross said. “The carton sizes are starting to decline (in price), and the consumer bags are starting to rise.”

USDA lists Norkotah prices for the Twin Falls-Burley district at $12 to $16 per hundredweight for cartons and $9 to $12 per hundredweight for 10-pound consumer bags. Since mid-August, University of Idaho Extension economist Chris McIntosh said prices of 10-pound consumer bags are up $3 per hundredweight, but 60-count cartons have dropped $7 per hundredweight.

Retired UI economist Paul Patterson is hopeful that cheaper prices during the past season triggered more consumption of fresh spuds, thereby changing consumer behavior. Though Russet Burbank harvest won’t commence until later this month, Idaho Potato Commission President and CEO Frank Muir said test digs indicate Idaho’s major variety will also have larger size but fewer tubers beneath each plant.

“Based on what I’m seeing at this point, quality will be very good to excellent but overall yield will probably be down from a year ago,” Muir said.

USDA estimates Idaho growers planted 325,000 acres this season, up 4,000 acres from last season. Muir believes lower yield and bigger spuds this season should result in a marketable crop.

“I think we’ve got a crop from all indications that would validate holding carton prices at a premium rate where they should be relative to bags,” Muir said. “They don’t need to be discounted.”

Muir said IPC is launching a promotion with Country Crock starting on Oct. 1 — much earlier than normal — which should help relieve any post-harvest supply glut.

Through December, IPC will give a bag of potatoes, valued at up to $2, to consumers who buy two tubs of Country Crock spread. IPC will donate another bag of spuds to Feeding America, which assists food banks.