07/13/06 United pleased with spud acreage

The potato growers across the nation have planted an estimated 1.14 million acres of potatoes this year, a three percent increase from last year. But National Ag Statistics reports that the acres to be harvested this year are up from a year ago but its still four percent below 2004. Idaho growers increased their acreage this year but it was exactly what the United Fresh Potato Growers of Idaho had anticipated. United CEO Jerry Wright says 330 thousand acres of potatoes were planted this year in Idaho, up from 325 thousand a year ago. WRIGHT  "What we're looking at is about a 12.4 percent reduction in fresh acres vs. 2004 and very comparable to the same fresh acreage that we planted in 2005." Wright says the increase in Idaho spud acreage is mostly due to more processed potatoes being planted because frozen processors and dehydrators are very low on potato inventory. He expects the fresh market prices and demand to run at or above the same levels as 2005. WRIGHT "This crop is about one week ahead. We don't know what kind of tuber set we have right now." Beginning August first United will conduct field digs in an attempt to estimate the size and yield of this year's potato crop before the actual harvest begins. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott