Idaho's 2003 potato crop is "on grade" following release of the state's Size and Grade Summary.
Survey results for the 2003 crop, show 23.3 percent of the potatoes were at least 10 ounces, 15 percent less than the amount that reached that size in 2002.
Of the Russet potatoes in the 2003 sample, 69.7 percent met the 2.0-inch or 4-ounce minimum size and grade requirements for U.S. No. 1 potatoes.
Processing grade, with a 1.5-inch minimum, accounted for 29.4 percent of the 2003 crop.
The objective yield survey consisted of 281 samples located throughout Idaho in fields selected in an unbiased and random manner.
In eastern Idaho commercial-growing areas, 70.2 percent of the yield sample survey showed U.S. No. 1 potatoes at the 2-inch minimum. This compared to 67.7 percent last year.
In southern Idaho, 71.1 percent was rated as U.S. No. 1 at the 2-inch minimum. This compared to the 2002 figure of 69.5.