04/14/06 Weather keeps some farmers sidelined

Idaho producers who planned to have some of their crops sown are unable to get into the fields because it's so wet. The latest USDA production report released earlier this week said 60 percent of Idaho soil had above average moisture. Only 34 percent of the onions were planted compared to 88 percent at this time last year. Spring wheat plantings, only seven percent so far compared to the five year average of 32 percent. It's a similar story with sugarbeets, only nine percent in the ground when the five year average is 40 percent. They're just starting on potato plantings. Oakley farmer Randy Hardy says he's following the United Potato Growers recommendations and will plant fewer potatoes this year. HARDY "And I view it as our only salvation. I think its going to have to work. We've seen that it has worked. It worked last year and it's worked this year." Hardy is chairman of the US Potato Board. They are trying to keep supply and demand in check but there's another reason for few spuds being planted in Idaho this spring. HARDY "There isn't a lot of extra potato seed around. I've never seen a year when plantings have been actually curtailed by a lack of seed. Their yields are way down, the size is way down and this was on top of an acreage cutback." Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott