Oregon returning to normal potato production in 2007
Oregon returning to normal potato production in 2007
Bill Brewer, executive director of the Oregon Potato Commission, said that potato growers are looking for a return to normal production in 2007. "So far, we're happy with the quality," Mr. Brewer told The Produce News. "Potato growers are pretty happy with their crops at this time."
In 2006, Oregon potato growers experienced a weather rollercoaster. Planting was delayed during a wet, cool spring. Temperatures then began to climb before a second cooling trend set in. In July, the mercury shot up.
This season, Mr. Brewer said Mother Nature was more cooperative. "We had some late frost that set the early crop back," he indicated. "Then we had nice weather that brought the early crop back to normal."
There are some concerns about the impact of record-setting temperatures in July. "It's hard to assess the damage to tubers," Mr. Brewer said. "We will see any damage around the middle of September."
The harvest transitions between Oregon's growing regions, beginning as early as late June and finishing in the fall. In general, Mr. Brewer said potato growers are expected to begin their harvests a little ahead of normal schedules. "The quality is normal or better," he indicated. "Size is probably better."
Fresh-market potato varieties grown in Oregon include Centennial, Burbank, Norkotah, Fremont, Crestone, Keystone, Klamath, Ranger, Nugget, Silverton and Legend russets. Yukon Golds are also grown, and reds include CalRed, Cherry Red, Chieftain, Durango, IdaRose, Mazama, Norland, LaSoda, Pontiac, Sangre, Viking and Winema.
Mr. Brewer also said that acreage planted to potatoes increased by 4 percent in 2007, coming in around 36,500 acres. This compares with 35,000 planted and harvested in 2006. "We're pretty much even with 2005 [in terms of acreage]," he noted.
This season, Mr. Brewer said the number of acres for contract process potatoes has increased, and there are some reductions in acreage for tablestock and seed potatoes. Last year, 26 percent of overall production was for tablestock.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that the yield per acre in 2006 was 530 hundredweight with overall production at 18.5 million hundredweight. Last year's crop came in at a value $6.90 per hundredweight, with a total value of production at $127.8 million.
Mr. Brewer said that 540 sacks is a typical per-acre yield for growers. Speaking of 2007, he said, "Time always tells."
On Aug. 21, the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service reported that five 100,000-pound units of potatoes were shipped by rail the week of Aug. 12. Another 36 100,000-pound units had been trucked, and six 100,000-pound units had been exported.
As of Aug. 18, a total of 19 100,000-pound units had been shipped via rail, 118 100,000-pound units trucked and 22 100,000-pound units had been exported.
According to Mr. Brewer, 3 percent of all potatoes grown in Oregon are exported as fresh. Mexico is the largest export market for the state, and Mr. Brewer said Korea is providing growers with potential new markets. "Oregon growers are really moving in that direction," he said of this expansion.
Rail transportation is becoming more popular with growers from Boardman to Hermiston, OR. "Growers [in those areas] are having good luck with Union Pacific," Mr. Brewer said. Other growing regions still rely primarily upon trucking.
With regard to export, Mr. Brewer said that most of the state's potatoes continue to be shipped through the port of Seattle. He went on to say that the port of Portland is adding some new shipping lanes and deepening channels to facilitate export.
(For more on Oregon potatoes, see the Sept.10 issue of The Produce News.)
In 2006, Oregon potato growers experienced a weather rollercoaster. Planting was delayed during a wet, cool spring. Temperatures then began to climb before a second cooling trend set in. In July, the mercury shot up.
This season, Mr. Brewer said Mother Nature was more cooperative. "We had some late frost that set the early crop back," he indicated. "Then we had nice weather that brought the early crop back to normal."
There are some concerns about the impact of record-setting temperatures in July. "It's hard to assess the damage to tubers," Mr. Brewer said. "We will see any damage around the middle of September."
The harvest transitions between Oregon's growing regions, beginning as early as late June and finishing in the fall. In general, Mr. Brewer said potato growers are expected to begin their harvests a little ahead of normal schedules. "The quality is normal or better," he indicated. "Size is probably better."
Fresh-market potato varieties grown in Oregon include Centennial, Burbank, Norkotah, Fremont, Crestone, Keystone, Klamath, Ranger, Nugget, Silverton and Legend russets. Yukon Golds are also grown, and reds include CalRed, Cherry Red, Chieftain, Durango, IdaRose, Mazama, Norland, LaSoda, Pontiac, Sangre, Viking and Winema.
Mr. Brewer also said that acreage planted to potatoes increased by 4 percent in 2007, coming in around 36,500 acres. This compares with 35,000 planted and harvested in 2006. "We're pretty much even with 2005 [in terms of acreage]," he noted.
This season, Mr. Brewer said the number of acres for contract process potatoes has increased, and there are some reductions in acreage for tablestock and seed potatoes. Last year, 26 percent of overall production was for tablestock.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that the yield per acre in 2006 was 530 hundredweight with overall production at 18.5 million hundredweight. Last year's crop came in at a value $6.90 per hundredweight, with a total value of production at $127.8 million.
Mr. Brewer said that 540 sacks is a typical per-acre yield for growers. Speaking of 2007, he said, "Time always tells."
On Aug. 21, the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service reported that five 100,000-pound units of potatoes were shipped by rail the week of Aug. 12. Another 36 100,000-pound units had been trucked, and six 100,000-pound units had been exported.
As of Aug. 18, a total of 19 100,000-pound units had been shipped via rail, 118 100,000-pound units trucked and 22 100,000-pound units had been exported.
According to Mr. Brewer, 3 percent of all potatoes grown in Oregon are exported as fresh. Mexico is the largest export market for the state, and Mr. Brewer said Korea is providing growers with potential new markets. "Oregon growers are really moving in that direction," he said of this expansion.
Rail transportation is becoming more popular with growers from Boardman to Hermiston, OR. "Growers [in those areas] are having good luck with Union Pacific," Mr. Brewer said. Other growing regions still rely primarily upon trucking.
With regard to export, Mr. Brewer said that most of the state's potatoes continue to be shipped through the port of Seattle. He went on to say that the port of Portland is adding some new shipping lanes and deepening channels to facilitate export.
(For more on Oregon potatoes, see the Sept.10 issue of The Produce News.)
