Fall Potato Production Up 2 percent

Nationally, production of fall potatoes for 2006  is forecast at 391 million cwt, up 2 percent from last year. Area harvest, at 976,000 is 3 percent above last year but the average yield of 436 cwt per acre is down 13 cwt below last year's record high.

Total U.S. potato production in 2006 from all four seasons is estimated at 535 million cwt, up 3 percent from last year. Harvested area, at 1.12 million acres, increased 3 percent from a year ago.

Idaho's production is expected to total 122 million cwt, up 3 percent from last year's 118 million cwt. Planted acres of 330,000 and harvested acres of 328,000 are up 5,000 acres from 2005. Statewide yield is 371 cwt (field-run basis), up five cwt from last year.

If realized this would be the second highest yield on record, three cwt below the record yield set in 2004.

In the western states, production is forecast at 265 million cwt, down 2 percent from last year. Area harvested, at 698,000 acres increased 1 percent from last year but the average yield of 436 cwt per acre is down 13 cwt from 2005.

In the central states, production is forecast at 98.5 million cwt, up 11 percent from last year. Harvested area at 277,400 acres is up 7 percent while average yields, at 355 cwt per acre are up 11 cwt from a year ago.

In the eastern states, production is forecast at 27.4 million cwt, up 13 percent from last year. Area for harvest totaled 91,500 acres, 1 percent above last year, while the average yield at 299 cwt per acre is up 31 cwt from last season.