Idaho's '04 Crop In Good Condition

Despite being in a drought, Idaho's potato growers may just have pulled off another great growing season.

With water supplies dwindling and the irrigation season closure six-to-seven weeks away, the crop is described at 92 percent good to excellent.

The report came from the August 1 Idaho Agricultural Statistics Service survey made last week.

Eight percent of the crop is listed in fair condition and only 2 percent was described as in poor condition.

Sixty-seven percent of the state's irrigation water supply is described as poor to fair and only 29 percent good.

Potatoes have closed rows throughout the state and it will be a matter of keeping the water applied and the crop growing that will determine the final yield and quality of the crop.

Early harvest is already under way in southwestern Idaho.