Oregon potato acreage at 35,000 in 2005, down 5 percent from last season
Oregon potato acreage at 35,000 in 2005, down 5 percent from last season
PORTLAND, OR Oregon's potato growers are in step with the national trend to reduce total acreage, and as such this seasons planted acreage total stands at 35,000 compared to 37,000 in 2004.
In September as harvest was commencing in some parts and finishing in other areas of the state, temperatures were cooler than normal, with most of the eastern and central regions seeing lows in the 20s and 30s.
Precipitation was varied, at some stations as low as none, and Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service noted Sept. 12, "For the most part, conditions remain dry."
Early potato harvest was nearly wrapped up in eastern Oregon by mid-September, while later varieties were just being dug in other growing areas.
Potatoes rank eighth among the states top-10 agricultural commodities, and Oregon is fourth in production nationally, according to National Agricultural Statistic Services figures.
Potato plantings, including processing spuds, have been up and down for the Beaver State, where records going back to 1993 indicate that fewer than 51,000 acres were planted that year. Yields averaged 468 cwt. per acre, production was at 23 million cwt., and the crop value was set at $132 million.
In 1994, acreage was increased to more than 56,000, and yields went up to 493 cwt. Production also climbed to more than 27 million cwt., but with prices averaging $4.75, the value of the production was down at $131 million.
The seesaw continued, with acreage down slightly in 1995. Yields were also down at 466 cwt. per acre, and production was just under 25 million cwt. Prices that year were up at $6.70, and the value of production was the highest in the 1993-2005 period at $166 million.
In 1996, growers put in more than 62,000 acres, and yields came in at 494 cwt. for a production of more than 30 million cwt., but prices fell to under $5, and the crop value was less than $138 million.
The next year saw 56,500 acres planted, with yields at 492 cwt. and production at 27 million cwt. Prices rose to $5.20, and the value of production also climbed to $142 million.
An increase in acreage in 1998 to 59,000 acres saw yields drop somewhat to 452 cwt., and production was 26 million cwt. Prices that year were at $5.05, and the value of production was at $132 million.
In 1999, acreage was 56,000. Yields that season were up to 505 cwt. for a production of 28 million cwt. Prices dipped slightly to $4.95, and the value of production was $139 million.
Year 2000 saw another increase in Oregons potato acreage reported by NASS with 57,000 planted. Yields were at 543 cwt., the highest reported to date, and production was just under 31 million cwt. Prices were $4.80 for a crop value of $147 million.
In 2001, with irrigation reduced significantly, acreage was down to 45,000 and yields were also lower at 466 cwt. for a production of 21 million cwt. Prices that year were up at $6.40, and the value of production was $133 million.
Buoyed by 2001s prices, acreage in 2002 was up to 50,000, and yields were also up at 501 cwt. for 25 million cwt. in production. Prices were at $5.65, and crop value was $141 million.
The next year, 2002, acreage dropped off to 42,800, and yields were at 493 cwt. for 21 million cwt. of production. Prices were $5.35, and crop value was at $113 million. Last year, with 37,000 acres planted, Oregon saw yields of 534 cwt. for production of just under 20 million cwt. Prices were $4.65, resulting in a crop value of $92 million.
With most of its potato production for processing, Oregon sees dozens of varieties planted and harvested. Russet varieties are used for frozen product, and a number of white varieties are grown for chipping.
Fresh-market potato varieties 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.
A number of gourmet and specialty varieties are also produced commercially and include fingerlings, whites, purples and yellows.
In September as harvest was commencing in some parts and finishing in other areas of the state, temperatures were cooler than normal, with most of the eastern and central regions seeing lows in the 20s and 30s.
Precipitation was varied, at some stations as low as none, and Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service noted Sept. 12, "For the most part, conditions remain dry."
Early potato harvest was nearly wrapped up in eastern Oregon by mid-September, while later varieties were just being dug in other growing areas.
Potatoes rank eighth among the states top-10 agricultural commodities, and Oregon is fourth in production nationally, according to National Agricultural Statistic Services figures.
Potato plantings, including processing spuds, have been up and down for the Beaver State, where records going back to 1993 indicate that fewer than 51,000 acres were planted that year. Yields averaged 468 cwt. per acre, production was at 23 million cwt., and the crop value was set at $132 million.
In 1994, acreage was increased to more than 56,000, and yields went up to 493 cwt. Production also climbed to more than 27 million cwt., but with prices averaging $4.75, the value of the production was down at $131 million.
The seesaw continued, with acreage down slightly in 1995. Yields were also down at 466 cwt. per acre, and production was just under 25 million cwt. Prices that year were up at $6.70, and the value of production was the highest in the 1993-2005 period at $166 million.
In 1996, growers put in more than 62,000 acres, and yields came in at 494 cwt. for a production of more than 30 million cwt., but prices fell to under $5, and the crop value was less than $138 million.
The next year saw 56,500 acres planted, with yields at 492 cwt. and production at 27 million cwt. Prices rose to $5.20, and the value of production also climbed to $142 million.
An increase in acreage in 1998 to 59,000 acres saw yields drop somewhat to 452 cwt., and production was 26 million cwt. Prices that year were at $5.05, and the value of production was at $132 million.
In 1999, acreage was 56,000. Yields that season were up to 505 cwt. for a production of 28 million cwt. Prices dipped slightly to $4.95, and the value of production was $139 million.
Year 2000 saw another increase in Oregons potato acreage reported by NASS with 57,000 planted. Yields were at 543 cwt., the highest reported to date, and production was just under 31 million cwt. Prices were $4.80 for a crop value of $147 million.
In 2001, with irrigation reduced significantly, acreage was down to 45,000 and yields were also lower at 466 cwt. for a production of 21 million cwt. Prices that year were up at $6.40, and the value of production was $133 million.
Buoyed by 2001s prices, acreage in 2002 was up to 50,000, and yields were also up at 501 cwt. for 25 million cwt. in production. Prices were at $5.65, and crop value was $141 million.
The next year, 2002, acreage dropped off to 42,800, and yields were at 493 cwt. for 21 million cwt. of production. Prices were $5.35, and crop value was at $113 million. Last year, with 37,000 acres planted, Oregon saw yields of 534 cwt. for production of just under 20 million cwt. Prices were $4.65, resulting in a crop value of $92 million.
With most of its potato production for processing, Oregon sees dozens of varieties planted and harvested. Russet varieties are used for frozen product, and a number of white varieties are grown for chipping.
Fresh-market potato varieties 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.
A number of gourmet and specialty varieties are also produced commercially and include fingerlings, whites, purples and yellows.
